LISTEN HERE:
If you are checking this out via iPad or other device and cannot see the audio player, click here to listen — or just go ahead and subscribe. You know you want to.
You can subscribe to this podcast at this link, and if you’re into Twitter, you can follow us @DaysWorkPodcast.
I first encountered the work of Peg O’Connor when she wrote this article in The New York Times back in January. She’s also been interviewed in The Huffington Post, as well as authoring some books.
At the time I saw the article, I had quit drinking about six months prior — so I connected with her, and we had this interview about addiction, philosophy, quitting drinking (she did 24 years ago), programs for youth (like the “On Guard” program they run at Gustavus), and more. It’s a pretty interesting, overall very deep 25-minute discussion. I encourage you to give it a try.
All In A Day's Work 
This podcast was great. Being in recovery myself, I can see the validity of philosophy and addiction. Considering new ways to think about addiction and recovery is a good idea. Often times, we are stuck in old thought patterns and the actions that follow those thoughts. Exploring your philosophy can lead to new patterns of thinking and changing your actions. This can be an opportunity for growth and insightfulness into your own recovery. As an alcoholic, I am often stuck in my head. Exploring various ways of critical thinking can breathe fresh thoughts into my mind and present opportunities for positive reflection and a new course of action in my recovery. In reference to her program at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, I think it presents as a solid program of intervention for college students who engage in high risk drinking. Too often, students are the catalyst of binge drinking and the party life on many college campuses. Parents are often the last to know about their children’s drinking habits. The earlier the intervention and exposure to programs like this, the better. For every bit of information that can be given to students that are high risk drinkers, there will be a velcro effect. Some will adhere to them and some won’t. But in the long run, this infomation and classroom exercises can only provide necessary exposure to recovery and support programs that are out there and available. It also gives the student a safe forum for expression, questions, and/or concerns that they may have. Well done Peg O’Connor-well done.
Posted by Mary Beth Smith | March 6, 2012, 8:43 pmMary Beth, thank you for this comment. I really appreciate you checking out this podcast and taking the time to respond.
Posted by tedbauer2003 | March 6, 2012, 8:48 pm