Episode 54 - Life be Lifin

In Episode 54, Denise and Jackie open with a nod to the state of the world -"The horrors persist, and so do we" - before pivoting to the core of their podcast: The 12 Steps for Everyone. They take a moment to read through their reimagined steps, discussing how they stripped away the patriarchal and religious language of the original program to create something accessible for anxiety, depression, and the general human condition.The conversation flows into a nuanced debate about "California Sober," with Denise sharing why it’s a slippery slope for her personally, while acknowledging it works for others. They explore the concept of "Something Bigger" (which can be as simple as the ocean) and the importance of finding the right "vibe" in recovery meetings.Looking ahead to the rest of the year, they double down on intentionality. Denise explains the "Big Rocks" theory of time management - scheduling the most important things (vacations, rest, passions) first, so the "sand and water" of daily life don't crowd them out. Meanwhile, Jackie brings a tech-savvy approach to self-care, sharing how she uses iPhone NFC tags to automate her skincare routine and reduce mental load.Key Times:00:00:50 "The horrors persist, and so do we" – Checking in on the weather 00:01:25 Appreciating the sunset at Palisades Park 00:05:38 Reading the "12 Steps for Everyone" (The full list) 00:08:28 A candid discussion on "California Sober" 00:11:28 Defining "Something Bigger" vs. "Higher Power" (The Pacific Ocean) 00:14:03 Jackie on making amends to herself (Living Amends) 00:16:03 Denise leads a meeting one year after the fires 00:18:28 The energy of in-person meetings: Oldest Cake vs. Youngest Cake 00:30:52 The "Big Rocks" theory of prioritization and calendaring 00:36:52 Jackie’s tech hack: Using NFC tags to automate skincare tracking 00:39:29 Book mentions: Culpability and Careless PeopleTopics Covered:The "12 Steps for Everyone" (Full reading and review)"California Sober": Personal definitions and boundariesDefining a Higher Power as "Something Bigger" (Nature/Ocean)Living Amends: Forgiving yourself and treating yourself betterThe "Big Rocks" theory: Prioritizing joy and rest in your calendarThe difference between "resolutions" and "decisions"In-person meetings vs. Zoom (Connection and Energy)Automating habits: NFC tags, shortcuts, and reducing decision fatigueBook recommendations: Culpability and Careless PeopleJoin our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Saturday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)Follow Us:Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.laFollow Denise: @denise.freedFollow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryoneFollow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone