E163: Saving Ellen: A Story of Family, Sobriety, and Survival: Guest Maura Casey

Maura Casey, an award-winning journalist with a four-decade career writing opinion for major newspapers—including The New York Times—joins us to share her powerful story of survival, sobriety, and healing from growing up in an alcoholic home. The first in her family to get sober, Maura has maintained her sobriety for 39 years, despite the chaos of her father’s drinking and the deep impact of her sister Ellen’s life-threatening illness.

In this episode, Maura discusses her upcoming book, Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery (Skyhorse Publishing, April 1, 2025), which details her family’s journey through her sister Ellen’s kidney disease, her mother’s determination to donate a kidney in the 1960s, and the immense stress that came with her father’s alcoholism. She shares how Ellen was one of only two living donor transplants in Buffalo that year due to the lack of advanced medical technology, and how she conducted in-depth research, speaking with Ellen’s doctor, Mary Hawking, and her mother’s friends, to piece together this powerful story.

Beyond the family’s struggles, Maura’s memoir also explores broader family dynamics, the challenges of setting boundaries with loved ones who threaten sobriety, and her personal journey of healing. She reflects on the resilience it took to break free from dysfunction and the hope that recovery offers. If we’re on camera, she’ll even show us the stacks of diaries she used to write her memoir!

Connect with Maura Casey:

🔹 Website: www.caseyink.com

🔹 Substack: Casey’s Catch

🔹 Bluesky: @mauracasey.bsky.social

Check out her new book here: https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Ellen-Memoir-Hope-Recovery/dp/1510780777

Tune in for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about breaking free from dysfunction, reclaiming your life, and finding hope in sobriety.

Hey there, I’m so glad you’re tuning in! If this episode resonated with you, there’s more support waiting. I help adult children of dysfunction reclaim their voice, set boundaries, and rewrite their life story with confidence and clarity. 💛I am an international inspirational speaker, NLP practitioner, Trauma Informed ACOA Coach, and Best-selling Author. But more importantly, I am your friend who wants you to live your best life EVER!

🆓 Signature Course – Trials to Triumph: An Adult Child's Emotional Freedom Blueprint

This course is designed to help you unpack the past, embrace your truth, and build emotional freedom—without overwhelm.

👉 Start here: www.tammyvincent.com/course

🎯 Work With Me – 1:1 Coaching, Group Programs, and Support

If you're ready to dig deeper into healing, boundaries, and stepping into your next chapter, I’d love to walk alongside you.

👉 Learn more: www.tammyvincent.com

📬 Send Me a Voice Message

Got a question, a comment, or something to share after listening to the episode? Leave me a voice message and you might be featured in an upcoming show!

🎙️ SpeakPipe: www.speakpipe.com/TammyVincent

📺 Check Out My YouTube Channel

For more healing tools, short trainings, and inspiration, be sure to visit my YouTube channel.👉 Adult Child of Dysfunction YouTube Channel

🌟 Book Me as a Speaker for Your Event

Are you looking for a speaker to inspire and empower your group on healing, personal growth, and setting boundaries? I'd love to collaborate with you!

👉 Book a time to chat: https://calendly.com/tammyvincent/speakers-event-chat

🫶 Let’s Connect

📩 Email: tammy@tammyvincent.com

📱 Text: 513-280-3555

🌟 If this episode helped you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and hit follow. Every share helps break generational cycles and bring healing into more lives.