“The degree of magic you experience in your life will be in direct proportion to the degree you surrender and let go.”

Hey friend,

My name is Arlina and I’ll be your host.

I actually have a quick story for you to tell you about today’s guest. You may have heard me say that I’ve been feeling burned out, so I decided to take time off to do a “self-care summer”. I had 3 months worth of amazing interviews pre recorded, I wasn’t taking on new clients and the plan was to focus on quieting my mind so that I could listen for God’s will for me and to pay attention to what brings me joy. Really, I have been in a state of surrender. 

This is where it gets interesting. Sometimes I have to book guests months in advance, and that’s what happened with today’s guest. So imagine my surprise when it’s finally time to interview today’s guest Kute Blackson, and guess what… his message is all about the magic of surrender!

He said so many things that have absolutely been haunting me, but like in a good way. For instance he said that sometimes our wants come from wounds, which struck me like a lightening bolt. I can see how we want certain things like success or love, but if it comes from a place of an unhealed wound, that it carries an energy of neediness, grasping, chasing, and dysfunction. So anything that we create from that place, is ultimately not going to feel fulfilling - because the wound still exists! Emotional wounds are like a black vortex. There is no amount of drugs, alcohol, romantic love or achievement that will fill that hole. It needs to be healed.

Such a powerful lesson!

To give you a little more background on today’s guest, Kute Blackson is a transformational teacher, inspirational speaker, and bestselling author of The Magic of Surrender and You.Are.The.One. Known for his deeply spiritual yet down-to-earth approach.. His work has been featured on Larry King Now, NPR, and Impact Theory. Kute empowers people to break free from the conditioning of the past, embrace their true nature, and live authentically—starting with the courage to surrender.

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode with Kute, and as always, let me know what you think!

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent andamp; Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

Hey friend, 

Thank you for downloading this episode! In case we haven’t met yet, my name is Arlina, and I’ll be your host.

I’m sure you have noticed that when you start on the path of being sober, that’s when the real work begins. Relationships shift, career goals change, and the old habits that no longer work, need to be rebuilt from the ground up. That’s exactly where my client John found himself—knowing he needed better work-life balance, but stuck in a cycle of constantly dealing with one crisis or another. Weekly coaching gave him the clarity, structure, and accountability to finally set boundaries at work, exercise regularly, and be fully present for his family. 

You didn’t get sober just to survive, you got sober to build a better life. Don’t wait for things to “settle down.” Your new life starts now. Book your free clarity call today at soberlifeschool.com.

In this wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Martha Koo, we dive into the evolving and sometimes controversial role of psychedelic-assisted therapies in addiction recovery. We explore the tension between traditional 12-step abstinence models and emerging treatments like psilocybin, ketamine, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). 

Dr. Koo shares insights from decades in psychiatry and addiction medicine, including work with MAPS on MDMA therapy for PTSD, and explains how tools like TMS can transform brain patterns, reduce cravings, and improve quality of life—without medication side effects. We discuss how to decide if these therapies are right for you, why environment and community matter, and the importance of pairing peer support with professional guidance. 

Whether you’re in long-term sobriety, newly sober, or just curious about modern approaches to mental health, this episode will challenge old assumptions and open new possibilities for healing.

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode, and let me know what you think!

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent andamp; Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

Before we jump in, I do want to mention that I have a lot of free recovery resources on my website at soberlifeschool.com. There’s a guide called “How to quit drinking: 30 tips for your first 30 days” with tips on how to beat cravings, how to answer the inevitable questions about why you’re not drinking, how to manage stress, and still have fun! Cuz we are all about having fun, just without the hangover.

And one request: If you enjoy this episode, please rate and review on Apple podcasts and share it with a friend. It helps to get the message of hope to those who need it most.

Since I started the podcast over 9 years ago, I have talked with hundreds of people, many of them medical experts in a variety of disciplines, about how to heal the underlying issues that cause addiction. 

The overwhelming data suggests that psychedelic assisted therapy, done in the right setting with professionals can lead to profound healing. However it is not for everyone and for certain people it’s actually contraindicated. These are powerful compounds and the use of them should not be taken lightly. 

By way of a disclaimer, I’m obviously not a doctor and I don’t play one on the internet, which is why today I am speaking with an actual doctor. This conversation is not to be taken as medical advice. It is for educational purposes only. 

The reason I decided to interview Dr Jeff McNairy is because I know compounds like Ayahuasca are being discussed among people in the sober community and I wanted to present information to those considering it, both risks and potential benefits. 

In this episode, Dr. Jeff shares his remarkable journey from studying medical anthropology to becoming a licensed psychologist working at the intersection of trauma, neuroscience, and ancient healing practices. We also discuss who should not participate in ayahuasca, what safe preparation and integration really look like, and why this plant medicine is being called “10 years of therapy in one night.”

💡 You’ll hear:

• How trauma gets stored in the amygdala—and how ayahuasca helps release it
• What Dr. Jeff has learned from over 20,000 participants (including veterans, doctors, and trauma survivors)
• Why integration is just as important as the ceremony itself
• What the research says about ayahuasca’s effect on neuroplasticity, and addiction.

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode, and let me know what you think!

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent andamp; Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

Hi Friend, If you’re new to the podcast, my name is Arlina, I’ve been sober for 31 years, I’m a recovery coach, a bestselling author, and I’ll be your host.

If you’re a long time listener, you may have noticed I recently enabled ads at the beginning of each episode. Something I haven’t done before in the 9 years that I’ve been hosting the podcast. 

With the growing expenses of hosting, and the podcast production team, combined with a decrease in donations, I decided to give ads a try.

If you would like to hear ad free episodes, you can join my YouTube membership for as little as $1.99 per month. I will also have an additional membership level that includes private community chat rooms, live stream Q&A and Recovery Coaching with me, so you can overcome obstacles, keep you motivated, and on track. Just visit my youtube channel “the One Day At A Time Recovery Podcast” or you can find a link in the show notes at odaatchat.com

So, what happens when you grow up with an alcoholic father and a narcissistic mother—and no safe adult in sight?

In this powerful and revealing conversation with Pi Venus, we explore what it’s like to grow up in a home where you’re told, in words or in silence, that your needs are a burden. My guest shares her story of early emotional abandonment, internalized shame, and the moment she poured her first drink at age 12… and the long road to reclaiming her power, identity, and joy.

We talk about the real root causes of addiction, why recovery doesn’t stop at quitting substances, and how to reparent the parts of ourselves that still carry fear, shame, and longing. She shares what it’s like to heal from narcissistic abuse—first from her mother, then from a romantic partner who mirrored her childhood patterns—and the tools that helped her finally feel safe in her own skin.

You'll also hear about:

• The subtle signs of covert and overt narcissistic abuse

• Her "spontaneous sobriety" moment and what made it stick

• How losing everything became a path to finding her true self

• Why peace can feel boring—and how to get comfortable with it

• The role of daily ritual, play, and myth in deep healing

• Her book Mother Medusa and how ancient stories help us rewrite our own

This one is for anyone healing from dysfunctional family systems, narcissistic abuse, or unresolved childhood trauma. It’s vulnerable, validating, and ultimately empowering.

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode, and let me know what you think!

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent & Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

Why do we always want more, even when we know it won’t make us happy?

In this episode, I speak with Michael Long, co-author of The Molecule of More and author of Taming the Molecule of More, about the true nature of dopamine, craving, and how to reclaim our power from the constant chase for the next hit—whether it's drugs, sugar, social media, or even achievement.

We explore:

• The surprising truth about what dopamine actually does

• Why the feeling of “wanting” hijacks the brain—and how it relates to addiction

• How GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide) may help reduce cravings—and why they’re not a magic fix

• The 6 tools from ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) that help us create space between craving and choice

• What Victor Frankl got right about meaning—and how to find your own

• Why "enoughness" in the present moment is the antidote to always wanting more

If you struggle with addiction, compulsive behavior, or the nagging sense that you’re never quite satisfied—this episode offers insight, hope, and actionable tools to reclaim peace, purpose, and presence.

📘 Learn more or join Michael’s book club at tamingthemolecule.com

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode, and let me know what you think!

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent & Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

Hi Friend,

Thank you for downloading this episode, my name is Arlina, and I’ll be your host.

I have to admit, this one’s going to be tough. With a heavy heart, I want to share that my beloved first sponsor, Kimberly A—affectionately known as Kimmerz—has passed away. She was the gentle, wise soul who walked me through my first year of sobriety. Her kindness and love changed my life. In fact, in my book “The 12 Step Guide for Skeptics”, (and with her blessing of course), I documented how she walked me through the steps and set me on a path that has kept me sober for over 31 years now. In the book I included all the reading assignments and all the written homework that she gave me, as well as many of the lessons she taught me. 

As a tribute to Kimmerz, I am republishing the conversation we had in episode 99. My hope is that you will get a sense of just how wonderful she was. She touched so many lives and I’m so grateful to have had the honor of sharing her story.

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode with our beloved Kimmerz. May she rest in peace. 

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent andamp; Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

In this raw and deeply honest episode, I sit down with Matt, founder of Quit Kit, who shares his journey of quitting not just one — but four addictions: cigarettes, tramadol, kratom, and alcohol. With compassion and candor, Matt opens up about childhood loneliness, suicidal thoughts in active addiction, and the practical tools that helped him not only get sober — but stay that way.

We explore:

• The emotional cost of numbing pain and how mindfulness became a lifeline
• The power of personal projects and community when you’re stuck in withdrawal
• How supplements like GABA, magnesium, and amino acids support the recovery process
• What Matt wishes he knew on day one: “The person you’re running from is already loved”
• Why asking for help isnt weakness — it’s the beginning of healing

I’m so grateful to Matt for his vulnerability, heart, and the powerful reminder that recovery is possible — even if it takes multiple tries. This episode is a message of hope for anyone who feels trapped by addiction or shame.

Before we jump in, Are you feeling lost in transition? Youre not alone. In fact, most of my coaching clients are in various phases of transition.

Whether youre starting a sober life, changing careers, navigating relationship shifts—or just feeling stuck and unsure what’s next—coaching can help.

I work with people in all stages of change, and what I’ve learned is this:

The answers are already inside you.

But sometimes, you need an outside perspective to help you access them.

As they say, “You can’t read the label from inside the jar.”

If youre feeling anxious that time is slipping away and youre not where you want to be, let’s talk.

Visit soberlifeschool.com to book a free strategy call.

I’d be honored to support you through this next chapter.

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode, and let me know what you think!

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent andamp; Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Joanna and Matthew Raabsmith—a couple whose story of addiction, betrayal, and ultimately deep healing is nothing short of powerful. Matthew shares his journey through sexual addiction and recovery, while Joanna opens up about the betrayal trauma that nearly broke their relationship—and how they found a way to rebuild trust, intimacy, and connection.

We talk about what betrayal trauma really is (hint: it’s not codependency), how hiding the truth strips partners of choice, and why full disclosure—when done safely—can be a turning point for couples facing the fallout of hidden addictions.

I’m so grateful to Joanna and Matthew for being so open, vulnerable, and generous with their story. Not only have they done their own healing work, they’re now guiding other couples through some of the most painful and confusing moments of their lives. If youve ever asked yourself, “Can we really come back from this?”—this conversation is for you.

Before we jump in, I wanted to share an update on my “Self-Care Summer” project where I have been focusing the majority of my time on recovering from burnout. I have gone through the workaholic/burnout cycle so many times, I realized it’s time to take a step back, quit posting daily content on social media, delete the social apps from my phone, and really take action on all the healing practices that I have discovered over the last 30 years. 

My approach was to create a list of activities, and I am listing them in the order that I’ve been doing them. You can find the list at odaatchat.com under this episode. The list includes:

Gratitude List - text to clients andamp; friends

Walks With Teddy while listening to educational or inspiring podcasts

Weight training andamp; Yoga

12 Step Meetings

Journaling: Two Way Prayer, Morning Pages, Education Reflection Journaling

30 Minutes Meditation - Waking Up App

Tracking Time: I clock all the things above but also include

Step Work

Cooking

Grooming

Gardening

Education - There’s a bunch of books I want to work through. The intention is to actually do the work suggested in the books. On the docket are: 5 types of wealth by Sahil Bloom, Stop missing your life by Corey Muscara, Make Money Easy by Lewis Howes, and possibly A Course In Miracles

Podcasting

Client Calls

Evening reflection journaling

I know it probably sounds like a lot, and I didn’t want this to turn into another thing I obsess over. To prevent that, the overarching guiding principle is to do a quick inner compass check and ask, what is the next right indicated action? And if I notice I need to rest or want to focus on play, I do that. The goal is really to practice self-acceptance and to give myself time and space to think about what patterns or stories no longer serve me, and think about who I really want to be and how I really want to spend my time.

When we strip away what we think we should do, and get honest about our hearts desire, that’s when we can truly align with our life’s purpose and live authentically. This is really a process of emerging, and I’m excited about this phase in my journey. So stay tuned for updates!

And without further delay, please enjoy this episode with Matt andamp; Joanna.

👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?

Here are 3 ways to get started:

🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist

Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com

🎁Free Journaling Exercise: How To Get Unstuck, Be Consistent andamp; Reach Your Goals

Download Here: https://www.innercompassprogram.com

☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick

https://www.makesobrietystick.com

Subscribe So You Don’t Miss New Episodes!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

Hey friend,

Im so glad youre here! In case youre new to my little corner of the world, my name is Arlina and Ill be your host.

If youre not new here, then you already know I love exploring tools and practices that support sobriety, spiritual growth, and mental health - all in an effort to help me change my behavior and ultimately feel better.

The tool were talking about today is called Two Way Prayer and Father Bill W will be teaching us what it is, how it can benefit you and how to do it.

You may have heard about this before through Elizabeth Gilbert who has a substack called Letters from Love but if you havent, I have come to understand this practice as a way of talking to, and getting answers from universal intelligence. Some people call that intelligence love, or god or source energy or higher self. What its called is not as important as what the practice delivers in terms of guidance and inspiration.

So ever since my conversation with todays guest, Father Bill, I have been practicing 2 way prayer and the guidance Ive received has been quite profound. To be transparent, Ive been feeling pretty lost and super burned out. Ive been pushing myself way too hard for way too long. Thats a whole other story, but my request in the 2 way prayer journaling was along the lines of What would you have me do with my work?

To my surprise, I got an answer! The answer was to allow myself to have a Self-Care Summer. To allow myself to rest, reset, and recharge. So thats what Ive been doing! Im doing a lot of yoga, weights, journaling, meditating, exchanging gratitude lists, consuming content around self-worth, money, business development, and generally allowing myself to be present for my life.

All this to say, the tool of 2 way prayer is something I will continue to incorporate into weekly self-care practices and I have Father Bill to thank for it. I think youll get a lot out of this conversation and if you try the practice, I would love to hear about your experiences!

So without further delay, please enjoy this episode with Father Bill.

=J

Hi friend,

Thank you for downloading this episode and hanging out with me today

Before I introduce todays guest, I wanted to let you know we have some new sponsors and youll start to hear about them in the upcoming weeks. This will help me move from depending on donations that cover the expense of producing the podcast.

In the near future I will offer a subscription option for ad free episodes, so check the website or YouTube for that.

So ,imagine pouring your heart into a book& only to have your life fall apart before it hits the shelves.

Thats exactly what happened to my guest this week bestselling author, comedian, and recovery advocate Tiffany Jenkins.

In this deeply personal and laugh-through-your-tears conversation, we talk about

( Her ex-husbands relapseand how she rewrote the entire book afterward

= Postpartum depression so severe she planned to fake her own kidnapping

=% The struggles of a public divorce

>` OCD, exposure therapy, and learning to self-validate

d And ultimately& how she found real love and rebuilt her life from scratch

If youve ever struggled with identity, motherhood, or what it means to start over while staying soberyou need this episode.