In this episode of In the Circle, I respond to a courageous and heartfelt inquiry from Barbara. She asks: How do I make peace with taking medication for Parkinson’s, after years of addiction and recovery? Her story is raw, vulnerable, and deeply human: the daily crash after each dose, the fear it stirs up, the echoes of withdrawal, and the sense that maybe she’s being pulled back into something she’s worked so hard to rise above. What struck me most was the physical discomfort she described and ...
Jun 19, 2025•15 min•Ep. 121
In this episode of In the Circle, I have the honor of talking with Author and master yoga teacher, Guruprem. Guruprem has been a major influence on my life and recovery journey. It was he who passed on the teachings that helped me heal my back and laid the foundation for Recovery 2.0. Today, he shares grounded wisdom on how to bring more ease back into your life. He touches on being of service, the role of meditation, and the practice of “acting as if”—and challenges some deeply held beliefs man...
Jun 12, 2025•51 min•Ep. 120
In this episode of In the Circle, I answer one of the most important and relevant inquiries I have ever received. Michelle asks, "How Can I Handle the Pain of Weaning Off Prescribed Medication? " She shares the emotional tug-of-war between love and shame, wanting to reduce her dose of buprenorphine, but feeling defeated when pain flares up and she takes more than planned. Her honesty opens up a deeply relevant conversation about what it means to meet ourselves with compassion in the hardest mome...
Jun 06, 2025•25 min•Ep. 119
In this episode of In the Circle, I am extremely privileged to speak with Father Richard Rohr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan friar, author, and spiritual teacher renowned for his work in Christian mysticism and contemplative spirituality. Born in 1943 in Kansas, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1970 and later founded the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Through the CAC and the Living School for Action and Contemplation, Rohr has helped thousands explore a ...
May 31, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 118
In this episode of In the Circle, I have the honor of talking with writer, musician, and master teacher of Kundalini Yoga, Guru Singh. Guru Singh is a globally respected spiritual teacher, musician, and author who has shaped the Kundalini yoga and meditation community for decades. Renowned for his dynamic, science-based, and musically infused teaching style, he has trained thousands of teachers worldwide, inspiring a ripple effect of conscious awareness. Alongside his wife, Guruperkarma Kaur, he...
May 21, 2025•52 min•Ep. 117
In this episode of In the Circle, we take a look at an inquiry I get asked the most: How Do I Get Sober? What does sobriety truly entail? By asking this question, we are looking for a way to evolve into a better version of ourselves– to let go of the old and embrace the new. In order to move towards a life filled with more love, connection, and fulfillment, we need to be honest, vulnerable, and open to change. We need to remember that momentum comes slowly and develop a one-day-at-a-time concept...
Apr 30, 2025•51 min•Ep. 114
On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I delve into the complex and often debated topic: Is addiction a disease? We explore how society interprets addiction and the implications these interpretations have on treatment approaches. What are the motivations behind defining addiction as a disease? If addiction isn't seen as a disease, how do we understand and “fix” it? We also take a look at the characterization of addiction as a disease of the brain and nervous system, focusing on remission rathe...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 113
On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re revisiting an extremely relevant inquiry: Are the 12 Steps still relevant today, how do they fit into modern recovery, and why did I adapt the 12 Steps into the 12 Efforts? Of course, when we explore these questions, we will need to discuss the challenges that come up with language and the power of words. Do people in recovery always have to refer to themselves as addicts or should that identification change? In a way, this exploration is fundamenta...
Apr 16, 2025•43 min•Ep. 112
On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re revisiting what I believe to be one of the most important aspects of recovery: Yoga . In this episode, we have the pleasure of discussing the role of yoga in recovery and how we can overcome people's innate resistance to the practice. Chris asks… If freedom from addiction is possible, and yoga is the medicine, how then do we make this medicine more accessible? This is such an important episode, as there is no one left on the planet unaffected by add...
Apr 09, 2025•32 min•Ep. 111
On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re looking back on a topic that sits deep in the minds of most people who are in recovery– What If The 12 Steps Aren’t For Me? Jeanne, a member of our Recovery 2.0 community shares about how the 12 steps will always be the foundation of her recovery, but that after a while she felt called to explore alternative paths of healing. What starts as a question about adopting modern-day healing modalities into 12-step recovery turns into a powerful look at wh...
Apr 02, 2025•27 min•Ep. 110
On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re visiting one of my most impactful episodes - Episode 8. In this episode, Elizabeth brings a thought-provoking question to The Circle: Can I Prevent A Relapse Before It Starts? Today's thoughtful inquiry comes as Elizabeth offers the deeply meaningful subject of relapse for closer inspection. In doing so, we reframe the meaning of the word, removing all shame from its existence, and call in the support of others on the path. Where it’s easy to point ...
Mar 26, 2025•30 min•Ep. 109
On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re taking it back to where it all began - Episode 1. In this episode, Theresa asked us such a very important question: is it possible for a person in recovery to truly reach a place of peace and contentment? This incredibly powerful question, it seems to me, is really about the entire human race. Is it possible for any person, whether in recovery or not, to truly find peace and contentment? When we look at this inquiry through the lens of addiction and...
Mar 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 108
On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m sharing one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever had with Herb K. Thanks to the 12 Steps, Herb has been free from alcohol since 1984. In 1988, he had a profound spiritual awakening. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to helping others sustain and expand their own awakening through recovery. Herb’s work goes beyond addiction—it’s about clarity, consciousness, and living your best life. We all struggle with something, whether it’s substances, re...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 107
This week’s episode of In The Circle is unlike any other because, for the first time, I’m sharing my personal story of recovery. It’s a journey filled with struggle, revelation, and transformation—one that has shaped every part of who I am today. Recovery is never a straight line, and looking back, I see how each moment, each fall, and each breakthrough led me here. My path began long before I took my first drink or drug. Addiction, I believe, is rooted in childhood, in the ways we learn to cope...
Feb 19, 2025•48 min•Ep. 106
In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I have the great honor of speaking with Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji—a renowned spiritual leader, bestselling author, and motivational speaker based in Rishikesh, India. Sadhvi Ji is the author of Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation and serves as the International Director of Parmarth Niketan, one of India’s largest spiritual institutions. She is also the Secretary General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, ded...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 105
In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I’m joined by Miriam who poses a deeply relevant inquiry: How Can I Stay Grounded When The World Feels So Uncertain? How do I navigate interactions with others amidst heightened emotions and uncertainty in the world? In a time when truth feels elusive and perspectives shift depending on the source, the power of discernment has never been more crucial. In times of upheaval, we must hold space for both grief and gratitude, recognizing that being present wi...
Feb 05, 2025•33 min•Ep. 104
In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I’m delighted to speak with Scott Strode. Scott has been sober for over 25 years and is the Executive Director of The Phoenix, a transformational nonprofit he founded in 2006. The Phoenix is reshaping how society views addiction and recovery by harnessing the power of connection to create lasting change. The Phoenix offers free in-person and virtual programs worldwide, including yoga, climbing, music, CrossFit, art, and dance. The only cost to participat...
Jan 29, 2025•42 min•Ep. 103
In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I have the pleasure of speaking with Heather Monroe, a transpersonal psychotherapist with a unique approach to healing relational and attachment trauma. Heather brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, combining multiple therapeutic modalities to help others heal. She is a certified psychodrama trainer, a certified Kundalini yoga teacher, and a MAPS-certified psychedelic therapist. She is also in the advanced stages of Peter Levine’s Somatic Experien...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 102
On this episode of In The Circle, I’m excited to welcome Jacob, who brings up one of my favorite topics: cannabis. If you’ve read Recovery 2.0 or tuned into this podcast, you know how deeply cannabis has shaped my own journey through addiction and recovery. In this episode, Jacob asks: How Has Cannabis Culture Changed and What Does It Mean for Recovery? Together, we’ll explore how the increasing availability of cannabis and shifting societal perceptions influence both addiction and the recovery ...
Jan 15, 2025•50 min•Ep. 101
Welcome to the 100th episode of In the Circle! I’m celebrating this milestone with deep gratitude for all of you—our listeners, supporters, and everyone who has encouraged this podcast along the way. This episode is a special one, featuring the incredible Dr. Tracy Jackson, a leading expert in medicine, pain management, and addiction. Dr. Jackson brings a unique perspective to the conversation, blending her years of experience as a top medical professional with a holistic approach to healing tha...
Jan 08, 2025•55 min•Ep. 100
In this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re joined by John, who poses one of humanity’s most timeless questions: What is happiness? In recovery, we often hear about being “happy, joyous, and free,” the ultimate state achieved through the transformative work of recovery. But what does that truly mean? John's question invites us to explore the essence of happiness and its distinction from contentment. This conversation sets the stage for an important teaching known as the Seven Steps to Happine...
Jan 01, 2025•31 min•Ep. 99
In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I explore Karen's thought-provoking question: How Can I Maintain Inner Peace When Faced With External Pressures? Together, we explore the intersection of yoga teachings, social justice, and the 12-step philosophy. Karen shares her reflections on how yoga sometimes aligns with social causes and the inner conflict she feels when seeking to live from the "inside out" while staying true to her spiritual path. We look at how we can balance inner peace with ext...
Dec 25, 2024•37 min•Ep. 98
In this week’s episode of In The Circle , we’re joined by Denise, who brings forward a universally relevant and sincere inquiry about sex addiction. She asks: Is my sexual desire healthy or addictive? At 42 years old, Denise shares candidly about being at a peak in her desire, openly questioning whether this is healthy or normal. Her vulnerability opens the door to a powerful conversation about the sexual aspect of the human experience—a topic that is often uncomfortable for many to explore. It’...
Dec 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 97
In this week’s episode of In The Circle , we’re exploring the powerful topic of perfectionism. We’re joined by Kevin, who brings a thought-provoking question to the circle: How can I make peace with ‘good enough’ versus perfectionism? Perfectionism, often rooted in disconnection and insecurity, can lead to a life of stress and unfulfilled expectations. This episode examines the fine line between striving for our best and losing balance. How does perfectionism fuel procrastination? And how can we...
Dec 11, 2024•35 min•Ep. 96
In this week’s episode of In The Circle , I’m excited to connect with my dear friend Rolf Gates. A bestselling author, Rolf has written Daily Reflections on Addiction, Yoga, and Getting Well and Meditations from the Mat . As a leading voice in modern yoga, Rolf conducts vinyasa intensives and teacher trainings worldwide. His unique background as a U.S. Army Ranger and social worker specializing in addiction brings depth and insight to his teaching. His work has been featured in Yoga Journal , Pe...
Dec 04, 2024•51 min•Ep. 95
In this week’s episode of In The Circle, we're joined by Louise, who brings an essential question to the discussion: How can I move beyond judgment? This is incredibly relevant in today's world, where judgment often pulls us away from being present. When we're in a state of judgment, we're uncomfortable and caught up in blame, complaint, and external focus, which only breeds resentment and frustration. In this episode, we'll explore how to shift from judgment to discernment—cultivating greater u...
Nov 27, 2024•33 min•Ep. 94
In this week’s episode of In The Circle, we are joined by Raiza who brings us a profound inquiry: How Can I Embrace The Present Moment and Trust My Journey As It Unfolds? Raiza shares that she started her spiritual journey later in life, while many teachers she admires began their paths and awakenings early on. This has left her feeling 'behind,' as though she should be further along her journey. This question resonates deeply with us as we navigate time—perceiving it as past, present, and futur...
Nov 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 93
In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m privileged to be joined by Ellen, who brings us a powerful inquiry that will open a conversation about the family dynamics of addiction. Ellin asks: How can I support friends and family in addiction while respecting boundaries? Whenever one person in a family struggles with addiction, the entire family is at risk of falling into an addictive and unhealthy dynamic. In this episode, we’ll be diving into topics like codependency, and family boundaries, a...
Nov 13, 2024•31 min•Ep. 92
In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I have the joy and honor of connecting with my dear friend, Elena Brower. Elena is a mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and the host of the Practice You podcast. With 25 years of experience in yoga and meditation, she’s inspired countless individuals through her insightful teachings. Her books—Art of Attention, Practice You, Being You, and Softening Time—invite us to explore practice, life, and the art of deep listening. Elena’s ...
Nov 05, 2024•52 min•Ep. 91
In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m thrilled to dive into an incredibly meaningful topic that impacts each of us — our relationship with food. Alyssa joins us with an inquiry about something fundamental to the human experience - How Can I Move Beyond Addictive Patterns with Food? Food has a powerful impact on how we feel, think, and interact in the world. It affects our energy, our mood, and even the way we show up in relationships. For those of us on the recovery path, it can be diffic...
Oct 29, 2024•31 min•Ep. 90
