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

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(40)

Episode #39 feat. Tony Murray

What happens when a man searching for a quick fix arrives in Aravaipa Canyon weighed down by too much gear and a heavy load of fear?In this thirty-ninth episode of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!, host Bria...

24 Sep 55min

Episode #38 feat. Brad Pickel

What happens when a highly successful, workaholic D.C. lobbyist realizes his career can no longer be his entire spiritual journey?In this thirty-eighth episode of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!, host Brian...

16 Sep 51min

Episode #37 feat. Byron McMillan

What happens when a successful director of missions at a mega-church realizes his faith tradition is broken and he's carrying decades of internalized oppression?In this thirty-seventh episode of Follo...

7 Sep 57min

Episode #36 feat. Matthew Burch

What happens when a father takes his teenage son to a youth rites of passage, only to discover that he desperately needs an initiation of his own?In this thirty-sixth episode of Follow Me to the M-R-O...

31 Aug 43min

Episode #35 feat. Joe Grilliot

What happens when a Catholic priest steps away from his vocation, moves to the cornfields of Ohio, and seeks out a new kind of spiritual initiation?In this thirty-fifth episode of Follow Me to the M-R...

24 Aug 39min

Episode #34 feat. Bob Colaresi (Encore)

What happens when a highly successful, Enneagram 3 Carmelite priest confesses to being an "inadequate son" and strips down in the woods?In this special encore presentation of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!...

17 Aug 33min

Episode #33 feat. Chester Trocha (Encore)

What happens when a corporate executive caught in the rat race sits in silence by a pond and finally lets his guard down?In this special encore presentation of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!, host Brian Mu...

10 Aug 26min