Kim and I came together through a podcast guest / host connection service. Her parents suffered from alcoholism, and she lost her father to the disease when she was a young girl, and while she was home. Later she pursued a career in law enforcement and like many first responders, he soul was exposed to an overload of traumatic circumstances, she rose through the ranks as he spirit began to overflow from the horrible cases in her lap. Alcohol seemed to numb that, as we know, until it quit working...
Aug 01, 2021•3 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 215
Katherine celebrated 1 year in May, and it's not the first time for her, she has had several "periods of sobriety". It's not uncommon to require several attempts at this recovery thing, very few get it on their first attempt. The lies we tell ourselves, frankly are insane, hence step 2's "return us to sanity". even so, the parasitic nature of this disease hijacks the operating system, and makes it so we can't "differentiate the true from the false" Step 1 is on the table in these cases also, "ho...
Jul 18, 2021•2 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 214
Two weeks from the day of this recording, Robert will celebrate ONE YEAR!!! There are few pleasures sweeter than witnessing a sponsee walk another man through the work, to watch the lights come on in that man's eyes, to watch his life transform - "huge emotion rearrangements". Robert joined us at the men's retreat this year and that weekend really helps build connection, he was a huge asset to the event. There is one more thing that struck me about Robert very early on, you'll have to listen the...
Jul 11, 2021•1 hr 53 min•Season 3Ep. 213
Crystal Waltman is an athlete, a speaker, a coach, and author of "Quitting to Win: A Proven Plan to Let Go of Bad Habits, Learn to Feel and Love Yourself" The Sold Out Youth Foundation is an abstinence program, if you know any school that might want to have this year long program, also you and your kids can take the pledge right away. -Website crystalwaltman.com https://www.crystalwaltman.com/ -For a free book, just pay for shipping. https://quittingtowinfreebook.com/free -Take the Unhackable As...
Jul 04, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 212
A Recap and revisit of the 2021 Men's Retreat held at my place in Orange County Indiana. As per usual, listening will tell you more than I can type here in these show notes. 18 men, 10 of which had been to this event in the past, 8 others who are in their first year of recovery and their first retreat of this type, coming together to grow in connection with one another, to grow in connection with our higher power, to grow spiritually. Men helping men become better men - you'll hear over and over...
Jun 27, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Season 3Ep. 211
I met Eric in my early days, late 2014 or early 2015, I frankly don't remember - it was at my "Indiana Home Group Meeting" called "Seekers". You make fast friends with people who's sobriety date is near your's, a bond of some nature is formed, it seems to me, because you are experiencing similar circumstances, 'you are at the same place'. Keep these folks in your life if possible, it will be beneficial. Eric and I reconnected at Clubhouse, what seems to be a million miles away, a couple southern...
Jun 22, 2021•2 hr 52 min•Season 3Ep. 210
Just what the title suggests, the three of us were invited to take the lead table at a panel meeting, these guys have consented and I cut all other voices to the best of my ability, that caused some loss of content being that the chairperson shared a lot of really good experience, strength and hope. Enjoy!!! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!
May 16, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 209
Holly is doing big things, moving in the direction of her gifts, helping others recover their true selves. Listen in, see if maybe something she has to offer fits for where you are trying to go. Solodatechallenge.com Solo Date Challenge Podcast Thank You for Allowing Us to Participate in our Recoveries in this Manner Today!
May 09, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 208
The ladies of TSSR were so fired up about the fall retreat that they could not wait until fall for the next one so they met this spring. Wanna hear how events like this can make you grow, like exponentially growth? Sit down and listen to them tell you about it. So dang cool that I don't wanna say much more about, tune in and Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!!
May 02, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Season 3Ep. 207
Shane and I hit the Fargo Hunt Club for five days of communion and turkey chasing, I'm torn on which of those are more fun. It's great to have brother's in recovery to run with, this recovery thing goes so far beyond "not drinking or drugging", it goes so far beyond the hour long meetings... This spiritual life is not a theory, it is real life, a real life worth living, a meaningful purpose driven life that is wonderful beyond my dreams. The best thing? It is available to all, come get some, joi...
Apr 25, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Season 3Ep. 206
Sean is a single dad, Union blue collar guy, former drug addict, he spent time in Federal and State prison for drug trafficking and fraud. Sean was released in 2006 with nothing but the clothes on his back, bag of mail, and legal paperwork. In 2010, he finally kicked a long time methamphetamine habit, and started the long climb back up the ladder of life. He is happy to say that he has managed to navigate himself into a position where he feels confident sharing his struggles and successes, in th...
Apr 18, 2021•2 hr 58 min•Season 3Ep. 205
Christopher, Holly, April, Shannon, and Ross joined me on zoom to celebrate and talk about the two year anniversary of the Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery Movement. Lives are being transformed, not only those who chose to do this work, but everyone who is inside the influence zone of that soul. For more info: TSSR Website TSSR Facebook TSSR Instagram Twelve Step Spiritual Recovery by James Christopher Cone is available on Amazon as follows: TSSR Complete Book Available on Amazon TSSR Volume 1 on ...
Apr 11, 2021•1 hr 56 min•Season 3Ep. 204
Maureen is the CEO and Founder of Emerge Leadership Academy and writes all the content for the company. She is a Leadership Trainer, inspirational speaker, coach and author helping leaders emerge, evolve and lead in their life to create a bigger impact in all they serve. Her book, "Emerge: 7 Steps to Transformation (No matter what life throws at you!)" provides a powerful and effective system for change. Maureen shares her vulnerable story of triumph from addiction, pain, and struggle, to the hi...
Apr 04, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 3Ep. 203
Jung (Jungle without the “le”) was born in Korea and moved to the USA when he was one, growing up in Northern Virginia, he struggled to fit in. One of the common experiences of alcoholics and addicts is feeling “ not part of ”, Jung’s nationality compounded this already difficult situation. I met Jung in Clubhouse, I keep an ear to the wind for folks who have " The Juice ", and it did not take me long to identify him as one with " The Juice ", and he graciously accepted my invitation to join me ...
Mar 28, 2021•2 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 202
Yo is an inspirational speaker at the organization she created called "Yo Be Yourself Everyday", a life long Texan with a heart as big as that state. Yo answered my call out in the Clubhouse app, I love getting to know new people, especially folks like Yo who are having a positive impact on the community, her positive attitude has a uplifting affect on me. Her focus has changed after many years as a public school teacher... If I'm not careful, I'll tell her story and you won't have to listen to ...
Mar 21, 2021•1 hr 55 min•Season 3Ep. 201
I love me some Jason! An awesome individual I met on Clubhouse, the moment I heard his voice I knew he was someone I wanted to be friends with, I wanted to know better. Then I started hearing pieces of his story, how he found sobriety at 21 years old, how he worked for a rock radio station, and how he toured the continent in a rock and roll band!! - THEN I KNEW I NEEDED TO GET TO KNOW HIM BETTER!! The collateral benefit is the you also get to know this amazing soul better! Enjoy! Thank you for a...
Mar 14, 2021•2 hr 28 min•Season 3Ep. 200
I met Karen in Clubhouse, I put out the call for Juicy stories and I had no idea just how Juicy Karen's story was going to be. Now in her 15th year of recovery, she has come a long ways from her addiction riddled yet still somehow successful previous life. You are going to love her, listen to the miracles that have come her way since surrendering to the 12 Step tools and principles. Enjoy! Thank You for Allowing Me to Participate in My Recovery in this Manner Today!
Mar 07, 2021•2 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 199
April has sure come a long way, and she not done yet! She is my first "pure TSSR" guest to appear on the podcast, meaning that she herself did not struggle with substance abuse. I am fortunate to have had the honor of walking April through the TSSR 12 Steps, many reject the idea of cross gender sponsorship, I feel that higher power puts these arrangements together, my job is to hand these tools to whoever wants them. April's childhood was tough, to say the least, the free will of a spiritually s...
Feb 28, 2021•2 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 198
I met Eric on a podcast guest service, I instantly pinged on his "High While Clean" philosophy, which is also the name of his podcast, you should check him out. It’s amazing how parallel most of our stories are, it didn’t take Eric very long before I was saying “me too”. We got in a groove together and I really enjoyed our conversation, I hope you enjoy it as well. He is also the author of “Pain, Failure and Misery Are the Stepping Stones to Success”, a story of triumph that only pain and misery...
Feb 21, 2021•2 hr 23 min•Season 3Ep. 197
Tiffany came to the podcast through one of my Facebook guest requests, her recovery story is from lifelong trauma and toxic relationships. She refuses to be a victim, she has turned her energy towards healing others, helping others enlarge their spiritual life - she has manifested her own business, she is an intuitive psychic, medium, guru, and shaman. This all is mostly new stuff for me, a bit outside of my comfort zone, however, the 12 Steps have allowed me to be open to ideas that I had once ...
Feb 14, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Season 3Ep. 196
I had the honor of being asked to share my story at The Women's Healing Place in Louisville February 8 2021. The day before was the fifth anniversary of my mother moving on to the next great adventure. It was February 7, 2016 Super Bowl Sunday, and yesterday was Feb. 7 Super Bowl Sunday again, I trust I did my mom proud. I'm guessing there were 150 women in attendance, a powerful group. From their Website: Every day, The Healing Place provides food, shelter, clothing, and recovery services to ne...
Feb 10, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 195
Matt is another friend from Jerry's meditation meeting, our sobriety dates are on top of one another so I have had the pleasure of witnessing his journey from a broken alcoholic/addict, to a super successful real estate agent. Matt is one more piece of solid proof that if you take/do/work these steps, and then practice these principles in your daily life - your possibilities are limitless. Matt had all he needed growing up, intelligence, opportunity, and talent; but that does not matter one iota...
Feb 07, 2021•1 hr 52 min•Season 3Ep. 194
Ash, as he's known, is from Salina Kansas, a veteran of two deployments in Iraq, and a new friend of mine. we met on a social networking app called Clubhouse. It was a cold call, I made it known there that the Spiritual Underground Podcast is always looking for guests who are willing to share their recovery journeys, Ash raised his hand almost immediately. Our contact has been limited to say the least, he's a busy man with a company he owns and young children, so this podcast gave me a chance to...
Jan 31, 2021•1 hr 51 min•Season 3Ep. 193
Mark, Shane and Travis came to the woodshed to start discussing the 2021 Colorado elk hunt, these three went on that adventure in 2020, and I'm joining them this year - We decided to take you along this journey - Plus it mixes the up the content, a little variety is always a good thing.. Many exclaim "How am I ever going to have fun again?" after ceasing the drinking and/or doping, we are here to prove that the fun begins with recovery, it does not end there - My life, and the lives of my friend...
Jan 17, 2021•1 hr 54 min•Season 3Ep. 191
This episode is a tribute to our Brother Jesse Simpson (January 20, 1979 - October 31, 2020) There's a lot I'd like to type out to let you know what kinda of guy Jesse was, and what happened. I will not, listen to the following and you will get way more than I could ever write here. I love you Jesse...
Jan 03, 2021•2 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 190
It was Christmas night and all through the podcast, Not a guest could be found, Who was willing to broadcast, So I said with a "Ho", and I said with a "Hee", It appears the whole dang show is now up to me. Enjoy!!
Dec 27, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 189
Esther's very being is heartwarming, such a easy going style, awesome smile and beauty from inside out. She's a Miracle as the result of these Steps. I met Esther a year and a half ago at a TSSR meeting in Louisville, a long way from her hometown of Nairobi Kenya. Arriving here to attend University, alcoholism was the furthest thing from her mind and certainly had no place in the game plan, didn't matter, this almost parasitic disease highjacked her operating system, and her "plans and designs" ...
Dec 20, 2020•2 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 188
Beau has it going on, celebrating two years of sobriety not long ago at the wonderful age of 20, it touches me in some special way when I witness folks harnessing the 12 Steps so early in life, the world is his oyster!! It's so difficult to accept one has a problem during those years (shoot, anytime!), we think "it'll never happen to me", or "I can stop when I'm ready" - the crux of step one is accepting that you have a problem and that what blocked me from hearing the message in my teen years w...
Dec 13, 2020•1 hr 39 min•Season 2Ep. 187
Shannon is one of the earliest TSSR miracles, after working the steps in another fellowship, she still felt like something was missing. She stumbled into her current sponsor and was taken to another level through TSSR methodology. I've watched her bloom over the past months to become a leader. The Twelve Steps will transform you into who you were meant to be, this is not a "some get it and some don't" program, it's a "some do it and some don't" process, the results are guaranteed, you just have ...
Dec 06, 2020•1 hr 36 min•Season 2Ep. 186
Shawn brings such an energetic message! I heard him give a lead at one of the local outdoor meetings and the old HP tapped me on the shoulder (more like punched me) and said "ask that guy to be on the show". His wonderful daughter joined us in the DTM Studio playing with some of my crystal collection, and of course, she left with a few :-). Shawn certainly has a storied past that has since become filled with recovery miracles, he indicative of a man who has pushed all of his chips to the middle ...
Nov 29, 2020•2 hr 41 min•Season 2Ep. 185
