Recovery Daily Podcast

The mantra we’re discussing today is “Easy Does It.” In the context of Alcoholics Anonymous, "Easy Does It" serves as a gentle reminder to take things one step at a time. We ease into recovery, recognizing that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. For those of us in physical recovery, the mantra can be just as impactful. The urge to rush through or force progress can be strong. But this princi...

Pride can be a barrier to recovery, whether it be alcoholism, stroke recovery, or mental health issues. It can manifest in various ways, hindering progress and healing. Pride can lead to defensive behavior as one may try to protect their self-image and avoid admitting they are unable to manage life as it is. Pride might interfere with ones ability admit they need help, seek help, accept the help t...

These TheraSpecs glasses I've been wearing daily to manage my vestibular migraines have allowed me to start living more freely. It reminds me of the tools in my sobriety program that have enabled me to start living more freely as well. The only way to acquire these everyday tools is through taking action. I have to actively engage with my recovery tools daily to maintain this level of free liv...

How do we navigate the fine line between self-reliance and surrendering to something greater than ourselves? Today's episode digs into these questions and perspectives on faith-based recovery, regardless of who or what that faith is in. I talk about five things I trust to be true without a doubt. And how this exercise naturally raised the question for me, "do I trust God to be true and ob...

In today's episode, I talk about "Two Stepping" versus "Twelve Stepping" in recovery. I talk about what these terms mean, why they matter, and how honesty, openness, and willingness together are the key to unlocking twelve-stepping in your sobriety. In AA circles, "two-steppers" are those who acknowledge their powerlessness over alcohol—Step One—and jump straight...

In today’s episode, I'm discussing the transformation from chaos to clarity that sobriety brings. I share how sobriety helped me find an anchor in what seemed like an unfair life. For many of us, alcoholic behaviors removed the colors in our view of the world, painting everything as bleak and dismal. I remember feeling like life was fundamentally unfair, a perception heavily tinted by my own a...

In today's episode, I discuss the intersection of neuroscience and recovery to explore how the brain subtly prepares for relapse long before we're aware of it. A psychological study about this unseen decision offers hope about recognizing early warning signals of our impending actions. I also discuss personal "red flags" that signal I'm headed down a bad road, emphasizing the...

As the sun casts rays, and our days fill with the amazing energy of summer, it's a wonderful time to talk about sobriety. During the season of festivals, pool parties, and outdoor dinners, we need to go a bit further than just maintaining our sobriety. We need to celebrate it! Summer brings a unique set of challenges for those of us in recovery. For many, it's a time of vacations, celebrat...

In today’s episode, I talk about role faith can play in various types of recovery—be it alcoholism, stroke, or vestibular disorder. I share my experience with faith, detailing how it has protected my sobriety and how I'm harnessing it to support my emotional well-being and recovery from a stroke. I start by exploring the foundations of my faith, reflecting on childhood memories of church and t...

In this Reads and Recovery episode , I provide a book review of the memoir "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor. Join me as I discuss my take on the remarkable story of a Harvard-trained neuroscientist who turned a near fatal even— a massive stroke—into a groundbreaking exploration of the human brain and its miraculous capacity for recovery. I dissect Dr. Taylor’s battle through d...

Welcome, listeners, to a very special episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast. Today, I'm celebrating eight years of sobriety. Eight years of growth, challenges, LIFE happening, and transformation. This episode is a testament to the power of consistency and the beauty of a sober life. I share a few pivotal moments from my journey. Moments that were turning points for my sobriety, spirituality, a...

Welcome to another episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast. Today's topic is the endless growth potential in recovery as long as we sustain the eagerness to grow. Recovery doesn't have a final destination. It is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and improvement. With each step forward, we unlock new levels of freedom and happiness, uncovering insights and opportunities that continue to pr...

In today's episode, I visit a past deeply rooted belief that I deserved to suffer when I was actively drinking. I talk about ways I would inflict pain on myself—through drinking, neglecting my needs, and isolating from those who care about me. These became habits over time, and they are the manifestations of a belief that I didn't deserve better. I share a turning point in my life where I...

Today, I talk about why making mistakes can be something to look forward to, especially in recovery. I start with a bold statement: "I will make a mistake today, and I can't wait!" Sounds odd, right? But think about it—perfectionism, the need to be the best, it's exhausting. It's a pressure cooker of unrealistic expectations. It's okay if things don’t look perfect, or if...

Today's topic is jayalking through our emotions. I explore the parallels between jaywalking and how we can sometimes "emotionally jaywalk" in our lives. There is a classic anecdote from the Big Book that compares jaywalking to alcoholism. The anecdote describes a jaywalker who repeatedly gets hit but continues to jaywalk, insisting each time would be different. It’s an effective meta...

In today's episode, I explore the step that was transformative for me to start sharing my truth with others. Step 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous, which calls for admitting "to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs" is often met with fear and hesitation. It was pivotal in my journey towards lasting sobriety and genuine self-understanding. "Rarely...

In this episode, I explore acceptance and learning to let go. What begins as a routine drive to the DMV, unexpectedly turns into a lesson in surrendering control—something all too familiar in my recovery journey, whether from alcoholism, stroke recovery, or vestibular rehabilitation. Faced with an unexpected detour and a pressing appointment time, the experience sheds light on my challenges in emb...

Today's episode explores the role of imagination in recovery from alcoholism, stroke, vestibular disorders, and life. With my special guest and beautiful daughter Bailey, we dissect the eight types of imagination and their dual impact—both positive and negative—on the recovery process. Imagination is more than just a creative outlet; it is a vital part of mental health and recovery, helping to...

In this episode, I focus on the importance of maintaining the tools and support that aid your recovery, particularly when improvements are noticed. Whether you’re recovering from alcoholism, coping with the aftermath of a stroke, or managing vestibular disorders, the temptation to walk away from recovery tools can be strong once you start feeling better. Today, I explore the reasons why individual...

Today's episode is about isolation and its role as a precursor to depression. It's easy to overlook the early signs of isolating behavior, but recognizing these can be key to preventing a slide into deeper mental health struggles. Isolation doesn't happen overnight; it creeps in quietly. Here are some tell-tale signs that you might be starting to isolate: 1. Declining Social Invitation...

In this episode, I explore the concept of the seasons of recovery, each bearing its own unique challenges and opportunities. I draw parallels between the natural seasons and the evolving stages of recovery, emphasizing that just like the long cold winters lead to the hopeful springs, our most challenging times are temporary and pivotal to our growth. Join me as I explore how each phase is essentia...

Today I talk about control and surrender within the realms of alcoholism recovery and stroke and vestibular rehabilitation. Drawing from the poignant insights of Chapter 3 of the AA Big Book, I explore the failed attempts by alcoholics to control their drinking inevitably illustrating that alcoholism is not merely a matter of willpower but a fatal disease. Contrasting these struggles, I shift to s...

Today's episode is about the gift of desperation; moreover, I talk about the gifts that are sometimes hidden in our struggles and pain. Many of us have encountered painful experiences in our lives—be it struggling with alcoholism, enduring a bad marriage, or coping with the aftermath of a stroke. Today, I explore how such pains, while challenging, can sometimes be gifts in disguise, offering u...

Self-pity is a barrier to emotional and spiritual growth, acting like a drug that offers only temporary relief from reality while hindering recovery progress. I explore today how this mindset jeopardizes our recovery and our ability to heal and connect with others in our community. Inspired by today's Daily Reflection and teachings from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, I discuss the power...

In this episode, I explore the gifts of both sobriety and stroke recovery. Inspired by Debra Meyerson's book, "Identity Theft," I have realized that it is not only possible but encouraged to find greater happiness post-stroke than before. I begin the episode by reflecting on the gifts sobriety has given me—stronger and healthier relationships, reduced anxiety, and a newfound apprecia...