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From the Shadow to the Light

From the Shadow to the Light

By: Debbie Gill
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 Welcome to From the Shadow to the Light, a podcast inspired by my book, Struck by Lightning: My Journey from the Shadow to the Light. This podcast isn’t just a collection of stories—it’s a transformational journey of healing and self-discovery. designed to inspire, empower, and guide you toward your light. In each episode, I’ll share powerful stories from my own journey and thought-provoking reflective questions to help you dive deeper into your transformation. These prompts are designed to spark awareness, foster healing, and encourage you to uncover the strengths hidden within your challenges. From the Shadow to the Light is more than a podcast—it’s a space for meaningful connection.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Episode 8—Banging My Head Against a Brick Wall

    Episode 8—Banging My Head Against a Brick Wall
    May 22 2025
    Episode 8—Banging My Head Against a Brick Wall Episode 8 of From the Shadow to the Light explores the painful cycle of feeling stuck and making external progress while battling internal struggles. Chapter 8—Banging My Head Against a Brick Wall, delves into the reality of being a “dry drunk”—physically sober but emotionally unchanged—while chasing professional success and unhealthy relationships as distractions from more profound wounds. Join me as I unravel the lessons hidden in frustration, self-sabotage, and the search for true healing. Show Notes Episode Title: Banging My Head Against a Brick Wall Episode Number: 8 Welcome to Episode 8 of From the Shadow to the Light, where we dive into Chapter 8 of my memoir, Struck by Lightning: My Journey from the Shadow to the Light. Many people believe that quitting alcohol or achieving external success automatically leads to healing. But what happens when you make progress on the outside while still feeling trapped on the inside? This episode explores that struggle—where professional milestones, personal relationships, and spiritual seeking all seem to lead to the same emotional dead ends. From excelling in a male-dominated industry while battling unresolved anger to seeking validation through toxic relationships, my journey highlights how addiction doesn’t always look like drinking. The real battle was deeper, and despite my best efforts, I kept running into the same patterns, over and over—until I realized the real change had to come from within. If you’ve ever felt like you’re making all the right moves but still end up in the same painful cycles, this episode is for you. Reflective Questions Theme 1—Navigating Professional Challenges as a Dry Drunk Have you ever achieved something significant in your career, only to find your success overshadowed by biases or discrimination? How did that make you feel?Can you recall a time when you had to prove yourself over and above your colleagues due to biases? What was the outcome? Additional Questions: How do you maintain your self-worth in environments that test your confidence and question your capabilities?How have past unresolved emotions influenced the way you react to challenges in your professional life?What strategies can help you separate professional success from personal self-worth? Theme 2—Personal Relationships and Self-Discovery Have you ever found yourself in relationships that mirrored other dependencies or addictions in your life?How do you cope with the fear of being alone or the need for constant emotional validation? Additional Questions: How do you maintain your self-worth in environments that test your confidence and question your capabilities?How have past unresolved emotions influenced the way you react to challenges in your professional life?What strategies can help you separate professional success from personal self-worth? Theme 3—The Seeker Archetype and the Quest for Self-Discovery Have you ever felt like a Seeker, constantly searching for answers or trying to fill a void within yourself? How has this quest influenced your relationships and personal growth?In what ways have your attempts at self-help or spiritual exploration revealed deeper issues you were not initially aware of? Theme 4—The First Saturn Return: A Time of Existential Transformation How have you navigated the pressure to change or evolve during significant life transitions? What coping mechanisms have you found effective?Reflect on a time when you felt a deep need to question or alter your path. What drove these changes, and how have they shaped who you are today? Theme 5—Navigating Health Challenges: Ocular Convergence Spasms Have you ever encountered a health issue that seemed to reflect deeper life stresses? How did you address both the physical symptoms and their emotional counterparts?What strategies have you employed to maintain your health when faced with chronic conditions or unexpected health challenges? Theme 6—Loss of Billy: Navigating Grief and Sustaining Faith Have you ever placed hope in a new relationship or situation, only to have it unexpectedly taken away? How did you cope with that loss?How have significant losses impacted your journey in recovery or personal growth?In times of deep personal crisis, how has your faith or core beliefs provided support or been challenged? Conclusion As we close Episode 8, we reflect on the patterns that keep us feeling stuck and the courage required to break them. The journey to healing is not just about quitting a habit or chasing external success but about confronting the deeper wounds that drive our behaviors. May this episode serve as a reminder that real change We hope this episode helps you reflect on your journey and uncover meaningful insights. Be sure to click the community link below and look for additional resources to support your transformation. Thank you for listening to From the Shadow to the Light. JOIN ...
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    19 mins
  • Episode 7—Putting Down the Drink

    Episode 7—Putting Down the Drink
    May 15 2025
    Episode 7—Putting Down the Drink In Episode 7 of From the Shadow to the Light, we explore the pivotal moment in Chapter 7 —Putting Down the Drink, when I put down the drink—an act that would redefine my life in ways I never expected. While the decision to stop drinking seemed like the ultimate solution, I quickly learned that sobriety alone wasn’t enough to heal the wounds that led me to addiction in the first place. Join me as I reflect on the challenges of early sobriety, the reality of being a “dry drunk,” and the deeper transformation required to reclaim my true self. Show Notes Episode Title: Putting Down the Drink Episode Number: 7 Welcome to Episode 7 of From the Shadow to the Light, where we dive into Chapter 7 of my memoir, Struck by Lightning: My Journey from the Shadow to the Light. Deciding to stop drinking is often seen as the defining moment of recovery, but for me, it was only the beginning. Putting Down the Drink delves into the reality of quitting alcohol without addressing the underlying pain that fueled my addiction For 17 years, I lived as what many call a “dry drunk”—free from alcohol but still trapped in the patterns of my old life. Sobriety brought external stability, but inside, I was still fighting battles I had never faced. In this episode, we explore the illusions of early recovery, the struggle of identity shifts, and the real work of transformation that extends beyond putting down the drink. This is a story for anyone who has ever believed that stopping an addiction would solve everything, only to realize that true healing requires much more. Reflective Questions Theme 1—Facing the Challenge Reflect on a pivotal time when you were challenged to confront a deeply ingrained habit or pattern of behavior. What emotions and thoughts arose within you during that time?How do moments of weakness and temptation serve as opportunities for growth and self-discovery? Additional Questions: Contemplate the significance of choice in the process of personal transformation. What does it mean to actively choose change, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity?How do we balance the fear of letting go with hoping for something better ahead?What role does accountability play in making and maintaining difficult life changes? Theme 2—Navigating the Journey Reflect on when you felt the tug of temptation pulling you away from your path of growth and transformation. What strategies did you employ to resist temptation and stay true to your goals?Consider the theme of inner turmoil versus external appearance. How do societal expectations and perceptions influence our ability to confront our inner demons and embrace authentic transformation? Additional Questions: How have the relationships and connections in your life served as sources of strength and resilience during challenging times?What are the differences between abstaining from behavior and truly healing from its root causes?How do you rebuild trust in yourself after breaking free from self-destructive patterns? Theme 3—Confronting the Shadow How do you relate to the “shadow self” concept and its influence on behavior and decision-making? Have you encountered moments where your own shadow aspects have surfaced, impacting your life?What behavior patterns, such as denial, have hindered your authentic growth, and what steps have you taken to confront them? Theme 4—The Burden of Illness Have you experienced similar challenges, such as the burden of illness, in your journey toward self-discovery? If so, how has it been a catalyst for personal growth and transformation?Consider the emotional toll of witnessing a loved one’s battle with illness. How does the experience of caregiving shape your own sense of identity and purpose? Theme 5—Seeking Balance How do you perceive the concept of balance in your own journey of personal transformation? What areas of your life do you feel need greater harmony and alignment?Reflect on a time when you experienced a sense of imbalance within yourself. What emotions and thoughts arose during that time? How did you navigate the process of restoring equilibrium? Conclusion As we close Episode 7, we reflect on the reality that simply putting down the drink is not the same as true healing. The journey to recovery is not just about abstaining from alcohol but about facing the deeper wounds that led us there in the first place. May this episode serve as a reminder that transformation is not just about removing what harms us but about actively building a new life rooted in self-awareness, resilience, and authenticity. We hope this episode helps you reflect on your journey and uncover meaningful insights. Be sure to click the community link below and look for additional resources to support your transformation. Thank you for listening to From the Shadow to the Light.
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    19 mins
  • Episode 6—Allergic to Alcohol

    Episode 6—Allergic to Alcohol
    May 8 2025

    Episode 6—Allergic to Alcohol

    In Episode 6, we dive into Allergic to Alcohol, exploring the seductive yet destructive power of addiction. From the allure of glamorous parties to the harrowing blackouts that followed, this chapter exposes the relentless grip of alcohol and the spiraling chaos it brings. Join me as I uncover the moments of recklessness, denial, and near-death experiences that forced me to confront the truth about my addiction.

    Show Notes

    Episode Title: Allergic to Alcohol Episode Number: 6

    Welcome to Episode 5 of From the Shadow to the Light, where we dive into Chapter 5 of my memoir, Struck by Lightning: My Journey from the Shadow to the Light.

    Addiction doesn’t happen overnight—it creeps in slowly, disguising itself as fun, freedom, and escape until the consequences become undeniable. In Allergic to Alcohol, I share my personal journey through the reckless highs and crushing lows of my drinking years, revealing how alcohol became both an escape and a trap.

    This episode delves into the illusions surrounding alcohol addiction, the emotional wounds that fueled my behavior, and the emergence of the Femme Fatale archetype during my years of active addiction. From blackouts in strange cities to DUI arrests, I reflect on how alcohol's seductive pull left me chasing euphoria and ignoring the signs of destruction.

    As the grip of alcoholism tightened, my life unraveled in a blur of dangerous choices and emotional turmoil. This raw and unfiltered episode shines a light on the deeper wounds beneath addictive patterns, inviting listeners into a space of awareness, emotional healing, and the possibility of recovery.

    Reflective Questions

    Theme 1—The Seductive Allure of Alcohol

    Reflective Questions:

    1. Have you ever found yourself drawn to alcohol as a means of escape or relaxation? What emotions or experiences typically precede your decision to drink?

    2. How do you feel when you reflect on moments where alcohol has led to reckless behavior or consequences?

    3. What strategies do you use to resist temptation and maintain control in social settings?

    4. How can you build awareness of alcohol’s seductive power and its impact on your life, relationships, and well-being?

    5. In what ways have you seen alcohol shift from fun to a form of coping?

    Theme 2—Descent into Chaos

    Reflective Questions:

    1. Have you ever experienced moments of chaos from drinking or substance use? How did those moments affect your self-worth and emotional health?

    2. What tools help you manage shame or regret after blackouts or reckless behavior?

    3. How can you recognize warning signs before chaos takes hold?

    4. What support systems can help you reclaim control and navigate recovery?

    5. How have chaotic moments shaped your view on sobriety and healing?

    Theme 3—Confronting the Shadow

    Reflective Questions:

    1. Have you experienced a moment of clarity amid chaos when your shadow self came into focus?

    2. What past wounds or traumas might be driving your addictive patterns?

    Theme 4—Confronting Despair

    Reflective Questions:

    1. Have you ever faced a moment of deep despair? What typically triggers these feelings?

    2. How do you move through hopelessness when facing the consequences of your actions?

    Theme 5—Embracing Imperfection

    Reflective Questions:

    1. How do you respond to your imperfections? Do you feel shame or self-judgment?

    2. Can you find grace and compassion for yourself when faced with your flaws?

    Conclusion

    As we close Episode 6, we acknowledge the deceptive allure of alcohol—the way it seduces, numbs, and ultimately consumes. Allergic to Alcohol revealed the blackouts, chaos, and dangerous encounters that marked my descent into addiction, and the painful truth that no amount of willpower could fix my relationship with alcohol. May this episode be a reminder that the path to recovery begins with radical honesty, and though healing is hard, every moment of awareness is a step toward the light.

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    16 mins

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