RAW Recovery Podcast

In today's Daily Trudge, we're taking it back to where recovery truly begins: The admission of personal powerlessness. Before the healing, before the Steps, before the promises — there's a moment where we finally admit the truth: I can't do this on my own. This isn't weakness. This is awakening. The Big Book tells us that alcohol is “cunning, baffling, powerful,” and that without help, it will beat us every time. But the second we admit defeat — the second we surrender — the whole program opens up. Powerlessness isn't about giving up; it's about giving over. It's the doorway to freedom, honesty, humility, and a new life that's built on spiritual power instead of willpower.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're hitting one of the most reliable truths in recovery: When in doubt… get out of self. Most of our problems don't come from the world — they come from the way we react to it. When I'm stuck in fear, anger, resentment, or self-pity, 99% of the time the solution is spiritual, simple, and humbling: Get out of self and into service, honesty, gratitude, or God's will. The Big Book reminds us that selfishness and self-centeredness are the root of our troubles — and that freedom comes the moment we shift the focus outward. Today we're talking about how to recognize when you're stuck in self, how to get out quickly, and what happens when we let our Higher Power run the show instead of our ego.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're asking one of the hardest questions in recovery: Am I living the AA program — or just visiting it? Anybody can go to meetings. Anybody can say the slogans. But living the program means we've taken the Steps off the wall and put them into our daily life. It's easy to get comfortable — to coast, to socialize, to make recovery look good on the outside while we're still running the show on the inside. But the program doesn't work in theory. It works in practice. The difference between visiting AA and living AA? A visitor wants relief. A liver wants change.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about two spiritual principles that walk hand in hand — Humility and Responsibility. Humility reminds us we're not running the show. Responsibility reminds us that we still have a part to play. In recovery, humility without responsibility turns into passivity — and responsibility without humility turns into ego. The goal isn't perfection. It's balance. God does the heavy lifting, but He expects us to pick up the tools.

In today's Recovery Watchdog, we're talking about something real — the two types of people that work in the recovery field. You've got the ones who do it because they care — because they've lived it, survived it, and want to give back. And then you've got the ones who do it for the career — the paycheck, the power, the prestige. The first type shows up early, stays late, and keeps showing up even when nobody's watching. The second type shows up for the photo op. The recovery field needs servants, not saviors. If we forget that this is about people and not profit, we lose the heart of what recovery really means. Let's talk about what integrity looks like in this field — and what it doesn't.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're going back to the roots — The Four Absolutes: Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, and Love. Long before the Twelve Steps were written, these were the spiritual yardsticks used by the Oxford Group — and they still measure how well we're living our recovery today. These aren't rules — they're reminders. Am I being honest, or just careful with the truth? Am I choosing purity, or bending my values to fit comfort? Am I thinking of others, or myself? Am I acting in love, or in fear? We'll never live the Absolutes perfectly — but every day we can move closer.

Every day in recovery starts the same way: with a chance to choose our mindset. Before the phone, before the coffee, before the world starts spinning, we stop and think of the day ahead. It's not about predicting what's coming — it's about preparing our spirit for it. When I ask God to direct my thinking, I'm really saying, “Keep me out of my own way today.” The Big Book reminds us that we don't surrender our brains; we just stop using them as weapons. When my motives line up with God's will — to help, to serve, to stay honest — my day runs smoother, even if the world around me doesn't. Peace doesn't come from control. It comes from alignment. So before you step out the door today, take thirty seconds. Think of the day ahead, ask for direction, and then… keep trudging.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about one of the hardest truths in recovery: apologies don't mean a thing without action. Step 9 teaches us to make direct amends, but real amends aren't just words — they're consistent change. We don't fix the past by rewriting it; we heal it by living differently today. Saying “sorry” may open the door, but changed behavior keeps it open. This is where recovery gets real — when the people we hurt stop needing to believe our promises because they can see our progress.

For Full Video Go Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N28-2c-tDoA In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about the cost of freedom. Everyone wants freedom — from addiction, from fear, from the past. But freedom isn't something we get; it's something we earn by showing up, doing the work, and staying honest even when it hurts. The price? Ego. Comfort. Excuses. The payoff? Peace. Purpose. Serenity. Sobriety doesn't come cheap — it costs everything that was keeping us sick. But the freedom we find on the other side? Worth every ounce of pain it took to get there.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about the cost of freedom. Everyone wants freedom — from addiction, from fear, from the past. But freedom isn't something we get; it's something we earn by showing up, doing the work, and staying honest even when it hurts. The price? Ego. Comfort. Excuses. The payoff? Peace. Purpose. Serenity. Sobriety doesn't come cheap — it costs everything that was keeping us sick. But the freedom we find on the other side? Worth every ounce of pain it took to get there.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're diving into a tough but important question: Is it a resentment… or is it trauma? In recovery, we're taught to let go of resentments — to forgive, move on, and clean our side of the street. But what happens when that “resentment” is really unhealed trauma? You can't spiritually bypass pain that's rooted in deep wounds. Some things don't need to be “let go of” — they need to be understood, felt, and healed. There's a big difference between holding onto anger and protecting your heart. Let's talk about what's yours to release… and what's yours to recover from.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about when character building becomes a priority. In the beginning, it's all about survival — staying sober one day at a time, just trying to get through the storm. But as time goes on, recovery calls us to something deeper. Sobriety isn't the finish line — it's the foundation. Real freedom comes when we start working on who we are — honesty, humility, patience, forgiveness, courage, faith. That's the character-building part. The Big Book says we're building a “new life based on honesty, tolerance, and true love.” When character becomes the goal, the promises stop being words on a page — they become your life.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about expectations and the little things — two areas that can either build our serenity or completely destroy it. Expectations are resentments waiting to happen. They tell us how life should go, how people should act, and how recovery should feel. But peace doesn't live in should. It lives in what is. When we slow down and start noticing the small stuff — a quiet morning, a friend's text, the fact that we woke up sober — that's where gratitude grows, and expectations lose their grip. Big faith is built on little things.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about the effect we can have on others — often without even knowing it. In recovery, our greatest impact usually comes from how we live, not what we say. A newcomer might see your calm in chaos and think, “Maybe I can do this.” Someone struggling might hear your laughter and remember that joy exists. And sometimes, the person most affected by your honesty… is you. We don't control outcomes — but we do control presence. Show up. Be real. Let your recovery speak louder than your advice. That's how we change lives — one interaction, one day, one trudge at a time.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about the quality of faith — not how much of it you have, but how real it is. Faith isn't a feeling. It's not a theory. It's a daily decision to trust something greater — especially when nothing makes sense. The Big Book tells us, “To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self-sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action.” In other words: faith that just sits still isn't faith — it's wishful thinking. Real faith walks. It works. It moves mountains one day at a time.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about self-worth — something most of us lost long before we ever took our first drink. Addiction tore down our confidence, our dignity, and our sense of purpose. But the truth is, our worth never left — it just got buried under the wreckage. Recovery isn't about becoming someone new; it's about remembering who you were before the world told you otherwise. You are worthy of healing. You are worthy of love. You are worthy of a life that doesn't hurt.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about what happens when you move from just not drinking to truly living in the Spirit. The Big Book says, “We have entered the world of the Spirit.” That's not some far-off mystical idea — it's what happens when we surrender fully, start practicing the Steps, and stop trying to run the show. When we enter that new dimension, everything shifts. The fear that used to run our lives loses power. The obsession to control fades. And we begin to live on faith, not feelings. This isn't about perfection — it's about perspective. Welcome to the world of the Spirit — where recovery turns into freedom.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're diving deep into Radical Acceptance — the practice of saying, “This is what it is… and I can live with it.” Acceptance doesn't mean approval. It means freedom. It's when we stop arguing with reality and start healing from it. In recovery, we learn that fighting what's already happened only keeps us stuck. Radical acceptance is how we stop bleeding from the same wound — it's where peace begins, even when life doesn't feel fair. You can't change what you won't face. But you can face it — and still find peace in the process.

Welcome to Mystacopolis – The Recovery Watchdog, a movement built to protect the integrity of recovery. This group exists to shine a light on unethical practices, exploitation, and abuse within the recovery and mental health industries — and to celebrate the people and programs doing it right. We are not here to gossip or tear others down. We are here to educate, investigate, and advocate for transparency, safety, and compassion in every corner of recovery.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about how to keep optimism afloat through prayer and meditation. Life can hit hard. Our minds get noisy, the world gets heavy, and optimism starts sinking fast. That's when prayer and meditation become more than spiritual practices — they're lifelines. Prayer connects us to power. Meditation keeps us calm enough to hear it. Together, they help us rise above fear, frustration, and self-pity — reminding us that no storm lasts forever, and no wave is stronger than grace. Recovery isn't about calm seas; it's about learning how to float — even when you're tired.

For Full Video Go Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I47KCkxrEcY In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about what real spiritual growth looks like — not the floaty, incense-burning kind, but the everyday kind that shows up in how we live, love, and handle hard days. Spiritual consciousness isn't about halos or enlightenment — it's about awareness. It's when our reactions start to change, when peace lasts longer than panic, when we forgive faster, and when ego doesn't win as often. I'll walk through eight signs that you're waking up spiritually — even if life still feels messy. Because awakening doesn't mean you've arrived. It just means you've stopped running.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about what keeps this whole thing alive — our one primary purpose. It's easy to forget why we do what we do. We start chasing likes, followers, and validation — but that's not the purpose. The purpose is people. My job — your job — is simple: carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. That's it. Not fix them, not save them, not play God — just carry the message. When we remember that purpose, the noise quiets down. The ego steps aside. And the miracle of recovery gets to keep happening, one honest conversation at a time. So today, before you speak, post, or act — ask yourself: Is this helping someone still sick and suffering? Because that's our one job… and what a sacred job it is.

In today's special Halloween edition of The Daily Trudge, we're taking a hard look at the masks we wear — and the monsters that live underneath. For years, I hid behind masks: the funny guy, the victim, the know-it-all, the survivor. Each one kept people from seeing who I really was — and kept me from seeing myself. When I finally took off the mask, I found something terrifying… me. The parts I didn't want to admit — the anger, shame, fear, and pride. But here's the truth: those “monsters” lose their power the moment we face them in the light of recovery. This isn't about pretending we're perfect. It's about being brave enough to look in the mirror and say, “Yeah, that's me — and I'm working on it.”

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about something that changes everything in recovery — your voice. The moment you start telling the truth — your truth — healing begins. For years, addiction kept us silent. We lied, hid, or played roles to survive. But recovery gives us something far more powerful than perfection — it gives us a voice. And with that voice comes truth — not the polished kind, but the kind that sets people free. When you speak your truth, you help someone else find theirs.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm digging into Justification — that sneaky little voice in recovery that always has a reason, an excuse, or a way to twist the truth just enough to feel okay. Justification is the mind's defense against accountability. It says things like, “I deserve this,” “It's not that bad,” or “At least I'm not as bad as I used to be.” But every time we justify, we trade honesty for comfort — and recovery dies a little. The good news? The moment we stop explaining and start admitting, we grow stronger. Recovery doesn't need excuses — it needs truth.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm going back to the roots of recovery — the time before AA had a name, a book, or a Big Book promise. We'll look at Dr. Carl Jung and Dr. William Silkworth — two men who helped shape the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous without ever sitting in a meeting. Dr. Silkworth called alcoholism “an allergy of the body and an obsession of the mind.” Dr. Jung told a hopeless drinker that only a spiritual experience could save him. When you put those ideas together — medicine and spirit, science and surrender — you get the spark that changed millions of lives. The truth is, recovery started the moment human reason admitted defeat and grace stepped in.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about a truth most of us wish wasn't true — recovery does not equal comfort. Sobriety doesn't promise easy days. It promises real ones. The path of recovery will stretch you, humble you, and sometimes hurt. But every uncomfortable step — every awkward share, every hard amends, every painful truth — is where the actual healing happens. Comfort never changed anybody. Courage did.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about why recovery is the ultimate pay it forward. Someone carried the message to us when we were lost, broken, and ready to give up. They didn't do it for credit, applause, or money — they did it because someone once did the same for them. That's how recovery survives. Every time we share our story, help a newcomer, or simply show up, we're keeping that chain of hope alive. We can't pay back the people who saved us — but we can pay it forward by helping the next person in line. That's the heartbeat of recovery: one person helping another, freely, honestly, and with love.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about one of AA's greatest reminders of humility: “Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” In recovery, leadership isn't about control — it's about service. Whether you're making coffee, chairing a meeting, or guiding others through the Steps, the goal isn't power — it's purpose. We serve because we were once served. We give back because someone gave to us. In this episode, I'll share why true leadership in recovery means stepping up without stepping over, leading with humility, and always remembering that we are here to carry a message — not a title.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about something deeply personal — how we are loved back to health in recovery, and what alcohol tried to take from us before we made it here. Alcohol doesn't just rob you of time or money — it takes your peace, your laughter, your relationships, your integrity, and if it can, your soul. It isolates, it destroys, and it convinces you that you're beyond saving. But then, someone reaches out a hand. Someone loves you when you can't love yourself. That's how healing begins — through the grace of being loved back to life. In this episode, I share how love — real, unconditional love — brings us out of darkness and restores everything the bottle tried to steal. The world told us we were broken. Love told us we were still worth saving.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about what keeps recovery alive — us. The Big Book gives us the plan, the Steps give us the path, but it's people who give it a heartbeat. Every time we share honestly, help someone new, or show up when we'd rather not, we keep recovery breathing in the world. We are the heartbeat — carrying hope from one soul to another, keeping this thing alive one day, one meeting, one act of service at a time.

In today's RAW Talk, Tyler and I talk about how the Promises of AA actually come true — and the real secret is simple: help someone else. We love reading the Promises — freedom, happiness, peace — but they don't just show up because we've been sober a few days. They unfold as we reach out to others, one act of service at a time. When we stop living just for ourselves, something shifts. The fear fades, the resentment lifts, and joy sneaks in through the side door. That's not coincidence — that's spiritual math.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're looking at AA's Tradition 5: “Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” Somewhere along the way, it's easy to forget that this is what we're really here for. It's not about who makes coffee, who's right in a debate, or who runs the best meeting. Our purpose is simple — to reach the person who's still dying inside and show them that hope is real. In this episode, I'll talk about how this Tradition keeps us grounded, how it protects our groups from ego and distraction, and how service is the lifeblood of recovery. The day we forget the suffering alcoholic is the day we stop growing.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about Discernment — that quiet, powerful ability to tell the difference between my will and God's will. In recovery, we're constantly bombarded by voices — fear, ego, emotion, instinct, and spirit — all fighting to be heard. Discernment is what helps us pause, listen, and choose the path that brings peace instead of chaos. It's not about being perfect. It's about being guided. In this episode, we'll look at how to recognize when it's time to act, when it's time to wait, and when it's time to shut up and let your Higher Power work.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Freedom of Choice.” Recovery gives us something we hadn't had in a long time — the power to choose. We get to decide how we respond, what we believe, and who we become. But with that freedom comes responsibility — to make choices that build us up instead of break us down. In this episode, I talk about how freedom of choice is one of the greatest gifts of sobriety — and how using it wisely leads to peace, purpose, and a deeper connection with our Higher Power. Every day, we get a say in the kind of person we want to be. That's real freedom.

  In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about the difference between pain and suffering — and why it matters so much in recovery. Pain is part of being human. It's the growing, stretching, and healing that comes with life. Suffering, though — that's what happens when we fight the pain, when we replay it, and when we refuse to let it teach us. In this episode, I share how learning to accept pain (instead of resisting it) has helped me find peace, freedom, and purpose — even in the hardest moments. We can't always choose what hurts, but we can choose what we do with it.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Self Love vs. Love of Self.” There's a big difference between loving yourself and being full of yourself. True self-love is about acceptance, humility, and care. “Love of self” is when ego starts calling the shots again. In this episode, I'll unpack how recovery helps us find that healthy middle ground — where we treat ourselves with respect, not arrogance; where confidence grows from gratitude, not grandiosity. You can love yourself without worshipping yourself.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “We Do Not Need to Live With Regret or Shame.” So many of us drag around the weight of the past — the things we did, the people we hurt, and the mistakes we made. But the truth is, recovery gives us permission to stop living there. In this episode, I talk about how regret and shame keep us stuck, how making amends frees us, and how grace lets us move forward without constantly reliving what's already been forgiven. We don't erase the past — we redeem it.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “The Work Between the Miracles.” Recovery has its big, beautiful moments — the breakthroughs, the freedom, the laughter that comes back. But most of the time, it's not fireworks — it's daily work. It's the small, consistent actions between those miracles that keep us grounded and growing. In this episode, I share what it looks like to keep showing up even when the excitement fades, how to find meaning in the quiet days, and why faith grows stronger in the space between the blessings. The miracle isn't just in what happens — it's in the fact that we keep working toward it.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “It's None of Your Darn Business!” One of the greatest sources of stress in recovery is trying to manage things that aren't ours — other people's opinions, choices, or problems. The truth is, most of what we worry about is none of our business! In this episode, I talk about how learning to “stay in our lane” brings peace, why gossip and judgment pull us out of spiritual alignment, and how trusting God to handle what isn't ours frees us up to focus on what is. We find serenity not by controlling everything, but by minding our own darn business.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Freedom of Choice.” Recovery gives us something we hadn't had in a long time — the power to choose. We get to decide how we respond, what we believe, and who we become. But with that freedom comes responsibility — to make choices that build us up instead of break us down. In this episode, I talk about how freedom of choice is one of the greatest gifts of sobriety — and how using it wisely leads to peace, purpose, and a deeper connection with our Higher Power. Every day, we get a say in the kind of person we want to be. That's real freedom.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “It's Not a Matter of Giving — But How and When!” In recovery, we learn that giving isn't just about generosity — it's about wisdom. Sometimes, we give too much of ourselves too soon, or to the wrong things, and end up empty. Other times, we hold back when we could've made a difference. This episode explores how spiritual growth teaches us balance — giving from love, not ego; giving when guided, not guilted. Because true giving isn't about being drained, it's about being directed. The right gift, given at the right time, carries more power than all the empty words in the world.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Being Offended and Comparisons.” Ever notice how easy it is to take things personally or measure our worth against someone else's? In recovery, those two habits can sneak back fast — and they're usually driven by the same thing: ego. In this episode, I unpack how being offended keeps us stuck in self-centeredness, why comparison steals our peace, and how humility and gratitude help us climb out of both. When we stop trying to prove something, we get to experience true serenity. Let's drop the scoreboard and pick up acceptance instead.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Perception of Ourselves and Others.” In recovery, our perception changes — and that's part of the miracle. Early on, we saw everything through fear, guilt, or ego. As we grow, we start to see the world, and ourselves, with clearer eyes. This episode is about how perception shapes our reality — how we judge ourselves too harshly, how we misread others, and how spiritual growth helps us see the truth instead of just our old filters. When we shift perception from fear to faith, everything looks different — even us.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Thousands of Founders!” The Big Book reminds us that we are not just members — we're founders of our own recovery. Every time one of us shares, helps someone new, or carries the message, we become part of that original spark that started this whole thing. In this episode, I dig into what it means to live like a founder — with responsibility, passion, and gratitude — and how keeping that spirit alive is what keeps recovery strong for the next person coming in the door. We don't just inherit this program — we help build it, one act of service and honesty at a time.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Stepping Stones to Higher Things.” In recovery, the things that once tripped us up often become the very stones that lift us higher. Every setback, mistake, or hard season can become a step toward growth — if we're willing to see it that way. In this episode, I share how to reframe life's challenges as spiritual stepping stones, how to find purpose in the pain, and how each lesson we learn becomes part of the foundation that carries us closer to freedom and peace. One day at a time, we're not falling behind — we're stepping up.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about one of the most well-known lines in recovery: “It works if you work it!” We say it all the time — but what does it really mean? In this episode, I dig into the heart of that phrase: why recovery isn't about luck or slogans, but about taking daily action, staying honest, and doing the work even when we don't feel like it. I'll share how “working it” has shown up in my own sobriety, why willingness matters more than perfection, and how consistent effort keeps the miracle alive — one day at a time.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “The Spiritual Hangover.” You know those days when you've done everything right — you've prayed, stayed sober, helped others — and you still feel off? That's what I call a spiritual hangover. It's when growth, emotions, and real life all catch up at once. In this episode, I share what causes a spiritual hangover, how to ride it out without falling back into self-pity, and why these uncomfortable days usually mean you're growing more than you realize. Keep trudging — the fog lifts, and what's waiting on the other side is peace.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “Instant Gratification vs. Delayed Gratification.” In addiction, we chased quick fixes — the drink, the high, the rush — anything to change how we felt right now. In recovery, we learn a new way of living: patience, trust, and the willingness to wait for the real rewards. This episode dives into why instant gratification can still sneak up on us in sobriety, how it keeps us stuck, and how choosing delayed gratification helps us grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. The truth is — we don't need everything right now. We just need faith in what's coming.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about “When Gratitude Feels Hard.” Some days it's easy to be grateful — other days, life hits hard, and gratitude feels out of reach. In this episode, I share how to work through those tough days when nothing seems to go right, and how practicing gratitude isn't about pretending everything's okay — it's about keeping the door open for hope. Whether you're new to recovery or you've been trudging the road for years, this message is about finding light in the dark moments and remembering that even the smallest bit of gratitude can change everything.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm diving into the Big Book chapter “To Wives.” This section isn't just for the spouses of alcoholics — it's a powerful look at how addiction affects the people who love us most. In this episode, I break down the message behind “To Wives,” what it teaches about patience, boundaries, and healing, and how both sides of the relationship can find recovery and peace. Whether you're the one getting sober or the one loving someone through it, this talk explores the compassion, honesty, and growth that come when we face this disease together.