by Kris Oyen | Nov 21, 2022 | Podcast
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Episode 405 – Ahead of the pack
Today we have Rachel. She is 29, from Wisconsin, and took her last drink on September 4, 2022.
Registration for Restore opens December 1. https://www.recoveryelevator.com/restore/
Sponsor: https://www.soberlink.com/
Highlights from Paul
Is there a stigma for those in recovery, or are we ahead of the pack? This past August, Paul invited Elaine Huang mindfulness and spirituality teacher) to speak at the RE Bozeman retreat. Elaine shared with Paul that those ditching the booze are ahead of the pack. She never has to modify or simply her course content for Café RE members. Members of our group are advanced students; they are more resilient, elite, and have a greater capacity for love and a greater capacity for recovery after pain & suffering. Elaine referred to us as “old souls .”The recovery community has a greater capacity for survival, compassion, and love.
Elaine believes our population is part of the 1% of people who can achieve a higher level of consciousness, vibration, and frequency: the frequency of love.
Feel free to watch this video from a neuroscientist, Dr. Joe Dispenza. https://youtu.be/Ov3aeqjeih0
Deepak Chopra says, “it takes as little as 1% of a population to create positive change, and I believe that if 100 million people underwent a personal transformation in the direction of peace, harmony, laughter, love, kindness, and joy…the world would be transformed.”
Transcendental Meditation teacher Maharishi Mahesh predicted that only one percent of humanity is needed to create enough good vibrations to usher in world peace. (https://www.naturalawakenings.com/2018/11/30/224480/a-global-wake-up-call-collective-consciousness-nears-spiritual-tipping-point)
For more information on Elaine Huang: Elaine Huang – Embodiment of Freedom: https://www.mayyouawaken.com/
Better Help: www.betterhelp.com/elevator – 10% off your first month. #sponsored
[12:30] Rachel has been sober for over thirty days. She is still struggling and hasn’t experienced a pink cloud yet. She is experiencing a lot of depersonalization, but she is hopeful. She loves singing, live music, nature, hiking, and playing the ukulele. Rachel struggles with PTSD. She has a partner and two kids.
Rachel identifies with the gifted kid burnout syndrome. She excelled in school but struggled to embrace her feelings, given some of her struggles at home. She was high functioning in high school: in clubs and the National Honor Society. As a DARE kid, she was afraid of drugs and alcohol. She described having a second life and drinking to impress people. Rachel believed alcohol helped her to fit in. She graduated from high school early and traveled to India. She had to abstain in India. When she went to college, drinking was a social lubricant. She went to work drunk and high. Rachel described drinking as letting out a sigh.
Pregnancies led Rachel to a sober stint. She was doing well until the pandemic hit. Rachel’s rock bottom moment was blacking out while reading a bedtime story to her daughter. Since her father and grandfather struggled with addictions, she decided it was time for the addiction cycle to end.
Singing, yoga, and cold exposure spike Rachel’s dopamine which helps her maintain her sobriety. Rachel is mindful of potential relapse and knows that self-compassion is essential.
[50:48] Paul’s Summary
Paul wonders if the stigma exists. We yearn for authenticity, and when we connect, that authenticity is reciprocated. The stigma is often in our minds. People in recovery make lasting changes that can influence others to do the same.
Upcoming events, retreats, and courses:
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Recovery Elevator-
It all starts from the inside out.
I love you guys.
by Kris Oyen | Nov 14, 2022 | Podcast
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Episode 400 – The order of healing
Today we have Natasha. She is 43, from Vancouver, B.C, and took her last drink on August 23, 2021.
Book: Alcohol is Sh!t. https://www.amazon.com/Alcohol-is-Sht-Paul-Churchill-audiobook/
Exact Nature: https://exactnature.com/RE20
Highlights from Paul
Paul outlines the order of healing when we quit drinking. He describes the healing as happening in reverse order of the harm done. You can do the following:
- Ditch the booze
- Fuel the body with healthy food and hydrate
- Cut down on sugar and caffeine
- Move (aim for 20 mins a day 3x a week)
- Recovery – AA, Café RE, Smart Recovery, IOP, etc.
Book: The All-Day Energy Diet. https://amzn.to/3CmLivc
The healing process:
- The body (3-12 months)
- Mental healing (6 months to 1.5 years)
- Spiritual healing
Better Help: www.betterhelp.com/elevator – 10% off your first month. #sponsored
[11:04] Natasha has been sober for over a year. She is in medical sales, has a son, and enjoys friends, bingo, travel, and hiking.
Natasha was afraid of alcohol during her early years. She would dump out beer and pretend to be drunk to avoid social pressure. After her son was born, she had six beers during a concert. As she approached thirty, she drank after work with her co-workers in the restaurant industry. At 35, she knew her drinking was a problem.
Socializing and drinking was a big part of her job. Her relationship wasn’t healthy because they drank together, and Natasha could outdrink her partner.
Sobriety has taught Natasha that none of her fears about quitting drinking were true; liquid courage is a myth. She is funny and entertaining with her clients. Her relationships have more meaning, and she can be present.
She describes the first year as brutal. After a boozy weekend with girls, Natasha knew it was time to quit. She dumped out a wine cooler, and that was it. She was angry at people who could drink normally and isolated herself a bit. Now she recognizes she can enjoy her life without the chaos of alcohol. Boundaries have become necessary, and she enjoys spending time alone. Reading, listening to podcasts, and meditation have helped her maintain her sobriety. Natasha’s relationships have evolved and grown. She lost some friends along the way, but her core group supports her sobriety.
[58:51] Kris’s Summary
Kris has been getting his garage in order. He recognized that he was comfortable with the chaos until he hit a tipping point. Cleaning the garage has so many parallels to recovery. Kris was overwhelmed, but he did the next right thing, took it slow, and now everything is clean, organized, and easy to navigate.
Upcoming events, retreats, and courses:
- You can find more information about our events
Resources
Connect with Cafe RE – Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
Recovery Elevator YouTube – Subscribe here!
Sobriety Tracker iTunes
Recovery Elevator-
We are the only ones who can do this, but we don’t have to do it alone.
I love you guys.
by Kris Oyen | Nov 7, 2022 | Podcast
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Episode 403 – Hello Universe
Many
Today we have Pat. He is 38, from Georgia, and he took his last drink on February 22, 2022.
Events: https://recoveryelevator.com/events
Exact Nature: https://exactnature.com/re20
Highlights from Paul
The opposite of addiction is connection. Near-death experiences often connect us to a higher power and make us question where we go after we die. In today’s episode, Paul shares his views on spirituality and connecting with a higher power.
Addiction disconnects us from the external world and from within. Paul reminds us we are not alone: we are connected to every living on the planet. Love, connection, inclusivity, and wholeness.
Better Help: www.betterhelp.com/elevator – 10% off your first month. #sponsored
[13:14] Pat got sober on 2/22/22 and planned his sobriety date as a military child who has lived in many places. He is married, loves archery, plays guitar, writes music, and sells hearing aids.
Pat began experimenting with alcohol at 15. He learned in college he could drink a lot. He was frequently the last one standing. Initially, he drank to get a buzz. He avoided eating to enhance his buzz. In college, he got a DUI. Pat drank to feel normal. He never had a true rock bottom moment.
In 2020, Pat stopped drinking for six months, knowing he and his wife wanted to conceive. He switched from whiskey to beer. Quickly it snuck back into his life.
Pat’s wife began going to Al-Anon. He burned the ships on social media and garnered support from friends and family. After a physical, he had some bad results, including elevated liver enzymes. He was encouraged to go to inpatient rehab. He ultimately tapered. His doctor prescribed medications to help him overcome anxiety. The first two weeks of detox were painful. After the physical challenges dissipated, things became much more manageable. His family and friends supported him. He realizes he doesn’t need alcohol to get through the highs and lows of everyday life.
The RE podcast, audiobooks, and the Café RE Facebook group are his favorite recovery tools, and he is excited that he and his wife are expecting their first child.
[49:20] Paul’s Summary
Book recommendations
Reality Unveiled: https://amzn.to/3CxrVQg
The seat of the Soul: https://amzn.to/3z0phBJ
Many lives many masters: https://amzn.to/3rQ6QLS
The concepts in these books help Paul to feel connected. The knowledge is the precursor to feeling the way Paul needs to feel to stay sober.
Upcoming events, retreats, and courses:
- You can find more information about our events
Resources
Connect with Cafe RE – Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
Recovery Elevator YouTube – Subscribe here!
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Recovery Elevator-
Go big because eventually, we all go home.
I love you guys.
by Kris Oyen | Oct 31, 2022 | Podcast
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Today we have Emily. She is 34, from Cincinnati, OH and took her last drink on Aug 27th, 2022.
Happy Halloween. A drink won’t make your overall Halloween experience better.
Exact Nature: https://exactnature.com/RE 20
Recovery Reinvented Link: https://recoveryreinvented.com/events/2022/#overview
Highlights from Paul
All emotions are created equal and you need them all equally. Here is why. In the world of duality we need opposites for defining purposes.
I want to tie this into recovery one more time. Do not gauge your recovery success on your emotions. You will feel them all. Yes, do more of what you enjoy, but thank the other side of that for telling you what you don’t enjoy.
Better Help: www.betterhelp.com/elevator – 10% off your first month. #sponsored
[11:35] Emily is married and has 2 little boys, ages 5 and 8. She runs a bar in downtown Cincinnati. Emily enjoys being crafty and making stuff.
Emily doesn’t remember seeing any unhealthy alcohol behavior in her home while growing up. Emily was 13 the first time she got drunk. 20 years old and in college Emily got her first bartending job. She met her husband working in the bar in Cincinnati and they have now been together for 13 years.
After having her first baby Emily got out of bartending and into alcohol sales. This escalated her drinking. She then got pregnant with her 2nd and went back to bartending after that. As her kids got older there was more drinking and drugs…while still getting up and taking care of her kids and responsibilities.
January 2021 Emily quit drinking for 5 months. This year Emily changed jobs, started working at a new bar with good friends. Emily was approaching 1 month sober at the time of her interview.
Ben’s Friends https://www.bensfriendshope.com/
Kris’s Summary
Recovery Reinvented – The event will be held in person on November 3 in Grand Forks North Dakota. But if you can’t make it to Grand Forks, don’t worry, the event is available online as well! It’s 100% FREE to attend. www.recoveryreinvented.com.
by Kris Oyen | Oct 24, 2022 | Podcast
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Episode 401 – Welcome Back
Today we have Jen. She is 52, from Connecticut, and took her last drink on March 10th, 2022.
Restore: https://www.recoveryelevator.com/restore/
Better Help: www.betterhelp.com/elevator – 10% off your first month. #sponsored
Highlights from Paul
In episode 391, Paul asked listeners what they wanted to hear. Jeff L, with 5 years
alcohol-free (That’s what’s up!) said he wanted to hear from past guests. Great idea Jeff
as we are also curious as to where they are now.
Paul gives updates from 15 past guests.
[20:30] Jen lives in Connecticut, has 2 kids (21 & 23), and just recently got a new job as a
counselor at a treatment center.
Jen had her 1st drink at 13 years old playing quarters, which resulted in her blacking out
and being sick for 3 days. She says that was a sign of what was to come and that
drinking was never fun for her. At 19 she started thinking she was an alcoholic and
became a daily drinker.
Jen was sober for 10 years (and then another 8 years). Those first 10 years were spent in
the rooms of AA and it took 7 years before she was able to get sober again.
After losing her husband suddenly to a heart attack in 2018 Jen started drinking. Again
Jen found herself going to treatment again (4 different treatment centers since her
husband died). Jen is now sober and back in the rooms of AA.
Musical submission from The Alex.
Upcoming events, retreats, and courses:
- You can find more information about our events
Resources
Connect with Cafe RE – Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee.
Recovery Elevator YouTube – Subscribe here!
Sobriety Tracker iTunes
Recovery Elevator-
We are the only ones who can do this, but you don’t have to do it alone.
I love you guys.
