{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Sober.Coffee Podcast","title":"The Foundation of Recovery: A Tribute to Dr. John part 3 of 5","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2151,"description":"Episode Guest: Dr. John – This is a \"Get Well\" Program, Not a \"Feel Good\" ProgramHosts Mike and Glenn welcome Dr. John to the sober.coffee shop for a raw, straight-shooting conversation about Alcoholics Anonymous, the reality of working the program, and what it truly takes to get well.The Reality of RecoveryDr. John doesn’t sugarcoat it: AA is not about rainbows, unicorns, and puppies. It is about getting well.With sobriety dating back to 1980—including a five-year \"research sabbatical\" (relapse) before getting sober for good in 2000—John uses his hindsight to fuel his insight. He views alcoholism as an \"inside job.\" Alcohol was his soul food, and removing it leaves a void that must be filled. Even when joy and gratitude are hard to find, John emphasizes that you are still getting better.Key Takeaway: AA is a get well program, not a feel good program. When you are full of doubt and in a dark place, you have to trudge along, plot along, and stick around. It is in these tough times that you spiritually grow.The 3 Basics of Working the Program (In Real Time)When life gets heavy and you aren't \"feeling it,\" John relies on three foundational steps:Be aware. Recognize where you are at.Check in. Talk with your sponsor and/or others in recovery.Pray on it. Seek guidance outside of yourself.The Trap of Self and EgoThe guys agree that when we have a problem with others, the root of the problem usually lies within ourselves. However, self cannot transform self, and ego cannot conquer ego. Because disturbed emotions impair our judgment, we cannot rely solely on our own thinking. God works through people—which is why AA is inherently a \"we\" program.When you find yourself emotionally disturbed, John offers a 3-step triage plan:Freeze: Stop and do not act.Check in with a sponsor: A pain shared is a pain halved, and an outside perspective is better equipped to take inventory.Pray for willingness: Pray for the willingness to accept and take direction.The 3 Types of Direction You...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/lbvonW-QZLM4NmaZlNyZ24zW1GAeM2iURuVyAh7wbrc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzE5NDE2LzE2MTU1/OTcyNTUtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}