Ep. 34 Addiction Destroyed My Life — But I Rebuilt It: Katherine Sorensen on the Road to Recovery

What are we really trying to numb when we turn to addiction? Why can something that’s hurting us feel so much like love? And how do you rebuild your life when you’ve survived the very things that once made you believe you might never make it out? Today’s guest is Azadeh—a woman whose story is truly one of survival, healing, and redemption. Azadeh has been sober from meth and alcohol for 24 years and is a survivor of domestic violence and narcissistic abuse. Today, she’s been married for 17 years, is a couples counselor, a four-time bestselling author, and the founder of Power Within Publishing. For the past 20 years, she’s dedicated her life to helping women heal from abuse and trauma, and she recently earned her doctorate from Bethel University. At the center of it all is her faith and a deep love for Jesus. Today, we’re going behind the accomplishments and into the story that created the woman she is today—the addiction, the abuse, the healing, learning what healthy love actually looks like, and how God can take some of the most painful chapters of our lives and use them to create purpose. This is Azadehs story @Breakfree_riseandrebuild

What if the thing that broke you at an early age became the very reason you spend your life protecting others? what if your pain wasn't the end of your story, but the assignment? My guest is a Registered Nurse licensed in New York, California, and Florida, with years in emergency medicine and the neonatal intensive care unit. She's a Jiu-Jitsu black belt and academy co-founder, a wife, and a mom of two. Today she's the President of the Inspirit Foundation, leading programs in mental health, injury prevention, and nutrition to protect young athletes on and off the mat. But long before any of that there was a four-year-old girl who learned what it meant to lose someone she loved. And it's shaped every choice she's made since. This is Michele's story. @michelefreitas_us

Have you ever wanted to share what you've been through but felt held back by "What will my family say?" or "Will people think I just want attention?" In this episode, Alexis gets honest about the fear and fallout that come with telling your story, and why staying silent can cost you more than speaking up.

Have you ever wanted to not be seen? To hide — maybe your actual body, or just by not taking up too much space? Have you ever felt like you weren't qualified, so you never even tried? Have you struggled with that feeling in your stomach that you're just not good enough? If any of this hits home, this episode is for you. I'm diving into what it really takes to overcome insecurity and step into your most confident self — including the one mindset shift that completely changed everything for me. I'm also breaking down my Pool Theory and how it works hand-in-hand with that shift to help you build lasting, unshakeable confidence. If you've been stuck in self-doubt or waiting for permission to take up space, this episode is your sign to stop.

Not every story is ready for a microphone, and that's okay. In this episode of Shift Happens, we're talking about how to know when it's time. We break down whether you're sharing from a wound or a scar, and whether your "why" is revenge or service. We also cover the difference between trauma dumping and linking arms with someone to help them carry the load. Your story is powerful. Let's make sure you're standing on solid ground when you share it.