A2D - From Addict to Disciple

Today's episode looks at the question, "Are you feeding the squatter?". This question was asked by Lynda Holt in her blog "Manage Your Mind" on www.bravescene.com. We'll look at the negative self-talk that has become a squatter in our brain, how it has affected our recovery and how to stop feeding that squatter. What steps can you take to evict the squatter in your brai...

Today's episode takes a look at the question "Do I have a sugar addiction?" Many people admit t o having a sweet tooth, but when they see the consequences of physical health or appearance, they try to "break free from the bondage to food!" Even if you don't have a sweet tooth , I'm sure you'll find things you relate to in this episode. Enjoy.

Dictionaries say being lonely is the same thing as feeling lonesome. But I have found that lonesome is a much deeper feeling of sadness, isolation and melancholy. I hope you enjoy our walkabout through Lonesome Park as we read the signs with quotes about being lonesome and the comments others have written in the journal. I encourage you to journal you're comments as you begin to walk past and...

In today's episode we look at mirroring, also called mimicry. This behavior often start in our infancy and can become an unconscious aspect of our behavior. But, too often in recovery a pattern of conscious imitation becomes a tool of manipulation used to maintain control of people, conversations and situations. American psychologist Joyce Brothers once said "Listening, not imitation, may...

Have people told you "You have an addictive personality"? Do you believe you have an addictive personality because you always go from one addiction to another? Have you substituted a socially acceptable addiction for the drugs, alcohol or porn that got you in trouble? In today's episode we look at these questions and more. Enjoy and share it with your friends.

Today's episode is a group session with my friends in recovery from South Africa, Australia and the USA. The topic for our group discussion is "Happy people have learned to forgive and to give second chances." I know you'll enjoy as each of our six guys share their insight and their personal struggles in the area of forgiveness AND the power of an attitude of gratitude.

In today's episode I'd like to talk about a topic that has come up in a couple of rehabs, homeless shelters and community groups in the past few weeks in South Africa. I'll share comments that I heard from people who said "I may have been their son or daughter (or spouse or boyfriend, etc.) but I was NOT your choice! Many of the group participants also realized that they had given...

In today's episode we look at the "People, Places and Things" that can trigger a relapse in recovery. It's important to understand that people, places and things are everywhere AND they are not going away! Often early in recovery we are told to control our triggers and we often feel that we need to control our people, places and things. This often leads to frustration as we realize we can't contro...

William Golding coined the phrase "failure of imagination" in his book The Lord of the Flies in 1954. In today's episode we look at how a failure of our imagination can shape our defeat in recovery. And we'll discuss the positive aspects of imagination: exploring new ideas, birthing creativity and solving problems can be a key to a successful recovery.

As I travel to rehabs, homeless shelters, prisons or meet with addicts one on one, a common question is "How do I build a strong support system?" In today's episode we tackle that question and ask you to dig deeper to see who really can't support our recovery but would actually undermine it or be neutral. I hope you enjoy learning to tell the difference between these and that you find the improved...

Today's episode is a walkabout through Class Clown Park. As you go on this walkabout the signs will lead you on a journey of why people become the class clown or the life of the party. Even if that isn't you, I encourage you to see how you relate to each sign's topic and the responses the guys wrote in the journals at each sign.

Today's episode is in response to feedback I got from the two previous episodes. Listeners were asking how to dig deeper into topics about homelessness, addiction, going off the rails. So today we'll look at estrangement and discuss aspects of it, like thoughts and feelings , utilizing the model of the Russian dolls from the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. I hope you enjoy it.

What are the causes of trains going off the rails? What causes people to go off the rails? Why did you or your loved one lose control and begin behaving in a way that was not normal, not acceptable? How can we take a self-inventory to put corrective actions in place to be sure we don't go off the rails in the future?

Today's episode looks at how each of us defines home and what makes up a home. My hope is that it will stir thought in all of us whether we are unhoused or housed, in a shelter or a rehab, on the streets or never experienced homelessness. We'll be looking at a variety of quotes including: "Don't try to drive the homeless into places we find suitable. Help them survive in places th...

I've had several requests to do another episode on finding happiness. If you want to listen to earlier podcasts I suggest #72 and #206. In this episode we go on a walkabout and read journal entries from guys in response to quotes about happiness such as: "The purpose of life is to be happy" by the Dalai Lama. "The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy a...

This episode is the final Wacky Wednesday episode as it covers the last chapter of the From Ashes to Destiny Curriculum. The story for this episode is the story of Toons who was a street corner drug seller who called it "honest work" because he didn't mug anyone or boost any stores for money because he got paid by the dealer in crack cocaine. Questions in this episode include: What f...

This Wacky Wednesday episode is from Chapter 17 of Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We take a look at the first story from the chapter which is the story of Tim. He lost his job working with horses at the racetrack due to his addiction and horses were his life. Tim said he lost his life and had No Reason to Get Clean. What is your reason to get clean and to stay clean? Does your fa...

Today's episode is a walkabout in Wake Up Call Park. Join me as we walk, read the signs and the journal entries of people who have gone on this walk before us. Some of the quotes in this park are: "First thing every morning before you arise, say out loud, 'I believe' three time." by Ovid. "Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up...

This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it deals with the first story from Chapter 16 of Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This story looks at two men who "fell out" or OD'd from heroin. Mohammed was saved by CPR and Narcan. Webster died and was moved to the bushes and robbed by his friends. Mohammed chose life and never did any drugs again. What experiences have yo...

Welcome to Wacky Wednesday! In today's episode we look at Brian's story from Chapter 15 of Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This story has to do with finding spirituality in rehab and how Brian found transformation as a result of finding spirituality. What things have your eyes been opened up to in rehab, a homeless shelter, prison, a halfway house? How has your faith and understan...

Today's episode is a walkabout through Bald Face Lies Park. These types of lies are the ones where they are obvious lies and the one telling the lie doesn't really care if they get caught in the lie because they have more lies ready to tell. In the [ark we'll look at five categories of bald faced lies that addicts tell and how these lies affect their family, their friends and themselves.

This is today's second Wacky Wednesday episode and it deals with Chapter 14 in Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We will look at stories about spiritual warfare and other aspects of attacks on you and your strength in recovery. What aspects of your life seem to always be under attack as you try to stay strong in recovery? How do you deal with these attacks? These questions and so mu...

Welcome to today's Wacky Wednesday episode as we start Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This episode is from Chapter 13 of Phase 4 and deals with the story of IOU. We look at those people who trouble us and what we have learned in recovery by influencing us to turn to others ideas and reject what they told us in rehab or in the program. IOU's story ends with him waiting for the mor...

Today's episode is a group session with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. I know you will enjoy their insight and responses to this topic: "Therapists and psychologists often teach people to set healthy boundaries. But I often find that these don't work with addicts. The problem with healthy boundaries is the addict or recovering addict may feel their unjust, unfair o...

This is the second Wacky Wednesday podcast episode for today and this covers Step 12 of the 12 Steps. We look at the first story from Chapter 12 in Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum, The Story of Kathy. She found her spiritual awakening through a search for unconditional love. Have you found your spiritual awakening at this point in your recovery? How will you carry your message to o...