Fragmented to Whole
Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery
This podcast can help you go from fragmented to whole. The title of the podcast comes from my journey of recovery in 12 step programs where I came in feeling fragmented and now I AM WHOLE. I talk about how that happened, and many of the lessons I've learned in recovery. I cover such topics as learning acceptance, overcoming unrealistic expectations, intimacy, forgiveness and boundaries.
All episodes are 20 minutes or less, most are less than 15. The first episode is my story in brief so you'll hear about the kind of profound life changes that I experienced in 12-step recovery. Other episodes cover specific topics such as Acceptance, Victim Mentality, Overcoming Negative Thought Loops, etc. You don't have to be in recovery to benefit from it though!
One last (very important) thing. I don't speak for or endorse any particular 12 step program of recovery. Though I'm a huge fan of 12 step recovery, and a member of two 12 step fellowships, I cannot speak them. Take what you want and leave the rest.
Listen to Fragmented to Whole:Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery
Find Fragmented to Whole:
Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery On:
Ep 161: How to Care More What You Think of Yourself Than What Others Do
Caring more about what I think of myself than what others do is by far the biggest thing that has enabled me to go from having no boundaries to having really healthy boundaries. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean I don’t care at all what others think of me, but it has become lower on…
Ep 160: Guest Andrea “Recovering Shit Show”
I’m super excited today to have Andrea Ashley as my guest, she’s the host of the Adult Child podcast. I was in a step study group and somebody messaged me about her podcast. I listened to the trailer and after listening to two episodes, I knew she had to be on the podcast. She shares…
Ep 159: Boundaries in the Bedroom
I’m kind of surprised that boundaries in the bedroom is just now touching the podcast; and even more surprised that I just now realized that what I am talking about in this episode is even boundaries at all. Setting healthy boundaries in all aspects of a relationship, including in the bedroom, is so important! This…
Ep 158: How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others and Make the Most Out of Your Recovery
I would be happy to help answer questions about sponsors, however, I’m not able to be your sponsor or Stop comparing yourself to others! It’s typically going to either lead you to feeling like shit about yourself, or it’ll make you feel like you’re better than others. Either way – not good. Instead, the power…
Ep 157: Tips on How to Find a Sponsor in 12-Step Recovery
I’ve been asked how to find the right sponsor for you in recovery, and as a sponsor myself I thought I would also share how my process for sponsoring. Just like everything in recovery, take what you want and leave the rest. This episode covers information for those new to recovery looking for their first…
Ep 156: Info, Not Ammo
I can’t believe I have never done a podcast on the concept of info, not ammo. When you learn something negative about yourself, instead of using it as *ammunition* for you to beat yourself up, use it as *information* to integrate about yourself. This is so important especially in the 4th step inventory of 12-step…
Ep 155: How to Stop Lying to Yourself and Make Real Change – You Can Do Hard
One comment I hear all the time from people in recovery or who are trying to make big changes in their lives is, “It’s so hard!”. The hard that you’re currently living if you’re still using is actually making things more difficult unless something changes. This week’s episode 155 of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast…
Ep 154: How I Lead My Life on Purpose
I’m doing something new in this episode that I’ve never done before; I am resharing a conversation from a year and a half ago on the podcast Reinvention Rebels. This is the first time I was ever on a podcast and you’ll hear how fresh and new I was to my message and my own…
Ep 153: Learning to Have Realistic Expectations and Becoming Able to Let Things Go
When I did the 12 steps in my second program, after I determined my defects of character in steps 4 & 5, I was tasked with picking 4 of my top defects and do some really deep work on each of those for steps 6 & 7. I had to define very specifically what it…
Ep 152: How to Stop Taking Things Personally and Come Out of Victim Mentality
Probably the most important paradigm shift of my entire recovery journey was coming out of victim mentality. I had no idea I had this mentality but I could spot a victim a mile away; I thought I could save them all. When I finally discovered that I had victim mentality, it was a huge awakening;…
Ep 151: Why Your Motives Matter for You But Not For Other People
One of the most important questions I have learned to ask myself when trying to decide what is the right thing for me to do is “What are my motives?”. Your motives really matter when it comes to your own next steps, but other people don’t care about your motives. They care about your actions.…
Ep 150: Guest Alex – Addicted to Comfort
Alex and I met back in 2018, and the way he articulates his story is so inspiring that I knew he had to be on the podcast. Alex is in two different 12-step programs, one for behavior and one for substance, in his case, food. That’s why episode 150 of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast…
What listeners are saying
"Barb, it's clear that you're speaking from your lived experience, and what you talk about is beyond the rooms of recovery. You actually operationalize recovery."
- C
"Barb. My goodness. I just finished your [One Day at a Time] podcast. It was incredible. Thank you....
So I've listened to your first podcast. I was connected to what you said especially how your life has changed. PAUSE, which I've learned about and love. And flawsome. Amen...Thanks so much. You give hope. It was powerful...
Just listened to #2 Acceptance. Gonna have to listen again. It was powerful. What really comes across is your sincerity. Thanks."
- K
"Hey! Finally started listening to your podcast. It’s really good. I listen to over 1000 podcast probably in the past two years. Your shit is official. You’re totally Flawsome. You’re like a dynamic special ops recovery person. You're totally sensitive and have the [anonymous program] active listening and true compassion characteristics. Combined with a little bit of adorable cheesiness (e.g. Flawsome). But then also like a tough guy old timer that’s gruff and doesn’t take shit from people."
- J
"I'm a minute and 22 seconds into your episode on Acceptance... I still have these [negative] thoughts...The solution: growth mindset and surrounding myself with this kind of information...thank you for doing this, definitely helps motivate me..."
- E
"Your podcast was a delight to listen to. Authenticity, sincerity starts within and re-parenting oneself with gentleness, humor, love and respect are the tools that fuels the process."
- A
"Full of useful, helpful guidance!!!! So, I say thank you for your efforts! It was not preachy at all - and I guard against 'preachiness.' ...Thank you for your efforts Barb."
- A.C
"I play [your podcasts] for people when I give them rides home from meetings. They find them awesome as I do...I am hoping to begin using your podcasts in groups at work - short enough to hold people's attention and wonderful topics that all can benefit from as we try to bring healing and freedom from suffering into the world...you are a delight and a noble soul. Thank you. Grateful for your commitment to help heal our planet."
- R
"If I had to describe it....I bathed in episodes 1-3 this morning and I feel much more prepared to engage in the tasks that will bring me success...thank you."
- V
Like what you've read and heard?
Try subscribing to my monthly newsletter, "Happy, Joyous and Free."
It will help you change your dysfunctional patterns of behavior.
Want to chat with me about your boundaries? Hop onto my calendar here for a free 30-minute Better Boundaries call.