Summary In this episode of the Awake and Sober podcast, the hosts discuss various topics including their sponsorships, milestones in their recovery, and the importance of the first three steps in the 12-step program. They emphasize the need to recognize the unmanageability of their lives and the powerlessness they have over their addiction. They also discuss the importance of finding a higher power and surrendering their will and lives to that power. The hosts share their personal experiences and the impact these steps have had on their recovery journey. In this conversation, Shane and his guests discuss steps 4 to 10 of the recovery process. They emphasize the importance of finding a higher power and surrendering character defects. They also highlight the significance of making amends and taking daily inventory. The conversation concludes with a reminder to seek support, find vulnerability, and trust in Jesus. Keywords sponsorship, milestones, recovery, unmanageability, higher power, surrender, recovery, steps, higher power, surrender, amends, inventory, vulnerability, Jesus Takeaways Recognizing the unmanageability of our lives and the powerlessness we have over our addiction is a crucial step in recovery. Finding a higher power and surrendering our will and lives to that power is essential for lasting sobriety. Working the first three steps of the 12-step program can help us develop a solid foundation for our recovery journey. Having a sponsor and participating in a recovery community can provide support and guidance throughout the recovery process. Recovery is a personal journey, and each individual may have a different understanding of their higher power. Find a higher power and surrender character defects Make amends and take daily inventory Seek support and be vulnerable Trust in Jesus Sound Bites ”I actually hit a milestone in my exercises yesterday. 250 pounds, three reps. I was really, really impressed with myself.” ”Building disciples is what it’s about. We try to put Celebrate Recovery out of business, get them taken care of when they’re young.” ”Life is good. I can’t complain. I’m glad to be back.” ”Are they really shoving it down the throat or does it just seem that way because they’re where I was and you just don’t even want to hear it once?” ”I don’t care what you believe in in this moment. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, it’s our job to love you.” ”Step four. At least us. Untangling that mess because that roadmap that you brought was hard to read because there’s a tangled mess across there.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Banter 03:00 Recognizing Unmanageability and Powerlessness 08:29 Finding a Higher Power and Surrendering 13:00 The Importance of the First Three Steps 21:50 Personal Milestones in Recovery 29:36 Surrendering Character Defects and Finding a Higher Power 35:48 Making Amends and Taking Daily Inventory 41:29 Seeking Support and Embracing Vulnerability 47:04 Trusting in Jesus A mainstay of our recovery stories is being completely honest with our support teams but, most importantly, honest with ourselves. How do we do that? The answer is simple: we journal about our experiences, ideas, and goals. If you are anything like us, that means you journal A LOT and take a bunch of notes, so don’t you deserve a great writing instrument? We think you do, and so does the sponsor of the Awake and Sober Podcast Tactile Turn.  If you have yet to use a Tactile Turn pen, let’s be honest: are you even writing?!?