In The Circle

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I delve into the complex and often debated topic: Is addiction a disease? We explore how society interprets addiction and the implications these interpretations have on treatment approaches. What are the motivations behind defining addiction as a disease? If addiction isn't seen as a disease, how do we understand and “fix” it?

We also take a look at the characterization of addiction as a disease of the brain and nervous system, focusing on remission rather than cure. This has led to an increased reliance on pharmacological treatments in addiction recovery. While these are important tools and can be effective for short-term withdrawal relief, their prolonged use might lead to additional dependencies and impede full emotional and mental recovery. 

The holistic approach to recovery is still, in my opinion, the best and most effective long-term recovery plan—by taking abstinence-based approaches and following the transformative power of 12-step programs, yoga, meditation, and breathwork. 

Tommy Discusses:

• Whether or not addiction is a disease
• The effects of prolonged use of addiction medications
• Are we treating the symptom or the root of addiction?
• Why does humankind fall for addictive substances?
• Why the holistic approach to addiction recovery is the most effective 

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re revisiting an extremely relevant inquiry: Are the 12 Steps still relevant today, how do they fit into modern recovery, and why did I adapt the 12 Steps into the 12 Efforts?

Of course, when we explore these questions, we will need to discuss the challenges that come up with language and the power of words. Do people in recovery always have to refer to themselves as addicts or should that identification change?

In a way, this exploration is fundamental to all who are on the path of recovery. We need to know what works, why it works, and how it can work better. We must always strive to honor the past, but we must also innovate and improve upon what is there to create an even brighter future. 

Tommy Discusses:

• How language gets in the way of our growth
• The ties between yoga and the 12 Steps
• How to embrace your past and overcome resentments
• Why he created the 12 Efforts 
• Readying yourself to be of service to other people
• Why he is proud to be a part of “The Island of Misfit Toys”

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re revisiting what I believe to be one of the most important aspects of recovery: Yoga. 

In this episode, we have the pleasure of discussing the role of yoga in recovery and how we can overcome people's innate resistance to the practice. Chris asks… If freedom from addiction is possible, and yoga is the medicine, how then do we make this medicine more accessible?

This is such an important episode, as there is no one left on the planet unaffected by addiction. You either experience it yourself or someone you love is going through it. And if you want to take your recovery all the way, yoga is going to be a part of it. 

Let's come to understand both yoga and recovery from a much broader perspective and see what's waiting for the person in recovery who embraces both paths.

Tommy Discusses:

• Chris asks about the preconceived notions around yoga
• Defining yoga as calming the mind
• Breaking barriers of culture, region, and language
• Can a devout Christian practice yoga in alignment with their beliefs?

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re looking back on a topic that sits deep in the minds of most people who are in recovery–What If The 12 Steps Aren’t For Me? 

Jeanne, a member of our Recovery 2.0 community shares about how the 12 steps will always be the foundation of her recovery, but that after a while she felt called to explore alternative paths of healing. 

What starts as a question about adopting modern-day healing modalities into 12-step recovery turns into a powerful look at what is broken about our approach to recovery in America and what we can do about it. 

There are so many options when it comes to recovery, and it is certainly my prayer that people will explore all the avenues that lead to health and wellness. I

We want to thank Jeanne today for asking this question and bringing so much to the table that we can explore. We must take stock of why we do what we do, especially when it comes to our decisions about healthcare and the well-being of all people.

Tommy Discusses:

• Considering the 12-step doctrine
• Ways modern treatment approaches fall short
• Is the world ready for new modalities of healing?
• Poorly designed institutions and agencies 

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re visiting one of my most impactful episodes - Episode 8. In this episode, Elizabeth brings a thought-provoking question to The Circle: Can I Prevent A Relapse Before It Starts?

Today's thoughtful inquiry comes as Elizabeth offers the deeply meaningful subject of relapse for closer inspection. In doing so, we reframe the meaning of the word, removing all shame from its existence, and call in the support of others on the path.

Where it’s easy to point blame at a person, a circumstance, even one defining moment – we learn to take a step back, in silence, to assess the many other variables that led to such a moment. In taking responsibility for how we can get there, it becomes easier to avoid repeating the same actions.

Tommy Discusses:

• Relapse is not a necessity, even though it's very common
• Optionality of relapse outcomes 
• Identifying and traveling to different levels of consciousness
• How can we avoid relapse?

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, we’re taking it back to where it all began - Episode 1. In this episode, Theresa asked us such a very important question: is it possible for a person in recovery to truly reach a place of peace and contentment?

This incredibly powerful question, it seems to me, is really about the entire human race. Is it possible for any person, whether in recovery or not, to truly find peace and contentment?

When we look at this inquiry through the lens of addiction and recovery, we learn so much about ourselves. Our minds are responsible for some of the problems that we encounter, but our minds also create the solutions.

Thoughts lead to impressions, impressions lead to habits, and our habits determine how we act in this world. It’s only by taking action to change these habits that we can move forward into a greater state of awareness and presence.

Tommy Discusses:

• Journey before destination 
• Solutions for anxiety through forming healthier habits
• Shifting your focus from the symptom of a problem towards its solution
• The burden of shame 

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

On this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m sharing one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever had with Herb K. Thanks to the 12 Steps, Herb has been free from alcohol since 1984. In 1988, he had a profound spiritual awakening. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to helping others sustain and expand their own awakening through recovery.

Herb’s work goes beyond addiction—it’s about clarity, consciousness, and living your best life. We all struggle with something, whether it’s substances, relationships, food, technology, or money. I truly believe everyone would benefit from going through the 12-Step process at least once. It’s not a cure-all, but it lays the foundation for contentment, fulfillment, and freedom.

Before we dive in, I want to acknowledge the universal relevance of this discussion. No matter where you are on your journey, there’s something here for you.

Tommy Discusses:

• The three stages of the 12 Steps
• Is addiction a lack of choice?
• The misconceptions about the 12 Steps
• The role of community in addiction recovery 

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Recovery 2.0 Spiritual Journey to India

Visiting India is a not-to-be-missed experience - especially for anyone interested in spirituality, yoga, meditation, and the exotic. Come immerse yourself with the Recovery 2.0 community in an unforgettable, 10-day journey to Rishikesh, India. Learn more and apply: R20.com/india2025 

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

This week’s episode of In The Circle is unlike any other because, for the first time, I’m sharing my personal story of recovery. It’s a journey filled with struggle, revelation, and transformation—one that has shaped every part of who I am today. Recovery is never a straight line, and looking back, I see how each moment, each fall, and each breakthrough led me here.

My path began long before I took my first drink or drug. Addiction, I believe, is rooted in childhood, in the ways we learn to cope, seek approval, or escape discomfort. And when addiction took hold, it pulled me into a cycle that felt impossible to break.

I hit rock bottom not once, but three times—two of them while in recovery. Sobriety wasn’t a simple fix; it was the beginning of an even deeper struggle. The 12 steps became both a guide and a mirror, forcing me to confront parts of myself I wanted to avoid. But it was in these moments—facing my pain head-on—that true healing began.

And then, I found something that changed everything. Yoga and the wisdom of my teacher, Guru Prem, opened a door to a new way of being. Recovery became more than just staying sober; it became a path to real freedom. Today, I share this journey in the hopes that it sparks something in you—because we all have our own paths to walk, and healing is always possible. 

Tommy Discusses:

• Why I believe addiction begins in childhood
• Recovery is not a straight line
• The 12 steps are a guide, not a destination
• Every recovery journey is different - take what works, leave the rest

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Recovery 2.0 Spiritual Journey to India

Visiting India is a not-to-be-missed experience - especially for anyone interested in spirituality, yoga, meditation, and the exotic. Come immerse yourself with the Recovery 2.0 community in an unforgettable, 10-day journey to Rishikesh, India. Learn more and apply: R20.com/india2025 

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I have the great honor of speaking with Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji—a renowned spiritual leader, bestselling author, and motivational speaker based in Rishikesh, India.

Sadhvi Ji is the author of Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation and serves as the International Director of Parmarth Niketan, one of India’s largest spiritual institutions. She is also the Secretary General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, dedicated to clean water and sanitation, and President of the Divine Shakti Foundation, which empowers women and children through education and vocational training.

Additionally, she directs the International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan, recognized globally and addressed by India's Prime Minister and Vice President.

Beyond her leadership roles, Sadhvi Ji serves on the United Nations Advisory Council on Religion and contributes to global initiatives for poverty eradication and sustainable development.

U.S. President Joe Biden honored her lifelong commitment to service with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Originally from Los Angeles and a Stanford graduate, she took sannyasa vows under her guru, His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji, and has lived at Parmarth Niketan for 27 years.

Kia and I have had the privilege of teaching at Parmarth for over a decade, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to speak with Sadhvi Ji today.

Tommy Discusses:

• Life beyond addiction is possible
• Healing requires a shift in perspective
• We are not our thoughts or emotions
• True recovery is about connection, not control

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Recovery 2.0 Spiritual Journey to India

Visiting India is a not-to-be-missed experience - especially for anyone interested in spirituality, yoga, meditation, and the exotic. Come immerse yourself with the Recovery 2.0 community in an unforgettable, 10-day journey to Rishikesh, India. Learn more and apply: R20.com/india2025 

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.

In this week’s episode of In The Circle, I’m joined by Miriam who poses a deeply relevant inquiry: How Can I Stay Grounded When The World Feels So Uncertain?

How do I navigate interactions with others amidst heightened emotions and uncertainty in the world? In a time when truth feels elusive and perspectives shift depending on the source, the power of discernment has never been more crucial. 

In times of upheaval, we must hold space for both grief and gratitude, recognizing that being present with what is allows us to respond rather than react.

As we face societal shifts, including political change, it’s essential to remain anchored in the present. Beyond affiliations and opinions, our true alignment is with the here and now—a practice that calls for awareness, balance, and intentional action. 

How do we hold space for others while protecting our own peace? How do we discern what to take in and what to let go? Let’s explore these questions together and uncover the practices that help us navigate uncertain times with clarity and compassion.

Tommy Discusses:

• Staying grounded amid uncertainty
• Maintaining a balance when interacting with the outside world
• The practice of yoga and meditation
• Responding vs reacting

Would you like to be a guest on the In The Circle Podcast? Submit Your Question Here: R20.com/inthecircle

Recovery 2.0 Spiritual Journey to India

Visiting India is a not-to-be-missed experience - especially for anyone interested in spirituality, yoga, meditation, and the exotic. Come immerse yourself with the Recovery 2.0 community in an unforgettable, 10-day journey to Rishikesh, India. Learn more and apply: R20.com/india2025 

Further Links & Resources

• Catch a Meeting. We offer 40+ Live Online Recovery meetings every week. Come and find your community here. Meetings are always free.
• Want ongoing recovery insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Weekly UPLIFT
• Join our Recovery 2.0 Community: access your authentic power, connect with others on a similar path, and thrive in life beyond addiction
• Subscribe to The Recovery Channel on YouTube
• Visit our website
• Come and experience an in-person event or retreat: r20.com/events

Addiction is part of everyone’s journey, but recovery is not. The Recovery 2.0 Membership is a place where you can explore the topics that interest you, find community, and connect with Tommy Rosen on a personal level. It’s here that we’ll dig into spirituality and union of the mind, body, and spirit, and transform from the inside out. You will learn and grow alongside a community of supportive, conscious, compassionate, and vibrant individuals, like you!

• Join us at r20.com/welcome to explore how to move beyond addiction and thrive in your life.

Connect with Tommy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

Recovery 2.0

• @Recovery2Point0 on Instagram
• Recovery 2.0 Facebook Group

In The Circle is produced by Lovemore Media.