In The Circle

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re joined by Elaine, who draws our attention to one of the most challenging scenarios in all of addiction: What steps can parents take to support their grown child in addiction recovery? How do I remain silent when my child continues to make bad choices?  I don't want to enable them. I don't know how to support them. What can I do? This inquiry will...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we have Kathy bringing a very unique yet relevant inquiry that requires a bit of unpacking. Kathy inquires: what is the difference between being an introvert and isolating?  Kathy wrote to us and said, “I usually hear that human beings are hardwired for connection and that we are social creatures. I do not believe it to be true for every human being -...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m incredibly excited to share my interview with Bruce Lipton, Ph. D. Bruce is an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit. He was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine, and later performed groundbreaking stem cell research at Stanford University. You may have read about that in his best-selling book, Th...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we are joined by Donna, who asks such a brave, honest, and raw question: Is It Possible To Fully Heal From Sexual Trauma? Can the trauma of childhood sexual abuse be overcome? The unfortunate reality is that sexual and physical abuse are very present in our world. Donna’s inquiry gives us an opportunity to explore healing from these deep, formative wounds....

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we are joined by Elizabeth, who brings an incredibly powerful inquiry: How Can I Remain Spiritual During Troubling Times? So many people I speak with are feeling lost, sad, depressed, or despairing in the face of the world's difficulties. Of course, it doesn’t help that we are attached to devices that inform us endlessly of other people's challenges. This i...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, Galen brings to light the addictive nature of procrastination. When we actively avoid things we need to do - and even things we may want to do - it erodes our confidence. We may even take other actions that cause us harm.   I look at procrastination as one of the four aggravations: Negative thinking, self-doubt, procrastination, and resentment. Th...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we are joined by Tracy, who inquires: Will my recovery journey positively impact my children? This is such a powerful inquiry that I know will have relevance for us all. Part of this exploration will lead us to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. There is no such thing as parenting without doing some harm. We all have negative ingrai...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, Nicole is here with us bringing an inquiry about what I call the real gateway drug. Of course, I'm speaking about sugar. Nicole asks: Am I addicted to sugar? Should I abstain completely or is there a place of moderation? Now, I believe that addressing one's relationship with food and sugar in particular is a central part of recovery for everyone. In Nicole'...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we have Bob here with us at 20 years sober. Bob is asking a profound question related to the 12 step path: How would you describe the process of becoming entirely ready? Now, for those who are not familiar with step six, it reads: we were entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character.  This brings up a lot of questions and some confusion...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, Brian asks an incredibly profound question: Can a person change their personality? He goes on to explain that the origin of his inquiry is due to his use of sarcasm and how he does not want to speak in that same tone with that same sharpness, especially to those he loves. As someone who grew up in New York City, I'm well-trained in sarcasm, and this inquiry...

This week, I am very excited to share a podcast that breaks tradition with our normal format.   Normally, I answer questions from people in recovery all over the world. This episode features an interview I conducted with Zach Bush, MD., from the recent Life Beyond Addiction Conference.  Zach is a renowned, multi-disciplinary physician of internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice...

In this episode of In the Circle, we dive into a compelling discussion with Patrick, a dedicated individual in long-term recovery, who inquires: Should Purpose Guide Your Path When Helping Others? Patrick is at a crossroads in his service journey as he questions whether to pursue a conventional counseling career or continue his grassroots efforts of directly assisting people on the streets of San...

In this episode of In the Circle, Today, we'll hear an inquiry from Carla, who asks an important question regarding friendship and letting go: How do I release the ties of a long-term friendship that has become codependent? How can I let go of relationships that no longer serve me? This inquiry takes us into this realm of relationships, reminding us that friendships, connections, business partners...

In this episode of In the Circle, we are joined by Jamie who inquires: How can I finally be free from the frequency of addiction?  Jamie expresses that he has just celebrated five years of recovery, yet he feels that recovery should be easier by now. What will finally set us free? How can we truly surrender and let go of the frequency of addiction? There isn't just one path to freedom; it var...

In this episode of In the Circle, we’re joined by Sam, who brings our attention to an addiction that we don't often consider, the addiction to the struggle itself. Sam inquires: How Can I Break Away From Victimhood?  Most of us can look back and, if we’re self-conscious human beings, notice some patterns repeating themselves, holding us back. The most common being self-sabotage. This brings u...

In this episode of In the Circle, we have June with us, sharing a powerful inquiry about building self-confidence and trust. She inquires: how can I be more confident & trust myself? This deeply relatable issue touches the foundation of our relationship with our inner selves. By examining feelings like loneliness and the need for self-esteem, we aim to uncover what it takes to build a confiden...

In this episode of In the Circle, we’re joined by Dorcus, who brings us an incredibly vital inquiry: How Can I Navigate Relapse Without Fear Or Shame? This normal and stigmatized phenomenon is part of most individuals' recovery journeys. We explore the traditional 12-step method that requires starting over on day one post-relapse. While this method emphasizes the importance of recognizing mileston...

In this episode of In the Circle, we're honored to have Mark join us from Northern England, bringing a profound topic that touches the core of many recovery journeys: self-forgiveness and building genuine self-confidence. Mark inquires: How can I learn to forgive myself and be confident in my self-worth? For those of us in recovery, particularly during the early stages, the act of forgiving oursel...

In this episode of In the Circle, we're joined by Michele, who inquires: How can I navigate the frequency of financial sobriety? This critical topic is an often overlooked aspect of recovery,  whether it's managing debt, curbing excessive shopping, or addressing gambling habits, financial sobriety speaks to our core relationship with money and the energy it represents. This conversation is es...

In this episode of In the Circle, I’m so delighted to field an inquiry from Megan. She asks: How can I manage my newfound energy and excitement after getting sober from cannabis? So many people don't understand the nuances of what cannabis does, and how it affects our emotional state and our brain nor do they understand the nuances of recovering from cannabis and the kinds of things that one will...

In this episode of In the Circle, we’re joined by Reno who brings us an extremely thought-provoking question. He inquires: How is Modern Technology Affecting People In Recovery? Modern technology and social media, while useful and integrated into our daily lives, can distract us from what truly matters - being present, being conscious, and accessing your higher self. There's a growing need for us...

In this episode of In the Circle, we are joined by Stephanie with a profound inquiry regarding the loss of her husband to addiction: How do I answer when people ask me how my husband died? How can I talk about the loss of a loved one to addiction? When we speak to people who have not been affected by addiction, they are often uncertain how to respond, and because of that, we are met with mispercep...

In this episode of In the Circle, we’re joined by Ron who brings a courageous and important inquiry to our community: What am I risking by not facing my trauma and pain? Having lost his son due to a skiing accident eight years ago, Ron has firsthand experience navigating through intense grief and loss. I think we are all intuitively aware that something negative will occur if we do not face the em...

In this episode of In the Circle, I am joined by John who brings an inquiry that is so relevant to every human being: How Can I Get High in Recovery? How can we replace substance-induced highs with exhilarating experiences like outdoor adventures and meaningful activities? I cannot emphasize enough the importance of recognizing contentment, and not excitement or relief, as a foundational state in...

In this episode of In the Circle, we're diving into another profound exploration of the journey of recovery. We’re joined by Connor, who inquires: Can I Live A Fulfilling Life Without The 12 Steps? This is a topic that resonates deeply with me and many of our listeners, as the 12 steps have been a cornerstone in the world of recovery. I'm particularly excited about this discussion as it allows me...