S. 2 Ep. 13 - Author of Sobriety (Dance of the Dragonfly) by Danielle Ehlert

On the next episode of Survive & Thrive 8791, I welcome author Danielle Ehlert to the Buck & Honey’s remote studios. Ehlert’s story is a powerful and deeply personal conversation about resilience, loss, and the courage to survive and thrive.Danielle’s story begins in Richland Center, Wisconsin, where she was raised by her grandmother while her mother followed her husband, professional baseball player Steve Barber, as he chased his career from Major League Baseball team to team. Eventually, Danielle joined her parents, moving from Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada. What looked like an opportunity from the outside soon became emotionally difficult. At age 14, Danielle made a tough and life-altering decision—she bought her own plane ticket and returned to Wisconsin to live with her grandmother. Her sister would later make the same choice.After graduating, Danielle returned to Las Vegas to begin her professional life, but unresolved family strain and unhealthy relationships followed her. In an attempt to cope with stress, grief, and chaos, she turned to alcohol and substances. Over time, the profound losses of her parents, grandmother, and sister compounded her pain and pushed her deeper into health issues and addiction.After years of off and on sobriety and facing life-threatening health issues, on August 29, 2019, Danielle made the courageous decision to get sober and reclaim her life. That decision became the foundation for healing, self-discovery, and creativity. Through poetry and reflection, she found a way to heal by putting her thoughts to paper.Now, six years sober, Danielle has published her poems and authored her memoir, Dance of the Dragonfly, released on August 29, 2025—a symbolic milestone marking her sobriety anniversary. You won’t want to miss this episode of Survive & Thrive 8791. CAN’T WAIT!!!