The Priceless Life the 12 Steps Gave Greg Downs | Episode 504

Greg Downs person in long term recovery, author, andfinancial coach:https://www.cpfinancialcoaching.com/ Recovery Literature (quit-lit) recommendations: Big Book - https://www.aa.org/the-big-bookThe Power of Now - https://a.co/d/05rjIRA0 Best Piece of Recovery Advice: Practice the principles inall our affairs Song that symbolizes Recovery to Greg: Not afraid by Eminem- https://youtu.be/j5-yKhDd64s?si=I2uGhM8VVYCOoEeS In this episode, Greg Downs — a long-term recovery advocateand financial planner — explores how applying 12-step principles to personalfinance can lead to emotional and financial sobriety. His unique approach isdesigned to help people break free from the cycle of financial stress just asrecovery helps free from addiction.In this episode:Greg’s personal story of addiction, loss, and recovery,including the pivotal jail experience that transformed his lifeHow the emotional patterns of addiction mirror those infinancial struggles — guilt, denial, avoidanceThe concept of "financial sobriety" — using12-step tools to manage money with integrity and purposeThe parallels between relapse in addiction and financialrelapse — how stress and emotion can trigger old patternsPractical steps: admitting control issues, making inventory,restoring trust, aligning spending with valuesHow community, connection, and service reinforce recoveryand financial healthThe process of writing a book that applies 12-step recoveryprinciples to personal finance, and its potential impactNotable quote: “The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety —it’s connection.”This episode challenges us to reframe our relationship withmoney through the lens of recovery, emphasizing emotional honesty, community,and purpose as essential to lasting change. Don’t forget to check out “The Way Out Playlist” availableonly on Spotify. Curated by all our wonderful guests on the podcast!https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HNQyyjlFBrDbOUADgw1Sz?si=NC26a67vQjqw0BcgTzPmRg(c) 2015 - 2026 The Way Out Podcast | All Rights Reserved.Theme Music: “all clear” (⁠⁠⁠https://ketsa.uk/browse-music/)byKetsa (https://ketsa.uk⁠⁠⁠)licensedunderCCBY-NC-ND4.0(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd)