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.