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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
  • Close to the Ditch

    Close to the Ditch
    Aug 22 2025

    Joe Chisholm returns to discuss helping others through suggestion, not “expertise.” Emotional sobriety can help us escape a “victim mentality” we must shed to become the best version of ourselves. We use the term “victim” delicately, taking into account genuine sufferers of abuse and victimization. Whether one hour or twenty years sober, we’re all engaging with the same work and the same pursuit of emotional freedom.

    Patrick’s “Outside Issues” podcast, about the intersection of recovery and social justice:

    https://www.youtube.com/@outsideissuespodcast

    https://pod.link/1826305552

    Learn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here: https://rebelliondogspublishing.com

    Joe’s “Beyond Belief” book:

    https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Belief-reflection-nonbelievers-freethinkers/dp/0988115700

    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
    43 mins
  • Streamline Your Thinking!

    Streamline Your Thinking!
    Aug 15 2025

    Thom and Allen discuss pursuing emotional sobriety once we become aware of our “unconscious incompetence.” In practicing anything until it becomes innate and automatic, the path begins (as so much of what we do), in acceptance. We return to the serenity prayer.

    Patrick’s “Outside Issues” podcast, about the intersection of recovery and social justice:

    https://www.youtube.com/@outsideissuespodcast

    https://pod.link/1826305552

    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
    32 mins
  • "I Am Not a Counselor"

    "I Am Not a Counselor"
    Aug 7 2025

    Having recently celebrated 40 years of continuous sobriety, Bill Cleveland, a pillar in a multitude of recovery fellowships (namely Hermosa Beach Men’s Stag) discusses with Allen alcoholism as an analogue for emotional immaturity, AA as something we “get” to do rather than something we “have” to do, “second first steps,” the importance of amends and working with others.

    If you’re in recovery or mental health spaces and interested in politics and social justice, Patrick has a new weekly podcast about the intersection of just those things!

    “Outside Issues” with Audrey and Patrick:

    https://www.youtube.com/@outsideissuespodcast

    https://pod.link/1826305552

    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
    46 mins
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