In this episode, Craig welcomes TJ Woodward, author, speaker, and founder of the Conscious Recovery Model, who shares his journey of spiritual awakening and offers a fresh perspective on addiction recovery, emphasizing self-love and the reclamation of one's essential self.

Here’s a glimpse into the profound insights you can expect:

• The Thief in the Empty Room: TJ shares his interpretation of the podcast's namesake koan, viewing it through the lens of recovery and the idea that true peace comes from within, not from external pursuits.
  

• From Brokenness to Breakthrough: Hear TJ's personal story, including his early experiences of feeling disconnected, his journey through addiction, and the transformative moment that led him to a spiritual path and the development of Conscious Recovery.
  

Unlearning Shame: Explore TJ's emphasis on unlearning shame and connecting with the "essential self" as a core component of recovery, and how this approach differs from traditional models.