Some might find this episode controversial...but whatever.

Different Strokes for Different Folks features a guest that does recovery his way.

Adam tried the 12 step program that begins and ends with the letter "A" and while he speaks audaciously about his adventure with this program, he is open to give it another shot. Possibly to amuse the host, Chastity, but again....whatever. 😆

There is no right or wrong way to find recovery, only that you are willing to take the journey.

When we can listen to other views, we can learn from others. Sometimes shaking our rigid ways.

If we can love and respect those that are not like ourselves, we've won half the battle.

Opinions of guests are always welcome at The Red Couch Studio.

We may not always agree, but that's part of what keeps life spicy!

We hope you enjoy and remember, #kindness wins.

"Suit up and show up!" is exactly what Hawaiian native, Andrew does in this episode.

His sobriety date of Jan. 04, 2020 happened due to a dare from a friend. Like any addict / alcoholic, he accepted the challenge to "show" his friend up. It was then he realized he had been catering to his pleasures rather than his priorities, as many of us are do.

During our recording, Andrew was sitting in a hotel room after driving from Orange County to Vegas. Someone had reached out to him because recovery looks good... know what I'm saying? 🤩 So he packed his car (and his family) to carry the message to another person in need.

That folks, is the 12th step in action!

I really enjoyed interviewing fellow podcaster, Jesse Mogle for this episode! He's a bee loving, knowledge craving recovery expert that is a certified NLP trainer and master practitioner.

Residing in Los Angeles, California, Jesse is a highly sought-after public speaker. He is the author of College Success Habits and host of 2 podcasts, one named after his book and another dubbed From Sobriety to Recovery.

We'll briefly touch on the subject of sugar as the first drug we are introduced and how LSD became Jesse's gateway drug at a young age while Nancy Reagan was blanketing us with her "Just Say No" campaign.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it!

In this episode, Dr, Jeff Simone of Reaction Recovery tells it like it is! As a pharmacist, he fell victim to opioid addiction while licensed in California. He turned himself over to the board and entered treatment.

End of story? Not quite. Marriage, moving across the country to Philadelphia and the impending arrival of his firstborn couldn't keep the good Doc clean and sober. It wasn't until 2016 that he was ready to surrender.

But wait! There's more......we also talk about healthy eating, fitness, fad diets and supplements (did I mention he's a dietary supplement advisor, also?).

We also get to the 12 DAILY RULES FOR RECOVERY as taught at Reaction Recovery. You can find the list and more @ www.reactionrecovery.com .

In this episode, Peggy from Kokomo, Indiana shares her recovery journey as the owner and creative hands behind The Prickly Lotus brand. Find out the meaningful moment she decided recovery jewelry was in her future.

Her rock bottom story involves her permit-driving daughter taking her to a meeting and drunk dialing "Dart Guy" 23 times.

Now when offered a drink, Peggy replies with "No thank you. I have plans at Christmas" no matter the time of year!

Peggy and I also compare our collection of husbands and our mentality of perfectionism and procrastination.

How to ask for forgiveness......

In this episode, drug & alcohol counselor, Nina talks with Chastity regarding the stages of forgiveness.

Not only does the act of forgiving relieve the "weight" on your shoulders, it also has many benefits for your health!

Today's guest is an entrepreneur living in Huntington Beach, CA. Jackson started his clothing brand, Stay Stopped years after the seed was actually planted. Although he is an United States Army veteran whom served in Kuwait, his "poison" (crystal meth)had him in and out of 6 rehab facilities over the years.

Even after being detained for domestic battery, Jackson still denied he had a drug problem. Then he opened the Big Book to page 553 and scanned the page until he read 'the trick is to STAY stopped'.

His sobriety date is May 8, 2015.

You can find Jackson's website and clothing line @ staystoppedunited.org.

In this episode, I virtually welcome drug and alcohol counselor, Nina, to The Red Couch Studio!

Raised on the East Coast by her Sicilian mother and Black father, Nina now resides in the beautiful state of Washington. She is retired from the U.S. Air Force. She is a member of S.L.A.A., Al-Anon, A,A,, parent of an addict, survivor of trauma and understands food addiction first hand.

We share an in depth conversation touching on many topics, including: emotional sobriety, relationships, being women in the world today and the use of alcohol in the military.

Hold on to your hats! It's the first episode we've had in a long time with a REAL LIVE guest!!

Brock traveled from out of state to visit with Chastity in the world famous Red Couch Studio. The duo met for the first time minutes prior to recording, but chatted it up like old friends. Check out The Retired Blackout Artists Instagram page for pictures of the dinner party!

Brock has been in remission from bladder cancer for 5 years. His diagnosis came at the young age of 28, but it wasn't enough to persuade him to give up the bottle.

He lost love, a canceled wedding and almost his life. When asked what he would say to the younger version of himself, Brock responded with "Continue down this path and you will lose everything".

Currently, Brock lives in Des Moines, Iowa where he works full time and also volunteers in the crusade for Suicide Prevention Foundation.

Brock will celebrate 2 years of continuous sobriety August 21 of this year.

You can follow Brock on Instagram @millennial_alcoholic .

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And don't forget to buy your podcast T-shirts and tanks @https://www.bonfire.com/the-retired-blackout-artists/

With nearly 43 years of sobriety, Arlene has faced a few trials and tribulations. But her spirituality keeps her grounded. "All you have to do is accept you are a beautiful child of God", says Arlene.

She has her Master's in counseling and hosts workshops on her website, arlenegeres.com. When asked about seeking out a sponsor in recovery, Arlene says "It's not a marriage proposal! Get in and work the steps."

You can also follow Arlene's page on Facebook, Awakening to the Spirit Within.

And don't forget to order your podcast T's and tanks: https://www.bonfire.com/the-retired-blackout-artists/