I own it, I did that, not proud, but that was me, and when I face it, I take back a little dignity, not looking for excuses, I just want to be free from power.

Weakness had on me.

Free, free, free, free, free.

Hi, everyone.

Welcome to the bubble hour.

I'm Gene McCarthy. I'm a blogger at Unpickled, the author of

The Unpickled Holiday Survival Guide. I am the singer-songwriter of that opening music you just heard,

and as of June 19th, you will be able to get my book of poetry about recovery called The Ember Ever There. So I spent a lot of time

writing and talking about recovery, but here on the bubble hour, I hold space and listen as others

share their stories of change and hope. And today's guest is here to celebrate two very special

milestones. She is sharing her story as a part of that celebration. So meet my friend Margaret and enjoy her story.

Hi Margaret. Welcome to the bubble hour. Hi, Jean. It's like I still can't believe I'm on the

bubble hour. It's blowing my mind. It's crazy. I have definitely listened to every episode and every time I hear your voice,

it just is so soothing. It just puts me in such a state of calm just because like those first

few months, I mean, you were the voice in my ear nonstop. I just think that's so cool because we have met.

Sometimes when I meet people for the first time, it takes them a while to get used

to my voice coming out of my face.

Well, I do remember the first time we met when I saw you and I wasn't expecting to see you

at that moment.

I literally got so starstruck and I got tongue tied. And I'm like,

she must think I'm the biggest idiot. I definitely did not think that. Well, you listen to somebody

for so long and then you see them in person and you're right. It's like putting the face to the

...