Shit Show in Short Hills

The Awakening is Leslie's solo journey into the powerful,unstoppable energy that's been coursing through her  these past several years. It's playful, it's alive, it's electric—and she doesn't  want to contain it. This where she lets it spill out, unfiltered and unapologetic. Through  reflections, and raw honesty, she is  opening the door to the energy that's been waiting to be unleashed, inviting you to feel it, connect with it, and maybe even wake up to your own.

What Are You Waiting For is Leslie is  calling it like it is: life is short, and waiting gets you nowhere. In this solo podcast, Leslie speaks powerfully and rawly about urgency, truth, and the fire it takes to stop putting things off and start living fully now. No fluff, no sugarcoating—just real talk about breaking through hesitation and claiming the life you were meant to live.

In this episode, Leslie candidly shares about a current mess and the whispers in the dark that tried to pull her under. But she is facing it sober, and her sobriety is strong, even when life goes sideways. This episode is honest and unfiltered about what it takes to fight the whispers of the beast with everything that she has learned and put it back to sleep -one day at a time.

In this episode, Leslie welcomes Victoria Vanstone—better known as Drunk Mummy Sober Mummy and host of the award-winning Sober Awkward podcast. Victoria is a writer, blogger, and podcaster who shares candidly about motherhood, alcohol, and her zig-zag journey to alcohol-free living. She's also the author of two award-winning memoirs, A Thousand Wasted Sundays and Mumming: A Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent.

Leslie Shapiro sits down with Jessica Lahey, New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation. A veteran teacher and writer, Jess has spent decades in classrooms, working with middle and high school students as well as teens in rehab, and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. In this conversation, Leslie and Jess dive into the messy realities of parenting, education, addiction, and recovery. With her trademark mix of honesty and empathy, Jess offers clarity on how we can show up for kids—and ourselves—through failure, resilience, and the work of repair. They also touch on her experiences co-hosting the #AmWriting podcast and even helping to bring The Stinky and Dirty Show to life on Amazon.

In this deeply personal solo episode of Shitshow in Short Hills, host Leslie Shapiro reflects on the pivotal chapters of her life—before and after sobriety, and between the "small house" and the "big house." She unpacks how chasing prestige, square footage, and the illusion of perfection left her unraveling inside, even as the facade looked flawless. Selling the big house was not just a real estate transaction, but a surrender—one that forced her to face fear, ego, and denial, and ultimately freed her from the identity she thought she had to perform. With raw honesty, Leslie shares how she learned authenticity doesn't come from zip codes or granite countertops, but from grace, humility, and choosing what feels true over what merely looks good. This episode is both a confession and a reclamation: of self, of love, and of life after letting go.

In this episode, Leslie welcomes author and storyteller Martha Frankel, whose memoir Hats & Eyeglasses paints a vivid portrait of growing up in a family of die-hard gamblers—where poker, mahjong, and a love of storytelling filled the air. But beyond the colorful childhood tales lies Martha's deeply personal journey through addiction and recovery. She opens up about the road from compulsive habits to reclaiming her voice as a writer, and how storytelling became a lifeline. With wisdom, humor, and honesty, Martha shares how recovery reshaped her life and her work.

In this raw and emotional episode of Shitshow in Short Hills, Leslie sits down with her son Max for their first ever on-mic conversation about what it was like growing up with a mother in active addiction. With unflinching honesty, humor, and heart, mother and son explore the painful truths, the small victories, and the deep love that carried them through. It's not just a story about surviving dysfunction—it's about healing together.

On this episode of Shitshow in Short Hills, Leslie Shapiro opens up about the raw and often terrifying experience of recovering out loud. She reflects on what it feels like to let go of the polished version of herself—the one wrapped in designer armor—and instead reveal the messy, honest truth. From recurring dreams about being naked in public to the real-life vulnerability of sharing her scars and regrets, Leslie explores the power of surrendering control of the narrative. This is a deeply personal look at what happens when we stop hiding and start healing in full view.

James Beard Award-winning memoirist Elissa Altman joins Shit Show in Short Hills to talk about the power of writing through pain, navigating complex family dynamics, and finding identity in the messiest places. A former publishing executive turned acclaimed author, Elissa shares how food, memory, and storytelling became her lifelines. We explore the emotional truth behind her memoirs—including Permission—and what it takes to tell the stories we were taught to keep quiet. With wisdom, wit, and deep grace, Elissa reminds us that healing often begins with the courage to speak.

Celebrity agent Darren Prince built a million-dollar empire representing legends like Magic Johnson, Muhammad Ali, and Charlie Sheen—all while secretly battling a crippling opioid addiction. In this episode, Darren opens up about his rise, his rock bottom, and the raw road to recovery. Now a bestselling author and advocate, he shares the truth behind fame, the power of second chances, and what it really means to aim high. We talk hustle, healing, and how purpose took over where addiction once lived. If you've ever felt like your biggest success was hiding your deepest pain, Darren's story will hit home.

Author, publisher, and recovery advocate Kristen McGuiness joins Shit Show in Short Hills to talk about addiction, self-worth, and the power of telling your story. From party girl to publishing powerhouse, Kristen shares her journey of redemption, the real work of emotional recovery, and why writing with raw honesty can change lives—including your own. We talk about the intersection of purpose and pain, and how the stories we hide often hold the most power. Kristen also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world and what it really takes to get a book out into the world. If you've ever wondered if it's too late to start over, this episode is your reminder—it's not.

In this powerful episode, we're joined by Lotta Dann—New Zealand-based journalist, author, and one of the most vital voices in today's recovery landscape. After getting sober in 2011, Lotta began documenting her journey through her blog Mrs D is Going Without, sparking a movement that led to a bestselling memoir and the creation of Living Sober, a national online community changing the way people in New Zealand (and beyond) talk about alcohol. Lotta speaks candidly about the emotional rollercoaster of recovery, what it takes to rebuild your sense of self without substances, and why women—especially—need to hear the truth about the alcohol industry's grip

In this raw and revelatory episode, we sit down with Michelle Garside—founder of Soul Camp and Soul Camp Creative—for a conversation that dives deep into what it really means to survive, evolve, and rise. Michelle opens up about her journey through addiction, the long road to self-worth, and how she's turned survival into soulful service. With grit, grace, and gut-level honesty, she shares how embracing radical authenticity transformed not just her life, but her entire business—and how it's shaping her forthcoming debut book, Not Awakened (Hachette, 2026). This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the mess and magic of becoming.

Shitshow in Shorthills" is a bold, unfiltered podcast that dives into the messy intersection of addiction, recovery, privilege, and identity—with humor, heart, and hard truths. Hosted by Leslie Shapiro, a woman who embodies both the polished exterior of suburban privilege and the chaotic reality of recovery, the show offers a perspective rarely found in sobriety spaces. Her signature blend of "suburban sparkle" and raw honesty creates a space where women—especially those navigating life behind a façade—can finally exhale. With sharp wit, deeply personal stories, and real conversations, Leslie tackles the stigma of addiction while reminding listeners they're not alone. This isn't just a podcast—it's a lifeline for anyone ready to ditch perfection and reclaim their truth.