MY BLUEPRINT: Struggle Towards Emotional Sobriety
358 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsAll my podcast will be short-never more than 15 minutes. I will be talking about my own personal experiences on topics such as depression, anxiety, spirituality, emotional sobriety, parenting, and marriage to name a few. I think that the only thing that is truly unique to me is my personal journey and my personal story. My vision is that as you listen to my experiences and struggles, you will find value for yourself.
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Episodes
#58 A Walk Through Steps 1-12
September 22, 2018 18:50 - 25 minutes - 46 MBI have talked a lot about the 12 Steps Of Alcoholics Anonymous and how I have used the steps in my recovery from depression. In this podcast, I will talk a little bit about each of the step.
#57 A Few Lessons I Learned About Parenting
September 22, 2018 15:13 - 10 minutes - 18.9 MBThis is a podcast I recorded several months ago about parenting my 12 year old daughter-Ella and 9 year old son-Sam.
#56 Getting In The Gap
September 21, 2018 17:40 - 4 minutes - 8.02 MBI recently heard this meditation by Dr. Wayne Dyer tilted Getting In The Gap. Take a listen. I found it very helpful
#55 Rabbi Kamil Yom Kippur Sermon
September 20, 2018 15:15 - 7 minutes - 13.3 MBYesterday I observed the high holy day of Yom Kippur. In Judaism, this is the day of atonement. The day of repenting for the sins I have committed not only against others, but against myself. The assistant Rabbi at my congregation gave a moving and inspiring sermon that I wanted to share with with you. Rabbi Frederick Kamil Yom Kippur Sermon.
#54 Have You Ever Heard Of The Term Egocide
September 18, 2018 16:20 - 6 minutes - 12.6 MBThe first time I heard the term Egocide was a few weeks ago after coming across a book called Transforming Depression, Healing the Soul through Creativity, by David Rosen, M.D. Here is a link to learn more about David Rosen, M.D.
#53 Acceptance And Gratitude
September 17, 2018 16:31 - 7 minutes - 14.6 MBTwo of my favorite spiritual tools I have in my spiritual toolbox. They seem simple, but simple does not always mean easy to practice.
#52 A Jew And A Catholic Playing Golf
September 08, 2018 14:11 - 7 minutes - 13.5 MBListen what happens when I was matched up with a Pastor at a recent golf outing. It was an experience I will not soon forget.
#51 It Is ALWAYS All About Me
September 05, 2018 12:57 - 12 minutes - 22.8 MBThe term "Clearing" is not a word I was familiar with. However, it is one of the most valuable tools I have in my spiritual toolbox. I learned the word from a life changing weekend I did 13 years ago called The New Warriors Training. If you are interested, here is the link. The organization is called The Man Kind Project.
#50 The Shift From "Self" to "Other"
September 04, 2018 16:14 - 8 minutes - 15.2 MBI can't believe this is my 50th podcast. I had some insights this morning so listen in.
#49 I Love Christian Rock
August 30, 2018 15:25 - 9 minutes - 16.6 MBYes, you read that correctly. I am a Jew who likes Christian Rock. Here are two links that I mentioned in this podcast. A song by the Casting Crowns called Just Be Held and a quote by William Hutchison Murray called Once One Commits.
#48 What Would It Be Like To Have More Power
August 27, 2018 11:28 - 8 minutes - 16.1 MBI believe the word powerlessness often is misunderstood. In this podcast, I will share my definition of powerlessness and where I feel powerless in my life.
#47 Christopher Robin
August 25, 2018 15:21 - 8 minutes - 15.8 MBIt is rare that I go to see a Disney movie by myself in the theaters, but last week I did. Listen in as I share what I learned from Christopher Robin, Poo, Tigger, Eyore, and Piglet.
#46 Clarity
August 22, 2018 14:49 - 4 minutes - 7.39 MBThis is the shortest podcast I have posted so far. It is about finding clarity in my life
#45 Why Can I Not Pass This Test?
August 14, 2018 15:02 - 9 minutes - 18.1 MBFor years I had a lot of shame to share this story with people. However, I am now proud to share it and it is one of my biggest accomplishments in my life.
#44 yrT sgnihT sdrawkcaB
August 12, 2018 15:19 - 8 minutes - 15.8 MBYes, I wrote the tile backwards. What if you did things just a little differently today?
#43 Take A Look Around
August 09, 2018 15:40 - 8 minutes - 15.2 MBWhen was the last time you took a hike or looked up at the stars at night? In this podcast I talk about all the small things I miss in my life because of the blinders I wear and refuse to take off.
#42 The Power Of Songs And Speeches
August 07, 2018 15:53 - 10 minutes - 19.3 MBSongs have shown up in my life at just the right moments. Also, I have listened to many speeches that have touched my soul and have inspired me. Here is the link of the song I talked about in this podcast called Tell Your Heart To Beat Again/Danny Gokey And a video called The Wisdom Of A Third Grade Dropout/Rick Rigsby
#41 How Much Do I Really Know?
August 06, 2018 13:25 - 9 minutes - 18.1 MBI recorded this podcast last week. Prior to posting any of my podcasts, I re-listen to them. As I re-listened to this podcast, it reminded me of how much I really know.
#40 Landmark Education
August 02, 2018 00:45 - 11 minutes - 20.2 MBI have participated in many personal growth seminars and workshops over the years. The Landmark Forum is one of the first workshops I participated in 20+ years ago. It opened me up to a new way of looking at myself and the world around me.
#39 Meet My Friend Ed Smyth
August 02, 2018 00:23 - 7 minutes - 14.2 MBMy bet is you never heard of Ed Smyth. He is a man who made a profound difference in my life.
#38 The Voices In My Head
July 30, 2018 14:43 - 10 minutes - 18.7 MBI don't know about you, but I have a voice in my head. Here are some messages it tries to say to me.
#37 You Spot It You Got It
July 26, 2018 14:59 - 18 minutes - 33.6 MBI know this will be the most controversial podcast I have posted to date. I recorded this podcast a few days ago, and I will not lie to you, I have hesitations to publish it. However, it is my truth.
#36 Meet Joe
July 25, 2018 17:02 - 12 minutes - 23.4 MBI have decided to change the format a little of my podcasts. I am looking for people who would like to be guests and be interviewed by me on my podcast. If that is not you, please take some time and think of someone who you think might be a good guest. Also, I should have shared this earlier, but if you ever want to reach out to me, feel free to email me at [email protected]
#35 How Would You Answer
July 23, 2018 19:54 - 11 minutes - 21.1 MBI answer a series of questions in this podcast. Listen and see how you might answer these questions.
#34 Letter To 5 Year Old Michael
July 21, 2018 15:43 - 13 minutes - 24.4 MBIf you had the opportunity to write a letter to your 5 year old self, what would you say?
#33 What Is A Spiritual Experience?
July 19, 2018 15:15 - 14 minutes - 26.1 MBFor years I have heard people talking about spiritual awakenings or having a spiritual experience. In this podcast, I talk about some of my spiritual awakenings or spiritual experiences. I also mention Brene Brown's TedTalk called, The Power Of Vulnerability which has been listened to by over 8 million people. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it.
#32 Picking Weeds
July 18, 2018 13:09 - 9 minutes - 18.2 MBI had no clue that I had so much in common with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
#31 David Foster Wallace
July 17, 2018 13:11 - 13 minutes - 24.9 MBI listened to this commencement speech a few months ago and it made a profound difference for me. Take a listen, This Is Water-Full version-David Foster Wallace Commencement Speech
#30 Random Thoughts
July 11, 2018 16:11 - 11 minutes - 20.3 MBI can't believe this is my 30th episode that I posted! I spent a little time talking about a 12 step fellowship that I have been a part of that literally saved my life. It is called Misery Addicts Anonymous (MAA) or Self-Sabotage Anonymous (SSA).
#29 The Emotional Sobriety Letter
July 09, 2018 12:30 - 13 minutes - 25 MBI recorded this podcast a few months ago and forgot to post it. It is a letter that Bill Wilson (founder of Alcoholics Anonymous) wrote about his own struggles with depression. In this podcast, I will read the letter, but to better understand this letter, please click on this YouTube link. Dr. Alan Berger does an outstanding job unpacking this letter. Here is the link Emotional Sobriety Letter.
#28 Are You An Introvert Or Extrovert
July 08, 2018 22:54 - 7 minutes - 13.4 MBIf you have listened to my podcasts, you might have a guess if I am an introvert or extrovert? In this podcast, you will find out.
#27 20.5 Mile Run
July 08, 2018 22:33 - 7 minutes - 14.6 MBI have ran many miles over the years, but this run I will not soon forget.
#26 The Improv Podcast
July 04, 2018 14:57 - 13 minutes - 25.2 MBSeveral years ago I took and improv class. It is something I have never done before, but it helped me be more spontaneous and respond quicker to information that came my way. This podcast is 100% improvised.
#25 iThink Tecnology
July 04, 2018 14:53 - 8 minutes - 15.2 MBMy guess is that you have never heard of iThink Technology. I invented it (at least I think I invented it). Actually, it is a concept that I think would be really great if someone invented and it was available for all who wanted it.
#24 Why Advice Does Not Work
July 03, 2018 19:42 - 6 minutes - 11.2 MBHere is my advice to you. Don't give advice! See what you think of this podcast
#23 What Do I Have In Common With Oprah?
July 02, 2018 21:59 - 19 minutes - 36.4 MBI have listened to many of Oprah's Super Soul Conversations. If you have not listened to her podcast yet, I highly recommend them. In this podcast, I will share some themes I have noticed between my podcast and Oprah's podcast.
#22 I Am Addicted To Control
June 29, 2018 14:06 - 12 minutes - 22.8 MBIt has taken me a long time to realize this, but I am addicted to control. Not sure if you are, but listen to this podcast and see what you think?
#21 This Is How I Pray
June 29, 2018 13:46 - 13 minutes - 25.3 MBI have been asked many times, "Michael, how do you pray?" So, here is how I pray when I wake up each morning.
#20 Do You Know The Four Agreements?
June 28, 2018 14:46 - 17 minutes - 32.1 MBBack in 1997 Don Miguel Ruiz wrote a fantastic book called, The Four Agreements. I would highly recommend it. The four agreements are 1) Be Impeccable with Your Word, 2) Don't Take Anything Personally, 3) Don't Make Assumptions, and 4) Always Do Your Best.
#19 White Caste or Caribbean Cruise
June 27, 2018 14:04 - 10 minutes - 19.8 MBI usually do not post two podcast in the same day, but today I recording this podcast and felt the urge to share it. Of all the podcast I have done to date, this podcast is my favorite!
#18 Is Bi-Polar Real?
June 27, 2018 12:28 - 9 minutes - 17.4 MBI have been diagnosed with both Depression and Bi-Polar Disorder. I have been pretty open with my struggle with Depression over the years, but I do have a difficult time accepting and sharing what it is like living with Bi-Polar.
#17 The Violin Music Box
June 26, 2018 13:43 - 6 minutes - 11 MBThis is not an easy story for me to think about and share. It is a good reminder to me for where I was an where I am today.
#16 The Opposite Of Addiction Is Not Sobriety
June 22, 2018 19:08 - 9 minutes - 17 MBThis podcast was inspired by a Ted Talk by Johann Hari called Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong.
#15 What Is Flotation?
June 21, 2018 14:36 - 5 minutes - 10.8 MBHave you ever been in a sensory deprivation tank? I have been floating for 15+ years and have found great benefit from it. If you want more information, click on this link. Anicca Floation Club is where I float. It is located in Naperville, IL.
#14 Happy Father's Day Dad!
June 16, 2018 14:34 - 14 minutes - 26.7 MBI was hesitant to post this podcast because I was being really vulnerable. However, I wanted to tell you a little about my dad and the relationship we have developed over the years.
#13 The Struggle Men Are Facing in 2018
June 14, 2018 15:59 - 14 minutes - 26.8 MBAs I sit in my therapist chair day after day listening to men struggle, I believe that most men have very similar struggles. In this episode, I will share about the crisis men are facing today. I believe one of the biggest challenges men are facing is the inability to have deeper and more meaningful connections with other men.
#12 Spokes Of A Wheel
June 11, 2018 14:09 - 7 minutes - 14.3 MBImagine a wheel of a bicycle. It has many spokes. It can roll with only a few spokes, but can roll much smoother and more effectively with all spokes. In this podcast, I will share my spiritual practices that I do on a day-to-day basis.
#11 The Rise Of Suicide
June 09, 2018 15:26 - 8 minutes - 15.3 MBI was shocked by the amount of comments and feedback I received regarding my last podcast on suicide. Most of the feedback was regarding additional resources for suicide and suicide prevention. Here is a great site I came across speakingofsuicide.com/resources. The second link is an article written in The New York Times on June 7, 2018 by Benedict Carey titled "Defying Prevention Efforts, Suicide Rates Are Climbing Across the Nation." I found the information in this article very disturbi...
#10 Death By Suicide
June 08, 2018 12:43 - 13 minutes - 25.4 MBI don't have much to say to describe this podcast, but I hope you take 15 minutes out of your day to listen.
#9 The Ball Don't Lie-Part 3
June 04, 2018 14:41 - 10 minutes - 19.9 MBThis is the final part of The Ball Don't Lie. I hope you enjoyed it!