Recovery Daily Podcast

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about the delicate balance between persistence in therapy and recognizing when it's time to say when. I share my personal journey of navigating vestibular therapy and constant medical referrals, and how I’ve come to question whether these treatments are still serving me. Through detailed preparation and self-reflection, I discuss the...

In today’s episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I share my preparation process for my upcoming visit with a new neurologist, highlighting how thorough preparation can significantly impact the effectiveness of your consultations with healthcare providers. My aim is to help others in similar situations feel more confident and organized when preparing for their medical appointments. I start by shar...

In today’s episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I discuss how practicing AA’s Steps 9 and 10 has helped me find new opportunities to nurture my relationships and smooth out the wrinkles that naturally develop over time. Initially, making amends through Step 9 gave me the courage to share my feelings and participate more actively in my relationships. This shift revealed the level of participation...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I discuss seeking and observing our higher power. This episode focuses on seeking solutions outside of ourselves, particularly in moments when we feel mentally unwell. I explore various ways to connect with our higher power and discuss the immediate gratification that can come from consistently practicing these methods. I start by examining tho...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about how to transform our attitudes and outlook on life through action. Inspired by today's Daily Reflection and Viktor Frankl's "Man’s Search for Meaning," I explore how consistent action in our recovery program helps shift our perspectives and fosters lasting sobriety and serenity. I discuss how the promise of sobrie...

In today's episode, I say the F-word! There. You've been warned. I explore the balance between the "yes" mentality and personal well-being in sobriety as members of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA encourages us to say yes to service work, social events, sponsorship, and sharing in meetings, which helps us stay engaged and connected. But what if saying yes leads to unhealthy stress, part...

May's Book Receives  5 Tail Wags on the Recovery Readometer! Welcome to another episode of Reads and Recovery on the Recovery Daily Podcast. Today, I discuss the book "Man’s Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl. This book offers a narrative of survival and an exploration of the human spirit's resilience in unavoidable struggles. Viktor Frankl shares his experiences as a Holoca...

In today's episode, I talk about accepting invisible disabilities and illnesses. I explore what it means to truly accept these conditions, what others may think about how it reflects in our character, and why talking about these hidden concerns can be so challenging. I've pondered lately, "What would I look like to others if I accept my disability?" This question is rooted in fea...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore sensitivity. Often portrayed as a weakness, sensitivity can feel overwhelming, especially when coupled with alcoholism. However, in recovery, sensitivity reveals itself as a gift. Today I discuss how sensitivity can enable us to connect deeply with others and build strong, meaningful relationships. Sensitivity drives empathy, compassi...

In this episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore the importance of spending time alone. I address key questions: What do you do when you are alone? What is the importance of spending time alone? How do you transition from time you thought would be spent with loved ones to being alone because plans change? And finally, how does being alone change when we are in recovery, whether from alcoho...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore that it’s okay to not be okay. Acknowledging and accepting our struggles can lead to significant positive impacts on our mental wellness. I talk about how recognizing that we’re not okay can open the door to genuine self-awareness, allowing us to explore the underlying causes of our discomfort. Then by shifting our focus from "wh...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore a mindset shift that can greatly enhance your life: moving beyond asking “why” and instead focusing on “what” and “how.” This shift is powerful in keeping a solution-based attitude about drinking, relapsing, and mental unwellness, helping to be more proactive and empowered. We can get caught in a loop of asking “why.” Why did this hap...

In today's episode, I talk about the intersection of mental unwellness and alcoholism. I explore the importance of humility and an open mind in recovery, and how these qualities can lead us to into faith and sanity. I recently heard someone say, "You can be too smart for the program, but you can’t be too stupid." At first, I chuckled, but then I thought, "Yeah, that’s true.&quot...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about the timeless question: "What do I want to be when I grow up?" While often asked of children, this question remains relevant throughout our lives. It’s more than just pondering our career though—it's who we aspire to be. Let's focus on what we want to be today, because tomorrow never truly arrives; it's always...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I share a personal practice that has guided me through my early sobriety—a nightly prayer that helps keep my ego in check. This practice has had a huge impact on my recovery journey, especially as it aligns with topics discussed in my recent sobriety meetings: "principles before personalities" and "it's a we program." Ev...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore a a concept from Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning". This isn't our usual month-end Reads and Recovery book review, but Frankl's insights resonated so deeply with me that I couldn't wait to share this one particular concept with you. Frankl introduces the idea that our life's purpose cannot be...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, I explore how my sobriety program adapts to the ebb and flow of my life, especially in the context of stroke recovery. One of the most remarkable aspects of this program is its flexibility, allowing it to be customized based on what's happening in our lives and our own shortcomings we face at any given time. Join me as I discuss the guiding...

Today I'm talking about guilt. I discuss why disability guilt occurs, its negative effects on our well-being, and how to manage it effectively. Guilt is a common emotion among those living with disabilities, including myself. Guilt is derived from both what we can’t do and how our condition impacts those around us. We might feel we’re not contributing enough to our households or relationships....

In today's episode, I explore how to be gentle with ourselves in stroke recovery. I talk about the common struggle of feeling like we're not doing enough around the house, even when our loved ones reassure us that we are. I start by recognizing self-imposed expectations. During recovery, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking we're not doing enough because we're comparing...

In today's episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, we're exploring the nuanced differences between empathy and compassion. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they reflect distinct emotional processes within us. Empathy involves feeling another person's emotions as if they were our own, while compassion recognizes someone else's suffering and gives us a strong desire t...

In today’s episode, I talk about balancing self-care with participating in the joys of life. I explore the emotional effects of having to decline invitations, not out of unwillingness, but as a necessary step to protect our well-being. Whether it’s turning down alcohol-centered social gatherings to maintain strong sobriety or canceling plans due to health concerns, every no carries its weight. I d...

In today’s episode, I discuss how recovery reshapes our understanding and expression of love. Join us as I explore the shift from empathetic overload to balanced, healthy relationships, and how confronting our adversities transforms our approach to love and connection. Our journey in recovery guides us through a transformative process of self-discovery and self-care. We are learning how to express...

In today's episoce I talk about the color wheel of emotions. There is a lot of depth to what we're feeling, and when we can pinpoint exactly what emotions are a part of it, we can take the most effective steps toward healing pain, addressing resentments, and nurturing our relationships. So, in this episode I explore how to use our emotions as information to guide self-reflection and mindfu...

Today I explore the concept of keeping our feet firmly planted on the earth. I’ll discuss my recent experiences with vestibular therapy which has challenged my commitment to this new way of life just in simply practicing self-restraint to save myself from future symptoms. This translated clearly to me how what we do today impacts how we feel tomorrow. In recovery, there's a saying about "...

In this episode of Recovery Daily Podcast, I talk about intentional communication. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of the 13th-century poet Rumi and insights from Socrates to Mary Ann Pietzker, we explore how asking three critical questions before we speak — Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? — can impact our relationships. I discuss how to cultivate a communication style that's been...