Recovery Daily Podcast

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about living with an incurable disease, specifically alcoholism. I discuss the importance of understanding alcoholism as a fatal, progressive, and incurable condition, drawing parallels with other life-altering diagnoses like surviving a stroke or living with a vestibular disorder. I explore how accepting these conditions and learning to adapt...

In today's episode, I discuss self-righteousness and how it has impacted my life. I share my struggles from time to time with an attitude of superiority, although shameful to admit. This mindset has led me to be intolerant of others' opinions and behaviors, pushing me away from the acceptance and humility that are crucial in recovery. Through my experiences, I've learned that self-righ...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I discuss the vicious cycle of neurosis—what I call "my crazy"— and alcoholism that once trapped me in a prison of fear, loneliness, and desperation. I share my reflections on living in a state where I couldn't get drunk enough to escape the pain, yet couldn't sober up enough to face my reality. This relentless cycle left me feeling...

In today's episode, I discuss how I've learned to adapt the principles of my sobriety program to my stroke recovery, which has reshaped once again how I approach life. By rephrasing the core ideas of the program to fit my new reality, I've been able to create a blueprint not just for staying sober but for living with purpose and joy despite my challenges. I talk about how these princip...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore shifting our mindset from “Why me?” to “Why not me?” when faced with life's challenges and successes. I discuss how our mindset plays a critical role in how we perceive and respond to both good and bad experiences. I talk about the importance of "suiting up and showing up" for life, whether that means embracing the good moments...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the unsettling experience of drinking dreams and how they can affect your awakening. These dreams, while distressing, do not signify a desire to return to substance use. Instead, they may reflect deep-seated fears and anxieties related to your recovery progress. I discuss how to put these dreams into perspective, understanding that they are...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I share my recent experience visiting a stroke specialist in Washington, DC. The specialist provided significant insights into my stroke recovery, including the possibility that I might have had a second stroke last year as we'd suspected. I discuss her recommendations, including continuing my daily vestibular exercises and the best self-care to p...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about the role that giving back plays in our recovery. I explore how service in the recovery community helps others and strengthens our own sobriety. I share my experiences on why giving of ourselves is crucial to staying emotionally secure and connected to our purpose in the program and in our lives. Additionally, I discuss the challenges of d...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about maintaining spiritual well-being as a cornerstone of my sobriety program. Reflecting on my morning meeting, I explore the subtle but important differences between depression and self-pity, two emotional states that can blur together but require distinct approaches for healing. I share some experiences where I had feelings of loneliness an...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I discuss the question, "How are you?" and explore what happens when we respond with honesty instead of a polite, automatic response. I come clean about the common tendency to brush off our true feelings and the importance of acknowledging how we really feel—both to ourselves and in safe spaces like recovery meetings. This episode als...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the impact of emotional harm, both towards others and ourselves. Drawing inspiration from today's Daily Reflections and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, I discuss how even the smallest harms we inflict on others can leave lasting emotional scars on ourselves. This episode goes into the significance of making amends, not just to heal r...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the role of imagination in the recovery journey. Much like a blueprint is essential for building a house, imagination is the foundation for rebuilding our lives after addiction and stroke. I discuss how envisioning our goals and dreams can deepen our commitment to self-improvement and healing. I share my insights on how using my imagi...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the importance of training our minds to choose positive and grounding thoughts over the chaotic and destructive ones that can dominate our thinking, especially in recovery. I talk about the concept of "home base," a mental anchor that helps us stay present and centered when our minds start to spiral. Whether it's focusing on th...

In this episode I explore the taking that first small step towards change, whether it’s embracing positive habits or avoiding the pitfalls of negative ones. I discuss how starting something new, like yoga or healthy eating, can be daunting but becomes easier once we crack that door open. On the flip side, I also caution against cracking the door open to old, destructive behaviors, such as drinking...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore my experience of uncovering serenity amidst life’s obstacles. Through personal insights, I discuss how humility and acceptance are essential tools in maintaining peace and avoiding emotional hangovers. I share how the process of admitting and correcting errors—especially through Steps 8 and 9—has helped me clean out my "dark place"...

In this episode, I explore the dangerous cycle of addiction where the morning drink shifts from being a source of pleasure to an urgent necessity. Drawing insights from the Big Book's story "Women Suffer Too," I discuss how addiction slowly takes over, turning something that once provided relief into a way to dull our pain and fears. I discuss the emotional turmoil of seeking logical...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about the meaning of tolerance and when it transitions over to requiring that we draw boundaries—two essential tools for maintaining healthy relationships in recovery. While tolerance teaches us to accept and coexist with others, boundaries help protect our emotional and mental well-being. I discuss how to recognize when our tolerance is...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the impact of the steps in my sobriety program, particularly steps 8 and 9, which has encouraged me to better see others as human beings. Steps 8 and 9 teach us the power of making amends and recognizing the humanity in others. I discuss how shifting our perspective from criticizing, complaining, and condemning to one of grace and res...

In today's episode I'm checking in to share my status managing my current symptoms. Still struggling with brain fog and severe headache and vertigo symptoms, I briefly touch on balancing effort and rest. Thanks for you patience as I prioritize healing and self-care.

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about the joy and fulfillment that comes from living sober. I discuss how using our minds and bodies the way they were meant to be celebrated, strengthened, and pushed leads to self-actualization. I share my thoughts about how my potential has not lessened, but rather it has shifted to other areas that I hadn't even considered before...

Today’s episode is about self-righteousness and other behaviors that are born early on in our lives as defense mechanisms. I discuss how self-righteousness can be cautiously used as a confidence builder in public speaking situations, but must be abandoned immediately following. These learned behaviors exist for a reason. Notice them. Admit to them. Laugh about them, if need be. But don't ignor...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the complex reasons why we can't stop drinking even when we know it's destroying our lives. I share my experience using alcohol as a means of survival from debilitating anxiety, emotional pain, and reality. Today I find a daily reprieve through spiritual fitness. Join me for insights and hope on breaking free from alcohol and...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I discuss practicing our recovery values rather than preaching them. I talk about how the program’s spiritual, not religious, approach fosters inclusivity and respect for everyone's beliefs. I share a personal story about attending a religious camp and the negative impacts that preaching had on me that I carried with me for many years. I ex...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore how connecting with nature and other people helps nurture my relationship with my higher power. Discover the importance of maintaining your spiritual condition through daily self-reflection, and focusing on the simplicity of movement around us in nature. Learn how admitting powerlessness and accepting limitations can open the door to...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I touch on Step 10 in our recovery program. This step focuses on daily self-assessment, emotional house cleaning, and consistent progress review, helping us address the lingering effects of emotional hangovers and justified anger. I discuss how Step 10 prepared me to deal with negative emotions, emphasizing the importance of regular spot checks...