Spiritual Underground Podcast

Another amazing story of transformation through the power of the 12 Steps - I, among others, had the honor of watching Josh come to believe that this way of life could bring the nose up from a near ground level crash. Josh has a hell of a story, and he's here to tell you that story.

Josh recently hit the 365 day mark on 3/25/23, one day at a time.

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

Enjoy!

I had the honor to hear Ross speak and wanted to share it with you!

If it’s working - Keep doing it! —  If it’s not working - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today! Enjoy!

I heard Kendal speak last week for a friends 365 celebration and I attempted to catch before she slipped away, I was really drawn to her story and wanted to hear more - with a Spiritual Underground Podcast card in my hand I frantically searched for her only see here blast towards and through the door - a friend caught me and I stopped to chat but I know he sensed that I had something else on my mind...

Thankfully I caught her outside, thanked her for her story and invited her to be a guest - as I assumed, she was open to the idea and said she would be in touch, a few day's later and we had and appointment set - too cool, so real.

If it’s working - Keep doing it! —  If it’s not working - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

Enjoy!

Chris in another local guy I met through the California connection, I'm still chuckling on how that's all working out - Attend a California based zoom meeting and meet a bunch of hometown guys! Chris is awesome, has a great story that at times is quite tragic, but he's used that, as so often happens here, to help men who have experienced similar events.

Chris has a somewhat unique connection to the Spiritual Underground and one of my dear friends specifically, you'll need to listen to find out what that is.

If it’s working - Keep doing it! —  If it’s not working - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today! Enjoy!

Lucas currently lives in the Los Angeles area and attends UCLA, he hit the wall young, got sober before he reached legal drinking age.

I love these folks arriving at these tools at such a young age, I think that is world changing, stops the cycle, enlightens one should before he can do the damage many of have done and a chance to carry the message into young people's world.

I so enjoyed our talk, I enjoyed getting to know him, and enjoyed knocking around these recovery concepts with him.

If it’s working - Keep doing it! —  If it’s not working - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

Enjoy!

I had the opportunity to listen to my friend Charlie do a lead at a California zoom meeting, thankfully my sponsor plugged the podcast and that resulted in a few potential future guests - Tanner is the first one.

As I expertly calculated the time zone issues and proposed a time that might work for both of us - he replied "I live in Louisville!!"

That solved that issue! And even better! He was able to come over to my house and do it face to face - my favorite way!

Tanner celebrates one year at the end of March 2023, he has worked the steps and has a hell of a future with his rebirth at age 24 years old.

I'm excited to both meet him and to watch him grow as he practices these principles.

 If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today! Enjoy!

I had the honor offing asked to speak this past week, and has been my habit lately, I recorded it. It help me become a better speaker (I think), and I like leaving this for my kids and hopefully their kids. Ill have some more content of others very soon, maybe even today.

If you would like to be a guest, reach out to me, I'm pretty easy to find.

I have about four hours of my dad telling stories, and now that he has some new hearing aids, I'm going to record more soon - I plan to release those as well, stay tuned.

If it’s working - Keep doing it! If it’s not -> STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

We recently had a great speaker come to our back yard, many of my Brother's and Sister's did not get to hear it and have requested it - So I'm providing it as a public service so that others can hear this great message.

------> Harold L of St. Louis, MO

Dag gone that was fun, and what a story, and what fantastic teachers Jason has had.

I first met Jason when he brought his father-in-law over for the show back in Dec 2019 - That is Brad G's Story, Episode 145 (check it out after you listen to this one!) - As mentioned Jason has had some amazing fellas around - like Don M (Ep 135) and Billy H (Ep 140).

So buckle up buttercup, some of those teachings show up here in Jason's Story.

If it’s working - Keep doing it! If it’s not - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

4/22/11 - Daryk is rocking the Twelve Steps, he worked them in five months.

I met him as he came out of a 28 day men's residential recovery center, we hooked up things took off.

Once again saying too much will spoil your listening.

I can't tell you how proud I am of Daryk, it is a pure delight to walk hand in hand with one of God's children through this arch to freedom.

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

---BASEMENT TAPES---

Sponsorship with Scott & Linda L

 9-19-98

12th Southern Hospitality Hoopla

Natchez, MS

Paul is not your run-of-the-mill middle-age-crisis example of new 12 stepper, he is far from that. Coming up on 3 years sober, he has found something that he never knew existed, high octane spiritual based Sobriety.

I always wonder what all I should say in these show notes, but the best thing to do is simply listen.

Paul elegantly articulates his life, no war stories (nothing against them), just to the point and heartfelt, with a good dose of dialogos at the wrap up.

You don't want to miss this one...

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

Mark is on fire

Jordan has an amazing transformation story, he childhood almost required her to find this path - I doubt she would be here if not.

I first met her at my front door as she arrived to record this episode, her wonderful energy busted through the door, she has taken on a role that is super important to me and our time together was out of this world inspiring, I have complete confidence that she is prepared for the role.

To find recovery in her early twenties seems near impossible, but 'round here we do the impossible, her light shines bright and I will tell you no more, you don't want to miss this one!

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy! 

1) Almost Home

2) Individual

3) Lead The Way

4) Let Go And Fly

5) The Game

6) You're Alright

I met Jennifer in the early TSSR face to face meeting, she will say here that the tools used there is what put wind under her recovery wings, LJ and her got sober together (but separately - you'll have to listen) they got married in Hawaii and have bought a house together - that stuff don't happen in the madness.

Every aspect of Jennifer's life has improved drastically, every aspect - and the cool thing is, like the big book promises - "the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned" - That is JUICE!

ENJOY!

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

This is a first for me, Matt's grandparents were some of my high school teachers :-)

Matt is another example of "Keep Coming Back", for a long time that is just about the only thing he did right, thankfully he did, he kept coming back and the miracle happened, he will celebrate one year this March. I love these new guys and gals "Getting Well Fast", new folks think the light at the end of the tunnel is further away than it is, it happened for Matt in about five months. That is a drop in the bucket, blink your eyes and it will be the 4th of July.

If you are looking at the starting gates right now, jump in the dang thing and get going, you might stumble, you may have to "come back", but keep trying, find your sponsor, work these steps, practice these principles in your daily life - and I guarantee your life will improve, it's just that simple.

Listen to Matt for some inspiration!

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

It's been six months since we lost one of the best dudes I've ever met, talented, compassionate, spiritual, committed... and a whole lot more. It's really tough to try to fully describe a man like Dave "The Dogman" Benson, actually I'm not going to try.

This was first release July 14, 2019, and dang that seems like a long time ago, here are the show notes from that episode:

 I met Dave on a New Years Day, I don't know what year, I'm gonna guess 2015. Anyway, here comes this dude walking into Happy's Meditation with a big bronze singing bowl in his backpack. He started talking about goofy stuff like Yoga, and his personality grabbed me instantly. Neither knew the other was in recovery, and it took a few weeks before we bumped into one another in a meeting. His walk is one I wish to emulate and there are some things he's doing that I'm certain to follow - or as we say:  "I Smell More"  "Add To My Life, The Things That Improve The Quality of My Life In Recovery"

Welcome to 2023! The 5th year of the podcast, and Jan 1 is my 8th sobriety anniversary!

Our guest today is Andrew, he has grabbed the bull by the horns and is harnessing the amazing power of THESE 12 Steps.

I tend to invite guys around their one year anniversary, but it is more important that a person has completed their steps, that is the proof in the pudding that one life has transformed and is revolutionizing - hence Andrew, he will celebrate one year in Feb 2023 and has been through the work (caveat - most are still working amends).

It's been an honor to get to know Andrew over the past 10 months and especially as he told his story to us right here and right now.

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If it’s working - KEEP DOING IT!    If it’s not - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

A brief description of the path that brought me to love the fall deer hunting woods.

I'm just going to tell you to listen

If it’s working - Keep doing it!           If it’s not ->  STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

On a string, I tossed an invite to Cindy and she accepted, even visited me at the home of DTM Enterprises! I'm not certain what all we talked about, too much of it happened before I hit record - I'm certain we did talk some recovery in there somewhere :-)

If it’s working - Keep doing it! If it’s not - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

My drive for the show has waned, I don't know where it will go. I'm a "go with the flow" kinda guy, I rarely force things and I just haven't felt led to push out a show..... until this morning.... I find myself feeding the new guy with a firehose when I'm sharing my experience, strength and hope; and I have to believe that they go home, sleep (hopefully), wake up, and say WTF was that guy saying last night.

In this episode is one book recommendation for anyone and everyone, and a list of foundational items to do when you are in early recovery, I say foundational because they are every bit as important today in my life, as they were when I was new.

Book: The Noticer, Andy Andrews

If it’s working - Keep doing it!         If it’s not - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

Me Me Me Me,,,,, Me Me Me ME

The alcoholics theme song, it's all about me! After a night on the town with Christopher, eating a great dinner, and going to see Marc Maron at the Kentucky Center for the Arts - I arrived home juiced up and decided to open the microphone :-)

And the podcast has crossed 40,000 listens!

If it’s working - Keep doing it! If it’s not - STOP

If you’re not having a blast in your recovery, you ain’t doing it right!

And

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

Feels arrogant, I find my self not liking "my sponsee" when speaking about a friend who I had the honor to walk through the steps. But here it is anyway, Jeremy is "my grand-sponsee", he is a sponsee of one of my sponsees. See how awkward that is?

Jeremy is in his second year of recovery, rarely do you see this much progress so quickly - Who am I kidding! The fact is if you work these steps and practice these principles in your daily life, your life is going to get better, guarantee!

But seriously, list to where Jeremy came from, the life he lived, and where he is today, it is nothing short of miraculous  - Super Amazing! A true testament to the power of this work. From eating out of dumpsters to an inspiring example of a man.

I look forward to growing with guys like him, and him specifically, he is the reason I do what I do.

 Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

Josh hit the celebrated one year mark a couple months ago in April 22, he, like many of us had some stutter starts on his journey to recovery. Nobody knows what it will take for any one person to hit that point where they are finally, fully, receptive to receive the help provided by the Twelve Steps. Typically it comes in the form of another human, this other person unknowingly demonstrates "want what he/she has", so get your butt in a meeting because you never know when you might be that person - or - get your butt in a meeting so you can meet that one person who is carrying the message in a manner that attracts you, who will make you say "I want what that guy has".

Josh was presented with the message years before "he was ready" to hear it, I relate with that. I truly thought with all my heart that I could find the loophole that would sober me up without having to do the thing being suggested to me in Twelve Step meetings, that somehow I was different than the rest of those folks. I was WRONG.

Josh is a great friend, a soldier in our recovery army, on the battlefield week after week, working on his recovery, and setting an example to the new guy who is thinking he can do this alone.

 Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

From the high of the retreat, to the low of a battle with Covid, just some musings about what's been happening in the past week. My guest this week pulled a no show no call - So! You get me!

In mutual support groups, they say "speak from the I" - Well I will, I held my ninth men's recovery retreat at the cabin this past weekend. I have heard four 5th Steps there since last years retreat making my total at 23. I say this not to pat myself on the back, I say this because I'm not confused as to why my life is going so amazingly well - It's the level I participate in my recovery.

The residual energy at the cabin just keeps elevating and each time I'm there, whether alone, or not - I just vibrate off the environment.

Eighteen men including me, attended. I like even numbers, we do some break out one-on-one activities that require that - Each year I take notes on what went good, and what didn't, this year there was not a single "con" on the list. We eat like kings, we play like kids, and we commune like men. I'm a firm believer that events like these are necessary, when folks ask what it is, I have a simple answer:

-- Men helping men, be better men --

  Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recover in this manner today! Enjoy!

"To me, you’re just a friend I haven’t met yet!"

That's Zook Facebook Introduction, it's also what is on the back of the TSSR Welcome Chips - Coincidence? Not in my experience.

Zook asked if anything was out of bounds prior to recording, "Nope, I want to hear your truth" was my reply. He said we'd be talking about the Super Natural and even though I had no idea exactly what he meant by that, chills came over me as I knew it was going to interesting.

So here goes!

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

I'm here to tell you, I meet some of the best people in the world as a result of hosting this podcast - and as Rowland brought it to Ebby, and Ebby brought it to Bill, and Bill took it to Bob....

A friend brought Beth to Brandon, and Brandon introduced Beth to me, and now I introduce Beth to y'all--->

Perhaps a stretch, perhaps a coincidence, but you know how I feel about these thing, none of this is happening by accident, absolutely nothing!

Beth is an awesome message carrier, "She gets it", "She has It", I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion - Enjoy!!

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

I've been hearing both side of the story, nobody will tell me they don't like these - and many say they do. So the silent ones get more and so do the folks that like them. The really is a plain and simple rambling from the woodshed. please forgive the background noise, hopefully its not too distracting. I bet I'll get to know what it's like to be on the phone with me, I just rarely sit still.

Woodworking, kids, favorite Youtube's, my new work bench, and steelwork hesitancy have all been touched on, and probably some more. I don't know if I cussed or not, probably, so I marked it explicit%$%#

Stay tuned, Tony K. is coming over, so you'll have someone else to listen to next Sunday!!

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!!

Enjoy!!

Staying on this trend of having free form discussions. Just knocking around these recovery concepts via dialogue with like minded souls - Travis (Episode 174) and I talk about the fellowship of the spirit, the support found when you truly participate in the fellowship.

I feel like the podcast is losing steam, maybe I'm losing steam, I might be moping after losing an entire recording with Alex, and it was a great discussion, pissing me off.

I could sit and talk recovery with Travis for hours regardless if it was being recorded, and I the "action" revitalizes my spirit.

Enjoy - and Thanks for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!  

Frank and I discuss some topics including the power of prayer, intention, manifestation, and more. We had no outline nor a topic, we let the Universe guide us. It's a lot of fun, time flies, and thoughts are provoked - Dialectic and Dialogos are two new terms to me, look them up, see what they mean.

Thank You for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

Enjoy! 

I sat down with Darren to kick around some of these concepts and teachings we have picked up along the path of recovery - Remember, recovery is simply the finding of something lost - and many of us have lost our way.

I also had an opportunity to ask Darren a few questions that I was interested in, I really enjoyed the chance to get to know him better.

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today - ENJOY

I visited Darren to knock around some of these recovery concepts, with no real outline or agenda. As so often happens, one of earths wonderful souls walked in just prior to us hitting record and gave us a head start on a topic that organically evolved.

You've heard it said, that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, the true path to everyone's soul is something different, listen up, tune in, see what we discuss and let me know what your thoughts are.

Thank You for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!!

Enjoy!!

Christopher and I talk about the darkness that surrounds us all, particularly during the holiday season where it is frankly not allowed. You are supposed to show up holly jolly, no matter what. I'm fortunate that my sponsor gives me permission to speak freely about my darker side, and the result is exorcizing it by sharing it out loud. 

On this wonderful evening, we lit candles, turned a lovely fire on the big screen TV, and kicked around some of these darkness concepts.

"Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and darker it is" - Carl Jung

How do counteract darkness? Shine a light on it! - Our hope tonight will give you permission to shine a light on your darker side.

Thank You For Allowing Me to Participate in my Recovery in this Manner Today!

Enjoy!! 

I've seen and heard Jacques at the lunch bunch, what struck me immediately was that everything was coming from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous - and I like that. I had the honor of speaking at Eric S's 7th birthday, and when I do that, I try to mention the podcast in hopes of attracting some guests. Whatdaya know, Jacques approached me and expressed his interest.

Jacques has been sober since 1980, and a good portion of the first part was not what one might call "good sobriety", but then the right teacher appeared, or teachers... and things clicked. Our hope is to save you some time, grab hold of the good stuff earlier, listen up and Jacques will share some of what he has learned, his experience, his hope, of a design for living that really works!

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

Enjoy!

Eric S (Episode 210) honored me by asking me to speak at his birthday, it was a noon meeting called The Lunch Bunch, a long standing meeting that houses a shit load of recovery, there are at least a half dozen approaching the 50 year mark - quite an intimidating bunch. At least three of the men were present when I walked into my first meeting, I remember those guys, they had an impact on my recovery, when they said that cute little "Keep Coming Back", they meant it, and more importantly, they modeled it, demonstrated it.

That was 10 years ago this past March, and I felt their warmth, and their genuine admiration for what I shared - and they were happy that "I Kept Coming Back.

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today, and Thank You Eric!

Enjoy! 

"Fuck that Game Trail" is the title of this episode, you'll have to listen to find out why.

On September 7th 2021; Shane, Travis, and I jumped in the truck and headed out for our week long Colorado backpack hunt. Three segments make up this episode, we recorded one session about a month or so in advance (anticipation), we recorded a piece up on the mountain at the site of Shane's bull (Spoiler), and we did an after action report the Monday after we got home.

Episode 191 contains a January, very early, planning session concerning the 2021 hunt, and Episode 181 is my post-trip interview with the 2020 crew "Elkaholics 2020" - the catalyst that convinced me to go this year, no way was I going to miss it.

It is impossible to adequately describe the level of Juice flowing during the trip, just as "Pics can't do it justice", words are not enough, but we will make the attempt.

Miracles happen here, I am one, Shane and Travis are too, this trips well - As I say "If you are not having a blast in your recovery, it's your own damn fault"!

Thank You For Allowing Us to Participate in Our Recoveries in this Manner Today!!

Peace Out!

Cindy and Katherine (Ep. 214) visited the studio today, Cindy's turn at the microphone! I have had the pleasure to witness her transformation from the guarded and skeptical woman she was when she first showed up, to the confident and open free spirit she is today. Once again the 12 Steps freed a soul from the depths of insanity, we tend to question this matter of sanity when new - Step 2 suggests that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity, and we arrive certain that the life we were living is anything resembling insanity. If you've listened to these stories, or any recovery stories, you will quickly recognize the deep insanity of active addiction and alcoholism.

Cindy will tell you she has found her tribe, that the connections she has made has impacted her and changed the way she looks at the world, she a fantastic gal, she celebrated 1 year in 2021, the toughest year to get sober in my opinion - and she explains how the impersonal nature of zoom is exactly what she needed to enter the rooms, she may have passed it by had meeting been face to face.

Listen as she walks us through her early life, how he first exposures to alcohol happened, how the disease progressed, her bottom - and her road to recovery!

Enjoy! Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery intros manner today!! Peace Out!!

Army Mark was Told his story on Easter Sunday 2019, since then he has experienced a major motorcycle accident. Here's the miracle, on August 16th 2021, he celebrated 15 years. Today he talks about surviving the crash, recovery from so many injuries that it reads like an autopsy report rather than an injury report, how the fellowship has kept him kicking, and gratitude for his partner for her supernatural support throughout.

"We" is the first word in step 1, "we" can't do this alone, and "this" is not limited to abstinence from alcohol and dope, "this" is life. The, if not one of the, biggest miracles I have found in recovery is the friendships I have made, I know it has carried me through some things I could not do alone.

Continued prayers for Mark as he walks this next piece of recovery, and Thank You Mark for sharing your story, it's the key we have to help others realize that they can recover from most anything life throws at you.

Enjoy!!

Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner todayI Peace Out!  

It's been a while since I've mused, I fell short with my communication on a guest's schedule and found myself sitting alone with the full blown podcasting gear all set up, I was getting ready to fold thing up when it occurred to me that I had a few things to say, so "what the hell, flap your gums, it's your podcast, and I kinda like the noise I make".

So enjoy, or skip it, more guests are on the schedule!

Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!! 

Lindsay came to the studio with Cindy (Episode 216), right off the bat I was digging her energy, her straight forwardness, and her humor. She had an obligation and needed to leave before Cindy was done telling her story so I missed that chance to invite her to be a guest, that's easily corrected, and she eagerly agreed when I contacted her via text. Believe it or not, there is some anxiety involved in these invitations, probably the fear of rejection, which I'm certain nobody is immune from.

Lindsay's story is amazing, she recently celebrated 12 years, mature sobriety such as her's, brings a perspective that is not available with many of my guests being fairly early in their journey. Just as with my initial impression, Lindsey's rigorous honesty, no nonsense delivery, and deep vulnerability really moved me, and there is something about hearing the female point of view that helps me in ways that my male friends don't bring to the table. Humor is a soft spot for me, and she caught me right off with hers, both of us laughing at these tragic events that come with alcoholism, they aren't really funny, but the insanity of our past is a fact, it's what helps newcomers relate to us, and as the Book says "the dark part is the greatest possession you have - the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them."

Enjoy Lindsay's story!

Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

I first met Cindy's husband Travis (episode 174) as he came into the Spiritual Underground. We've all heard about the struggles of couples attempting to get sober, together or alone, and I rarely see a success story where the relationship survives - BUT HERE IS ONE! It took a lot of exploring what doesn't work before finding something that does - hence "keep coming back" and "never stop trying".

I love both these wonderful souls, first off I sponsor Travis and anything that is good for him is on top of my list to root for, and secondly seeing families reunited warms my heart beyond explanation, I had a front row seat to the power of the 12 Steps in their lives, and now that both have told their stories here on the Spiritual Underground Podcast, so do you.

I hope to have them both in soon to talk about what they've learned from this process, so many relationships do not survive recovery, and they have some experience, strength and hope to share with others on how this was successful in their lives.

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Kim and I came together through a podcast guest / host connection service. Her parents suffered from alcoholism, and she lost her father to the disease when she was a young girl, and while she was home. Later she pursued a career in law enforcement and like many first responders, he soul was exposed to an overload of traumatic circumstances, she rose through the ranks as he spirit began to overflow from the horrible cases in her lap. Alcohol seemed to numb that, as we know, until it quit working. Her story is here, definitely a gripping ordeal that although in recovery, she openly admits that the journey has only begun.

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Katherine celebrated 1 year in May, and it's not the first time for her, she has had several "periods of sobriety". It's not uncommon to require several attempts at this recovery thing, very few get it on their first attempt. The lies we tell ourselves, frankly are insane, hence step 2's "return us to sanity". even so, the parasitic nature of this disease hijacks the operating system, and makes it so we can't "differentiate the true from the false"

Step 1 is on the table in these cases also, "hoping against hope we are not true alcoholics". Katherine has walked this road treacherously, and has learned from her experience, my hope is that you can learn from her experience also. She's incredibly intelligent, grew up in a fashion that most would find beneficial (not excluding difficulties), but none of the matters, this disease has no care about your IQ, nor your social status, it does not differentiate, it's dangerous and it's deadly - Katherine is a survivor.

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Two weeks from the day of this recording, Robert will celebrate ONE YEAR!!!

There are few pleasures sweeter than witnessing a sponsee walk another man through the work, to watch the lights come on in that man's eyes, to watch his life transform - "huge emotion rearrangements". Robert joined us at the men's retreat this year and that weekend really helps build connection, he was a huge asset to the event.

There is one more thing that struck me about Robert very early on, you'll have to listen the the episode to hear that.

Enjoy! ---    Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

A Recap and revisit of the 2021 Men's Retreat held at my place in Orange County Indiana. As per usual, listening will tell you more than I can type here in these show notes.

18 men, 10 of which had been to this event in the past, 8 others who are in their first year of recovery and their first retreat of this type, coming together to grow in connection with one another, to grow in connection with our higher power, to grow spiritually. Men helping men become better men - you'll hear over and over in this podcast that nobody could see how this year could be as powerful as last year... and then it was.

Fertilize your soil, don't get to caught up in our little plans and designs, take action and be open to the possibilities!

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

I met Eric in my early days, late 2014 or early 2015, I frankly don't remember - it was at my "Indiana Home Group Meeting" called "Seekers".

You make fast friends with people who's sobriety date is near your's, a bond of some nature is formed, it seems to me, because you are experiencing similar circumstances, 'you are at the same place'. Keep these folks in your life if possible, it will be beneficial.

Eric and I reconnected at Clubhouse, what seems to be a million miles away, a couple southern Indiana dudes reconnect - never underestimate the power of participating in your recovery, no telling who you might meet, no telling who you might bump into.

The gift of Eric's Story was a result of that, I "get to' know him better, and so do you - Everyone's Story is Valuable!

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Just what the title suggests, the three of us were invited to take the lead table at a panel meeting, these guys have consented and I cut all other voices to the best of my ability, that caused some loss of content being that the chairperson shared a lot of really good experience, strength and hope.

Enjoy!!!

 Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

The ladies of TSSR were so fired up about the fall retreat that they could not wait until fall for the next one so they met this spring.

Wanna hear how events like this can make you grow, like exponentially growth? Sit down and listen to them tell you about it.

So dang cool that I don't wanna say much more about, tune in and Enjoy!

 Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Shane and I hit the Fargo Hunt Club for five days of communion and turkey chasing, I'm torn on which of those are more fun. It's great to have brother's in recovery to run with, this recovery thing goes so far beyond "not drinking or drugging", it goes so far beyond the hour long meetings...

This spiritual life is not a theory, it is real life, a real life worth living, a meaningful purpose driven life that is wonderful beyond my dreams.

The best thing? It is available to all, come get some, join us on the path - you will not regret it.

Enjoy!! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Maureen is the CEO and Founder of Emerge Leadership Academy and writes all the content for the company. She is a Leadership Trainer, inspirational speaker, coach and author helping leaders emerge, evolve and lead in their life to create a bigger impact in all they serve. 

Her book, "Emerge: 7 Steps to Transformation (No matter what life throws at you!)" provides a powerful and effective system for change. Maureen shares her vulnerable story of triumph from addiction, pain, and struggle, to the highest version of herself—bringing her soulful work to the world and living an amazing life - check it out!

I met Maureen at guess where? Clubhouse! We made fast friends a week ago when I was a guest on her podcast "Emerge.Evolve.Lead", a podcast for people in recovery, who want to learn how to better use their personality and spirituality to step into leadership.

I really relate to her mission, her energy is in alignment with mine and I find it hard to part ways after the recording, I could talk to her for hours and never run out of juicy topics - Enjoy!!

 Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Jung (Jungle without the “le”) was born in Korea and moved to the USA when he was one, growing up in Northern Virginia, he struggled to fit in. One of the common experiences of alcoholics and addicts is feeling “not part of”, Jung’s nationality compounded this already difficult situation.

I met Jung in Clubhouse, I keep an ear to the wind for folks who have "The Juice", and it did not take me long to identify him as one with "The Juice", and he graciously accepted my invitation to join me for a chat.

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!

Yo is an inspirational speaker at the organization she created called "Yo Be Yourself Everyday", a life long Texan with a heart as big as that state.

Yo answered my call out in the Clubhouse app, I love getting to know new people, especially folks like Yo who are having a positive impact on the community, her positive attitude has a uplifting affect on me. Her focus has changed after many years as a public school teacher... 

If I'm not careful, I'll tell her story and you won't have to listen to her story - and you do want to hear her tell it.

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!    

I love me some Jason! An awesome individual I met on Clubhouse, the moment I heard his voice I knew he was someone I wanted to be friends with, I wanted to know better. Then I started hearing pieces of his story, how he found sobriety at 21 years old, how he worked for a rock radio station, and how he toured the continent in a rock and roll band!! - THEN I KNEW I NEEDED TO GET TO KNOW HIM BETTER!!

The collateral benefit is the you also get to know this amazing soul better!

Enjoy! Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!

I met Karen in Clubhouse, I put out the call for Juicy stories and I had no idea just how Juicy Karen's story was going to be. Now in her 15th year of recovery, she has come a long ways from her addiction riddled yet still somehow successful previous life. You are going to love her, listen to the miracles that have come her way since surrendering to the 12 Step tools and principles.

Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today! 

April has sure come a long way, and she not done yet!

She is my first "pure TSSR" guest to appear on the podcast, meaning that she herself did not struggle with substance abuse. I am fortunate to have had the honor of walking April through the TSSR 12 Steps, many reject the idea of cross gender sponsorship, I feel that higher power puts these arrangements together, my job is to hand these tools to whoever wants them.

April's childhood was tough, to say the least, the free will of a spiritually sick person infected her spirit at a very young age, stepping on her spirit to a level that almost seems unsurvivable. But April did survive, and she just recently completed the work prescribed by James Christopher Cone's Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery process - this work allows folks to work through their past, place it where it belongs - behind us - and clear the way for an awesome future - and the future is bright for April!

Enjoy, and Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!

Tiffany came to the podcast through one of my Facebook guest requests, her recovery story is from lifelong trauma and toxic relationships. She refuses to be a victim, she has turned her energy towards healing others, helping others enlarge their spiritual life - she has manifested her own business, she is an intuitive psychic, medium, guru, and shaman.

This all is mostly new stuff for me, a bit outside of my comfort zone, however, the 12 Steps have allowed me to be open to ideas that I had once blocked, I love learning about new ideas today and Tiffany opened some channels for me this evening.

You can find her at https://divinetruthandmagick.com, she has a Facebook page of the same name, and you can email her at Divinetruthandmagick@gmail.com.

Enjoy!! Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!!

I had the honor of being asked to share my story at The Women's Healing Place in Louisville February 8 2021.

The day before was the fifth anniversary of my mother moving on to the next great adventure. It was February 7, 2016 Super Bowl Sunday, and yesterday was Feb. 7 Super Bowl Sunday again, I trust I did my mom proud. I'm guessing there were 150 women in attendance, a powerful group.

From their Website: Every day, The Healing Place provides food, shelter, clothing, and recovery services to nearly 1,000 individuals at no cost to the client. We want there to be as few barriers to recovery as possible.

Enjoy!!! Thanks to The Women's Healing Place for allowing me to participate in my Recovery in this manner tonight!! 

Matt is another friend from Jerry's meditation meeting, our sobriety dates are on top of one another so I have had the pleasure of witnessing his journey from a broken alcoholic/addict, to a super successful real estate agent. Matt is one more piece of solid proof that if you take/do/work these steps, and then practice these principles in your daily life - your possibilities are limitless.

Matt had all he needed growing up, intelligence, opportunity, and talent; but that does not matter one iota when it comes to the disease of spiritual sickness - it will take you down and dissolve everything good in your life. Listen as Matt describes his journey, "how low" low can go, and how we promise ourselves we will do better next time, over and over again. And then how consequences force your hand, finally backed into a corner with no escape - and surrender to this process, and how great life can be with a twelve step foundation.

Enjoy - Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today! Peace Out! 

Ash, as he's known, is from Salina Kansas, a veteran of two deployments in Iraq, and a new friend of mine. we met on a social networking app called Clubhouse. It was a cold call, I made it known there that the Spiritual Underground Podcast is always looking for guests who are willing to share their recovery journeys, Ash raised his hand almost immediately.

Our contact has been limited to say the least, he's a busy man with a company he owns and young children, so this podcast gave me a chance to get to know him better, and I'm glad I did. I've been dancing with an idea that correlates military brotherhood with what we are doing in recovery and Ash helped solidify some of those notions. I'm not sure where I'll be going with this concept, I can only say that when folks battle alcoholism, addiction, and spiritual sickness together; battling against a common enemy, a bond is formed.

Enjoy!!!

And... Thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner today!!!

Mark, Shane and Travis came to the woodshed to start discussing the 2021 Colorado elk hunt, these three went on that adventure in 2020, and I'm joining them this year - We decided to take you along this journey - Plus it mixes the up the content, a little variety is always a good thing..

Many exclaim "How am I ever going to have fun again?" after ceasing the drinking and/or doping, we are here to prove that the fun begins with recovery, it does not end there - My life, and the lives of my friends are more exciting than we could ever have imagined - if I had written a script for my recovery, I would have sold myself way short.

Enjoy!!

This episode is a tribute to our Brother Jesse Simpson (January 20, 1979 - October 31, 2020)

There's a lot I'd like to type out to let you know what kinda of guy Jesse was, and what happened. I will not, listen to the following and you will get way more than I could ever write here.

I love you Jesse...

It was Christmas night and all through the podcast, 

Not a guest could be found, Who was willing to broadcast,

So I said with a "Ho", and I said with a "Hee",

It appears the whole dang show is now up to me.

Enjoy!!

Esther's very being is heartwarming, such a easy going style, awesome smile and beauty from inside out. She's a Miracle as the result of these Steps. I met Esther a year and a half ago at a TSSR meeting in Louisville, a long way from her hometown of Nairobi Kenya. Arriving here to attend University, alcoholism was the furthest thing from her mind and certainly had no place in the game plan, didn't matter, this almost parasitic disease highjacked her operating system, and her "plans and designs" fell to the wayside.

Treatment plus a trip through the Twelve Step redirected her trajectory and now her life is back on course. Let her tell you what it was like, what happened, and what it's like now!

Enjoy!!!

Beau has it going on, celebrating two years of sobriety not long ago at the wonderful age of 20, it touches me in some special way when I witness folks harnessing the 12 Steps so early in life, the world is his oyster!!

It's so difficult to accept one has a problem during those years (shoot, anytime!), we think "it'll never happen to me", or "I can stop when I'm ready" - the crux of step one is accepting that you have a problem and that what blocked me from hearing the message in my teen years when I was first exposed to 12 Step recovery, Beau heard the message and jumped in the boat, and he has surely avoided catastrophe by doing so. He caught my attention the first time I met him and he has been on my radar every since - I'm so happy he accepted my invitation, I know it was God sent, how that happened is mentioned in the show. I'm honored to have gotten to know Beau better, I think you will too.

Enjoy!! 

Shannon is one of the earliest TSSR miracles, after working the steps in another fellowship, she still felt like something was missing. She stumbled into her current sponsor and was taken to another level through TSSR methodology. I've watched her bloom over the past months to become a leader.

The Twelve Steps will transform you into who you were meant to be, this is not a "some get it and some don't" program, it's a "some do it and some don't" process, the results are guaranteed, you just have to do the work, as Shannon proves and is here to tell you.

Enjoy!

Shawn brings such an energetic message! I heard him give a lead at one of the local outdoor meetings and the old HP tapped me on the shoulder (more like punched me) and said "ask that guy to be on the show". His wonderful daughter joined us in the DTM Studio playing with some of my crystal collection, and of course, she left with a few :-).

Shawn certainly has a storied past that has since become filled with recovery miracles, he indicative of a man who has pushed all of his chips to the middle of the table and is not settling for middle-of-the-road recovery - a great dude, huge heart, awesome story.

And a great new interview after my hunting season break - Enjoy!   

2020 Sober Dudes Deer Hunt - Fargo Hunt Club, Orange County Indiana

Neither 2020 nor covid is going to impact my deer season, I enjoyed eight straight days at the cabin by myself during the first week of November, and then five of my best friends joined me for a long weekend of chasing deer, great food, telling stories, and talking recovery.

Getting to know each other better, four of us are seasoned hunters, and for two, this was their very first time, how cool is that!

Hunting is a thing where I am only responsible for the action, I must let go of the outcome, and although we saw very few deer and nobody was presented with  shot, the success of the hunt is not determined by what's hanging on the meat pole. The goal is connection, rest and relaxation, soul recharge - and each man reported his cup was filled. I am honored to call these men my brothers, I continue to be inspired by each one of them - we are doing this thing called life "Side by Side", no one in front, and no one behind - Side by Side.

Chase, LJ, Shane, Travis, and Vlad -> I love you guys, thank you for allowing me to participate in my recovery in this manner all weekend!

Enjoy!

Eddie was the first guy to grab my hand at my very first Spiritual Underground meeting, he explained that what is happening here is unique and is not found often, I shrugged it off, "yeah yeah yeah - everyone thinks they're special".

He was right, there was something special and I felt it that first night, little did I know that my life was forever changed.

Eddie carry's the message fully, and his plane on the service side is beyond compare - Listen and Enjoy!

1

The very first TSSR Retreat was held this weekend, nine souls came together at a Southern Indiana campground to grow and become more deeply connected. That high octane energy was still percolating when seven arrived at the DTM Studio on their way home, do you hear that? These ladies stopped by to carry this message to YOU before going back their homes and going back to their lives.

This is powerful stuff, Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery is moving in the lives of these gals and it is shifting their reality, shifting how they show up in the world, empowering them to be awesome version of themselves.

I'm honored that they came to share their experience with me, and with You.

Enjoy

This is a special one, Mark, Travis and Shane just came back from a nine day trip Colorado elk hunting trip.

Most of us are initially concerned, worried, about what they will do for fun without the dope and/or booze, well let me tell you, life is so much more than just that, and Recovery is so much more than just stopping the dope and the booze.

These men, all close friends of mine, just put another item on their miracle lists.

I’ll let the story be told; connection, life long bonds, spirit centering, doing hard shit, and reading for the edge are all part of this.

I’m honored to have received the story first person, with all three in attendance and with the microphones on!

Enjoy!!

Lindsay was recommended by Holly, I had seen Lindsay around the rooms, specifically in a Sunday night meeting near my house which was one of my regular haunts in my first year or so. She's always carried that secure aura that makes this program so damn attractive.

I've spent a little time with Lindsay's husband and hope to have him as a guest in the future, one great thing about being the host of this show, is it gives me the opportunity to know folks better, in my opinion "Connection" is the number one value in 12 Step Recovery, and these shows allow me to better connect with my brothers and sisters, and by proxy, it allows you guys to get to know someone, and connect, with this awesome community.

Enjoy!!

Jason celebrates 33 years in Recovery in November, that is a lot of dedication to one's sobriety. He and I are the same age and have so many things in common that it's almost scary, the big difference is he put his disease in remission while we were both still in high school and I spent another twenty something years while my disease progressed. He's been all over the country and landed back home in Louisville, as he explains hitting some tough times, he was searching for connection and found the Spiritual Underground, our tribe is stronger with his arrival.

Enjoy!!

Carrying the Afterglow Juice from a Thursday Night Juice Box Heroes TSSR Meeting, Holly and I sat down to chat about the Twelve Steps, Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery, and the decision to take control over the destiny of your remaining earthly years. Holly's mission aligns with mine as we both spend a great deal of energy helping others find their true selves.

Tune in, perhaps something will energize your current spiritual journey, or, maybe you are feeling "that something is missing" from your life, and a change of trajectory is just the thing you need.

Ya'll are in for a treat! Dennis is another soul who had an impact on my recovery from the start, his entire heart is in how he can serve, and he places all of his energy in helping others, through treatment centers, prisons, and many other avenues.

I'm super glad I was able to sit and chat, reconnect, hear much of his story that I'd never known.

Enjoy!!

Hi there you! So Covid took my guest this week, he did not die, it did't take him that way, but he was exposed and we decided that a podcast was probably not important enough to take the risk - I haven't heard if he tested positive or not - I need to call him and reschedule.

The rest of that story is in the episode, along with a lot of other things that happened to come to mind as I keep my commitment (to myself) to generate new content every week - there's a call to action that you may be interested in, so listen to the end :-)

Enjoy!!

Every so often, Christopher and I feel drawn to check in here together and let ya'll know what's happening in the world of Juice, an update on what's happening in the world of TSSR, and just plain ole pour some Juice out for all to absorb. I'm not sure there's much more to say at this point, listen in and see what you think, what you feel - lets keep beating this drum together, the world need the Juice.

Contact dan@spiritualunderground.org and/or twelvestepspiritualrecovery@gmail.com and give us some feedback on the episode, what can we do to help, what can we be doing to better get the word out, or better yet! What can you do to spread and share the Juice?

Enjoy!

Thank YOU Travis for coming in on your ONE YEAR DATE, yep, DAY 365 - Congratulations!!

To watch this man from early on, watch that "Hope this shit works, but don't think it will" attitude, desperately struggling for relief while still unconsciously maintaining the wall that separates the "dis-ease" from "recovery".... because we think this can't be real, we think that this can't happen for us...

To watch him turn the seemingly slow corner as is customary on this 12 Step path, then to see the momentum gather speed as a tether ball getting shorter on it's rope, to watch that man blossom and bloom, eyes clear and focused, head up, shoulders back, and get free, get really free man, and I mean really truly free, to witness that, THAT... is what I live for today, and that is Travis.

His passionate vulnerability, his "all-in" devotion, "every-chip-to-the-center-of-the-table" gamble, "this better F'ing work this time" determination... Now that he has a piece of it, he damn sure ain't letting it go, nope, he reaches for more - That kind of dedication to one's recovery produces a person that the world can count on, and that is Travis.

What a gift he's been to the SU, what a gift he's been to me personally, what a gift he is to the world.

I struggle to attempt to compress Travis into a "show note", so just listen, listen and know that if you feel that recovery is not possible for you, or maybe you feel that you are not getting the most from your life in recovery, then maybe it's time to put on your battle uniform, push all of your chips to the middle of the table, and do this thing with all of your heart, give it your all... You are worth it, you are...

Welcome Home Travis

Enjoy!!!

This is a bit of a spoiler alert... Rebecca is a huge reason why I fell in love with Yoga, she instructed the very first class I ever attended, a Yoga 12 Step Recovery "class" (Y12SR), where the two super effective philosophies are combined, bringing the body fully into the "Mind, Body, Spirit" trinity.

Rebecca is immediate love, love her personality, love her authenticity, I just love her entire vibe and being; and that was super effective in making me feel comfortable my first time on a mat. Those traits seem to come from an inquisitive drive to find "more", the open mindedness that welcomes new teaching and new philosophy and results in an awesomely well rounded approach to recovery. I can honestly give her credit for modeling that for me and how I operate in my own recovery.

Her trajectory is to help other's grow, as she grows, if you don't know her you should, her email is kyyogagal@gmail.com

Enjoy!!

Sometimes you roll the dice, throw a dart and see what it hits... I was scrolling through Facebook the other day and was chuckling at some of Matt's posts, he definitely is not one who takes himself too damn seriously - but some other folks were - I thought "folks, lighten up".

Well, I got the nudge, it said send Matt an invite to the show, he seems like a fun dude and seems to be enjoying his recovery.

He accepted and met me at the studio, I was right, it was a fun time and although Matt doesn't take himself too damn seriously, he does take his recovery seriously - listen up, some Juice was definitely poured in this episode!

Enjoy!

Set your course and the Universe will provide the wind for your sails, that's what happened here...

Brandon and I met on a site that matches up folks as podcast guests, I've passed on a few and frankly did not feel the vibe with anyone until he hit my inbox, the term "Spiritual Dope" was there, as that's the name of his show - That makes allot of sense to me, dope was my spiritual medicine for a long time, until it quit working, it's a dead end road. The Real Spiritual Dope lies in this completely different plane, it's much more powerful than anything else I've ever consumed.

Listen in as we gel about the real good dope, it's amazing when parallel paths intersect, a new friendship was created, all because of intention and right action.

Enjoy!!

Ross is one of a kind, so much so that I didn't even know the was his last name for months after first meeting him! He exhibits an energy and intensity for the passion he has in recovery and with this Twelve Step lifestyle in which we thrive. He recently hit that first year sober milestone and I've been trying to get him on the show for a few months, I put him on the spot last week and he agreed. Few folks understand the TSSR methodology as well as Ross, he is student of the work and one look at his book makes that plainly obvious. Just a super dude with a great message, we had a blast chatting away in the DTM Studio!

Enjoy!!

What a wonderful person!! I just love that exchange of smiles that happens in the driveway as two souls on the same path meet for the first time.  You'll definitely want to hear the passion Rachel has for recovery, her drive to be of service to those who suffer from our disease, and especially one specific story that brought tears to my eyes. I chalked up another friend, another ally in the battle against the disease of addiction and alcoholism.

In addition, during the intro, which was actually recorded after Rachel had left, a dear friend stopped by fresh out of a long term treatment center ready to hit the road to recovery - I love fresh recovery, I thrive on it, it keeps me "green", and its a prayer answered when a brother decides to take up this awesome way of life.

Enjoy!!

Among other things, Henry is a recovered soul, an MKP Brother, a therapist, and an author - and an all around great guy. I first met him during my New Warrior Training weekend, an initiation into the Mankind Project brotherhood, that was September 2019, a hell of a great year for me, an initiation year of sorts.

Henry struck me immediately, his intense gaze, his compassionate eyes, the solidness of his being, I knew I needed to know him better and today I had the opportunity to do so, and now you do too!

Enjoy!

lucascounseling.org

IG - lucascounseling

FB - Lucas Counseling and Consulting, LLC

And his book - "Maximize, 7 Mind-Shifts That Will Help You Maximize Key Areas of Your Life" 

Now and again I'll toss a call out to the universe for guests, I feel led to expand my perimeter, Jamie responded to one of these calls. I love when this happens, there is no making sense of how it happened, we were not friends on Facebook, so how she saw my post is beyond me, her, like myself, believe things happen for a reason, so to ignore the "nudge" can be passing up an opportunity afforded to you by the universe, or passing on a gift from God, if you will.

She arrived with a smile, and left with a bigger one. How cool is it that folks will come to my house prepared to tell their story and talk recovery when they have no idea who I am or what I do - Perfect example of walking where the nudge points you, reliance on this power greater than ourselves.

Enjoy!!  

The 2020 Retreat is in the books, and what a time it was, the most powerfully moving weekend I've been a part of.

Don, Marshall and Shane came to the studio to share some of the Juice from the event, enough said....

Enjoy!!

I'm so glad to have reconnected with my friend Debbie, she was present in my very first Twelve Step meeting, and her smile and energy had a long lasting effect, it still does today, one of a group of folks who offered me the experience, strength, and especially HOPE that was so needed that night. We continued to bounce around the same places for a few years, attending a meditation meeting together that impacted both of our recovery's.

Debbie just celebrated 20 years, she is a testament that recovery principles truly work in both the good and the not so good, a healing journey that should be viewed as continued growth for our lifetimes.  

Enjoy!!

Once again a guest shows up on the driveway and I’m immediately impacted by their energy. Angela took a leap and contacted me in response to a call for guests that I put on Facebook. We chatted on the phone for a few minutes and I knew I wanted to have you hear her story, I wanted to hear it!

To attempt to tell you more would take away from the her words.

 I continue to be amazed at the souls who are willing to come in and drop their guard, speak their truth, be vulnerable, and to stand firmly in their own experience.

You are going to enjoy hearing Angela share her experience!

Nate's a guy that almost everyone knows, a first impression is of a relatively quiet guy, one of those men in recovery who has a warm inviting smile, a man who has that "attraction rather than promotional" quality that is so inviting to folks investigating recovery. The story of my meeting Nate is in the front end of this episode, and it was divinely inspired as I see it. Today, we sat down to chat about his road to recovery, he lights up when telling his story and does so in an entertaining and inspirational way.

Enjoy! 

Shane is Pure 100% Juice, he is the “Bear in Pants”, and most recently “Yogi Bear”, a solid Recovery Warrior, he is my Spiritual Brother and my Sponsee Brother.

Shane joined me in the studio this morning to talk Recovery. He is such an enigma, he lives on a spiritual plane that few understand, and that helps me grow, his impact on my life and my recovery has been immeasurable.

He spends a tremendous amount of energy in both his own recovery and the recovery of others, he strives to be a better version of himself day by day in a manner that inspires all who come in contact with him, and he does that in what looks like an effortless manner.

If you can't tell by now, I really really like Shane, simply put, I love this man like a true brother.

His story sits at #1 in listens, he was at the inaugural coffee shop meeting when we first started brainstorming about this podcast. He has been a guest on nearly every round table episode - and he was back today to catch y’all up on what’s been happening in his life.

Enjoy!

Chase was the very first "Story" on the podcast, Episode 100, as a sponsee of mine, it was an easy first pick. He and I have known one another for a year or so previous to our current sobriety dates, having met in a treatment center.

He has truly implemented the Twelve Steps into his life and has also "added to" the quality of his recovery through many avenues.

Today, we met virtually in this new era to chat about the current Covid-19 pandemic, and to share about what living in a recovered state means to us when the rubber meets the road.

Enjoy!!

Youtube Video - https://youtu.be/t5dSFoxnbQE

Face to Face Recovery meetings have screeched to a halt, virtual online meetings have popped up everywhere. You can now visit a meeting almost anywhere in the country, possibly the world.

Kevin is approaching 90 days, he joined me in the studio to talk about his experience in this ever changing climate, the impersonal nature of online meetings, the difficulty in doing so in a house with family, and much more.

One day at a time living means more than ever...

Enjoy!  

LJ came around sniffing for "More", he is finding it! This man has is 18 months along in continuous recovery and is seriously dedicated to it.

I met LJ the first night he popped into the Spiritual Underground, he wandered around different meetings looking for whatever it was that was missing from his recovery journey, he came back to the Underground believing that he had found the source. He certainly has been tapping the "Juice" since his arrival. The story that got him here is nothing short of tragic, to survive it in the first place is a major miracle, these turn arounds in the lives of those who take on the Twelve Step tools and principles continue to convince me that we have tapped a limitless load.

Enjoy!

On March 23, 2011 I walked into my first AA meeting with a true third tradition in my pocket, a desire to stop.
It was a bumpy four years to my current sobriety date...
Becky was the first person that I ever met who stuck her hand out and said “Hi, my name is ______, and I am an alcoholic”
I hesitantly said it back, and I can say today, that truly didn’t know if I was or not, I didn't really know what alcoholism was.

Becky saw me from the beginning, she saw me disappear and come back, in this episode she states seeing a dark state at times, and I can promise you there were some very dark times....And she saw the magic happen in 2015 also.

She’s been a beautiful maternal type presence in my recovery the entire ride, we have a spiritual connection, it's been there from day one.

Her story is different from most, saying a lot about that would take away from the episode, so take a listen, and Enjoy!

Barry and his wife Kathy walked into my life prior to my current sobriety date, back when I was pretending to be sober. They both loved me until I could love myself, they witnessed the miracle change in me. Barry always has had that sparkle in his awesomely beautiful blue eyes, and the sparkle is now in overdrive now that he has taken his recovery to another level through the TSSR 12-Step methodology. He is the quintessential example of a man who had received the miracle of the 12-Steps but still felt something was missing until he tried the steps another way.

Enjoy!

Dillon just celebrated ONE YEAR and I love to have these fresh recovery story's on the show, Dillon is 22 years old and has been through more than most twice his age. Three years ago he was shot in the head, has traumatic brain injury, he lost an eye, and today he continues on a road of both physical and spiritual recovery. Dillon's mother and step father Keith are both in long term recovery, Keith was in the studio with him today and I hope to have him on the show very soon.

"To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends - this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives" BB Pg.89

Enjoy!  

I love meeting a new friend through this little enterprise! Angela came to me through Timara, and dang I'm happy about that, Angela and her husband Randy joined me on this cold dark rainy Wednesday and the moment I met them I felt a very familiar energy, the energy of recovery. Her story in amazing and spoke to me about just how powerless we can be in the raising of children, you see, both of her parents were active in the recovery community and had been for most of her life. It's my opinion that this genetic component can't really be overcome, and that part of our journey here on this big blue marble is to overcome obstacles in life, then turn around and help others to do the same. You will here many occurrences of this in Angela's Story.

Enjoy! 

Bart made am impression on me during my first days dabbling in recovery, I really did not know what to expect when I first walked into the rooms. This man did not fit my narrative, he had a quiet confidence, but also an outspoken voice when he shared, I heard both strength and vulnerability although none of that really made any sense to me. He has been on my secrete guest list for some time now, and just a few weeks ago at the yoga studio, I looked over and saw Bart on his mat - more proof that I only need to get out of the way and the universe will create.

I really enjoyed our morning recording this episode, and getting to know Bart better - I'm sure you will enjoy it also! 

Today's episode is a little recap of my five years of recovery. This past Tuesday night, five men celebrated recovery mile markers, two one year, a three, my five, and a six - all but one have been on this podcast. I had a small scheduling issue with a guest who for unavoidable circumstances needed to move her date out just a little. I've been wanting to speak on this subject and HP presented the opportunity just like I find always happens as long as I get out of the way - Hope you enjoy it! 

Boom-Boom-Brian L. sent this awesome gentleman my way, Mike is another guy I first met as he walked up to my home, I immediately knew I was in for a treat and I look forward to possibly having him share some more of his wonderful stories. Men like Mike who have been in recovery for many years have long miracle lists even though that is not what they call them.
Mike is originally from Iowa and found himself in Louisville due to employment opportunities, we are blessed that happened. Among a bunch of other great stuff, Mike tells one specifically Juicy Story that put chills in the back of my neck, listen in to hear that!

Jon approached me in a meeting one night, I did not know him yet, but I was going to get to know him very well. He asked me"Where did you get that word JUICE?"

Turns out we had some commonality in both having attended Spiritual Underground meetings. A friendship blossomed and has been continuing for some five years or so.

Jon has another distinction in my development, he was the first person to suggest that he and I do his fifth step at the cabin, I recall first mentally rejecting the idea, then quickly realizing that it was an excellent idea, and I've done every fifth step at that location every since - that is huge in my sponsorship.

John sponsors Jon, and that's a bit confusing in some ways, but you will enjoy this episode, the three of us moved through Jon's story in a highly energetic way, I love both of these men, and I love their outlook on recovery and on life.

I've known Timara for eight years or so, but never got to know her well, I've heard her share and her confident straight forward way of carrying herself has always impressed me. In an effort to gain some balance on the podcast, I have been actively searching for gals to invite to share their stories. I've bumped into her in some yoga classes which also caught my attention as yoga has been a huge part of my recovery over the past three years.

She works in the field of recovery and is continuing her education in pursuit of  "adding to" her tool box, she speaks to her passion for helping the underserved geriatric incarcerated population during the show.

She has had an amazing journey, a story you do not want to miss, a genuine miracle in recovering one's true self, recovering her true voice.

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIxWlFjnErnCToptCvNKs2A/ https://spiritualunderground.org

https://www.facebook.com/SpiritualUnderground/

https://instagram.com/spiritualunderground4u?r=nametag

DTM Woodwork:

http://dtmww.net https://www.facebook.com/dtmwoodwork/

Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery:

https://instagram.com/dtm_woodwork?r=nametag Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery (TSSR)

Season TWO!!

Dave and I crossed paths at a nicotine quitting web forum, one that I ended up getting banned from... Dave was in the March 2018 group and I was a couple months ahead in what came to be called the January FURY, and a fury we were, I know at least three others what were part of our group that are now banned, bad boys I presume :-)

I did not really know Dave that well, March was a quiet bunch, but I became friends with the "leader" of March (I say leader, because somebody, or some few people tend to step up and take the lead). Brad, aka Cochese was that guy, and it turned out where most of the Quitters were spread across the country, Brad and I lived 15 minutes from one another.

Fast forward a couple years, and Brad and I, among others, are in a GroupMe chat group and we discuss inviting others to the group, Dave was the first person Brad mentioned. After introductions and getting to know a little about Dave, I immediately was struck that I needed to get him on the podcast to tell his story. I'm a sucker for transformation stories, and this is one for sure - I hope you enjoy it!

Subscribe! Like! Share!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIxWlFjnErnCToptCvNKs2A/ https://spiritualunderground.org 

https://www.facebook.com/SpiritualUnderground/ 

https://instagram.com/spiritualunderground4u?r=nametag 

DTM Woodwork:

http://dtmww.net https://www.facebook.com/dtmwoodwork/

Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery:

https://instagram.com/dtm_woodwork?r=nametag Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery (TSSR) 

http://12stepspiritualrecovery.com