MY BLUEPRINT: Struggle Towards Emotional Sobriety

I had no clue that I had so much in common with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.  

I listened to this commencement speech a few months ago and it made a profound difference for me.  Take a listen, This Is Water-Full version-David Foster Wallace Commencement Speech

I can't believe this is my 30th episode that I posted!  I spent a little time talking about a 12 step fellowship that I have been a part of that literally saved my life.  It is called Misery Addicts Anonymous (MAA) or Self-Sabotage Anonymous (SSA).  

I recorded this podcast a few months ago and forgot to post it.  It is a letter that Bill Wilson (founder of Alcoholics Anonymous) wrote about his own struggles with depression.  In this podcast, I will read the letter, but to better understand this letter, please click on this YouTube link.  Dr. Alan Berger does an outstanding job unpacking this letter.  Here is the link Emotional Sobriety Letter...

If you have listened to my podcasts, you might have a guess if I am an introvert or extrovert?  In this podcast, you will find out.

I have ran many miles over the years, but this run I will not soon forget.

Several years ago I took and improv class.  It is something I have never done before, but it helped me be more spontaneous and respond quicker to information that came my way. This podcast is 100% improvised. 

My guess is that you have never heard of iThink Technology.  I invented it (at least I think I invented it).  Actually, it is a concept that I think would be really great if someone invented and it was available for all who wanted it.

Here is my advice to you.  Don't give advice!  See what you think of this podcast

I have listened to many of Oprah's Super Soul Conversations.  If you  have not listened to her podcast yet, I highly recommend them.  In this podcast, I will share some themes I have noticed between my podcast and Oprah's podcast.

It has taken me a long time to realize this, but I am addicted to control.  Not sure if you are, but listen to this podcast and see what you think?

I have been asked many times, "Michael, how do you pray?" So, here is how I pray when I wake up each morning.

Back in 1997 Don Miguel Ruiz wrote a fantastic book called, The Four Agreements.  I would highly recommend it.  The four agreements are 1) Be Impeccable with Your Word, 2) Don't Take Anything Personally, 3) Don't Make Assumptions, and 4) Always Do Your Best.

I usually do not post two podcast in the same day, but today I recording this podcast and felt the urge to share it.  Of all the podcast I have done to date, this podcast is my favorite!

I have been diagnosed with both Depression and Bi-Polar Disorder.  I have been pretty open with my struggle with Depression over the years, but I do have a difficult time accepting and sharing what it is like living with Bi-Polar.

This is not an easy story for me to think about and share.  It is a good reminder to me for where I was an where I am today.  

This podcast was inspired by a Ted Talk by Johann Hari called E verything you think you know about addiction is wrong .

Have you ever been in a sensory deprivation tank?  I have been floating for 15+ years and have found great benefit from it.  If you want more information, click on this link.  Anicca Floation Club is where I float.  It is located in Naperville, IL.  

I was hesitant to post this podcast because I was being really vulnerable.  However, I wanted to tell you a little about my dad and the relationship we have developed over the years.

As I sit in my therapist chair day after day listening to men struggle, I believe that most men have very similar struggles.  In this episode, I will share about the crisis men are facing today.  I believe one of the biggest challenges men are facing is the inability to have deeper and more meaningful connections with other men.

Imagine a wheel of a bicycle.  It has many spokes.  It can roll with only a few spokes, but can roll much smoother and more effectively with all spokes.  In this podcast, I will share my spiritual practices that I do on a day-to-day basis.

I was shocked by the amount of comments and feedback I received regarding my last podcast on suicide.  Most of the feedback was regarding additional resources for suicide and suicide prevention.  Here is a great site I came across speakingofsuicide.com/resources .   The second link is an article written in The New York Times on June 7, 2018 by Benedict Carey titled " Defying Prevention Efforts, Su...

I don't have much to say to describe this podcast, but I hope you take 15 minutes out of your day to listen.

This is the final part of The Ball Don't Lie.  I hope you enjoyed it!

This is 2 of 3 of The Ball Don't Lie.