Recovering with Jennifer Dawn Watts

In this, the final episode of this season, Jennifer and Dan get really honest about the ways in which recovery remains a struggle in their own lives. They share some of the things they have a hard time overcoming, as well as some of the practices they use to re-center and re-focus on their own recovery.

Is Hell real? If so, who goes there, and for how long? If not, then what is on the other side of this life? In this episode, Jennifer and Dan dive deep into their contrasting ideas around Hell and what happens after we die.

In this episode, Jennifer and Dan discuss vulnerability; what it makes it so difficult, and what makes it so deeply rewarding. The explore the fear that comes with risking vulnerability, and open up about more vulnerable parts of their own respective stories.

In this episode, Jennifer and Dan explore darkness and evil as concepts, whether literal or metaphorical, and how they manifest in our lives. They also share spiritual disciplines and practices that have been useful in their own lives in relationship with the darkness.

Host, Jennifer Dawn Watts kicks off her third season with the first in a series of conversations alongside her friend: leadership coach and soul guide, Dan Hines. In this episode, Jennifer and Dan spend a little time catching up on what's been happening over the last several months of pandemic life, then dive deep into the similarities and differences in their respective theological worldviews, so as to provide context for the rest of their upcoming conversations. Who is Jesus, really? Is the Bible authoritative, or not? What does it mean to identify as a Christian, even if that doesn't look exactly the same for you as it does for others?

In this episode we discuss how recovery can help with resentments. What do we do when people are pissing us off? Is there any way THROUGH it besides just acknowledging our anger? Big Book of AA section read during this episode: https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/en_bigbook_chapt5.pdf p. 66 & 67 

One of the things that’s most associated with Christians is - no sex before marriage - yet one of the things Christians talk the least about us sex. So is that true? Do all Christians adhere to that ideal? If not, what are some of the other voices contributing to the conversation?In this episode I interview Reverend Darrell McGowan to hear his thoughts. While we may not see everything the same way, the most important part is-we’re talking about it! In this episode we cover questions like:What does the Bible say about sex?Does the cultural context scripture was written in matter?What are some of the downfalls of waiting until marriage?How do we establish a meaningful sexual ethic?What kinds of conversations should we have with intimate partners about sex? And what about our kids? The biggest take away for me from this was that we need to keep the conversation going - what’s yours?

A surprising revelation I had about loneliness.  Links to resources mentioned:“Good Morning” - Chamillionaire “Intimacy is our oxygen” - Deeper Dating by Ken Page“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.” - The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck The Gift of Being Yourself by Dr. David Benner “The soul does not attach nor does it hate; it desires and loves and it lets go.” - Breathing Underwater by Richard Rohr Overeaters Anonymous for in person, online or telephone meetings: oa.orgCheck with your telephone company as some “free conference calls” have a chargeback. If they do, use Skype :)

Is everything really spiritual? Does everything in your life story belong: Your parents? Your history? Your successes AND your crashes? Rob Bell has toured with Oprah, written NYT bestsellers and was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people in the world. He also fell apart on his office floor, learned about therapy and in this book writes his WHOLE biography with the goal of owning every square inch of his life. Recovering is about getting real and connecting with Goodness, and Everything is Spiritual is a story about both.

Welcome back to Season 2 of Recovering! It’s easy to hide behind the role of interviewer so in this episode I switch chairs. If I’m going to preach real, it’s good to practice too. I asked my friend Dan Hines (from episode 6, Learning to Listen) to do the interview, and we discuss what role others who listen to us have in our own development, what’s currently holding me back from being my true self, my fears, sexuality and more…

Are you a good listener? How can we create open and safe spaces to hear one another - rather than fixing, saving or advising. What is an open, honest question? My friend Dan Hines happened to be in my city right after I mentioned him in a previous episode so I took him up on the opportunity to hang out and brought my gear to record a conversation. Dan’s retreats are one of the only other spaces, apart from 12 Step recovery, that I've experienced similar levels of honesty and safety in a group gathering. What is unique about these Circles of Trust (through Parker Palmer’s teaching and the Centre for Courage and Renewal) is that they can include a time of discernment for group members where others participate in helping the member discern. Especially in times like these we could all benefit from learning to really listen to one another, being present to their experience, and helping each other to tap into our inner wisdom and Guide. For more information on the Circles of Trust Approach go to http://www.couragerenewal.org/approach/ and to connect with Dan Hines go to http://www.danhines.ca or https://www.facebook.com/dan.hines.927

What makes a GOOD meeting? What are the essentials if we want to gather in a group & really grow? In this episode, I include 7 ingredients, including the magic word. I will be running a contest the week this episode goes LIVE to win a prize for people who know the magic word. Just DM me/PM me or IM me. Why? Because finding the magic word is fun. And recovery should mean MORE FUN.

Why are meetings so central to the recovery movement? Can people recover without them? What HAPPENS when we gather in that way? In this episode, we talk about the benefits of group intimacy and the 5 main components that seem to be present when transformative group intimacy happens.

Often when we try to be more authentic, people don’t respond well. What do we do then? Risk losing our relationships? Go back to wearing our masks? In this episode, we discuss a different path, one that helps us navigate these challenges while still being committed to becoming who we really are.

Getting Real (aka Authentic, Honest & Genuine). In this episode, I discuss the differences between real and vulnerability, ways to notice when you are being real vs being caught in ego, some of the challenges of real and assign homework to help you notice your own authentic self and the people who bring it out in you.

Intro to RECOVERING. In this episode, I discuss why being tougher on others (and ourselves) rarely brings lasting change.