Spirit of Recovery

How many times have we found ourselves doing the same things over and over again, expecting different results? Some call this the definition of insanity, but it is driven by thought habits—the habits of thinking we formed in childhood, many times as a survival mechanism. We enter recovery and learn a new way of thinking and being in the world—and yet the same old thought habits can still drive us...

Our guest this week shares her journey through a childhood and adolescence confused by relocation, changing family dynamics, and new family religious traditions. Living on the beach in California, supporting four daughters—living the dream, right? It all came crashing down with an arrest and rehab. Karla L. shares her story of faith and courage that led her out of the darkness of addiction to beco...

When we give up our addictions, we often lose our coping mechanism. What we handled with a drink or drugs just doesn’t work anymore. Sometimes we feel a big gaping hole, a void in our lives as we try to find a new path. Recovery doesn’t have to be boring and lifeless. Rev. Lonnie Vanderslice and special guest Rev. Dan Beckett explain how to breathe new life into your recovery through the power of...

We tried really hard, but could not stop. Recovery literature states, “Our whole trouble had been the misuse of willpower.” Could that be true? Join us this week as we explore the many facets of the power of will. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Her family was looking good on the outside, but things were crazy on the inside. Isn’t every family like this? Is it just mine? Join us as Trish B. shares her journey to wholeness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This show brings awareness to a growing movement to celebrate those in the creative arts who have made the decision to live a life that is happy, joyous, and free of addictive substances. Artists and musicians typically have an elevated exposure to addictive substances while on the job. Signature™, an extravaganza for artists and musicians in recovery, is an event that featured dozens of recoverin...

Join our host for a rousing discussion about development of spiritual consciousness throughout the recovery process. You will have an opportunity to call in with questions and comments! What is the fourth dimension of which Bill Wilson and Charles Fillmore speak? Are they talking about the same thing? How can we tell if our consciousness is progressing? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

Sober, but suffering in isolation, our special guest knew she had to find the right community to feel connected to God. Join us as she shares her continuing spiritual evolution through Unity, two 12-step groups, Yoga, Buddhism, and yes, even (especially) her work as a hospice nurse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He thought he was just a helpful kind of guy, working with people in recovery, until one day someone asked him, “When are you going to get into recovery? You are an enabler!” With no active addict in his life, could this be true? Join our host as we hear Tom P. share his spiritual journey of recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Church was the sanctuary from a violent alcoholic home. With a strong church background, while he really wanted to believe—something wasn’t quite right. Stuck for years in his own addiction, after 12-step recovery, our special guest Charles P. found peace through service, to God, to country, and to fellow humankind when he discovered Unity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

The bottom fell out when her perfect family fell apart. Alcoholism in the family set the stage for addiction to drama and emotional enmeshment. Feeling victimized was a normal reaction to unexpected life changes. Raised Catholic, she had to “fire” her concept of God. Join us as our special guest shares her journey back from her “crucifixion experience” to a faith that works as she recovered her pe...

Special guest Rev. Barry Vennard, who has 41 years in recovery, was propelled into that personal transformation by the catalyst of challenging life circumstances. Since that time he has authored a guide (Stepping Through the Narrow Gate) to lead others into making the most of the challenges of life. Join us as he shares his personal spiritual journey and transformative evolution. Learn more about...

How do you know you are “done” when everyone around you is comfortable? What do you do when your childhood faith walk reinforces the shame and guilt of a family mired in addiction? What happens when you hit the end of your rope? Join us as this week’s guest, Rev. Karen Tudor shares her journey of courage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lifetime of apathy to spiritual traditions left our special guest agnostic and disconnected. Even after finding spiritual principles at a local Unity church that resonated with him, Dan B. still felt something was missing. After discovering spiritual prosperity teachings, he received the wake-up call that led him to 12-step recovery. Join us to learn how our special guest came to a faith that wo...

Sometimes we get “stuck” on our journey. What once offered us so much hope has gone “flat”—or worse, crawling out of our skin—leaving us wondering, “Is this all there is?” Where do we find the motivation to keep going? On today's episode, special guest Michael B. shares how he escaped the trap of “stupid, boring, and glum” and found his life’s calling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

Faith in “something” is the bedrock of recovery. It may be faith in a group (12 Step or church), a set of principles, a mentor or sponsor, or a concept of a higher power. Kelly Isola is a person in long-term recovery from substance abuse and has coupled her keen understanding of recovery principles, spiritual principles, and personal healing to form an unshakable basis for life. “Life happens”—and...

Gratitude is the superhighway to spiritual growth. Spirit of Recovery host Anna Shouse is in long-term recovery from the family aspect of the disease of addiction. She shares how gratitude has motivated her to find ever more fully her relationship with God and herself. Anna also shares in this, her final Spirit of Recovery program as host, how Spirit of Recovery started and her gratitude for and m...

Our commitment to life-affirming fulfillment of our God-given calling is the real gift of recovery. We carry the message of recovery by living in wholeness ourselves. That requires us to pursue the truth of our lives wherever it may take us. Special guest Rev. Lonnie Vanderslice, M.Div., a person in long-term recovery, is the founder of Unity of Spirit, cofounder and executive director of The Sewi...

Recovery issues us the invitation to open up to our human vulnerabilities. We get to give up our ironclad defenses and live from the spiritual light within us. Special guest Marilyn Davis shares how this works in her life, why vulnerability is the key to recovery, and how it challenges us. Marilyn is a recovery curriculum author who advocates for and writes to the addicted population. Learn more a...

Long-term recovery invites us into creativity, connection, and joy. Special guest Sandy McKinney, Unity minister celebrating more thsn 43 years of recovery, has a passion for women’s empowerment, social justice, community healing, and interfaith community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Food addiction is a serious disease—and there is hope and help for recovery. Special guest Kay D. is in long-term recovery from the disease of food addiction and is a self-described “Unitic.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the point of recovery? Richard C. blogs to describe how his life has evolved throughout the past four decades while participating in a 12-step program. Richard shares how recovery continues to invite him into the joy of living. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Communities for Recovery is dedicated to supporting long-term recovery. Special guests Robin Peyson, executive director, and Peggy Robinson, family program coordinator, share how community-based support makes a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a new year new? Our action to bring something new to it. Join host Anna Shouse and special guest Chris Shea, author and addiction counselor, as they discuss looking outside of ourselves with the willingness to see with fresh eyes.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The more we realize we are one in Spirit, the stronger our recovery and the more fully we can bless others. Special guest Grandmother Mary Lyons, Ojibwe Elder, Grandmothers Council Member, and member of Women of Wellbriety International, shares wisdom teachings on the spiritual oneness of all people. Grandmother Mary is Niiah-Nibi-Ikwe “Second Water Woman,” Elder of Mitigwakk-Daywaygus-Giwstashska...