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<div class="span index">1</div> <span><a class="" data-remote="true" data-type="html" href="/series/species-unite">Species Unite</a></span>
Stories that change the way the world treats animals.
The path From Addict to Disciple may be the path less traveled, but it is the path that makes all the difference! David Hain is the founder of From A2D, has attained the designation of International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and authored From Addict to Disciple, The Heart of an Addict, and From Ashes to Destiny. He equips people to work with addicts in prisons, rehabs, homeless shelters and communities in the US, Canada and Africa. These podcasts will focus on finding freedom from ...
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In today's episode we look at mirroring, also called mimicry. This behavior often start in our infancy and can become an unconscious aspect of our behavior. But, too often in recovery a pattern of conscious imitation becomes a tool of manipulation used to maintain control of people, conversations and situations. American psychologist Joyce Brothers…
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Have people told you "You have an addictive personality"? Do you believe you have an addictive personality because you always go from one addiction to another? Have you substituted a socially acceptable addiction for the drugs, alcohol or porn that got you in trouble? In today's episode we look at these questions and more. Enjoy and share it with y…
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Today's episode is a group session with my friends in recovery from South Africa, Australia and the USA. The topic for our group discussion is "Happy people have learned to forgive and to give second chances." I know you'll enjoy as each of our six guys share their insight and their personal struggles in the area of forgiveness AND the power of an …
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In today's episode I'd like to talk about a topic that has come up in a couple of rehabs, homeless shelters and community groups in the past few weeks in South Africa. I'll share comments that I heard from people who said "I may have been their son or daughter (or spouse or boyfriend, etc.) but I was NOT your choice! Many of the group participants …
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In today's episode we look at the "People, Places and Things" that can trigger a relapse in recovery. It's important to understand that people, places and things are everywhere AND they are not going away! Often early in recovery we are told to control our triggers and we often feel that we need to control our people, places and things. This often …
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William Golding coined the phrase "failure of imagination" in his book The Lord of the Flies in 1954. In today's episode we look at how a failure of our imagination can shape our defeat in recovery. And we'll discuss the positive aspects of imagination: exploring new ideas, birthing creativity and solving problems can be a key to a successful recov…
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As I travel to rehabs, homeless shelters, prisons or meet with addicts one on one, a common question is "How do I build a strong support system?" In today's episode we tackle that question and ask you to dig deeper to see who really can't support our recovery but would actually undermine it or be neutral. I hope you enjoy learning to tell the diffe…
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Today's episode is a walkabout through Class Clown Park. As you go on this walkabout the signs will lead you on a journey of why people become the class clown or the life of the party. Even if that isn't you, I encourage you to see how you relate to each sign's topic and the responses the guys wrote in the journals at each sign.…
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Today's episode is in response to feedback I got from the two previous episodes. Listeners were asking how to dig deeper into topics about homelessness, addiction, going off the rails. So today we'll look at estrangement and discuss aspects of it, like thoughts and feelings , utilizing the model of the Russian dolls from the From Ashes to Destiny c…
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What are the causes of trains going off the rails? What causes people to go off the rails? Why did you or your loved one lose control and begin behaving in a way that was not normal, not acceptable? How can we take a self-inventory to put corrective actions in place to be sure we don't go off the rails in the future?…
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Today's episode looks at how each of us defines home and what makes up a home. My hope is that it will stir thought in all of us whether we are unhoused or housed, in a shelter or a rehab, on the streets or never experienced homelessness. We'll be looking at a variety of quotes including: "Don't try to drive the homeless into places we find suitabl…
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I've had several requests to do another episode on finding happiness. If you want to listen to earlier podcasts I suggest #72 and #206. In this episode we go on a walkabout and read journal entries from guys in response to quotes about happiness such as: "The purpose of life is to be happy" by the Dalai Lama. "The power of finding beauty in the hum…
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This episode is the final Wacky Wednesday episode as it covers the last chapter of the From Ashes to Destiny Curriculum. The story for this episode is the story of Toons who was a street corner drug seller who called it "honest work" because he didn't mug anyone or boost any stores for money because he got paid by the dealer in crack cocaine. Quest…
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This Wacky Wednesday episode is from Chapter 17 of Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We take a look at the first story from the chapter which is the story of Tim. He lost his job working with horses at the racetrack due to his addiction and horses were his life. Tim said he lost his life and had No Reason to Get Clean. What is your r…
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Today's episode is a walkabout in Wake Up Call Park. Join me as we walk, read the signs and the journal entries of people who have gone on this walk before us. Some of the quotes in this park are: "First thing every morning before you arise, say out loud, 'I believe' three time." by Ovid. "Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with …
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This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it deals with the first story from Chapter 16 of Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This story looks at two men who "fell out" or OD'd from heroin. Mohammed was saved by CPR and Narcan. Webster died and was moved to the bushes and robbed by his friends. Mohammed chose life and n…
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Welcome to Wacky Wednesday! In today's episode we look at Brian's story from Chapter 15 of Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This story has to do with finding spirituality in rehab and how Brian found transformation as a result of finding spirituality. What things have your eyes been opened up to in rehab, a homeless shelter, prison,…
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Today's episode is a walkabout through Bald Face Lies Park. These types of lies are the ones where they are obvious lies and the one telling the lie doesn't really care if they get caught in the lie because they have more lies ready to tell. In the [ark we'll look at five categories of bald faced lies that addicts tell and how these lies affect the…
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This is today's second Wacky Wednesday episode and it deals with Chapter 14 in Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We will look at stories about spiritual warfare and other aspects of attacks on you and your strength in recovery. What aspects of your life seem to always be under attack as you try to stay strong in recovery? How do you …
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Welcome to today's Wacky Wednesday episode as we start Phase 4 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This episode is from Chapter 13 of Phase 4 and deals with the story of IOU. We look at those people who trouble us and what we have learned in recovery by influencing us to turn to others ideas and reject what they told us in rehab or in the prog…
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Today's episode is a group session with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. I know you will enjoy their insight and responses to this topic: "Therapists and psychologists often teach people to set healthy boundaries. But I often find that these don't work with addicts. The problem with healthy boundaries is the addict or…
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This is the second Wacky Wednesday podcast episode for today and this covers Step 12 of the 12 Steps. We look at the first story from Chapter 12 in Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum, The Story of Kathy. She found her spiritual awakening through a search for unconditional love. Have you found your spiritual awakening at this point in y…
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This Wacky Wednesday episode looks at the challenge of Step 11 to "improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him." We look at the story of Jose and his heart change as he was in a rehab in the El Segundo section of Philadelphia. We see in Jose the importance of getting serious about the homework in recovery, digging deep and finding m…
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Recovery is like a jigsaw puzzle. One piece at a time. One day at a time. Many people that I work with in recovery talk about the "something missing" in their life or in their recovery. Many search frantically like someone searching for the puzzle piece that must have fallen on the floor or under the couch. Today's episode looks at what could be th…
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This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it deals with Chapter 10 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. In this chapter we look at Step 10 of the 12 Steps which has us take a personal inventory and to promptly admit our wrongs. Looking at the story of Val we ask questions including, What was Val's emotional pain? What …
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Today's Wacky Wednesday episode deals with the story of Nicky and Daisy from Chapter 9 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This looks at Step 9 of the 12 Steps on making amends. After the story we look at questions about making amends with your daughter for not being there for them during your addiction. What's the difference betwee…
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Today's episode is the result of lots of feedback after recent episodes where we heard stories of the young women who were being pimped by Germaine. He had told each one that he loved them. The common theme in the messages I received was that the women were not seeking drugs, they were seeking the feeling of being loved and the men they found got t…
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This episode is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it looks at Noreen's story from Chapter 8 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This also is an introduction to Step 8 of the Twelve Steps which focuses on acknowledging the harm we did to people and being willing to make amends. In Noreen's story we look at questions in…
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This is the first of our two Wacky Wednesday episodes for today. This one is the story of Donald from Chapter 7 of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The topic of step 7 is to humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings. Donald's story looks at his change from quiet and hard to talk with, to him asking for help and humbly talking about …
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Today's podcast is a group session with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. I'm sure you'll find several nuggets of wisdom as they answer the following question. Which phrase can you identify with in your addiction, hitting bottom or aha moment of clarity? 1) I felt like I got a death sentence, 2) I'm the weakest I've ev…
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This Wacky Wednesday episode is the story of Stew from Chapter 6 in Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We look at what it means to be entirely ready to have all of your character defects removed. Are you ready to look at every stone and talk about each and every defect of character? What is your weakness that left you vulnerable to ge…
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Today's Wacky Wednesday is the first story in Phase 3 Chapter 5 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. We hear Germaine's story. (episode # 256 introduces Germaine) Germaine had a moment where he was truly broken, all pretense was gone and he decided to stop being a pimp and drug dealer and return home to Georgia. Discussion questions look at: wh…
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Today's episode is a walkabout through Landmines in Recovery Park. I go on this walkabout with Neil, a friend of Michael. Neil shares how it seems like everything that is a common part of recovery is feeling like another landmine in the field for him. Join us as he shares how emotional triggers, coping skills, mistakes, family and success are all l…
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Welcome to the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today. This is the beginning of Phase 3 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum which focuses on moral regeneration and positive character development. It also marks the return to the Twelve Steps and the chapter covers step 4. This episode looks at the story of Lisa her life in addiction, living in…
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Welcome to Wacky Wednesday. This episode is the poem written by Gregory Williams entitled "The Lord's Love". This is also from Chapter 12 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum which is entitled "The Heart in Need of Restoration Not Rehabilitation. What's the difference between those two terms? How do we find restoration for our heart a…
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In today's episode we listen to the journal entry of William, a 20 year old in Tower of Life Men's Shelter in Krugersdorp, South Africa. William shares his thoughts and questions. Who am I? What am I? I feel like a stranger. Feels like there's something missing in my life. Where is everyone? What happened to me? I'm sure you will be challenged and …
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This episode is the second Wacky Wednesday podcast for today and it deals with the first story in Chapter 11 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This chapter is entitled The Heart in Need of Fellowship and the story is the story of Ross as he was living in a half way house after incarceration for a sexual offense. Key questions from…
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Welcome to Wacky Wednesday as we go through the first story from Phase 2 and Chapter 19 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This is the story of Neil and his childhood of rape and incest at the hands of his uncle. Neil shares the doubts, fears and pain that riddled his mind. How these memories convinced him that "everything ends in futility an…
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Today's podcast is a group episode with my friends in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US. You'll enjoy their insight as they answer these questions. What did alcohol, drugs or porn give you the courage to do? When did you realize the courage was counterfeit?
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Today's second Wacky Wednesday episode is from Chapter 9 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum entitled The Heart Holding On to Fear and Pain. Discussion topics from this episode include questions like: What fears, anger, resentments, doubts, hatred are you holding on to? How do you begin to let go of them? How would you describe the d…
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Today's Wacky Wednesday is a story from Chapter 8 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum entitled The Heart of an Outcast. As we listen to Paul's story of being an outcast we have many questions to think about and discuss. Were you called names because of your appearance? Were you an outcast? What did you do to feel accepted? How were your feeling…
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Our group of guys in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US answer these questions on today's episode. What is the one thing in the world you loved doing most before you became an addict? What was it during your addiction? What is it now in your sobriety? I'm sure you'll be encouraged as you hear their answers about stolen joy in childhoo…
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Here's the second episode for today's Wacky Wednesday. The topic is Chapter 7 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The title of the chapter is The Heart that Feels Alone, Abandoned or Rejected. We'll listen to the first story from this chapter about the childhood wounds of a man named Larry that I met in Lancaster County Prison in Pe…
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In this Wacky Wednesday episode we look at two stories from Chapter 6 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter is entitled The Heart of Broken Dreams. As we dig deeper we look at questions including: Did addiction become your new dream life? What were your high school dreams? When did they die? What condemning words have you …
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This is a walkabout episode as we stroll together through Hot or Not Park. This park was designed to help people stay on a hot streak in their recovery. Here are some quotes we'll find on the park signs for discussion. "A lack of transparency builds distrust and a deep sense of insecurity." Dalai Lama "Surround yourself with a bunch of like-minded …
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This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it presents snippets from 3 stories from Chapter 5 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This chapter is entitled The Heart of Addicts Worldwide. Aspects for discussion include the following questions. How do you determine that someone is "safe" to open up to about your addictio…
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Today's Wacky Wednesday episode is the opening story from chapter 4 of phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter deals with forgiveness and this episode looks at one person's story of addiction. As you listen to Debbie's story reflect on the various levels of self forgiveness that she needed to find. We have 8 questions for discu…
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Today's episode is in response to feedback from episode # 239. Many people asked for more ideas to help them uncover their childhood wound. In this episode we look at six categories of childhood wounds: neglect, betrayal, guilt, abandonment, rejection and suffocation. If you would like to join an online group or have a one on one online session, co…
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In this Wacky Wednesday episode we discuss the introductory passages to Chapter 3 of phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter is entitled "The Heart That Yearns for Peace" and we read the diary of Goo. He was a heroin addict in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and he wrote his "diary" on the walls of his abando on Sterner …
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This is the first Wacky Wednesday episode as we will continue with two of these every Wednesday for the remainder of 2024. That will allow us to finish the curriculum and still have our regular episodes every Monday. Today we look at questions about your drug of choice becoming your shepherd. Did it provide all your wants? Where did it make you lie…
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