Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery cover art

Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery

Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery

By: Allen Berger & Thom Rutledge
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About this listen

 Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholic's Anonymous, wrote in 1952, "If we examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we will find at the root some unhealthy dependence and its consequent demand." Wilson suggested that if we could identify and continually surrender these unrealistic and unrecognizable demands, that we may then be able to accomplish what he imagined to be recovery's next frontier - something he called emotional sobriety. Flash forward 70 years, and join psychotherapists and best-selling authors Thom Rutledge and Dr. Allen Berger, who have taken up the mantle of exploring Bill Wilson's new frontier. Welcome to Emotional Sobriety.© 2021 Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • “God Doesn’t Flunk Anyone, but He Gives a Lot of Re-Tests”

    “God Doesn’t Flunk Anyone, but He Gives a Lot of Re-Tests”
    Dec 14 2025

    On learning from our mistakes. Whether or not the mistake results in an immediate change in our behavior, learning is always taking place if we can get out of our own way. Thom and Allen advise staying with our heartbreak (or other forms of grief), feeling it without being stuck in it. Notice when we are “offended by reality.” There’s an opportunity there to de-personalize the pain, and thereby survive.

    Nutshell of the Day:

    "Sometimes it just doesn't get done."

    Learn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here:

    https://rebelliondogspublishing.com

    Follow us on social media.

    Instagram: thomrutledge2

    Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs

    Friendly Circle Berlin Workshop Group meets every Monday @ 7:30pm (Berlin), 6:30pm (Ireland & UK), 1:30pm EST, 10:30am PST

    Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5505019905

    Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/

    Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below):

    https://zoom.us/j/330149513

    Password: 375986

    For our ongoing workshop video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g

    Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519

    We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings.

    We appreciate feedback! Contact Patrick, our producer, at pndirective4@gmail.com for any questions or comments.

    Emotional Sobriety, Allen Berger, Thom Rutledge, Patrick Newman, Recovery, Learning from Mistakes, Sobriety, AA, Gestalt
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Holidays Aren’t So Bad! (Unless You Get Kicked by a Horse)

    Holidays Aren’t So Bad! (Unless You Get Kicked by a Horse)
    Nov 27 2025

    Nutshell of the Day: “Even introverts need connection and support. Solitude is vital. Isolation is deadly.”

    On the eve of Joe C.’s sober birthday, he drops by to talk about managing expectations, staying sane and emotionally sober during Thanksgiving.

    Learn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here:

    https://rebelliondogspublishing.com

    Follow us on social media.

    Podcast Twitter: @EmSobrietyPod

    Instagram: thomrutledge2

    Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs

    Friendly Circle Berlin Workshop Group meets every Monday @ 7:30pm (Berlin), 6:30pm (Ireland & UK), 1:30pm EST, 10:30am PST

    Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5505019905

    Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/

    Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below):

    https://zoom.us/j/330149513

    Password: 375986

    For our ongoing workshop video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g

    Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519

    We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings.

    We appreciate feedback! Contact Patrick, our producer, at pndirective4@gmail.com for any questions or comments.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Your Family Is Your Alma Mater

    Your Family Is Your Alma Mater
    Nov 13 2025

    Carol Carter returns to the show as we try a more focused format and talk change, not taking things personally, and understanding our capacity to accomplish more and weather bigger storms than we ever thought possible.

    Learn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here:

    https://rebelliondogspublishing.com

    Follow us on social media.

    Podcast Twitter: @EmSobrietyPod

    Instagram: thomrutledge2

    Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs

    Friendly Circle Berlin Workshop Group meets every Monday @ 7:30pm (Berlin), 6:30pm (Ireland & UK), 1:30pm EST, 10:30am PST

    Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5505019905

    Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/

    Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below):

    https://zoom.us/j/330149513

    Password: 375986

    For our ongoing workshop video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g

    Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519

    We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings.

    We appreciate feedback! Contact Patrick, our producer, at pndirective4@gmail.com for any questions or comments.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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