12S4E: The 12 Steps for Everyone

Jackie and Denise tackle Step 9, exploring the nuances of making, and receiving amends. They discuss the importance of setting boundaries when an apology isn't genuine, the relief that comes from cleaning up your side of the street, and how "living amends" can rewrite your legacy over time. Denise shares a powerful story about a Christmas Eve relapse and the amends that followed, while Jackie refl...

Denise and Jackie dive into Step 8 of their recovery and mental health journey, exploring what it means to list the harms we’ve caused and how to navigate making amends. Denise shares personal reflections on her 40 years of sobriety, questioning when "living amends" are enough and noticing her tendency to overcompensate by overworking herself, even at a relative's recent funeral. Jackie contrasts...

Denise and Jackie kick off May by highlighting Mental Health Awareness Month. Jackie shares her current challenges as she nears the end of her first year in grad school, discussing her adjustment to a new medication, Lexapro, which has been making her feel exceptionally tired. She emphasizes the importance of basic needs, eating, sleeping, and staying hydrated, as foundational to her well-being du...

Jackie and Denise are back after a brief hiatus with a fresh perspective and a new name for the podcast: 12 Steps for Everyone . In this episode, they catch up on their recent travels and personal growth journeys. Jackie discusses the "humble pie" of navigating her first year of grad school, adjusting to new medication, and the beauty of a wedding in Mexico City. Denise shares her restorative solo...

In Episode 59, Denise and Jackie celebrate a massive milestone: Denise’s 40th anniversary of sobriety. From office surprises with Martinelli’s to heartfelt messages from her community, Denise reflects on the vast difference between her life today and the "bedraggled" 19-year-old she was during the 1984 LA Olympics. As the city prepares for the 2028 games, she shares the joy of being a functioning,...

In Episode 58, Denise and Jackie welcome listeners to the podcast’s new era as 12 Steps for Everyone . Moving away from the name "Emergency Protocol," the mother-daughter duo explains how these steps serve as guardrails for both recovery and mental health, whether you're taking it one day at a time or just trying to conquer "Laundry Mountain". Recorded on the first day of spring, the conversation...

In Episode 57, Denise and Jackie share the big news: Emergency Protocol is officially shifting to "12 Steps for Everyone" to better represent their cohesive mission and why they do what they do. The mother-daughter duo uses this transition as a jumping-off point to dive into Step One of their reimagined 12 steps: admitting that we are not okay, we have not been okay, and we aren't getting better o...

In Episode 56, Denise and Jackie bring the "vava voom" to celebrate love and Valentine’s Day (even if you're listening in March!). The mother-daughter duo uses the holiday as a jumping-off point to dive into the complex topics of love, romantic relationships, and most importantly, self-love. The conversation explores the difference between performative self-care and genuine self-love, and how sett...

In Episode 55, the duo braves a winter storm (well, Jackie does) to discuss Step 10: "We maintain a daily practice of reflection, amends, and forgiveness." This prompt leads Denise to share a powerful and gritty story from nearly 40 years ago—her "last run" involving an ex-boyfriend's stash, a van behind a market on Lincoln Boulevard, and the paranoia that eventually led to her surrender. She cont...

In Episode 54, Denise and Jackie open with a nod to the state of the world -"The horrors persist, and so do we" - before pivoting to the core of their podcast: The 12 Steps for Everyone. They take a moment to read through their reimagined steps, discussing how they stripped away the patriarchal and religious language of the original program to create something accessible for anxiety, depression, a...

Welcome back! In Episode 53, Denise and Jackie return after the holiday whirlwind (Christmas, New Year's, and Thanksgiving) to process the "lot" that was the previous year. They kick things off with a high-energy memory of a Florence and the Machine concert before diving into how they are navigating the current emotional landscape—finding hope in the message of "Wicked," using "Changed for Good" a...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Denise and Jackie enter "Heavy Protocol" mode as they process a week filled with intense political news and emotional weight following the recent elections. Despite the heaviness, they lean into hope, connection, and the pursuit of joy. Denise shares insights from her recent event with Brené Brown, specifically the concept of "locking in", a metaphor drawn from th...

In this episode, mother-daughter duo Denise and Jackie Freed embrace the changing seasons and the necessity of "making your own fun" amidst a heavy political and social climate. As the weather turns cold in both St. Louis and Los Angeles, the pair discusses how they are actively seeking joy, Jackie by driving eight hours round-trip to Chicago for the final Angel City FC game, and Denise by maneuve...

In this milestone 50th episode, hosts Denise and Jackie Freed reflect on persistence, the seasonal "grind" of October, and the importance of showing up—both for yourself and for your community. Denise shares a busy week of travel and inspiration, recounting her trip to Hawaii to celebrate a work anniversary and a powerful evening hearing historian Timothy Snyder speak on "Freedom." She shares Snyd...

What if “just okay” was actually enough? In this episode, Denise and Jackie navigate emotional exhaustion, world heaviness, and the full spectrum of being human — from overbooked weekends to overdue rest. Key Times: 00:01:30 – Denise on burnout and the joy of a full, vibrant life 00:03:10 – Four events in one weekend: dinners, comedy shows, and the village 00:05:20 – Reflecting on gratitude and th...

What if discomfort was the doorway to alignment? In this October check-in, Denise and Jackie explore what it means to find peace in the messy middle—when the excitement of new beginnings wears off, and the real work begins. Key Times: 00:01:36 Processing political anxiety ("weird fascist takeover")  00:02:51 How to maintain agency and not live in fear 00:08:07 Discussing recent alarming news...

What if transition didn’t mean chaos, but recalibration? In this episode, Denise and Jackie reconnect after a whirlwind of technical hurdles, moving boxes, and lunar energy shifts. Jackie settles into life in St. Louis, while Denise reflects on joy as an act of resilience—especially in a world that feels heavy. Key Times: 00:00:00 – Remote tech drama: the first long-distance recording setup 00:01:...

What if moving cities wasn’t just about logistics, but also about surrender? In this episode, Denise and Jackie talk through the whirlwind of Jackie’s big transition—packing up her life in Los Angeles to start grad school in the Midwest—while also reflecting on what it means to practice gratitude and enoughness in the middle of change. Key Times:   00:03:19 – Movers are coming! Jackie’s count...

What if bravery isn’t just about the big leaps, but also the small, daily choices? In this episode, Jackie and Denise reflect on the winding road that led Jackie from a dark season into preparing for grad school—and all the emotional, logistical, and spiritual layers in between. Key Times: 00:00:00 – Tech victory + grounding breathwork 00:02:00 – Denise reflects on Jackie’s evolution: from surviva...

What if joy itself is a form of protest? In this episode, Denise and Jackie reflect on a powerful week marked by national unrest, a shared birthday, and what it means to find moments of joy and connection amidst political chaos. Key Times: 00:00:00 – Welcome back + gratitude breathwork 00:01:36 – Celebrating their shared birthday and reflecting on protest energy 00:04:33 – Street vending, communit...

What if deciding to trust was the most radical thing you could do? In this episode, Denise and Jackie reflect on stepping into big transitions, staying grounded in community, and why choosing gratitude can change everything—even in the middle of a literal tornado. Key Times:    00:00:00 – New grounding practice: reading the 12 Steps for Everyone 00:03:35 – Upcoming travel, big trans...

What if being overwhelmed is the beginning of something great? In this episode, Denise and Jackie explore what it means to sit in uncertainty, embrace possibility, and stay grounded while navigating huge life transitions. Key Times: 00:00:00 – A grounding breath and a quick disclaimer 00:02:12 – Jackie gets into grad school! Processing the surprise 00:05:29 – Decision-making anxiety and the infamo...

Key Times:  00:00:00 – Introduction: It’s been a while! Catching up after months away 00:06:45 – The January fires: Devastation, grief, and survival 00:12:30 – Leading through crisis: Denise’s real estate world turned upside down 00:18:05 – Finding community: Donation efforts and mutual aid 00:26:30 – Jackie’s grad school applications and career shifts 00:30:40 – A car gets towed: Navigating...

In this warm and thought-provoking episode, Denise and Jackie dive deep into the emotional and logistical chaos of the holiday season. Reflecting on their own family traditions—past and present—they explore how expectations around gift-giving, decorating, and hosting have evolved, especially after the loss of a beloved matriarch and the realities of aging and burnout. 00:00:00 – A grounding breath...

In this vulnerable post-election episode, mother-daughter duo Denise and Jackie process their raw emotions following the November 2024 election results. The conversation opens with a grounding mindfulness practice and box breathing technique (breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4) as they acknowledge the difficulty many are experiencing. The pair explore how to maintain presence and...