The feelings you're running from aren't trying to destroy you—they're trying to SAVE you. In this raw, unfiltered episode, Jason sits down with Duane (15 years sober) who reveals the shocking truth about why "positive thinking" and spiritual bypassing are actually keeping people stuck in addiction and relapse.

This isn't another motivational speech. This is actionable wisdom from someone who worked in a BAR for over a decade after getting sober—serving alcohol every single day—and was never once tempted to drink.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- Why resistance to emotions creates MORE suffering than the emotions themselves

- The "spiritual bypassing" trap that 99% of addicts fall into (and how to escape)

- Duane's life-changing "pool moment" after 6 months of daily prayer

- How to rewire your brain in 21 days using neuroscience (Dr. Caroline Leaf's method)

- The simple "I am aware" technique that creates instant emotional freedom

- Why working in a bar for 10 years AFTER getting sober was possible

- The difference between "sounding pretty" and actually feeling your feelings

- Teal Swan's shadow work and emotional experiencing techniques

- Matt Kahn's "Whatever arises, love that" philosophy explained

- The Appreciation Game practice for shifting emotional states

- Eckhart Tolle's teachings on present moment awareness applied to recovery

- How to use prayer as a neuroplasticity tool

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

"I worked in a bar for over a decade serving liquor every day and was never tempted to drink. The obsession was completely removed." - Duane

"There's a very big difference between sounding pretty and feeling the feelings. The sounding pretty is the spiritual bypass." - Duane

"If I have one foot in the past and one foot in the future, I'm pissing all over today." - Recovery Wisdom

"We have 60,000 thoughts a day - that's 60,000 opportunities to practice being our best self." - Duane

DUANE'S MIRACLE "POOL MOMENT":

For 6 months, Duane said this prayer with every step he took: "God, relieve me of this obsession." Working as a landscaper, cleaning pools, he repeated this prayer hundreds of times daily. Then one day by a pool, he fell to his knees crying—not from pain, but from realizing he hadn't thought about drinking in TWO WEEKS. The obsession was gone. This is the power of surrender combined with neuroscience.

UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL BYPASSING:

Spiritual bypassing is using spiritual concepts to avoid psychological work. In recovery this looks like:

- "Just think positive" instead of processing grief

- "Everything happens for a reason" to avoid accountability

- "Good vibes only" while suppressing real emotions

- Excessive meditation to escape uncomfortable feelings

- Using spiritual texts to intellectualize instead of feel

THE ANTIDOTE: Practice saying "I am AWARE of anger" instead of "I AM angry." This creates observer consciousness, allowing you to learn from emotions rather than be controlled by them.

ACTIONABLE PRACTICES YOU CAN START TODAY:

1. The "I Am Aware" Technique - Create space between you and your emotions

2. The Prayer Walk - Repeat a powerful prayer with every step for 21-90 days

3. The Appreciation Game - Spend 5 minutes listing everything you appreciate

4. The 21-Day Thought Detox - Rewire one toxic pattern using Dr. Leaf's process

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR:

✓ Anyone struggling with addiction, alcoholism, or substance abuse

✓ People in early sobriety or recovery feeling stuck

✓ Those dealing with anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation

✓ Anyone who's relapsed and doesn't know why

✓ Loved ones trying to understand addiction and recovery

✓ People using "positive thinking" to avoid real emotions

This episode combines spiritual wisdom with neuroscience to provide ACTIONABLE HOPE for your recovery journey. Whether you're struggling with alcohol, drugs, behavioral addictions, or just feeling stuck in life,