You can’t heal what you’re still afraid to look at. This is about confronting what’s been buried—and learning to stop abandoning yourself in the process.
In today’s episode, Andrea is diving deep into Steps 4–7 of the ACA program. These ask us to face the pain we’ve been avoiding, break dysfunctional family programming, and peel back the layers of protection to finally get back to you.
- How Step 4 helps us reclaim our story by facing patterns, wounds, and protective roles through a “blameless inventory” rooted in curiosity—not shame
- Why sharing your truth in Step 5 breaks the toxic family rules of “don’t talk, don’t trust, don’t feel”—and opens the door to connection and release
- The emotional shift that happens in Step 6 when we move from self-blame to readiness for growth—even when change feels unfamiliar or scary
- How Step 7 invites us to surrender old survival strategies with compassion, not criticism—and begin embracing who we were always meant to be
- Andrea’s reflections on how these steps cracked open her healing in sobriety, and how they continue to shape her recovery today
(In case you didn't hear last week's episode on Steps 1-3, you can here --> The Healing Sequence: Denial, Awareness, Acceptance & Action)
⬇️DAMN THE JOIN SHITSHOW - ADULT CHILD HEALING COMMUNITY⬇️
www.adultchildpodcast.com/shitshow
- 4 weekly zoom support groups (Sun 3: 30 pm EST, Mon 8:30 pm EST, Tues 1 pm EST, & Thurs 8:30 pm EST)
- Support community at your fingertips with discussion boards and chat
📰SIGN UP FOR SHITSHOW NATION - ADULT CHILD NEWSLETTER
👩HELP A GIRL & CAT EAT🐱
www.buymeacoffee.com/adultchild
www.adultchildpodcast.com/shop
🎙️NEW TO THE POD🎙️
How I learned I was an Adult Child - The Tale of 2 Brians
THE LAUNDRY LIST - Common Characteristics of an Adult Child
Follow Andrea on social
www.instagram.com/adultchildpod
https://www.youtube.com/@adultchildpod
Check out La Pure and use my code ADULTCHILD for a great deal: https://www.lapurecosmetics.com
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code ADULTCHILD for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out La Pure and use my code ADULTCHILD for a great deal: https://www.lapurecosmetics.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.