• Step 5: Admitting Our Wrongs to Others and to Ourselves

  • Feb 28 2025
  • Length: 45 mins
  • Podcast

Step 5: Admitting Our Wrongs to Others and to Ourselves

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  • Summary

  • In this episode of Blindsight, host Bill Lundgren sits down with Pamela Rueda, creator of My Badass Recovery, to explore Step 5 of the 12-Step Program. Together, they unpack the significance of admitting our wrongs to ourselves, to another person, and to a higher power. Pamela shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the emotional weight of confronting shame, guilt, and self-perception in the healing process. Pamela and Bill also discuss the importance of selecting the right person to share your Step 5 with, the necessity of radical honesty, and how shame can be a major barrier to recovery. They emphasize how finding a trusted sponsor, creating a safe space for vulnerability, and taking a leap of faith can lead to transformative freedom.

    Key Discussion Points & Chapter Markers
    (00:26) – Introduction with host Bill Lundgren
    (01:29) – Guest introduction: Pamela Rueda and My Badass Recovery
    (01:48) – What is Step 5? Admitting the exact nature of our wrongs
    (02:27) – Pamela’s personal recovery journey and the fears around Step 5
    (04:14) – Shame, self-perception, and breaking free from past identity
    (06:37) – The challenge of opening up and being radically honest
    (08:48) – Selecting the right sponsor: trust, wisdom, and higher power
    (11:56) – How to actually go through Step 5: process, structure, and commitment
    (14:38) – The role of a sponsor: “I’m not here to be your friend”
    (16:43) – The fear of judgment and seeking approval in recovery
    (18:35) – Relapse and learning from past experiences
    (22:24) – Understanding shame vs. guilt: The impact on recovery
    (25:09) – The cycle of addiction and self-judgment
    (28:57) – The power of sharing: How vulnerability defeats shame
    (32:48) – When and how to disclose your recovery journey
    (35:15) – Avoiding the dangers of oversharing and measuring trust
    (39:43) – Understanding motives behind sharing your story
    (40:55) – Closing thoughts: Taking the leap of faith in recovery

    Key Takeaways & Calls to Action
    Shame thrives in secrecy – Bringing shame into the light through honesty helps break its power.
    Choosing the right person for Step 5 is crucial – A sponsor should be trustworthy, wise, and aligned with your healing journey.
    Healing is an ongoing process – If we don’t uncover all aspects of our struggles, they can resurface later in life.
    Measure your vulnerability – Not everyone is safe to share with; trust and intuition play a vital role.
    The power of sharing – Speaking your truth in a safe space leads to self-acceptance and healing.

    Connect & Support
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    Support Aftersight – Your contributions help us continue making impactful content for the blind and low-vision community.
    Thank you for listening to Blindsight. Stay strong, stay connected, and see you next time.
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