In The Circle

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re joined by Karen, who asks us such a relevant question in the recovery space: I know what to do to get sober, but why can’t I seem to do it? Recovery requires a mystical collaboration; we take consistent steps, but the true unfolding comes from surrendering outcomes to a higher power. Like farmers planting seeds, our role is to prepare, plant, and tend...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, Katya came forward with a deeply relatable question: How Can We Break Old Patterns And Habits That No Longer Serve Us?  Katya is self-aware enough to notice the moment when she could choose recovery, but often still opts for old patterns. This honesty is powerful as it highlights the universal human struggle: knowing what’s good for us, yet resisting i...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re joined by Jen, who inquires: Why is meditation so important for people in recovery, and am I doing the practice correctly? I used to believe I could never meditate; my mind was too busy, my body too restless. For more than 30 years, I explained to people why it was impossible for me. Everything shifted when I learned about kriya practices: sets of bre...

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 for moderation? Now, I believe that addressing one's relationship with food and sugar in particular is a central part of recovery for everyone. In Nico...

On this episode of In The Circle, I address a deep and personal question from Annesa: Can I recover from a lifelong struggle with food and body dysmorphia resulting from sexual abuse? This inquiry sheds light on the intricate relationship between trauma, self-view, and the longing for healing in a society where many women undergo sexual assault.  For us to discover true healing, we need to co...

On this episode of In The Circle, we're diving into an intriguing discussion about the integration of psychedelic therapies with holistic healing in recovery. Aaron’s inquiry holds great significance, as many people seek answers about the role of psychedelics in the healing process. However, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this complex issue.  It's not a matter of simply categorizing p...

On this episode of In The Circle, we get a unique inquiry from Rebecca, who says, " Alcohol is not ruining my life, but I can't stop drinking. " This is especially important for those in recovery, and yet relevant for everyone, too. This inquiry is for the person who does not identify as an alcoholic. This is for the person who isn’t going to necessarily end up at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting....

On this episode of In The Circle, we have a question from Arlena about a hot topic: how to stop using cannabis . Arlena explains she's trying to quit using cannabis, that she lives amongst smokers, and feels entangled in it. She refers to her relationship with cannabis as a love affair. I have heard that from so many people, and this inquiry is becoming more and more relevant as cannabis is being...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we dive into what it truly means to be “stuck” in the frequency of addiction . Pause for a moment on that phrase— the frequency of addiction . What does it bring to mind? Today, Sarah asks a powerful question: “How do I know when I’m in—or out of—the frequency of addiction?” To illustrate this, she brings up the analogy of the Russian nesting dolls. Each ti...

On this episode of In The Circle, we hear from Recovery 2.0 member, Luis, who asks… Are you ever truly free from addiction?  His question takes us down an interesting path, where we must dissect the perspective of people struggling with addiction and those struggling in recovery. This inquiry challenges the oft-heard phrase: “once an addict, always an addict.” In this episode, we unpack what...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re taking a look at something that impacts us all - Procrastination. In this episode, 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...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re revisiting a critical aspect of recovery from Episode 64 - Forgiveness .  In this episode, Mark brings us a 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 duri...

In this episode of In the Circle, I respond to a courageous and heartfelt inquiry from Barbara. She asks: How do I make peace with taking medication for Parkinson’s, after years of addiction and recovery?   Her story is raw, vulnerable, and deeply human: the daily crash after each dose, the fear it stirs up, the echoes of withdrawal, and the sense that maybe she’s being pulled back into somet...

In this episode of In the Circle, I have the honor of talking with Author and master yoga teacher, Guruprem.  Guruprem has been a major influence on my life and recovery journey. It was he who passed on the teachings that helped me heal my back and laid the foundation for Recovery 2.0. Today, he shares grounded wisdom on how to bring more ease back into your life. He touches on being of servi...

In this episode of In the Circle, I answer one of the most important and relevant inquiries I have ever received. Michelle asks, "How Can I Handle the Pain of Weaning Off Prescribed Medication? " She shares the emotional tug-of-war between love and shame, wanting to reduce her dose of buprenorphine, but feeling defeated when pain flares up and she takes more than planned. Her honesty opens up a de...

In this episode of In the Circle, I am extremely privileged to speak with Father Richard Rohr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan friar, author, and spiritual teacher renowned for his work in Christian mysticism and contemplative spirituality. Born in 1943 in Kansas, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1970 and later founded the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thro...

In this episode of In the Circle, I have the honor of talking with writer, musician, and master teacher of Kundalini Yoga, Guru Singh.   Guru Singh is a globally respected spiritual teacher, musician, and author who has shaped the Kundalini yoga and meditation community for decades. Renowned for his dynamic, science-based, and musically infused teaching style, he has trained thousands of...

In this episode of In the Circle, we take a look at an inquiry I get asked the most: How Do I Get Sober? What does sobriety truly entail? By asking this question, we are looking for a way to evolve into a better version of ourselves– to let go of the old and embrace the new. In order to move towards a life filled with more love, connection, and fulfillment, we need to be honest, vulnerable, and op...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I delve into the complex and often debated topic: Is addiction a disease? We explore how society interprets addiction and the implications these interpretations have on treatment approaches. What are the motivations behind defining addiction as a disease? If addiction isn't seen as a disease, how do we understand and “fix” it? We also take a look at the cha...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re revisiting an extremely relevant inquiry: Are the 12 Steps still relevant today, how do they fit into modern recovery, and why did I adapt the 12 Steps into the 12 Efforts? Of course, when we explore these questions, we will need to discuss the challenges that come up with language and the power of words. Do people in recovery always have to refer to...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re revisiting what I believe to be one of the most important aspects of recovery: Yoga .  In this episode, we have the pleasure of discussing the role of yoga in recovery and how we can overcome people's innate resistance to the practice. Chris asks… If freedom from addiction is possible, and yoga is the medicine, how then do we make this medicine m...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re looking back on a topic that sits deep in the minds of most people who are in recovery– What If The 12 Steps Aren’t For Me?   Jeanne, a member of our Recovery 2.0 community shares about how the 12 steps will always be the foundation of her recovery, but that after a while she felt called to explore alternative paths of healing.  What starts...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re visiting one of my most impactful episodes - Episode 8. In this episode, Elizabeth brings a thought-provoking question to The Circle: Can I Prevent A Relapse Before It Starts? Today's thoughtful inquiry comes as Elizabeth offers the deeply meaningful subject of relapse for closer inspection. In doing so, we reframe the meaning of the word, removing al...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re taking it back to where it all began - Episode 1. In this episode, Theresa asked us such a very important question: is it possible for a person in recovery to truly reach a place of peace and contentment? This incredibly powerful question, it seems to me, is really about the entire human race. Is it possible for any person, whether in recovery or not,...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m sharing one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever had with Herb K. Thanks to the 12 Steps, Herb has been free from alcohol since 1984. In 1988, he had a profound spiritual awakening. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to helping others sustain and expand their own awakening through recovery. Herb’s work goes beyond addiction—it’s about clarity, c...