THE EXTRAVAGANT PROMISES PODCAST

Recovery and the Twelve Steps are both living breathing organisms, institutions, theories, and principles, but they are solid and fundamental at the same time. That is the beauty and the mystery of our Program. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

We get the conduct we tolerate. This is nowhere more important than the conduct we tolerate in ourselves. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

In this episode, we continue the discussion and theme from our last episode regarding Outside Issues, and how they lead to emotional dysregulation and instability, which is the precursor to a relapse for sure. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Due to the chaos in our country and the impact it has on a lot of us staying sober, this episode leaves our current topic and addresses the important concept of “outside issues” and keeping our focus and equipoise when all around us are losing their minds. This is apolitical and ideologically neutral. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Today we continue our exploration of the 1903 treatise the “Homely Virtues,”particularly Chapter I entitled, “Straightness.” While this term may connote many things to many people in today’s parlance, in 1903 the term was used to mean “honest,” “earnest,” and “genuine.” Aren’t these the bedrocks of our recovery? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

This episode begins our study of the work The Homely Virtues, focusing on the Prelude or "Introductory," called "Ordinary People," and the intersection with programs of recovery.  I find it fascinating that a book that predates the 12 & 12 by almost fifty years or more could so eloquently and exactly mirror the last paragraphs in Step 12 of that seminal work.  My Disease "wants" me to think I am special, wants me to constantly compare myself to others in an effort to be "extraordinary."  My Higher Power wants me to have profound happiness, found only when I rest easy knowing that I have done my duty, held that small patch of ground in a sensible, responsible, "ordinary" way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

This episode focuses on my journey over the past twelve months, why I stopped podcasting for a bit, and how I stayed sober and strengthened my program of recovery and serenity through the global pandemic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

This is the beginning of Season 3 of the EPP.Show notes: -- December 9 is an important day for me, for my life, for my Program. Why? -- While it is true that you may be able to get sober alone, it is a lot harder, and I do not know anyone who has succeeded.  I am not saying it isn't possible, or that there aren't viable programs of recovery other than Alcoholics Anonymous, I just haven't seen or heard of them working.  So too, you can get and stay sober without a Higher Power, but it is a lot harder.  I know atheists and agnostics who have gotten and stayed sober, but I have not met anyone who did so without turning their will and their lives over to something bigger than themselves. -- The gift of rock bottom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

God’s power to forgive is greater than our power to sin. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“On with the show ...” Motley Crue.  This is the first episode of Season 2, and the first of the Solo Meetings, in which  I am offering as a form of service a meeting-like format so that those who are unable to attend a meeting in person or through another format or platform can get relief and recovery as if they were in a meeting and listening.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Control-freaks, please apply. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

What will other people say? What will other people think? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

The Divine Spark is inside us all ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

I once was blind, and now I see ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“The fundamental tenet of Buddhism is not, ‘Every man for himself.’ I know. I looked it up.” Wanda (A Fish Called Wanda) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Burn, baby burn ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Continuing to “adult” the s**t out of life ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

It is, after all, a spiritual axiom. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Look it up ... Here’s to the sunny slopes ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Choose your words wisely. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“I wish her a lucky passage ...” Richard Wilbur. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Who, Me? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“Ay, ay, a scratcg; marry, ‘tis enough ...” Romeo and Juliet, ACT III. Scene I. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

1461 Twenty-four hours. How did I do it? I didn’t drink, and I didn’t die. Here’s how ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. The First Agreement. Tonight. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“Physician, heal thyself ...” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Send not to know, For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

We are only as sick as our secrets. The Big Lie was known to me, before I told it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“When people talk, listen completely ...” Hemingway This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Who draws His breath in confidence of Heaven’s applause? You know. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Ahhh, Rasheed. You may have been a ‘heel, but you are a damned genius. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Loss becomes a ticket to a journey to a destination you could never have reached before. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“I’m gonna be like you, Dad, you know I’m gonna be like you.” “Cat’s in the Cradle,” by Harry Chapin. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

But my hand was made strong, by the hand of the Almighty ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

As Jack London said, there are meetings under circumstances which make men remember ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

The type of love that everyone could have, that many do, and sad few do not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

The name of the story will be Time. Find that gentle, sweet child within you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

“A man’s game charges a man’s price.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Can we outrun the darkness? Maybe, maybe not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Churchill, Frost ... your pick. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Sometimes you eat crow, eat the turkey, and sometimes you just leave the damned country. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Because luck’s got nothing to do with it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Be kind, be pitiful; Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Because in this Universe, it’s pay me now AND pay me later. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Because there are no bad students, only bad teachers. At least that is what Mr. Miyagi taught me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Eamonn M., A Man, AMEN. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Sometimes, well, sometimes the bear eats you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Sometimes we need a bit more strength and hope and a lot more light. Tonight, we dance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Hold fast! To your sufferings, to your resilience & grit, to your salvation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com

Camus & Frankl. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit extravagantpromisespodcast.substack.com