A2D - From Addict to Disciple

Can we forgive but still hold on to resentments? How do we learn to let go of resentment? How has resentment for other people affected your conversations and relationships with friends and family? Do you believe releasing resentment helps you find peace, helps you to lead a relaxed life and smile again? These questions and more in this group discussion episode.

What does planting a seed mean to you? For this episode we look at the seeds we plant every day in our mind, in our words and in others. Do you plant good seeds? Positive seeds? What do you do with negative seeds? An old Chinese proverb remind us "all the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today." Give a listen as we focus on how to plant the seeds for the gardens of our tomorrows.

Today's episode is another group session and it is focused on our relationship with our fathers. The guys from the US, South Africa and Australia share their insight into these two statements: 1) "Dad, I hope to become even half the man you were." and 2) "I feel like half a person, still doing immature things. When will I ever grow up?"

Do you have a safe Haven? Where do you run for shelter? What does a shelter provide for you? What characteristics do you want in a person who can be your safe haven? We discuss these things and look at insight from Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps from her big on WebMD.

Do you find that whenever you try to prove your point it ends up in an argument? Maybe it's difficult with that one person in your family or circle of friends who always shares their opinion and you know their wrong. Maybe it's just a stranger who started up a conversation with you. In the end when we point out that they are wrong, we lose our peace! Listen to our group in today's episode as they...

Are you struggling with temptation? Do you find yourself battling slips and relapse again and again? Then it's time to focus on transformation. In times of transition it is not about change of behavior, but it's about inner reorientation and self redefinition. In this episode we outline four phases of this transition.

My regular listeners know that I close every episode with the phrase "stay safe and stay strong." I've had numerous listeners ask me what I actually mean by that and how can they do that. So today's episode will give you a brief plan which you can put into action. It's my hope that you all stay safe and stay strong.

In today's episode we hear a poem entitled My Childhood from my From Ashes to Destiny curriculum and three poems written by people I worked with in their addiction. Two of the poems deal with drug and alcohol addiction and two deal with porn and sexual addiction. All four poems have a common thread, where were or parents when we needed them in our childhood? Where do we turn when there is no one t...

Today's episode is another group session. Our guys in recovery share their thoughts in response to several quotes about loving yourself. As you listen, think about how you can grow in understanding that you are loved, you are worthy and you have a purpose in helping others. Are you ready to begin the journey of loving yourself and others unconditionally? How do you silence the voices of self doubt...

In this episode we look at the emotional fault lines in our heart they may have come through trauma, betrayal, abuse, addiction, etc. We tend to deny our emotions thinking we're okay. But those emotions may be tremors warning us off a new earthquake coming along those old fault lines. Listen and hear how to survive that earthquake and what to do when the shaking stops.

In this episode I outline five categories of reasons why or friend or family member won't go to rehab or get treatment. They know that we desperately want them to go, we want them to change, we want them to come right. But, they are not at the point of even contemplating stopping using their drug of choice. (You may want to episode #40 entitled Waiting For Change to hear the five stages of change....

Today's episode is in response to a listener who asked "What does living a life of recovery look like?" To answer this question I've turned to the 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery as defined by SAMHSA. I respond to each of the ten principles as an addict in recovery would.

Do you remember something from your youth that you could say "I was old enough to remember all of it, and young enough to understand none of it?" Do those memories come to life whenever you close your eyes? Listen to this episode as our group of guys in recovery share their memories of rejection, adoption, physical, verbal and sexual abuse from their childhood. Be encouraged as they talk about fin...

Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness or a similar feeling that troubles you all day? Does it keep you awake at night? Do you feel stuck in that feeling? Maybe it's time to learn the benefit of healthy distractions which will allow you to drift away from those troubling thoughts.

Do you often feel unloved or disrespected? Do you feel unheard? Perhaps, you feel the addict or person in recovery in your life is still gaslighting you. Maybe your the one in recovery and your lived ones frequently stonewalls you whenever a station for deep discussion arises. In this episode we look at the importance of learning self respect and the keys to learning and sitting respect to others....

Many of you have messaged me asking for a group episode on this topic, so here it is! The topic that our guys in recovery from the US, Australia and South Africa discuss is: "By staying isolated, the person in recovery may think they're reinforcing their sobriety. But in reality, long-term recovery means learning to manage triggers, and not to completely avoid them." I love the new bumper sticker...

This episode is for two key audiences. The first is for those of us who find it difficult to accept the things we've done because we feel that they were unacceptable for us to do. The second group is those who feel that they are victims or the wounded parties as a result of the behavior of someone they love. We'll look at what it takes to find a way to begin to accept the unacceptable things that...

In response to comments and questions from listeners to episode #99 on negative emotions, here's a look at shame. What caused the feelings of shame? Is there something from my childhood that resulted in me being haunted by shame as an adult? What is toxic shame? How do I find freedom from shame? How can I begin to leave the past in the past so I can begin to hope in my future? These questions and...

Many of the listeners have expressed how they struggle in the battle to keep negative emotions from leading to relapse. In this group session our guys in recovery from the US, South Africa and Australia tackle this issue of negative emotions. The key questions for discussion are: What are the feelings that you do not like to have? and How do you deal with these emotions when they surface?

I'm today's episode Clint shares his he recently began to realize that he had an addiction, like being a workaholic. We use the lyrics of the Willie Nelson song "Heartaches of a Fool" to introduce this topic. Clint openly shares his journey in processing the pain of the loss of his family and his focus on putting family ahead of career. Could you be like Clint was, hiding what he didn't yet know h...

In today's group session episode our guys in recovery discuss the tug of war of emotions in addiction when we feel lonely, but want to isolate. They react to the words from the Bob Dylan song which say "Sign on the Window Says Lonely, Sign on the door said 'No Company Allowed.'" How do you get to the point of understanding this contradiction of emotions and establish healthy connections and relati...

Why do people become homeless? Why do some people choose to sleep on the streets or the pavement when there are beds available in the shelter? Growing up did it feel like you were "at home" or just a guest at your father's house? How do you define home now that you've been homeless? These questions and more in today's episode with Glenn from Tower of Life men's shelter in Krugersdorp, South Africa...

Today we look at the journey of self care in recovery. We'll utilize Maslow's hierarchy of needs to see how we have neglected them in our active addiction. Then we'll outline a plan to restore then in recovery in our Journey Of Yourself. As you listen to this episode think about these two questions: "what are you focusing on in your journey of self care?" And "what Joy will you find in the midst o...

This episode is another group session with our guys in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. Using a quote from an interview that actor Ben Affleck did we look at these two questions: "How is your life beautiful?" and "What Second Chances are you Most Thankful For?"  I'm sure you'll be encouraged by the answers from our six guys as they reflect on their life and second chances. As...

Scott shares his personal journey as well as the coaching approaches that he uses to walk with clients to uncover and heal from deep pain that they have inside. To contact Scott you can reach him by : email scott@granitebearcoaching.com on WhatsApp +44 7508 44 66 86. on Instagram @granitebear_coaching. FB www.facebook.com/scottjwhite224 Be sure to request his PDF on rebuilding trust and finding fo...