Mess it Up Show 422 - OnerousMess it Up Show 422 - Onerous
Mess It Up Podcast
The Bow Tie Guy reflects on training up the next …
27:28•28 Apr 2026
Mess It Up Show 422 – Turning an Onerous Week into Recovery Wins
Episode Overview
- Staying intentional and purpose-driven can turn a potentially explosive day into a peaceful one.
- The serenity prayer helps accept difficult realities, like a loved one losing driving privileges, without losing composure.
- Long-term recovery usually comes from a steady, committed walk rather than instant change.
- Training others to lead – especially inside prison – keeps recovery communities strong and less dependent on one person.
- Showing up consistently builds trust and encourages others to keep coming back and step into leadership themselves.
“"What you're doing in your recovery is not going to happen overnight… This is a trek, this is a quest, this is a long haul, not a sprint."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This episode of Mess It Up follows the Bow Tie Guy as he talks through a hectic week, showing how recovery tools play out in real life when things feel heavy and, as he puts it, a bit "onerous". Rather than a polished, pre-planned chat, this one’s a free-flowing, late-night reflection.
You’ll hear him joke about bonus points for using the word "onerous", gush over seeing Journey and Third Day in concert, and tell stories from long days on the road, at the hot dog truck, and inside prison recovery meetings. Underneath the humour, there’s a steady thread: staying intentional when life piles on.
A big part of the conversation centres on caring for his mum, who’s living with dementia and has just been told she won’t get her driving licence back. He talks openly about choosing not to react to hurtful comments, leaning on the serenity prayer, and going into the day with a clear plan to stay calm and kind. It’s raw, ordinary life stuff that anyone in recovery will recognise.
He also talks about training up the next generation of leaders in Celebrate Recovery Inside. The inmates are now running groups, teaching lessons, and leading worship on their own.
For someone who loves a microphone, handing it over isn’t easy, but he sees it as vital: “It cannot be the Paul show… it’s all about Jesus.” If you’re tired, tempted to quit, or wondering whether your quiet consistency matters, this episode might feel like a nudge to keep going, wear out a few more pairs of shoes on the recovery path, and maybe start leading others too. Where could you step up and share what you’ve learned so far?
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