Amends Begin With Willingness

In this episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren continues the journey through the 12-step program, diving into Step Eight: "Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all." Returning guest Jeff Schlund from the Betty Ford Center shares honest and heartfelt reflections on what it means to be ready to make amends—and how this step was a turning point in his own recovery. They discuss how memory, humility, and fear all play roles in the process, and why putting ourselves on the list of those we’ve harmed might be one of the most overlooked yet healing parts of the journey. Jeff shares his story of relapse and resilience, and how step eight helped him discover a deeper sense of accountability, hope, and empowerment. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction to Step Eight 02:24 – Jeff’s recovery story and Betty Ford experience 04:45 – The evolving list of people harmed 07:09 – Making amends to yourself 09:29 – The danger of unchecked guilt 11:07 – Step Eight is not a race 14:45 – The difference between amends and apology 18:38 – Accepting outcomes when making amends 20:40 – Jumping ahead to Step Nine too soon 22:18 – The importance of readiness and memory 24:24 – Jeff's personal turning point 27:59 – Real support from others in recovery 30:22 – The roots of the program and real change 32:31 – Surrender and serious recovery 34:42 – Relief and empowerment from willingness 36:16 – “The only thing you have to change is everything” 38:14 – Closing thoughts and next episode preview 📱 Contact Info: We’d love your feedback! 📞 Call us: 720-712-8856 📧 Email us: [email protected]