Letting Go Never StopsLetting Go Never Stops
Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery
This week we talk about taking better lessons from our mistakes. In finding our emotional center of gravity, recognizing we’re sick rather than stuck, we try to trust the process instead of controlling the outcome. To participate in Thom’s Inner Child Workshop on Saturday, June 21st @ 10am CST, email him here: thomrutledgeauthor@gmail.com 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.
35:03•20 Jun 2025
The Art of Letting Go: Emotional Sobriety Explored
Episode Overview
- Emotional sobriety is a continuous journey.
- Letting go involves trusting the process.
- Learning from mistakes is key to growth.
- Self-criticism can hinder emotional progress.
- Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
“If our concept of ourself is diminished when we make a mistake, it's going to be very difficult to learn from our experience.”
In this episode of 'Emotional Sobriety: The Next Step in Recovery', Thom Rutledge and Dr. Allen Berger tackle the never-ending journey of letting go. It's a conversation that dives deep into how we can learn from our mistakes and find our emotional balance. The duo discuss the idea of being 'sick rather than stuck', highlighting the importance of trusting the process instead of trying to control every outcome.
They explore how emotional sobriety can be a continuous practice, much like learning to walk as a child - full of stumbles but essential for growth. The episode touches on the poignant topic of loss, using personal anecdotes to illustrate how letting go is a recurring theme in life. Dr. Berger shares his own experiences with illness and recovery, while Thom Rutledge offers insights into the concept of emotional sobriety as a 'growth disorder' rather than an emotional one.
Their candid reflections reveal that learning from life's challenges can lead to a richer understanding of oneself. With humour and empathy, the hosts encourage listeners to rethink their approach to mistakes and failures. They suggest that true learning happens when we let go of our self-criticism and embrace the unknown. The discussion is peppered with relatable metaphors, like comparing emotional growth to the natural determination seen in a child learning to walk.
If you're searching for ways to foster emotional growth and let go of unrealistic demands, this episode is a must-listen. It offers practical wisdom and heartfelt stories that might just change how you view your own journey toward emotional sobriety.

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