Dive into a powerful narrative as Taco Mike Spurgin exposes the stark transition from a life riddled with self-deception to one of profound self-discovery. Mike discusses his struggle with addiction, not to substances, but to the deceptive allure of quick fixes and societal praise. He shares insights into the 'maladaptive thinking' that led to a continuous cycle of shortcuts, searching for peace in all the wrong places.Listeners will be captivated by Mike's raw and honest recount of the turning point that propelled him from the depths of despair to a place of spiritual rebirth. He offers a candid look at the moment when he faced the consequences of his actions and chose a path lined with responsibility, discipline, and unconditional love.Key Takeaways:- The dangers of seeking instant gratification and the illusion of shortcuts.- The courage required to confront personal failings and embrace change.- The role of spiritual awakening in breaking the chains of past addictions.- The transformation that comes with aligning actions to the principles of integrity and reverence.Recommended Actions:- Reflect on personal areas of avoidance and how they can be addressed.- Assess the impact of personal integrity on life choices and relationships.- Engage in self-examination to foster growth and genuine leadership.This episode is an invitation to listeners to join Taco Mike on a journey of self-examination and to consider their paths toward true distinction and authenticity. Don't miss this transformative exploration of what it means to lead a life with purpose and integrity.
His mother was a military officer who was harsh and abusive. The seeds of his addiction were planted by passing increasingly erotic, handwritten notes to a girl in high school, but he didn't have sex until college. His first sexual experience resulted in a pregnancy and the birth of his now 25-year-old son. He used social media for sexting and had sexual relationships with 26 different women while married. His staggered disclosure took 18 months. He is a business owner and avid golfer and now has three years of sobriety. He is practicing gratitude every morning and putting in some deep work in individual therapy, marriage counseling, and Sex Addicts Anonymous to continue rebuilding his new life where he and his wife are healthier than they have ever been.
In this profound episode of The Alpha Quorum Show, we're joined by Jimmy Durbin, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, to delve deep into the complex web of addiction, emotional pain, and self-awareness. Utilizing their expertise, Jimmy and host Brad Singletary discuss how addiction is often a symptom of a larger crisis, where emotional toxicity and shame create a vicious loop. They explore the idea that the body "keeps the score" and how the overwhelming burden of suppressed emotions can eventually lead to devastating outcomes such as job loss, divorce, and health issues.Drawing from the Red9 principles of Responsibility, Resourcefulness, and Reverence, among others, this episode goes beyond conventional discussions of addiction to examine the root causes. The conversation navigates the duality within each individual—the battle between your higher self and your baser impulses, which Jimmy describes as "Jim versus Jimmy." They discuss how men can become more attuned to their emotional states, which is essential for achieving balance and maintaining a state of homeostasis in their lives. The wisdom shared here is not just for those battling addiction but for anyone striving to master themselves and improve their relationships.
Brad sits down with a 28-year-old man who was a homeless iv heroin user. He hasnt seen or spoken with his biological mother since he was four years old. At age 12 he ran away from home and began numbing with drugs and alcohol. At 15 he was legally adopted by a woman who soon passed away. He spent years homeless and panhandling, living in the dark flood tunnels running underground in Las Vegas. He then met Taco Mike Spurgin, who showed him love and support when he needed it most. He checked in for treatment at CrossRoads of Southern Nevada for 6 months. He now has 18 months of sobriety, is in the healthiest relationship of his life, is working as an apprentice in a local glazier union, and helps other men find sobriety. His wisdom and maturity will astound you as you learn from a young man with an old soul who is living life with no excuses.
Today's episode is abut recovery from sexual addiction. Brad interviews James W, a man with years of sobriety from a sexual compulsion that destroyed his peace, disrupted his relationships, mental health and spiritual growth. He realized the power that comes from honesty about his fears, his habits, and his hidden shame.
In this compelling podcast episode, speakers Randy Hyden and Brad Singletary delve into the transformative power of intrinsic motivation and community support in overcoming addictions and compulsive behaviors. Randy discusses his upcoming e-book that tackles overthinking, linking it to emotions and actionable solutions. He emphasizes that recovery and self-improvement can't be extrinsically motivated; doing it to appease others or to escape legal consequences will not yield lasting change. He poses the vital question: "Do you really want to stop doing this, or do you just really want the consequences to stop?" This sets the stage for the core argument that true transformation comes from a deeply rooted desire for a 'new life,' separate from external pressures. Brad complements this by asking what advice would be given to someone on the fence about making life-altering changes. The conclusion is unequivocal: If one truly wishes to reinvent themselves, self-inquiry, self-observation, and the guidance of emotionally healthy individuals—who are not there to 'fix' but to 'walk alongside'—become crucial components for sustainable change. This episode is a call for authentic, self-driven transformation, fortified by communal wisdom and love. EASIER WAYS - Randy's Website: www.easierways.org RANDY'S FB GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/easier.ways RANDY'S PODCAST: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-hyden1
Our guest describes a lengthy battle with alcoholism and the depths of pain and difficulty he found himself in through his addiction. Although he has two master's degrees and some doctoral work completed, he was once washing up in store restrooms and looking for cigarette butts in gas station ashtrays. His spiral began in college where he struggled with organic chemistry which interrupted his academic and professional goals. After sobering up and "getting his balls back" his business soared and he began mentoring others and chairing meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. He has found success beyond what he ever thought he was worthy of while doing something he loves. Join us as we continue this series on addiction and recovery.
Today's guest, Dr. Paul Wilkes, is more than a renowned physician; he's a man who's faced the turbulence of addiction while building a luminous medical career. Born into a lineage of medical excellence, he's delivered 14,000 newborns and is a devoted father of three. Despite his accomplishments, Dr. Wilkes grappled with alcohol and drug addiction. He'll share the hard-earned wisdom that led him to self-forgiveness and making amends. His commitment goes beyond medicine; he serves on the boards of two local foundations and donates his expertise to women's shelters. A decorated scholar and community servant, Dr. Wilkes is not just a medical expert but a living testament to overcoming life's toughest challenges. He finds balance through writing, CrossFit, and travel. Buckle up for an "all gas, no brakes" journey with this multifaceted king, warrior, magician, and lover of life.
Brad sits down for the first time (in person) with a Las Vegas legend in the world of addiction recovery and treatment. This man helped Brad escape a relapse into alcoholism during COVID. They attended groups and spoke online and Brad now has 941 days of sobriety. Our guest this week is Dave Marlon. We're kicking off season four, all about addiction. He just completed a doctorate degree in psychology, he also holds two master's degrees, an MBA and a Master of Counseling from UNLV. He's been the CEO of two healthcare companies, built one of the most successful addiction recovery centers in the country, and founded Vegas Stronger, a non-profit dealing with homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse recovery. He has climbed 30 mountains including Mt. Everest and Denali. He competed in two Ironmans, He's run seven marathons, including the Boston marathon where he pushed his longtime friend with MS in a wheelchair. He's also been featured as an interventionist on A&E's Emmy-award-winning show, Intervention. He's been clean and sober for 18 years and has personally been involved in the addiction recovery process for thousands of individuals. He is a married father with two sons and enjoys fitness, traveling, and boxing. Dave's Pages: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davevegas123/ https://www.instagram.com/vegasstrongerofficial/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/dave.marlon.3 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncledaverocks123 VegasStronger.org
In this episode of The Alpha Quorum Show, Brad Singletary delves deep into the components that make you unconquered despite life's adversities. The opening segment kicks off with a call to acknowledge your resilience and fortitude in facing life's multifaceted challenges. Brad explores why shifts in direction are not defeats but rather strategic adaptations that showcase your ability to adapt and prevail. Inspired by a historical account of a Native American tribe known for their unyielding endurance against overwhelming odds, the episode emphasizes how tenacity and resolve can serve as your greatest allies. Brad further discusses the importance of building a strong community, providing a sense of purpose and direction based on previous successes, and developing a resilient mindset in line with the Red9 principles. Tune in for a power-packed exploration of what it takes to remain resolute, adaptive, and ultimately, unconquered.
He was born with severe hearing loss and struggled to learn because of his hearing. His father taught him that to truly pay attention, he needs to use his eyes to hear. He learned to read lips which worked out for him until he went on a church mission to Chile and had to learn Spanish as a near-deaf young adult man. His difficulties were almost unbearable, even with the best of technology at the time. Later, he graduated from college and took advantage of a book-reading program in his job where he could get paid for reading self-improvement books. That habit has never ended and he never lets a day go by without reading and re-reading from leadership, growth, and spiritual books. He shares the many gifts that have come to him through his lifetime of faith and perseverance, including his entrepreneurial success in owning three locations of the Miracle-Ear franchise. Please join me for this inspiring and extremely uplifting conversation with Mr. Jim Williams from Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Ongoing contributor Jimmy Durbin returns to headquarters to share some background info about how he moved from being a lost cause to a man of success and integrity. He describes how he identified two characters within him: Jim and Jimmy. Jim is his self-absorbed ego and the part of him that wants to destroy everyone that Jimmy loves. Jimmy is his pure and whole spiritual self where nothing is missing and he is centered on love. He teaches that thoughts are the language of the mind and emotions are the language of the body. Check out this super high-value episode out for wisdom that will bless your life no matter who or where you are.
David Scofield (Alpha Quorum 2022 Man of the Year) comes back to headquarters to report on the alpha things he's been doing this year including getting his daughter into racing and sponsoring a car show at an assisted living facility where he also started a monthly men's group for seniors. He then flips the script and interviews founder Brad Singletary about what events in his life have helped him grow up as a man. Brad discusses the reasons he puts so much time and effort into the Alpha Quorum when there is no benefit to him. We discuss rites of passage and the process of becoming a man in the modern world.
Air Force Veteran and current civilian firefighter at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, and 2023 Alpha Quorum Father of the Year winner Mitch Baxter discusses family leadership and how to be the head of household in ways that foster respect for the man and love for his family. He discusses some of the models of masculinity he learned under including his own father, his youth leaders, and military and fire leaders. He describes the formation of his blended family and how he manages the stresses of being a stepfather to three children and the father of a new baby boy. He shares the role that his wife has had in his success as a father and tells stories that illustrate how he is learning to become a better man.
Brad Singletary continues the discussion with his nephew, Andy Giddings, who was recently released from prison on five felony convictions. He had never trained a dog before getting locked up but took advantage of his opportunity to learn and grow by being a developmental leader of a 63-man dog training program. Because he was a leader, his first dog was “Primo”, a deaf bully who would chase shadows. Andy ended up developing a very organized group of inmates who worked with dozens of dogs to rehabilitate them. What he found wasn’t just a love of dogs. He discovered himself. He discovered his own wounds. He learned about leadership and gained empathy and compassion in ways he never could before. His program was very successful and many of the men he supervised are now in college and continuing what they started in prison. Andy is also the newest member of the Alpha Quorum’s leadership team where he volunteers his time and talents as the Producer of the Alpha Quorum Show. Listen in; I promise you will gain more than expected in this highly valuable and deeply insightful discussion about how both men and dogs can heal. The keys that Andy highlights that unlock this healing are love and respect, for others and—most importantly—for self.
This dude right here has reached manhood. Boys become men after they've spent three or four decades in the boyhood desert. Paradoxically, both feeding and trying to slay the bad wolf inside him at the same time, he was recently released from prison, spending the better part of a decade locked up after a lifetime of trauma. He chose meth and heroin over everything else. Finally, he chose prison. Finally, he chose maturity. Recently, I was going to buy him some work boots or whatever he could use, and he declined. I tried to hand him $100 bill and he declined it. He smiled and said, I can't take anything from anyone. It isn't good for me. He has maybe 20 years of learning in his last five. He developed a pit bull rescue and rehabilitation program and managed 63 men, helping them all obtain their GEDs. Join me for the story of a man who chose prison in order to be free.
My guest today is the son of a Colombian immigrant. He lettered in basketball and football at Fresno State University where he was given a full-ride athletic scholarship. He began to get in trouble with the law and spent 9 years in prison for DUIs. In prison, he learned that he was the master of his own attitude and actions. He learned multiple languages and learned how to play the piano. Through his involvement with AA, he has remained sober and turned his life around. He obtained a college degree in business management and now owns three businesses in the Las Vegas area and he is approaching one million dollars in annual sales. He has mastered the art of attitude and is taking actions that help him heal his life and continue living as a devoted family man. He is the father of six children and is the head coach of a 6u tackle football team. https://www.ramseyvenner.com/ebook
"I'm a work in progress." Reality TV Celeb Colt Johnson teaches some profoundly deep and surprisingly inspirational things about what he has learned as he has "examined himself" as part of TLC's most popular franchise ever: 90 Day Fiance and its various spinoffs. Colt shares the truth about who he is and some of the circumstances in his earlier life that have been difficult to manage. He has been loved and hated by millions of people around the globe. His life has been both messy *and televised for the past 5 years, and his life has been documented through an engagement and marriage, domestic violence, divorce, shallow rebound, affair, second engagement, second marriage, pregnancy, and miscarriage, all while living with his widowed mother. But now he is thinking grown-ass-man shit. Where he is now is new and he shares the mature things he is trying to do to make his life meaningful. Colt dropped out of homeschool in 5th grade. His over-protective mother and mostly-disengaged father did the best they could. In his early 20's he walked into his dad's apartment and found him dead. He has lived with his mother ever since. He has been ridiculed for his codependent relationship with his mom. He didn't learn to drive until he was 28. He eventually graduated from the prestigious DigiPen with a bachelor's degree in computer science and created software for Formula One, Indy Car and The Boeing Company, which awarded him the Boeing Performance Excellence Award in 2014. He is currently trying to distance himself from destructive patterns and he shares never-before discussed details of his ongoing development as a man.
Our guest today is a father of five, an attorney, and a poet who recently published his first collection of poems. He is a podcaster and an actor and starred in a music video for the Killers for their 2018 song titled Rut. His mother died suddenly and unexpectedly when he was 10 years old. It’s only been in the last few years that he started to become aware of the trauma that he suffered as a result and began writing poetry again after a 20-year gap to work through the feelings that remain from that loss. He believes that men are messing up their lives by abandoning themselves to fit in with others and believes we fix it by learning who we are and taking ownership of the power in our uniqueness. He is currently working to integrate his shadow and says the most alpha attribute in him is learning to be an example of healthy vulnerability. https://edgarlawoffices.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-poet-delayed/id1626218958 https://www.amazon.com/My-Mother-Sleeps-Scott-Edgar/dp/B0B2TP6231/ref=sr_1_3?crid=23NBK0PTX9GV8&keywords=scott+edgar&qid=1656576475&sprefix=scott+edgar%2Caps%2C1425&sr=8-3
Brad does another epic solo show where he gets down and dirty with some of his own history. He shares why and how to forgive our fathers (or anyone for that matter) and teaches some very useful approaches about how to do it