RAW Recovery Podcast
by trudgingtogether
Storytelling has a profound impact on individuals in recovery, as it allows them to connect with others who have walked similar paths. By sharing their own stories of struggle and triumph, individuals can find a sense of validation, comfort, and hope. When others hear stories of resilience and recovery, they feel less alone in their own struggles and are inspired to continue their journey towards healing. Storytelling can also help to break down stigmas and stereotypes surrounding addiction and mental health, promoting a culture of empathy and understanding. By sharing their stories, individuals can empower others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of hope and support that can have a lasting impact on those in recovery.
Episodes
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Guide to a Better Way
Guide to a Better Way What does it really mean to find a better way of living? And how do we begin making changes when the life we've been living no longer works? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're talking about how the program of Alcoholics Anonymous gives us a guide to a new way of life through…
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How It Works
How It Works Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. But what does it really mean to follow that path, and how does the program of Alcoholics Anonymous actually work? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're going back to the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 5…
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Humility as an Ideal Is Often Misunderstood
Humility as an Ideal Is Often Misunderstood What does it really mean to be humble? Is humility about thinking less of ourselves, putting everyone else first, or recognizing who we are and where we stand? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're exploring humility through the Twelve Steps and the…
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The Painful Past Can Be of Infinite Value
The Painful Past Can Be of Infinite Value What if the very experiences we wish we could forget could become some of our greatest assets in recovery? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're exploring a powerful idea from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous: Our painful past can become a source of hope,...
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Are We Still Teachable? — The Daily Trudge
Are We Still Teachable? — The Daily Trudge We talk a lot about willingness in recovery, but what happens when we've been sober for a while and start thinking we already know everything? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're talking about remaining teachable, keeping an open mind, and recognizing that...
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The Tremendous Fact: We Have Found A Solution
The Tremendous Fact: We Have Found A Solution “We have found a solution.” Those words from Chapter 2 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous carry a message of hope for every alcoholic who still suffers. But what exactly is the solution, and how does it work? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're…
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(No sound first three minutes) Alcoholism: The Progressive Disease
Alcoholism: The Progressive Disease Alcoholism is a progressive disease. But what does that really mean, and how do we recognize its progression? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're talking about how alcoholism develops, how it gets worse over time, and why we cannot measure the severity of our...
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Showing Love Through Our Primary Purpose
Showing Love Through Our Primary Purpose What does it really mean to show love in Alcoholics Anonymous? Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. But are we truly living that purpose, or are we just talking about it? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're talking...
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Unity — The Second Legacy
Unity — The Second Legacy What happens to Alcoholics Anonymous when we forget the importance of unity? Bill W. left us three legacies: Recovery, Unity, and Service. Each one plays an important role in keeping Alcoholics Anonymous alive and available for the alcoholic who still suffers. Today on…
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Integrity
Integrity What does it really mean to live with integrity? We talk a lot about honesty in recovery, but integrity goes beyond simply telling the truth. It's about doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching. It's about keeping our word, taking responsibility for our actions, and living by...
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Are We Restored To Sanity?
Are We Restored To Sanity? Step Two tells us that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. But what does being restored to sanity actually mean? Does it mean we never make another bad decision? That our thinking is suddenly fixed? Or is the sanity we're talking about something...
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True Tolerance
True Tolerance What does it really mean to practice tolerance in recovery? It's easy to be tolerant of people who think like us, believe what we believe, and live the way we live. But what happens when someone challenges our beliefs, disagrees with us, or lives a completely different way? Today…
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I Am Responsible...
I Am Responsible... What does it really mean to be responsible in recovery? In Alcoholics Anonymous, we talk a lot about taking responsibility for our actions, our recovery, and our relationships with others. But responsibility goes beyond simply admitting when we're wrong. Today on The Daily...
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Does God Remove ALL Defects Of Character?
Does God Remove ALL Defects Of Character? Step Seven tells us to humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings. But does that mean God removes every defect of character? And if He does, why do some of those same behaviors keep showing up in our lives? Today on The Daily Trudge, we're talking about…
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We Meet These Conditions Every Day
We Meet These Conditions Every Day In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, we're told that we are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. But what does that really mean? We meet these conditions every day. Not…
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Courage And Prudence
Courage And Prudence Courage tells us to move. Prudence tells us to pay attention to where we are going. Recovery takes both. There are times when we need the courage to face something we have avoided, speak honestly, make a change, or take action. But courage without prudence can become...
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H.O.W.
H.O.W. Honesty. Openness. Willingness. Three simple words, but they can change the direction of our recovery. Honesty helps us see where we really are. Openness lets us hear something new. Willingness gets us moving. Today we’re talking about what H.O.W. actually looks like in real life—not as a...
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Freedom to Choose
Freedom to Choose As Bill Sees It, page 124, talks about a kind of freedom that changes as we grow. At first, we may do the right thing because we have to. Then we begin doing it because we know we ought to. Eventually, the real freedom comes when we can make the right choice without fighting it...
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The Greatest Gift Of All
The Greatest Gift Of All Recovery gives us a lot more than just the ability to stop drinking. Over time, it can give us freedom from obsession, a clearer mind, stronger relationships, usefulness to others, and a deeper connection with God. Today we’re talking about what the greatest gift of...
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The AA Preamble
The AA Preamble Most of us have heard it hundreds, maybe thousands of times. But how often do we actually stop and listen to what the AA Preamble is saying? Today we’re going to break it down—not just recite it. What does it mean that AA is a fellowship? What does it mean to share experience,...
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What Is Good Communication?
What Is Good Communication? We talk all day long. We text, email, comment, message, post, and react. But how much of that is actually good communication? Today we’re talking about the kind of communication that actually helps people heal, grow, repair relationships, and understand one another....
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What Do You Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Any of It?
What Do You Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Any of It? Some days there is no big crisis, no breakthrough, and no real inspiration. You just look at the things you normally do and think, “I really don’t feel like doing any of this today.” Today we’re talking about what happens when motivation...
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Into Action
Into Action Recovery is not just something we understand. At some point, we have to do something with what we know. Today we’re talking about the move from awareness into action—being honest about what needs to change, taking responsibility, following through, and doing the work instead of…
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Random Recovery Reading
Random Recovery Reading Sometimes the right thing shows up when we stop trying to force the topic. Open the book, read a page, and see what speaks to us. Today we’re doing exactly that—random recovery reading from the Big Book, Daily Reflections, As Bill Sees It, Just for Today, and other…
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Giving Without Strings
Giving Without Strings Giving is easy when we expect something back. Appreciation. Loyalty. Agreement. Recognition. But what happens when we give and none of that comes? Today we’re talking about what it means to give without strings attached—helping because it is the right thing to do, sharing…
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Waiting To Sponsor VS Being The Sponsor
Waiting To Sponsor VS Being The Sponsor There is a big difference between waiting until we feel ready to sponsor and actually stepping into the responsibility of helping another alcoholic. A lot of us can sit on the sidelines wondering if we know enough, have enough time, or are “good enough” to...
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We Forgive But Do We Really Forget?
We Forgive But Do We Really Forget? Forgiveness sounds simple until the memory is still there. We may decide to forgive someone, but that does not mean the hurt, the lesson, or the impact suddenly disappears. Today we’re talking about the difference between forgiveness and forgetting, how we can...
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Fear, Trust And Courage
Fear, Trust And Courage Fear tells us to hold back. Trust asks us to take the next step anyway. Courage is what happens when we move forward even though the fear is still there. Today we’re talking about how fear shows up in recovery, how trust is built over time, and why courage is not the…
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Who Cares To Admit Complete Defeat?
Who Cares To Admit Complete Defeat? Nobody likes the idea of defeat. We are taught to fight harder, try again, stay in control, and never give up. But Step One asks us to do something very different: admit that when it comes to alcohol, the fight is over. Today we’re talking about what complete...
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No Regrets!?
No Regrets!? We hear people say, “I have no regrets,” but is that really true—or even necessary? Our past includes mistakes, bad choices, hurt, consequences, and things we would absolutely do differently today. Today we’re talking about the difference between living in regret and learning from…
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Humility For Today
Humility For Today Humility is not thinking less of ourselves. It is being honest about who we are, staying teachable, letting go of the need to be right, and being willing to look at our own part without making everything about us. Today we’re talking about what humility looks like in everyday...
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Learning From Those Who Came Before Us
Learning From Those Who Came Before Us Recovery did not start with us, and it will not end with us. We have the benefit of people who came before us, made mistakes, learned hard lessons, stayed sober, helped others, and left behind experience we can still use today. Today we’re talking about why...
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Alcoholism: The Progressive Disease
Alcoholism: The Progressive Disease Alcoholism usually does not destroy everything at once. It progresses. Tolerance changes. Consequences grow. Relationships get strained. Isolation gets deeper. What once seemed manageable can slowly become something much harder to control. Today we’re talking...
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The Being Human Step
The Being Human Step Recovery gives us principles, tools, and a way of living—but none of that makes us stop being human. We still make mistakes, get angry, get scared, misunderstand people, say the wrong thing, and sometimes fall short of who we want to be. Today we’re talking about what it…
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Black Sheep Or Lions Of Truth?
Black Sheep Or Lions Of Truth? Sometimes the person labeled the “black sheep” is simply the one who refuses to keep pretending everything is okay. They question the family rules, challenge unhealthy patterns, say the things nobody wants said, and often take the heat for it. Today we’re talking...
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Our Third Legacy: Service
Our Third Legacy: Service Recovery is more than staying sober. AA’s Third Legacy reminds us that service is part of how the Fellowship survives and how the message continues to reach the next alcoholic. Today we’re talking about what service really means—being useful, showing up, carrying the...
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The Language Of The Heart
The Language Of The Heart Recovery has its own kind of language—the kind that happens when one alcoholic talks honestly to another and something finally gets through. We may come from different backgrounds, different places, and completely different lives, but somehow the experience can still...
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Why did I create Solution Sessions?
Why did I create Solution Sessions? Because I know what it’s like to be stuck, overwhelmed, starting over, and trying to figure out what comes next. I’ve spent more than 20 years helping people in recovery, behavioral health, crisis situations, advocacy, and community work. I’ve also lived…
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A Fragment Of History: The Origin Of The 12 Steps
A Fragment Of History: The Origin Of The 12 Steps The Twelve Steps did not just appear out of nowhere. They grew out of the early experiences of Alcoholics Anonymous, the Oxford Group influence, spiritual principles, and what Bill W. and the early members were learning as they tried to help other...
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The Importance Of Prayer And Meditation
The Importance Of Prayer And Meditation Prayer and meditation are more than things we are told to do in recovery. They are ways of slowing down, getting out of our own head, seeking guidance, and creating enough quiet to hear something other than our own fear, anger, or plans. Today we’re talking...
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Selfishness / Self-Centeredness
Selfishness / Self-Centeredness The Big Book tells us that selfishness and self-centeredness are at the root of many of our troubles. That does not always mean being greedy or uncaring. Sometimes it looks like needing control, needing to be right, taking everything personally, or making every...
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Who Cares To Admit Complete Defeat?
Who Cares To Admit Complete Defeat? Step One in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions opens with a hard question: who wants to admit complete defeat? For most of us, admitting powerlessness sounds like losing. But the 12 & 12 turns that idea around—admitting powerlessness becomes the beginning…
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Grateful? Or Gratitude?
Grateful? Or Gratitude? There is a difference between being grateful and living with gratitude. Grateful can be recognizing what we have—a roof over our head, people who care about us, another sober day. Gratitude is what we do with those gifts. Today we’re talking about how gratitude becomes...
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Rule #62
Rule #62 In the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Tradition Four gives us one of AA’s great reminders: “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously.” It came out of a group that overreached, learned from the mess, laughed at itself, and moved on. Today we’re talking about ego, control,...
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We Absolutely Insist on Enjoying Life
We Absolutely Insist on Enjoying Life Recovery is not supposed to be one long exercise in fixing what is wrong with us. The Big Book reminds us that we are allowed to laugh, enjoy people, have fun, and actually participate in life. Today we’re talking about what it means to enjoy life in recovery...
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A Doctor's Opinion
A Doctor's Opinion The Doctor’s Opinion gives us one of the clearest explanations of alcoholism in the Big Book: the physical allergy, the mental obsession, and why an alcoholic can sincerely want to stop and still find themselves drinking again. Today we’re talking about what Dr. Silkworth was...
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What Happened to Our Recovery Community?
What Happened to Our Recovery Community? Real Talk with Dion takes a look at what has happened to the recovery community—from AA and Twelve Step work to treatment centers, detox, sober living, recovery coaching, and the growing recovery industry. We’ve built more programs, services…
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The Spiritual Experience
The Spiritual Experience What does a spiritual experience actually look like? Does it have to be dramatic, sudden, and unmistakable—or can it happen gradually as our thinking, actions, and relationship with God begin to change? Today we’re talking about the spiritual experience in recovery: what...
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There Is A Solution
There Is A Solution Alcoholism creates a problem that can feel impossible to solve from the inside. We try control, promises, consequences, changing circumstances, and doing it our own way—and still end up back in the same place. Today we’re talking about what the Big Book means when it says…
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A Recovered Alcoholic?
Want to see the whole Unmanangables Video? Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDN_tg-bZ04 A Recovered Alcoholic? What does it actually mean when the Big Book talks about a “recovered alcoholic”? Does recovered mean cured? Does it mean we no longer need a program? Or does it mean...
About this show
Storytelling has a profound impact on individuals in recovery, as it allows them to connect with others who have walked similar paths. By sharing their own stories of struggle and triumph, individuals can find a sense of validation, comfort, and hope. When others hear stories of resilience and recovery, they feel less alone in their own struggles and are inspired to continue their journey towards healing. Storytelling can also help to break down stigmas and stereotypes surrounding addiction and mental health, promoting a culture of empathy and understanding. By sharing their stories, individuals can empower others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of hope and support that can have a lasting impact on those in recovery.
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trudgingtogether