I hope I never get to the point where I think I'm the smartest person in recovery and I can't learn from a newcomer or someone with less time than me. 

It is a fairly well known practice for oldtimers around 12 step meetings to tell newcomers to “shut their mouths and open their ears.” That’s what my first sponsor told me all those years ago. I can’t think of anything more disrespectful and potentially damaging to say to someone who is brand new in recovery. The newcomer is fresh off the playing field, maybe better described as fresh off the battlefield of addiction. Their perspective is raw and their need for connection and acceptance from the group is acute. 

We can’t proclaim that we are praying for the alcoholic or addict who still suffers and then, when they show up in our rooms, tell them to sit down and shut up.

Our sobriety is about a lot more than stopping our drinking and drugging. It is about improving our quality of life one day at a time.

When I first stopped drinking the last thing I could imagine was my life improving in every way possible. The only thing I could think of, through the fog of my detox was -  When will I stop feeling like crap? When will all the guilt and shame and self loathing stop? How will I ever piece my life back together? RealSobriety.com

Welcome Back to the NEW Real Sobriety Podcast! Ep. 228

Real Sobriety started during a series of conversations with my wife, the acclaimed Canadian underwater explorer Jill Heinerth. We were just beginning our lives together and Jill was interested in, and very supportive of my recovery. We each had been married before, and lived extremely different lives. We held no secrets and promised to accept each other for the people we are today, not the messes we were in the past. As a documentary filmmaker, Jill suggested that I share my recovery journey with the world. The result is the award-winning documentary film “Real Sobriety.” Expanding on the purpose of the film, I decided to continue the conversation with the Recovery Community through this podcast. You can find examples recent episodes posted below, and over 200 past episodes at the side bar link - or just click here.

Going forward, I plan to post a new episode each week, and occasionally invite special guests to share their stories with you as well.

Thanks for being here for me and remember - Go out there and Love One Another!