The Right Room with Hilary Phelps
The Right Room with Hilary Phelps holds the stories women rarely tell out loud—tender, brave, and deeply human. These conversations remind listeners that even in silence, they’re not walking their path alone.
The Right Room with Hilary Phelps
Navigating Sobriety and Authenticity with Laura Cathcart Robbins
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this powerful episode of The Right Room, Hilary Phelps sits down with Laura Cathcart Robbins, author of Stash: My Life in Hiding and host of The Only One in the Room podcast, for a candid conversation about addiction, recovery, and embracing authenticity.
Laura shares her compelling journey from battling Ambien addiction while maintaining the facade of the perfect PTA mom, to rediscovering her true self through the process of recovery. She opens up about the pressures of presenting a perfect exterior while feeling lost inside, the impact of childhood trauma on her adult life, and the transformative power of vulnerability in her writing and public life.
Listeners will gain insight into the complexities of addiction, the importance of honest self-reflection, and how small moments of clarity can lead to life-changing decisions. Laura’s wisdom and Hilary’s empathetic approach make this episode a must-listen for anyone navigating their own struggles or supporting loved ones through challenging transitions.
Key Takeaways:
•The lasting impact of addiction and the power of recovery.
•How societal pressures can contribute to internal struggles.
•The importance of setting boundaries and practicing honesty in all aspects of life.
Tune in for an episode filled with heartfelt moments, powerful revelations, and actionable insights that will resonate with anyone seeking to live a more authentic and fulfilled life.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Our shows are brought to you with the support of Alchimie Forever.
OUR MISSION: SELF CARE THROUGH SKIN CARE™
We believe that your skin is the mirror of your soul, and that taking care of it daily, effectively, gently, is essential to your self care. Looking good…means feeling good…means doing good.
Our motto: Self care through skin care.™ Forever.
https://www.alchimie-forever.com/
What if the shift you’ve been longing for isn’t somewhere out there, but already stirring inside you?
For the woman in an in-between season—my 1:1 mentorship creates the space to hear your own voice again, reconnect with what matters, and move forward with clarity and grounded confidence. When life calls you toward a deeper truth, you don’t have to navigate it alone. If it resonates, you can begin at HilaryPhelps.com.
Episode Summary:
In this deeply resonant episode of The Right Room, Hilary Phelps welcomes Laura Cathcart Robbins, a celebrated author, and podcaster, for an open conversation about addiction, recovery, and the journey to self-acceptance. Laura shares her story of overcoming Ambien addiction, the challenges of motherhood, and the struggle of maintaining external appearances while feeling lost inside. This episode explores themes of vulnerability, the importance of honest self-reflection, and the transformative power of recovery.
Key Takeaways:
• Sobriety Journey: Laura reflects on her 16 years of sobriety and how she can still vividly recall the feelings of shame, loneliness, and disconnection from her days of addiction.
• Addiction’s Impact: Laura discusses the cycle of addiction, how Ambien provided temporary relief but led to a deepened addiction, and how recovery allowed her to rediscover herself.
• Childhood Trauma: Laura connects her hypervigilance as a mother to her experiences growing up in a violent home, where she learned to be constantly on alert.
• Public vs. Private Persona: Both Hilary and Laura discuss the pressure women face to maintain a perfect exterior while struggling internally. Laura shares how she portrayed herself as the “ideal mom” while battling addiction.
• The Power of Vulnerability: Laura’s book Stash and her candid discussions on social media have allowed her to connect with others in recovery, helping them feel less alone in their struggles.
• Transformative Moments: Laura shares pivotal moments in her recovery, including a crucial decision not to relapse after her son interrupted her contemplation of drinking cough medicine.
Quotes:
• “Feelings are like children. You don’t want to put them in the trunk, but they shouldn’t be driving the car either.” — Laura Cathcart Robbins
• “Addiction isn’t something that discriminates or picks and chooses. Privilege is not protection.” — Hilary Phelps
• “It was me I didn’t love, at least not enough. I didn’t trust that he’d still love me if I came clean about who I was. So the relationship was doomed from the start, wasn’t it?” — Laura Cathcart Robbins
Resources Mentioned:
• Laura Cathcart Robbins’ book, Stash: My Life in Hiding
• Laura’s upcoming book (currently in revisions)
• The Only One in the Room podcast, hosted by Laura Cathcart Robbins
Connect with Laura:
• Instagram: @lauracathcartrobbins
• Website: lauracathcartrobbins.com
Connect with Hilary Phelps:
• The Right Room with Hilary Phelps
Join the Conversation:
• Have thoughts on today’s episode? Share them with us on Instagram @hilaryphelps_ and use #TheRightRoomPodcast.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating sobriety, dealing with past trauma, or simply seeking to live a more authentic and fulfilled life.
