Podcasts about friendly powers transforming addiction

Peg O'Connor is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, recovering alcoholic of 35 years, and author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering and Life on the Rocks: Finding Meaning in Addiction and Recovery. She writes the column "Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken” for psychologytoday.com.  In her free time, Peg is an avid tennis player and a black belt in taekwondo. She has worked in dog rescue for about 10 years and finds that her faith in humanity can be simultaneously shattered by meeting mistreated animals and restored by colleagues who are fiercely loving and caring advocates. Her own dog, Clooney, is a rescue and they spend their days together in the great Minneapolis area. PegOConnorAuthor.com Recovery Revolution Podcast Network

Veronica meets with philosopher Dr. Peg O' Conner author of 'Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering'. They discuss what spirituality is, how they interpret the 12-steps. What spirituality is essential to sobriety and how it can also block people in sobriety.   To learn more, visit the show notes.

Peg O'Connor, Ph.D., is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Her training is in moral philosophy, feminist philosophy, addiction studies, and the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober. Avoiding Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power,” she is focused on using some of the great canonical thinkers in western philosophy to illuminate dimensions of addiction. She further shares this in her new book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, August 2022).Reco12 is an organization with the mission of learning and sharing the similarities of addiction of all kinds and the similarities of recovery from all afflictions and addictions, and gaining and sharing tools and hope from others who are trudging this road. We are an open meeting for ALL, no matter your life experiences, faith traditions, nationality, or background.  Reco12 is a self-supporting service and we appreciate your help in keeping us working our Step 12 in this manner.  We gratefully accept one-time contributions through PayPal and Venmo through the links in the chat and show notes.  We have also started a new monthly subscription program called Reco12 Spearheads.  To join in and help support these cool projects, please consider donating at www.reco12.com/support, or click on the link in the chat of the live meeting or the show notes of the podcast. Resources from this meeting:Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and SufferingSoren KierkegaardWilliam James Varieties of Religious ExperiencesHenry David ThoreauAristotle To record a Reco12 Shares … share or prayer, please link to https://www.speakpipe.com/reco12shares and leave a share or your favorite recovery prayer. To find Reco12 Shares on virtually any podcast platform and follow and listen, go here:  https://reco12shares.buzzsprout.com/share  Outro music is “Standing Still” by Cory Ellsworth and Randy Kartchner, performed by Mike Eldred and Elizabeth Wolfe.  This song, and/or the entire soundtrack for the future Broadway musical, “Crosses:  A Musical of Hope”, can be purchased here:  https://amzn.to/3RIjKXs This song is used with the express permission of Cory Ellsworth. The Eating Disorder Diaries PodcastIf you have an eating disorder, you are not alone. Host Amy Goeckel shares her experience.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showPrivate Facebook GroupInstagram PageBecome a Reco12 Spearhead (Monthly Supporter)PatreonPayPalVenmo: @Reco-TwelveYouTube ChannelReco12 WebsiteEmail: reco12pod@gmail.com to join WhatsApp Group

Peg O'Connor is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, recovering alcoholic of 35 years, and author of “Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering” and “Life on the Rocks: Finding Meaning in Addiction and Recovery”. She writes the column “Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken” for psychologytoday.com. In her free time, Peg is an avid tennis player and a black belt in taekwondo. She has worked in dog rescue for about 10 years and finds that her faith in humanity can be simultaneously shattered by meeting mistreated animals and restored by colleagues who are fiercely loving and caring advocates. Her own dog, Clooney, is a rescue and they spend their days together in the great Minneapolis area. For more information about Recovery Revolution Live you can visit our Website or Facebook Page Recovery Revolution Podcast Network

Philosopher Dr. Peg O'Connor stops by the Intentional Clinician podcast to talk to Paul Krauss MA LPC about how trauma may affect peoples' abilities to develop and cultivate what one philosopher calls "the essential arts of person-hood." Some of the essential arts of personhood include: imagining, hoping, having empathy, bodily dominion, and self-possession. Lacking those makes it far more difficult for a person to have self-respect, which in turn makes it much harder to be a full moral agent and to be taken as such by others. In this episode, trauma-informed therapist Paul Krauss MA LPC and Dr. Peg O'Connor discuss the intersections of trauma and the ability for people to cultivate the essential arts of personhood. Peg O'Connor is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, recovering alcoholic of 35 years, and author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, 2022) and Life on the Rocks: Finding Meaning in Addiction and Recovery (Central Recovery Press, 2016). She writes the column “Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken” for psychologytoday.com.  In her free time, Peg is an avid tennis player and a black belt in taekwondo. She has worked in dog rescue for about 10 years and finds that her faith in humanity can be simultaneously shattered by meeting mistreated animals and restored by colleagues who are fiercely loving and caring advocates. Her own dog, Clooney, is a rescue and they spend their days together in the great Minneapolis area. Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3) Donate Share with your network Sign our Petition Preview an On-Demand Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!) Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, and Wired Magazine. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433. If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting weekly online and in-person groups.  For details, click here. For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization. Follow Health for Life Grand Rapids: Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube  Original Music: ”Alright" from the forthcoming album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify) "Gymnopédie No. 1" from Gymnopédie No. 1 by Joseph Shabason (Spotify)

In this episode, we discuss:How philosophy supports sobrietyThe importance of friendshipHigher and friendlier powersThe influence of William James on AAReligion versus spirituality Spiritual impulsesAccessing joy in difficult momentsThe problem with a rock-bottom approachBuilding recovery capital Peg O'Connor, Ph.D., is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Her training is in moral philosophy, feminist philosophy, addiction studies, and the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober. Avoiding Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power,” she is focused on using some of the great canonical thinkers in western philosophy to illuminate dimensions of addiction.  She further shares this in her latest book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, 2022).  Dr. O'Connor is regularly published in trade journals and writes a column, “Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken,” for Psychology Today, which has nearly 2.3 million total views online and select columns have appeared in the print publication.  Her expertise has been featured on BBC's Free Thinking and Canadian Public Radio's On Drugs podcast, as well as in print and online publications ranging from The New York Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Cosmo and Marie Claire to Vice and Salon. She has been invited to present on addiction and recovery at some of the country's most prestige universities, in addition to workshops and talks in church basements, classrooms, community centers, and treatment centers. To learn more about Dr. O'Connor, visit her website:  https://pegoconnorauthor.com/__Join the new Sun & Moon Community Membership: https://sunandmoonsoberliving.com/membership/Follow @sunandmoon.soberliving on InstagramDisclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

  Viv, aka Sober iThrive interviews Dr Peg O'Connor on her book "Higher and Friendly Powers" This is an amazing interview and we graciously thank Dr O'Connor for coming on the Sobertown Podcast and sharing her amazing insights and wisdom!!   Interview with Peg O'Connor, Professor of Philosophy, Specializing in Feminist, Social, Political Philosophy and Addiction Studies, and Author of: “HIGHER AND FRIENDLY POWERS TRANSFORMING ADDICTION AND SUFFERING HIGHER” An expansive alternative for those who have AND FRIENDiv struggled with the "higher power" of AA's 12-step POWERS program, Higher and Friendly Powers (Wildhouse Publications / August 24, 2022) offers a sense of human decency, moral ideals, and even a better version of oneself. In Higher and Friendly Powers, Peg O'Connor, PEG O CONNOR PhD, addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term "higher power," a touchstone in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20 century. By acting as our personal field guide through the world of William James, Peg shows that "higher power" as James conceived it is far more expansive than we might imagine. The book, which combines Peg's deep personal wisdom with James's adventurous intellect, has the power to transform the way we live.   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 1 Peg O'Connor, Ph.D., is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. • Her training is in moral philosophy, feminist philosophy, addiction studies, and the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober. Avoiding Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a "higher power," she is focused on using some of the great canonical thinkers in western philosophy to illuminate dimensions of addiction. She further shares this in her new book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, August 2022). Dr. O'Connor is also the author of Life on the Rocks: Finding Meaning in Addiction and Recovery (Central Recovery Press, 2016), Morality and Our Complicated Form of Life: Feminist Wittgensteinian Metaethics (Penn State, 2008), and Oppression and Responsibility: A Wittgensteinian Approach to Social Practices and Moral Theory (Penn State, 2002). A co-editor to multiple other titles, she is regularly published in trade journals and writes a column, Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken, for Psychology Today, which has nearly two million total views online and select columns have appeared in the print publication. Dr. O'Connor's expertise has been featured on BBC's Free Thinking and Canadian Public Radio's On Drugs podcast, as well as in print and online publications ranging from The New York Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Cosmo and Marie Claire to Vice and Kinfolk. She has been invited to present on addiction and recovery at some of the country's most prestige universities, in addition to workshops and talks in church basements, classrooms, community centers, and treatment centers. Dr. Peg O'Connor is a recovering alcoholic who maintains that philosophy got and helped her to stay sober. For the last twelve years, she has shifted the focus of her work to using some of the great canonical thinkers in western philosophy to illuminate dimensions of addiction. She understands addiction as a meaning of life problem and no discipline is as well suited as philosophy to address meaning of life questions.   Peg O'Conner's Website: https://pegoconnorauthor.com/ Amazon: Higher and Friendly Powers   Viv, aka Sober_iThrive, is a Certified Addictions Recovery Coach  https://www.soberithrive.org My communities are:   • Sobertownpodcast.com   • I Am Sober Community (IAS) - @Sober_iThrive  • Sobertown Facebook Group   • “Valiants We Thrive” – Sober Women Telegram Group  • Instagram: @Sober_i_Thrive    No Sippy No Slippy. Not Another Drop No matter What.   Remember to Pour The Poison Down The Sink!!      Sobertownpodcast.com    

For more on Parents & Addicts In Need, to follow on social media, the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast, to get involved, or to donate https://linktr.ee/painnonprofit Parents & Addicts in Need's Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance talk with Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher & Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction And Suffering on the Don't Hide The Scars Podcast. Higher & Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction And Suffering is an expansive alternative for those who have struggled with the “higher power” of AA's 12-step program, Higher and Friendly Powers offers a sense of human decency, moral ideals, and even a better version of oneself. In Higher and Friendly Powers, Peg O'Connor addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term “higher power,” a touchstone in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century. By acting as our personal field guide through the world of William James, Peg shows that “higher power” as James conceived it is far more expansive than we might imagine. The book, which combines Peg's deep personal wisdom with James's adventurous intellect, has the power to transform the way we live. We also discuss with Peg about breaking people pleasing habits, seeking for validation, finding purpose as well as the faults of the approach to addiction rehabilitation especially when it comes to insurance companies. For more on Peg O'Connor and to get your copy of Higher & Friendly Powers visit https://pegoconnorauthor.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dhts/message

Today my guest is Peg O'Connor, author of “Higher and Friendly Powers-Transforming Addiction and Suffering”. She has been sober for 34 years, holds Ph.D in philosophy, she is a professor at Gustavus Adolphus College, and a contributor to Psychology Today.    We dig into the premise of her book around where the term Higher Power comes from and what it really means. Her intention is the same as mine, which is to alleviate unnecessary suffering by helping people overcome ideas that may be holding them back from solutions such as the 12 Step program.   That's actually a good segway to announce that I'm hosting a free 12 Step Workshop for Women starting January 3rd and all you have to do is join the One day at a time private women's group on Facebook!   There will be a lot of challenges for Dry January - some that are quite expensive, but if you have financial constraints that put these out of reach, I got you covered. Everything is free, even the literature! I am a huge 12 step advocate because it has helped me to stay sober for over 28 years. If you're worried about the God thing, I have a way around that. If you are worried about being an “alcoholic”, don't worry about that either! Whatever has prevented you from going through the process, I will share context and perspectives that will help you get past the barriers so that you can access a truly magical transformation.   So if you have been thinking about it, take this as a sign! Fortune favors the bold so let's goooo…. Be sure to invite your friends too. The more the merrier.   Without further ado, please enjoy this episode with Peg!   Get the book! Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3G6Edku Watch on YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNuRolkOZ7X8fCEFCDYd5tg     Lightning Round Answers:  Book recommendation: Mary Carr, “Lit” Favorite Quote: Use “Misery Threshold” instead of Rock Bottom Self Care Practice: Exercise, Walking Meditation, 12 Step Meetings   Subscribe So You Don't Miss New Episodes!   Listen On:   https://apple.co/30g6ALF   https://odaatchat.libsyn.com/spotify   https://bit.ly/3n0taNQ     Watch Full Episodes!   https://bit.ly/2UpR5Lo

Jeannine and Nate interview Dr Peg O'Connor, a recovering alcoholic and professor of philosophy specializing in addiction studies. Peg has been sober for 34 years. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober, but she avoided Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power.” Now, Dr. O'Connor is the author of the new book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, August 15, 2022). In Higher and Friendly Powers, Peg O'Connor, PhD, addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term “higher power,” a touchstone in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century. Connect with Dr O'Connor: https://pegoconnorauthor.com/ Connect with the show: https://tinyurl.com/3zryea85 Connect with Narcan Nate: https://tinyurl.com/3fn4jkwh

Peg joins us to talk about her more secular conception of a Higher Power, informed by her background in philosophy and the life and work of William James. While working the steps and doing the fearless and thorough moral inventory, she explains how Hume’s list of virtues can come into play. As we redefine our approach to self-esteem in recovery, we can think of it as “knowing how to belong to ourselves.” In this work she strives alongside her students to cultivate an expanded sense of human decency and moral ideals. More on Peg O’Connor and her book Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering: https://pegoconnorauthor.com/ Follow us on social media. Podcast Twitter: @EmSobrietyPod Instagram: thomrutledge2 Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs Email Thom: thomrutledgeauthor@gmail.com Email Allen: abphd@msn.com Allen’s first book, Love Secrets Revealed: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Secrets-Revealed-Intimacy-Connection/dp/0757303978/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=love+secrets+revealed+allen+berger&qid=1650843975&sprefix=love+secrets+reve%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1 Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/ Thom's book, Embracing Fear: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Fear-Turn-Scares-Greatest/dp/0062517759/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below): https://zoom.us/j/330149513 Password: 375986 For our ongoing video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519 We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings. We appreciate feedback! Contact Patrick, our prod

Peg O'Connor, Ph.D., is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Her training is in moral philosophy, feminist philosophy, addiction studies, and the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober. Avoiding Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power,” she is focused on using some of the great canonical thinkers in western philosophy to illuminate dimensions of addiction.  She further shares this in her new book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering. Dr. Peg O'Connor is a recovering alcoholic who maintains that Philosophy got and helped her to stay sober. For the last twelve years, she has shifted the focus of her work to using some of the great canonical thinkers in western Philosophy to illuminate dimensions of addiction. She understands addiction as a meaning of life problem and no discipline is as well suited as Philosophy to address meaning of life questions. In Higher and Friendly Powers, Dr. O'Connor addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of AA. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term “higher power,” a touchstone in the twelve steps of AA, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century. Find Dr. O'Conner at http://pegoconnorauthor.com Video Clips of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/c/unlatchedmind

Peg O'Connor PhD, joins us to discuss the history of AA and the roots of the “higher power”. In this very poignant episode we learn how to approach patients who might be put off by the 12-step dogma plus Dr. O'Connor gives us so much more wisdom in how to reach our patients with alcohol use disorders. This is a can't miss episode. Hosted by Paula Cook, MD and Darlene Petersen, MD. Find out more about Dr. O'Connor at: http://pegoconnorauthor.com/ and check out her book Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering.  Check us out on facebook @Theaddictionfiles or twitter @THEADDICTIONFI1 or Instagram  Theaddictionfiles No explicit language but this podcast discusses the abuse and treatment of legal and illegal drugs and may not be appropriate for all listeners.  

In this episode of Cracking Addiction we speak to Professor Peg O'Connor, a professor of moral philosophy who is in recovery from alcohol use disorder and who addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term “higher power,” a touchstone in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century. In this book Professor O'Connor addresses concepts such as:Understanding the Concept of “Higher Power” at the Heart of the 12-Step Program Why There Must Be Multiple Paths out of Addiction and No One is the Best or RightWhy Needs in Recovery Change over TimeUndertaking Spiritual Recovery in AA without a Religious DenominationProfessor O'Connor's book 'Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering' can be ordered from her website: https://pegoconnorauthor.com/ as well as Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Wildhouse Publications.

Join Carl and Dr. by Dr. Peg O'Connor as they discuss Dr. O'Connor's new book “Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering” Written over the course of a 10+ year period, the book details some of the background and experience around William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century. By acting as our personal field guide through the world of William James, Peg shows that "higher power" as James conceived it is far more expansive than we might imagine. The book, which combines Peg's deep personal wisdom with James's adventurous intellect, has the power to transform the way we live. Show links: https://pegoconnorauthor.com https://wildhousepublications.com Buy the Book --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soberpod/message

Dr. Peg O'Conner Ph.D is interviewed by Paul Krauss MA LPC about the addiction recovery community, the difficulties with the Christian-centric God that is a part of many Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, how to participate in recovery and understand the concept of a "higher power," etc. Dr. Peg also discusses her personal journey in recovery as well. Dr. Peg O'Conner's book Higher and Friendly Powers (Wildhouse Publications / September 1, 2022) is a comprehensive alternative for people who have had trouble with the "higher power" of AA's 12-step program. It delivers a feeling of human decency, moral principles, and even a better version of oneself. Peg O'Connor, PhD, speaks to those in recovery who have battled with the Christian-centered God at the center of Alcoholics Anonymous in Higher and Friendly Powers. She draws our attention to a little-known fact: William James, a philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual titan of the early 20th century, created the phrase "higher power," a touchstone in Alcoholics Anonymous' twelve steps. Peg O'Connor, Ph.D., is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Her training is in moral philosophy, feminist philosophy, addiction studies, and the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober. Avoiding Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power,” she is focused on using some of the great canonical thinkers in western philosophy to illuminate dimensions of addiction.  She further shares this in her new book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, 2022).   Preview an On-Demand Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults by Paul Krauss MA LPC   Want to get trained in EMDR Therapy? Looking for some great advanced EMDR therapy trainings? Check out EMDR Training Solutions and Register Today! Use the code INTENTIONAL at checkout, and get $100 Dollars OFF at Checkout! Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, and Wired Magazine. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433.  If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting weekly online and in-person groups.  For details, click here. For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization. Follow Health for Life Grand Rapids: Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube    Original Music: ”Shades of Currency" [Instrumental] from Archetypes by PAWL (Spotify) "Taking Flight (feat. Brandee Younger)" from Resavoir by Resavoir (Spotify)  

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

Dr. Peg O'Connor author of Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering discusses how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

In this rendition of the The Way Out I'm absolutely delighted to bring you a fascinating interview I had the pleasure of conducting with Moral Philosopher, Dr. of Philosophy and Author of the new book Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering, Peg O'Connor. Peg shares with us her extremely relatable journey to and through recovery with us with tremendous insight and self-awareness and how her self-described recovery journey experiment brought her to her important work on the varied nature and practical value of spirituality in recovery. At it's very essence, spirituality has the profound ability to transform our suffering into a life of purpose and meaning, one that allows us to have right and rewarding relations with ourselves, our higher or friendly power or powers, and others. Peg and I have a wide ranging and amazing discussion on the history of the Higher Power concept in 12 Step recovery, the destructive myth of having to reach Rock Bottom in order to Recover – spoiler alert – you don't, your bottom is when you stop digging, and what precisely Higher and Friendly powers can do for us in a very practical way in our own recovery so listen up. Contact Dr. Peg O'Connor: https://gustavus.edu/profiles/poconnor Learn More about Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering: https://www.amazon.com/Higher-Friendly-Powers-Transforming-Addiction/dp/1736075063 Recovery literature (quit-lit) recommendation: The Urge: Our History of Addiction by Dr. Carl Erik Fisher https://www.carlerikfisher.com/book Best piece of Recovery advice - Trust yourself Book -The Urge: Our History of Addiction by Dr. Carl Erik Fisher https://www.carlerikfisher.com/book Songs that symbolize Recovery: Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive: https://youtu.be/gYkACVDFmeg Sister Sledge - We Are Family: https://youtu.be/uyGY2NfYpeE Don't forget to check out “The Way Out Playlist” available only on Spotify. Curated by all our wonderful guests on the podcast! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HNQyyjlFBrDbOUADgw1Sz (c) 2015 - 2022 The Way Out Podcast | All Rights Reserved Theme Music: “all clear” (https://ketsa.uk/browse-music/) by Ketsa (https://ketsa.uk) licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message

What if you have a hard time connecting with the God-language in 12-step recovery?  Can you still recover?  Dr. Peg O'Connor, author of the upcoming book "Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering," says you can.  In this entertaining and illuminating conversation, she delves into the philosophical background and historical evolution of AA to make the case for expanding our understanding of a higher power.

Today's episode features a fascinating interview with Dr. Peg O'Connor, a recovering alcoholic and professor of philosophy specializing in addiction studies.Peg has been sober for 34 years. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober, but she avoided Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power.” Now, Dr. O'Connor is the author of the forthcoming book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, September 1, 2022).  In Higher and Friendly Powers, Peg O'Connor, PhD, addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term “higher power,” a touchstone in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century.  Drawing from her expertise in addiction studies and key themes from her book, Dr. O'Connor discusses:•               Understanding the Concept of “Higher Power” at the Heart of the 12-Step Program •               Why There Must Be Multiple Paths out of Addiction and No One is the Best or Right•               Why Needs in Recovery Change over Time•               Are Some People More Susceptible to Addiction•               Undertaking Spiritual Recovery in AA without a Religious Denomination•               The Barriers People Face When Seeking Treatment for Addiction•               How to Talk to People About Their Alcohol or Drug Use•               Changing Your Relationships with Addictive Substances and Behaviors•               Good Without God: Recognizing the Difference Between Spirituality and Religion Do not miss this!  

Peg has been sober for 34 years. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober, but she avoided Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power.” Now, Dr. O'Connor is the author of the forthcoming book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, September 1, 2022).  In Higher and Friendly Powers, Peg O'Connor, PhD, addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term “higher power,” a touchstone in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century.  Buy Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering by Dr. O'Connor on Amazon. Support Dismantled Life: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Dismantledlife See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From quite early in her life, Peg O'Connor felt a “double dose of shame” - from her lesbian identity on one hand, and her struggles with alcohol on the other. Her drinking problems almost got her expelled from high school, but instead she was able to stop. In her view, philosophy helped her immensely to get and stay sober, especially considering how she was not fully on board with traditional religious views or with Alcoholics Anonymous.Peg eventually became a philosophy professor, studying Wittgenstein, ethics, and feminist philosophy, and for decades she remained abstinent from alcohol. But then, 19 years into her recovery, searching for “something more,” she got more curious about 12-step recovery. At the same time, she turned her academic focus to face addiction more directly, and since then she has been writing about some of the most challenging ideas about recovery, such as surrender, powerlessness, spirituality, and “higher powers.”For this episode of Flourishing After Addiction, I was excited to speak with Peg about her most recent book, Higher and Friendly Powers, a compulsively readable, clear, and humane exploration of the notion of “Higher Powers,” using the philosopher and psychologist William James as a guide. It's great fun. I hope you enjoy.Peg O'Connor is Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications) and Life on the Rocks: Finding Meaning in Addiction and Recovery (Central Recovery Press, 2016). A recovering alcoholic, she believes philosophy has much to offer people who struggle. You can find her at her faculty page and her author website (

Are suffering, long-term pain, and surrender necessary before individuals address their substance abuse? Dr. Peg O'Connor echos the sentiments of the philosopher William James and says “absolutely not.” Peg O'Connor, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. She believes that philosophy helped her address her addiction and aided in her recovery. Dr. O'Connor's expertise has been featured on BBC's Free Thinking and Canadian Public Radio's On Drugs podcast, as well as in print and online publications ranging from The New York Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Cosmo. Dr. O'Connor is the author of numerous books, including her new one, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, 2022). For more information go to: https://pegoconnorauthor.com