The 12 Steps Benefits For All Of Humanity w/ Ian Morgan Cron
Jan 27, 2025
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Ian Morgan Cron, a bestselling author and psychotherapist, shares his insightful journey through addiction and recovery. He emphasizes the broad relevance of the 12 steps, highlighting the importance of community and personal growth. Ian candidly discusses his struggles with substances and how vulnerability can foster connection and transformation. He explores the human experience of existential emptiness and the healing power of acceptance and forgiveness, ultimately illustrating how the 12 steps can guide anyone toward well-being.
The 12-step framework, while initially intended for addiction recovery, can guide everyone toward personal growth and well-being.
Vulnerability is essential for creating authentic connections and fostering a culture of acceptance in healing relational dynamics.
Acknowledging and making amends for past harm is crucial for rebuilding trust and integrity in relationships through the 12 steps.
Deep dives
The Relevance of 12 Steps for Everyone
The podcast emphasizes that the 12-step framework is not just for individuals struggling with addiction but is applicable to everyone seeking personal growth. It explores the concept that many people experience various forms of addiction, whether it be to substances, behaviors, or even relationships, suggesting that the underlying principles of the 12 steps can facilitate broader self-improvement. Ian Morgan Cron articulates how adopting a 12-step approach can provide essential guidance for achieving overall well-being and making peace with oneself and others. He encourages listeners to recognize the universal human experience of grappling with inner struggles and the importance of community in overcoming these challenges.
The Importance of Vulnerability
The podcast delves into the idea that vulnerability is crucial for authentic connection and healing. Ian shares that leading with vulnerabilities rather than strengths can build deeper relationships, as it helps others feel less isolated in their struggles. He recounts his personal experience of sharing his own relapses and mistakes, stating that this openness fosters a more genuine dialogue and an environment of acceptance. By inviting others into his journey of healing, he demonstrates how embracing life's imperfections can empower both himself and those around him.
Addiction as a Common Human Experience
The discussion highlights that addiction, in various forms, is a widespread issue affecting a majority of people at some level. Ian explains how many individuals use compulsive behaviors—be it through workaholism, food, or social media—to cope with the inherent pain of existence. The podcast stresses the importance of recognizing the motivations behind these habits and addressing them in a meaningful way through the lens of the 12 steps. This perspective encourages listeners to confront their own compulsions and explore healthier, more fulfilling alternatives.
Making Amends: Healing Relationships
The podcast discusses steps eight and nine of the 12-step program, which focus on making amends and repairing relationships. Ian emphasizes the necessity of taking responsibility for one's actions and their impact on others, explaining that this process involves both acknowledging harm done and seeking to rectify it. Through personal anecdotes, he illustrates that honesty and humility are key in rebuilding trust and integrity in relationships. This process not only aids in personal healing but also contributes to healthier interpersonal dynamics, fostering community and support.
A Framework for Continuous Growth
Steps ten to twelve introduce strategies for maintaining growth and wellness after addressing personal faults. Ian emphasizes that ongoing self-reflection is essential for personal accountability and continued development. By regularly evaluating one's actions and making adjustments, individuals can cultivate a fulfilling and meaningful life. Adopting this mindset allows listeners to stay connected to their values and maintain their newfound clarity as they navigate life's challenges.
The Role of Faith and Community
The podcast illustrates how faith and community play an integral part in the healing process as outlined in the 12 steps. Ian discusses how people can find support and encouragement in each other when grappling with personal issues, fostering a shared sense of vulnerability. He notes that various groups provide spaces where individuals can openly discuss their challenges without judgment, leading to transformative interactions. This sense of belonging and supporting one another amplifies the impact of the 12-step program and nurtures personal resilience.
Most everyone has heard of the twelve steps concept associated with Alcoholics Anonymous. I bring it here for all of us, whether you think you are addicted to anything or not, which is an arguable claim for anyone. Ian Morgan Cron is the bestselling author of The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, which has sold over one million copies. He’s a psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, Episcopal priest, and the host of the popular podcast Typology. I had Ian on the show before to talk about the message in his book, The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self. Since he was on my show, Ian, this leader of so many, relapsed. It’s not an incredibly sordid story, but he has a past history of substance abuse. All these years later, he found himself reliant on some substances and questioning himself in significant ways. In this episode we talk through his story. We talk about what Ian calls, “the great human ache.” We discuss what addiction is, the need we all have for community to keep us on a healthy path, and how the 12 steps are relevant for anyone seeking well-being. Ian breaks down how the 12 steps covers making peace with God, making peace with self, making peace with others and cultivating a healthy and fulfilling life. Ian has captured all this in a brand new book, The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone In Between. I hope you’ll join us in this conversation.
