In this episode, I explain my unannounced sabbatical. I spent some time reevaluating my motive and mission statement and also simply took a break from introspection. With a renewed vision and motivation to live out the 12th step, the Finding Phil Podcast will get back to work on putting together good content and inspiration for all of those joining me in recovery and self discovery.

This week, it was heavy on my heart to talk about connection. During the current pandemic, connection is low. How has this effected you? What are you doing in attempt to stay connected?

I go over some ways you may be coping in an unhealthy (or maybe a healthy) way.

In this week's episode, I make an entry into my podcast journal in another 'Dear Journal' episode. I share about my recent experience in going to a counselor for my character defect of anger. I draw some inspiration to my spiritual condition from binge watching the CBS series, 'Seal Team.' I also take time to share about a new concept in my recovery, 'shame.'

My sponsor, Buck, joins me again as we preface a new monthly series on the 12 steps of recovery. We sit down and glance over all 12 of those steps.

I talk a little bit with my vocational language of carpentry about "foundation repairs." Sometimes the quick fix isn't always the best fix and the source of the issue is in a deep, dark, scary place.

Divine inspiration or circumstantial cop out? Amidst an extremely busy week and under a work deadline, I follow through with my commitment of a weekly episode by free styling my thoughts in a online journal episode. I share thoughts about "working" out my salvation with the help of the "Helper," the Holy Spirit while staying close to grace from the "Savior," Jesus Christ.

My wife, Tiffany, joins me a second time to talk through a listener's question; How do I accept what is when it is what it is? The discussion is broken down into a 3 part question. We share some of our own experiences of how we've struggled through this in our own lives and also talk about how this can be a trigger point for addictive behavior.

Noel and I talk about his journey as a 'Recovering Hypocrite,' a title he had to come to terms with nearly 30 years ago. We discuss how all believers can benefit from embracing the need to recover from our past sins and embrace our true identity in Christ Jesus. He is a husband and father of 4, teaching elder at Riverview Church in Lansing, MI, author of the books, 'Unchained' and 'Wretched Saints' and host of his own podcast, 'Recovering Hypocrite.' You can find out more about him at noeljesse.com

Buck shares his testimony of miraculous healing and recovery from alcohol addiction. He starts his story from his time growing up in the church to finding himself growing further and further into a life of alcohol addiction all the way to the point of almost certain death. At the very bottom, God is there to save him from an unshakeable bondage of alcohol dependency and also to heal his broken body beyond what doctors thought could be possible.