Shows
Politically High-Tech273- Overcoming Addiction: A Judge's Powerful Recovery Journey with Mary BethSend us a textMary Beth O'Connor shares her transformative journey from addiction and trauma to becoming a federal judge, illustrating how personalized recovery approaches can lead to extraordinary life changes. Her story challenges common misconceptions about addiction treatment while offering practical insights for both those struggling with addiction and their supporters.• Growing up in a violent household that led to early substance use at age 12• Progression to methamphetamine addiction by age 16 while dealing with trauma• Development of an individualized recovery plan rather than relying solely on 12-step programs• Addressing co-occurring mental health c...2025-05-1953 min
Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollumFrom Junkie to Judge: The Unlikely Path to the BenchGuest Bio and Links: Mary Beth O'Connor is a federal administrative law judge and the author of "From Junkie to Judge." She is a writer, speaker, trainer, and recovery advocate. Mary Beth’s journey from addiction to the bench is a powerful story of resilience and triumph over trauma. Listeners can learn more about Mary Beth O’Connor at her website, or check out her book: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, sits down with retired Judge, Mary Beth O...2025-05-0731 min
Life IlluminatedFrom Junkie to JudgeMaggie Kelly interviews retired judge Mary Beth O'Connor about her journey from meth addiction to sobriety and her eventual career success. Mary Beth shares her experiences with childhood abuse that led to her substance use disorder, her path to getting sober after hitting rock bottom, and her experience with the 12-step program in rehab. After rehab, she discovered different paths to recovery and found one that worked for her, ultimately leading her to law school and a successful career as a judge.2025-04-2329 min
Scope of PracticeVoir Dire (to speak the truth): A Conversation with Retired Federal Judge Mary Beth O’ConnorRetired Federal Judge, author and recovery advocate Mary Beth O'Connor joins the podcast to chat about secular recovery and a discussion on privilege. Join us!2025-04-2137 min
The Truth that HealsEp. 95- Breaking Chains: Overcoming Abuse and Addiction with Mary Beth O'ConnorEpisode Guest: Mary Beth O'ConnorEpisode Topic: Recovering from abuse and addiction.Guest Bio:Mary Beth’s award-winning memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, describes the child abuse that led to teenage methamphetamine addiction, the chaos of that addiction, and her early recovery. Plus, how she became a judge! She also publishes op-eds, such as in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Recovery Today.Mary Beth’s memoir writings have appeared in Memoir Magazine, Awakenings, The Noyo River Review, Fault Zone, C...2025-04-1543 min
THE KING OBED PODCASTFrom Junkie to Judge | Mary Beth's Journey Through Addiction, Trauma & Triumph | TKOPWelcome to THE KING OBED PODCAST, your go-to space for personal growth, development, and inspiration. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mary Beth O’Connor, former addict turned federal judge, as she shares her jaw-dropping journey from a life of trauma, addiction, and meth use to the courtroom bench. 🔥 What you'll learn in this episode: The true definition of addiction & substance use disorder Why people become addicted (hint: trauma & mental health play a big role) How addiction affects the brain and decision-making The difference between mild, moderate, and s...2025-04-1049 min
Going in Blind with Zach Tidwell#16 Mary Beth O-Connor: From Shooting Meth at 16 to becoming a federal judgeFrom shooting meth at 16 to becoming a federally appointed judge, Mary Beth’s story is yet another example that we don’t have to fall victim to our circumstances, and that we’re never out of the fight unless we decide to quit. But in addition to her accomplishments, she’s a wealth of knowledge. Listen to today’s episode to get the inside scoop on what’s wrong with the substance use disorder treatment industry and hear her incredible journey. You can find Mary Beth and her book, “From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over T...2025-04-041h 10
Aging with Purpose and PassionAddict to Judge: Mary Beth O’Connor’s Story | Aging with PurposeMary Beth O’Connor’s life is a gripping redemption story of addiction recovery and resilience. From surviving childhood abuse, sexual assault, and decades of methamphetamine addiction to achieving 30 years of sobriety as a federal court judge, her journey inspires women over 50 to find purpose and passion. In this Aging with Purpose and Passion podcast episode, O’Connor shares with Beverley Glazer the raw mechanics of transformation—how trauma fueled her dependency, starting with alcohol at 12 and escalating to injecting meth by 17. Despite addiction, she attended Berkeley, only to watch her potential fade. Recovery wasn’t a single rock...2025-03-2625 min
The Laura Jane Layton Show – Silencing Your Inner Bully ®Ep269: Why Success Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All (And How to Find Yours) with Mary Beth O'ConnorSuccess is personal—and it’s okay to change your mind. Mary Beth O’Connor joins us to share her transformative journey from attorney to recovery advocate, redefining her measures of success along the way. Together, we explore the power of self-reflection, the courage to pivot, and the importance of embracing our individual paths to help you define and achieve your unique version of success. Key takeaways to listen for The importance of periodically re-evaluating your goals and values Strategies to balance societal expectations with personal happiness How to let go o...2025-02-2825 min
MindBody MattersAlternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous: Author Mary Beth O'Connor "From Junkie to Judge"On this episode of MindBody Matters, Greg Rennie hosts his first solo episode as co-host Rob Wreford has left the podcast to focus on his voice artist/voice actor career. Greg interviews author Mary Beth O'Connor and they discuss her memoir "From Judge to Junkie: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction available from Amazon. Mary Beth discusses her past life of an addiction to crystal meth, how she got clean and went on to studying law and had a long career as a judge in the U.S. The focus of the interview is to introduce alternative peer-support gr...2025-02-1656 min
Becoming SoundFrom Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph over Trauma and Addiction with Mary Beth O’ConnorIn this conversation, Mary Beth O'Connor shares her profound journey from addiction to recovery, detailing the impact of childhood trauma, abuse and neglect on her life. She discusses her experiences with substance abuse, navigating life, university and the challenges of recovery Krista and Mary Beth discuss the importance of addressing underlying trauma. Mary Beth emphasizes the significance of support systems, both from family and recovery groups, and highlights her professional growth, culminating in her role as a federal judge. Her memoir, 'From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph over Trauma and Addiction’ serves as a testament to resilience, cour...2025-02-0356 min
Stories from Real LifeFrom Junkie to Judge: A Journey of RedemptionIn this episode of Stories from Real Life, host Melvin E. Edwards speaks with former federal judge Mary Beth O'Connor about her remarkable journey from addiction to sobriety and her career in law. Mary Beth shares her early life experiences, the challenges she faced with substance use, and how her past has shaped her empathetic approach to judging. She discusses her memoir, "From Junkie to Judge", and the importance of addressing both substance use and mental health in recovery. Mary Beth also highlights the need for individualized treatment options and the stigma surrounding addiction. Through her story, she aims...2025-01-2837 min
Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma StoriesJourney From Drug Addict To Judge. Her Amazing StoryJourney From Drug Addict To Judge. Her Amazing Story. Few stories are as transformative and inspiring as Mary Beth O'Connor's remarkable journey from childhood trauma to becoming a federal Administrative Law Judge. Her memoir, "From Junkie to Judge," offers a raw, unflinching look at survival, resilience, and the extraordinary power of personal transformation. She told her amazing story in a recent podcast interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, available on their website and platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. The Roots of Addiction: Childhood Trauma Mary Beth's...2025-01-2641 min
Quality Insights PodcastTaking Healthcare by Storm: Industry Insights with Mary Beth O'ConnorIn this captivating episode of Taking Healthcare by Storm, delve into the world of expert insights as Quality Insights Medical Director Dr. Jean Storm engages in a thought-provoking and informative discussion with Mary Beth O'Connor, J.D., Recovery Advocate, Author, and former judge.Mary Beth O'Connor shares her journey from childhood abuse and addiction to creating a unique secular recovery plan, becoming a federal administrative law judge, and advocating for various paths to recovery. She emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care and community support, while also addressing misconceptions and legal issues surrounding addiction. From Junkie...2025-01-0327 min
PapamutesMary Beth O'Connor - From Junkie to JudgeMARY BETH O'CONNOR is a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. A graduate of Berkeley Law School, in 2014 she was appointed a federal administrative law judge and retired in 2020. Prior to all this she was a meth addict and a victim of verbal, physical and sexual abuse. Mary Beth shares her memoir with Papamutes. She has been sober since 1994.photos; courtesy m.o'connorSend Papamutes a Text“THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED OR VIEWS EXPRESSED BY GUESTS DO NOT NECESSARILY RE...2024-12-2744 min
Type.Tune.Tint.2024 Year End Review: The Most Amazing Stories!Of the 23 episodes I produced for the Type. Tune. Tint. video and podcast in 2024, I came up with four that really amazed me because of the amazing people behind them. Any time you need a little inspiration, perhaps a reminder that your life isn't as crappy as you think, watch/listen to this episode to see how Zach redefined his life after an unsuccessful suicide attempt; how Allie dove into the world of wasps and created more than 800 illustrations of individual species; how Mary Beth survived a life of near-fatal addiction and abuse to become a federal administrative court...2024-12-2105 min
Out of the Box With Christine BlosdaleFrom Junkie To Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and AddictionJoin host Christine Blosdale on the podcast 'Out of the Box with Christine' as she welcomes Mary Beth O'Connor, the award-winning author of 'From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.'
Mary Beth shares her harrowing journey from childhood abuse to battling substance use disorder, starting with alcohol at age 12 and shooting methamphetamine by 17.
Despite years of addiction, Mary Beth has been sober since 1994, building a secular recovery plan that worked for her. Professionally, she graduated from Berkeley Law, litigated class actions for the federal government, and served as a federal...2024-11-2726 min
Shake It Off with Mert & LucasShake It Off With Mert and Lucas Hour 2 11-10-24Shake It Off With Mert and Lucas Hour 2 11-10-24 Guest: Judge Mary Beth O'Connor - Judge Mary Beth recounts her journey from “rock bottom to resilience” in her new memoir, JUNKIE TO JUDGE: ONE WOMAN’S TRIUMPH OVER TRAUMA AND ADDICTION. This harrowing, riveting, and inspirational story details how the Judge recovered from the depths of addiction. Her book is not only about personal triumph, but also offers readers a blueprint for recovery and personal change. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2024-11-1149 min
Flat-Pack Sober: Build Your Sober LifeNavigating through life's adversities, Mary Beth's journey from addiction to a leading voice in sobriety advocacy is a powerful testament to personal strength and a roadmap for breaking recovery stereotypes.Send us a textEver think there's a connection between putting together IKEA furniture and getting sober? The step to sobriety is much like the methodical assembly of those Scandinavian flat-pack puzzles. Each piece, much like each day in sobriety, is a step in the right direction, building a stronger, more resilient self. The way you tackle those flat-pack puzzles reflects how you approach life's challenges. What works for one person might not work for you.This podcast is here to guide you through that assembly process, in a way that's both informative and...2024-10-2837 min
Be Heard: Empower YourselfJunkie to Judge“I’m eager to hear your thoughts on this episode. If there’s a particular topic or person you’d like me to invite, feel free to share—I’m all about spreading the word!” Most people these days either have a family member or friend that struggles with addiction unless they live in denial world. I myself have been in recovery for 33 years. I have also witnessed the tragedy of friends and family members that have died from addiction. My guest today Judge Mary Beth O'Connor is a federal Administrative Law Judge who has an inspiring st...2024-10-1250 min
“Little Give” - Positive, Kindness, Giving, Nonprofit, Mindset, Positivity, EmpowermentFrom Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and AddictionSend us a textDescription:In this powerful episode of “Little Give”, host Cindy Witteman speaks with Mary Beth O’Conner, a retired federal judge whose journey from addiction to recovery is nothing short of extraordinary. Mary Beth shares her story of overcoming an abusive childhood, battling severe substance use disorder, and finding a path to sobriety at the age of 32. After years of rebuilding her life, she achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a federal judge. Now, in her retirement, she advocates for recovery through her memoir *From Junkie to Judge*, workshops, and public speaking. Tune in to...2024-10-0735 min
Sense of SoulJunkie to Judge Overcoming AddictionToday in Sense of Soul we have author and recovery advocate Mary Beth O’Connor, former Federal Judge who shares her story of overcoming addiction to methamphetamine and becoming a recovery advocate.
Clean and sober today for nearly three decades, she is proof that anyone can find their sober self, their best self, no matter how far they have fallen.
She is the author of the memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, former federal judge Mary Beth O’Connor shares her three-phase journey to recovery. The riveting memoir details the abuse a...2024-09-0257 min
Rumbling Facts PodcastTrauma, Addiction & Surviving a Kidnapping: Mary Beth O'Connor's "From Junkie to Judge" RUMBLE Exclusive! EP40In this **milestone 40th episode**, DjRetsam has the honour of sitting down with **Judge Mary Beth O’Connor**, a remarkable woman who transformed her life from addiction to the judiciary. **Together, they dive into Mary Beth’s harrowing journey**—from her traumatic upbringing and early drug use to the **shocking experience of shooting meth at sixteen and being kidnapped**. Mary Beth opens up about the darkest moments of her addiction, sharing raw insights into the **depth of her struggles and the turning point** that led her to recovery.But this episode goes deeper than most, exploring the critical importance of **a...2024-08-281h 32
Relationships & Revenue PodcastFrom Junkie to Judge with Mary Beth O’Connor (Part 2)John and Mary Beth continue their discussion. In the previous episode, Mary Beth shared her journey of overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and adversity to become a respected judge and now a passionate advocate for recovery. Today, she talks more about the recovery process and shares her experiences to reduce stigma, offer hope, and guide others on the path to healing. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro and recap of Part 1 [01:26] - The process for becoming a Federal Administrative Law Judge [03:53] - Mary Beth’s take on “Addiction = Disease” 2024-08-1634 min
Relationships & Revenue PodcastFrom Junkie to Judge with Mary Beth O'Connor (Part 1)John talks with Mary Beth O’Connor — retired Federal Administrative Law Judge, author of the book “From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction,” childhood trauma survivor, addiction overcomer (sober since 1994), board member of the SHE RECOVERS Foundation, trainer, speaker, and wife. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro [02:06] - Mary Beth’s bio [04:01] - How childhood abuse led Mary Beth to use drugs at 12 [06:05] - Escalation of her addiction during her teenage years [07:11] - Negative consequences she experienced [08:33] - Affording...2024-08-0934 min
The Empowering Minds Mental Health™ PodcastFrom Addiction to Recovery with Honorable Mary Beth O'Connor | Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction🌟 From Addiction to Recovery with Honorable Mary Beth O'Connor 🌟In this powerful episode, we speak with Honorable Mary Beth O'Connor, author of From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. Mary Beth shares her incredible journey from battling addiction and trauma to becoming a judge and advocate for recovery. Her story is a testament to resilience, strength, and the transformative power of recovery.🎤 In this conversation, you’ll learn:✅ How trauma and addiction are connected✅ The steps Mary Beth took to break free from a...2024-07-1432 min
Reduce The StigmaA Judge’s Story of Healing from Trauma and Addiction |Mary Beth O’Connor | Reduce The StigmaIn this powerful interview, Mary Beth O'Connor shares her journey from trauma and addiction to becoming a judge, offering hope and inspiration to others facing similar struggles. From growing up in a violent household to battling addiction for over a decade, Mary Beth's story is one of resilience and triumph. Discover how trauma and addiction are often interconnected and how Mary Beth found solace in drugs before embarking on her path to recovery. Despite facing numerous challenges, including struggles with mental health and navigating the criminal justice system, Mary Beth persevered and found her way to sobriety. Learn about the...2024-07-1137 min
The AfterMeth: Gay Men Recovering from Crystal Methamphetamine AddictionEP 1:18 From Junkie to Judge with Mary BethSend us a textStudy Gude: www.drdallasbragg.com/marybeth/In this episode, Dr. Dallas Bragg sits down with Mary Beth O'Connor, author of 'From Junkie to Judge, One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.' Mary Beth, who was a long-term methamphetamine addict, discusses her amazing journey from addiction and deep trauma to recovery and eventually completing law school and becoming a judge. She emphasizes the importance of self-empowered recovery and finding a support group that aligns with one's beliefs and values. Mary Beth also shares her insights on forgiveness and the process of...2024-07-1155 min
The Above The Bar PodcastHow To Recover From Trauma | Judge Mary Beth O'Connor🎙️🚀 Tonight on The Above The Bar Podcast!
Don't miss our live episode as we explore the transformative journey of Mary Beth O'Connor, from overcoming methamphetamine addiction to becoming a federal administrative law judge. Her story is a beacon of hope and resilience.
📅 Date: Tonight, July 3rd
🕗 Time: 8 PM EST
📍 Watch Live On: Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, Twitch, and Instagram
Mary Beth O'Connor’s life transformation is both inspiring and a testament to the power of recovery. Her award-winning memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, offers a deep dive in...2024-07-041h 03
Behavioral Health Integration“From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction” Interview with Mary Beth (Holub) O'Connor, JDI had the tremendous honor of having former attorney and judge Mary Beth on the show as a special guest.
Her strength and perseverance over life's challenges and barrier's is second to none as we begin learning about Mary Beths struggles and tribulations through physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that led to substance abuse and addiction.
Throughout this episode Mary Beth begins to talk about her life of drug addiction growing up in New Jersey.
Mary Beth also talks about certain parts of her book From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over...2024-06-2459 min
One Mic ConversationsOne Mic Conversations with guest Mary Beth O'ConnorMary Beth O'Connor, author of 'Junkie to Judge,' shares her personal journey of triumph over trauma and addiction. She emphasizes the importance of showing people that recovery is possible, Mary Beth O'Connor decided to write her book to share her story and provide a more realistic portrayal of the recovery process. She explains that trauma and mental health conditions are common factors in developing a substance use disorder. Mary Beth O'Connor also discusses the difference between dependence and addiction, highlighting the importance of understanding both.
Sound Bites
"Understanding the underlying trauma and mental health conditions."
"Differentiating between dependence...2024-06-0850 min
Hard Knox Talks: Your Addiction PodcastFrom Junkie to Judge. Mary Beth O'Connor shares her riveting story with us.Send us a textMary Beth survived a lot of abuse growing up, this led her to shooting meth at 16 years old. After losing nearly everything to her addiction, she got clean in her early 30's, went to law school, and became a judge. We talked about everything from how she found and stays in recovery as an athiest, and how she is using her experiences to educate other law professionals about the realities of substance use. Check out Mary Beth's bookhttps://www.amazon.ca/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568This episode is premier s...2024-06-0755 min
True Crime Connections ~ Advocacy PodcastThriving Beyond Addiction: Stories of Hope and Renewal | Mary Beth O’ConnorJoin us this week as we welcome Mary Beth O’Connor, who shares her inspiring three-phase journey from a tumultuous past to an extraordinary future. Despite growing up in a household marked by physical and sexual abuse, Mary Beth overcame addiction, including years of substance abuse and methamphetamine use. Twenty-nine years into recovery, she’s a former federal Administrative Law Judge, proving that resilience and determination can lead to remarkable transformations.Mary Beth’s story inspires others facing similar challenges. It encourages them to seek help, embrace resilience, and believe in their ability to create...2024-06-0647 min
Dancing in the Discomfort Zone with Anne BonneyMary Beth O'Connor: From Junkie to JudgeTrauma. Addiction. Uncomfortable topics, but ones that are vital to talk about so we can get through them ourselves, or so we can support our loved ones and fellow citizens, so this week I welcome Mary Beth O’Connor, former junkie, retired judge, and now an advocate, speaker and trainer on all things addiction and trauma recovery. This episode is JAM PACKED with incredibly valuable data on addiction and trauma, and some very surprising!!Did you know that75% of addicts will recover from their addiction? (probably not on the first try, but most do eventually recover!)After 5...2024-06-0339 min
I Am Refocused RadioMary Beth O'Conner - From Junkie to JudgeFor Mary Beth, childhood abuse and other traumas led to substance use disorder (addiction). Beginning with alcohol at age 12, she spent several years abusing various drugs. She found methamphetamine at 16 and started shooting up at 17. Mary Beth struggled with meth until she was 32 years old.By incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a secular (not 12-step or faith based) recovery plan that works for her, Mary Beth has been sober since 1994. She used similar techniques to address the trauma and related anxiety as well.Mary Beth is a board member for LifeRing Secular Recovery a...2024-04-2626 min
Destiny Is DebatableFrom Junkie to Judge - The Mary Beth O'Connor StoryIn this episode we delve into the remarkable journey of Mary Beth O'Connor, author of the memoir, "From Junkie to Judge." This candid conversation beautifully captures her transformation from a troubled childhood filled with violence and neglect, to an eventual Federal Judge.
The episode sheds light on pressing issues like mental health, and substance abuse. Explore her personal battles with PTSD, anxiety, and meth addiction, and witness her remarkable resilience as she breaks out from this consuming abyss of negativity to rise as an influential figure in the world of law and education.
Discover the...2024-04-0936 min