Be Curious, Not Judgmental (The Daily Trudge)

Be Curious, Not Judgmental (The Daily Trudge)

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this laid-back yet hard-hitting Daily Trudge instalment of the RAW Recovery Podcast, host Dion uses humour, cats, and Ted Lasso to unpack a serious idea: "be curious, not judgmental". Aimed at people in recovery and those supporting them, the episode circles around how judgement blocks connection, while curiosity opens it up.

Dion keeps returning to the Big Book and Step Five, stressing that "we are not here to judge, we are here to understand and help". He talks honestly about his own tendency to slip into judging others in the recovery field, and then checks himself against principles like patience, tolerance, kindness, love and truth.

You’ll hear him break down the difference between judgement and discernment: judgement as ego and fear, versus discernment as asking God for help to see what’s really going on so you can respond appropriately.

He uses everyday examples – from getting cut off in traffic to dealing with tailgaters – to show how quickly the brain jumps to “what an idiot” instead of pausing to ask, “what might be happening for them?” For sponsors, newcomers, and old-timers alike, there’s plenty here: practical ways to switch from reacting to asking simple questions like "What do you mean by that?"; why first thoughts are often wrong; and how identification beats comparison every time.

As Dion puts it, "People don't stay where they feel judged. They stay where they feel understood." The tone is raw, chatty and unpolished in the best way – complete with cat interruptions, side comments, and live interaction with regulars like Angel and Solo – which makes the message land even more. If you’re tired of feeling defensive, or worry you’re pushing people away with your opinions, this conversation might be the nudge you need to lean into curiosity instead.

So where in your recovery could a few honest questions work better than one more judgement?