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In this episode, Jackie talks about principle one which is acceptance. A common struggle felt by most individuals who enter a recovery program or start a process of personal healing is learning how to reframe their life and give it harmony and balance. We have to learn how to dialogue with ourselves about past and present events in a way that brings freedom and meaning.  We have to wrestle with what is real and we have to make the choice to accept what is.   

 

In this episode Jackie introduces a twelve-part series focused on working The Twelve Principles as introduced by Dr. Patrick Carnes.  The principles are connected to the steps and prompt a question for us to consider.  Of course, these questions cannot be answered by asking a wise old sage, or an oracle or even a sponsor.  These answers are revealed to us as we live each day, work the steps and live the principles the best we can.

In this first episode of 2021, Jackie talks about the liminal space of ending and beginning.  She reads writings from the poet and author David Whyte about nostalgia and being close.  Are we in a better space when we have accomplished our goals or when we are close to what we set out to accomplish?  Close to tears, close to success, close to leaving or close to happiness?  And what is the role that we allow nostalgia to play in our lives and does it keep us from fully feeling what our body is remembering?  

 

In this episode Jackie takes a minute to reflect on lessons learned from one of the most collectively dark years in our recent history.  2020 was dark and hard in many personal ways as well as being difficult collectively as we all struggled with the challenges brought by COVID-19.  Many families are celebrating the holidays with an empty seat at the table and dealing with other losses brought by this year.  There is value that comes from "seeing in the dark" and many important lessons are only learned as we adjust our vision while in the dark.  

 

In this episode Jackie talks about reclaiming what we have lost from life and from hurt. Can we remember the parts of ourselves that are untarnished?  Who we were before you were being asked to be anything other than you? 

The holidays can be a very difficult time for people. We can try to put on a smile and try to pretend like everything is ok, when really we are only pretending.  For those, going through a difficult time or a "dark night of the soul", this time of year can be especially heavy.  This episode is for those who are facing a challenge, asking tough questions, facing difficult truths and making hard changes.  

In this episode Jackie talks about healing what haunts us.  Our country is facing a dark and difficult time with so many of us opposed and protesting the other.  Jackie offers a different perspective coming from a mental health professional's prospective and one who sees patterns and processes.  

 

In this episode, Jackie interviews Michelle Mays about healing from betrayal trauma.  Michelle founded the Center for Relational Recovery, a counseling and training center focused on providing leading-edge treatment to sex addicts, partners of sex addicts, trauma survivors, and those struggling with relationship issues.  Michelle's work is grounded in the work that all change happens in relationship and that our attachment to others is both the most meaningful and at times the most challenging parts of our lives.  

In this episode Jackie responds to a listener's questions related to trauma responses.  Knowing and understanding what yours are is an important step in managing them when they get triggered. 

In this episode Jackie talks about the line from Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karinnana "Happy Families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."  What does this mean?  And how can we learn to be happy, be relational and have connection and vulnerability in our relationships?