Spirit of Recovery

Prayer empowers us to live creatively and constructively. It consciously connects us with our Higher Power and strengthens our sense of self, self-worth, and meaning. Through prayer we fulfill our calling to participate abundantly in life. Special guest Rev. Terry Lund shares why prayer is such a powerful practice, and useful methods for expanding our prayer life. Rev. Terry was born into the New...

Connecting with a constructive, helpful power that is greater than what harms us, is essential to recovery. If we have old ideas or hurtful experiences that block out that connection, what can we do?  Special guest Marie Krebs, M.S., licensed professional counselor, licensed chemical dependency counselor, certified sexual recovery therapist, has extensive experience supporting people in recovery a...

Music inspires, bringing hope to the healing heart. Special guest singer/songwriter Sonia Lee’s passion is singing for people in recovery. Herself a person in long-term recovery, she carries the positive message of strength and faith she has found on the sometimes rocky path of her personal journey. Sonia shares her music and recovery experiences with audiences at treatment centers, conferences, s...

Addressing sexual health is an important component of recovery. Common sexuality issues, when not resolved, can make people more vulnerable to substance abuse and relapse. Special guest Dr. Raven James, author of Sexuality and Addiction: Making Connections, Enhancing Recovery, shares practical ways people who have been impacted by negative sexual experiences, or attitudes, can heal and strengthen...

When children with a family history of addiction are supported with knowledge, nurture, and coping skills, they are less likely to develop an addiction themselves. And they have the foundation to live productive, fulfilling lives and create healthy families. Camp Mariposa, developed and funded in part by the nonprofit Moyer Foundation, are places where children transform from hopelessness to possi...

Spirituality is not only good for your attitude, brain imaging research shows it is also good for your brain. Additional scientific research indicates that our overall health is positively impacted by active and regular spiritual practice. Bill Starr, D.Min., CDP, MAC, has served as chaplain at the Sundown M Ranch addiction treatment facility in Selah, Washington, since 1998. He is a frequent pres...

Daily meditation forms the foundation for continuous spiritual growth. Too often, recovering people feel intimidated by misguided images of what meditation is and how to practice it. Special guest Tom Catton, in long-term recovery since 1971 and a meditator since 1966, explains a simple, effective approach he uses and shares with people around the world. His book, May I Sit With You: A Simple Appr...

The essence of recovery is moving out of isolation into connection with oneself, a Higher Power, and other people—joining in the community of life. Special guest Chris Shea, M.A., CRAT, CAC-AD, is an addiction counselor, campus minister, trainer, and author. He shares how a holistic approach, using the psychological method of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from a spiritual perspective, leads to self...

Music reaches the depths of our soul and guides us in self-discovery. Creating music, hearing music, moving to music—all expand us and show what is possible for our lives. Special guest Kathy Moser shares her passion for music and recovery and the gifts that come from creating your own songs. Kathy is a nationally touring songwriter, performer, teacher, and social artist, bringing positive change...

Recovery is not really an individual matter—well, it is and it isn’t. We alone can do it, but we cannot do it alone. Beyond recovery support groups and professional treatment is the climate in the broader community. Special guest Robert Miles has worked with communities as a recovery treatment and prevention professional and legislative advocate for 25 years and is currently a Board member of the...

Members of the LGBTQ Community face unique challenges in recovery. Societal attitudes have for too long burdened this community with isolation, shame, and confusion. LGBTQ people are claiming the right to supportive, understanding resources that build the foundation for long-term recovery. Special guest Lisa Hinson, LCDC, shares why addressing issues such as self-esteem, healthy sexuality, sober r...

More than 53 million people, 17 percent of the population in the United States, identify themselves as Latino. Cultural, language, and clinical factors often throw up barriers to treatment and recovery. Changes in attitude and policy, the recruitment of bilingual-bicultural recovery professionals, and the expansion of culturally aware recovery peer support are essential. Special guest Eliana Livon...

You may have heard that coincidences are miracles where God is too busy to take a bow. Our Higher Power is always bringing us to places where we can bless others and be blessed by them. Special guest Rick Bingham, LCDC, an ordained minister, shares the “coincidence” that started him giving away purple bandanas. Rick has more than 35 years' experience as a professional in the recovery field and is...

Change calls us to enter the crucible. Facing what is most painful and difficult allows us to find our true strength. We don’t go alone, for the power of spirituality is our guide and companion. Dr. Ken McGill, minister, licensed marriage and family therapist, and author, shares how deep transformation happens when we courageously encounter the psychological facts of our lives in the loving presen...

Is it possible to connect money with our deepest spiritual values? It is. In fact, making the connection between our money and our spirituality is essential. Sooner or later, recovery calls us to face money—what it means to us and how we use it. Special guest Samuel Schaal, M.Div., RLP©, is a Unitarian Universalist transition minister, registered life planner, and specialist in stewardship/money a...

Every person carries within them the potential for well-being and constructive living. Activating that potential requires change—in how we see ourselves, what we think, and what we do. What creates the willingness to change? How do we sustain positive change? And what part does our spirituality play? Guest Scott Breedlove, trainer for addiction counseling professionals and soon returning to the Mi...

What can happen for a teen when the whole family gets involved in recovery? An increased possibility for fulfillment and success. Special guest Cindy Putney, Parent and Community Liaison for TAFS of Austin, shares how an Alternative Peer Group model focusing on practical solutions, positive socializing, healthy family involvement, and spiritual values adds up to strong support for recovering teens...

Living in peace with others and self-confidence in ourselves takes courage—and focus. With practice we can learn not to give in to anger and fear. In their place we see new options and develop enduring strength to act with self-control and self-respect. And that’s the key to productive living. Special guest Fred Wright, after a successful career in advertising, became a Unity minister and has serv...

Acceptance of the power of addiction—to substances or to behaviors—is where freedom begins. From that point, our sacred task is self-awareness, discovering embedded emotions and stances that link us to addiction. And then, we move forward with our innate spiritual power to strengthen and create links to life and permanent recovery. Special guest George DuWors, MSW, LICSW, BCD, specializes in relap...

It is not what happens to us, but what happens through us, that makes us whole. No matter how harsh our experiences have been, our Higher Power can guide us into joy. Special guest Joann M. is a remarkable woman. Her deep commitment to her spiritual calling kept her on the demanding path to self-worth and wholeness. Joann shares how her own recovery led her to create Journey to Wholeness—New Wings...

Want your life to change? Deep commitment to spiritual development is required. Far from chaining us to unwanted loads, committing to our spiritual life frees us in ways we never thought possible. Special guest Mark Hicks, spiritual leader and founder and developer of Truth Unity, shares his passion for active engagement in inner transformation. Truth Unity is a ministry grounded in the great clas...

What is spirituality? Is it believing certain ideas? Engaging in specific practices? Belonging to a particular group? Feeling positive emotions? Having extraordinary experiences? Special guest Rudy England defines spirituality as none of the above. He sees spirituality as an inside job—engaging our true self so that we live a full-spectrum life. An attorney and ordained minister, Rudy participates...

What do you do when the bottom drops out of your life—and you have years of good, deep recovery? You let go into the enormity of God’s love and grace. Through the prayers and uplift of an inspired faith community, with countless friends cheering him forward, and his own boundless trust in God, guest Bob A. is celebrating a birthday this week that his medical doctors told him he would not live to s...

Is obesity the result of laziness and lack of willpower? NO! Obesity is combination of poor habits; biochemical, nutritional, and hormonal dysfunction; and misinformation and denial. Recovering from an eating disorder is much like recovery from any addiction—except that the person with an eating disorder faces their substance countless times every day. Guest Stephanie Bernstein, M.S.W., shares how...

Spiritual growth should mean that we never have to deal with emotions again, right? WRONG! Emotions are a powerful gift from our Higher Power. Authentic spirituality invites us to embrace and learn from them—even (and especially) when they make us uncomfortable. Guest Guy Lynch shares how facing the facts of our lives, including our emotional reactions, is essential to spiritual growth. Guy is a U...