Episode #40 feat. Dean Robertson

What happens when a man carrying a lifetime of process addictions and a fierce "Warrior" ego finally surrenders in the wilderness?

In this deeply moving fortieth episode of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!, host Brian Mueller sits down with Dean Robertson, a full-time woodworker and mentor in 12-step recovery from Linwood, Washington. Dean discusses his 2022 initiation at Skalitude, Washington, offering a profoundly honest look at addiction, the shadow, and the grueling but beautiful work of the hero's journey.

Episode Highlights

• Permission to Surrender: How an anxious, over-prepared man hiding behind process addictions finally let go of his phone and his pride when his wife gave him permission to surrender.
• The Alaskan Wilderness: Dean's harrowing and beautiful journey from jail cells and smoking tea bags to a three-year, off-the-grid solo in the Alaskan rainforest to get sober.
• Sobriety vs. Recovery: Why simply eliminating substance abuse wasn't enough, and how the rites helped him confront the deadly sin of pride and his "dry drunk" process addictions.
• Befriending the Dragon: Dean's incredible insight into the hero's journey—why we must get lost to find our way, and why surrendering to the dragon is more transformative than slaying it.
• The Return of the Hero: A beautiful reflection on elderhood and why the true treasure of any initiation is returning to the community to give your story away.

Links & Resources

• The Cave & The Fire - Season 1, Ep 5 - Streets to Surrender, with Dean Robertson
• Brian Mueller (Host)
• BriansPoems.com
• Illuman MROP
• Choosing Presence
• Practicing Presence App
• The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr
• Adam's Return by Richard Rohr
• Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr
• Trust Stillness by Brian Mueller

Credits

• First and foremost, thank you to Dean Robertson for sharing his journey and his heart with us today.
• Thank you to Fr. Richard Rohr and the men of Illuman who have stewarded the Men’s Rites of Passage since 1996.

Music Credits:

• Slow Mo Dreams by Soundroll
• Becoming a Legend by Vens Adams