Recovery Daily Podcast

Today, I tackle a topic that might resonate with you parents. The main line of discussion is the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, ways alcohol can reshape who we are, our priorities, our personalities, and the disease leads to selfish behavior because of our obsession with alcohol. The reason why parents may be able to relate to this is because I want to try to compare it to the way we have ou...

For the longest time, I didn’t talk about my feelings. It began with small omissions about how much I drank and snowballed into concealing my innermost thoughts. Not sharing turned into not being honest, and hiding morphed into lying. This journey of holding back was not only lonely but unhealthy. But sharing the illnesses that live deep within me has been a gradual process, heavily influenced by...

Today's episode is about living without a compass in those moments when we question our path — I talk about the signs that affirm I’m moving in the right direction in life and in my recovery. Recognizing that I'm on the right path in life can be subtle, but there are some telltale signs that serve as affirmations that I’m aligned with my values and moving in the right direction for me. My...

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I'm thrilled to unfold the blueprint for Season 2, which begins January 1st. We're about to embark on an even more interactive, insightful, and inspiring experience together, and in this episode I share a bit of what I have in store for you. I unveil "Your Stories, Our Journey," a segment dedicated to you, in addition to these other seg...

This episode explores the intricate web of rationalization, control, and manipulation that often entangles us in our perspective of life as an alcoholic, and for me, as a stroke survivor as well. It's that inner voice that justifies everything I want to do no matter the risk based on instant gratification. This voice always has an excuse, masking the truth and leading me into denial. Breaking...

In this special episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast, we take an introspective journey into the heart of my sobriety during the holiday season. I provide a few stories, reflecting on the experiences that led me to the life-changing decision to embrace sobriety. I share candidly about what shaped my path, in addition to some cozy memories, all guiding me towards a brighter, sober future. Today is...

Tonight, as the Christmas tree lights twinkle in the empty dark house, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of love and laughter that filled these rooms just hours ago. This episode is about the precious moments I share with my adult children, and how loud my thoughts are in the silent aftermath. There's nothing comparable to the energy that fills a house when the kids visit. It's lik...

Today I reflect on the past year, a year filled with significant changes and moments of gratitude. It's remarkable how the simple yet profound principles of my program have kept me sober but also brought serenity and joy into my life. They've guided me through one of the most challenging periods I've faced. My stroke recovery journey has been a driving force, propelling me forward rath...

Helping others without giving advice is an art that requires patience, empathy, and a genuine desire to support their journey. By helping others focus on their recovery through challenges and offering emotional support, we can make a significant impact on those around us while also strengthening our own program. In this episode, I explore meaningful ways to make a difference without giving advice....

Today I want to talk about self-talk and the inner chatter that shapes our perception of reality. At times I can be at war with myself. It's fascinating how we can feel both inward defeat and victories solely based on the conversations we have with ourselves in our minds. In sobriety we talk about spiritual fitness and being “on the beam.” Go to meetings, call your sponsor, and read the litera...

Adapting Step 3 of my sobriety program to stroke recovery involves making a decision to turn my will and life over to the care of Team Rachel. In my stroke recovery, I've defined my higher power as my medical team, support groups, family, friends, and all outside sources of strength and guidance. By reimagining Step 3 of within the context of my stroke recovery, I can draw on the principles of...

In this episode, I take you through today's neuropsychiatric evaluation. Join me as I share my experience, insights, and revelations from this significant step in my diagnosis journey. We'll explore the process, the tests, and what next steps await me. Understanding the intricacies of my brain function is helping me navigate my emotional health in recovery. Tune in to gain a deeper underst...

We often hear the phrase, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." It's a concept that resonates with many of us in recovery, especially when we reflect on what we did when we were actively drinking. In my stroke recovery, I've encountered a different form of insanity. I know what hurts my head and yet I do it anyway. In both drinkin...

Each of us is just a piece of a greater whole, and in the spirit of healing together, this episode focuses on Step 2 of my recovery program. I talk about how I apply the principles of Steps 1 and 2 of my sobriety program to the challenges I’ve faced in stroke recovery. My sobriety program has driven home for me that people need people, and that we are better together. Six months ago I was in so mu...

When I was at my lowest point as an alcoholic, I couldn't imagine ever feeling different. The weight of despair and self-pity was overwhelming. I thought I was beyond hope. I didn’t have a relationship with anything outside of myself, spiritually, religiously, or socially. I was so self-centered. I had to be to survive—that was what I thought. I was scared to do anything. I was so full of anxi...

In this episode, I talk about how I find strength and willingness when I don’t want to do something. There are moments when the last thing I want do is the thing that is in front of me. There are several factors that weigh in. By shifting my focus from my own wants and needs to the needs of others, I’m way more willing. I've also learned in sobriety how to say yes, and the willingness follows....

In this episode, I talk about what finding my spiritual home means to me. It’s a place I return to in my mind whenever I want an instant dose of peace and comfort. I am an alcoholic after all, so I’m all about immediate gratification. I pause throughout the day to pull myself back between the lines on the road. I am learning the art of adapting to life as it happens. Just like driving, I’m learnin...

Relying on willpower to make individual decisions about health, sobriety, and our overall well-being can feel like a constant battle. The truth is, our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual states fluctuate, impacting our ability to consistently make these decisions. Choosing a way of life, like adopting a plant-based diet or embracing the principles of sobriety and stroke recovery, offers a...

Today, I discuss the intricacies of progress, growth, and how our destinations redefine what progress truly means on our recovery journey. Progress is that elusive marker that seems to move with us on this path to recovery, yet I don't have full control of it. How often do we find ourselves setting goals, pushing for progress, and yet, feeling frustrated when we don't see the results as qu...

Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes of a recent interview with a local reporter. I talk about the core elements that make this podcast what it is today. It was such a pleasure to have the opportunity to share my story with a community outlet that can broaden my reach. I will promote the article when it goes live. In this episode, I share about our heartfelt conversation about the mental he...

In today's episode, I have painted a spectrum of my life in colors. I was considering the concept of a spiritual spectrum that emerges as we deal with the ebbs and flows of our experiences. The highs and lows, where hope mingles with doubt, creates a rainbow of emotions. I can stand at one end of the spectrum in the morning feeling optimistic, only to crash into uncertainty later in the day. J...

There is so much healing in extending ourselves beyond our world and reaching out to others. Some call it recovering out loud . It’s about sharing our stories, the triumphs, and the pain. My journey through sobriety served as a blueprint for navigating the challenges of recovering from my stroke, offering profound and very much parallel insights along the way. This recovery program I've built...

As I navigate stroke recovery as a sober alcoholic, I'm constantly reevaluating, adapting, and striving for growth, while also cutting back, controlling stimuli, and resting. In sobriety, standing still spiritually is not an option. I'm always evolving and navigating my emotions and experiences. I realize the importance of a 'stop doing' list outweighs the 'to-do' list in r...

I'm thrilled to share in today's episode that I encountered an article that explains the intersection of vision challenges and vestibular disorders. It's only been 48 hours since my diagnosis shifted my path, but already, I've found hope. The article mirrored my experience, pinpointing issues with focusing, perception of moving objects, problems seeing patters, bright lights, digit...

Yesterday my diagnosis path changed directions from a possible neurological vision impairment to possible vestibular balance disorder. I feel like the ground has completely shifted under my feet. In this episode, I share about navigating mental health through shifting diagnose. Amidst these uncertain times, finding a supportive community, whether it's online forums, local support groups, or cl...