Addiction is a disease of isolation and despair. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Dr. Robb Kelly, a world-renowned recovery expert whose journey from crippling alcoholism to healing has shaped his life’s mission and groundbreaking work in addiction recovery.

Once a successful academic, Robb lost everything to alcohol: his marriage, his career, and worst of all, access to his two daughters. After years living on the streets of Manchester, and seven suicide attempts—he experienced a remarkable spiritual awakening. Today, he dedicates his life to helping others break free from addiction through his acclaimed “98% Recovery Program,” offering hope and healing to thousands worldwide.

Together, we discuss:

• How shame, fear, and childhood trauma fuel addiction

• Why empathy and family engagement are essential to recovery

• Advice to families experiencing addiction (a parent, a child, a partner, etc.)

• The role of spirituality in healing and transformation

If you’ve ever wondered how someone can recover from addiction—and how empathy can help light the way—this conversation will leave you deeply moved and inspired.

00:00 Preview

01:16 Introduction 

03:13 About Dr. Robb Kelly

06:47 Robb’s backstory

12:19 Why alcohol isn’t the real cause of alcoholism

14:07 Robb’s advice to families: When and how to talk when you suspect addiction

18:17 The turning point in recovery conversations: From accusation to empathy

24:41 Robb’s Healing journey

29:52 The truth about neuroplasticity

31:34 Robb’s “98% Recover Program” begins with a deep assessment

36:16 How children mimic parental behavior in addicted homes

38:03 Why does unresolved childhood trauma sabotage adult life?

45:21 How does Robb know when an addict is ready to recover?

53:14 How recovery creates a second life

55:47 Dr. Robb Kelly’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social

CONNECT WITH ROBB

✩ Website https://www.robbkelly.com 

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-addiction-doctor-07718133/

✩ FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/drrobb.kelly.1

✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robbkellyrecoverygroup/

SHOW NOTES

✩ Daddy, Daddy Please Stop Drinking https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daddy-Please-Stop-Drinking/dp/1702575861 

Video edited by Jad Misri,  Green Horizon Studio