In this powerful episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with award-winning singer/songwriter, vocal coach, and woman in recovery Shylah Ray Sunshine for an honest conversation about sobriety, childhood trauma, motherhood, and the healing power of the human voice.

Raised by parents struggling with alcoholism, Shylah shares how early exposure to addiction shaped her life — and how finding 12-step recovery helped her break generational patterns and begin deep emotional healing. She opens up about becoming a mother while navigating her own trauma recovery, balancing career and spiritual growth, and what it truly means to "come home to yourself."

Together, Tim and Shylah explore:

• Growing up in an alcoholic household and finding recovery

• The role of 12-step programs in healing trauma

• Breaking generational cycles through sobriety

• Motherhood and recovery

• Quitting smoking and reclaiming the physical voice

• How trauma lives in the body — and in the voice

• Music as medicine and facilitating healing through sound

• Using breath, vibration, and expression as tools for transformation

Shylah also shares insights from her work as a professional vocal coach and creator of Soul Voice Singing, explaining how reconnecting with your voice can unlock emotional freedom, self-expression, and spiritual alignment. This episode bridges addiction recovery, trauma healing, creativity, and spirituality — offering hope and practical insight for anyone seeking deeper healing. If you've ever struggled to speak your truth, break unhealthy patterns, or reconnect with your authentic self, this conversation is for you.

About the Guest

Shylah Ray Sunshine is a multi-award-winning Neo-Soul and R&B artist, DJ, professional vocal coach, and proud First Nations Algonquin woman based in Los Angeles. Her music has been shared worldwide, and her work focuses on healing, empowerment, and authentic expression.

Learn more about Shylah Ray Sunshine and her Soul Voice Singing work at:

www.shylahraysunshine.com

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Grammy Award–winning composer and sound healing pioneer Barry Goldstein to explore how music can be used as medicine for mental health, nervous system regulation, sleep, and addiction recovery.

Barry is the creator of Acousticeuticals™—therapeutic music designed to support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and guide the brain into more coherent and regulated states. His work has been used in hospitals, treatment centers, medical practices, and research settings, and he has collaborated with leaders such as Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Dave Asprey.

Tim shares his personal experience using the sleep playlist Barry created with Dr. Daniel Amen, which he listens to every night as part of his recovery and mental health routine. Together, they break down why certain music works, how sound impacts the brain and nervous system, and how people in recovery can use music intentionally to calm anxiety, quiet negative self-talk, and improve sleep.

This conversation blends neuroscience, frequency, energy, and practical tools, making it especially relevant for anyone navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, or addiction recovery.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How music regulates the nervous system

• The science behind sound, frequency, and brain states

• Why music can reduce anxiety and emotional overwhelm

• How to biohack your brain with intentional music

• The role of music in trauma healing and recovery

• Why sleep-focused music improves sleep quality, not just sleep duration

• How to build a simple music practice for mental health and recovery

Whether you're in recovery, a mental health professional, or someone looking for natural tools to support emotional regulation and sleep, this episode offers a powerful new way to think about music as medicine.

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down in person with Jaime Vinck, President of The Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, to have an honest, no-hype conversation about addiction treatment and recovery.

Jaime is the author of The Rehab Playbook: Demystifying Addiction Treatment, a guide written to help people in treatment and their families understand what rehab actually does, why it sometimes falls short, and how to approach recovery with clarity instead of confusion.

Recorded live at Camelback Recovery Treatment Center in front of outpatient clients, this conversation speaks directly to people who are:

• Currently in treatment
• Early in recovery
• Returning to treatment after relapse
• Skeptical due to past treatment experiences
• Family members trying to help without causing harm

Together, Tim and Jaime explore why rehab isn't a "fix," how trauma and mental health influence addiction, what accountability really means in recovery, and why aftercare and daily structure matter more than motivation alone.

This episode also addresses common misconceptions about rehab, including:

• Why treatment doesn't always work the way people expect
• How broken or poorly matched programs can impact recovery
• Why relapse is not a moral failure
• What ethical, effective addiction treatment actually looks like

If you or someone you love is navigating addiction treatment, recovery, or the decision to seek help, this conversation offers realistic hope, practical insight, and a clearer understanding of the recovery process — without shame, fear, or false promises.

Tim Westbrook sits down with entrepreneur and CEO Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door Service, who shares what it really takes to build a high-growth company and how working nonstop could lead to self-destruction. He opens up about workaholism, burnout, identity, and the moment he realized that performance alone was not enough. They explore how ambition can quietly become a coping mechanism, why work is often a socially acceptable addiction, and what it looks like to create success without sacrificing health, relationships, or peace of mind. They also discuss lifestyle changes, stress management, stepping away from alcohol for clarity, and the role of boundaries, values, and purpose in long-term well-being. This episode is for anyone asking: How do I stay driven without destroying myself?

Topics covered:

• Workaholism and burnout

• Mental health and high performance

• Stress, pressure, and coping strategies

• Alcohol, lifestyle changes, and clarity

• Identity, purpose, and sustainable success

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Kathryn Elliott, alcohol mindset coach, speaker, and founder of The Alcohol Mindset Coach, to share how she discovered a scientifically proven yet rarely discussed link between alcohol and increased breast cancer risk. Together, they discuss what the research actually says about "moderate" drinking, how alcohol affects hormones, inflammation, and sleep, and why you do not need a diagnosis or a rock bottom moment to reconsider alcohol's role in your life. Kathryn also explores how to approach these conversations without fear, shame, or self-blame, and how clarity, confidence, and well-being often improve when we choose ourselves first.

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Estil Wallace, founder of Cornerstone Healing Center, for an honest, live conversation about recovery, mental health, and what it really takes to build a life in sobriety. Estil shares his personal journey through addiction, the role the 12 Steps have played in his recovery, and how lived experience – not theory – shapes the way he shows up today. Together, they talk about experience, strength, and hope, navigating early recovery, staying grounded as life gets bigger, and why recovery is about much more than just not using. This episode is for anyone who's struggling, early in the process, or looking for proof that meaningful change is possible one day at a time.

Addiction is typically addressed in a harsh and imposing manner, and compassion is often thrown out of the window. Heather Ross, a family recovery coach and podcaster, joins Tim Westbrook, MS to discuss how parents should support children struggling with substance use without confrontation or shame. Delving deep into family recovery, they break down how children struggling with addiction positively respond to connection, communication, and emotional regulation. Heather also explains that tough love often backfires, how nervous system regulation impacts the entire family, and how parents can set boundaries that build connection instead of distance.

Anxiety will always be a part of the roller coaster of life. However, suppressing it will only lead to frequent panic attacks and a more emotionally unstable you. Joining Tim Westbrook, MS is Dr. Nicole Cain, ND, MA, a licensed naturopathic physician in Arizona and a leading expert in trauma-informed and integrative mental health. Together, they discuss how to turn anxiety into intelligent signals from the body that lead to healing. Dr. Nicole also breaks down the four steps of reprogramming, the nine different types of anxiety, and how to listen to your symptoms. Find out how to treat anxiety not as an enemy but as a messenger you should closely listen to.