A2D - From Addict to Disciple

This Wacky Wednesday episode looks at the challenge of Step 11 to "improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him." We look at the story of Jose and his heart change as he was in a rehab in the El Segundo section of Philadelphia. We see in Jose the importance of getting serious about the homework in recovery, digging deep and finding motivation to make recovery work this time.

Recovery is like a jigsaw puzzle. One piece at a time. One day at a time. Many people that I work with in recovery talk about the "something missing" in their life or in their recovery. Many search frantically like someone searching for the puzzle piece that must have fallen on the floor or under the couch. Today's episode looks at what could be that missing piece in your recovery and how we can c...

This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it deals with Chapter 10 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. In this chapter we look at Step 10 of the 12 Steps which has us take a personal inventory and to promptly admit our wrongs. Looking at the story of Val we ask questions including, What was Val's emotional pain? What emotional pain do you carry every day? How do you...

Today's Wacky Wednesday episode deals with the story of Nicky and Daisy from Chapter 9 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This looks at Step 9 of the 12 Steps on making amends. After the story we look at questions about making amends with your daughter for not being there for them during your addiction. What's the difference between making amends and restitution? Is making amends...

Today's episode is the result of lots of feedback after recent episodes where we heard stories of the young women who were being pimped by Germaine. He had told each one that he loved them. The common theme in the messages I received was that the women were not seeking drugs, they were seeking the feeling of being loved and the men they found got them hooked on drugs and turned them into hookers!

This episode is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it looks at Noreen's story from Chapter 8 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This also is an introduction to Step 8 of the Twelve Steps which focuses on acknowledging the harm we did to people and being willing to make amends. In Noreen's story we look at questions including: How would you describe Noreen's mom's fee...

This is the first of our two Wacky Wednesday episodes for today. This one is the story of Donald from Chapter 7 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The topic of step 7 is to humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings. Donald's story looks at his change from quiet and hard to talk with, to him asking for help and humbly talking about his struggles in addiction. What characteristics a...

Today's podcast is a group session with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. I'm sure you'll find several nuggets of wisdom as they answer the following question. Which phrase can you identify with in your addiction, hitting bottom or aha moment of clarity? 1) I felt like I got a death sentence, 2) I'm the weakest I've ever been or 3) time to learn what strength is.

This Wacky Wednesday episode is the story of Stew from Chapter 6 in Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We look at what it means to be entirely ready to have all of your character defects removed. Are you ready to look at every stone and talk about each and every defect of character? What is your weakness that left you vulnerable to get hooked before you knew it? What work do you need...

Today's Wacky Wednesday is the first story in Phase 3 Chapter 5 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We hear Germaine's story. (episode # 256 introduces Germaine) Germaine had a moment where he was truly broken, all pretense was gone and he decided to stop being a pimp and drug dealer and return home to Georgia. Discussion questions look at: what is your true heart nature? What do you need to...

Today's episode is a walkabout through Landmines in Recovery Park. I go on this walkabout with Neil, a friend of Michael. Neil shares how it seems like everything that is a common part of recovery is feeling like another landmine in the field for him. Join us as he shares how emotional triggers, coping skills, mistakes, family and success are all landmines that keep exploding in his walk of recove...

Welcome to the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today. This is the beginning of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum which focuses on moral regeneration and positive character development. It also marks the return to the Twelve Steps and the chapter covers step 4. This episode looks at the story of Lisa her life in addiction, living in a home with 7 other women which was run by Germai...

Welcome to Wacky Wednesday. This episode is the poem written by Gregory Williams entitled "The Lord's Love". This is also from Chapter 12 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum which is entitled "The Heart in Need of Restoration Not Rehabilitation. What's the difference between those two terms? How do we find restoration for our heart and our life in recovery? These questions and more...

In today's episode we listen to the journal entry of William, a 20 year old in Tower of Life Men's Shelter in Krugersdorp, South Africa. William shares his thoughts and questions. Who am I? What am I? I feel like a stranger. Feels like there's something missing in my life. Where is everyone? What happened to me? I'm sure you will be challenged and encouraged as you listen to this podcast epiosde.

This episode is the second Wacky Wednesday podcast for today and it deals with the first story in Chapter 11 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This chapter is entitled The Heart in Need of Fellowship and the story is the story of Ross as he was living in a half way house after incarceration for a sexual offense. Key questions from his story are: Where do you find real fellowship?...

Welcome to Wacky Wednesday as we go through the first story from Phase 2 and Chapter 19 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This is the story of Neil and his childhood of rape and incest at the hands of his uncle. Neil shares the doubts, fears and pain that riddled his mind. How these memories convinced him that "everything ends in futility and frustration. When I met Neil in prison at age 50...

Today's podcast is a group episode with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. You'll enjoy their insight as they answer these questions. What did alcohol, drugs or porn give you the courage to do? When did you realize the courage was counterfeit?

Today's second Wacky Wednesday episode is from Chapter 9 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum entitled The Heart Holding On to Fear and Pain. Discussion topics from this episode include questions like: What fears, anger, resentments, doubts, hatred are you holding on to? How do you begin to let go of them? How would you describe the distorted security and comfort you feel by embracin...

Today's Wacky Wednesday is a story from Chapter 8 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum entitled The Heart of an Outcast. As we listen to Paul's story of being an outcast we have many questions to think about and discuss. Were you called names because of your appearance? Were you an outcast? What did you do to feel accepted? How were your feelings of self esteem and self worth? Did addiction num...

Our group of guys in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US answer these questions on today's episode. What is the one thing in the world you loved doing most before you became an addict? What was it during your addiction? What is it now in your sobriety? I'm sure you'll be encouraged as you hear their answers about stolen joy in childhood, counterfeit comforters in addiction and restora...

Here's the second episode for today's Wacky Wednesday. The topic is Chapter 7 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The title of the chapter is The Heart that Feels Alone, Abandoned or Rejected. We'll listen to the first story from this chapter about the childhood wounds of a man named Larry that I met in Lancaster County Prison in Pennsylvania. And we'll discuss questions including:...

In this Wacky Wednesday episode we look at two stories from Chapter 6 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter is entitled The Heart of Broken Dreams. As we dig deeper we look at questions including: Did addiction become your new dream life? What were your high school dreams? When did they die? What condemning words have you heard that killed your dreams? Thanks for listenin...

This is a walkabout episode as we stroll together through Hot or Not Park. This park was designed to help people stay on a hot streak in their recovery. Here are some quotes we'll find on the park signs for discussion. "A lack of transparency builds distrust and a deep sense of insecurity." Dalai Lama "Surround yourself with a bunch of like-minded people, and you'll soak up their habits like a sta...

This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it presents snippets from 3 stories from Chapter 5 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This chapter is entitled The Heart of Addicts Worldwide. Aspects for discussion include the following questions. How do you determine that someone is "safe" to open up to about your addiction? What keeps you dipping and dabbing as you cut d...

Today's Wacky Wednesday episode is the opening story from chapter 4 of phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter deals with forgiveness and this episode looks at one person's story of addiction. As you listen to Debbie's story reflect on the various levels of self forgiveness that she needed to find. We have 8 questions for discussion in this episode to start you on your journey...