The Way Out Podcast

This week we’re driving toward the conclusion of our series on the 12 Steps with our focus turned singularly on Step 11. Much seems to be asked of us in this particular Step, and many whom first encounter it may indeed feel initially overwhelmed and ill equipped to undertake what appears to be an endeavor reserved strictly for high priests, monks and nuns. Thankfully, this most assuredly is not the case. We’re simply attempting, on a daily basis, to become more spiritually aware and connected through intentional acts as we are increasingly able to perform. This comes in more traditional methods like morning and evening prayer, set meditation times, and spiritual reading to less conventional activities like Yoga or breath practices. These activities for all that can and has been said about spiritual practices are essentially intended to allow us to get to the core of our spiritual truths. Are we going to spend our moments, hours, days, and years acting more out of fear and all of it’s manifestations? Or are we

This week we’re interviewing Joshua Shea and we’re talking about a subject that is cloaked in shame and marred by a social stigma reminiscent of the leapers of bygone millennia. Joshua Shea is a recovering pornography addict, recovering alcoholic and author. Joshua has appeared on over 50 podcasts, television and radio shows using his personal story to promote the ideas that porn addiction spans all demographics and those with a problem should seek help before it’s too late, as it became in his case. While drug addiction and alcoholism no doubt are still battling the bad rap of social stigma to some extent, Pornography and Sex addiction is the Secret affliction hardly a soul will speak of. Despite this deafening silence, porn and sex has never been more accessible. Alarming as it is, 35% of internet downloads are pornographic. 40 million Americans say they regularly visit porn sites and on third of all internet porn users are women. As a consequence, as much as 8% of the population admits to having a sex rela

This week we’ve got a very different perspective on Addiction & Recovery in an interview with Mark Scheeren. Mark is the co-author of The Freedom Model of Addiction, the first non  12 Step methodology to treat addiction and alcoholism. A word of caution; this approach may sound like heresy to 12 Step enthusiasts and advocates and to some extent it very well may be. Indeed I count myself as a strong advocate for the benefits of 12-Step Recovery. Our philosophy on this program is to bring you a wide variety of views, approaches, and experiences on and around Addiction and Recovery. To invoke a 12 Step slogan, take what you want and leave the rest. That said, I encourage you to keep a very instructive quote from the book Alcoholics Anonymous close to your heart as you listen to this interview “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation”. Mark’s

This week we’re bringing you a captivating discussion with Jeremiah Campbell. Jeremiah is many things; an entrepreneur, Father, Husband, volunteer, and indeed a person on long term recovery from alcoholism and addiction. Jeremiah’s anything but picture-perfect trek to Recovery is at once enlightening and inspirational.  You’ll no doubt be doing so much head-nodding as you relate to his experience, you’ll look like a baseball game giveaway bobble-head if you’re careful. Jeremiah tells us we’re all destined to be great in only the way we can each be, so long as we’re able to get out of the way and let a power greater unlock our potential. This interview is jam-packed with spiritual and recovery goodness, so Listen Up! Jeremiah's Recommendations: Meditations | Guided Dr. Joe Dispenza (Muse headband) Books | Traction for business | 4 agreements |  Becoming supernatural | Millionaire success habits Mindmovies.com (4.0) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podc

This week Jason brings us a powerful & insightful interview with Jeff Powell. Jeff’s story will bring you to the depths of addiction, and the stark reality of what it’s like to battle addiction in the unfriendly environs of the streets of Chicago, to the deceptively unforgiving suburbs of Minneapolis & St. Paul. Jeff’s unadulterated honesty and candor reveal that one can indeed go through the proverbial wringer, and then come out the other side to live a rewarding life of Recovery.  You’ll find spiritual truth and Recovery wisdom all throughout this amazing story of Recovery, so buckle up get ready to Listen Up. Book recommendation: Filter Shift: How Effective People See The World by Sara Taylor App Recommendation:  Fearless Motivation - Motivational speeches and interviews for free to listen to. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week we’re continuing our series on the 12 Steps with our focus now turning squarely to Step 10. In many ways, this Step is the litmus test in identifying if we’re truly willing to put the principles of the 12 Steps to daily, continual practice within ourselves and those around us. Are we willing to take a regular self-inventory? Are we willing to take responsibility for our actions no matter what the circumstances are? Perseverance is the underlying principle at work here, and it is an indispensable asset to making good on the directive of Step 10. A regular Step 10 worked well is well worth the effort and will pay handsome dividends to the quality of your recovery. We’ll get you up to speed on exactly what Step 10 is, why we work it, how we work it, and what we can expect as a result of this vital Step, plus we share feedback from the Sober & Serious community and take your calls. Listen Up. 10th Step Worksheets: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5405df05e4b0abd245577885/t/58b3835a9de4bb80d482

This week we’ve got a very special interview for you with Eric Zimmer, a person in long term recovery from alcoholism and addiction as well as the Host and Co-Founder of The One You Feed Podcast. The namesake of the aforementioned podcast comes from a Cherokee Parable. The parable, for those of you whom are unfamiliar, goes as follows. An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life... "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. "One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego. "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. "This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old chief si

Along with Jason and count ‘em 31 special guests, I’m Charlie and this week we have an incredibly special episode in store for you. Jason and I were humbled to be a part of an extraordinary event a short time ago, the 9th annual Walk for Recovery which is organized by Minnesota Recovery Connection – a non-profit organization committed to building recovery capital in individuals, families, and communities in the greater Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Jason and I took to the streets of the capitol grounds in Saint Paul, MN to ask folks whom attended this Recovery Extravaganza some questions about why they showed up and what recovery means to them. What we got back was  overwhelming and striking themes of connection, unity, hope, and a universal penchant to smash the Stigma of being a person in long term recovery from alcoholism and addiction. So without further ado, I give you What Recovery Sounds like courtesy of Alisha, Andrea, Brandon, Christine, Christopher, Crystal, Grace, James, Jennifer, Jeremy, John, Jo

This week we’re continuing our series on the 12 Steps with a singular focus on Step 9. There’s plenty of reason why Step 9 occurs in the 12 Steps in the order it does. We’re attempting to straighten out our relationships with others, many of whom we’ve hurt, some in the most damaging of ways. Fear is a likely companion when facing these often daunting amends; but if we follow the simple instructions we will indeed be amazed before we are half-way through this process. We share with you, what Step 9 is, our purpose in working it, how we work it, and reveal that on the other side, a freedom unlike we’ve ever experienced awaits us. Plus we share feedback from the Sober & Serious community and take your calls, so Listen Up. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week we’re continuing our series on the 12 Steps and turning our focus squarely on Step 8. Step 8 is simple; make a list of folks we wronged and become willing to make it right – but for many of us spiritual work, even if it’s simple, just ain’t easy. The reality is; when emotions like fear, anger, resentment, and righteous indignation get stirred up when we think of some of these individuals that have made our list, things get real complicated, right quick. We’ll walk through what Step 8 consists of, our purpose in working it, how we work this Step, and what we can expect when we’ve completed our Step 8 work. We even tackle the hotly and often debated issue of whether we should or shouldn’t put our own names on that Step 8 list. Plus, we’ll share feedback from the Sober & Serious community and take your calls, so Listen Up. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week The Way Out Podcast is going Sugar-Free with Mike Collins – Founder of SugarAddiction.com and chairman of Food Addiction Institute. Mike is in long-term recovery from addiction and alcoholism; 34 years long and 30 of those years have been free from both caffeine and sugar. Mike shares why eliminating sugar and caffeine was a part of his journey and we discover how much both of these substances have in common with drugs and alcohol. Spoiler alert; our relationships to sugar, caffeine, and even food can and indeed may mirror our relationships to drugs and alcohol in active addiction. I implore you to bring honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness along with you as you take this episode in, and truly allow yourself to discover and uncover your own relationship with these substances. I can attest that I cannot deny that I still am guilty of slamming my dopamine receptors with caffeine all morning and sugar in the afternoon – and there’s a likely a reckoning coming my way sooner rather than later. My di

This week we’ve got a very special interview with Jacob Jones, the Author of Recovered and a person in long term recovery from addiction. Jacob shared his story, which is the inspiration behind his book, with my fellow co-host Jason and you’ll be immediately drawn to Jacob’s disarming candor and unabashed authenticity as he shares his battle with opiate addiction and subsequent recovery and what motivated him to put pen to paper to share his journey to recovery – that he may help someone else who is struggling with or cares about some who is struggling with the addiction and abuse of substances. Jacob’s story has it all, and you won’t regret a minute of it, so Listen Up. Get Jacob's Book Here! www.TheSustainedLife.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week we’re continuing our series on the 12 Steps with a seriously righteous breakdown of the 7th Step. Simple in it’s phraseology, the 7th Step represents a crucial “First” in our working of the 12 Steps. It’s the first time we’re making an ask of our higher power we connected with in Steps 2 & 3 and utilized in 4, 5, and 6. Step 7 centers around a key and fundamental element of all 12 Steps, indeed, around spiritual development as a whole – Humility. This virtue gets a bad wrap in this day and age, largely because it’s often confused with thinking less of ourselves when in reality humility in practice really means thinking of our selves LESS. We’ll illuminate why Step 7 is so vital, what working this step looks like in practice, and what we can expect after working this crucial Step. Plus, we share feedback from the Sober & Serious community, take your calls, and share an email from one of our loyal listeners, so Listen Up.  Step 7 Literature we discussed: What's So Amazing About Grace by Philip

This week we’re taking a moment to celebrate our 150th episode of The Way Out Podcast. We reflect on why this amazing project got started, what continues to drive and inspire us, and what we we’re seeking to accomplish when we bring you powerful recovery stories and recovery power topics in a weekly downloadable format. The simple truth is we’re simply a couple of folks in long term recovery who love to talk recovery and help others to find and enhance their own recovery in the process. We do this because we genuinely like it, and we super like helping others find their own Way Out of addiction and alcoholism, because you deserve the days you have left in this planet filled with the peace, love, and joy that can only come from an examined, purposeful, and spiritual way of life. Plus, Jason takes time to share a recovery related experience we can all learn a whole lot from so Listen Up. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way

This week we’re stepping away from our series on the 12 Steps to bring you a refreshingly different perspective on Recovery through a truly compelling interview with JF Benoist, Author of “Addicted to the Monkey Mind – Change the Programming That Sabotages Your Life”. JF and I explore what the “Monkey Mind” is, why so many of us reside in this state of mind as often as we do; and how we can transform our minds and bodies in unison to a persistent state of awareness, what Benoist calls the “Observing Mind”. We highlight parallels to 12-Step recovery and call out some key departures along the way. This interview will indeed enlighten and engage you, perhaps in a way that you’ve never experienced, until now. Listen Up.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week we’re continuing our series on the 12 Steps by breaking down the often overlooked Step 6. Step 6 is in part a preparation Step, and because we addicts and alcoholics are a stubborn lot, a quite necessary one at that. We must prepare before we can take transformative actions. The balance of this Step is all about the spiritual practice of acceptance and humility. This episode will prepare you to take this Step by bringing clarity to what Step 6 is, why we do it, how we work it in practice, and what we can expect after we take this vital Step. Plus we share feedback from the Sober and Serious community and take your calls. Listen Up.  Sixth Step Prayer: Dear God, I am ready for Your help In removing from me the defects of character Which I now realize are an obstacle to my recovery.Help me to continue being honest with myself & Guide me toward spiritual & mental health. 6th STEP:  God help me become willing to let go of all the things to which I still cling. Help me to be ready to let youremov

We’re talking all about perhaps the most feared Step of all 12 we work in 12-Step recovery. Nary a soul that has ever been in existence has had an overwhelming desire and willingness to reveal not only our past transgressions and wrongs, but quite literally the worst of themselves to their higher power, themselves and another human being. Many of us have gone to great lengths to tuck our darker selves far far away so we didn’t have to look at it and so others wouldn’t see it. Step 5 is a spiritual housecleaning; allowing us to rejoin humanity in a way we’ve never been able to prior to working this vital step. You’ll walk out of this episode with a clear and deeper understanding of what Step 5 is, the purpose of working this step, and what we can expect during and after we work this all important step. Plus we share feedback from the sober and serious community and take your calls, so Listen Up!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.

This week we have two firsts in the History of The Way Out Podcast. Co-host Jason did his first ever solo interview with first time guest Casey Ryan. Casey relates her journey to long term recovery with an easy transparency and brings forth an near endless supply of spiritual truth & recovery wisdom along the way. Casey grew up torn between two worlds, leaving her doubting her own self-worth before finding herself in the throws of alcoholism and addiction. Her story will have you alternately relating, laughing, and ultimately leaving you inspired to take more meaningfully positive risks in your own recovery journey. I just have to say, this quite likely isn’t the last your gonna hear from this absolute dynamo of a woman on this podcast. Now without further ado, here’s Jason’s interview with Casey Ryan. Listen Up. Casey Ryan Life & Recovery Coaching: https://ryanlifecoaching.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-wa

This week we’re continuing our series on the 12 Steps. We’re taking on perhaps the most feared, conceivably the most misunderstood, and quite likely the most practically useful Step of the 12 that make up the 12 Step Recovery Program. We’ll discuss in simple terms what the purpose of Step 4 is, how to work this crucial step, and what you can expect after completing this all-important self-inventory process. Plus, we share feedback from the Sober and Serious community and take your calls. Listen Up. Reach out to Andrew:  AndrewBuzzkill  - Instagram ajaxbuzkill - Snapchat Step 4 Worksheet: https://12step.org/docs/Step4_Inventory.pdf --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week we’re continuing our series on the 12 Steps with our focus turning squarely to Step 3. Step 3 is the point in the 12 Steps in which we make a fateful decision that will be quickly followed by a series of actions specifically designed and purpose intended to produce a profound change that brings about our recovery from addiction and alcoholism. However we arrive at the decision, whether through introspective analysis on our past way of living or because we’ve seen others work the Steps and Recover – or both; the decision itself remains the same for all. Are we going to keep on living the old way, relying on our finite selves?  Or are we going to try something new and start living according to a power greater; perhaps an infinite power to aid us in our transformation from sick and addicted to recovered and free. We’ll discuss in much greater detail why this step is so crucial to lasting and meaningful recovery, how to work this step and what Step 3 looked like for each of us. Plus we share feedba