Allen Berger & Thom Rutledge
Allen Berger & Thom Rutledge
Close to the Ditch
Close to the Ditch
Close to the Ditch
Friday 22nd August 2025
Discover how emotional sobriety helps us escape victim mentality and explore recovery journeys with Joe Chisholm and Dr. Allen Berger.
43 minutes
hopeful
informative
challenging
reflective
supportive
About this podcast
Author:
Allen Berger & Thom Rutledge
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Creative Recovery Journeys
Financial Health in Recovery
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
206 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Escaping the Victim Mentality
Episode Overview
- Emotional sobriety is crucial for overcoming victim mentality.
- Suggestions can be more impactful than expertise in recovery.
- Recovery is a continuous journey regardless of sobriety duration.
- Social justice intersects with recovery in meaningful ways.
- Avoiding complacency is vital in emotional growth.
I'm as close to the ditch as I ever was.
In this engaging episode of Emotional Sobriety, Dr. Allen Berger and Thom Rutledge are joined by Joe Chisholm to delve into the nuances of emotional sobriety and its role in overcoming victim mentality. The conversation centers around the importance of shedding the victim mindset to attain emotional freedom and become the best version of ourselves. The hosts and Joe navigate the delicate use of the term 'victim,' acknowledging those who have genuinely suffered from abuse and victimization.
Joe Chisholm emphasizes the value of providing suggestions instead of imposing expertise, highlighting that people need to feel heard rather than told what to do. This approach is especially relevant in the context of recovery, where individuals, whether one hour or twenty years sober, engage with the same pursuit of emotional liberation. The episode touches on how newcomers in recovery mature quickly, transitioning from dominant-submissive dynamics to healthier relationships.
This maturation process often challenges existing relationships, underscoring the need for emotional growth. Professionals have historically encouraged the fellowship to replace 'you must' statements with suggestions based on shared experiences, reinforcing the idea that recovery is a collective journey. The discussion also explores the intersection of recovery and social justice, as exemplified by Patrick's 'Outside Issues' podcast.
This initiative provides a platform to discuss emotional sobriety and recovery while addressing social justice issues, offering listeners an opportunity to process feelings of victimization. Overall, this episode provides insightful perspectives on the continuous journey of recovery, the significance of emotional sobriety, and the role of social justice in personal growth. As the hosts and Joe Chisholm reflect on their experiences, listeners are encouraged to embrace suggestions, challenge their perceptions, and pursue emotional freedom.