Addiction Recovery 2017 [sex] Mode! Attitudes Of Sexual Integrity! The Journey From Sexual Compulsion To Sexual Integrity.

Is there a fueled spinning energy behind anger and relapse? If so is there anything we can put into practice to defuse this energy?

Is there a toxicity around the way some unpack or interpret the word purity? If sex addiction could be defined as an intimacy disorder how are we being organic with the flow of love in our heart, mind and emotions? What judgemental filters must be installed as to not pollute the way that we interact with others in the world? how is being open, honest or "intimate" affecting our dedication to being "pure?". Doesn't to purify or cleanse also lead to sterilization and death is that which is organic? Does us being "pure" encourage the otherazation of our neighbors who were commanded to love?

"The sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive. And the sparkle in your eyes, Keeps me alive, keeps me alive" ~ She Sells Sanctuary is a song by the British rock band The Cult. It is from their 1985 album Love and was released as a single in May of that year, peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. (WiKi) Or Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and the Hollywood Vampires. The challenge? In the summer of cc? Dropping the mask and treasuring Real intimacy. What kind of feelings does that stir up? Feeling like you're stuck in compulsive behavior and you can't function? That's the first step in the 12 steps right? Step 1 surrender. My life has become unmanageable? Well has it? Can you admit that are you there? I've been there that's why I do this! Russ@ASI247.org by the way is my email address feel free to fire away with questions. As a matter fact that's part of this exercise ask heart hard questions! Not me but good questions.

I recently heard sexually compulsive behavior called an intimacy disorder. I thought this was interesting and had me thinking about cynicism and grace. And how both religion in the world seem to like to create enemies and othorize people. Is this a symptom of our rampant intimacy dysfunction? A show meant to provoke, encourage and challenge this week.

Three things to think about while moving forward this summer. They all spring from the heart. The heart is the center pumping blood or motivation or life energy through the rest of your life! Russ unpacks a little Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is wicked who can understand it"? Will we be a slave to the whims of our ego? Or will you let that deep chamber in the heart of hearts release the spiritual energy to run through our bloodstream and impact our future?

Why does ASI have a different approach to SA? Is there a relational component that's missing from most approaches? In this episode Marc Azoulay and I talk about codependency and gaslighting. What if you were the only thing that is in your way?

"I will propose an alternative way of looking at behavior that is currently called addiction, seeing it as normal human potential, that of strong bonding. Bonding is an emotional process that creates ties that cannot be shed at will" - Peter Cohen (2009) The Naked Empress: Modern neuro science and the concept of addictions

Sexuality and our inner lives. Like, getting naked with your clothes on! What can advances in technology do to be more transparent in our secret lives?

In recovery we love stories of redemption and resurrection. And bunnies?! What can we learn from the man in black Johnny Cash about passion week, Easter, reconciliation, connection, redemption and resurrection? Yeah and what's a sex themed podcast with out bunnies?

Russ reads listeners surveys! And what is the nature of this strange pull, thirst or hunger that hijacks our will? Is it that we don't know what to do? Or is it the difficulty level of making a hard decision? Some wisdom from a philosophy professor at Ruckers University. And live for the spirit and died to the flesh? What does that really mean anyway?

The Shack heresy, bad theology? Or is it a story that inspires healing in the human soul? Paul Young's story The Shack... Is it a theology book that explains the Trinity? Or a story that encourages healing? In my experience most people who I've met that criticize The Shack have never read it. They have only heard from other people who have criticized it and this stirs up fear. The film comes out this month and I'm sure it will cause controversy as well. But for all those who never read The Shack, should you see the film at least before criticizing it as some adaptation of a book about doctrine, theology or how we "should" think about God?

"It is my conviction that the God of the Universe is neither surprised nor ashamed of the behaviors that we have participated in, but sees them as the very stage through which the work of healing will be played out." - Jay Stringer

Is there a connection between being fast and loose with our money and our genitals? And when it comes to the concept of a creator do we trust the maker of all things? Russ engages a conflict with fellow podcaster Cash Peters over the topic of money, value, being tight and constantly in a state of lack.

I felt like a misfit in church and spiritual community. Like I just didn't fit in. When I finally picked up the very heavy phone and finally called for help I found myself in a recovery group. After listening to the stories I realized these people are misfits too! Felt like "These are my people!" Felt like home. Yes, I can be myself here! I started to open up my vulnerable wounded heart. Truth is nobody is perfect. And some can have a very real addiction to relationships and how they unfold in the group dynamic. Some love the very healthy free flow of heart level of communication. Some are very ego driven and toxically unhealthy. I do believe in groups and the powerful healing that can happen there. So Seth Taylor and I unpack what can be healthy and unhealthy about the group dynamic.

"Love Addiction" or as psychologists Call it "codependency". Someone on the road to healing is confronted with a partner or the relational reality of the desire for a partner. Love and connection, passion and desire, the need to be valued and feel whole all of these are a part of this conversation. Seth Taylor author of Feels Like Redemption and I talk about relationships and the individual decision to heal one's heart.

Season 5 Some intentional purposeful audio via Richard Rohr Episode 21 Crossing boundaries is part of the human experience. Question, are we ready to do the scary work of crossing the line in to stillness? Working through any life choking addiction is an inner experience. It will be an intimate walk with God. And the spirit will move in you from the inside out. Richard Rohr's talk given in Norwich Cathedral an English cathedral located in Norwich, Norfolk, a Cathedral dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. And on the subject of Trinity, Richard in 2016 wrote a book called The Divine Dance which is in bookstores everywhere and former guest Paul young wrote the forward!

The cognitive dissonance of the new year? What is with this hyped up feeling of the promise of a brand-new start on this day? And What can a happiness researcher teach us about addiction, compulsive behavior and well... Happiness?

Hounded by Spirit killing limiting beliefs on purity?Setting new goals for 2017? Let's be honest about what did not work in the past shall we? Replaying a conversation I had with Seth Taylor on the topic of purity and how our thoughts and feelings on it can be of use it to keep our spirits in bondage.

Sympathy or empathy for the Scrooge? What does sex have to do with it? And what can the story of Scrooge teach us about the roots of the most stubborn of compulsive behaviors? ASI is a listener supported podcast donations are the reason it exists please give at ASI247.org

A conversation with Cash Peters. British author and broadcaster who writes on travel and spiritual matters, published 14 books, analyses handwriting and so much more. Intro is me putting some of these recent ways of walking, thinking and awakening to use. In this new road of my jorney. Loss and maturity as I lost my Mom this week...