We dive into the creative journeys of Karen B and Katie P, two singer-songwriters whose paths have been shaped by their experiences in recovery programs such as Al-Anon and ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families). In their stories, they share how personal recovery has enriched and informed their artistic expression, providing a platform for emotional exploration and healing.







Karen's Journey to Recovery and Music







Karen B opens up about her upbringing in an alcoholic household and how those early experiences laid the foundation for her creative and personal evolution. As a child of an alcoholic, Karen developed coping mechanisms like hyper-vigilance and people-pleasing, which she carried into her adult life and teaching career. Despite her success as a Spanish and ESL teacher, the emotional toll led her to pursue recovery in her twenties.







Her journey with ACA began through a recommendation from a church group leader during college. The meetings opened her eyes to the impact her upbringing had on her life. Later, she joined Al-Anon because she was trying to support her sister, but then she stayed for herself.







She started writing music as a teen, and over time, music became a vital outlet for processing her emotions. Although initially binary in her emotional awareness—feeling either overly joyful or angry—songwriting started to uncover a deeper emotional landscape for Karen. Music, like her Al-Anon meetings, became a therapeutic space where she could express her authentic self and connect with others on similar journeys.







Katie's Story of Self-Discovery and Music







Katie P shares a parallel yet distinct journey, with music as a longstanding part of her life. Growing up in a family affected by substance abuse, Katie was introduced to the party atmosphere early on, especially with a musician father who normalized alcohol consumption. It wasn't until adolescence that she began to see the darker side of these behaviors. Her father's health decline and eventual passing were pivotal moments that led her to Al-Anon.







Her first encounter with Al-Anon happened indirectly through Karen, marking the beginning of a profound shift in Katie's life. Al-Anon allowed her to break the isolation that often accompanies the complexities of loving someone who struggles with addiction. Through this process, songwriting became a spiritual practice for Katie—an avenue to process her emotions and connect with a higher power through the act of creation.







Intertwining Paths and Collaborative Growth







The meeting of Karen and Katie resulted in a rich collaborative partnership, initially through a band called The Bootleg Honeys. Despite the band facing typical musical group dynamics, the friendship that formed between Karen and Katie flourished. Their shared experiences in recovery not only bolstered their personal growth but also enriched their musical endeavors.







Their journey together evolved into a podcast, Supernova Support, that merges music with their recovery narratives. In their episodes, they explore themes of emotional sobriety, creativity, and mutual support, underscoring the transformative power of the arts in the healing process.







Karen and Katie's stories illustrate how recovery processes such as Al-Anon and ACA can deeply influence an artist's creative path. By addressing their pasts and embracing their artistic talents, both singer-songwriters have built a bridge from adversity to creativity. Their experiences highlight an essential truth: when each of us focuses on personal recovery and artistic expression, we can forge deeper connections with ourselves and others, transforming our past struggles into powerful creative forces.