Episode 64 - Following the Bison

In Episode 64, Denise and Jackie return from their summer break to officially welcome listeners to the podcast's new name: 12 Steps for Everyone! The mother-daughter duo catches up on their summer, diving straight into Denise’s recent dental surgery and her vulnerable experience with nitrous oxide. Denise reflects on how the feeling of numbness brought back memories of her days before sobriety, reminding her that she prefers feeling the pain over losing control.

They transition into a powerful discussion on Step 10, exploring the concepts of daily reflection, self-forgiveness, and making amends to our past selves. From evaluating the wisdom of the book "Die With Nothing" to finding the courage of a bison facing a storm, they highlight the importance of maximizing life's experiences while we have the capacity to enjoy them.

The episode rounds out with a thoughtful conversation on the power of community, inspired by the Women's World Cup and Denise's upcoming hosting events, reminding us that true joy is found in gathering together. They close with their classic grounding exercise and a reminder to drink some water!

Key Times:

00:03:53 Denise's dental surgery and the nitrous oxide experience

00:09:00 The bison approach: going through the storm instead of running away

00:11:47 Step 10: Maintaining a daily practice of reflection, amends, and forgiveness

00:18:01 "Die With Nothing" and maximizing life experiences at the right age

00:25:51 Doing 10 minutes of workbook daily to move things forward

00:34:49 The importance of in-person community and gathering

00:37:21 Reflections on the Women's World Cup and shared humanity

Topics Covered:

• Transitioning the podcast name to 12 Steps for Everyone
• Dental surgery, nitrous oxide, and choosing to feel discomfort over numbing out
• Step 10: Daily reflection, amends, and forgiveness
• Making amends to our past selves by showing up in the present
• Lessons from "Die With Nothing" on living life fully
• The power of gathering and in-person community in an AI world
• Closing gratitude and breathing practice

Book mentioned:

https://miabirdsong.com/how-we-show-up

https://www.amazon.com/Die-Zero-Getting-Your-Money/dp/0358567092

Follow Us:

• Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la
• Follow Denise: @denise.freed
• Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
• Follow us on Tik Tok: @12stepsforeveryone