In Episode Two, host Cyndi Hunt welcomes her first guest, Robin S., an Army veteran who shares her powerful and deeply personal journey. From growing up in a small town in the Adirondacks to serving in the military, Robin opens up about surviving trauma, navigating PTSD triggers rooted in multiple life experiences, and the health struggles that followed her discharge from the Army.

She speaks candidly about turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism, what it meant to reach rock bottom, and how she ultimately found healing, strength, and community. It’s an honest conversation about resilience, recovery, and reclaiming your life.

Email the show: gobeyondthebottle@gmail.com

Resources: 

VA Hotline: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Dial 988 the press 1

National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org

1(800)799-7233

Suicide Hotline: https://988lifeline.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

I’m your host, Cyndi Hunt, and before we go any further, I want to take a moment to slow things down and tell you why this podcast exists.

This podcast is about what recovery looks like today—beyond the bottle, beyond the trauma, and beyond the old narratives that told us survival was enough. It’s about learning how to live fully present, without numbing, and without disappearing from ourselves—and about how, so many times throughout my story, one phone call changed everything.

In this opening episode, I’m sitting down with Sara J., CEO of DATC Media, podcast host, and—most importantly—my daughter. Together, we’re having a conversation that’s both deeply personal and foundational to this show.

We talk about my story: the role alcohol played in my life, what it helped me survive, and what surfaced when I finally put the bottle down. We discuss trauma, healing, motherhood, what I’ve learned over nearly 40 years of sobriety, and the complicated, beautiful process of rebuilding a relationship—with yourself and with the people you love.

⚠️ This episode of Beyond the Bottle, Beyond the Trauma contains discussions relating to drug and alcohol use, domestic abuse, and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

Email the show: gobeyondthebottle@gmail.com

Resources: 

VA Hotline: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Dial 988 the press 1

National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org

1(800)799-7233

Suicide Hotline: https://988lifeline.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

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Follow DATC Media:
https://datcmediacompany.com
https://www.facebook.com/datcmedia
https://www.instagram.com/datcmediacompany/

This is Cyndi Hunt, inviting you to join me for Beyond the Bottle, Beyond the Trauma — my story of overcoming alcohol and drug addiction, and the PTSD that followed a deeply life-altering experience.

I’m looking forward to talking with you, sharing my journey, and welcoming a few special guests along the way. See you soon.

*Please know episodes will include discussions of trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners.*