Stepping Stones to Serenity Part 2 – Episode 159

Stepping Stones to Serenity Part 2 – Episode 159

What can we learn from those who have battled addiction in their families and still found serenity? This seminar-style episode shares exactly that, as Ellen C walks an Al‑Anon audience through Steps 4, 5 and 6 with equal parts honesty, humour and hard-won wisdom. You’ll hear Ellen unpack the “searching and fearless moral inventory” in a very human way.

She laughs about wanting the “secret handshake” of a “real Al‑Anon”, admits she typed and corrected her first inventory like it was going out for publication, and freely confesses that she left out “the whole reason” she came to Al‑Anon. Her sponsor’s reassurance that “it doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not… all that matters is it’s your perception” puts a gentle, realistic light on Step 4 for anyone terrified of getting it ‘right’.

Step 5 gets just as much attention, especially the sheer terror of telling another human being “the exact nature of our wrongs”. Ellen shows how sharing with someone who simply “attends your pain” can turn shame into connection. Along the way, she offers practical ways to write an inventory – from “pie inventories” to seven‑year life chunks – and reminds people that “there isn’t any wrong way… just do it.” By Step 6, things get seriously relatable again.

Ellen jokes about wanting to hang on to the ‘fun part’ of defects, talks openly about being “addicted to excitement” and perfectionism, and shares how willingness slowly grows from repeatedly feeling the pain of old patterns. Her line “if I could have made myself a better, happier, thinner, wiser person, I would have” will ring true for anyone who’s tried to think their way into recovery.

This episode speaks directly to anyone who loves an alcoholic or addict, feels stuck in their story, and wants gentle, practical encouragement to keep taking the next Step. Which piece of your story might you be ready to put on paper next?