Podcast appearances and mentions of Paul Paul

Scripture Reading: Acts 28:16–31 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans. 18 When they had heard my case, they wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had some charge to bring against my own people. 20 So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.” 21 They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there and reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.” 23 They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. 25 So they began to leave, unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will never understand, and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive. 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” ' 28 “Therefore be advised that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!” 30 Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction.OutlinePaul in RomeIntroduction to the end of the bookRome, the eternal cityPaul is permitted to stay in his rented apartmentTo the Jew firstThe schism between Jews and Christians in RomePaul's reassures Jewish leaders: he doesn't mean troubleThe Jewish leaders have heard nothing negative of PaulPaul testifies about the Kingdom of God and Jesus using the law and the prophetsThe Jews are dividedThen to the GentilesPaul's ministry while under house arrestThe Sudden EndingA sudden ending?But what if it is a sudden ending?A hopeful ending?What happened after two years?Paul was released and later rearrested?

Scripture Reading: Acts 28:1–22 28 After we had safely reached shore, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the local people saw the creature hanging from Paul's hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself has not allowed him to live!” 5 However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 Now in the region around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as guests for three days. 8 The father of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this had happened, many of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed. 10 They also bestowed many honors, and when we were preparing to sail, they gave us all the supplies we needed. 11 After three months we put out to sea in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and had the “Heavenly Twins” as its figurehead. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we cast off and arrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind sprang up and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome. 15 The brothers from there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. When he saw them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans. 18 When they had heard my case, they wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had some charge to bring against my own people. 20 So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.” 21 They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there and reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.” OutlinePaul's Adventures in MaltaBrief introduction: Paul is vindicated at sea and on landPaul is shipwrecked in MaltaThe shipwrecked voyagers are welcomed by the barbariansPaul is bitten by a snake!Publius hosts (some) of the voyagersThe father of Publius and many others are healedTo Rome!Three months in Malta, then back to sailing to ItalyPaul is welcome in PuteoliPuteoli to Rome, the last stretch!Brothers come to meet PaulPaul in RomeIntroduction to the end of the bookRome, the eternal cityPaul is permitted to stay in his rented apartmentTo the Jew firstThe schism between Jews and Christians in RomePaul's reassures Jewish leaders: he doesn't mean troubleThe Jewish leaders have heard nothing negative of Paul

  Hey there, Sales Leaders and Professionals! Imagine a surprising twist in the world of sales culture that could skyrocket your team's performance. It's something unexpected, something that will make you rethink everything you know about building a winning sales culture. Stay tuned to find out what it is and how it can revolutionize your team's success. Ready to take your sales game to the next level? Let's dive in! Cultivating a sales culture Cultivating a strong sales culture is essential for fostering teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement within sales teams. It involves creating a supportive environment where team members are empowered to collaborate, learn from each other, and strive for excellence. A positive sales culture boosts morale, increases motivation, and ultimately leads to enhanced performance and success. This is Paul Fuller's story: In this episode of The Modern Selling Podcast, Mario Martinez Jr. sits down with Paul Fuller, the Chief Revenue Officer of Membrain, a B2B growth platform. Paul brings over two decades of sales experience to the table, making him an expert in driving sales culture through character, competence, and technology. He emphasizes the significance of continuous training, individual accountability, and celebrating wins while coaching privately for improvements, laying the foundation for a positive sales culture. Throughout the episode, Paul shares valuable insights on providing constructive criticism in sales, the challenges of implementing sales technology, and the importance of proper training and enablement. With his deep understanding of the multi-faceted nature of sales and the impact of technology on driving sales culture, Paul offers practical advice to enhance team collaboration, accountability, and sales excellence. This engaging conversation is a must-listen for sales leaders and professionals looking to elevate their team's performance and build a strong sales culture. Paul Fuller found his calling in sales through a journey filled with diverse experiences. His career, which includes founding a sales-as-a-service company and transitioning to his current role, reflects his unwavering dedication to the industry. Paul's view of sales as a blend of leadership, service, and wayfinding sheds light on the profound insights he has gained over the years. His story is not just about professional growth, but a testament to how a shift in mindset can turn disdain for a profession into a deep-rooted passion. Paul's narrative resonates with the challenges and triumphs many professionals encounter, making his journey an inspiration for those seeking fulfillment and purpose in their careers. I think the biggest thing that we can help them do is be good at their job and be held accountable to doing it well. - Paul Fuller Our special guest is Paul Fuller Paul Fuller, the Chief Revenue Officer of Membrain, is a seasoned sales professional with over 22 years of industry experience. With a track record of leading a sales-as-a-service company and now steering Membrane's B2B growth, Paul brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His unique journey from initial skepticism about sales to recognizing its potential to transform lives gives him a distinct outlook on building a sales culture within teams. Paul's insights into leadership, service, and wayfinding in sales offer a refreshing and valuable perspective for sales leaders and professionals seeking to enhance team performance and foster a collaborative and accountable sales culture. In this episode, you will be able to: Mastering LinkedIn messaging will revolutionize your sales outreach. Weekly sales reports can uncover hidden opportunities and boost team performance. Cultivating a sales culture within your team is key to achieving sales excellence. Choosing the right sales technology can supercharge your team's productivity. Effective B2B sales coaching strategies can transform your team's performance.   The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Importance of LinkedIn messaging and leadership in sales 00:01:56 - Introduction to Membrain and Paul Fuller 00:03:13 - Membrain's B2B growth platform 00:07:43 - Personal definition of sales and its impact on people 00:11:20 - Delicate communication in addressing areas of improvement 00:13:47 - Building a Strong Sales Culture Based on Character and Competence 00:16:31 - Accountability and Approach in Sales Leadership 00:21:03 - Creating a Systematic Sales Culture 00:23:15 - Equipping Sales Teams with the Right Technology 00:27:55 - The Pitfalls of Misguided Enablement 00:42:35 - Challenges in Training 00:43:20 - Resistance to Change 00:44:50 - Impact of Membrain 00:49:13 - Connecting with Paul 00:50:52 - All-Time Favorite Movie Timestamped summary of this episode: 00:00:00 - Importance of LinkedIn messaging and leadership in sales The conversation starts with a discussion about the missed opportunity to reply on LinkedIn messaging and then delves into the importance of leadership in sales and the need for delicate communication in addressing areas of improvement. 00:01:56 - Introduction to Membrain and Paul Fuller Mario introduces Paul Fuller, the Chief Revenue Officer of Membrain, and they discuss Paul's background in sales and his role at Membrain. 00:03:13 - Membrain's B2B growth platform Paul explains that Membrain offers a B2B growth platform that includes a CRM and is designed to help sales experts and their customers define and execute their sales processes and methodologies. 00:07:43 - Personal definition of sales and its impact on people Paul shares his personal definition of sales as leadership, service, and wayfinding, emphasizing the impact of sales on changing people's lives beyond just financial gain. 00:11:20 - Delicate communication in addressing areas of improvement The conversation explores the challenge of providing constructive criticism in sales and the importance of building respect and trust to effectively communicate areas of improvement to sales professionals. 00:13:47 - Building a Strong Sales Culture Based on Character and Competence Paul emphasizes the importance of character and competence in building a strong sales culture. He stresses the need for true intentions and a heart of servitude in sales interactions. 00:16:31 - Accountability and Approach in Sales Leadership The discussion shifts to the approach and accountability in sales leadership. Paul talks about the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and celebrating wins while providing private coaching for improvement. 00:21:03 - Creating a Systematic Sales Culture Paul discusses the significance of creating a systematic approach to building a sales culture. He emphasizes the need for continual training, coaching, and the use of technology to enable sales teams to be effective in their roles. 00:23:15 - Equipping Sales Teams with the Right Technology The conversation delves into the importance of providing sales teams with the right tools and technology. Paul highlights the demoralizing effect of not arming teams with the right technology and emphasizes the need to align technology with the desired sales outcomes. 00:27:55 - The Pitfalls of Misguided Enablement The discussion covers the misconception of enabling sales teams with technology without understanding the specific job roles and desired outcomes. Paul emphasizes the need to avoid the "tech confusion gap" and align technology with the specific needs of each sales role. 00:42:35 - Challenges in Training Paul discusses the challenges he faced in training a large number of people and the lack of implementation and engagement from the trainees. 00:43:20 - Resistance to Change Paul addresses the resistance to change from the sales team, including their reluctance to use referrals and their low open rates and engagement on emails. 00:44:50 - Impact of Membrain Paul talks about the impact of Membrain on the market, including elevating the sales profession, driving excellence in the sales process, and achieving significant growth and client retention. 00:49:13 - Connecting with Paul Paul shares that the best way to connect with him is through LinkedIn and also mentions his podcast, "The Art and Science of Complex Sales." 00:50:52 - All-Time Favorite Movie In a lighthearted moment, Paul reveals that his all-time favorite movie is "The Goonies" and shares a fun memory related to it. Mastering LinkedIn messaging Mastering LinkedIn messaging is crucial for building connections and generating leads in the digital sales landscape. It involves crafting personalized messages that resonate with prospects and drive engagement. By harnessing the power of LinkedIn, sales professionals can reach a wider audience and establish meaningful relationships with potential clients. Unveiling the benefits of weekly sales reports Weekly sales reports offer valuable insights into team performance, allowing sales leaders to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate achievements. These reports provide a clear overview of key metrics, such as revenue goals, conversion rates, and pipeline growth, enabling data-driven decision-making. By analyzing weekly sales reports, teams can optimize strategies, enhance efficiency, and drive sales success. The resources mentioned in this episode are: Connect with Paul Fuller on LinkedIn by searching for Paul Fuller, Membrain or visiting LinkedIn.com/in/paulsfuller. Check out the Art and Science of Complex Sales podcast created by Membrain, available on all podcast platforms. Download FlyMSG at flymsg.io to save 20 hours or more in a month and increase productivity with a free text expander and personal writing assistant. Visit Membrain's website at membrane.com to learn more about their B2B growth platform and how it can help elevate the sales profession. Listen to the Modern Selling Podcast and give it a five-star rating and review on iTunes to support the show and help others discover valuable sales insights.

Christian Disciple and Evangelism (Part 1) Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this as a MP3 file Paul writing in 1 Corinthians 2v1-5 regarding his first contact with the city of Corinth: “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” When he was going the 50 miles or so from Athens to Corinth, Paul was alone. He had left the intellectual centre of the ancient world, Athens, and entered Corinth, the cultural capital of the ancient world. Do you sometimes think that Paul was like a superman, always brash and utterly confident when engaged in evangelism? According to that passage, he entered with great nervousness, weakness and fear. He was not confident in his own ability or the way that he spoke and reasoned. But why should Paul have been this way with the city of Corinth? Corinth The city of Corinth is located on the narrow isthmus linking northern and southern Greece. It had two ports on either side, where small ships and boats could be dragged on greased planks the 3-mile journey across the isthmus, thus saving themselves a 200-mile journey through dangerous waters. It was therefore a natural place for fantastic links for commerce and culture across the known world. The world famous Isthmian games were held there. Paul’s reasoning for deciding to go there was probably along the lines of “If its good enough for commerce and culture to be spread from Corinth, even better for the Gospel to travel far and wide from that hub.” So he enters Corinth. But alas, with culture and commerce came its evil triplet – immorality. The temple, which overlooked Corinth, was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite and had 1,000 prostitutes. Aphrodite was the goddess of love and sex. In those days to go “corinthianizing”, meant to go actively seeking immorality. These reasons are why Paul entered Corinth nervously – the proud and cultural intelligentsia, endemic immorality and the many temples to many gods including Aphrodite and Poseidon. The Corinthians were post-modern people, even before post-modernity! Their motto – “If it feels good, do it!” Paul Paul was nervous and weak in his own strength, but he was supremely confident in the Lord and the power of the Spirit to use him. What can we learn from Paul’s visit to Corinth and how do we apply them to our lives today in the 21st century? After all our modern cities and towns are no different from ancient Corinth! Evangelism Paul’s Message – The Gospel The Gospel is Trinitarian – The Gospel is The Father’s mysterious revelation through the Son’s work on the cross in the power of the Spirit The Gospel is Three Dimensional Breadth of the Bible – all of Scripture is about God’s plan of Salvation. Depth of the cross Length of God’s mission The Gospel is anathema and unpopular. The Gospel is never popular, and if it is, then it is not a truly Biblically Gospel. We have a false Gospel being preached where financial prosperity is the central claim. We have a false Gospel where Jesus is a cure all being the central claim. For Paul, and for all true Christian Disciples, “Jesus and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2v2) is the true Gospel. Paul faced Jewish opposition · To the Jewish mindset, it was unthinkable that the Messiah would be crucified on a pagan Gentile cross (Acts18v6, 12-17). Paul faced Gentile opposition · Jesus’ exclusive claim to be the only way, the only truth and only life challenged Corinthian pluralism & universalism! The Corinthians lived a life filled with many gods, why would they want to settle for just the One – particularly one who had died? · A life of holiness challenged Corinthian immorality! Exercise self-control? You are having a laugh, Paul. Ha ha. · God’s power challenged Corinthian cultured intellect! Some of the Athenians told Paul he was a babbler, and so would have the cultured and refined Corinthian intelligentsia. · Humility challenged Corinthian pride. To kneel at the cross, takes great humility. The Corinthians were a proud and cultured people, to whom the thought of humbly kneeling before a God was anathema. Much better to be devoting yourself to a goddess of sex. What more could a young Corinthian want than the mixture of religion and sex? The same applies today. We are shouted down if we dare exclaim that Jesus is the only acceptable path to God. We are told there are no such thing as moral absolutes any more, and what’s right for you may not be right for me and providing I am not hurting anyone, stay out of my private business. Sex and sexuality are worshipped and adored as if they were gods in themselves. In an age of Scientific materialism and hyper-rationalism, people cynically laugh at us and say that we worship a dead man. We are often called fools for believing in Original Sin and deluded for believing in a God. Have you been called those things? I know I have. Humility is not looked upon as a strength today, its frowned upon as a weakness. The world says that if you want to get ahead in life, you need to be strong, show some backbone and don’t ever back down to anybody or anything. Certainly never admit you were wrong and had made mistakes! The way of the Gospel is to kneel before the Cross, admit your mistakes and sins and be prepared to serve and take up your own cross. The world is quite willing to accept a harmless baby at Christmas, but not the violence of the cross that followed. That is why even atheists like Richard Dawkins like to sing Christmas Carols! The danger of Christmas is when the glorious incarnation of Jesus Christ, being both fully God and fully human, is diluted into fantasy along with Santa and his elves. For more to think about please do read Acts 18v1-17, ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together. Q1. Am I using all opportunities to build relationships and tell others a truly biblical cross-centred Gospel? Q2. Am I growing and changing into the very likeness of Jesus? 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Scripture Reading: Acts 23:11–24:9 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” 12 When morning came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty of them who formed this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to partake of anything until we have killed Paul. 15 So now you and the council request the commanding officer to bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine his case by conducting a more thorough inquiry. We are ready to kill him before he comes near this place.” 16 But when the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So the centurion took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19 The commanding officer took him by the hand, withdrew privately, and asked, “What is it that you want to report to me?” 20 He replied, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire more thoroughly about him. 21 So do not let them persuade you to do this, because more than forty of them are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him, and now they are ready, waiting for you to agree to their request.” 22 Then the commanding officer sent the young man away, directing him, “Tell no one that you have reported these things to me.” 23 Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Make ready 200 soldiers to go to Caesarea along with 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen by nine o'clock tonight, 24 and provide mounts for Paul to ride so that he may be brought safely to Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote a letter that went like this: 26 Claudius Lysias to His Excellency Governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, when I came up with the detachment and rescued him, because I had learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 Since I wanted to know what charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found he was accused with reference to controversial questions about their law, but no charge against him deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed there would be a plot against this man, I sent him to you at once, also ordering his accusers to state their charges against him before you. 31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him to Antipatris during the night. 32 The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to the barracks. 33 When the horsemen came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 When the governor had read the letter, he asked what province he was from. When he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive too.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod's palace. 24 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight. 3 Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. 4 But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 5 For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. 8 When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing.” 9 The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true.OutlinePaul is Delivered from an Assassination PlotThe Lord assures PaulThe plot to kill PaulThey would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for that meddling kid!Lysias foils the assasins' planHow many soldiers?!Why send such a large force (at night)?To Caesarea, to FelixLysias' ReportPaul is Judged by FelixFelix receives PaulPaul's trial: a typical Roman trialThe prosecution

Today we have Robbie. He is 43 and lives in Moses Lake, WA. He took his last drink on August 15th, 2024   Sponsors for this episode include: Better Help – 10% off of your first month   3,649 days ago, or 1 day shy of ten years, the first episode of the Recovery Elevator podcast dropped. Paul remembers the date well because for three months after the first episode released, he kept thinking “oh my God, what have I done?”. Burning the ships in podcast format gave Paul a lot of anxiety, but here we are, 523 weeks later and thank you listeners, for keeping the show alive.   30 Best Sobriety Podcasts   [04:13] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares the definition and his thoughts around the term gray area drinking. The definition states that it is the space between end-stage drinking and every now and again drinking. Gray area drinking could also be classified as someone who can stop drinking without medical detox or can stop on their own before someone stages an intervention.   Paul believes it's all gray area drinking. Be it one beer a month or 10 beers a night. One common thread he hears on this podcast is “and then xyz happened”. It's these major life events that can ramp up the drinking and everyone has life happen to them.   [07:10] Paul introduces Robbie:   Robbie is 43 years old and lives in Moses Lake, WA. He currently works at a chemical plant in the semiconductor industry. He has five children in the age range of eight months to 14. They enjoy spending time outdoors and at the lake near their home. Robbie is a big sports fan and played sports often while growing up.   Robbie took his first drink when he was in college in his 20s. He didn't drink much until he lost his dad in 2013.  Without knowing how to process his grief and having young children, Robbie learned that drinking helped him be numb and he started drinking four or five days a week. At the time, Robbie was working as a corrections officer, which was a very stressful job that contributed to his drinking as well.   In 2018 Robbie's marriage ended. This was the first time he had been away from his children. He moved two hours away from them to stay at his mom's house. After his second DUI in two weeks, the judge imposed alcohol monitoring for Robbie. This helped him stay sober for a year but only because he had to be.   Thinking he could now moderate, Robbie started drinking soon after no longer having the monitoring device. He says he wasn't having a good time, and he was just using it to numb out from multiple traumas.   In February 2024 Robbie reached a breaking point and reach out to his brother-in-law who helped him find a treatment center in Utah. Robbie was there for 35 days and felt like he had made a lot of progress. He learned a lot about himself and started doing counseling. Robbie finally got some help dealing with some big traumas throughout his life. He says he feels like he used alcohol to punish himself thinking he deserved to be miserable.   After a brief relapse, Robbie says he woke up on August 15th and just knew it was over, and he had to stop drinking for good. He decided to try naltrexone which he first learned about in rehab. He took it for the first month and says he still has no desire to drink. Robbie goes to AA meetings, listens to podcasts and audiobooks, and is a member of Café RE. Robbie stays accountable with his family and friends at work. People have noticed a positive change in him.   In the past Robbie quit drinking because he was forced to, or for other people. He said on August 15th; he was doing it for himself. He says sobriety is the greatest gift to himself and his kids.   Robbie's parting piece of guidance: If you're asking yourself if you drink too much or if it's becoming a problem, it already is. Listen to your gut. Believe in yourself that you can quit.   Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down; you got to take the stairs back up. We can do this.     Café RE RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Today we have Dave. He is 69 years old from Beaver Creek, CO. He took his last drink in September 17th, 2024.   Sponsors for this episode include: Better Help – 10% off of your first month Sober Link - receive $50 off of a device   If you have quit drinking and are looking for new alcohol-free friends, Café RE is the social app for sober people. Come join the party!   Tonight begins our first ever AF Songwriting Course starting at 8pm EST. Connect with other sober musicians and improve your own song writing skills.   [02:40] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares an article from the San Francisco Chronicle regarding the tanking sales of red wine in San Francisco restaurants. All alcohol sales were down but mocktail sales were up.   Many people share that it's tough to quit drinking where they live. Paul discovered a statistic from the CDC that says where he lives in Gallatin County, Montana is listed as the drunkest of all 3,244 counties in America.   In the state of Montana, they place a white cross on the road where traffic fatalities occur in hopes of reminding drivers to take caution and slow down. 66% of these white crosses are alcohol related.   There is no judgement towards those that are still binge drinking. At Recovery Elevator, we are not better than anyone, we have just chosen a different path. If you feel called to walk this pathway with us, we'd love to have you.   [10:01] Paul introduces Dave:   Dave lives in Beaver Creek, CO with his dog Tango. He is very active in the AA community in his area and cherishes the connections he has made there. He enjoys skiing, biking, and traveling. He has three kids and recently became a grandfather. Dave is currently seeking his master's degree in clinical counseling.   Alcohol was present in Dave's life growing up as his parents drank socially. He drank socially as well throughout high school and college. He drinking didn't become problematic until later. Dave shares that his alcohol use disorder stemmed from his chronic childhood emotional trauma. Alcohol later became the solution to dealing with unwanted emotions.   In 2016 after raising his kids independently and a relationship had ended, Dave started to use drinking to deal with some voids in his life. He had a successful commercial real estate business but didn't have many local friends at the time.   Dave went to rehab in 2017 after having two DUIs in December of 2016. He was able to stay sober until 2021 and says again it was emotional overwhelm that sparked more field research. He found help in a psychologist who was a clinical director of a rehab facility. He was able to get sober again in July of 2021.   A reunion in September of 2024 found Dave having beers with friends thinking he would just have a few and would be fine. Dave had more the next day and realized that if he didn't clear the rest of the alcohol out at the end of the day, he would continue to drink. Dave credits his tools and connection in AA to being able to get sober once again.   Dave is huge on connection. Both connections with people and connections with a higher power. He enjoys going to meetings and being of service to others in the community. Dave says one of the greatest gifts of sobriety for him is giving up control of outcomes. He chooses to deal with emotional overwhelm is awareness and since he no longer has alcohol in his system it is easier for him to be aware of what is happening. Dave is a big believer in journaling because of the connection from the hand to the head. When he puts his feelings on paper, he can see rational versus irrational thoughts.   Dave's parting piece of guidance: stay with your feelings, journal about them.   Dave is looking for internship that involves 200 hours of direct engagement of one-on-one counseling with or without supervision. If you can help, reach out to info@recoveryelevator.com.     Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down; you got to take the stairs back up. You can do this.     Café RE RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

A @Christadelphians Video: # SummaryBarnabas and Saul (Paul) were called to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. Barnabas' humility allowed Paul to lead their mission effectively.# Highlights-

Scripture Reading: Acts 21:15–32 15 After these days we got ready and started up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea came along with us too, and brought us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple from the earliest times, with whom we were to stay. 17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18 The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were there. 19 When Paul had greeted them, he began to explain in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all ardent observers of the law. 21 They have been informed about you—that you teach all the Jews now living among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What then should we do? They will no doubt hear that you have come. 23 So do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow; 24 take them and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself live in conformity with the law. 25 But regarding the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter, having decided that they should avoid meat that has been sacrificed to idols and blood and what has been strangled and sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men the next day, and after he had purified himself along with them, he went to the temple and gave notice of the completion of the days of purification, when the sacrifice would be offered for each of them. 27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from the province of Asia who had seen him in the temple area stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this sanctuary! Furthermore he has brought Greeks into the inner courts of the temple and made this holy place ritually unclean!” 29 (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him previously, and they assumed Paul had brought him into the inner temple courts.) 30 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple courts, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, a report was sent up to the commanding officer of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd.OutlinePaul Has Enemies JerusalemPaul heads to Jerusalem, stopping at Mnason'sThe church leaders welcome PaulPaul's problematic reputationThe 10,000-strong churchJames, the elders, and Paul view the law positivelyThe elders' plan to reintegrate PaulPaul is seized and accusedGentiles could not enter the templePaul's view of the templeThe riot and the Romans

"Are the people who would have to change, who would have to do the work to make that change, are they the ones who want it? Are they the ones thinking this is a good idea? Are they the ones asking for help?"Karen & Paul Paul talk about the importance of identifying who wants change in collaborative work. 

Episode 514 – A Drinking Problem is Totally Normal   Today we have Erin. She is 50 years old from Denver, CO and took her last drink on August 21st, 2023.   Registration for Dry January is now open. This is our most intensive course, and it's all about accountability. If you've been trying to quit drinking and haven't found success, it's most likely you're not surrounded by the right people or don't have community. Over 70% of our Restore Dry January participants report making it through January without taking a drink.   Café RE is the social app for sober people. We meet over 30 times a month online with our daily chats covering all different topics or specialty chats. If you're looking for accountability with others who are ditching the booze or have already done so, we'd love to have you.   [02:48] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul's opinion is that a drinking problem is a normal response to living in a culture that has completely lost its marbles. Most anthropologists believe that addiction is a modern phenomenon that stems from how we are living as a culture.   Eckhart Tolle in his book A New Earth says that what we have labeled as “normal” regarding our culture is actually completely insane.   Gabor Mate recently wrote The Myth of Normal about how our culture is toxic and right for addiction. According to Dr. Mate, addiction isn't a disease but a completely normal response to living in a fucked-up world.   Your drinking problem is not your fault. It is a response to a fractured world. You found a solution, a way to cope and it worked for a while. As Laura McKowen says, “it's not your fault but it is your responsibility”.   Listening to a sobriety podcast is part of you taking that responsibility.   [08:08] Paul introduces Erin:   Erin is 50 years old and divides her time between Colorado and Costa Rica. She has been married for 26 years and they have three college age children. Erin has a yoga business where she films YouTube videos, hosts retreats and does yoga teacher training.   Erin says her drinking was “normal” throughout high school and college. After graduating from college, she and her boyfriend moved to Maui and had jobs in the restaurant industry. She still feels her drinking was normal compared to her friends and lifestyle.   They soon moved back to Colorado, got married and started a family. Erin didn't drink throughout her pregnancies and didn't feel she was missing out initially. After moving into a neighborhood with other young families like there, drinking became a social activity, and Erin began to recognize she drank more and had a higher tolerance than others.   In her mid-forties, Erin started going through perimenopause and it was hard on her. She began using alcohol to self-medicate. Because of her job, she felt she was living out of alignment with her values. In spite of her drinking being a huge topic with her therapist, she was not ready to seek treatment. She attempted to quit on her own and says she white knuckled for five months before going back to drinking, quickly back to where she was before quitting.   When her husband and her friends tried to intervene, she was angry. They had already arranged everything, and Erin ended up going to rehab and in spite of her fear, ended up being a great experience.   Erin says they focused on healing the whole person, and once she realized for the first time that she was not alone, she felt the shame and fear lift. It was a small community, and they participated in a lot of modalities for healing. The education was a helpful part of the process.   Erin dove into books, podcasts, attended AA meetings, and joined Café RE which she considers her primary resource. Erin says her yoga practice has contributed to her healing.   Erin's parting piece of guidance: If you are thinking you can't do it, you can. It's possible and worth every single second of pain.   Recovery Elevator It all starts from the inside out. I love you guys.     RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Episode 513 - 10 Things to do Daily   Today we have Forrest. He is 31 years old from Atlanta, GA and took his last drink on March 14th, 2022.   Sponsors for this episode:   Visit Sober Link to learn more and to get a promo code for $50 off of the device.   Registration for Dry January is now open. This course is all about accountability, connection, and having fun. We come together 14 times in the month of January via Zoom, and you'll also find yourself in smaller breakout rooms where you can connect with others who are ditching the booze.   If you enjoy the Recovery Elevator podcast, please help spread the word by leaving a review wherever you listen from.   [03:38] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares a list of recommendations of little things to dry and do daily. The best way to make change in your life is with small, intentional steps towards your goal.   1)    Water – at least once per day, drink as much water as you can. Dehydration causes a lot of our fatigue later in the day.   2)    Meditation – for a few minutes each day, turn your gaze inward.   3)    Posture – stand up, pull your shoulders back, arch your back, look to the sky and hold it for 30 seconds.   4)    Fuel – make a point to eat one healthy item daily and be conscious about it.   5)    Movement – five minutes of light to moderate movement each day.   6)    Nothing – literally, do nothing. Start slow with as little as one minute.   7)    Play – try new hobbies or rediscover old ones.   8)    Learn and grow – read a book or watch a YouTube video about something that interests you.   9)    Connect with another human being – Ideally one you can be yourself around.   10)  Make someone else's life better - A tremendous amount of happiness will come to you when you help someone else out.     [10:28] Paul introduces Forrest:   Forrest grew up in a household where alcohol was present, but he was never exposed to overindulgence. He also had little interest in trying it and says he didn't have his first drink until late freshman year of college where it was a beer pong situation. Forrest says his drinking during college looked very normal.   After graduating, Forrest found himself with a corporate job and the happy hours that came with it. Between the happy hours several days of the week and the shenanigans he pursued with his other friends in their early twenties, Forrest started to notice his alcohol consumption increase. After a few occasions of questioning himself about the previous nights, a voice told him that he wasn't ready to quit, but he definitely needed to start moderating.   After attempting moderation for a while, Forrest determined it was not helping. The process of quitting started for Forrest when he joined a health challenge with a friend. It wasn't long into the challenge when he started noticing some benefits but returned to his old habits after 45 days and ended up back where he was when he began. Forrest began to negotiate with himself that after his birthday, he would try to go alcohol free again. It was March when he looked at himself and realized he needed to quit for at least a year.   Forrest started reading a lot of quit lit and listening to podcasts. Learning the science behind alcohol use disorder was very helpful for Forrest. Within the first year of quitting drinking, Forrest lost 60 pounds and was seeing many other positive changes in his body. He started finding physical activity easier and began to enjoy it again.   Forrest's parting piece of guidance: if there is something in your mind that gives you an inkling that you need to question your alcohol consumption habits, there is nothing wrong with seeking knowledge, doing research, and you might come across a journey that you didn't necessarily know was in your future.   Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down; you got to take the stairs back up. I love you guys. We are doing this.     RE merch Café RE Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Episode 512 – Side Effects of Sobriety   Today we have Tammy. She is 61 years old from San Diego, CA. She took her last drink on September 6th, 2021.   Sponsors for this episode:   Better Help  - code ELEVATOR for 10% off of your first month   Registration for Dry January is now open. When you sign up for Restore, you not only get access to the course, but you also get access to the whole Café RE community. If you sign up in December, you get access to the community for the rest of December and all of January. This is Recovery Elevator most intensive alcohol-free course. We will meet 14 times in January and it's all about accountability.   Free Relapse Prevention Plan   [04:26] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul recently came across a post from someone who recently quit drinking, and they included a list of things they no longer suffer from. Or this could be said that these are the possible side effects of sobriety.   Paul shares the extensive list ranging from the loss of anxiety and depression to improvements to their body – both functions and appearance.   Life is hard in the first place, and you layer on just a couple of the ailments listed, then you're living life in hard mode. That list really drives the point home that alcohol is taking way more than it is giving.   Paul is a big fan of pen to paper, pro and con sheets, all that jazz. He suggests writing down for yourself what you've experienced when you take some time off booze and imagines it's going to look similar to the list he just shared.   [08:30] Paul introduces Tammy:   Tammy is 61 years old and lives near San Diego. She is married and together they have six adult children. She worked in advertising before having children and after they were older, she became a real estate agent. For fun, Tammy started writing a book about her alcohol-free journey, and also enjoys researching her ancestry.   Tammy says her drinking began as typical binge drinking on the weekends in high school and then escalated a bit in college. After graduating she began to work in advertising where drinking during the day was normal. Tammy's drinking cut back after she started having her children. She says she didn't drink very often while raising her daughters.   After turning 40, Tammy began allowing herself a glass of wine at the end of the day. It was used as a reward for making it through the day with three young children. After the financial crisis, Tammy and her husband had to sell their dream house. There was a lot of strain on their marriage as well and they eventually divorced. Finding herself alone raising three daughters, Tammy would start drinking more.   After she began dating her current husband, Tammy says her drinking slowed down. He was sober but didn't mind that she drank. After a while they got engaged and moved in together. Tammy says things were going great and then COVID lockdown found the family coming and going a lot, and it was a party all the time. She was exhausted all the time and even though she knew it was due to her drinking she wasn't ready to quit. Over the summer after their wedding, she had some failed moderation attempts and there were a lot of birthday parties. After the last party around Labor Day, Tammy had a moment of clarity where she knew she had to quit.   After Tammy had quit, she started reading books and listening to podcasts. She wasn't interested in AA although she does see it's value and it helped her husband. The scientific information blew her away, Tammy says. She slept a lot in the first month of sobriety. After that, she began to notice her general health was improving. The value of hearing people's stories on podcasts has helped Tammy a lot. By writing her book, she wants to help lift people up and show them the way.   Tammy's parting piece of guidance: get quiet and just listen to yourself and believe in yourself.   Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down; you got to take the stairs back up. We can do this. I love you guys.     RE merch Café RE Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes   

https://youtu.be/gZ5DL5HHkwc?si=PLu6I1YAVAVIpybX   What's Right with You - 4 - Bring Out the Best in Others **WHAT'S RIGHT WITH YOU Bumper   Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!   We are in the Good News Business.   What's right with you (Title) Not – What's wrong with you.   Last week we challenged you to achieve expert level success. -Stop trying be decent at everything and become exceptional at one thing.   Today – Bring out the best in others.   I used to think leadership was all about me. -My strengths, my talents, my purpose, my success… -As a pastor – my sermon…I'd work tirelessly to improve myself, thinking that was the key to success.   I did improve… but was that really success?I couldn't help but feel I was missing something.--   How many of us have felt that way?   What does that look like for you?Focused on…Your… career, skills, project, promotion, business, health… We improve… but still it feels like we may be missing something.   Something we weren't told about in college, seminary, business school…   Self-improvement is valuable, but not enough…   So what is missing?     Jesus shows us…Think about the leadership of Jesus.   Jesus does NOT just put his talents, strengths, and gifts on showcase.   Jesus focuses on the gifts and growth of others, and puts them on display.   "I'm just trying to figure out my own life. How am I supposed to worry about others?" Or perhaps you've felt inadequate… “Chris, I am not leadership material…”As followers of Jesus, we're all called to be leaders.True leadership isn't just showcasing our growing own talents - it's about recognizing and nurturing the gifts in others.   Jesus examples:   Matthew 4:19 - “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” John 1:42 - And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter/rock).   Jesus sees NEW & TRUE potential in others. Not just fishermen… I see you influencing people.That would be like Jesus telling you… I don't just see you in your current job… I see you in a promoted position.   Not just Simon… a new name – Peter.That would be like Jesus telling you…I don't define you by what others have called you… I have a new identity for you.   Jesus sees New & True potential in us.   We should be more like Jesus.   Do we see New & True potential in others?   Followers of Jesus, we should see others differently.   A great story in the book of Acts… Barnabas   Barnabas known for…-Loving God.-Generous giver-Encourager (name - son of encouragement) Perhaps Baranas' most important accomplishment is what happens in Acts 9…   In Acts 9… There was a murderer… did bad things… BUT THIS MURDERER had found the grace of Jesus.   The Church, the people, the leaders… did not trust this new convert because of his past.   Acts 9:26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.   Who was this guy Barnabas brought?Paul   -Paul wrote 13 books in your Bible.-Paul carried the Gospel – new nations people groups   We would have missed out… People were NOT AWARE of the NEW & TRUE potential… but Barnabas was aware.   Are we aware?Here is an AWARENESS TEST   How many counted the correct amount…?How many missed the moonwalking bear?   How can miss something so obvious?We are distracted…   Do we see New & True potential in others?   What is it that distracts us? What is our big dancing bear that we may not be focused on?   What is the obvious thing that we are missing?   Discipleship – helping others realize their NEW & TRUE potential. Discipleship is a concept from Jesus. It works in both sacred and secular contexts… so listen up.   Discipleship is our dancing bear… somehow we are missing it.   Jesus multiple times commands his followers to MAKE DISCIPLES.  

Episode 509 – It's a Sobriety Problem   Today we have Nicole. She is 46 years old from Fairfax, VA. She took her last drink on May 18th, 2023.   If you are seeking community on your alcohol-free journey, Café RE is just the place. We have been off Facebook for over a month, and we love our new home. In addition, we are also a non-profit. We would love to see you there!   Restore – registration opens Monday December 2nd. This is Recovery Elevator's most intensive AF course for someone looking for extra accountability for Dry January.   Sponsors for this episode:   Better Help  - code ELEVATOR for 10% off of your first month   [03:32] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul is always saving lines or notes that he would like to use in future podcasts. Today he reads a bunch of those that haven't quite found a home yet. This includes random stats, some of the consequences of drinking, how alcohol affects us, and that connection is an important component in our lives regardless of addiction status.   [09:02] Paul introduces Nicole:   Nicole lives in northern Virginia with her partner. They have three cats, one dog and three horses. Nicole and her partner both participate in dressage and eventing. She enjoys running marathons.   Nicole says she did not start drinking when she was young. When she was in her late teens she started a 12 year long modeling career. Due to the weight restrictions around her modeling contract, she says she could not afford the calories from alcohol.   Her drinking began when she was in grad school in her 30s. She began casually drinking with some friends and was always a little leery of alcohol with an unexplainable concern that she might develop a problem but ignored it. COVID definitely had an impact on her. Around that time, she was also going through a divorce and her father had developed some chronic health issues.   Nicole feels she had control of her drinking for five to seven years and reflects that it's like you have control of it until you don't. She says she wasn't the type to drink to excess which allowed her to compare herself to others and believed she didn't have a problem. Ignoring the red flags in her drinking habits, it was when Nicole caught herself shaking while trying to sign in to a work conference that she realized she was having consequences. Because she minored in addiction studies, she feels that knowledge pushed her to observe herself and her drinking.   Nicole decided to try to cut back on her drinking like she did with smoking. She was not able to successfully do it. She was beginning to realize she had to drink even when she didn't want to. Nicole started looking into outpatient rehab and no one would take her because she was having shakes. She reluctantly went to inpatient rehab with the plan of staying for one week. Nicole ended up doing the full 30 days after realizing she could not do this alone. She uses Vivitrol (Naltrexone) and is a proponent of medical treatment for addictions.   Nicole didn't do AA having a hard time wrapping her ideas around it. She chose therapy and SMART recovery. Her background in science has helped her understand possible triggers. She finds having a plan very important to avoid boredom, which she learned is a trigger for her. Nicole feels that the intensity of the coping mechanism needs to match the intensity of the craving.   Nicole's parting piece of guidance: you are not alone, be pro-choice in your recovery, try to trust yourself a little bit.   [00:00] Outro:   If there is a question that you would like to have Paul answer on the air of the RE podcast, record a voice memo and email it to info@recoveryelevator.com. We will select a coup for Paul to answer on the air.   Recovery Elevator We took the elevator down; we got to take the stairs back up. We can do this.     RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Scripture: Revelation 12:11, Romans 9:10, Acts 21-26. Pastor opens and closes today's teaching with Revelation 12:11 and everything in-between these bookends focuses on the goodness of God through Jesus and the power and impact of our testimonies. Here's Revelation 12:11, “They triumphed over him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb (Christ Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Testimony - What's your testimony? The Bible teaches if we confess Jesus is Lord with our mouth and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. (Romans 9:10) Let's learn from Paul - Paul continually was sharing his testimony of what Jesus had done in his life. In today's chapters of Acts we follow Paul as he gives his testimony to:         An angry crowd at the temple in Jerusalem         The Jewish high counsel in Jerusalem         The Jewish high counsel in Caesarea         The Roman governor Felix         The Roman governor Festus         The Jewish King Agrippa and his Sister Princess Bernice Paul's testimony: He shares how he lived as a Pharisee and opposed the teaching of Jesus, and on the authority of the chief priests imprisoned those believing in Jesus and supported many being put to death. But then his story changes as he tells of being on the Damascus Road when a bright light blinded him and a voice from heaven spoke to him saying, “I am Jesus, who you are persecuting.” God broke into Paul's life and Jesus told him, “I am sending you to them (the Gentiles) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' (Acts 26:17b-18) As Paul goes on with his testimony he shares how God had helped him share the Gospel message of Jesus' suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and return. Jesus is the Light to all. In Him alone is life forever and forgiveness. Paul's personal testimony shared over and over and over again is an encouraging example for us to do the same. Personal Testimony - it is something we want to share - a declaration of what God has done in our own lives. Like Paul, our testimonies impact the lives of those we share it with. Pastor Dodge shares his personal testimony. If you have not ever written down your testimony or bullet pointed it we encourage you to do so! When we are prepared, it helps us share more confidently and boldly! In closing, Pastor encourages us to be bold with our own testimonies and to watch what God can do as we overcome the enemy through the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and the word of our testimonies. (Revelation 12:11) https://www.awakeusnow.com Check out the video on our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/living-one Check out the video on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOwUarSm3uJrzLI4thAJNXQj Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

A sermon by Pastor Ryan Proudfoot. Listen along as ACC Downtown journeys through the life of the apostle Paul.

Episode 508 – Your Job is to Have Fun   Today we have Fanny. She is 39 years old and lives in Wilmington, NC. She took her last drink on February 3rd, 2021.   Recovery Elevator is going back to Peru in October 2025. On this 10-night, 11-day trip of a lifetime, we will be hiking the Inca Trail and participating in two service projects. Registration opens January 13th and closes May 30th in order to secure tickets to the Inca Trail.   Sponsors for this episode:   Better Help  - code ELEVATOR for 10% off of your first month   Sober Link - $50 off of device using this link   [01:43] Intro:   Better Rhodes recently sent Paul a couple of drinks to sample, and he shares that they were all fantastic. Gone are the days when O'Doul's was the only alcohol-free option around.  Paul says his favorite was Hiyo.   Better Rhodes – code RECOVERYELEVATOR15   [04:05] More thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares an article called Benefits of Play for Adults that shares the importance of being playful as adults. Remember that as a child, you were naturally playful without alcohol. Somewhere along the way we forget how to be playful and then we link alcohol with having fun.   This is great news for healing. Just like some of us have goals to hit a certain amount of steps in our day, you should aim to have at least a certain amount of laughs. Laughter is the best medicine and some of the side effects may be a boost to your immune system, release of endorphins, reduction of stress and anxiety and improvement of mood.   Your job, listeners, is to have fun. The healing pathway will contain challenges, but overall, it cannot be more stressful or boring than when you were drinking. You need to have fun and please don't take yourself too seriously at any moment on this journey.   [09:48] Paul introduces Fanny:   Fanny has lived in NC most of her life and recently proposed to her fiancé who she plans to marry in March. For her profession, she says it's all things food. Recipe developer, food writer and content creator. For fun, Fanny enjoys outside activities such as biking, hiking and walking her dogs.   During high school and college, Fanny says she drank like any other college kid and always enjoyed a party. Over time, Fanny found herself using alcohol to push down negativity and some lingering questions about her sexuality.   When Fanny moved to California for a while, she said drinking was fun again. She says she learned a lot about herself there including that she didn't want to be an actress, her real passion was food, and she found herself wanting to return to North Carolina.   After moving back, Fanny met someone, and they eventually married. Drinking was a big part of their lifestyle. They moved to Illinois for his job right before the pandemic and found themselves isolated without family and friends. Fanny says the drinking ramped up and there were some incidents that gave her a lot of guilt and shame. They eventually divorced and Fanny moved back to NC.   Fanny started a relationship with a friend from college who expressed their concerns over drinking because their ex had an issue. Fanny assured her that she was not like she was in college. After a two-day bender, it was Fanny's girlfriend that helped her call her parents and get some help. Fanny was able to find a rehab in Western NC with the help of her therapist.   Fanny says the first few days were tough, but eventually she settled in and became a sponge trying to learn everything about the addiction. Through her rehab she was exposed to several different recovery modalities and found she enjoys Recovery Dharma the most. She really identifies and enjoys the Buddhist perspective on recovery.   Recovery Elevator We took the elevator down; we got to take the stairs back up. We can do this.     Café RE  - promo code OPPORTUNITY waives the set up fee RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Episode 505 – What is Recovery?   Today we have Dave. He is 46 and lives in Boston. He took his last drink on March 5th, 2023.   Sponsors mentioned in this episode:   Better Help  - code ELEVATOR     There are two spots left on our next Alcohol-Free travel trip to Vietnam. This upcoming January 9th-20th, 2025, we're heading to this incredible Southeast Asia paradise for 10 days and 11 nights with 25 travelers who are done nursing hangovers.   On January 1st, 2025, join us for Dry January. We meet 14 times as a group during the moth and the session days are Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.   And in February, we are doing out first ever alcohol-free Singer/Songwriter course. In this six week course you'll learn all about the song writing process, hear from professional musicians about how they write songs, and you'll write and perfect your own song during the course. Experience with an instrument is recommended to required as this is not a “how to play and instrument” course.   [03:32] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares that when he first began his alcohol-free journey, the word “recovery” was loaded for him. He initially didn't want anything to do with it and didn't really understand what it meant.   In a post from Café RE a member named Adam shared a little about what recovery means to him. Paul expands on that commenting about what recovery means to him as well. Russell Brand sums it up pretty well by saying we are “recovering the person we are meant to be.” We have no chance of doing this with alcohol in our lives, or at least, many of us don't.   There is no right or wrong way to ditch the booze and take what you want and leave the rest. Paul says he isn't suggesting building your own program from scratch at the beginning. Pick a program or community and give it your all. If there is something that scares you, that's where you need to go. Recovery is uncomfortable at first, but definite worth it.   [08:36] Paul introduces Dave:   Dave was born and raised in the Boston area. He has been married for 20 years and has two girls that are 16 and 13 years old. He enjoys all things sports including golf and spending time supporting his daughter who plays hockey. He also enjoys reading and exercise.   Dave grew up in a tight knit family with a father that had chronic illness. He says that his father's illness as well as the illnesses of other family members really shaped his life, and he never felt safe.   Dave witnessed his parents drink, but never saw them drunk. He avoided drinking throughout high school as a rule follower and it created anxiety for him when he did.   In college, he did drink a bit on the weekends, but nothing crazy. Dave says once he recognized that the drinking stopped some anxiety, that is when a problem developed. He would drink casually on the weekdays and more on the weekends. As life began to be a little more stressful after having kids, every social even revolved around having drinks. Since drinking helped him feel safe, he started doing it more frequently over time.   A health scare had Dave thinking about his drinking for the first time. He didn't quit right away but did start seeing a therapist and talking about it. He decided to quit for a while, but never committed to it long term. Dave started drinking again and it increased gradually over time. Over the next few years, it increased in quantity and frequency.   Another health event 18 months ago found Dave realizing he needed to commit to quitting. His first week was really tough with anxiety and poor sleep. Podcasts and therapy along with joining Café RE were very helpful for Dave. After several months, it was his wife that helped him realize that he is now a non-drinker. For Dave the top three benefits of being AF are a clear mind, presence and confidence.   Dave's parting piece of guidance: Just do it and stay with it.   Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down, got to take the stairs back up. You can do this.     RE on Instagram RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Episode 504 – A Dopamine Feast   Today we have Don. He is 44 and lives in Clarkson, MI. He took his last drink on November 15th, 2021.   Sponsors mentioned in this episode:   Better Help  - code ELEVATOR     The theme for this podcast is I am Here, I am Whole. What does that mean? It means, that in this moment, the only moment that has ever mattered or ever existed, I choose to be here, and I will view myself as whole.   Please don't kick the can of wholeness, authenticity and self-love down the road. It has to be now.   [04:22] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares that he really enjoyed the book Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke, minus one part of it that talks about a dopamine fast as a way to beat an addiction.   A recent NYT article summarizes why Paul doesn't like the dopamine fast idea. It has to do with the quote that “it's less about quitting drinking, and more about creating a life that doesn't require alcohol”. There are many healthier ways to release dopamine, such as hobbies you enjoy, that don't involve your drug of choice. Trying new things helps us release dopamine as well.   The last paragraph of the article says “consequently, America's problem isn't that we're a bunch of hedonists hooked on capitalism's dopamine hits, it's that so many of us aren't able to get our social, physical and emotional needs met in healthy ways. Instead of a dopamine fast, we need a dopamine feast - one that makes us want experiences we actually like, rather than compulsively responding to craving”.   [08:36] Paul introduces Don:   Don is an anesthesiologist, and he lives in Clarkston, MI. He started enjoying traveling since his mid-30s and has been to 30 countries, five continents and heading to Antarctica at the end of the year. Don is a big fan of sports and roots for the teams out of Detroit.   Alcohol always seemed to have a positive light around it when Don was younger. Whether it was a gathering or party the adults seemed more relaxed, happy and silly. It always seemed like something to look forward to when he got older. Being more of a goody-two-shoes, Don says, he didn't try alcohol until the summer after school ended. He recalls feeling like he was comfortable in his own skin and his racing thoughts relaxed. Don says he was immediately someone that couldn't stop drinking once he started.   Don says his 20s were spent in school and would drink heavily maybe once a month. In his 30s after graduating and feeling he achieved all of his goals, he wondered “what's next?” Don says that alcohol didn't answer the question, but it prevented him from having to answer it. Don says that he realized he was gay as a young man and never wanted to deal with it. Drinking helped him push that away too.   COVID sped up the inevitable, Don says. Having more time off work due to less surgeries being performed; Don would start drinking more on his off days. Once work became busy again, he's drinking continued where it was and started affecting his work. When Don arrived at work still drunk after a Labor Day weekend binge, he says receiving a call from his boss was relief.   When Don started rehab, he knew he was going to need to address being gay in addition to having a drinking problem. After completing rehab, Don began attending a program for health professionals that gives him the accountability he needed.   Don says AA is a big part of his life now. He says he enjoys the community and accountability. He is testing out dating to see if it's something that he wants to do. After falling in love with Costa Rica, he decided to build a house there. The greatest gift Don says he was given in sobriety is the ability to be present.   Don's parting piece of guidance: Just start. You've got to start somewhere and if that's rehab, than so be it. Take a break from your job, people will be much more supportive than you think they will.   Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down, got to take the stairs back up. I love you guys.     RE on Instagram RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Content: Jewish spies Paul endorsed by Peter Peter condemned by Paul Become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/ What Is New Covenant Theology? An Introduction — https://crosstocrown.org/product/what-is-new-covenant-theology/ Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6m My books: Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriage God's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top crosstocrown.org @DougGoodin @CrossToCrown

Episode 501 – The Camaraderie of Sobriety   Today we have Kendra. She is 36 years old from Alexandria, MN and took her last drink on March 22nd, 2024.   Sponsors mentioned in this episode:   Better Help  - code ELEVATOR   There are 4 million podcasts on iTunes with tens of millions of episodes. Do you want to know what the #1 downloaded episode was, for two years straight? Is was an episode titled - What Alcohol Does to your Body, Brain and Health, by the Stanford Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman.   All new registrations for Café RE will be added to our community, which is no longer on Facebook. We have found a place that allows us to make these connections better. Beginning October 1st, all current members will start shifting over there as well.   The theme for this podcast is I am Here, I am Whole. These lyrics mean that yes, we can fix, we can make changes, but while listening to this podcast, reinforce the fact that you are not broken. We are all perfectly imperfect, but in this moment, we are all here and we are all whole.   [06:15] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares a story about a recent situation involving his goat Hot Dog and some wiring on his truck. After attempting and failing to fix the issue himself, Paul took his truck to the shop where he purchased the truck topper.   After several hours of troubleshooting and referencing the vehicle's owner manual, they found a fuse had blown. This was five weeks after the incident. What Paul didn't know was that his taillights had been out as well. The man said that Paul was lucky the cops didn't pull him over for a DUI. Paul quickly shared that he had quit drinking to which the man replied that he had as well. The conversation continued for a bit about their mutual sobriety.   One thing Paul has recognized in recovery is that the many teams, committees and organizations he has being involved with are no match for the camaraderie of sobriety. He encourages us to leverage the fact that you don't drink to make deeper connections.   [08:44] Paul introduces Kendra:   Kendra is 36 and has lived her life in Minnesota all her life. She is an RN that works with kidney doctors. For fun Kendra enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with her daughter and has been getting into meditation lately.   About six years ago, Kendra started recognizing that drinking wasn't fostering anything positive in her life. She was going through some major life changes and found herself reevaluating things. Kendra says she didn't have an off switch and found herself drinking too much and being hungover most of the next day. She began to try to quit drinking but found it difficult and she would give into peer pressure a lot.   Over the last three years, Kendra attempted many moderation techniques. She was using a sobriety tracker to see her progress. She started bringing NA options to events, and even if she would still drink, she acknowledges that it was less. While there were no stereotypical rock-bottom events, Kendra recognizes that everyone's rock bottom looks different.   Also, over the last several years Kendra started listening to podcasts about recovery and found the book This Naked Mind by Annie Grace which she feels helped her. She says everything was lining up to push her towards what life could look like without alcohol.   Kendra said she only had eight drinks from January to March this year. Her quit date is a few days after her father's 39th sobriety anniversary. Kendra says that listening to other's stories has been helpful. She finds that being prepared and planning before going to social functions is important.   Kendra's best sober moment: where she can be present with her daughter and remember everything.   Kendra's parting piece of guidance: keep it simple and just try to keep logging those days. One decision at a time and focus on your overall health.   Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down, you got to take the stairs back up. We can do this.   RE on Instagram RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes       

Episode 497 – I Can't – You Can – Take It   Today we have Shelby. She is 38 years old and from Windsor Ontario. She took her last drink on December 23rd, 2023.   Sponsors for this episode:   Visit Better Help today to get 10% off your first month   Visit Exact Nature use code RE20 to save 20% off of your order   [04:10] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul seeks to soften the entry point to AA and simplify the first three steps.  For many the steps are intimidating. They are nebulous, part dogmatic and for some there are simply too many God or higher power references. But the do make it clear many times that this God (higher power) is of your understanding. You can even use a red stapler as your higher power – they will fully support you.   The first three steps of AA: 1)    We admitted we are powerless over alcohol 2)    We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity 3)    We decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.   Which can be broken down to: 1)    I can't 2)    You can 3)    Take it   Paul says he feels the most powerful part of AA isn't the God stuff, it's the group. The group is always stronger than the individual.   I can't, the group can. Here you go. I'll see you all again tomorrow.   [10:18] Paul introduces Shelby:   Shelby is 38 years old, lives in Windsor Ontario and works for a car manufacturer on the assembly line. For fun Shelby enjoys all sports, camping and hiking.   In high school Shelby was very athletic. When she was 15, she decided to focus on hockey and made it onto a junior team. She learned about hockey culture and part of that is drinking and partying. Due to traveling and playing hockey Shelby didn't have time to drink much during high school. While attending a development camp for hockey, Shelby had an injury that put her on the side lines. Throughout her time at Ohio State, doctors would tell her she was fine as she continued to suffer injuries that eventually required surgery. Shelby had dreamed of going to the Olympics and never considered she might not be able to.   She left school early and felt like a failure. Shelby knew her drinking was already an issue, and she needed a change of scenery. Shelby says she didn't have an identity outside of being an athlete. Alcohol and being social became a distraction for her and she avoided playing hockey for a long time.   The older she got; the more Shelby didn't feel like she had accomplished anything. Life after being an athlete was tough for her. Around 30 years old she realized she needed to make some healthy changes. She accepted an offer to play hockey with some friends and ended up getting coaching opportunities afterwards. She decided to do it and since she was getting back in shape, she decided to quit drinking for three months which led to almost two years.   After losing a close uncle, Shelby drank after his funeral. She continued to drink for a few years and tried using moderation techniques. At an alumni game, she was not able to play due to an unhealed injury. She showed up drunk and ended up losing her coaching job. After this she decided to quit drinking again.    Since quitting this time around, Shelby has started attending therapy. This has helped her uncover some of her issues. She does not care for AA and says in the beginning it was hard doing things that she used to do while drinking. Shelby deals with cravings by going for walks, listening to podcasts and using her quit drinking app. She enjoys doing things that she missed out on when she was younger. Shelby also looks forward to trying new things and traveling. Her clarity is so much better, and she loves that she knows she can make plans and keep them.   Shelby's parting piece of guidance: start today and start small and take it slow.   Recovery Elevator We took the elevator down; we have to take the stairs back up. I love you guys. We can do this.   RE on Instagram RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes   

The Apostle Paul underwent a radical transformation when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus - but what was Paul like before this moment? Join Pastor Allen in this revealing episode of his study on the Apostle Paul! Join Pastor Allen Nolan for a brand-new sermon series on the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul! Paul was a monumental figure in the early church and wrote 13 of the 27 New Testament Books of the Bible (14 if you count the book of Hebrews). Apart from Jesus, no other person has been as influential in forming the doctrinal views of Christianity. Paul has been referred to as the 2nd Founder of Christianity (with Jesus being the first). In this sermon, Pastor Allen explores the early life of the Apostle Paul, and why his life is worth learning about.

Today, we're focusing on how humility allows the Holy Spirit to work powerfully within us. Our key Scripture for this episode is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We'll explore how to become humble vessels for the Holy Spirit's work.Our springboard for today's discussion is: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." This passage reminds us of our sacred role as vessels for the Holy Spirit.Living as humble vessels means recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. When we approach God with humility, we open ourselves to His guidance and transformation. Humility is essential for allowing the Holy Spirit to work powerfully within us.Stories of Transformation:1. The Story of Paul: Paul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle shows the power of the Holy Spirit working through a humble heart. His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus humbled him, allowing the Holy Spirit to change his life dramatically.2. A Modern-Day Testimony: Sarah struggled with addiction until she humbly surrendered her life to God. Through the Holy Spirit, she experienced profound transformation, breaking free from addiction and now serving others who face similar struggles.Practical Tips for Cultivating a Humble Spirit:* Daily Acknowledge Your Dependence on God: Start each day by recognizing your need for God's guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.* Practice Gratitude: Regularly thank God for His presence and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Ephesians 5:20 reminds us to always give thanks to God the Father for everything.* Serve Others Selflessly: Look for opportunities to serve others, reflecting Christ's humility. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us to value others above ourselves and look to their interests.Embrace humility to welcome the Holy Spirit's guidance and transformation in your life.Question: How can you cultivate a humble spirit to welcome the Holy Spirit's work in your life?Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to cultivate humility in our hearts, recognizing our dependence on You. Transform us through Your Spirit's power. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.Remember, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. By living humbly, we honor God and allow His Spirit to work within us. Stay vigilant, stay prayerful, and always be ready to welcome the Holy Spirit's work in your lives. Let's get to work.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Join Charlie, a non-binary sci-fi fantasy writer, and their husband Brian as they delve into the importance of celebrating our works in life. Misconceptions about humility and the significance of commemorating achievements are discussed, alongside insights on spirituality, interconnectedness, and resisting negative forces. This thoughtful discussion revolves around themes of co-creation, gratitude, and finding joy in small victories, ultimately advocating for a balanced approach to life's endeavors.Support us on: https://ko-fi.com/cedorsettBecome a patron of the arts patreon.com/cedorsettFor Educational Resource: Wisdoms Cry https://wisdomscry.comFor all of the things we are doing at The Seraphic Grove go to Creation's Paths https://www.creationspaths.com/BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/creationspaths.comThreads https://www.threads.net/@creationspathsInstagram https://www.instagram.com/creationspaths/Transcript:Charlie: [00:00:00] The apostle James reminds us that faith without works is dead. But works without celebration are a dull monotony that will bring us to our knees and cause us to stop doing whatever it is we were doing. So let's have a little chat about celebrating our works and what that actually means. Charlie: Hello everyone. My name is Charlie. I am a non-binary scifi fantasy writer, and I am joined by my wonderful husband Brian. And today we're going to be talking about celebrating our works. Because this is something we do not do. And it's I think rooted in a very understandable and common [00:01:00] misunderstanding of humility. Where we think humility is not talking, it's keeping your head down. We have confused the concept of humility. We have confused the concept of humility with obedience or subservience. That is not what this word means. That is something that the Imperial church and the patriarchal powers that be want humility to mean. That's not what it means. Humility means everything in its proper place. So something doesn't take up more space than it ought. Now that is also a fraught definition because we can add onto that all kinds of misogynistic homophobic and racist terms about how much space something ought to take up. What that really comes down to is not centering ourselves anywhere really, because we are not the main character of the [00:02:00] story. It's about taking up the space, deserved the space that is required for the thing to have. If you've done something and you want to celebrate it, celebrate. That is not an in humble act. If every time you have a conversation with somebody you were bragging about a thing. Then it is taking up an excess space. Brian: An easy exercise. Entertaining exercise to do. And everybody's daily life. Is when you're in a conversation with somebody or actually when there's a group of people. Having a conversation. And it's your time to. Not be involved with the conversation, just observe and watch. You will see. Someone inevitably. Start stepping over other people's moments to speak. Because humility is knowing, this is the moment where I'm supposed to occupy this space of the conversation. [00:03:00] And then knowing in other moments, I'm not supposed to occupy the conversation. And inevitably you'll have a conversation where say somebody is talking about something in their personal life. And it is on the focuses on them or on the subject of their conversation. And another person will step in and be like, and it's all about me. And me. And be, and completely forget. Like. That was not the topic at that point. It's very interesting. Way to see, oh, this is what is humble. And this is what is not humble. You know, How to occupy those spaces because it always fluctuates. It changes. Charlie: This is where I like to apply what I, in my own brain called the Muppets rule. Miss piggy is too boastful. And Kermit is too quiet. Brian: They're both not humble. Because Kermit at times needs to be more assertive [00:04:00] needs to fill the leadership role. That Kermit. Is cast in and at times, miss piggy. Needs to step back. And not be in the leadership role when she is not supposed to be in the leadership role. There are times when she is supposed to be . A facilitator or a leader. And. Times when she is supposed to be outspoken. Charlie: So learning to have this. Much more proper view. And embodiment of humility really is the heart of everything that we're talking about in all of our spiritual work. I was talking about this with a friend the other day who is just learning. Magic and just learning to walk the path. One of the things that I brought up is how people very often get up in their head and are like, oh, I am so special because I am interacting with the grand energies of the cosmos. I am interacting with the grand spirits of the cosmos that yeah, everyone does on a daily [00:05:00] basis. You're just more conscious of it and not special. That's called being a live. I think that's where. We get really lost and confused in a lot of this. The Imperial church especially has wanted to relegate mystical activity and any true connection with spirit. To something that only a chosen few have access to. That when we start having those experiences. We tend to puff ourselves up and go, I am one of the chosen, I am one of the blessing ones and that's no, you're like the rest of us. You're just allowing yourself to be conscious of the experience that most people ignore or allow to go unremarked upon. It's rabbi David Cooper points out in his wonderful book. God is a Verb. The point of all of this is to learn to be Goding. G O D I N G. Goding, [00:06:00] we are living God in every moment and in everything that we do and in so doing, we are interacting with angelic and demonic forces, angelic forces, being those that are bringing benefit and blessing and good into our lives. And demonic forces bringing in misfortune and illness and back bad things into our lives. Everyone is experiencing those every day. They may not be labeling them angelic and demonic but to many people when they start using those labels are suddenly like all I have the center of the great cosmic war for the universe. Because angels and demons are warring over me. And that is not the case. I think that when we start talking about inspiration, which is a big part of the work is learning to access that Imbas to access that Awen. Again, people feel special. Ah, the inspiration is upon me. Because again, the Imperial [00:07:00] church has locked this idea of the great men who wrote the Bible. Did so under the inspiration of God. The awen of God. The Shifa of God, the influx of power. Can you came upon them. And so again, only special people. No, no, it's not only special people. These are the people that have been remembered. Not everyone will be remembered but everyone has access to those energies to that inspiration to that influx of divine. Power that can come in and give us the strength that we need to accomplish great and amazing things. That is really what needs to be celebrated here. Look, I grew up in a Baptist church. I grew up in non-denominational churches and evangelical churches. And it's not uncommon. To hear people say, That you should just give God the glory for all the things that happened in your life. I'm not opposed to [00:08:00] that. But if you are doing that in such a way that you are. Not allowing yourself to have any apparent agency. This is a word we've used a lot here. This freewill, this agency. That as we're reminded by the apostles, the spirit of the prophet is subject to the will of the prophet. We are not blind puppets in any of this. So when we allow ourselves to remember that, And act from that place. We are participating. As Matthew Fox. And his book, original blessing reminds us. We are co-creators with God. We are cooperating with the divine to make this world what it is. That cooperation deserves celebration. Bye the way most people give glory to God. It is in a way that deprecates. Their own contribution. Brian: Once again, God wants your love. Not your sacrifice. Even if it's [00:09:00] sacrifice of your own. We'll or a sacrifice of your own. personhood, that's not humility. God wants you to occupy that space that they have given you. That they have put you here to occupy. And doing anything less than that is actually in a way sacrilegious. Yes. You're supposed to. That's your space. I enjoy it. and celebrate it. Charlie: And you need to take it as your own. We talk about Elijah in a lot of ways, I've often marveled at how he had a problem with this, right? He can stay in there on the mountain and called down the fire of God onto the literally has water poured upon it. Sacrifice on the hill, right? Demonstrating all this divine power and then slaughter. 500 people in the riot that ensues afterwards. Right? But. He then flees into the mountains and hides because he's unworthy. I think this shows the imposter syndrome that we get ourselves into and why [00:10:00] it is important to. Learn how to celebrate our works. We're in this season of Lunasa. So we're in the season of harvest the first fruits and we're taking time to. Either collect or recognize the labors that we have done so far this year and celebrating. Those harvests. Brian: It is also so important to celebrate one's works because, To get into the forces of evil or darkness or energies that work against us. Through bringing us down. There are the direct optimizational ones, the ones that use violence that try to take. Ours are piece from us. But there is also the more insidious where it tricks us. It works within our free will, but it tricks us to give it up. In understanding humility in particular as moments to celebrate our words. It makes it much harder to get tricked into giving up our own peace. If you're giving up [00:11:00] our personhood. In giving up that space. That we are supposed to occupy. It helps to protect us from giving ground. To evil, I guess you could say to be very old-school biblical about it. Charlie: Also many of the works that we are called to. Are very long-term projects that may never be finished in our lifetime. When we're talking about Tikkun Olam the restoration of the world, right? The. Mystical work that we're doing. The. Just building a good family . For those who have children, you may not know. The end result of what, of, what you've done with your children. Because their lives will. God willing. Extend beyond yours, right? So many of the works that we do have such a long-term. outcome, right? Brian: This is where I like to remember. The phrase that you taught me. I strive daily to make perfect to that, which God has already made. Perfect. [00:12:00] That's Paul Paul. Strive daily. Every day, it's a struggle. Every day. It's not done. It's never done. It's never completed. Every day, I work with humility. For sure. These I don't pay. Backslide every day I should be celebrating creep, you know? The worms and celebrating. And recognizing them. Charlie: And when we don't take time for those little celebrations. Because the great work we'll not be finished in our lifetime. the grand vision of a utopian world where all perfection rains, and there is no sorrow or grief, and we have cured all disease. Whether or not, you think we will ever get there or not. It is a worthy goal to strive for. Right. We want the world to be a better place and succeeding only better in every generation. We won't get there. It's not, there's not going to be. It's so far off in the future. The idea that we will [00:13:00] have anything remotely like a panacea and we probably won't have a actual panacea. We will have a whole bunch of medicines. That help cure and treat various ailments. But we need to celebrate every little thing. You get a little sketch done celebrate it. You get a little story done, a little poem done. Celebrate it. You finished cooking dinner, celebrate it. In celebrating those little victories. We are reminded that good things are happening. This is the greatest tool of the enemy. When Paul says we wrestle not against flesh and blood. But against powers and principalities in high places. This is one of the things that he's talking about. That. It's not talking about just, oh, there are demons. It's these pervasive attitudes of, oh, it's not, you're not really doing enough. You will never be able to do enough. This [00:14:00] is an incremental change. It's not going to actually amount to anything. There's so much negativity and cynicism. That is perpetrated in the world because it empowers those who are already entrenched in power to get us to believe that what little we can do. Isn't actually worth doing, because it isn't achieving the grand sweeping goals that we want to achieve. Look, I am very open about my opinions, about a lot of things that we should have as far as healthcare and various political. Stances right. But I am opposed to the revolution. The reason for that is not because I don't think that it would be glorious if we could snap our fingers and suddenly make everything right with the world. I know history. History teaches us that. Revolutions tend to fail. Revolutions. I become solipsistic. They turn into themselves. They start seeking [00:15:00] the enemies of the revolution. And become their own downfall. They sowed the seeds of their own downfall. I think this is very well typified by the French revolution. The French revolution had lofty and beautiful plans. Beautiful goals. Beautiful aspirations. That led to the terror and led to a whole bunch of people having their heads chopped off, which led to a revolution that led to another revolution that led to Napoleon. So all of this democratic fervor gave us the first emperor of France. Oh, that backfired. And we can see this also in the American revolution. The American revolution led to the civil war. All of the compromises, all of the grand statements, all of the very abrupt change that was tried to have in the creation of the United States. It makes a direct line. to. The civil war, the civil war was inevitable. Through the three-fifths compromise [00:16:00] through. Just, we can go through the whole list. Abrupt revolution, sows, the seeds of its own destruction. Because if people aren't ready for the revolution, this is the problem that Christianity had in the first three centuries. Here comes Jesus. Broke into history. With this radical idea. And it really shouldn't be a radical idea, but it is. Said in Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy 2000 years after somebody was nailed to a tree for saying, wouldn't it be awfully nice. If we were kind to each other. Which is, Hey. Great summation. Of what happened, love God with all your heart, mind, and spirit and love your neighbor as yourself. Ooh, crucify him. But that radical idea. And it is a radical idea. Because he. Talked about being nice to people outside your tribe. Outside your kin group, outside your language group. , he very much just talking about taking care of people outside your social economic class. . You should treat the [00:17:00] poor, well, the people that who are in prison. The people who are hungry, who are thirsty. He tells the story about the good Samaritan. He's this, these are radical thoughts. And radical ideas. That. I don't think strike us as radical as they were at the time. And this is why they had to be co-opted by empire. They had to be co-opted by empire. They're too radical to survive. What we see throughout history. How did this movement then continue. The Roman empire was great at crushing things that didn't like. We don't talk about Apollonius or Mithraism. Or, or, or, or right. But Christianity survived. Partially because it was successfully co-opted. But also because there were too many people. Who felt this change who felt this kinship? Who felt this connection? We're celebrating it even in quiet. In the secret places in [00:18:00] overt places. They celebrated the work. And it was able to survive. Down to us today. That even with all of the problems caused by the very overtly Imperial church that we see in Rome. To the evangelical. Christian nationalism that is threatening to take over the country. There are still those who hear the still small voice. The simple message. Love one another. This is how they will know you, that you love one another. As I have loved you. This is the message we get from Christ. And it is so simple that it sounds trite. But it is the hardest. Thing. To do. And if we're not celebrating all of the little victories. Yes, we want peace on earth. But ending squabble in your family is part of bringing peace on earth. Yes, we want to make sure everyone is fed. But, you know what? Sometimes finding enough money to make sure that your kids have lunches. These little moments [00:19:00] of celebration. And they could be tiny. when I was a kid. I didn't understand why we said grace before meals. it's a weird thing to do. I'm hungry. I've had to smell this food being prepared all this time. And now we're going to stop. Most of the time in our family, we said silent grace. We'd no one actually prayed over the food. We all just stopped. About our heads for a minute. And then someone would say, amen. And that's when we knew we could eat it wasn't something that we actively. Took part in, right. You know what I'm saying? It wasn't a group effort. For the most part, it was only on holidays and special occasions that somebody would say grace for everyone. And it's weird. Why are we doing this? I've smelled this food being prepared. I'm hungry. It's right here. Why can't I eat? And it's because taking that little moment of celebration. Either to say, thank you for the person who cooked the meal, which is. Frighteningly lacking in most people saying grace. Somebody made that food [00:20:00] for you. Your mom, your dad. Your spouse, somebody made it. A friend of yours, whose house here at a chef at a restaurant that you're sitting there, somebody made that food. You may have made that food. But somebody made that food and you should be. Thankful and grateful and celebrate. That process and of itself, but also taking that moment. Because I grew up. I'm in a family of farmers with. A lot of farmers around us. To be thankful to the people who grew the food. To the animals. They gave their lives for that food. To the plants. They grew those vegetables in that those fruits. Taking that time to be grateful. To be thankful to celebrate. All of the work, all of the work that you didn't see, you weren't there when that seed was planted and that. Plant was tended in heart and harvested. All the people that it took to get it from that farm. To the store, to the table. To celebrate that. Gives meaning to [00:21:00] what you're having. And you realize that you are part of a community. Every time you sit down and have a meal. You were part of a community, even if you. And this is what drives me. Wild about people who are like, oh, I did this all myself. No you didn't. If you grew that carrot. Planted the seed. From a seed that you had harvested before. With season before. I grew that carrot. Harvested that carrot. Cooked that carrot. You still didn't do it alone. Rain. All of the soil, bacteria, all of the worms, all of the insects that help to fertilize and make things possible. There's a whole myriad. Of creatures that were responsible for bringing that carrot onto your plate. Beyond you, we never do anything. You can't even digest your food alone. The gut bacteria that live within you, the flora and fauna inside of you. Make available to you, the [00:22:00] nutrients in there, you can't even digest your food alone. Taking that moment of celebration. For all of that work. That you don't see, you don't see all of the little bugs that are helping you to get the most out of that food inside you, that we're working in the soil. to make sure that plant had the nutrients that it needed. You weren't seeing any of that. Taking that moment. Reminds you that even if you are alone, Even if you're as isolated as you could possibly be. And you grew that plant from seed and harvested and did all that work. You didn't do it alone. We are never alone. That's what celebration. Can bring us. It's not just this gratitude or this moment of peace on, in the great work where we realized. I accomplished something. It's infant testimony, small little piece. Which is great and wonderful, and we need to be celebrating this thing. But also reminding ourselves. The vast hoard of [00:23:00] creatures. Big and small. Necessary. For even the smallest thing. To get on your table. We're not alone. We are never alone. And those are the lessons we've learned from celebration. That's what we get. From taking those times that time. And those moments to celebrate. And that's true for everything. You didn't make that painting by yourself. Somebody probably made those paints. And if you made your own paints, somebody probably harvested the materials that were made for those paints. And even if you harvested those materials for yourself, they came from plants and minerals and stuff that had an entire cosmos. Conspiring for those pigments to come into being. That's what it means to give God the glory. When you give God the glory for what happens. God is living in all things. God is the one in whom we live moving. RB and not just us, everything, the cats, the dogs. The ants, the butterflies. The little bacteria. And [00:24:00] the great storms. They all have their being in the OneLife. That interconnectedness, that. Profoundly. Deep interconnectedness. Needs celebration. Because as I've said, It's way too many times people are probably tired of hearing me say it. We are forgetful. We are easily distracted. The little pains that we have in our lives. Can I quickly make us forget of all the friends that we've ever had. All of the good things that have ever happened to us. That's where gratitude and celebration come in. They're taking those moments to remember. To celebrate and to be glad in it. I think that's a pretty good thing. I think that's something we should be doing more of. In every aspect of our lives. Every time we finish an episode of the show. We have a little bit of celebration. Y cause we got another one recorded. Every time. Every step along the way from doing the thumbnails, that show up. To getting it [00:25:00] posted a little bit of celebration. ' cause it's work. It's labor. And it can become monotony. It can become drudgery. Every time I write a word, a sentence. A story. A little bit of celebration. In fact, this is one of the reasons why in my own personal life, I've started writing short stories again. Because every idea I've been working on are these grand epic tomes that take forever to do. Charlie: And I know I need these moments of celebration where I can celebrate the work. So I'm going to write some short stories. Harvest a little bit of that joy. That little bit of those little moments of, I finished a story. Yay. And really have that joy in my life. Because while I agree with tick, not Han. That basic joy is there. Because no matter how depressed I've been in my life and I have. Suffered from depression off and on my entire life. You breathe. You enter that mindful state, basic joy is sitting there waiting. It [00:26:00] is. We're easily distracted from it. And so celebrating is how to remind ourselves. Hey. Pay attention. There are good things. Don't ignore the good things. I hope this has meant something for you. I hope that this has helped you out. Celebrate something. In fact, if you go to https://www.creationspaths.com/. Find this episode. And in the comments there. Let us know. What are you celebrate? If you're listening to us on Spotify right there. Right. Where you're listening to us, you can comment right there. let us know. what are you celebrating? If you're watching us on YouTube or YouTube. Just under the dupli. Do.You can leave a comment, let us know what you're celebrating. Celebrate. Just take a moment and say, I am happy take a moment to celebrate. And while you're there, if you haven't liked subscribed or any of the things that you can do on all of the platforms that this podcast is out on, that really helps us out a lot. Also remember sharing what we're doing really helps us out a lot. If you're subscribed to our email list for [00:27:00] the email to somebody you think would really like this episode. share us on your social media, that helps out a lot. And of course, if you have a few pennies that you can throw our way, if you head over to https://www.creationspaths.com/, you can join the sub stack over there, which helps us out a lot. Also, we're going to be putting out some classes over there that you will get first access to. If you're supporting us over there. You want us to support us on https://ko-fi.com/cedorsett and patreon.com/cedorsett on both. And. That goes to support everything that I'm doing, the art, the music, the stories. And this. thank you so very, very much for listening. Blessing and light be upon you in all of your endeavors. Amen. Brian: Amen.[00:28:00] Get full access to Creation's Paths at www.creationspaths.com/subscribe

Episode 494 - Discomfort = Good   Today we have Erin. She is 47 years old from Colorado and took her last drink on May 21st, 2022.   Sponsors for this episode:   Visit Better Help today to get 10% off your first month   Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee.   [02:53] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares with us “pain is followed by pleasure and pleasure is followed by pain”. Drinking to change the way you feel in order to feel better in the short term, will lead to a greater dip on the other side. Not only does drinking often come with a physical hangover, but the dopamine dip can be even worse.   The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter is a great book on discomfort. The main point of the comfort crisis is to show that society's relentless quest for pleasure is actually doing us a tremendous amount of harm.   The discomfort that comes with ditching the booze is like a different type of gym that is making you so much stronger. Studies show that it was not uncommon for our ancestors to run and walk more than 25 miles in a day. Today we call that a marathon. They called it going out for dinner. A good sobriety tool to add to your toolkit is seeking discomfort – both the physical and the mental.    Buddha said that life is suffering, and all attempts to avoid the suffering only create more suffering. Logging alcohol free days and leaning into the boredom and discomfort is incredibly healthy for you and is actually level 10 self-care, even though it hurts.   [09:57] Kris introduces Erin:   Erin lives in a small town in Colorado. She is a psychotherapist. She lives with her partner and two dogs. They enjoy all things outdoors; hiking, skiing, walking, going to the lake and she is fortunate to love her work as well.   Growing up in a small town in South Dakota, Erin says drinking was part of the youth culture. Her older siblings drank and made it sound like fun. The first time Erin drank, she blacked out, but doesn't recall it being a bad experience. She drank at parties in high school, but her drinking slowed down when she went to college.   Living in Boulder, CO, Erin enjoyed more outdoor activities instead of drinking heavily. Her roommate and she got the opportunity to go on tour with their favorite band a few times and Erin remembers that as being when drinking was fun. She was a music lover and while working in clubs she enjoyed the perk of free drinks and meeting the bands.   In her late 20s, Erin had a career change and was with a partner that drank a lot. She says she drank a lot with them and was able to maintain her job and her martial arts training. She was working with women that came from domestic abuse situations so in comparison, she thought she was doing alright.   Erin ended up leaving the martial arts community but began drinking with her work community. Everyone else was able to drink Friday night and be done, whereas Erin wouldn't stop until Monday. She started having withdrawal symptoms when the bender was over, but this wasn't enough to make her quit.   Erin would try moderation and kept her drinking to a minimum when with her boyfriend, but it was different when she was alone. It wasn't until a bender while pet sitting that her boyfriend saw her in really rough shape. He made her leave with him and the next morning, Erin asked to go to the hospital because she knew it was time to quit for good.   Once Erin quit, she focused on telling the truth and surrendering to the fact that she could no longer drink. Erin has leaned into community and is going to retreats. It gives her something to look forward to on her calendar.   Erin's favorite resources in recovery – podcasts and other people's stories   Erin's parting piece of guidance – there's a wisdom in patience, and simplicity. Do one or two things each day that are good for yourself. Sobriety is a journey and the brain is healing.   We are the only ones that can do this RE, but we don't have to do it alone. I love you guys.   RE on Instagram Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes   

Episode 493 – The War is Over, and I Lost   Today we have Allie. She is 31 and lives in Central, MA. She took her last drink on March 20th, 2024.   There are still a few spots open on our next Alcohol-Free travel trip to Vietnam. This upcoming January 9th-20th, 2025, we're heading to this incredible Southeast Asia paradise for 10 days and 11 nights with 25 travelers who are done nursing hangovers.   Sponsors for this episode:   Visit Better Help today to get 10% off your first month   Exact Nature use promo code RE20 to receive 20% of your order   [03:25] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares that he lost the war with alcohol. It was not for lack of effort… for over ten years, he would get back up and keep fighting, he would implement new strategies to control his drinking, but it didn't matter. He still lost.   He eventually raised the white flag and through the process of deconstruction, Paul says humility entered on its own without invitation. Every day he has to remember just how bad he got his ass kicked.   Through the addiction process, humility is a gift that we receive. Humility is a modest view of one's own self-worth or importance and addiction is the equalizer that puts us all on the same level.   Losing the battle with alcohol is a humbling process which imprints on us a heaping dose of humility, which never leaves.   A big part of today's intro is empowering you to recognize this incredible gift. Once the battle with alcohol is over and humility is gained, we ultimately win.   [10:38] Paul introduces Allie:   Allie is 31 years old, and currently lives in central Massachusetts. She is married and they recently bought a house. For work she is an occupational therapist for students with different learning disabilities. For fun she enjoys the beach, travel, reading and exercise.   Allie started experimenting with alcohol in high school – the typical parties on the weekend. Her parents were big advocates for safety around alcohol and knew that Allie and her brother were at the age of experimentation. Allie knew family members that had issues with alcohol but wasn't worried about them developing for herself.   After college, Allie moved to Boston and started to work. She says she enjoyed the social scene. Initially she didn't drink during the week but on the weekends the excitement of being with friends found her trying to keep the party going when others were fine to stop.   During COVID Allie and her friends would have happy hours over Zoom. Around 2022 was when she first heard the term “sober curious” but said the word “sober” scared her. Allie shares that she had times when she knew she had drank too much and felt some shame and guilt around it. This led her to start listening to podcasts about sobriety and hear stories from others that felt the same way. Allie found listening to other people her age quitting drinking was really motivating and helpful for her to realize she wasn't alone.   Because she wasn't an everyday drinker, she didn't think she had a problem. She would attempt moderation by limiting her drinks and avoiding certain alcohol. Allie quit drinking for stretches of time, but usually because of diet or an upcoming event. It wasn't until one night of overindulgence led to worrying her father when she realized that she needed to quit.   Since quitting, Allie listens to a lot of podcasts, attends therapy and journals regularly to reflect on where she is. Learning about the science has been very helpful to her and she has fostered a great relationship with herself while improving relationships with others. Self-discovery, self-acceptance and self-awareness have helped Allie realize that she is just someone that cannot drink.     Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down; you gotta take the stairs back up. I love you guys.   RE on Instagram RE merch Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes   

Paul was a monumental figure in the early church. He wrote 13 of the 27 New Testament Books of the Bible (14 if you count the book of Hebrews). Apart from Jesus, no other person has been as influential in forming the doctrinal views of Christianity. Paul has been referred to as the 2nd Founder of Christianity (with Jesus being the first). In this sermon, Pastor Allen explores the early life of the Apostle Paul.

Author and Medium Paul Selig shares transformational wisdom from divine messengers and chats with Raghu about what our world could be like.Paul's third book in The Manifestation Trilogy, A World Made New, will be out in September 2024. Preorder HERE!This week on Mindrolling, Paul and Raghu converse about: Paul's journey of becoming and the split between the perceived self and the real selfWorking with energy and understanding phenomenaDivine guides and how they present to PaulPaul's connection to Ram Dass and his vision of the Ram Dass house in HawaiiMediumship and sensing Ram Dass and Maharaj-ji in the spirit realmIdentity and the structure of realityKnowing the divine self and aligning with it as a demonstration of our true natureChanneling messages from the divineAbout Paul Selig:Paul Selig is an author and medium who is considered to be one of the foremost spiritual channels working today. In his breakthrough works of channeled literature, Selig has recorded an extraordinary program for personal and planetary evolution as humankind awakens to its own divine nature. Paul offers channeled workshops internationally and serves on the faculty of The Omega Institute, The Kripalu Center and the Esalen Institute. Also a noted educator, he served on the faculty of NYU for over 25 years and directed the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Goddard College. He lives in Maui where he maintains a private practice as an intuitive and conducts frequent live-stream seminars. Check out Paul's numerous books HERE and preorder your copy of the upcoming A World Made New, Paul's third book in The Manifestation Trilogy.“Who you put in darkness calls you to that darkness. It's all co-residence. So, if you can see the divine in someone or something you're actually lifting it. They say what you bless blesses you in return.” – Paul SeligSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Garth Heckman  The David Alliance TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com   BAM - watch them every Tuesday night on our Facebook page.   August Friday and Saturday 16th 17th End times conference at HillSpring Church sponsored by The David Alliance,    Paul was stoned, whipped, shipwrecked, imprisoned, robbed, killed… yeah killed, probably 3 times…    Paul was in ministry for 30 years You read this above list and Paul on average had a major catastrophe every year. Let me say this up front and I will keep saying it… a real man continually tests himself, his beliefs and his actions to see if he really is a real man…We say we are Xn's but do our actions line up with scripture… look if you really want to love yourself examine yourself truthfully according the full the full context of scripture and adjust, change - call yourself out… if you want others to love you, then examine yourself according to your justifications.  we must all practice this weekly if not daily.    **So What is the psychology behind the mindset of someone who can go through a life of trauma, problems, relationship turmoil, betrayal, death and still overcome? What made Paul Paul? What Godly characteristics do we see in Paul that made him a BAMF… a bad as man of faith.    Men who are overcomer's show incredible resilience in the face of adversity. There isn't a single mindset, but most likely a combination of factors that contribute to Pauls strength and manliness: Challenge to Core Beliefs: Life has a way that can shatter a person's sense of safety and trust in the world. (PTSD is a real thing people) Overcoming this requires building, rebuilding and letting God govern those beliefs. Real Men may develop a stronger sense of self understanding in their faith in God, and a newfound appreciation for His safety and security as they go through each challenge.  What do I mean… I mean their core beliefs don't keep them from pain or harm, but rather keep them going in the time of pain and harm. YOU SAY “GARTH WHATS THE POINT?” They expect this. They expect challenges… If you have a core belief.. say You believe in gravity… it will be tested! A man of God - a BAMF not only knows it, but will expect it… why well thats point #2

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:23-43 For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 9:20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God.” 9:21 All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 9:22 But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. 9:23 Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him, 9:24 but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him. 9:25 But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a basket. 9:26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple. 9:27 But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 9:28 So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 9:29 He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to kill him. 9:30 When the brothers found out about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced peace and thus was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church increased in numbers. 9:32 Now as Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 9:33 He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because he was paralyzed. 9:34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Get up and make your own bed!” And immediately he got up. 9:35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 9:36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity. 9:37 At that time she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they placed it in an upstairs room. 9:38 Because Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.” 9:39 So Peter got up and went with them, and when he arrived they brought him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him the tunics and other clothing Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 9:40 But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 9:41 He gave her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 9:42 This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 9:43 So Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man named Simon, a tanner.OutlineFilling in the Details of Paul's early yearsLuke omits details irrelevant to his narrative Paul provides more information in Galatians 1:13-24 and 2 Corinthians 11:32The Timeline“For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus” (Acts 9:19b)Paul proclaims Jesus, “the Son of God,” in the synagogues (Acts 9:20)Time in Arabia—Nabataea (Galatians 1:17)Paul returns to Damascus (Acts 9:19b; Galatians 1:17b)Paul is persecuted but escapes in a basket (Acts 9:25; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33)Paul travels to JerusalemPaul in JerusalemAgain, Luke omits some detailsJerusalem believers fear Paul Paul is introduced by BarnabasHellenists try to kill PaulPaul's Jerusalem trip is briefPaul goes to Caesarea on his way to TarsusPeace and StrengthVerse 9:31 is a positive conclusionPeter's MinistryPeter's ministry is like Jesus' ministry but more expansivePeter travels to Jewish citiesThe healing at LyddaThe resuscitation at JoppaGetting comfortable with ritual impurity

Episode 486 - The Most Dangerous Thing on the Planet   Today we have Adam. He is 46 from Flowermound, TX and took his last drink on December 31st, 2022.   Recovery Elevator is going to Vietnam January 9th-20th, 2025. Registration for our newest alcohol-free travel trip opens July 1st. We have room for 25 passengers to this southeast Asia destination. We have AF workshops, a home stay and a service project planned, plus you'll be traveling with others who have already ditched the booze.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [03:00] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares many things that are dangerous but concludes that the most dangerous thing on the planet is the Ego. The reason why it is so dangerous is because it is never fully satisfied, it's always hungry, lives in constant state of lack and is always seeking more, more, more.   Alcohol is but a symptom of the most dangerous thing on the planet. Addiction gets a bad rap, but it does serve a purpose. It forces you to split from the thinking mind. As the author of The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer says you are the one hearing or witnessing the thoughts, but you are not your thoughts.   Some of the humblest people Paul has met have been people in recovery. The addiction is the equalizer and forces us to seek a better way no longer guided by the blind pursuit of the ego.   Sober Link.  Sign up for a $50 off promo code.   [10:22] Kris introduces Adam:   Adam is a registered nurse, married to his wife for 23 years and they have two children. He loves hiking, camping and walking and enjoys tabletop gaming and the creativity and childlike innocence that it has awoken.   Alcohol was not very present in Adam's childhood household. When he was 15, he had a bad experience with hamburgers and cheap alcohol that kept him away for a while. Typical teenage experimentation was there, but not much booze in his high school years.   Becoming a young adult found Adam at college and going to a lot of parties. The heavier partying led to Adam beginning to have blackouts and hangovers. He ended up going to the Appalachian Mountains for some mission work and to get away from his dissonance around substance use. He says it still followed him there and eventually he had to go back home. Adam says drinking was part of he and his wife's early dating period. After getting married and having kids, Adam was working 45 minutes from home and found himself drinking on the way home from work and the drinking was becoming daily. He knew it didn't feel right but continued to do it. Deciding to start nursing school after the birth of their second child was very stressful and Adam's drinking eventually found him seeking to stop but with short stints of sobriety, he would go back and feel stuck. This continued for Adam for a while and started to affect his relationships.   Adam feels he finally had a time where it just clicked for him. He had joined Café RE and then joined the Restore course and he was able to organize some tools and awareness around his drinking. He knew he had work to do but he was willing to work on it finally. He currently has a great support network and close friends that he is doing the work with. Adam feels that a lot of things about him have changed and every day he sees joy.   Adam's biggest fear around quitting drinking: the fear of not having fun   Adam's plan moving forward: staying connected and immersed   Adam's parting piece of guidance for people thinking about quitting drinking: it makes the world colorful again and life will move in the direction it's supposed to move.     Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. RE merch Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator It all starts from the inside out. I love you guys.

Episode 485 – The Social Cost of Alcohol   Today we have Jennifer. She is 41 from Hamilton, OT Canada and took her last drink on January 18th, 2024.   Recovery Elevator is going to Vietnam January 9th-20th, 2025. Registration for our newest alcohol-free travel trip opens July 1st.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [02:09] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares some information from an article he saw on the Instagram page recoveryroadmap.me. It discusses how in Canada, despite bringing in $13 billion in tax revenue, the net social costs in 2020 was $19 billion. And it is even worse in the US.   The bright side of all of this is that we are becoming aware of this major deficit, and change is taking place. The demand for alcohol is lowering as people are becoming more aware that alcohol is not good for you. Two years ago, The Huberman Lab did a podcast called What Alcohol Does to Your Body and he debunked the myth that alcohol is good for you.   Paul also shares that thanks to an initiative called Sounds Right, musicians who use natural sounds can list “Nature” as a featured artist and royalties from the tracks will go toward environmental causes.       Exact Nature: https://exactnature.com/RE20   [08:33] Paul introduces Jennifer:   Jennifer is married and they have a daughter and a standard poodle. She works for the family business and for fun she plays paintball, tennis and volleyball – anything active with friends.   Jennifer says that as the “good girl” growing up, she always wanted to be bad and says that drinking fit in with that. During the week she was excelling in school, but on the weekends, she went to raves with friends and started smoking weed. She enjoyed the duality of her life and the same pattern continued at university.   While in her first year of college, her father bought back his company with a ten-year plan of Jennifer becoming the CEO. The stress and responsibility of this and her parents divorce a few years later all found her drinking escalating. Some of her friends told Jennifer's mom about her drinking and staged a small intervention to which Jennifer was not receptive. She assured everyone she was ok, but then just began to isolate when she drank.   After the plan found her becoming the CEO, her drinking went from nights and weekends to drinking all day just to cope. She recognized that this was a problem but was scared to mention it to anyone. This is when she first joined Café RE, started listening to podcasts and trying to learn more about the disease. Jennifer tried a lot of moderation methods but was never successful until she got pregnant with her daughter at 35. She was able to quit drinking while pregnant and a few months after having the baby.   After returning to work, Jennifer says her drinking started right where she left off. She says she was beginning to have disturbing thoughts and finally concluded that she needed help. Not being able to come up with a good way to quit without anyone knowing, she decided to confide in her cousin who she knew would understand.   In January of 2024 at a dinner with her cousin, mom and husband, Jennifer was able to burn the ships, and everyone was very supportive. Upon going to treatment shortly after, Jennifer says she took her recovery very seriously and wanted to make it worth her time.   Journaling and practicing mindfulness are big parts of Jennifer's recovery, she takes time to be present with her daughter and her life, attends meetings and counseling regularly and says stacking habits are important to her growth. Nurturing the sober version of herself has been great for her. Jennifer can see a future now   Jennifer's best sober moment: Walking my daughter to school and being present.   Jennnifer's parting piece of guidance: Don't be afraid to ask for help.     Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. RE merch Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator It all starts from the inside out. I love you guys.

Part 12 in the Houses of Fire series - IMITATING PAUL Paul's 3rd Missionary Journey (AD 54-57) Acts 19:8-12, 20:6-12, 20:18-38A message that will challenge both the Evangelical and the Charismatic Christian:  A challenge for the Evangelical because they will often find ways to minimize the possibility of living like the Apostle Paul due to his unique office and authority as a 1st Century Apostle. And, this message will challenge the Charismatic because so much ministry done by modern charismatics violates much of what Paul practiced and preached.Paul was/is an equal-opportunity offender! Acts 19:8-10 - "Reasoning and Persuading"Hall of Tyrannus? - “was either a building for hire, named after its owner, or the private residence of a sympathetic donor”Acts 19:11-12 - "Extraordinary Miracles"Kingdom Ministry = BOTH/ANDActs 19 - V. 8, 9 & 11 – Paul was BOTH “reasoning and persuading them about the Kingdom of God…reasoning daily AND God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of PaulImitating Paul? 6 NT passages where he exhorts us to do what he was doing!Acts 20:6-12•Sunday worship (first day of the week)•Communion included•In a HOUSE•LONG meetings (till midnight…Paul talked still longer…conversed until daybreak)•Miracle of resurrection1st Century Christian Calendar developing - Sunday worship and PentecostActs 20:18-38 - Paul's message to his Ephesian Elders*So, how Did Paul LIVE? *Humility – “with ALL humility”*Tears, Trials & Suffering = PART of following Christ) – imprisonments & afflictions*Public (Synagogues) & Private (House Churches) – Evangelism & Teaching*Jews & Greeks (for 10 years) *Message included REPENTANCE (not just faith)*Led by Holy Spirit*Dead to Self – Surrendered to Christ's Lordship & Plan (v. 24)*Believed we are RESPONSIBLE (v. 26-27)*Warning - False teachers/teaching coming (v. 29-31)*Trusted in God's Ability & God's Word to keep them & grow them (v. 32)*Paul & the Prosperity Gospel (v. 33-35) – Giving – to who? - PAY ATTENTION CHARISMATICS!!!*Paul's relationship with his team (v. 36-38)****AND WHO ARE WE TO IMITATE??****

Episode 483 – NA Beers   Today we have Tyler. He is 37 and lives in Phoenix, AZ. He took his last drink on November 28th, 2023.   Recovery Elevator welcomes Danielle Marr to the team! She now writes the bi-monthly newsletter for RE which always has journalling prompts at the end. She taught our DTB writing course this last fall and does Instagram posts a couple days a week. She was also interviewed on episode 464.   To subscribe to the Recovery Elevator newsletter, click here and wait for the box to pop up.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [03:35] Thoughts from Paul   Paul shares with us the history of NA beers and how they were created to pacify the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers campaign back in the 90's. The companies had zero intention of scaling this segment of their business and it has been said that the purposefully made the beer tasteless and bland.   Those days are gone. Non-alcoholic beer sales have been growing every year by 30-40% since 2019. Many of the major beer brands are investing time and money into creating their own NA products and there are more breweries popping up that are 100% dedicated to making an AF craft beer.   There is no need to explore the NA beer world in the early days of your alcohol-free life because it can be triggering. There is trace amount of alcohol in many of the NA beers (usually less than 0.5%) and you would have to drink 25-30 of them to reach the legal BAC. Check out this Instagram post where someone drinks several NA beers and stills blows zeros into a breathalyzer.   What the AF beer world exploding shows is that people are waking up to the fact that alcohol is not good for you and big alcohol sales are reflecting that. The stigma around alcohol addiction is also crumbling. We as consumers decide every move a business makes – start asking for more AF options at restaurants and grocery stores. Start asking and you will receive.   Go Brewing. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off.   [09:58] Paul introduces Tyler:   Tyler is 37 years old and lives in Phoenix, AZ and has a six-month-old daughter. He does maintenance for a homeowners association. Tyler is also a musician and enjoys performing, writing, and recording music.   Tyler had his first drink when he was in high school as simply a fun thing to do with friends. A health scare which ended up with tumor removal drove Tyler to feel he needed to live life to the fullest. He says his drinking increased as it was associated with having fun, and he discovered his passion for being a musician. That found him romanticizing alcohol, drinking more after gigs, and acquiring DUIs. Since a lot of people he knew had DUIs, it was considered normal and wasn't taking seriously.   When he lost a close family member to cancer, Tyler says his drinking evolved from good and bad to ugly. He and his girlfriend went out often, and his drinking became more frequent both while out and while at home. Tyler had a lot of anger that would come out while drinking. These issues eventually found Tyler and his girlfriend splitting up.   Tyler started going to therapy and discovered that the loss of his aunt affected him more than he realized. He was able to process some of his anger and cut back on his drinking. He and his girlfriend got back together and six months ago their daughter was born. Tyler began to realize that his drinking was interfering with this new life and told his girlfriend he was ready to quit. At this time, he also reached out to a supportive cousin that has over 20 years in recovery.   Tyler says AA didn't resonate with him, but books, podcasts and other peoples' stories have been very helpful. He believes in recovering out loud.     Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. RE merch Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator I love you guys. Go big because eventually we'll all go home.

Episode 481 - Collective Truths   Today we have Susie. She is 52 and lives in Lubbock, TX and took her last drink on February 10th, 2024.   Our alcohol-free retreat in Bozeman, MT on August 14th – 18th is currently sold out. But if you are interested in being put on the wait list, please email kmac@recoveryelevator.com   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [02:18] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul's goal with the introductions each week is to find a topic that we can collectively resonate with. His goal is for as many of us as possible to say “yep” or to nod our heads while listening.   There are many different types of listeners to the podcast. Some had already ditched the booze, some long ago and some more recently. Another group is still in the process of quitting drinking. We also have another group of listeners who are here to support a loved one who is struggling with alcohol. We are so glad you are here with us.   Paul lists the many reasons why people listen and what they are looking for by doing so. Ultimately, we are all here to grow.   Go Brewing. Use the code ELEVATOR for 15% off.   [09:58] Paul introduces Susie:   Susie is 52 and lives in Lubbock, TX with her husband of two years. She has been a hairstylist for many years and considers it her passion. Susie enjoys reading, exercise, enjoying the outdoors and attending sporting events.   Susie first experimented with alcohol when she was in high school and didn't care for it. There was very little drinking for Susie throughout college and her 20's. In Susie's 30's, her husband and she began to drink socially on the weekends but his drinking increasingly got worse and eventually the divorced due to his anger issues and alcohol abuse.   For a long time, Susie didn't use alcohol as a coping mechanism but had other issues that she feels were attempts to avoid her feelings such as an eating disorder and excessive exercise. Susie reflects that she didn't really have an off switch when she drank for events, but typically wouldn't drink for a while afterwards.   Shortly after marrying her current husband, some issues started to arise in their relationship and Susie found herself beginning to use alcohol to cope. She says it wasn't much of an issue until she began to try and hide how much she was drinking. It started to create issues in her marriage and Susie would find her husband leaving her a few times, which created feelings of abandonment and rejection.   After an event that led to Susie being hospitalized, she attended an IOP but left and continued drinking.  Her husband asked her to go to inpatient rehab, so she did, but she continued to drink afterwards and ended up taking another trip to rehab a few months later.  Her husband eventually ended up leaving, which was very eye-opening for Susie. She started attending a women's AA group which she enjoyed and learned a lot from.   Going forward Susie plans to continue attending AA meetings when she can, and she just joined Café RE where she plans to be an active participant. She and her husband are separated now but are attending counseling and Susie feels hopeful about their future. Susie surrounds herself with positive people at work and has friends from rehab that she checks in with frequently.   Things Susie has learned about herself on this journey: self-acceptance; loving yourself. No matter where you are, you're okay just the way you are.   Susie's best sober moment: spending time with her husband going to sporting events sober.   Susie's parting piece of guidance: don't ever give up on yourself, don't isolate yourself, always surround yourself with people.   Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. RE merch Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator You took the elevator down; you gotta take the stairs back up. You can do this. I love you guys.

Episode 480 – AF Legends   Today we have Emily. She is 31 and lives in Raleigh, NC. She has been sober since March 17th, 2019.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [02:26] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares with us a list of his favorite AF (Alcohol Free) legends.   Included in the list is a man named Barry he met on the Gold Coast of Australia who taught him it's the little things in life that create the most beautiful textures in life.   Another AF legend is Bill Wilson who together with Dr. Bob would become founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.   Paul also includes the 480 rock stars wo have shared their story on this podcast. Our interviewees have realized that for them to be successful, they have to help others. Thank you to all of the interviewees on the podcast.   Included in the list is Paul's dog Ben. He taught him unconditional love.   And above all else, Paul feels the number one AF legend is the universe. It has provided everything he has needed for wholeness, happiness, and wellbeing. Even when being handed a roundhouse kick to the kidney, the universe only does so with the goal of promoting growth or to illuminate a better path.   Exact Nature: https://exactnature.com/RE20   [10:46] Kris introduces Emily:   Emily is 31 years old, and lives in Raleigh, NC. She has a Husky named Yogi and she works in water treatment. For fun she enjoys attending music festivals and concerts.   Emily says she is an adopted only child and grew up with wonderful parents that were always supportive. It was a religious household and while Emily feels she learned some great values through that, as she got older, she wanted to rebel a bit. Drinking with the older crowd was how she chose to do that and feels that she always drank to get drunk and didn't see the point of drinking otherwise.   After high school Emily would have rather gone to the military instead of going to college, which was what was expected of her. She decided to go to school and join the reserves instead. Shortly after turning 18, she got a DUI which ruined the military path for her. School became a big party for Emily, and she ended up failing out of school. Emily was watching her peers graduate, start families and begin careers and she wasn't sure what she was doing. She feels that this led to her drinking more to cope with the lost feelings she had. She would end up having two more DUI's before she was 23.   While dealing with the consequences of these DUI's, Emily went to rehab in Texas for 30 days. It was the first time she realized that she might have a problem but still wasn't certain. After leaving inpatient treatment she started an outpatient program and was living in a sober house. She ended up transitioning to California and was excited to have a new start. Gradually drinking started back up for Emily and she ended up moving back to North Carolina because of how expensive it was where she was living.   After serving her probation from the DUIs, Emily found herself drinking again, but says it wasn't as much as before. She was beginning to start working on her health with nutrition and exercise. Emily says that alcohol wasn't fitting into her goals, so it slowly tapered off. She had one last hangover after St Patrick's Day and decided she no longer wanted to feel that way anymore.   While working on sobriety, Emily learned that a friend from rehab had passed, and she used it as fuel to keep going. She was looking for podcasts and found Recovery Elevator. Listening to people's stories really helped her and she started participating in communities learning that she was not alone.     Emily's favorite resource in recovery: people   Emily's parting piece of guidance: Be proud of the days that you don't give up and celebrate even the small wins.       Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. RE merch Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator We're the only ones that can do this RE, but we don't have to do it alone. I love you guys.

Become a monthly subscriber for just $1.99 per month and receive an additional two to three episodes per week!https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/exclusive-contentIn this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl tests Jack's knowledge of common texting acronyms.Transcript:00:00:00JackHey A-Z listeners, this is Jack here.00:00:03JackAnd if you would like to become a an exclusive subscriber to the show, you can hit the link in the description and that will take you to our Red Circle page, where for $1.99 a month you will get access to an extra two or three episodes each week.00:00:23JackAnd be careful, don't hit that donation button if you want to become an exclusive subscriber because the donation button is just a one time donation. However, the exclusive subscriber button will give you access to the extra two or three episodes.00:00:42JackEach week.00:00:44JackSo make sure you hit that exclusive subscriber button if you want access to the extra episodes.00:00:52JackNow let's get on with the show.00:00:55JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I'm here with my co-host social. And today we are under the vocabulary spotlight.00:01:05JackAnd social is going to test me on my knowledge of testing accurate and I'm sorry texting.00:01:15XochitlExcellent.00:01:16JackAcronyms like like.00:01:17JackText.00:01:18JackTexting words or whatever I guess. Or texting language.00:01:20XochitlYes, finally explaining in a way, it's like you just you don't use the whole phrase or the whole words. You just use like a few letters to represent the word. So that's like what it is.00:01:32JackExactly, yeah.00:01:35XochitlAnd I have a six here so.00:01:38XochitlSo let's get started. I'm ready to tear you up because you really got me with the Canadian one was that Aussie one wasn't a total failure, the Canadian one.00:01:39XochitlOK.00:01:46JackNo, you did better on the Aussie one than you did with the Canadian slang, which is kind of surprising.00:01:51XochitlI know and.00:01:52XochitlCanadian and I've been to Canada and I don't even have any like Austin friends and I have Canadian friends as messy, but.00:01:58JackWe share a border with Canada, you know.00:02:01XochitlAnd I have a a close Canadian friend or a couple maybe, and I don't have like any Aussie friends I can think of, but I just ruined. I just ruined the Canadian one.00:02:10JackWell, I'll give a I'll.00:02:11JackGive a shout out to teacher Paul Paul the the the grammar detective.00:02:17JackIf you don't know his uh YouTube channel, check it out. For sure. The grammar detective best grammar teacher on the Internet. He sent me a message about that episode and said basically those Canadian terms are very like rural. You know, they're not. It's like.00:02:35JackOK.00:02:37JackAnd even most Canadian people don't use those terms. It's very much.00:02:41JackLike like hillbillies you know? Kind of like, yeah, people that live in the countryside might.00:02:47XochitlWithout in the sticks as you say.00:02:49JackIn the sticks, right? Yeah. Hillbillies is not a the right way to say that, but.00:02:55XochitlI think in sticks isn't either, but in the sticks are just a term we use for people who.00:02:59XochitlLive out in the country.00:03:00JackYeah.00:03:02JackCountry folk, you know, country people that are not, you know, maybe college educated, you know, high school educated only use those kinds of terms.00:03:12JackAnd it's it's not very they're not very common in in regular.00:03:17JackRight. But actually it's not actually.00:03:17XochitlSpeech in Sydney.00:03:19XochitlHas to do with the level of education. I think it's more just like it's kind of like colloquial language, like it's a regional dialect kind of thing, right? Oh, yeah.00:03:29JackYeah, yeah, yeah, very, very. You know, the central Canada, very rural farm farmers and things like that, so.00:03:40JackDon't feel bad about that one. The Ozzy slaying is much more common. I think throughout the whole country, I would say from from, just from knowing Australian people that grew up in cities, they use a lot of those terms, all the.00:03:52XochitlTime so you know.00:03:55XochitlAll right. Well, that makes me feel better and I'm ready to rip you up with these.00:04:02XochitlI, YK, YK what does that stand for?00:04:08JackIYKYK.00:04:10XochitlYeah.00:04:13JackI, YK, YK.00:04:18JackWait, you.00:04:21JackNo, I I'm.00:04:25JackI'm keeping.00:04:27XochitlThank you. I like it.00:04:27XochitlIYYK.00:04:34JackI'm your.00:04:38XochitlKind.00:04:40JackOK, like bad, this is bad. You give up your.00:04:44JackI don't. I'm gonna say uncle on this one. I have no idea. I'm. I give up.00:04:49XochitlGreat. If you know you know.00:04:52JackOhh if you know you know what? When? What's the context for using that? Like give me give me like an example.00:04:54발표자No.00:05:00XochitlHere's an example. Let's say that.00:05:04XochitlI use a specific product for people with curly hair and I post a picture of it online and say oh, this is the goat which remember is like the greatest one of all time. It's a IYKYK if you know, you know. So if you use this product or if you also have curly hair, you know.00:05:15JackYeah. The best. Yeah, yeah.00:05:24XochitlIf you know you know.00:05:26JackOK.00:05:28JackOr like.00:05:29JackIt sounds like another example like if you don't know well now you know.00:05:34JackThat's uh from a song, OK?00:05:34발표자No.00:05:35XochitlLike, yeah, if you know, you know, with is like, you're talking to people who also know. So like your audience. So like or let's say you post a picture of like slide chicken from a local place, but it looks a really certain way. And you're like, this is the best fried chicken in Atlanta if you know, you.00:05:38JackNow.00:05:52XochitlNo.00:05:53JackOhh, so you're you're in the secret club basically.00:05:56XochitlKinda. Yeah. Yeah, you're.00:05:57JackOK, OK.00:05:58JackIn the Super pub you're talking to other people, no?00:05:59JackIf you're in the secret club, you know. Yeah. You know. You. OK OK. If you know, you know, and then you show a picture of, like a club, you know, like a the sign on the on the on the the dance club or something. And if you don't know.00:06:13JackYou're not. You're not in the group. You're you're kind of.00:06:15XochitlRight. You're talking to other people who know if you know, you know, your audience is the other.00:06:20XochitlOh no. And then everyone's, like, laugh reacting and go. Yeah, that's the best. And everyone who doesn't know doesn't know. So.00:06:26JackYeah, they're like, what's that? Tell me about that. Like, sorry, secret, you know.00:06:31XochitlMm-hmm. Alright, Jack. And next one, BFR, BFR.00:06:31XochitlOK.00:06:39JackBut PSR best friends forever. Really.00:06:45XochitlNo.00:06:49JackUse my.00:06:49JackI mean, that's a big guess. That's a good guess.00:06:50JackThat's my VFR, my best friend for forever. Really my best friend forever, really.00:06:57XochitlWell, I would have that. That's good. I mean, I probably would have said best friend for real or something like that.00:07:02XochitlBut that but.00:07:04XochitlThat's not what it means though. It means be for freaking real.00:07:09JackOhh be for freaking.00:07:10XochitlSo it's like if someone says.00:07:11XochitlOK.00:07:15XochitlYou know, I'm trying to think of a good example.00:07:17JackLike, stop, stop being fake. Stop, you know.00:07:21XochitlNot playing play G for real, you know, be real.00:07:22JackStop playing.00:07:24JackBe for freaking real. Yeah, be honest. Like be be be real. Yeah. Be be for real. Yeah.00:07:29XochitlRight, these are freaking real. But so for our listeners, I would say just use either BFR to mean be for real or.00:07:40XochitlIf you're using BFR, make sure it's like pure or whatever, because freaking can be replaced by a curse word. Yeah, so you don't want to send to your professor B for freaking real. You know what I mean? That's not what your boss hey B for freaking real man, that is not appropriate, but.00:07:46JackYeah, that's more.00:07:57JackYeah, cause freaking is not the word. There's another word that starts with F that's a much more we we don't use that in the ABC English podcast because we are we're we're child friendly here on the on the.00:08:07XochitlI'm sorry, right?00:08:10XochitlGray.00:08:10JackThe podcast. But yeah, it's beautiful.00:08:12XochitlAlso, be even be for real is kind of like uh, like a call out. So you don't want to use it.00:08:17XochitlWith anyone but you.00:08:18JackYeah, I would.00:08:18JackOnly use it with like you know like friends and yeah, for real.00:08:21XochitlYour friends or your peers, or someone that you like hate in a petty way and it's like not that serious. Like, yeah, so be for real, be for freaking real. Alright, next 1LB S.00:08:27JackYeah.00:08:31JackNo.00:08:37XochitlOhh yes.00:08:41XochitlI think I got a Jack on this. I'm I'm proud.00:08:43JackI'm getting. I'm getting smoked here. This is terrible. OB S.00:08:51JackLatter Day Saints.00:08:56XochitlThat was terrible. No laughing but serious.00:09:01JackOhh that what does that mean now? Why am I laughing but serious?00:09:01XochitlLaughing.00:09:03JackSo then it will.00:09:07XochitlUM, let's say you're like, uh, oh man, your boss in Korea was terrible. And I'm I'm saying laughing but serious. Like I'm. I'm curious about it, but it's so bad. It's funny at this point.00:09:20JackSo it's like I don't know what whether to laugh or cry, so I'm just going to laugh like that.00:09:25XochitlA little bit or like or you say.00:09:31XochitlUh, I use this with one of my friends a lot, but let's say she's like, oh, man, that restaurant was terrible. And I'm like, I know that made me sick laughing but serious. Like, I'm kind of joking about it, but I'm for real. Like I'm being honest. So that was terrible. You know what? I.00:09:46JackYeah, I can. I can.00:09:46XochitlMean. I'm not kidding.00:09:47JackChuckle about it, but it really did make me angry, you know, like, I'm serious about it.00:09:52XochitlYeah.00:09:54XochitlRight, like uh, I'm joking, but I. But it's true. Like I'm making a joke out of a real situation kind of laughing, but.00:10:01JackOK, OK.00:10:02XochitlYeah. So that makes sense.00:10:04XochitlOK, TNT L.00:10:09Xochitl2.00:10:13XochitlToo, too nice to learn, too, too too.00:10:19Xochitl290 to to to to limbo 2.00:10:25JackThat was bad. Oh my God.00:10:27XochitlThat's the worst. Two too. Too late No2 TN.00:10:33XochitlYeah, yeah.00:10:34XochitlToo, too nice.00:10:37Xochitl2.00:10:43JackLie too nice to lie. She's TNT L She's too nice to lie.00:10:48XochitlDoes not make any sense. No. Trying not to laugh.00:10:52발표자Ohh God.00:10:54XochitlYeah.00:10:54JackIt's so easy. What? What happened to me?00:10:56XochitlI was. I was in. I think you just over. I was going to tell you. You definitely were overcomplicating it for yourself. Like, say you had the principles you send your your friend a message. Like man I owe to the principal's office. And I was in a lot of trouble.00:11:08XochitlBut I was TNT L trying not to laugh because, like, maybe you pulled the prank and now you're getting scolded and you're trying to laugh about it.00:11:15JackOK. OK. Yeah. Yeah. So for example, something like UM.00:11:23JackYou know my my roommate, my roommate spilled a a Diet Coke on his lap.00:11:24JackOh man, did you see that girl?00:11:30JackTop.00:11:31JackAnd I'm sitting here in the living room, NTL, trying not to laugh you.00:11:33JackIt's funny.00:11:37JackKnow something like that.00:11:39XochitlYeah. Or like, say, someone falls, you know, in a funny way. And you're like, man, I was worried about them. So I was TNT L trying not to laugh because it was funny after all.00:11:47JackBecause if you laugh, it's going to make them feel bad. But you're just like you're you're holding it in. You're biting your lip.00:11:52XochitlOr you don't want to look like a jerk. You know what I mean? But you're hoping it.00:11:55XochitlDidn't cause it was funny, yeah.00:11:59XochitlYeah. Alright, YANK.00:12:06XochitlOK.00:12:10JackWho?00:12:12XochitlYnk.00:12:13JackWhy? Why, why? OK. Sorry, sorry.00:12:19XochitlY&K.00:12:21XochitlYou're not.00:12:28JackThis is just a total fail. I'm such a fail. I'm so I'm so I'm so I'm so embarrassed that like my age is is just showing so obviously here.00:12:31JackIn the Canada episode I got back, I got back.00:12:43JackI'm having good time though.00:12:45JackWhat year did join this TNT L?00:12:50JackI'm not even trying at this place.00:12:51JackHe's not even TTL. Yeah, she's NT NTL.00:12:56XochitlNot not the last.00:12:57JackLet's see. I've got no idea. I I know what Y2K was, but that happened in 2000. So before you were born.00:13:04XochitlLike he was after I was born. Yeah. You never know. You never know.00:13:09JackYou never know, yeah.00:13:11XochitlNo.00:13:13JackIs. Is Julie coming to the party? Ohh. You never know. She might show up, right?00:13:20JackWould would that work?00:13:21JackI think he well.00:13:22XochitlA little, maybe more like a.00:13:24XochitlYeah.00:13:26XochitlMan, I don't think I'm going to get into Harvard. And your friends like YNK. You never know you could.00:13:33XochitlYou know anything is possible. You never know.00:13:34XochitlYou.00:13:37JackYeah, yeah. Bob isn't gonna ask me to the prom.00:13:42JackY&K. You never know. Yeah, OK.00:13:43Xochitl1.00:13:46XochitlYeah, alright. I'm gonna throw you a bone here. I think you'll know this one and it's going to be extradited.00:13:48XochitlThanks.00:13:52JackIs it lol? I mean if it's lol then I can get it I think right?00:13:54JackNo.00:13:58XochitlIMHO.00:14:01JackOhh I know this one. I know this one I.00:14:07JackWhat is it IMHO?00:14:11JackUM means uh.00:14:14JackIMHO I failed this test.00:14:17JackIn my honest opinion, I failed this test.00:14:22XochitlOhh, so close Jack so close in my humble opinion.00:14:27JackAh, is that what you need? Humble. No.00:14:30JackYes, this is my humble opinion.00:14:34XochitlWhat?00:14:35JackWhy do I?00:14:36JackWhy did I always think it was in?00:14:37JackMy honest opinion.00:14:38XochitlI guess they weren't. Either way, in my honest opinion, and well, it works either way, but yeah, it's.00:14:40JackYeah.00:14:43JackBut it makes more.00:14:44JackSense to say, in my humble opinion.00:14:46JackLike cause it makes you like more. It makes you humble. Like it's better like you know, instead of just being honest, yeah.00:14:50XochitlYeah, I'd say in my, yeah, it's more like, you know, I'm not saying this is 100% right, but this is just my humble opinion.00:14:59JackIt's more protective of your of your.00:14:59XochitlSo that's why.00:15:02JackLike, yeah, it's more protective of you. Like, if you're saying, in my honest opinion, blah, blah, blah, then you're wrong.00:15:08JackYou might look.00:15:08XochitlLike more of a jerk also. But like in my humble opinion is like this is just what I'm humbly offering as my opinion. But I'm not saying I'm it's right or wrong either way, yeah.00:15:18JackOK, OK. I get half point half credit for that one.00:15:19JackBut I think they.00:15:22XochitlYeah, you get half credit, alright, listeners, if you enjoyed watching me destroy Jack this time around, finally I got my venture. Then leave a comment down below. It really helps us with visibility at A-Z englishpodcast.com shoot us an e-mail. We love listening to listen your emails at azspodcast@gmail.com or join the WeChat.00:15:42XochitlThose groups to talk to Jack and I directly and we'll see you next time. Bye.00:15:47JackBye bye. LOL!Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/vocabulary-spotlight-texting-slang/Social Media:WeChat: atozenglishpodcastFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok: @atozenglish1Instagram: @atozenglish22Twitter: @atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-a-to-z-english-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 477 – It Can Be Done   Today we have Jim. He is 44 and lives in Silicon Valley, CA. He took his last drink on February 20th, 2024.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [02:27] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul is coming up on ten years without a drink. He has attended many social situations without consuming any alcohol. When he told people he wasn't drinking, the question he got was “Wait, you're not drinking?” said as more of a statement of astonishment than anything. As in the impossible was happening right before their eyes and they were surprised someone could still have a good time without drinking.   A major factor of why ditching the booze can be so hard is that the thinking mind will tell you it can't be done. The biggest reason for this is that an alcohol-free life lies in the unknown. The mind and the ego crave the known.   But it can be done. If you are on day one, a series of day ones, Paul reminds us that yes, it can be done. But for how long? A morning, an afternoon? A week? A month? A year? We are only ditching the booze one day at a time. Addiction forces us to confront the thinking mind. Addiction forces us to tease out who is who in the thinking mind. It forces us to locate and meet ourselves.   Sober Link.  You can find some tips and can sign up for a $50 off promo code.   [08:55] Paul introduces Jim:   Jim lives in Silicon Valley and is a software engineering manager for a large tech firm. He is 44 and happily married for 21 years with three young kids. He enjoys skiing, learning woodworking, and completing task lists.   Alcohol was a non-issue for much of Jim's life. He tried it a few times when he was in his early teens, but he didn't enjoy it much. He didn't drink in high school or college and then drank very sporadically throughout his 20's.   In his 30's, the company he worked for would have gatherings at the end of the week where alcohol was provided. Jim says this was where he started enjoying drinking. Over time it progressed and there were some negative consequences for Jim at work and he started suffering with anxiety and depression. At the time, Jim felt like he was living multiple lives.   COVID era was a difficult time for Jim. He was working from home and had little to do so he found himself drinking more. When work became busy again, the distractions at home drove Jim to rent an office where he was more isolated and drinking earlier and earlier in the day.   On the way to a bible meeting one day after having a few drinks, Jim realized this wasn't a great idea and decided to check out an AA meeting instead. He says that he went to several different types of meetings over the course of the year before anything really stuck for him.   Jim feared telling his wife about his problem, but knew he had to do it. Her initial response was not believing that Jim really had an issue with alcohol but started to feel betrayed when she realized how much he was hiding from her. Jim was determined to tackle the addiction and created his own path. This includes listening to podcasts and journalling every day. He has had a series of stops and starts in his recovery but feels that was part of the learning process and utilizes past journal entries to remind him of why quitting is the best thing for him.   After a recent relapse he started to feel very hopeless and knew he couldn't continue on this path. Jim has leaned into his faith and scripture in addition to his own past journal entries to help him gain the resolve to try sobriety again. He is a member of Café RE and has an accountability partner which has helped him a lot.   Jim's best sober moment: when his wife told him how proud she is of how far he is come.   Jim's parting piece of guidance: if you get stuck, it's ok, but you just can't stay there.     Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. RE merch Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator We all go home so we might as well go big. I love you guys.

As Paul travels across the world:  Paul meets Christians in cities he had never been to Did Paul travel from the island of Malta or Mljet? The Christians encourage Paul, the other prisoners, and even the Roman guards The Roman centurion finally says goodbye to Paul Paul is given honor by the Christians of Rome Paul is chained to a guard 24/7 Paul meets with the Jewish leaders of Rome   Click all the links for more cool stuff: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries  Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries  Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com  Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk  Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop  YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle    Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee  https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40   This ministry is only made possible due to your generous support https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries

It's the end of an era. This is Paul Barnhurst's last episode as FP&A Today host. And in this episode he introduces new FP&A Today host: Glenn Hopper.  Glenn Hopper is a Chief Financial Officer with two decades of experience leading finance operations for private equity-backed companies. Glenn  is an author and journalist, US Navy Veteran, #1 AI Finance leader, and a passionate advocate for FP&A.  In this episode: Glenn's whirlwind career since he last appeared on the show Training FP&A on AI  Why getting started on AI in finance is a painful audit Why the first stages of AI implementation in finance have nothing to do with AI  Launching the definitive LinkedIn course for generative AI and finance  Why it is vital for finance professionals to understand the base of AI  Glenn's favorite episode of FP&A Today Why I decided to become the new host of FP&A Today  Why there's no need to hide my Southern accent on the show  Turning the tables on Paul Paul's final message  Follow Glenn Hopper at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii/ Follow Paul Barnhurst at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy/

Episode 475 – I See You Ceiba   Today we have Shari. She is 60 and lives in Santa Barbara, CA. She took his last drink on December 31st, 2022.   In two weeks on April 1st, registration opens for our annual retreat in the beautiful Rocky Mountains located outside of Bozeman, MT. This retreat is from Wednesday August 14th through Sunday August 18th, and it is going to be a blast! Click here for the full itinerary and to get pricing info.   Check out our RE merch. We have hats, sweatshirts, tank tops, t-shirts and more.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [02:56] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares with us how the idea of Sober Travel first came to him. After a trip of a lifetime that went sideways for him, he knew the only way that he could do alcohol-free travel in the future was with alcohol-free travelers.   On the most recent sober trip to Costa Rica, Paul and other members of the cohort traveled to see a Ceiba tree that is at least 350-400 years old. He shares with us the history of the Ceiba tree and what they mean to the people that live around them. They also got to witness live sea turtles hatching and were able to release them into the surf. Quitting drinking is like the release of the sea turtle. Your new life awaits, and anything is possible.   Thank you to Sober Link  and Athletic Greens for partnering with us on this event.   [09:46] Paul introduces Shari:   Shari is 60 years old and lives in Santa Barbara, CA. She has been married for 34 years and has furry children rather than human children. She works in consumer-packaged goods and operations and for fun enjoys cycling, hiking, and walking.   Shari took her first drink when she was 13 and it resulted in a blackout and being extremely sick. She went through her teen years drinking whenever she had the opportunity, which was always problematic.   Shari had multiple DUI's by the age of 24 and with her second one was forced to go to AA and take a yearlong course in alcohol education. It was then that she realized she was an alcoholic. She didn't want to go to AA but she did find some nice people there. After a few stops and starts she was able to get and stay sober for 8 years and used hosting meetings as accountability to stay sober. Over time she started to slow down her attendance at meetings and started drinking again during a particularly stressful time in her life.   Shari was putting parameters around her drinking after she started again and was able to maintain it to a degree. She would have varying stages of abstinence, and this continued for the next 20 years. Shari says she didn't work very hard at AA during this time, and limited the connections she was making with other people.   When she moved back to Santa Barbara 10 years ago, her parents health was deteriorating. Watching her father drink problematically reminded her that she didn't want to go down that path. Shari started looking for other modalities to help her quit drinking. She started reading quit lit and joined The Tempest sobriety course with Holly Whitaker. She started listening to RE where the idea that we can't do this alone really resonated with her.   Shari loves that there are so many more options in the recovery space now. She recognizes that everything she does these days is for her recovery. Therapy, exercise, eating right, connecting with people and reading – they all feed her soul and keep her grounded. Finding community and attending more meetings with fellow travelers on the journey was initially uncomfortable for Shari. But she knew she needed to get out of the comfort zone and join the conversations.   Shari's best sober moment: the breathwork she participated in at Bozeman last year.   Shari's parting piece of guidance: never quit quitting and you shouldn't do it alone.     Café RE – promo code OPPORTUNITY waives set up fee. Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we all go home. I love you guys.

Episode 469 - 10 Facts About Americans and Alcohol   Today we have Lisa. She is 66 years old and lives in Atlanta, GA. She took her last drink on November 16th, 2022.   Café RE – use the code OPPORTUNITY to waive the setup fee.   [02:51] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares with us ten facts about Americans and their drinking habits that he found in an article from the Pew Research Center.   The article shares with us statistics regarding what people are drinking and where alcohol consumption is the highest, along with statistics about age and income ranges.   The biggest takeaway from this article is the first stat that says, “Only 62% of U.S. adults say they drink” while 38% abstain completely. Not everyone is kung fu fighting. There is a voice inside the head that says, “Everybody drinks”, but right there we just debunked that myth. A lot of people don't drink because they don't want to. Many people don't drink because their forced to. Whatever the reason is, about 40% of Americans don't drink.   And although alcohol consumption is rising, we're seeing the younger generations say no, like no previous generation has done so.   Check out Sober Link.  You can find some tips and can sign up for a $50 off promo code.     [10:00] Paul introduces Lisa:   Lisa is a repeat guest from episode 411. She took her last drink on November 16th, 2022. She is 66 and lives outside of Atlanta. She has been married for 37 years and they have two adult children. Lisa enjoys working out, traveling, reading, and listening to podcasts.   Lisa grew up in a close family, but her parents had a miserable marriage. Her mother drank to deal with it and the drinking increased when Lisa was in middle school. Upon trying her first drink in high school, she didn't have the “wow” moment at first but quickly found it gave her confidence and she felt accepted and less insecure with her friends.   After graduating college and entering the booming computer software industry, Lisa found herself drinking at a lot of parties, conferences, and sales meetings. She says her husband didn't drink much. Aside from when she was pregnant, Lisa drank in a way that she considered normal.   In her 40's, Lisa and her husband left the corporate world and started their own business. It was successful but very stressful. She says her drinking ramped up and she was beginning to try and hide the wine bottles from her husband.   After a fall Lisa had during a blackout, her doctor referred her to a counselor. She discovered AA and was able to stay sober for a year without doing the work. Soon after the year mark, Lisa thought she could moderate and started drinking again. She was successful with moderation at first, but after retiring, finding herself as the sole caretaker for her elderly mother, the drinking increased again.   One night Lisa found herself pouring a glass of wine that she really didn't want and it was then she decided enough was enough. This time Lisa decided to get help. She went to AA and didn't feel it was working for her. She discovered a Facebook group called SoberSis as well as Café RE. After her last interview, she was connected with a lot of other ladies that she is still connected with today.   Last year found Lisa tending to several health scares, several surgeries, and the unexpected loss of her parents eight weeks apart. Lisa says that gratitude, using the tools she has learned in the sober community as well as her faith and family has helped her remain sober through it all.   Lisa's favorite ways to relax deep breathing and exercise.   Lisa's advice for somebody struggling with life and alcohol: find a way to connect no matter how uncomfortable it is, we have to have connections.   Café RE – use the code OPPORTUNITY to waive the setup fee. Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we'll all go home. I love you guys.

Episode 468 – A Day in the Life   Today we have Amber. She is 41 years old and lives in San Luis Obispo. She took her last drink on May 26th, 2020.   “First it is an intention; then a behavior; then a practice; then a habit; then second nature; then it is simply who you are".   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [03:04] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares with us what a typical day in sobriety looks like for him.   He starts his days with hydration, breathwork and/or stretching, reading and coffee. He takes time to connect with the universe and asks for guidance throughout the day.   Paul likes to reflect on what he is thankful for either in a journal or he sits in a comfortable location outside facing the sun while he closes his eyes and gives thanks. Even on shit days, he makes a point to thank the universe.   Reminding himself that the present moment is all that matters, spending time in nature, doing things that he enjoys, connecting with fellow sober peeps, and being creative are also very important to Paul.   Go Brewing use the code elevator at checkout for 15% off.   [12:13] Kris introduces Amber:   Amber is 41 years old; she has two boys and a partner in crime. She works as a 2nd grade teacher, in addition to being a running and sobriety coach. They live in San Luis Obispo, CA and enjoys hiking, mountain biking, running, and swimming.   Growing up, Amber says she was always shy and preferred to be in the background. She was introduced to alcohol in high school and discovered it helped her feel confident and have fun. She didn't really enjoy the taste, but she loved the way it made her feel and she and her friends drank every weekend.   After going to college, Amber says her drinking only increased. She was recruited to be on the softball team with a full scholarship. The practice and academic schedule was challenging and her drinking increased from every weekend to nearly every day. She gained weight, she wasn't studying, and her grades were suffering. Her performance on the team found her on the bench often and eventually she was cut from the team and lost everything.   Amber moved to San Diego and finished college there while working in restaurants. She says her drinking increased even more and she got a DUI a few years later. Shortly after that experience, Amber decided to join a teaching career and the stress of it found her relying on alcohol at the end of the day.   Amber says a turning point came after getting married and having two children back-to-back. She had many roles to fill but was still drinking two bottles of wine a night. Finally figuring out that she wanted more for her life, Amber filed for divorce and started taking better care of herself. She started running as an outlet for her emotions and found herself meditating, which she feels helped her make decisions. She looked at her sobriety as a fresh start.   Initially Amber was quiet about her recovery and felt she could figure it out on her own. Once she realized that wasn't working, she found Celebrate Recovery, got a sponsor, and started doing the work. Once she started meeting more and more people in recovery she stopped feeling alone.   Amber left her teaching job and started her own business as a sober running coach. She started a sober running group Recovery Road Runners and they do a lot of fun things together and help other people stay sober.   Amber encourages people to find physical activities that they enjoy doing, maybe things they did when they were kids. She also suggests vision boards to think about where you want to be in the future and goals you may have.   Amber's biggest fear when she quit drinking: “That I would never have any fun again, total lie. I have way more fun now.”     Café RE – use the code OPPORTUNITY to waive the setup fee. Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator We're the only ones that can do this, but we don't have to do it alone. I love you guys.

Episode 467 – A Good Cry     Today we have Andrea. She is 47 years old and lives in Phoenix, AZ. She took her last drink on November 9th, 2021.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [02:12] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares a quote with us that says, “decide what life you want to live and say no to everything else”.  This same quote can be applied to your thoughts.    What comes to mind after reading this quote is the word “purge”. Saying no and letting go of things that don't fit the life we want to live isn't easy, but it is healthy and so is crying.   Emotional tears have many health benefits. They contain stress hormones and other toxins. Researchers have theorized that crying flushes these toxins out of your system. A good cry also activates the parasympathetic nervous system which sends signals of calm and restoration to the body. In addition to this, crying dulls pain and releases oxytocin and endorphins. It is a way for the body to find a new emotional balance. A much better way than using alcohol.   If you're finding emotions hard to deal with in sobriety then give the body permission to purge them out in the form of tears. Go ahead and lean into the millions of years of universal intelligence the body possesses and have a good cry.   Café RE – use the code OPPORTUNITY to waive the setup fee.   [09:28] Paul introduces Andrea:   Andrea is 47 years old and lives near Phoenix. She has four children, two grandchildren and a Great Pyrenees. She works with people with substance abuse disorders and is working on a master's in social work. For fun she enjoys jogging, hiking, DIY projects and documentaries.   Andrea and her family moved around a lot when she was going up which made it hard for her to keep friends. She had her first drink shortly after she discovered that her father was cheating on her mother. She felt the calming effects the first time and drank every change she could get during her teens.   Andrea started bartending when she was 19. This found her drinking a lot after work which was creating some issues in her marriage. She was able to abstain from alcohol during all of her pregnancies but would drink as soon as she could after.   The alcohol was creating issues in the marriage and when Andrea was 22, she went to rehab but didn't stay quit after leaving. A few years later she lost her mother to cancer and Andrea says that's the first time she drank to numb pain rather than just a socialization tool.   The first consequence Andrea had was losing her nursing license after an arrest. When they were about to extend her probationary period where she could not drink without hiding it, she decided she didn't want to do it and turned in her license. Her heavy drinking would continue throughout her 20's and 30's.   After her divorce when she was 41, Andrea did start exploring whether or not she had a drinking problem. She was beginning to see the consequences to her health and was realizing she didn't want this to be her legacy. She was gradually able to stack days together and eventually reached 90 days where she kept on going. The first year found Andrea continuing to read quit lit, listen to podcasts and attend a few AA meetings.   Her decision to work on her relationships after year one was cut short when she lost a daughter to a drunk driving accident. Instantly she reached out to some sober friends to help her keep from drinking. Andrea feels that her sobriety has been a gift throughout this and helped her be there for her other children and grandchildren.   Andrea has been attending AA, going to school, and making new friends in social situations she would have avoided in the past. Giving back is important to Andrea as she pursues her master's in social work.   Andrea's favorite sobriety resources: podcasts, quit lit, The Phoenix   Andrea's parting piece of guidance: the sooner you ditch the booze, the sooner you can start living.   Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes      Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we'll all go home. I love you guys.

Paul Mescal joins us for a very tense game of Sit Down Stand Up, a very special Yesterday's Quizzer surprises Greg and listener Polly gives us some doo doos!

Episode 464 – Doing Something Different     Today we have Danielle. She is 34 years old and lives in Northern Ontario. She took her last drink on August 20th, 2023.   On January 27th we start our six-week alcohol-free ukelele course. This course is brought to you by Kala Brand.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [03:22] Thoughts from Paul:   Paul shares the history of Recovery Elevator, how launching the podcast gave him accountability and how the listeners helped it expand over the last 464 consecutive weeks.   The big message he wants to share here, however, is that if you are going to quit drinking or are seeking an alcohol-free life then you're going to have to do something different. Probably something very different than what you're currently trying. And it doesn't have to suck.   You 100% can ditch the booze, and we are here to help. But do yourself a favor join Café RE, go to an AA meeting, check out Smart Recovery, take a sober ukulele class. There are more recovery pathways today than there ever have been, and we feel there is no right or wrong way to quit drinking.   We have partnered with Sober Link.  You can find some tips and can sign up for a $50 off promo code.   [10:54] Kris introduces Danielle:   Danielle just passed the 100-day mark at the time of recording. She is 34 and is married with two cats and two dogs. She lives in Northern Ontario, and she is self employed as a copywriter and website designer. She enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, reading, yoga and lots of writing.   Danielle says she started experimenting in high school around age 15. She wanted to be part of the crowd but as an introvert found it exhausting and preferred connecting with small groups at the parties. In college, she leaned more onto weed which she feels helped with her sleep and anxiety issues.   She met her now husband when she was 22. They were living in Australia for a time and up until this point Danielle was just smoking and drinking socially. Her husband was a daily drinker and Daneille started drinking wine when they would travel.   After moving back home, they made friends with their neighbors and would spend time after work drinking with them. She was drinking at home, drinking with the neighbors, and drinking at the farm where she had her horse. Her life revolved around when and where she could drink but she typically only felt comfortable drinking at home with close friends.   After a new job and a move to a smaller town, Danielle thought that the change in environment would help her cut back on her bad habits. She found the change isolated, and after her office closed, she was forced to work remotely. She and her husband were drinking earlier in the day. Throughout this time, they had good times but there began to be fights and behavior changes for both of them. Drinking was becoming less and less enjoyable and they found themselves talking more and more about what life would be like without alcohol.   Her journey to recovery found her listening to podcasts and starting to write about what she wanted to get out of quitting drinking. After a while, they both decided to join Café RE. One day Daneille and her accountability partner were talking about journaling and came up with the idea of a writing course to share with the RE community. Danielle says that using that as a form of service really helped her with her own recovery.   Danielle's unexpected positives of ditching the booze: losing the anxiety she had for many years. The community she has gained in recovery.   Danielle's favorite resources in recovery: podcasts, quit lit, chats in the community, journaling.   Danielle's parting piece of guidance: you can't shame yourself out of the addiction.   Instagram   Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes    Recovery Elevator You're the only one that can do this, but you don't have to do it alone. I love you guys.

Episode 458 – A Big Win     Today we have Mike. He is 44 from Huntsville, AL and took his last drink on April 10th, 2023.   Registration for RESTORE opens this Friday!  If you want to take a break for a month, or say adios for good, this course is for you. You're going to learn all about alcohol addiction, what it is, what it isn't, how to beat cravings, you'll learn about many different recovery pathways, and the best part is you won't be doing this alone.   Exact Nature: https://exactnature.com/RE20   [02:42] Highlights from Paul:   Paul shares how releasing his first album is a huge win for him and that the listeners are a big part of making it happen.   Something commonly heard when people quit drinking is “what is going to fill the void?”. We have to rediscover likes and interests. Part of the journey is trying out new hobbies. Sometimes it takes a while to find out what we like to do though, so be patient with  your healing.   If you want to hear the outro song and the full album under the name of Pablo Church, you can check it out on Spotify, or search your preferred music streaming service. What dreams, goals, aspirations, did you have that alcohol stifled like a wet soggy blanket. What did alcohol bump down on your list of personal goals? What do you want in life now that alcohol is no longer in the front seat? Take a moment to ponder these questions, maybe hit pause in this episode, put pen to paper and get clear on what you want. Paul and the RE community are here to help you make it happen.   Better Help:  www.betterhelp.com/elevator - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [07:18] Kris introduces Mike:   Mike lives in Huntsville, AL and works in construction. He is married and they have five kids. He enjoys attending his kids' sporting events and being outside and active.   Mike grew up in a conservative home. His father had a history of rebellion and his mother lost both parents to alcoholism when she was young, so they chose to keep alcohol out of the home.   Mike first tried alcohol on New Year's Eve when he was in 8th grade while at a friend's house. He started to associate alcohol with having a good time but didn't drink much during high school even though his friends did. Mike was a people pleaser both at home and with his friends. He feels this tendency drove him to start drinking and smoking pot to fit in with everyone.   Mike went to one semester of college and decided it wasn't for him. After some consequences from his drinking, he ended up moving back home and working construction. He was still drinking and smoking but trying to make better choices.   When Mike met his wife, they decided to make some changes. They quit drinking and smoking and started becoming more active in the church community. When the job market started changing in Michigan, they moved to Alabama where Mike was offered a new job.   After a while, Mike decided to quit his job and start his own construction business. That was going well but Mike found that managing the business instead of doing the labor was very different and more stressful. As time when on his drinking gradually increased and since everyone else was drinking, he could justify it. Over time he was drinking before, during and after work. His wife discovered the stash in his office and that's when Mike said he would quit. For a few months, he found himself hiding his drinking and trying to drink less, which didn't work.   Mike eventually sought outpatient treatment and tried that for a while before his counselor told him he had to do more. Mike was resistant to trying AA but once he did he was able to start making some changes and getting help to stay sober.   Mike's plan in sobriety moving forward: to make the most of the time he has left.   Mike's parting piece of guidance: today is just a day and time takes time.   Instagram - We regularly feature content here. Recovery Elevator YouTube Sobriety Tracker iTunes    Recovery Elevator You're the only one that can do this, but you don't have to do it alone. I love you guys.