In The Circle

This week’s episode of In The Circle is unlike any other because, for the first time, I’m sharing my personal story of recovery. It’s a journey filled with struggle, revelation, and transformation—one that has shaped every part of who I am today. Recovery is never a straight line, and looking back, I see how each moment, each fall, and each breakthrough led me here. My path began long before I too...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I have the great honor of speaking with Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji—a renowned spiritual leader, bestselling author, and motivational speaker based in Rishikesh, India. Sadhvi Ji is the author of Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation and serves as the International Director of Parmarth Niketan, one of India’s largest s...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I’m joined by Miriam who poses a deeply relevant inquiry: How Can I Stay Grounded When The World Feels So Uncertain? How do I navigate interactions with others amidst heightened emotions and uncertainty in the world? In a time when truth feels elusive and perspectives shift depending on the source, the power of discernment has never been more crucial.&nbsp...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I’m delighted to speak with Scott Strode. Scott has been sober for over 25 years and is the Executive Director of The Phoenix, a transformational nonprofit he founded in 2006. The Phoenix is reshaping how society views addiction and recovery by harnessing the power of connection to create lasting change. The Phoenix offers free in-person and virtual progra...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I have the pleasure of speaking with Heather Monroe, a transpersonal psychotherapist with a unique approach to healing relational and attachment trauma.  Heather brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, combining multiple therapeutic modalities to help others heal. She is a certified psychodrama trainer, a certified Kundalini yoga teacher, and a M...

On this episode of In The Circle, I’m excited to welcome Jacob, who brings up one of my favorite topics: cannabis. If you’ve read Recovery 2.0 or tuned into this podcast, you know how deeply cannabis has shaped my own journey through addiction and recovery. In this episode, Jacob asks: How Has Cannabis Culture Changed and What Does It Mean for Recovery?   Together, we’ll explore how the incre...

Welcome to the 100th episode of In the Circle! I’m celebrating this milestone with deep gratitude for all of you—our listeners, supporters, and everyone who has encouraged this podcast along the way. This episode is a special one, featuring the incredible Dr. Tracy Jackson, a leading expert in medicine, pain management, and addiction. Dr. Jackson brings a unique perspective to the conversation, bl...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re joined by John, who poses one of humanity’s most timeless questions: What is happiness?   In recovery, we often hear about being “happy, joyous, and free,” the ultimate state achieved through the transformative work of recovery. But what does that truly mean? John's question invites us to explore the essence of happiness and its distinction from...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I explore Karen's thought-provoking question: How Can I Maintain Inner Peace When Faced With External Pressures? Together, we explore the intersection of yoga teachings, social justice, and the 12-step philosophy. Karen shares her reflections on how yoga sometimes aligns with social causes and the inner conflict she feels when seeking to live from the "insi...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle , we’re joined by Denise, who brings forward a universally relevant and sincere inquiry about sex addiction. She asks: Is my sexual desire healthy or addictive? At 42 years old, Denise shares candidly about being at a peak in her desire, openly questioning whether this is healthy or normal. Her vulnerability opens the door to a powerful conversation about th...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle , we’re exploring the powerful topic of perfectionism. We’re joined by Kevin, who brings a thought-provoking question to the circle: How can I make peace with ‘good enough’ versus perfectionism? Perfectionism, often rooted in disconnection and insecurity, can lead to a life of stress and unfulfilled expectations. This episode examines the fine line between s...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I’m excited to connect with my dear friend Rolf Gates. A bestselling author, Rolf has written Daily Reflections on Addiction, Yoga, and Getting Well and Meditations from the Mat . As a leading voice in modern yoga, Rolf conducts vinyasa intensives and teacher trainings worldwide. His unique background as a U.S. Army Ranger and social worker specializing in...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, we're joined by Louise, who brings an essential question to the discussion: How can I move beyond judgment? This is incredibly relevant in today's world, where judgment often pulls us away from being present. When we're in a state of judgment, we're uncomfortable and caught up in blame, complaint, and external focus, which only breeds resentment and frustra...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, we are joined by Raiza who brings us a profound inquiry: How Can I Embrace The Present Moment and Trust My Journey As It Unfolds? Raiza shares that she started her spiritual journey later in life, while many teachers she admires began their paths and awakenings early on. This has left her feeling 'behind,' as though she should be further along her journey....

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m privileged to be joined by Ellen, who brings us a powerful inquiry that will open a conversation about the family dynamics of addiction. Ellin asks: How can I support friends and family in addiction while respecting boundaries?  Whenever one person in a family struggles with addiction, the entire family is at risk of falling into an addictive and u...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I have the joy and honor of connecting with my dear friend, Elena Brower. Elena is a mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and the host of the Practice You podcast.  With 25 years of experience in yoga and meditation, she’s inspired countless individuals through her insightful teachings. Her books—Art of Attention, Practice You,...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m thrilled to dive into an incredibly meaningful topic that impacts each of us — our relationship with food. Alyssa joins us with an inquiry about something fundamental to the human experience - How Can I Move Beyond Addictive Patterns with Food?   Food has a powerful impact on how we feel, think, and interact in the world. It affects our energy, our...

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, Gwen presents a powerful inquiry about personal empowerment. She asks: How Can I Overcome The Fear-Based Limitations I Put On Myself? Gwen opens up about her recovery journey, reflecting on how her once fierce drive was replaced by fear after years of active addiction. Her story of wanting to overcome this fear and embrace an empowered life resonates with a...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we welcome Stuart, who is celebrating one year of sobriety from long-term cannabis use. Stuart's success stands as a beacon of hope for those struggling to let go of cannabis, showing that recovery and thriving are possible. In this episode, he asks a question many of us can relate to: how can I break free from negative thinking patterns?   How can we...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m thrilled to reconnect with my friend, Dr. Gabor Maté.  Gabor Maté is a renowned medical doctor, five-time international bestselling author, humanitarian, and highly respected speaker. His acclaimed book on addiction, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, is widely used in academic institutions across Canada and the U.S.&nb...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re diving into another powerful inquiry from someone who traveled with me to one of our Recovery 2.0 retreats in England. Today’s guest, Perry, asks: How can I push through my resistance to change?  During our England retreat, we discussed something I call resistance training. When I mention resistance training, I’m talking about engaging in activit...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we are truly blessed to have Linda, an elder, joining us. When I say "elder," I'm referring not just to age, but to the wisdom and humility gained over time. Linda brings us such a powerful inquiry when she asks: What does conscious recovery look like as we grow older?  This deeply humbles me. It's a profound inquiry from someone with so much life expe...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re joined by Mariana, who brings us an impactful inquiry: How Can I Maintain Healthy Boundaries While Being of Service in Recovery? We often read in spiritual scriptures that we are meant to give without expectation. Yet, as humans in relationships, we recognize that boundaries are essential, especially in recovery.  Spiritual and religious teaching...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I am honored to connect with Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, founder and CEO of Agape International Spiritual Center, a renowned trans-denominational community in Los Angeles.  With thousands of local members and global live streamers, Agape is celebrated for its cultural, racial, and spiritual inclusivity. The late Coretta Scott King once praised Dr. Be...

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we are joined by Rosie, who brings a relevant and powerful inquiry for our consideration:  How can I quickly regulate my emotions and ground myself, so I don't get lost in the story my mind creates? This is a deeply relevant inquiry—who hasn’t found themselves trapped by the narratives they carry in their mind? It’s all too common to become our own big...