In Episode 59, Denise and Jackie celebrate a massive milestone: Denise’s 40th anniversary of sobriety. From office surprises with Martinelli’s to heartfelt messages from her community, Denise reflects on the vast difference between her life today and the "bedraggled" 19-year-old she was during the 1984 LA Olympics. As the city prepares for the 2028 games, she shares the joy of being a functioning, "eagle-eyed" professional who can finally enjoy the world with clarity and presence.

The duo also dives into the nuances of success and education. With both of Denise’s daughters now in grad school, they discuss the "full circle" beauty of academic achievement in a family where earlier generations didn't have the same access. Denise opens up about her past shame regarding her own unconventional education and how she has come to embrace her unique way of learning and leading. Plus, they touch on the intersection of Passover and Easter, the importance of being a "vault" for others, and why mental health remains a vital practice.

Key Times:

• 00:01:33 Denise’s 40-year sobriety milestone and office celebrations
• 00:06:50 The Full Circle Olympics: Comparing 1984 vs. 2028
• 00:10:40 Navigating sugar cravings and coping mechanisms in recovery
• 00:20:16 Grad school, breaking generational cycles, and Ocean Vuong
• 00:23:56 Earned success: Being "Eagle Eyes Freed" in the workplace
• 00:32:30 Embracing different learning styles and letting go of academic shame
• 00:36:30 Being "The Vault": Trustworthiness and listening to Fifth Steps
• 00:45:37 Family, holidays, and the joy of gluten-free masa
• 00:51:53 The closing gratitude practice and deep breathing

Topics Covered:

• Celebrating 40 years of sobriety and reflections on long-term recovery
• The excitement of the 2028 LA Olympics pre-sale
• Substitutions in recovery: Managing sugar, coffee, and nicotine
• The generational impact of education and academic achievement
• Professional growth and pattern recognition ("Eagle Eyes")
• Overcoming shame related to traditional education paths
• The responsibility and honor of being a "safe person" for others' secrets
• Merging family traditions: Passover, Easter, and cultural heritage
• Self-care as a form of gratitude and the importance of hydration

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Saturday at 10am PST; please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

Follow Us:

• Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
• Follow Denise: @denise.freed
• Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
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In Episode 58, Denise and Jackie welcome listeners to the podcast’s new era as 12 Steps for Everyone. Moving away from the name "Emergency Protocol," the mother-daughter duo explains how these steps serve as guardrails for both recovery and mental health, whether you're taking it one day at a time or just trying to conquer "Laundry Mountain".

Recorded on the first day of spring, the conversation focuses on Step 5: sharing our inventory with vulnerability, integrity, and a safe, trustworthy person. They explore how an outside perspective helps us identify our own part in a "mess", where we might be overstepping or where we are shirking responsibility. Jackie shares a timely experience of facing uncomfortable accountability in therapy, while Denise reflects on her upcoming milestone of 40 years of sobriety.

The episode also highlights the importance of being a "vault" for others and the power of emptying the "shame box" to realize we are never truly alone in our experiences. From the spiritual concept of the "Universal Mother" to spreading whimsy with "silly critters," they remind us that maintaining mental health is a powerful form of resistance. They close with their signature gratitude practice and a reminder to drink some water.

Key Times:

• 00:00:03 Welcome to "12 Steps for Everyone": The podcast rebrand
• 00:01:43 Step 5: Vulnerability, integrity, and finding a safe person
• 00:03:11 Identifying "our part": Finding clarity through external perspectives
• 00:05:17 Jackie’s therapy update: The discomfort of accountability with Mina
• 00:07:03 Learning to be "the vault": The responsibility of being a trustworthy listener
• 00:08:22 Emptying the "shame box": Breaking isolation through shared secrets
• 00:11:15 Denise’s milestone: 40 years of sobriety and evolving support networks
• 00:12:15 Mutual sponsorship: Navigating long-term recovery connections
• 00:23:09 The "Universal Mother": Trusting that things work out for you
• 00:27:33 Spreading joy with "silly critters" and mini ducks
• 00:31:00 Mental health as a form of resistance
• 00:34:46 The closing gratitude practice and deep breathing

Topics Covered:

• The rebrand from Emergency Protocol to 12 Steps for Everyone
• Step 5: Sharing your inventory with vulnerability and integrity
• Accountability in therapy and sponsorship
• The importance of being a "vault" and a trustworthy confidant
• Breaking the isolation of shame by sharing the "darkness"
• Navigating long-term sobriety and "mutual sponsorship"
• The concept of the "Universal Mother" during travel shenanigans
• Spreading whimsy and joy through "silly critters"
• Mental health as resistance and the importance of practical self-care
• Closing gratitude and breathing practice

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Saturday at 10am PST; please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

Follow Us:

• Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
• Follow Denise: @denise.freed
• Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
• Follow us on Tik Tok: @12stepsforeveryone

In Episode 57, Denise and Jackie share the big news: Emergency Protocol is officially shifting to "12 Steps for Everyone" to better represent their cohesive mission and why they do what they do.

The mother-daughter duo uses this transition as a jumping-off point to dive into Step One of their reimagined 12 steps: admitting that we are not okay, we have not been okay, and we aren't getting better on our own.

The conversation explores the reality of navigating major life transitions, from family health scares and grief to "Mercury Gatorade" (retrograde) communication mishaps, and how identifying our personal "tells" can help us manage heavy seasons without completely unraveling.

They also touch on the "rigamarole" of finding mental health providers and how staying connected to a higher power often starts with simple rituals and noticing "angel numbers" like 11:11 in our daily lives.

Ultimately, they remind us to practice an "economy of effort" and recognize when the most spiritual thing we can do is simply rest or find quiet in a puzzle, closing with their signature gratitude practice and a simple but powerful message: You’re a miracle.

Key Times:

00:00:50 Shifting focus: From Emergency Protocol to 12 Steps for Everyone

00:01:16 Navigating "Mercury Gatorade" (Retrograde) and communication mishaps

00:03:49 Step One: Admitting "we're not okay" and we can't do it alone

00:05:32 Jackie's experience with grief, brain fog, and identifying a "tell"

00:07:02 Leaning into support: Therapy, insurance miracles, and university care

00:08:51 Connecting to a higher power through 11:11 and "angel numbers"

00:09:43 Denise's juggle: Family health, workaholism, and being present

00:14:21 The economy of effort and the power of focusing on the present

00:15:15 Looking back: Admitting powerlessness vs. the illusion of control

00:18:26 Regulating the nervous system through puzzles and the concept of rest

00:29:29 The closing gratitude practice and deep breathing

00:30:00 "You're a miracle. Drink some water."

Topics Covered:

- The official transition from Emergency Protocol to 12 Steps for Everyone

- Surviving "Mercury Gatorade" and communication glitches

- Step One: Acknowledging powerlessness and the need for support

- Processing grief and family health crises in real-time

- Navigating the "rigamarole" of finding mental health providers

- Staying connected to a higher power through angel numbers and rituals

- Balancing workaholism with the "economy of effort"

- Using puzzles and the radical concept of rest to regulate the nervous system

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Saturday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

Follow Us:

1. Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone

In Episode 56, Denise and Jackie bring the "vava voom" to celebrate love and Valentine’s Day (even if you're listening in March!). The mother-daughter duo uses the holiday as a jumping-off point to dive into the complex topics of love, romantic relationships, and most importantly, self-love.

The conversation explores the difference between performative self-care and genuine self-love, and how setting boundaries is a crucial part of recovery and mental health. They also touch on Step 11, discussing how different forms of meditation—from silent walks to guided apps—can help regulate the nervous system and help us notice "glimmers" (the opposite of triggers) in our daily lives.

Ultimately, they remind us to release the pressure of arbitrary timelines and societal expectations, closing with their signature gratitude practice and a simple but powerful message: Love is everything.

Key Times:

00:00:42 "Vava voom" and Valentine's Day accessories

00:05:15 Exploring the concepts of self-love vs. self-care

00:11:30 Step 11: Finding your own version of meditation

00:18:20 Glimmers: Training your nervous system to notice the good

00:26:45 Navigating relationship expectations and boundaries

00:32:10 Releasing arbitrary timelines and societal pressures

00:38:24 "Love is everything" - A belated Valentine's Day message

00:38:37 The closing gratitude practice and deep breathing

00:39:11 "You're a miracle. Drink some water."

Topics Covered:

1. Valentine's Day, accessories, and the "vava voom" energy
2. Self-love vs. performative self-care
3. Step 11: Finding accessible ways to practice meditation
4. Regulating the nervous system by looking for "glimmers"
5. Setting healthy boundaries in romantic and platonic relationships
6. Letting go of timelines and societal pressures
7. Closing gratitude and breathing practice

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Saturday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

Follow Us:

1. Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone

In Episode 55, the duo braves a winter storm (well, Jackie does) to discuss Step 10: "We maintain a daily practice of reflection, amends, and forgiveness." This prompt leads Denise to share a powerful and gritty story from nearly 40 years ago—her "last run" involving an ex-boyfriend's stash, a van behind a market on Lincoln Boulevard, and the paranoia that eventually led to her surrender. She contrasts that "pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization" with the full, hopeful life she leads today, highlighting the rigorous discipline required in her early days of recovery.

Jackie flips the script to discuss why she, someone without a substance addiction, engages with this work. She describes the 12 Steps as necessary "scaffolding" for her mental health, replacing lost structures like religion or pre-pandemic friend groups. They dive deep into attachment theory, the concept of "Third Spaces" (and how to create them, like Jackie's "Home Cafe" or "Crafternoons"), and how consistency builds safety in the nervous system.

The episode rounds out with some highly practical "adulting" hacks: Jackie breaks down her visual fridge organization system (produce on the top shelf, condiments in the drawers!) to reduce waste, while Denise reveals her non-negotiable morning routine involving a made bed and her beloved "Lola" blanket.

Key Times:

00:00:50 Snowy St. Louis survival guide: The vegan section is always stocked

00:03:04 Step 10: Maintaining a daily practice of reflection

00:04:40 Denise shares her "last run" story (Cocaine, stolen keys, and a van on Lincoln Blvd) 00:08:44 The discipline of early recovery: Commitments, schedules, and faking it

00:11:04 "Pitiful and Incomprehensible Demoralization" vs. The Ick

00:18:28 Jackie on why she does the steps without addiction: "Scaffolding" for mental health 00:23:37 Relearning safety in the body and the book Safe

00:27:52 The magic of "Third Spaces": Meetings, Home Cafes, and Bakery Walks

00:33:58 Jackie’s neurodivergent-friendly fridge organization hacks

00:37:51 Denise's strict morning routine: Make the bed before coffee

Topics Covered:

1. Step 10 of the "12 Steps for Everyone"
2. Denise’s personal rock bottom story (The "Last Run")
3. The discipline and structure of early sobriety (Commitments, 90 in 90)
4. Mental health "scaffolding" and replacing lost societal structures
5. Attachment theory and relearning safety (Book mention: Safe)
6. The importance of "Third Spaces" for community connection
7. Neurodivergent-friendly organization: Fridge hacks and washing produce immediately
8. Morning routines and the psychological benefit of a made bed

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Saturday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

Follow Us:

1. Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone

In Episode 54, Denise and Jackie open with a nod to the state of the world -"The horrors persist, and so do we" - before pivoting to the core of their podcast: The 12 Steps for Everyone. They take a moment to read through their reimagined steps, discussing how they stripped away the patriarchal and religious language of the original program to create something accessible for anxiety, depression, and the general human condition.

The conversation flows into a nuanced debate about "California Sober," with Denise sharing why it’s a slippery slope for her personally, while acknowledging it works for others. They explore the concept of "Something Bigger" (which can be as simple as the ocean) and the importance of finding the right "vibe" in recovery meetings.

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, they double down on intentionality. Denise explains the "Big Rocks" theory of time management - scheduling the most important things (vacations, rest, passions) first, so the "sand and water" of daily life don't crowd them out. Meanwhile, Jackie brings a tech-savvy approach to self-care, sharing how she uses iPhone NFC tags to automate her skincare routine and reduce mental load.

Key Times:

00:00:50 "The horrors persist, and so do we" – Checking in on the weather

00:01:25 Appreciating the sunset at Palisades Park

00:05:38 Reading the "12 Steps for Everyone" (The full list)

00:08:28 A candid discussion on "California Sober"

00:11:28 Defining "Something Bigger" vs. "Higher Power" (The Pacific Ocean)

00:14:03 Jackie on making amends to herself (Living Amends)

00:16:03 Denise leads a meeting one year after the fires

00:18:28 The energy of in-person meetings: Oldest Cake vs. Youngest Cake

00:30:52 The "Big Rocks" theory of prioritization and calendaring

00:36:52 Jackie’s tech hack: Using NFC tags to automate skincare tracking

00:39:29 Book mentions: Culpability and Careless People

Topics Covered:

1. The "12 Steps for Everyone" (Full reading and review)
2. "California Sober": Personal definitions and boundaries
3. Defining a Higher Power as "Something Bigger" (Nature/Ocean)
4. Living Amends: Forgiving yourself and treating yourself better
5. The "Big Rocks" theory: Prioritizing joy and rest in your calendar
6. The difference between "resolutions" and "decisions"
7. In-person meetings vs. Zoom (Connection and Energy)
8. Automating habits: NFC tags, shortcuts, and reducing decision fatigue
9. Book recommendations: Culpability and Careless People

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Saturday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

Follow Us:

1. Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone

Welcome back! In Episode 53, Denise and Jackie return after the holiday whirlwind (Christmas, New Year's, and Thanksgiving) to process the "lot" that was the previous year. They kick things off with a high-energy memory of a Florence and the Machine concert before diving into how they are navigating the current emotional landscape—finding hope in the message of "Wicked," using "Changed for Good" as a form of protest, and staying focused on truth amidst global distractions.

The conversation centers on grounding practices for the new year. Denise shares how the Serenity Prayer helps her center herself between acceptance and courage, while also exploring new "woo-woo" territories like the I-Ching and mediumship. Jackie re-frames the concept of New Year's resolutions into "decisions" for how to live, emphasizing that there is no arbitrary timeline for personal growth.

From "The Gem" and "The Queen" archetype card pulls to stories of ancestral bravery, the duo finds strength in looking backward to move forward. They discuss the palpable sense of hope many are feeling for 2026, the importance of "clean energy" when setting goals, and Jackie's personal commitment to adding more "whimsy" to her life (and not burning her tongue on hot food).

Key Times:

00:01:43 Remembering the Florence and the Machine concert (sprinting up the rows)

00:03:16 Post-holiday reflection: "This year was a lot"

00:04:41 "Wicked" and being "Changed for Good" as a form of protest

00:05:57 Staying focused on the real issues (Epstein) despite distractions

00:07:26 The Serenity Prayer and the importance of meetings

00:12:38 Planning tools: Wall calendars and Shinola notebooks

00:13:25 Re-framing resolutions as "Decisions to live my life by"

00:15:30 Diving into the I-Ching and throwing coins

00:17:22 Annual Card Pulls: The Gem and The Queen

00:21:37 Ancestral bravery: Traveling alone with nothing but wits

00:30:34 "There is no timeline": Bringing clean energy into your goals

00:32:41 Jackie's resolution: Adding "Whimsy" and not burning her tongue

00:33:30 The underlying current of hope for 2026

00:35:33 Reminder: Mercury "Gatorade" (Retrograde)

Topics Covered:

1. Post-holiday processing and the "Yin and Yang" of joy and grief
2. "Wicked" as a source of hope and protest
3. The Serenity Prayer: Acceptance vs. Courage
4. The energy of in-person meetings vs. Zoom
5. Planning for the future: Wall calendars, notebooks, and "Decisions"
6. Spiritual practices: I-Ching, Archetype Card pulls, and Mediums
7. Ancestral strength and gratitude for those who came before
8. Releasing the pressure of January 1st timelines
9. The "Mercury Gatorade" (Retrograde) warning

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Sunday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

Follow Us:

1. Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Denise and Jackie enter "Heavy Protocol" mode as they process a week filled with intense political news and emotional weight following the recent elections. Despite the heaviness, they lean into hope, connection, and the pursuit of joy.

Denise shares insights from her recent event with Brené Brown, specifically the concept of "locking in", a metaphor drawn from the lock system on the River Thames. This sparks a revelation about the necessity of transition time between work and home, leading to a new understanding of boundaries and self-care. They also discuss Step Two of their 12-step journey: believing that we are worthy of getting better and that things will get better, even when the external world feels chaotic.

The conversation touches on everything from the wisdom of a six-year-old cooking prodigy to the stark reality of current events, including the fears surrounding immigration and political instability. Yet, true to form, they find lightness in the dark: planning a sustainable Christmas (complete with an early tree setup), celebrating Friendsgiving with "Wonder Bread" traditions, and continuing their search for signs from the universe.

Key Times:

00:01:25 Checking in on the campus mood post-election

00:02:51 Denise's intimate event with Brené Brown

00:05:34 Seeking signs from the other side (The "Mongoose" update)

00:07:22 Reflecting on a heavy week of political news

00:19:04 Step Two: "We believe we are worthy of getting better"

00:24:43 Wisdom from a 6-year-old ("Chef Max Can Cook")

00:27:42 Brené Brown's "Locking In" metaphor: The River Thames

00:29:40 The importance of transition time when coming home

00:33:00 Denise's "Lifelong Learner" tour: Oprah, Snyder, Brown, and Mediums

00:36:25 "If we lose, I'm going to jail": Steve Bannon and the stakes

00:38:22 Making joy: Early Christmas decorating and sustainable holidays

00:39:54 Friendsgiving and the "Friends & Family" restaurant night

Topics Covered:

1. Processing post-election emotions and campus atmosphere
2. Brené Brown’s concept of "Locking In" and transition times
3. Step Two: Worthiness and the belief that things will get better
4. The importance of transitions for mental health (military and daily life)
5. Political anxiety and the importance of local action (transition funds, food banks)
6. "Making Joy" as an active practice: Holiday prep and gathering friends
7. Sustainable consumerism during the holidays
8. Lifelong learning: From history (Timothy Snyder) to mediumship
9. The "Mongoose" sign and communicating with the other side

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Sunday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

1. Follow Jackie: @jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone

In this episode, mother-daughter duo Denise and Jackie Freed embrace the changing seasons and the necessity of "making your own fun" amidst a heavy political and social climate. As the weather turns cold in both St. Louis and Los Angeles, the pair discusses how they are actively seeking joy, Jackie by driving eight hours round-trip to Chicago for the final Angel City FC game, and Denise by maneuvering her way onto a guest list to see Brené Brown.

Jackie delivers three critical Public Service Announcements regarding the upcoming election, the end of Daylight Savings, and the impending Mercury Retrograde. The conversation then turns to the power of showing up, as they share stories of Halloween vulnerability, Denise facing "party anxiety" while hosting a "Wigging Out" office event, and Jackie leaning into the cringe of being the only student in costume at her department party.

The episode tackles difficult topics with characteristic candor, including the conflict of supporting sports teams when ownership or players don't align with their values. Denise sounds off on the Dodgers owner's investment in private prisons, while Jackie navigates the pain of a transphobic op-ed written by an Angel City player. Ultimately, they circle back to the importance of community, fundraising for food banks, and celebrating diversity through Friendsgiving, before closing with their grounding 5-4-3-2-1 gratitude practice.

Key Times:

00:01:41 Jackie’s 8-hour drive for joy (The Angel City game)

00:04:45 Denise gets on the guest list for Brené Brown

00:08:00 Denise’s "Woo Woo" side: Mediums and signs

00:11:33 Jackie’s 3 PSAs: Election, Daylight Savings, Mercury Retrograde

00:18:18 Homesickness, the World Series, and "Crazy, Stupid, Love"

00:21:12 Denise’s "Real Estate is Spooky" Halloween party

00:26:48 Jackie’s experience being the only one in costume at grad school

00:30:57 The importance of "Third Spaces" and staying at the retreat

00:35:20 Denise on the Dodgers owner: "Why are you eating your own fanbase?"

00:39:54 Fundraising for the Westside Food Bank

00:43:14 Navigating the Angel City FC controversy and free speech

00:53:01 Friendsgiving and celebrating diversity

Topics Covered:

1. Active seeking of joy ("Making your own fun")
2. Public Service Announcements: Voting, Daylight Savings, Mercury Retrograde
3. Navigating social anxiety and showing up for events
4. The value of "Third Spaces" for connection
5. Sports ethics: The Dodgers ownership and Angel City FC controversies
6. The intersection of politics, values, and fandom
7. Fundraising for the Westside Food Bank
8. Celebrating diversity in the workplace (Friendsgiving)
9. Fall rituals: Sweater weather, cider, and "Happy Lamps"
10. Closing 5-4-3-2-1 gratitude exercise

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Sunday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

1. Follow Jackie: @jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone

In this milestone 50th episode, hosts Denise and Jackie Freed reflect on persistence, the seasonal "grind" of October, and the importance of showing up—both for yourself and for your community.

Denise shares a busy week of travel and inspiration, recounting her trip to Hawaii to celebrate a work anniversary and a powerful evening hearing historian Timothy Snyder speak on "Freedom." She shares Snyder's hopeful yet pragmatic message: there is no single fix for the world's problems, but everyone can "do something," whether it's protesting, donating, or simply paying for credible journalism (like Heather Cox Richardson). She also touches on the "sports grief" of watching beloved Angel City FC players retire, noting how caring about a team is a lesson in loving without control.

Jackie opens up about managing her "melancholy" fall mood with a "Happy Lamp" and a focus on self-care policies. She shares a profound experience volunteering at a food rescue market, where abstract concepts from her grad school classes—like cultural humility and checking internalized bias—became very real challenges in a grocery line.

The mother-daughter duo discusses the vital need for connection to combat loneliness, the power of somatic therapy to release stored trauma, and the ultimate reminder that love is "what we're doing it all for." They conclude by encouraging listeners to revisit their core values and join their growing community.

Key Times:

00:00:49 Celebrating the Episode 50 milestone

00:02:12 The "stressed and depressed" reality of the October grind

00:03:24 Denise’s Hawaii trip: Tree tunnels and environmental observations

00:06:22 Inspiration from Anastasia Soare and Nadia Comaneci at the Oprah event

00:07:41 Takeaways from Timothy Snyder’s talk on "Freedom"

00:11:52 Processing sports grief: Angel City FC retirements

00:17:03 Discussing indigenous rights and Kamehameha Schools

00:19:53 The importance of showing up for community (Sunday Meetings)

00:23:24 Jackie’s "Happy Lamp" and getting "ducks in a row"

00:27:57 Jackie’s volunteering experience: A lesson in cultural humility

00:35:38 Somatic therapy and releasing trauma from the body

00:36:57 "This is what we're doing it all for": It comes back to love

00:43:03 Living life to the best of your ability amidst chaos

00:46:08 Revisiting values: The "Value Sort" exercise

00:50:20 Closing 5-4-3-2-1 gratitude practice

Topics Covered:

1. Celebrating the Episode 50 milestone
2. Combating seasonal depression with "Happy Lamps" and self-care
3. Timothy Snyder’s advice: "Do something" and support real journalism
4. The ethics of sports fandom and processing team changes
5. Indigenous rights and the Kamehameha Schools legal battle
6. Volunteering as a practical application of social justice and cultural humility
7. The importance of physical community vs. online isolation
8. Somatic therapy (releasing trauma from the hips)
9. Revisiting personal values (The Value Sort exercise)
10. The "Universal Mother" taking care of us
11. Closing 5-4-3-2-1 gratitude practice

Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Sunday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)

1. Follow Jackie: @jackiefreed.la
2. Follow Denise: @denise.freed
3. Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
4. Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone