Having Had a Spiritual Awakening

Having Had a Spiritual Awakening

Welcome to Having Had a Spiritual Awakening, the podcast by and for those on the profound journey of Twelve-Step recovery. If you’ve diligently worked the Steps – whether in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Al-Anon Family Groups, Marijuana Anonymous (MA), or other Twelve-Step fellowships – and experienced that transformative ”psychic change” – that fundamental shift in your perception and reaction to life – this podcast is for you. We delve into the spiritual awakening described in the Twelfth Step, exploring what it truly means to be relieved of the compulsion and obsession that once held us captive. This isn’t about theory; it’s about the lived experience of a new state of consciousness and being that results from taking rigorous action through the Steps. Join us as we share stories, insights, and reflections on the practical application of spiritual principles in our daily lives, regardless of your specific fellowship. From navigating newfound freedom to embracing the ongoing process of growth, Having Had a Spiritual Awakening provides a space for fellowship, understanding, and the continuing exploration of a life transformed. Tune in to connect with others who are walking this path, demonstrating that a spiritual awakening is not just a moment, but a new way of living. Written and Produced by Suzanne Garcia Pino & Sarah Grobel Bolstad Music: I’ll Tell You - Sarah Grobel Bolstad and Ian Ford The Fourth D Club, Missoula, MT - https://www.4thdmissoula.org

Episodes

December 2, 2025 67 mins

In this episode of Having Had a Spiritual Awakening, we talk with Stephen Ferguson, Executive Director of Crosswinds Recovery, about what constitutes “real” trauma and why comparing levels of trauma can hinder healing. Stephen shares insights from his work and experience in recovery. Stephen, Suzanne and Sarah consider whether spiritual awakenings are inherently turbulent, why transformation often feels disorienting, and the parado...

Mark as Played

Suzanne and Sarah talk with Zac C. about how spiritual awakenings sometimes happen in reflection rather than in real time—and sometimes they happen right in front of the TV, while watching Wheel of Fortune. Zac also shares about the important and inspiring work his recovery nonprofit, Beautiful Minds Recovery (www.beautifulmindsrecovery.com), is doing to provide peer support training within the community.

In the last ten minutes, S...

Mark as Played
September 28, 2025 60 mins

Is it possible to be constitutionally incapable of being honest? Suzanne and Sarah sit down with Justin D. to unpack how AA and NA answer this question. Justin shares practical pro-tips for staying clean and sober, along with fascinating observations he made just a year into recovery—after being hit by a car and facing the challenge of healing without pain prescriptions. Justin also shares how this only became possible when he beca...

Mark as Played
August 18, 2025 58 mins

Suzanne and Sarah talk with Kate L. about the dreaded “outside topics” and wonder if, in the end, everything is an outside topic. They discuss black-and-white thinking, what “economic insecurity” might mean in the Ninth Step promises, and Kate’s love of wild AA meetings.

The Fourth D Club, Missoula, MT, www.4thdmissoula.org

Hosted & Written by Suzanne Garcia Pino

Co-Hosted & Produced by Sarah Grobel Bolstad

Music: I'll Tell...

Mark as Played
July 29, 2025 69 mins

Suzanne and Sarah talk to Jay about how she is learning how to not carry the intensity of her addiction into sobriety, how self abandonment changes in recovery, and the time she tried to solve her Adderall-caused back problems by jerry rigging a stand up desk and a phone call to her father at 3 AM.

 

Hosted & Written by Suzanne Garcia Pino

Co-Hosted & Produced by Sarah Grobel Bolstad

Music: I'll Tell You by Sarah Grobel Bol...

Mark as Played
June 30, 2025 50 mins

Suzanne, Dan, and Sarah talk about hitting a sufficient bottom, choosing to surrender, and the tough– yet often fascinating– work of recovering from alcoholism.

 

Written and Produced by Suzanne Garcia Pino & Sarah Grobel Bolstad

Music: I’ll Tell You - Sarah Grobel Bolstad & Ian Ford

The Fourth D Club, Missoula, MT - https://www.4thdmissoula.org

Mark as Played

In the inaugural episode of Having Had a Spiritual Awakening, co-hosts Suzanne and Sarah dive into what it truly means to experience a spiritual awakening after working the Twelve Steps. Having found freedom from alcoholism, they share candid stories of their own varied awakenings, from subtle, incremental shifts to profound "white light" breakthroughs. They emphasize that these aren't endpoints, but the beginning of a continuous i...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    SmartLess

    "SmartLess" with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. What ensues is a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation filled with laughter and newfound knowledge to feed the SmartLess mind. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.