In this deeply honest and vulnerable episode of Blue Hour, Adina welcomes Colleen Clifford to share the story behind her mission to raise awareness about alcohol misuse, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Colleen opens up about her unconventional journey from binge drinking and commercial fishing to becoming an advocate for suicide awareness. After losing her husband, Scott, to alcohol-related suicide 14 years ago, Colleen made a promise to use her experience to help others recognize the warning signs, break the silence surrounding suicide, and find a path toward hope and healing.

Together, Adina and Colleen explore the often-overlapping realities of trauma, binge drinking, depression, grief, shame, and suicidal ideation. Colleen shares how a traumatic experience in her late teens contributed to a deep belief that she was unlovable—and how that belief influenced her relationship with alcohol, her sense of self, and the life she created for herself.

The conversation takes a heartbreaking turn as Colleen recounts losing her husband to suicide and discovering his body while working on a fishing boat in Alaska. She describes the profound trauma of experiencing such a devastating loss while simultaneously navigating the pressures of the commercial fishing industry, complicated grief, and relationship ruptures with her husband's family.

Through it all, Colleen found a way forward.

She shares how her own experience with depression eventually became part of her healing journey—and how a promise she made to Scott transformed into a mission to educate others. From volunteering with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to writing and sharing her story publicly, Colleen is committed to helping others understand that there is life beyond addiction, shame, grief, and despair.

Colleen's new memoir, Life Beyond the Binge: A Commercial Fisherwoman's Journey Home, explores her journey and offers readers an opportunity to better understand the complex relationship between trauma, alcohol, shame, and healing. She also shares a free self-guided workbook for those seeking additional support.

This is a powerful conversation about the stories we tell ourselves when we are hurting—and what becomes possible when we begin to tell a different story.

In this episode, we explore:

• The connection between trauma, binge drinking, depression, and suicide
• How shame can shape our identity and relationships
• The stigma surrounding herpes and the healing power of vulnerability
• Colleen's journey into commercial fishing and the life she built outside conventional expectations
• The devastating impact of suicide loss
• Complicated grief and traumatic loss
• How alcohol can intersect with depression and suicidal thoughts
• The importance of addressing substance use when supporting someone in crisis
• Transforming personal tragedy into a mission of suicide prevention and awareness
• Healing through self-care, connection, and finding meaning after loss
• Finding hope and discovering that there truly can be life beyond tragedy

This episode discusses suicide, addiction, and grief. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24/7.

FREE GIFT: If you reach out to Colleen and mention this episode, she'll send you a pdf of the self-guided story shift.

Colleen Clifford is a commercial fisherwoman, health coach and mental health advocate. who explores the intersection of grief, binge drinking, suicide, resilience, and the hidden patterns we use to survive. It wasn't until her late husband’s death by alcohol-related suicide and her last dangerous drinking episode that she vowed to change. There is a silver lining in all the tragedy. A promise made to her late husband and to herself. To share her message: it only takes one time of drinking too much for a life to change forever. Through podcast interviews, her book, Life Beyond the Binge: A Commercial Fisherwoman’s Journey Home, and speaking engagements, Colleen offers hope to others and empowering moves on how to chart their course for change.

lifebeyondthebinge.com

@purepotential.health

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it. If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and subscribe. Want to join us as a guest? Complete this form and we'll get back to you!

Adina Arden Cooper is a Shadow Guide and Holistic Therapist. She helps highly sensitive creative visionaries heal trauma so they can not only survive this human experience but thrive in the expression of their greatest gifts. Adina has over 20 years of experience in education and mental health. She's also an artist, a seeker, a mother, and very curious person.

Firebirdcreative.me
Fire Bird Creative

Roberta Anderson is a Professional Home Organizer, Feng Shui Consultant, Home Witch, and Astrologer. With a deep understanding of both practical organization and intuitive energy work, Roberta helps clients create spaces that nourish the mind, body, and spirit. By combining the art of home design with the wisdom of astrology, she guides individuals in aligning their environments with their personal goals and energetic needs. Her holistic approach helps clients clear clutter, improve energy flow, and cultivate a more peaceful and balanced environment.

The Home Witch
Organize & Feng Shui