Self Control Requires Self-Awareness (Episode 2 - Archive)

Self Control Requires Self-Awareness (Episode 2 - Archive)

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This conversation between Wes Thompson and Austin Hill leans hard into a surprising answer: genuine self-control starts with honest self-awareness. Across their chat, they break down why trying to control other people’s choices is a fast track to anxiety, anger and disappointment.

Wes points out that "all of us come into the world self-centered and others controlling," and explains that recovery and growth mean flipping that script to become core-centred and self-controlling instead. You’ll hear them talk about the power of small, daily disciplines – the little choices that slowly shape a life you can actually enjoy. Austin highlights how focusing on "one small thing every day" can build real change, rather than chasing one big moment that magically fixes everything.

This is aimed at people dealing with unwanted behaviours, addiction, or just a nagging sense that life feels out of control. A key thread running through the episode is responsibility: not for every disaster or hardship, but for how you respond.

Wes shares how his mentor Andrew keeps bringing him back to the simple question, "What do you want to do about it?" Whenever he starts complaining about others, that question recentres him on the only thing he really can control – his own actions. The style is conversational, honest and occasionally funny in that uncomfortable "oh yeah, I do that" kind of way.

There’s no promise of a painless life; instead, they talk about making life "a lot more bearable and a lot more fulfilling" by shifting attention away from what you can’t change and investing energy in what you actually can. If you’re tired of blaming others for your unhappiness and ready to ask what you want to do about your own recovery, this episode might be a helpful place to start.