E220: Growing Our Courage with Special Guest

Cliff Buenavista

 

E220 Introduction

Today was a fun interview for me. Why? Because it is with an very old friend of mine. Someone who I used to sit at the pub with and talk philosophy, existentialism, God and Spirit, along with more mundane topics like who was better the Seahawks or the 49ers.

You know how fond I am of the Hero’s Journey (both individually and collectively). Not all my old drinking buddies have taken a particularly courageous path. No judgment. Just like we mention in this interview, many will be called, most will stay back in the Shire, to use a Lord of the Rings reference. Without a clear picture of the battle or even what is at stake. But the more heroic will answer the call and do whatever they can to assist humanity. These are the times we live in.

One of the questions to ask is this: Who do we need to be as men in these times? What is our most courageous path? What do I need to do in my next chapter? What does humanity and God need from me next?

My guest today is an old friend who has answered the call. What a blessing it is to know these Warriors and I am fortunate to talk to more and more of them on this show. I like to give the vibe in these discussions as two friends sitting around the fire talking about what is REALLY going on. And it is easy when you have known each other as long as I have know my guest today. Enjoy!

Cliff Buenavista Bio

My guest today is my good friend Cliff Buenavista. Cliff is a Christian, a husband and father of 2 children and is a project manager at Nvidia. Cliff has maintained his sobriety for nearly 4 years, a true Hero’s Journey. Here is my interview with Cliff Buenavista.

E220 Final Thoughts

Well I hope you enjoyed our time with Cliff as much as I did. Like I said, him and I go WAAAAAY back and have both taken the road less travelled. I hope you heard something today that inspired you and gives you courage on YOUR Hero’s Journey. And go get some swag at Stand Up Now Apparel, they are offering all you Basecampers a great deal with 10 % off and free shipping by simply using the code “basecamp”.

Thank you Basecampers and we‘ll see you around the fire next week.

E172: Sobriety as a Hero’s Journey

with Special Guest Dr. Bob Beare

 

E172 Introduction

I speak a lot about our Hero’s Journey, both our individual and our collective. Each chapter requiring a slightly different version of yourself. Each man and woman and child will have their own version of this and all will help elevate the collective. Isn’t that fantastic news? Each and every person has the opportunity to embrace their courage, face their fears and their demons, and contribute to the healing and redemption of the Human Soul, the Human Spirit. This Hero’s Journey will bring you many gifts: dignity, worth, unconditional love, the development of grit and strength, and the expression of courage, which always inspires.

I have had many initiations as many of you know. So have you, whether you acknowledge them as such or not. Getting married and moving far away from friends and family was an initiation. Doing the New Warrior training was obviously an initiation. Becoming a father was an initiation. But perhaps my greatest initiation was taking on my sobriety from alcohol.

The reason I am bringing this up is that this episode airs on March 7th. And March 8th, Wednesday, will be my anniversary, marking my 10th year of sobriety. So many blessings happened after this initiation, after I finally committed to myself. It was like God started to bestow these incredible gifts to me. My marriage got a lot stronger, my health and perspective improved, I wrote a book and that led to me having this podcast with 172 episodes. I seriously doubt any of these things would have taken place without my stepping through that dark tunnel and into the light of clear seeing. Anyone can do it. The alcohol and drugs would have you think that there is no way you can live without them. After all, who would you be? My answer, a more courageous slightly new version of yourself.

I want to honor each and every one of you. I have been blessed with an incredible group of friends over my lifetime. Many who are addicts and alcoholics. I even know many who have taken the same initiation that I have taken. Gratefully walking the sober path.

I was approaching March 8th and wondering who I should have on the show. As I was looking over my guest list, I saw Dr. Bob Beare’s name and that was it. Bob knows more about addiction that just about anyone I know, both as a recovering addict and a therapist and addiction counselor and director of a top notch treatment center in Texas.

Let’s go sit around the fire with our respected friend and mentor Dr. Bob Beare.

Bob Beare Bio-

My guest today is author Dr. Bob Beare. Bob has been a leader in the mental health and addiction field for over 20 years. He is the Senior Clinical Consultant and former Clinical Director of The Last Resort Treatment Center for Men.

Dr Bob Beare is the CEO of Deep Waters Recovery Programs – deepwatersrecovery.com . Bob is the author of a new book, which we‘ll talk a bit about today, titled “Stop Doing Shit You Don‘t Want to Do.” Here is my interview with Dr. Bob Beare.

Final Thoughts

If you are someone who is looking for a safe program to step into your new sobriety as a Hero’s Journey, I can think of no better guide that Bob. To find out about his Deep Waters Recovery Program and how it can launch and support you in your healing, go to www.deepwatersrecovery.com

Thank you so much Basecampers, good luck on your Hero’s Journey, and we‘ll see you around the fire next week.