LJ came around sniffing for "More", he is finding it! This man has is 18 months along in continuous recovery and is seriously dedicated to it. I met LJ the first night he popped into the Spiritual Underground, he wandered around different meetings looking for whatever it was that was missing from his recovery journey, he came back to the Underground believing that he had found the source. He certainly has been tapping the "Juice" since his arrival. The story that got him here is nothing short of...
Mar 22, 2020•2 hr 26 min•Season 2Ep. 157
On March 23, 2011 I walked into my first AA meeting with a true third tradition in my pocket, a desire to stop. It was a bumpy four years to my current sobriety date... Becky was the first person that I ever met who stuck her hand out and said “Hi, my name is ______, and I am an alcoholic” I hesitantly said it back, and I can say today, that truly didn’t know if I was or not, I didn't really know what alcoholism was. Becky saw me from the beginning, she saw me disappear and come back, in this ep...
Mar 15, 2020•2 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 156
Impactful people are a treasure in our lives, being conscious of that impact is a blessing in itself, acknowledging the gift of the impact is extremely important. Mimi has impacted my life primarily through the practice of yoga, as an inspiring teacher and as 502 Power Yoga’s Director of Teacher Training of which I completed in March 2019. She introduced me to stand-up paddleboarding, even doing yoga on the unstable platform, life is not always stable, practicing on a board parallels that, and m...
Mar 08, 2020•2 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 155
Barry and his wife Kathy walked into my life prior to my current sobriety date, back when I was pretending to be sober. They both loved me until I could love myself, they witnessed the miracle change in me. Barry always has had that sparkle in his awesomely beautiful blue eyes, and the sparkle is now in overdrive now that he has taken his recovery to another level through the TSSR 12-Step methodology. He is the quintessential example of a man who had received the miracle of the 12-Steps but stil...
Mar 01, 2020•1 hr 57 min•Season 2Ep. 154
Dillon just celebrated ONE YEAR and I love to have these fresh recovery story's on the show, Dillon is 22 years old and has been through more than most twice his age. Three years ago he was shot in the head, has traumatic brain injury, he lost an eye, and today he continues on a road of both physical and spiritual recovery. Dillon's mother and step father Keith are both in long term recovery, Keith was in the studio with him today and I hope to have him on the show very soon. "To watch people re...
Feb 23, 2020•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 153
I love meeting a new friend through this little enterprise! Angela came to me through Timara, and dang I'm happy about that, Angela and her husband Randy joined me on this cold dark rainy Wednesday and the moment I met them I felt a very familiar energy, the energy of recovery. Her story in amazing and spoke to me about just how powerless we can be in the raising of children, you see, both of her parents were active in the recovery community and had been for most of her life. It's my opinion tha...
Feb 16, 2020•1 hr 37 min•Season 2Ep. 152
Bart made am impression on me during my first days dabbling in recovery, I really did not know what to expect when I first walked into the rooms. This man did not fit my narrative, he had a quiet confidence, but also an outspoken voice when he shared, I heard both strength and vulnerability although none of that really made any sense to me. He has been on my secrete guest list for some time now, and just a few weeks ago at the yoga studio, I looked over and saw Bart on his mat - more proof that ...
Feb 09, 2020•2 hr 45 min•Season 2Ep. 151
Today's episode is a little recap of my five years of recovery. This past Tuesday night, five men celebrated recovery mile markers, two one year, a three, my five, and a six - all but one have been on this podcast. I had a small scheduling issue with a guest who for unavoidable circumstances needed to move her date out just a little. I've been wanting to speak on this subject and HP presented the opportunity just like I find always happens as long as I get out of the way - Hope you enjoy it!...
Feb 02, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Boom-Boom-Brian L. sent this awesome gentleman my way, Mike is another guy I first met as he walked up to my home, I immediately knew I was in for a treat and I look forward to possibly having him share some more of his wonderful stories. Men like Mike who have been in recovery for many years have long miracle lists even though that is not what they call them. Mike is originally from Iowa and found himself in Louisville due to employment opportunities, we are blessed that happened. Among a bunch...
Jan 26, 2020•1 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 150
Jon approached me in a meeting one night, I did not know him yet, but I was going to get to know him very well. He asked me"Where did you get that word JUICE?" Turns out we had some commonality in both having attended Spiritual Underground meetings. A friendship blossomed and has been continuing for some five years or so. Jon has another distinction in my development, he was the first person to suggest that he and I do his fifth step at the cabin, I recall first mentally rejecting the idea, then...
Jan 19, 2020•2 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 149
Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery (TSSR), Introduction - Authored by James Christopher Cone Read by Dan Reeves, many have asked the author if an audio book is in the plan, well, he has granted me permission to read some chapters and go from there. I am not a professional, I stumble at times, similar to the regular podcast, this is not highly produced and edited. I have taken some measures to improve the quality of the audio, and I have done a few "retakes" when I really messed it up. I trust that y...
Jan 18, 2020•15 min•Season 2Ep. 502
I've known Timara for eight years or so, but never got to know her well, I've heard her share and her confident straight forward way of carrying herself has always impressed me. In an effort to gain some balance on the podcast, I have been actively searching for gals to invite to share their stories. I've bumped into her in some yoga classes which also caught my attention as yoga has been a huge part of my recovery over the past three years. She works in the field of recovery and is continuing h...
Jan 12, 2020•1 hr 48 min•Season 2Ep. 148
Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery (TSSR), Chapter 1 - Authored by James Christopher Cone Read by Dan Reeves, many have asked the author if an audio book is in the plan, well, he has granted me permission to read some chapters and go from there. I am not a professional, I stumble at times, similar to the regular podcast, this is not highly produced and edited. I have taken some measures to improve the quality of the audio, and I have done a few "retakes" when I really messed it up. I trust that you ...
Jan 11, 2020•39 min•Season 2Ep. 501
Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery (TSSR), Introduction - Authored by James Christopher Cone Read by Dan Reeves, many have asked the author if an audio book is in the plan, well, he has granted me permission to read some chapters and go from there. I am not a professional, I stumble at times, similar to the regular podcast, this is not highly produced and edited. I have taken some measures to improve the quality of the audio, and I have done a few "retakes" when I really messed it up. I trust that y...
Jan 11, 2020•45 min•Season 2Ep. 500
Season TWO!! Dave and I crossed paths at a nicotine quitting web forum, one that I ended up getting banned from... Dave was in the March 2018 group and I was a couple months ahead in what came to be called the January FURY, and a fury we were, I know at least three others what were part of our group that are now banned, bad boys I presume :-) I did not really know Dave that well, March was a quiet bunch, but I became friends with the "leader" of March (I say leader, because somebody, or some few...
Jan 05, 2020•2 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 147
The Fog is a nicotine quitting phenomenon where a seemingly inability to focus on anything results from the withdraw symptoms, one crazy thing is that the Fog can return weeks and months after the initial clearing... It’s important to know this is normal, and to expect it! ARE YOU READY TO QUIT?
Dec 30, 2019•2 min
Seems the Universe is introducing me to new friends! James is the third in a row who I met for the first time as they approached me in my driveway! The majority of guests to date have been friends of mine already, I do really like this branching out of the podcast, it's good from my prospective for two reasons: The first is getting to meet new people, the second is that it allows the podcast to grow into new directions, new audiences as these new friends share with the folks they know. James is ...
Dec 29, 2019•2 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 146
So yeah, “I’ve quit, now what?” Something need to fill the void left by quitting nicotine, nature abhors a vacuum- but fill it with what? Listen in for some thoughts on that. ARE YOU READY TO QUIT?
Dec 27, 2019•2 min
For the second time in a row, I meet my guest for the first time as he pulled up in my driveway! That's exciting! Brian L. has been talking about his first sponsor Brad H. for some time now, and I finally was able to meet him as Brian had convinced Brad to come to the podcast to tell his story. Frankly this recovery wisdom needs to be preserved before it is too late. Brad and I immediately hit it off, I could have the tape running from the second he came through the door, his popping personality...
Dec 22, 2019•2 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 145
The notion of Quitting nicotine has been getting a lot of attention in my circles lately, I have a number of friends in early recovery from this substance. and yes, I said recovery, that is a word rarely used in connection with nicotine. But let me tell you, I can honestly say that quitting nicotine was the toughest substance I have tackled, I wish I could explain it in a way that could be thoroughly understood, "You just have to do it" to understand. The Colonel and I spend some time discussing...
Dec 15, 2019•1 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 144
PQA #6: We Are Never Cured Nor Immune Well my friends, over the last 2 weeks I have experienced a few events that are worthy of any discussion on recovery or nicotine Quit. Demonstrations that even after 670 plus days of quit, the addiction remains a clear and present danger to each of us. We are never cured nor immune. ——- LISTEN UP FOR MORE! ARE YOU READY TO QUIT?
Dec 14, 2019•2 min
I first met Jessie as she pulled up in my driveway arriving for the podcast recording, I am both anxious and excited for my new guest. I'm anxious because I always anxious right before showtime, and because a "new to me" guest causes all kinds of goofy thoughts to enter my mind; "What if she doesn't like me?", "What if she's boring?", What if she changes her mind at the last minute?" - just stinking thinking. And none of these things happened, or have ever happened. Her big beautiful smile caugh...
Dec 08, 2019•1 hr 51 min•Season 1Ep. 143
This is the second year that we've gotten together for a "Sober Dude Deer Camp", and as with the retreats, it seems each one is better than the last. Shane, Tony, Nick, Brian D, and Brian L were at the Fargo Hunt Club for the weekend, it's difficult to describe in words what these men mean to me and how much joy comes from being able to participate in my recovery in this manner. It was cold, it was rainy, but that will not stop hard core hunters from jaunting out into the woods to soak up the se...
Dec 01, 2019•1 hr 59 min•Season 1Ep. 16
“Thoroughly, Completely, and Absolutely” I clearly remember the first night I met Tom, he was dressed for success, a big man who stood with a lot of confidence, while at the same time seemed to be hiding something, as so many of us do.... We met in the parking lot after the meeting, that instance is shared in this podcast. I can assure you that I can take no credit for the words I said that night, sometimes Higher Power delivers the exact phrases somebody needs to hear, and that’s exactly what ...
Nov 24, 2019•2 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 142
I spent most of 2015 on home incarceration, on November 4th, I was released three months early and my vehicle was packed for a couple week trip to our family property for the prime time of deer season. Every year since then, I have spent at least a week at the cabin mostly by myself. It's a time to recharge my batteries, watch sunrises and sunsets, watch the animals go about their business. Time moves at a different pace here, I need some of that in my life now and again.
Nov 17, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Anthony and Charlie share sobriety dates and they lived together in the same recovery house, battle buddies so to speak. I met Anthony about the same time as Charlie and watched him grow through his first year, what an awesome thing to witness. Charlie, Anthony, and Tom (guest to be) all received one year tokens this past Tuesday night - and I had the honor of chairing that meeting and presenting Charlie's One Year Token and Mike J's Seven Year Token. The collateral benefit of this podcast gig i...
Nov 10, 2019•2 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 141
I've seen Billy around town and know a little about him prior to today. A dear friend, Brian L (Episode 139), Billy, and myself met for breakfast prior to recording both of their stories back to back - What a Juicy Day! Billy has been in recovery a long time, nearly 40 years, he has been a circuit speaker carrying the message all over the country. I loved our time together, he offered me a pile of great stuff to “add to” my own program through some speakers and books that I was previously not fa...
Nov 03, 2019•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 140
In the Quitting circles its been given a name, and a very fitting one too… its called “The Rage”. No, its not quite as bad as the infection in the “28 Days Later” movie franchise, but for some of us, it can be quite overpowering and all-consuming. Here is what is happening to you… Are YOU Ready to QUIT?
Oct 31, 2019•2 min
Brian is relatively new to our tribe, but not new to recovery, he is an instant powerhouse addition. Listen to this man speak and you will instantly know what I mean, he comes from a different sponsorship lineage and that "adds to" our group’s effectiveness. Today, his sponsor Billy H. joined him as they both told their stories back to back. I love the sponsor / sponsee combination in the studio, the is the second time I've done this, the two feed into one another as they share and that energy i...
Oct 27, 2019•1 hr 51 min•Season 1Ep. 139
Tony came to the DTM Studio to celebrate his 100 days of freedom from nicotine and to share some other areas of his life where he has been experiencing growth, “The Colonel” joined in to add to the discussion, I’ll have to say he knows more about quitting nicotine than anyone else I know. We talk about improving the quality of our lives by seeking out the things that allow us to grow closer to our higher power, and one way is to let go of the things that no longer serve us - quitting nicotine wa...
Oct 20, 2019•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 138
