Erica Spiegelman is a nationally recognized author, counselor, and speaker specializing in addiction recovery, personal transformation, and wellness coaching. As a licensed substance abuse counselor (CADAC-II) and wellness expert, she has dedicated her career to empowering individuals to achieve sustainable, holistic healing. Her innovative approach combines mental, emotional, and physical well-being, providing individuals with practical tools for personal reinvention. Erica is the author of “Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction & Recovery,” a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh perspective on overcoming addiction and fostering self- awareness, accountability, and emotional resilience. She has expanded her contributions with “The Rewired Workbook,” “The Rewired Coloring Book,” “The Rewired Life,” “The Rewired Life Workbook,” and “101 Affirmations for Addiction & Recovery.”

www.ericaspiegelman.com

Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. Alcohol, October 2008.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. I don’t go but when I did it was the sayings. They stuck.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. I think there is a predisposition of some people being more likely with a mix of what was modeled, to social environment and think it has a mind of its own.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. Colin Farrell.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. Lake.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. A gratitude practice daily. Reflecting and holding that thought of what I am grateful for, for 10 seconds each.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. On the feeling of inner peace.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Tardiness.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. Planned Parenthood.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. My mom.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. Thich Nhat Hanh, Greta zen Buddhist monk & author. Teaches self compassion.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. From San Francisco and live in a suburb of Los Angeles.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be?

A. Arundhati Roy, Caroline Knapp, William Shakespeare, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Libra.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. Divine Energy, bigger than us that is all in perfect harmony and order.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. A God of Small Things.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. Stealing Beauty.

Q. Who is your favorite film director?

A. Anthony Minghella.

Q. What surprised you most about living sober?

A. How much I enjoy and am present for all life’s little things.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. It will all work out and be OK.

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. Sapiens and Beneath a Scarlett Sky.

Q. What is your favorite App?

A. Instagram.

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

A. Paradise.

Q. What is your favorite play or musical?

A. Lion King, Annie, Sound of Music.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Michael Jackson & Amy Winehouse.

Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?

A. Eddie Vedder, Grateful Dead, Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Loving.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. Paris.

Q. What is your favorite hotel?

A. Capri Tiberio Palace in Capri, Italy.

Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?

A. Hiking- is that a sport. Like to watch basketball.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

A. Toscana.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Italian.

Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

A. Treat others how you want to be treated.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. Learn to let go of what you can’t control and focus on what you can control.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. For a fake ID when I was underage.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. My kids.

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

A. Seeing my book published and having birthed my two kids.

Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?

A. All ’90s style chokers, cut off shorts, flannels, Doc Martens (Sounds like they are all back!)

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. My positive outlook on life.

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. Gum, toothpicks, a rock from my son, lotion.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Not seeing my kids get old and not being with them forever.

Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

A. On a walk or on my bed.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

A. Maybe staying in unhealthy relationships too long.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. Writing a book.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. Outer Space and longevity protocols.

Q. What book would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV show that hasn’t already been

adapted?

A. God of Small Things.

Q. What is the hardest amends you’ve ever had to make?

A. To myself.

Q. How important is human connection?

A. It’s everything.