LifeRing Podcasts

TSH Chat with Mary Beth
March 23, 2024 —  The Sober Heathen | Mary Beth author of "From Junkie to Judge: One woman's triumph over trauma and addiction" joined me today! We talk about her story, multiple pathways, trauma, and the stigma surrounding addiction.

Lindsay Villandry, Addiction counselor, interviews LifeRing's Mary Beth 
October 29, 2023 — Recover Loudly with Lindsay Mary Beth has been clean and sober from her methamphetamine use disorder since 1994. She also is in recovery from abuse, trauma, and anxiety. She wrote about her story in her award-winning memoir From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.

Self-Empowered Recovery with Mary Beth O’Connor
October 4, 2023 —  Kaleidoscope of Possibilities | Discover the many paths to recovery, inspiration, and hope in the latest episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities: Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health, in which Dr. Adriana Popescu talks with Director of She Recovers Foundation and LifeRing Secular Recovery, author of From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, and retired judge Mary Beth O’Connor.

12-Step Program Not Working for You or a Loved One?
April 20, 2023 —  Psych Central: Inside Mental Health Podcast | 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous dominate the recovery space. In fact, when most people think of someone in recovery, they typically assume they are part of a 12-step program. But, what if the traditional 12-step programs don’t work for you? For example, if you are an atheist, don’t like the idea of a sponsor, or want a program driven by self-empowerment, are there other options? Join us as today’s guest, Mary Beth O’Connor, shares with us that 12 steps are not the only choice when it comes to peer support recovery programs.

Mary Beth O’Conner on Dopey Podcast
April 14, 2023 —  Dopey | Episode 407: TRIGGER WARNING!! We are joined by Federal Judge, recovery advocate and author, Mary Beth O'Connor - and she hits us full force with the unfiltered Dopey. From shooting meth, sexual abuse, cutting, draining abscesses and much more. Mary Beth delivered the diabolically debauched Dopey - and still explained her non 12 step style of recovery and how she made it out! It is a not to be missed episode!

Judge O’Conner: Create Your Own Robust Recovery Program
April 4, 2023 —  The Next Chapter With Charlie | Episode 274: Today’s guest, Judge Mary Beth O’Conner has recently released her new book, From Junkie to Judge, where she offers, not only hope, but tactics to create your own Robust Recovery Program.

Special Guest Mary Beth O’Connor – Author of “From Junkie to Judge
January 6, 2023 —  Recovery Rocks | Episode 153: Mary Beth O’Connor is the author of the new memoir, “From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.” The abuse and traumas she experienced as a child, including sexual assaults, led Mary Beth into substance use disorders. She started drinking at 12 years old and by 17 she was shooting up methamphetamine. When Mary Beth got sober at age 32, 12-step was not a fit. She decided to develop her own way of recovering, incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a secular recovery plan that works for her. Six years into her recovery, she went to law school, then worked at a big firm before being appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge.

Roundtable with Mary-Beth O’Conner
November 4, 2022 —  Rock The Bottom Podcast |Interview with retired federal judge, Mary Beth O’Connor, who had to overcome a fierce addiction to methamphetamine to get her life on track led to a further exploration into the topics of self-awareness and individualized recovery. Hear how she was able to carve out her own path for recovery and why she thinks others should as well. Should we strictly adhere to a well-established recovery program because it is proven to be effective? How does self-awareness play into this decision? Listen to your Rock the Bottom hosts and Mary Beth delve deep into these concepts.

Mary Beth O'Connor: Author of "From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction
September 8, 2022 —  High While Clean | Episode 97:  High While Clean features Mary Beth O’Connor as she shares her powerful story of overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and rebuilding her life. From struggling with meth addiction to achieving 29 years of sobriety, Mary Beth highlights her secular recovery journey and her advocacy through organizations like LifeRing Secular Recovery and She Recovers Foundation. As an author and former federal judge, her story inspires hope, resilience, and a new perspective on recovery.

Mary Beth O'Connor Talks About LifeRing on AA-based Sober.Coffee Podcast
July 3, 2022 —  Sober.Coffee Podcast interview with LifeRing Secular Recovery board member and Speaker's Bureau Supervisor Mary Beth O'Connor. In her own words: "I spoke with two 12-steppers about LifeRing, the 3-S philosophy, building a personal recovery plan, and other basics about LSR."Mary Beth's LifeRing-focused podcast was well received by the LifeRing Community and the listeners of the Sober.Coffee Podcast.

LifeRing Executive Director Robert Stump Shares His Story on Beyond Belief Sobriety 
May 4, 2022 —  Beyond Belief Sobriety | Episode 265:  LifeRing Secular Recovery. Beyond Belief Sobriety is a podcast for agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, and secularly-minded people in recovery. This podcast was originally recorded a few years back for a podcast called My Secular Recovery, but the hosts liked it so much they featured it again on Beyond Belief Sobriety this year. In this episode, LifeRing Executive Director Robert Stump shares his personal story of recovery and how he found LifeRing to support him in his sobriety.

Multiple Pathways To Recovery w/ Adrienne Miller and Mary Beth O'Connor
March 31, 2022 —  Recovery Matters! Podcast | Episode 71: President/CEO Woman for Sobriety Adrienne Miller and former Administrative Law Judge Mary Beth O’Connor of LifeRing Secular Recovery & She Recovers Foundation join us on this week’s Recovery Matters podcast! In August 2020, Mary Beth had an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, I Beat Addiction without God, where she described building a personal recovery plan by combining ideas from various programs which included Woman for Sobriety. That led to her meeting Adrienne. and from there they teamed up to speak about multiple pathways that can be taken towards recovery.

The Road to Starting Over with Mary Beth O’Conner 
March 24, 2022 —  Outliers Edge Podcast | Outliers Edge Podcast celebrates unconventional leaders and entrepreneurs who leverage their differences to make a meaningful impact. In the episode The Road to Starting Over, Mary Beth O’Connor shares her inspiring story of resilience and transformation, from overcoming addiction to becoming a federal judge. Her journey offers powerful insights on rebuilding and thriving against all odds, perfect for those seeking the courage to redefine their path.

Mary Beth - From Junkie to Judge
March 10, 2022 — One Dat At A Time Recovery Podcast | Episode 201: One Day At A Time features Mary Beth O’Connor, who shares her incredible journey from being a teenage IV meth user to achieving over 28 years of sobriety and serving as a Federal Judge. As an atheist, Mary Beth highlights secular recovery paths, including SheRecovers, SMART Recovery, and LifeRing, offering hope and inspiration for those seeking alternative approaches. She also discusses her upcoming memoir, set to release next January, detailing her extraordinary story of resilience and transformation.

LifeRing —  An Alternative to the 12 Steps
February 3, 2022 — Tapping Into The Human | Episode 14 Alex as she speaks to one of LifeRing's Board Members, Mary Beth O'Connor to learn more about what LifeRing Secular Recovery is, what is has to offer, and how it differs from 12 step programs.

The New Faces of Recovery with Adrienne Miller and Mary Beth O'Connor
January 12, 2022 — Think Courageously with Deb Cummins Stellato This episode of Think Courageously highlights the inspiring stories of Adrienne Miller and Mary Beth O’Connor as they share their journeys to a substance-free life and the joy of recovery. Mary Beth discusses overcoming trauma and addiction, achieving 27 years of sobriety through a secular approach, and her impactful work as an advocate, author, and former federal judge. Hosted by Deb Cummins Stellato, the podcast empowers women to embrace courage, redefine success, and navigate meaningful pivots in life.

Thoughtline — KFJC Interview with LifeRing and WFS
August 9, 2021 —  KFJC 89.7FM radio in Foothill College.  Interview with LifeRing Secular Recovery board member and She Recovers Foundation advocate Mary Beth O'Connor; and Women For Sobriety President/CEO Adrienne Miller about the the importance of secular recovery options for women and the growing number of people searching for a self-directed recovery pathways. Interview starts at 0.57m.

From Junkie To Judge
July 11, 2021 —  Sunday Edition: The Only One in the Room podcast. LifeRing Board Member Mary Beth O'Connor shared her personal saga of how she transitioned from junkie to judge can provide hope and guidance in this time of increasing secularity and with the streets again flooded with meth.

From Meth Addict to Judge
July 5, 2021 —  All Things Substance | Episode 42. LifeRing Board Member Mary Beth O'Connor talks with host Betsy Byler. Mary Beth shared  her personal story including her battle with meth and the influence of LifeRing and multiple paths on her recovery.

LifeRing Secular Recovery With Mary Beth O'Connor —  YouTube
October 06, 2020 —  She Recovers | Mental Health Monday host Dawn Nickel meets with LifeRing Board Member to talk about recovery and her personal recovery story.

The Addicted Mind Podcast with LifeRing Board Member Jason Groce
November 2, 2017 —  The Addicted Mind Podcast | Episode 15:  Peer-to-Peer Support in Secular Recovery. Host Duane Osterland sits down with Board Member and LifeRing Community Activist Jason Groce to talk about his personal recovery journey and the core philosophy of LifeRing.