Today's episode is a group session with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. I know you will enjoy their insight and responses to this topic: "Therapists and psychologists often teach people to set healthy boundaries. But I often find that these don't work with addicts. The problem with healthy boundaries is the addict or recovering addict may feel their unjust, unfair or excessive AND react with resentment and a desire to test them."

This is the second Wacky Wednesday podcast episode for today and this covers Step 12 of the 12 Steps. We look at the first story from Chapter 12 in Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum, The Story of Kathy. She found her spiritual awakening through a search for unconditional love. Have you found your spiritual awakening at this point in your recovery? How will you carry your message to others in addiction? What makes you hesitate to share it?

This Wacky Wednesday episode looks at the challenge of Step 11 to "improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him." We look at the story of Jose and his heart change as he was in a rehab in the El Segundo section of Philadelphia. We see in Jose the importance of getting serious about the homework in recovery, digging deep and finding motivation to make recovery work this time.

Recovery is like a jigsaw puzzle. One piece at a time. One day at a time. Many people that I work with in recovery talk about the "something missing" in their life or in their recovery. Many search frantically like someone searching for the puzzle piece that must have fallen on the floor or under the couch. Today's episode looks at what could be that missing piece in your recovery and how we can complete the puzzle.

This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it deals with Chapter 10 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. In this chapter we look at Step 10 of the 12 Steps which has us take a personal inventory and to promptly admit our wrongs. Looking at the story of Val we ask questions including, What was Val's emotional pain? What emotional pain do you carry every day? How do you talk to someone about your emotional pain and how it causes bad decisions? What would be the red flags that would be a warning that you need to dig deeper into staying open and honest about your emotions?

Today's Wacky Wednesday episode deals with the story of Nicky and Daisy from Chapter 9 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This looks at Step 9 of the 12 Steps on making amends. After the story we look at questions about making amends with your daughter for not being there for them during your addiction. What's the difference between making amends and restitution? Is making amends saying I'm sorry for my behavior or can you apologize for the emotional pain you inflicted on the victims of your addiction?

Today's episode is the result of lots of feedback after recent episodes where we heard stories of the young women who were being pimped by Germaine. He had told each one that he loved them. The common theme in the messages I received was that the women were not seeking drugs, they were seeking the feeling of being loved and the men they found got them hooked on drugs and turned them into hookers!

This episode is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it looks at Noreen's story from Chapter 8 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This also is an introduction to Step 8 of the Twelve Steps which focuses on acknowledging the harm we did to people and being willing to make amends. In Noreen's story we look at questions including: How would you describe Noreen's mom's feelings about having to raise Noreen's daughter? What pain and heartache would need to be addressed in making amends? What simple acts of normalcy could facilitate reconciliation with people you have harmed in your addcition?

This is the first of our two Wacky Wednesday episodes for today. This one is the story of Donald from Chapter 7 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The topic of step 7 is to humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings. Donald's story looks at his change from quiet and hard to talk with, to him asking for help and humbly talking about his struggles in addiction. What characteristics are shortcomings in you that hinder your recovery? How can you reach the point of humility?

Today's podcast is a group session with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. I'm sure you'll find several nuggets of wisdom as they answer the following question. Which phrase can you identify with in your addiction, hitting bottom or aha moment of clarity? 1) I felt like I got a death sentence, 2) I'm the weakest I've ever been or 3) time to learn what strength is.