Recovering with Jennifer Dawn Watts

Learning to Listen with Dan Hines

Are you a good listener? How can we create open and safe spaces to hear one another - rather than fixing, saving or advising. What is an open, honest question? My friend Dan Hines happened to be in my city right after I mentioned him in a previous episode so I took him up on the opportunity to hang out and brought my gear to record a conversation. Dan’s retreats are one of the only other spaces, apart from 12 Step recovery, that I've experienced similar levels of honesty and safety in a group gathering. What is unique about these Circles of Trust (through Parker Palmer’s teaching and the Centre for Courage and Renewal) is that they can include a time of discernment for group members where others participate in helping the member discern. Especially in times like these we could all benefit from learning to really listen to one another, being present to their experience, and helping each other to tap into our inner wisdom and Guide.

 

For more information on the Circles of Trust Approach go to http://www.couragerenewal.org/approach/ and to connect with Dan Hines go to http://www.danhines.ca or https://www.facebook.com/dan.hines.927

The Magic Word

What makes a GOOD meeting? What are the essentials if we want to gather in a group & really grow? In this episode, I include 7 ingredients, including the magic word. I will be running a contest the week this episode goes LIVE to win a prize for people who know the magic word. Just DM me/PM me or IM me. Why? Because finding the magic word is fun. And recovery should mean MORE FUN.

Experiencing Koinonia

Why are meetings so central to the recovery movement? Can people recover without them? What HAPPENS when we gather in that way? In this episode, we talk about the benefits of group intimacy and the 5 main components that seem to be present when transformative group intimacy happens.

Real in Relationships

Often when we try to be more authentic, people don’t respond well. What do we do then? Risk losing our relationships? Go back to wearing our masks? In this episode, we discuss a different path, one that helps us navigate these challenges while still being committed to becoming who we really are.

That Damn Frog

Getting Real (aka Authentic, Honest & Genuine). In this episode, I discuss the differences between real and vulnerability, ways to notice when you are being real vs being caught in ego, some of the challenges of real and assign homework to help you notice your own authentic self and the people who bring it out in you.

Introducing Recovering: Tougher Doesn't Work

Intro to RECOVERING. In this episode, I discuss why being tougher on others (and ourselves) rarely brings lasting change.