Five Years of Recovery – Episode 227

The first episode of The Recovery Show was posted to the internet on Dec 10, 2012. It’s hard to believe that we are now 5 years and 227 episodes in. What has 5 years of podcasting meant to me? What has it meant to you? * How did it happen? * 6 years ago — the only “podcasts” I listened to were NPR shows like “Car Talk” and “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me”. * I first heard about recovery podcasts from my friend Mark, who produces “Recovered” * I asked him to be my sponsor in early 2012, and he said “would you like to be in my podcast?”  I had to think about it! * Started guest hosting in Recovered Spring 2012. * Said “we should do an Al-Anon episode”. Mark responded “You should do an Al-Anon podcast!” What?! * Thought about it. Talked to some friends about it. Decided to give it a try. * Early December 2012, Kelli, Swetha, and I recorded our first “pilot” episode with a conversation about boundaries. The audio quality was not good, but we decided to post it anyway. * I bought some microphones and a mixer, and by episode 4, we decided it was no longer a “pilot.” * During the next 11 months we consistently had 3 hosts for each episode, and sometimes an additional guest. * Changes! * In October, 2012, Kelli and Swetha decided they could not continue with the podcast. * What to do!? * Episode 47, “Changes” records my reaction, as I tried to draw on my program tools, and move forward. * I was challenged to find co-hosts, because I thought I needed to keep the conversational format we had developed in the preceding 11 months. * Bringing in remote co-hosts. * First remote co-host in episode 55 with Ruth from Germany! * First solo episode: 66 “codependency”.  Challenging myself to do it differently, feeling insufficient. * Later feedback is that people like both formats. * Struggles * Consistency: format, schedule * Finding co-hosts * Keeping track of requests and offers! * Expectations — particularly what I expect you expect of me! * Gratitudes * That Mark suggested it * That Kelli and Swetha were consistent co-hosts, co-creators in the first year. * For all of you who express your gratitude to me. * For all of you who contribute your ESH to the show. * Especially for those who have co-hosted, or who have offered to co-host, even when I lost track of your offer. * To Ruth and Akilah, who were my co-hosts for the Traditions and Concepts episodes. * For your questions and topic suggestions. * How has my recovery benefited? * I have to “dive deep” into a recovery topic almost every week. * I have to move outside my comfort zone, to reach out to co-hosts and ask them for the gift of their time. * The “Step 10 inventory” aspect of “our week in recovery”. * What now? * Keep on as we have done? * What changes would you like to see? * Episode formats: conversation, solo, speaker.  What else? Upcoming episodes include 3 parenting topics: being the sober parent in an alcoholic marriage, parenting an addict or alcoholic child, and parenting in general. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here. Music from the show Lori McKenna – Drinkin' Problem Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror Sam Cooke – A Change is Gonna Come