On this episode we discuss how the Holiday season in 2020 is going to be a challenge for those of us who can't or won't see our families and conduct business as usual, either due to being quarantined or just as a precaution. No doubt, this year will be different. So how do we handle it? What are some ways we can work through these troubling times? How will it effect some more than others?

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In this episode we discuss how meetings play a role in someone's recovery story. Is it really necessary to attend them? If so, for how long? Forever? When do we know when we're ready to move on? Are there other ways I can stay sober without 12 step meetings? We answer all this and more! 

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In this episode we talk about trauma responses, conditioning, and how this has affected people during the pandemic. How lack of acceptance and panic can challenge someone's sobriety, and ways this year has pushed people into a state of change and growth. 

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This episode was recorded outside under the star light to discuss the do’s and dont’s of dating in early recovery - so pardon the wind and background noise. We talk about the psychological effects that go along with the rush of dating too early on - before you give yourself the chance to rediscover yourself - and the things that most people fail to consider that can be detrimental to their self growth.

From finding your “missing piece” in another, to the rush of sex, attraction, and the thrill of the chase, we talk about all the possibilities and suggestions to find a healthy balance of boundaries and freedom.

Join us in our 14th episode of The Recovery Pod, and if you like what you hear, check out our other episodes on your favorite platform and on YouTube. Leave a comment with anything you’d like discussed or what stood out that you’re glad you heard. Thank you for your continued support.

In this episode we participate in a 24 hour dopamine detox challenge where we completely abstain from music, video, social media, and any form of distraction. No music in the car, no mindless scrolling, and no YouTube!

The purpose of dopamine detox is to deprive yourself of all the little things (mostly digital) that pique your interest, feed your attention, distract you, and keep you locked in to the point that mundane and less rewarding tasks make you feel extremely bored, and reset that set point to enjoy the small things in life. Instead of searching for that next spike, you become more comfortable and content without it, and smaller spikes on the dopamine scale will begin to register again.

The effects of this exercise can be profound, as well as really show you how often you reach for that phone or device. There are multiple ways to do this, from complete dopamine detox like caffeine, sex, sweets, drugs (obviously,) music, media, tv, and everything at all that registers, or by simply taking one thing - preferably your most used source - and abstaining from just that one. Some suggest a full week of gradual deprivation, others a 24 hour period. We figured we’d meet in the middle, chose our top 3 sources and jumped right in.

Tune in to find out the after effects of our little experiment on our 13th episode of The Recovery Pod! We appreciate all of your constant support and look forward to following up this episode with another - more intense - dopamine detox.

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This episode features a special guest, Erik L. who contacted us after hearing the podcast and has become a friend and family member of our recovery community over the last 6 months. 

In this episode Ana and Steven discuss how perspectives can affect our outlook on life, and how we develop these perspectives by comparing ourselves to others, how our core beliefs play a major part, and alternatives to possibly break the cycle. We talk a bit about creativity, how we feel others perceive our work, and the places it can take us to when we strive for perfection. 

Self-judgment, ego, positive self talk - we discuss all this and more on the 11th episode of The Recovery Pod! Come join us, and if you're a regular listener, drop us a comment and let us know your favorite part of the episode or give us some suggestions you want us to talk about! Thank you for your continued support.  

In this episode we discuss how difficult it can be helping others with their recovery, while keeping your own ideas on what works for you. How different stages of readiness and willingness can affect a person's desire to change, and how barriers can present themselves in all areas of life. 

In this episode we talk about - you guessed it - ego!

Have you ever taken the time to actually listen to your ego? Have you learned to actively listen to it's point of view from a place of non-judgment and compassion? Or do you simply do whatever it takes to shut it up and turn it off? We talk about this in depth and more on this episode of The Recovery Pod.

Find us on your favorite platform, follow us on our Facebook Page for updates and extra content, and if you like what you hear, drop us a comment and let us know what you think! Come join us on our ninth episode that's sure to send you back with something to think about. Thank you all for your continued support!

In this episode we discuss the effects of resistance to thoughts and feelings, and how allowing them to come and go can be beneficial to growth and development. We also discuss the cognitive triangle of thought - feeling - action, and how to break through the cycle if you get stuck in a pattern of negative thinking.