The 12th Step Podcast

On this episode of the 12th Step Podcast, Steven shares a heartfelt listener email about navigating the chaos of addiction, recovery, work, and family. In his message, Steven admits how often he’s tried to bargain with chaos—hoping for just a little peace or balance—only to realize that chaos doesn’t make deals. Through his journey, he’s discovering that balance isn’t found in control but in surrender, humility, and faith in a High...

Tune in to this episode as we hear from a listener who’s one year into recovery—committed, attending meetings, and working with a sponsor—but still struggling to connect with the 12 steps. For this neurodivergent individual, the structure of the program often feels more like pressure than support. While their sponsor, therapist, and spouse all believe in the process, they’re left wondering if it truly fits their needs.

We dive into...

After the chaos subsides and the big milestones are behind us, what comes next? In this episode, we hear from Kevin, who’s seven years sober and thriving in his family life—yet feeling the quiet pull of complacency. Together, we explore what it means to keep growing when the emergencies are over, the structure softens, and the old demons aren’t banging at the door.

Join us as we discuss strategies to reignite your sense of purpose,...

Recovery is anything but static—it's dynamic, personal, and constantly evolving. In this episode, we open up about where we are right now in our individual recovery journeys. From early breakthroughs to deeper emotional work, each of us brings different tools to the table depending on our current stage. Tune in as we share what’s working for us, how our needs have changed over time, and why recovery is never one-size-fits-all. Whet...

Change isn’t easy—and recovery even less so. In this episode, we dive deep into the uncomfortable truth that sacrifice is often the price of progress. Whether you're navigating personal transformation, healing from past wounds, or breaking free from destructive cycles, giving something up is often the first step forward. Join us as we explore what it really means to let go, why it’s necessary, and how sacrifice can become the found...

As promised, if we ever found the recording Daniel lost, we would put them out for you to here. Well great news is Daniel found them and here is the final of three lost episodes.

In this episode, we reflect on a profound quote shared by a listener: “The young man who rings the bell at the brothel is unconsciously looking for God.” What does it mean to seek wholeness in all the wrong places? How does addiction become a misguided spi...

As promised, if we ever found the recording Daniel lost, we would put them out for you to here. Well great news is Daniel found them and here is the second of three lost episodes.

In this deeply personal episode, we explore the intersection of recovery and divorce, inspired by a listener’s powerful message and request to hear more about Daniel’s story. What does it look like to rebuild after a marriage ends in the midst of healing?...

As promised, if we ever found the recording Daniel lost, we would put them out for you to here. Well great news is Daniel found them and here is the first of three lost episodes.

In this episode, the team dives into the challenges of black-and-white thinking and how it can deeply impact the recovery journey. Inspired by a listener email, we explore how the all-or-nothing mindset—“I’m either doing great or I’m a failure”—can keep us...

In this episode, we respond to a deeply thoughtful message from listener Zack, who opens up about the struggle many of us face in recovery—navigating the temptations and distractions of smartphone use while still needing to stay connected for work and life.

We explore the challenges of living in a hyper-connected world where one device can be both a tool and a trap. The team shares practical tools, software options, and personal ex...

Why do we so easily fall into self-pity—and why does it feel so familiar to those of us in addiction recovery? In this episode, we respond to a powerful question from listener Shloimy about the role of self-pity in our lives: what pulls us into it, what it costs us, and how we can step out of it.

The team opens up about their own experiences with self-pity, how it masquerades as comfort but often isolates us further, and the practi...

In this episode, we reflect on a profound quote shared by a listener: “The young man who rings the bell at the brothel is unconsciously looking for God.” What does it mean to seek wholeness in all the wrong places? How does addiction become a misguided spiritual quest—and what happens when we begin to recognize the deeper hunger underneath?

Drawing on Carl Jung’s insights and personal stories from recovery, we explore how acting ou...

In this deeply personal episode, we explore the intersection of recovery and divorce, inspired by a listener’s powerful message and request to hear more about Daniel’s story. What does it look like to rebuild after a marriage ends in the midst of healing? How do we navigate feelings of anger, grief, and loss while staying committed to recovery? Daniel opens up about his journey through divorce, the challenges he faced, and the less...

In this episode, the team dives into the challenges of black-and-white thinking and how it can deeply impact the recovery journey. Inspired by a listener email, we explore how the all-or-nothing mindset—“I’m either doing great or I’m a failure”—can keep us stuck in cycles of shame, guilt, and self-doubt. We share personal experiences, practical insights, and strategies for embracing the messy middle of growth. Whether you’re in rec...