Do you often feel unloved or disrespected? Do you feel unheard? Perhaps, you feel the addict or person in recovery in your life is still gaslighting you. Maybe your the one in recovery and your lived ones frequently stonewalls you whenever a station for deep discussion arises. In this episode we look at the importance of learning self respect and the keys to learning and sitting respect to others. Be ready to take notes when I list six aspects of respect in healthy relationships.

Many of you have messaged me asking for a group episode on this topic, so here it is! The topic that our guys in recovery from the US, Australia and South Africa discuss is: "By staying isolated, the person in recovery may think they're reinforcing their sobriety. But in reality, long-term recovery means learning to manage triggers, and not to completely avoid them." I love the new bumper sticker from Gary in this episode "Don't Isolate - Illuminate!"

This episode is for two key audiences. The first is for those of us who find it difficult to accept the things we've done because we feel that they were unacceptable for us to do. The second group is those who feel that they are victims or the wounded parties as a result of the behavior of someone they love. We'll look at what it takes to find a way to begin to accept the unacceptable things that have happened. This is called radical acceptance. And this acceptance paves the way to true freedom, lasting happiness and peace.

In response to comments and questions from listeners to episode #99 on negative emotions, here's a look at shame. What caused the feelings of shame? Is there something from my childhood that resulted in me being haunted by shame as an adult? What is toxic shame? How do I find freedom from shame? How can I begin to leave the past in the past so I can begin to hope in my future? These questions and more for you to process in today's episode.

Many of the listeners have expressed how they struggle in the battle to keep negative emotions from leading to relapse. In this group session our guys in recovery from the US, South Africa and Australia tackle this issue of negative emotions. The key questions for discussion are: What are the feelings that you do not like to have? and How do you deal with these emotions when they surface?

I'm today's episode Clint shares his he recently began to realize that he had an addiction, like being a workaholic. We use the lyrics of the Willie Nelson song "Heartaches of a Fool" to introduce this topic. Clint openly shares his journey in processing the pain of the loss of his family and his focus on putting family ahead of career. Could you be like Clint was, hiding what he didn't yet know he was hiding?

In today's group session episode our guys in recovery discuss the tug of war of emotions in addiction when we feel lonely, but want to isolate. They react to the words from the Bob Dylan song which say "Sign on the Window Says Lonely, Sign on the door said 'No Company Allowed.'" How do you get to the point of understanding this contradiction of emotions and establish healthy connections and relationships in recovery?

Why do people become homeless? Why do some people choose to sleep on the streets or the pavement when there are beds available in the shelter? Growing up did it feel like you were "at home" or just a guest at your father's house? How do you define home now that you've been homeless? These questions and more in today's episode with Glenn from Tower of Life men's shelter in Krugersdorp, South Africa.

Today we look at the journey of self care in recovery. We'll utilize Maslow's hierarchy of needs to see how we have neglected them in our active addiction. Then we'll outline a plan to restore then in recovery in our Journey Of Yourself. As you listen to this episode think about these two questions: "what are you focusing on in your journey of self care?" And "what Joy will you find in the midst of the journey to keep you moving forward to your destination?"