Shannon has made a couple of appearances on the show, and we have have developed a friendship as such. This week on Kaleidoscope Wednesday, Ryan Bathgate unpacks the strength and resilience her recovery journey journey has brought out in her, and how in her case, 12 step fellowships have been an integral part of it.
For more about Shannon, and the other episodes she has been on, go to
For more info on our title sponsor, Yatra Trauma Centre, check out www.a2apodcast.com/trauma, where you will find our series on trauma therapy, and links to their website.
Chuck LaFLange (00:01.954)
Hello everybody, watchers, listeners, supporters of all kinds. Welcome to another episode of Kaleidoscope Wednesday on the Ashes to Awesome podcast. I'm your host Chuck LaFlange checking in from Krabi Thailand. I don't know why I had to pause there. I guess so, I guess so. Joining me in virtual studio halfway around the world from Mission BC Canada is my co-host Ryan Bathgate. How are you doing today, Ryan?
RBK Kaleidoscope (00:13.97)
Yeah, you really need to think about that. Get your GPS out.
RBK Kaleidoscope (00:28.682)
I'm good. I'm like, I'm old. Yeah, so I'm on a treatment for antibiotics right now and it's just devastating me. It's like, I got four days left. I'm counting each pill. Like, come on. Yeah. And I get anxiety right before I have to take them because I know it's going to hurt for four hours. You know? So I'm, but other than that, like I also have this, so this, this bacteria is like took my energy away for apparently like six years.
Chuck LaFLange (00:43.325)
Hahaha
Chuck LaFLange (00:48.496)
Oh, geez, eh?
RBK Kaleidoscope (00:56.702)
And so I'm starting to get a new energy back that I haven't had since I was in my 30s. So that's kind of cool. I don't know what else is attached to this thing, but I've been carrying it for a long time, apparently. And the immune system doesn't fight it for some reason. So yeah, so that's how I am.
Chuck LaFLange (00:57.099)
Ah.
Chuck LaFLange (01:02.089)
Okay.
Chuck LaFLange (01:07.494)
Awesome. Awesome, awesome. Joining us is, okay, okay. Sorry. Joining us is our guest, somebody who's grown into a friend, Shannon Burnett. How you doing today, Shannon?
RBK Kaleidoscope (01:29.598)
Yeah, I think you got a bad connection, Chris.
Chuck LaFLange (01:34.25)
Uh oh. Shannon?
RBK Kaleidoscope (01:37.246)
You got me okay, Shannon? Yeah, yeah, Chris, it's you. You're, and you're all blockchain. Shannon's not. There's a delay.
Shannon (01:38.889)
I can hear you, Ryan, yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (01:41.35)
Oh. That's... Ah, fucking shit.
Shannon (01:47.145)
Okay, you're coming clearer now.
Chuck LaFLange (01:49.298)
Okay, okay, okay. Okay, starting that again. Joining us is our guest, Shannon Burness who has been on the podcast a couple times now. We've heard her story. She's been on Weekend Ramble with Dr. Lisa and I. And we're here today to kind of unpack some of the beauty in Shannon's story. So thank you for joining us from Okotoks, Alberta, Canada. Shannon, how you doing today?
Shannon (02:14.9)
Yes, yes, yes. I'm good, Chuck. Thank you. It's been a pretty good Monday. Not too many bad things have happened today. So that's good.
Chuck LaFLange (02:29.038)
Cool, cool, Monday's.
RBK Kaleidoscope (02:29.809)
What's the weather like there?
Shannon (02:32.256)
Uh, it was kind of sunny for most of the day and now it's kind of overcast. But it's probably, I think it's about minus two or something. It's pretty mild.
RBK Kaleidoscope (02:42.342)
Oh, that's not bad. I mean, I think we're at 9 degrees today or something.
Chuck LaFLange (02:44.58)
Hmm. Huh.
Chuck LaFLange (02:48.298)
Uh, well, yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (02:50.142)
Anyway, always interested in weather across the country and other places. I know Chuck's like 30 degrees, so yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (02:54.774)
Well, it's 25 degrees here at 730 in the morning. So it's a cool, brisk 25 here right now. So this is great scooter driving weather. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, damn near, damn near. Yeah, listen, so Shannon, as you know, this is somewhat of a new format for us on the show. All we've been doing is inviting people on to kind of unpack the...
Shannon (02:58.108)
I know. Oh my gosh, yeah.
Shannon (03:04.568)
Right. Yeah, I take that any day of the week. Yep.
RBK Kaleidoscope (03:08.361)
Sweater weather.
Chuck LaFLange (03:23.67)
the beauty in the things that are working in their recovery, in the resilience of the human spirits Ryan likes to reference quite often. So Ryan, I'll let you take it from here and just kind of, if you want to ask a couple of pointed questions and just kind of let the thing develop the way it develops. How's that sound?
Shannon (03:33.452)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (03:45.75)
Yeah, okay. Yeah, okay. So I guess like for me, it's like, I like to start in what's real, you know, in reality. And so like, I guess today, like, I always wonder what the foundation looks like, you know, when we have a really successful story and ultimately, it's a successful existence based on whatever those, that definition means to you.
Shannon (04:03.681)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (04:15.48)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (04:16.087)
So my question would be like, what is in the foundation? How did you get there? How did you discover these things? And what does that look like today?
Shannon (04:27.536)
So I discovered most of it. Well my journey started kind of at an early age because my mom... so I'm in the rooms of AA. That's kind of what my recovery has revolved around. So...
Shannon (04:49.748)
I come, my mother was in the rooms when I was a kid. So that seed was kind of planted. So I kind of knew that they existed. I kind of knew what went on there type thing. And then spent a lot of years, just active in my alcohol addiction type thing. And then when I finally felt the need to address that, I tried to just do it.
we call it white knuckling, like just quit and be done with it and pretend like you moved on. But that didn't work that well for me. So I thought I'd try the rooms and it just really spoke to me like a lot of the sayings, you know, they're pretty simple sayings and everybody can kind of relate them to their life and kind of build stuff on.
So it really was kind of in the rooms that I started this foundation and learned a lot about myself, which allowed me to expand on stuff that created more of who I am that I wanted to be.
RBK Kaleidoscope (05:56.79)
Very interesting you say it wanted to be, because I think that's such an important part of the journey is knowing what at least somewhat the destination looks like a little bit, you know what I mean? I did want to ask you though, like I share that experience with you having my mother being a member of Alcoholics Anonymous specifically, well I was I guess I was about 14 when she was in treatment. But what I discovered is that I never questioned.
Shannon (06:07.774)
Right. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (06:25.414)
remained sober and she did that through the death of my sister which was like mind-blowing because I sure didn't. So I never questioned that it worked. Did you have the same experience? Did you always know that there was a solution there? Because I think a lot of people have to figure that out for themselves, you know? And I don't think I ever did because I watched it happen.
Shannon (06:30.324)
Yeah, no kidding.
Shannon (06:43.8)
Yeah. I think a lot of it is, you know, at that young of an age, I think I was probably around the same age actually, 12, 13. I wasn't really aware of exactly what was happening, you know, so it's like I knew that my mom went to treatment and, you know, she was doing better and there was definitely a shift in the dynamic but
Was that why I didn't know what she did in that? That would create that, you know? So I would say, like I always say the seed was planted, but yeah, I didn't know the work that was put in type thing.
RBK Kaleidoscope (07:24.671)
What?
RBK Kaleidoscope (07:28.146)
Yeah, I like that metaphor because it's organic, but, you know, the seed is planted, but it wasn't until really you entered the rooms that fertilization started to happen, where it was like, oh, you know, like this is okay. And so can you think and just like, you know, I have, it's been a long time for me, but there's things that I heard. And, you know, can you remember some of those like things that just stuck to you that really helped in the beginning?
Shannon (07:41.236)
Oh exactly.
Shannon (07:51.227)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (07:57.284)
Yeah, so I always go back to like the very first day that I walked into a room. It was a big book study. So in a big book study, they read a part of the big book, which is like the book that the founder of AA wrote and like a lot of the program while all the program is based around that. And they read this part of the book that talks about
changing and wanting to change and seeking out different spaces that we would fit in and then eventually just waking up for the last time to what they call a four horsemen. And that was my first reading that I sat through in the room and just to hear that it just
Chuck LaFLange (08:42.894)
Okay, I've never heard that before. What is that, the four horsemen? Can you give us an idea what that is? Sorry, I've never heard that before. Ah, okay.
RBK Kaleidoscope (08:47.606)
heard it in so long.
Shannon (08:47.704)
What have you got?
Here, hold on. I can find it. Yeah, so it's just a... So there's lots of, like I said, this is the book that the founder of AA wrote, and so a lot of the... Basically, the whole... Okay, so I'll just read it to you quickly here. So it's in A Vision for You. So this was the first reading that I heard.
Chuck LaFLange (09:06.646)
big book as it were.
RBK Kaleidoscope (09:10.443)
Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (09:15.275)
Sure.
Shannon (09:20.48)
For most normal folks, drinking means conviviality, companionship, and colourful imagination. It means release from care, boredom, and worry. It is joyous intimacy with friends and a feeling that life is good, but not so with us in those last days of heavy drinking. The old pleasures were gone. They were but memories. Never could we recapture the great moments of the past. There was an insistent yearning to enjoy life, as we once did, and a heartbreaking obsession that some numerical of control
would enable us to do it. There was always one more attempt and one more failure. The less people tolerated us, the more we withdrew from society, from life itself. As we became subjects of King alcohol, shivering denizens of his mad realm, the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. It thickened, ever becoming blacker. Some of us sought out sword places, hoping to find understanding, companionship and approval. Momentarily we did, then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous four horsemen.
terror, bewilderment, frustration, and despair. Unhappy drinkers who read this page will understand. And that was the very first reading that I heard. And so, I mean, if you know yourself when you are in that space and you hear that, I just thought, wow, these people are speaking my language, you know.
RBK Kaleidoscope (10:26.866)
I don't know.
Chuck LaFLange (10:29.27)
Wow.
RBK Kaleidoscope (10:30.484)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (10:41.438)
Yeah, it is a powerful reading, especially the four horsemen being frustration. I'm, yeah, like I'm trying to remember that. But it's so clickable and like, it's funny, like, because, you know, we're talking about, you know, 1936, seven, eight, and then it'll publish in 39. And like, the, this is 50 years before science shows up, really before we had digital imaging of the brain. Yet it still captures the soul of it.
Chuck LaFLange (10:49.141)
error.
Shannon (10:58.626)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (11:10.95)
And I always say there's probably three books to read if you want to understand addiction through the social tapestry. And that's one called The Confessions of an English Opium Eater by Thomas de Quincey, written in the 1700s, I believe. Another one called A New Pair of Glasses by Chuck C., who was a member a long time ago. And then If You Ever Read Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx.
that if you could read those three books, you have a good glimpse. And because really it doesn't change just, just the people and their surroundings. You know what I mean? It's still the same. I have something. Chuck, you'd be proud of me. Hold on a second.
Shannon (11:45.154)
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Chuck LaFLange (11:52.406)
Oh, it's a bold statement.
Shannon (11:52.92)
Okay.
Shannon (11:56.678)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (12:01.758)
What did I miss? Look, look at this
Shannon (12:03.525)
Oh, nothing.
Chuck LaFLange (12:03.746)
Nothing, we were just laughing with you, not at you. Oh, look at that, hey, how old is that one?
RBK Kaleidoscope (12:08.078)
You know, it's fine, either way. This is actually my stepfather's who I named my daughter after from, and he died with 35 years, I think. And so this is from his first. This is, this is a original third edition, I think, or second, third edition. So 1960 something, 1970 maybe. 1975, there you go. So, yeah, I mean.
Shannon (12:09.886)
Is that yours from when you were in the program?
Shannon (12:14.657)
Mm-hmm.
Chuck LaFLange (12:31.691)
Wow.
Shannon (12:35.192)
That's crazy.
RBK Kaleidoscope (12:37.246)
I mean, I've had many of these in my life. This is the one that I hold on to because that man meant a lot to me. Oh, and to talk. That's right. And like, it's so like, that to me is another example of this like choice we have as human beings to be able to attach meaning to anything. And so this book probably doesn't mean a lot to me. Anyone from AA is like, cool, that's third edition originally. That's cool. But.
Shannon (12:39.393)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (12:45.076)
Yeah, I have my mom's too actually. Yeah.
Shannon (12:58.636)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (13:05.15)
What it means to me is this guy is a guy that put up with all of my shit because of the tenants and the foundation built through what he learned here. And the same thing you're talking about.
Shannon (13:09.164)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (13:14.712)
Mm-hmm. Well, and that's what, you know, I was going to speak on a little bit as it becomes a foundation. Like you're talking about building foundations. Like, um, there's people that think this is the is, I'll be all of like, this is the only way, right? And I don't, I don't, I don't believe that. I believe that whatever I'm about.
recovery, however you define that type thing. And, you know, if you ask me what worked for me, I can tell you what worked for me and it's not guaranteed to work for you. So, you know, that program started teaching me how to live my life authentically, respectfully, you know, to the relationships in my life and stuff like that. But with that, I started realizing that I need
professional help, right? I started surrounding myself with alcohol-free podcasts, reading the books, you know, that sort of thing. So I just like flooded me with like-minded people, you know?
RBK Kaleidoscope (14:26.242)
Mm-hmm. Yeah, so you built a support network. Extremely important, right? Like, it even says in here, to seek outside help. You know, it tells us in the text. So I'm obviously a big proponent of that myself, but it is interesting that you just said respect, and there was another word there.
Shannon (14:30.398)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Shannon (14:38.672)
Right. Yeah.
Shannon (14:55.452)
authentically and respectfully.
RBK Kaleidoscope (14:56.114)
authentic, right? And you talked about, I've heard rhythm about being in concert with life in motion as it's happening, you know, not being an observer of my own experience. And so, so that to me, these are the elements of the foundation we're talking about. And I think that, you know, we look at, we get to a point where it's not just about not being sick anymore, but it's also about
Shannon (15:05.003)
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Shannon (15:13.272)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (15:24.45)
Who do I want to be? And I love that you said that in the beginning about building the person I want to be because ultimately that is the freedom that we all embody whether we know it or not. And we can choose to do, but it takes action. You know, you can't just say, I can't just say I'm an astronaut until I leave the solar system or the earth. I'm not an astronaut. You know what I mean? But I can go tell people that, you know, and so like it's the same thing with being honest or whatever. And you know, I think that it's important.
Shannon (15:27.98)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (15:33.677)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (15:39.095)
Right.
Shannon (15:46.984)
Right, yeah.
Shannon (15:53.004)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (15:54.102)
to also remember that we are human and that sometimes I'm not going to be always honest and sometimes like for me it's like ego and like I get a real fear around this sometimes, you know what I mean? But how does that apply to the foundation?
Shannon (16:11.788)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (16:17.842)
How do I take fear and use the foundation to turn it into something? Again, another seed of hope or whatever. And so I'm kind of interested, like, do you find yourself in a place of inspiration? Or are you, not to be too specific, but are you like sponsoring or doing anything like that?
Shannon (16:17.929)
Right.
Shannon (16:24.555)
Yeah.
Shannon (16:43.864)
Um, yeah, I have sponsored, I'm kind of like organically moving towards more service work in like, uh, speaking at treatment centers or becoming part of, um, like actual work to help people. Do you know what I mean?
RBK Kaleidoscope (17:04.822)
I do yeah, and you know it's funny because there's kind of a split in the road at some point But I noticed that you get guys that go and you kind of follow your spot I should say I followed my sponsor and it was more book theoretical whereas you know my best friend had a different sponsor who was all about service and It seemed to me like they both had Yeah, yeah
Shannon (17:09.321)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (17:18.495)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (17:22.417)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, there's definitely those two branches, right? But, you know, one thing that I do like about the program and that is like, it's a great equalizer of people, you know, like I've been to lots of speaker meetings, different things where like there's local celebrities that are talking, you know, and they're not put on a pedestal by any means because they're just considered...
RBK Kaleidoscope (17:50.932)
No.
Shannon (17:54.316)
We're all the same when we're sitting there, you know?
RBK Kaleidoscope (17:56.566)
So that kind of sparked something for me. I know I've seen, I mean, I saw quite a few famous people in Toronto all with baseball caps pulled down, but what I'm getting at here is that I totally forgot. Service work. Yes, I'm curious, I know.
Shannon (17:59.83)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (18:19.625)
Yes, surface work.
RBK Kaleidoscope (18:26.234)
It's just, it's a mess in here. Uh, I'm curious about like how.
RBK Kaleidoscope (18:33.538)
From a growth perspective or like a, I don't know, accomplished, what does service work, what does it do for you? Like, how do you experience that feeling of, because obviously it's great reward, but what is it for you specifically that is rewarding?
Shannon (18:36.769)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (18:41.634)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (18:49.793)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (18:54.18)
Um, so for me, for some reason, it just like, just fills my cup a little bit just to see, because there's all kinds when you go into like a treatment center, there's the people that are sleeping, there's the people that are, you know, twirling their thumbs, you know, they're kind of listening, but not really. And then there's like one or two that you just see like a light bulb almost go on, you know. That is what I really like, you know.
RBK Kaleidoscope (19:21.598)
Yeah, I worked in it.
Shannon (19:22.996)
And I never talk to them again. Like there's been the odd person that asks for my number. Hey, when I'm done, can I call you or whatever? And yeah, no problem. And nine times out of 10, they don't. And you just hope that they found their place. But just to even spread hope is what I'm hoping to do.
RBK Kaleidoscope (19:40.35)
Yeah, and I think that that's exactly what you're doing. And like, like you said, it's, there's no cookie cutter here. There's, you know, we all have individual experiences that require individual things, but there are some tenants that just, to me, like I've noticed over the span of human beings, that being honest, integral, compassionate, understanding, they all seem to be these foundational characteristics or values that we use in order to like,
Shannon (19:53.292)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (19:58.782)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (20:10.402)
keep that nurturing happening over our spirit. And so can I, like I don't really know anything Shannon about you, you know, can you tell me about like what home life looks like?
Shannon (20:12.822)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (20:27.092)
right now? Okay, so I'm married and I have three kids. They are 21, 17 and 9.
RBK Kaleidoscope (20:32.661)
So.
RBK Kaleidoscope (20:37.29)
You're out of the woods. Almost. Yeah.
Shannon (20:40.428)
I was out of the woods and then got slammed right back into it. And so I'm married to my husband. It'll be 19 years this year. So I have eight and a half years sober and he has seven and a half. And so we... It's fairly predictable, which is nice. It's my life's fairly...
boring, like there's no drama type thing, which I like.
RBK Kaleidoscope (21:14.342)
Yes, yeah, it's totally like, when you say predictable, I think you're consistent, and consistency is safety. You know what I mean? And so like, I think it's such a great, and I used to always say, my new adventure is like waking up Saturday morning and going to the driving range, you know, with a clear head, you know, or movie night on Friday night, you know.
Shannon (21:20.478)
Yeah.
Shannon (21:30.825)
Well, exactly. You know how much I appreciate waking up on Saturday and going to garage sales? Like I never hit a garage sale for years and now exactly or Sunday if they're on Sunday, you know, like it just never happened and now
RBK Kaleidoscope (21:36.304)
Oh yeah, I bet, yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (21:42.392)
Especially on a Saturday morning.
Shannon (21:49.564)
You know, we used to, we play slow pitch and we have been involved in everything that involves drinking for a lot of years and then we quit drinking and we still are like, we still play ball, uh, still whatever. Um, Oh yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (21:52.33)
Ooh.
RBK Kaleidoscope (22:00.446)
Yeah, me too, actually. A lot of all. I used to. But we've got a really cool recovery league here that's probably got, I don't know, 20 teams all in recovery. Yeah. And that honestly, in the beginning for me, that was a big it was a big help. And all my friends that I have today are from that, you know, through recovery and baseball. And so, yeah.
Shannon (22:09.184)
That's awesome. Yeah.
Yeah.
Shannon (22:19.478)
Yeah.
Yeah, that's awesome. But so now, like you say, like with the predictability, you know, previously, you know, our kids would have, we'd all be walking home from the ball field and the party would be at our house after and stuff like that, you know? And so now we like finish playing and we get in the truck and we're just looking at each other and we're like, isn't this so nice? We're just like going home, we're gonna feed the kids, we can pick up food on the way home, you know, like.
RBK Kaleidoscope (22:44.147)
Yeah, right?
Shannon (22:51.512)
Just stuff that, you know, normies just don't even have a clue about that.
RBK Kaleidoscope (22:55.37)
Yeah, that's what I mean. It's like, it's the, you know, I did the parties and the, you know, hot tubs on in penthouse suites and the one thing I didn't do that scared the crap out of me was what I'm doing now, which is having kids, paying a mortgage, being responsible, and hopefully being somebody that, you know, my kids can look up to. I mean, that's the goal. Mine are one in six, so I got a lot to go. A lot. They're still cute though right now.
Shannon (23:04.405)
Yep.
Shannon (23:09.233)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (23:17.366)
Yeah.
Shannon (23:20.792)
Ha ha!
Chuck LaFLange (23:23.054)
Ha ha ha.
Shannon (23:23.632)
Yeah. Aw. Well, they still like you. That's what I say about my youngest. He's my favorite because he still likes me.
RBK Kaleidoscope (23:25.202)
Um, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I hear that too. And they're like, I don't know. I got two little girls and I know that there are little, you know, what's out there like I was, and so I can't buy gotten, so my plan is emotional intelligence. I'm going to teach him emotional intelligence and self-respect and just hope. Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (23:28.795)
I'm sorry.
Ha ha ha.
Chuck LaFLange (23:41.294)
I'm going to go ahead and close the video.
Shannon (23:44.821)
Yes.
Shannon (23:49.284)
I know that's all you can do. I know we that's what we did with our daughter too. Doesn't help my husband's six foot seven and however many pounds. He's a big dude. So that kind of helps a little bit with the boyfriend situation, but, um, you know, that's what we did is we just, I just instilled in her, you know, respect, self respect. And I was told her, don't forget, you're the prize. Don't be chasing anybody.
Chuck LaFLange (23:49.784)
Ha ha.
RBK Kaleidoscope (23:54.106)
Uh, uh, so-
Whoa.
RBK Kaleidoscope (24:03.198)
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I'm not that big.
RBK Kaleidoscope (24:17.394)
Okay, can I... This is a mirror question. Is that how you feel about yourself?
Shannon (24:22.232)
Mm-hmm.
That's an interesting question.
RBK Kaleidoscope (24:27.271)
It is, isn't it?
Chuck LaFLange (24:31.862)
Normally I would have something real smart ass to say, but we just talked about your six foot seven husband. So, all right. All right.
Shannon (24:32.928)
I guess so. Like I do have a quite a high... I think over time that has evolved to me feeling that way. Do you know what I mean? Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (24:37.33)
Yeah, yeah. So we all went there, hey? Okay. Anyways.
RBK Kaleidoscope (24:49.234)
Right. And I asked that because like when you started, that wasn't what you saw. You know, and so to me, it's like, what's happening from what I see outside perspective is that foundation that you've built is actually a foundation for more than just, it holds more than you now. It holds a family in that family. Like, I mean, that sounds awesome.
Shannon (24:54.768)
Oh no. Not at all. Yeah.
Shannon (25:12.78)
Yeah.
Shannon (25:16.097)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (25:16.598)
Saturday, I don't know what day you guys play ball, but we do Saturday at the ballpark. I bring my little girl. And it's amazing, to be honest with you. And so the foundation question is important to me because I think that it's important to know what we're standing on in order to take the next step.
Shannon (25:20.136)
Yeah, Thursday and Friday, yep.
Shannon (25:26.625)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (25:32.76)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (25:38.496)
Yeah, I know and I've always kind of said if it's not, if you don't put the work into that foundation, it's not gonna work. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (25:46.77)
Totally. Like it's like the old astronaut thing. You know, I can say that I have a great foundation, but if I haven't built it and it isn't there, it doesn't exist. Yeah. So that like that, to be honest, that's really heartwarming because, you know, you can relate that, you know, come from a place that didn't start like that in my childhood. But it started like for me, it was like my mom went to treatment.
Shannon (25:55.624)
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Shannon (26:11.011)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (26:15.294)
And it was like, yeah, we'll see. She got back. It's like, yeah, okay, we'll wait and see. And all of a sudden we have food, heat, lights, the same telephone number for more than like two months back in those days. And that foundation started for me. Now I was already pretty far gone at 14. Like I was already doing all the bad things. But like I said, I knew there was a solution somewhere.
Shannon (26:19.055)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (26:28.821)
Yeah.
Shannon (26:37.768)
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (26:44.15)
So when I was 19 or 20, whenever I started, I went in to my first meeting in Calgary actually on, it was called the 272 Group, right off of 29th and Center, I think, Northwest. Might've been right on Center actually. And I just like, I knew, I knew that this would work. It wasn't a question about that. But what I didn't know was what it was going to gift me.
Shannon (26:44.79)
Right.
Shannon (26:58.855)
Okay, yeah.
Shannon (27:05.569)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (27:11.998)
relative to the rest of my life and bringing up human beings. And like now in my 40s, I'm glad I had kids in my 40s because it'd be just a mess right now. But I can see how so much has contributed to my, not even my ability, to see my little girl smile and live happy and feel safe in a house.
Shannon (27:15.959)
Mm-hmm. Right. Mm-hmm.
Shannon (27:24.735)
Right?
Shannon (27:37.514)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (27:39.722)
which was to me, I never really had that, where it was, yeah.
Shannon (27:42.652)
Right. Isn't that beautiful to give that gift? Like that is awesome.
RBK Kaleidoscope (27:48.978)
There aren't words in the English language to describe what that feels like, to break that cycle. And then, you know, I don't know about you, but the alcoholism thing goes on for generations and generations. You know, I think I'm every white thing under the book as far as being French, English, Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, Cree.
Shannon (27:53.516)
Yeah.
Shannon (28:00.736)
generations. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (28:17.026)
I think that's it. No, there's just more. There's gotta be more. But it's like the melting pot of alcoholics getting together in a saloon. And that's how I ended up here. Yeah.
Shannon (28:23.756)
Well, so I'm Irish. I'm Irish, Shannon. A little bit of Italian and a little bit of Heinz 57, I don't know. But so I mean Irish, okay, Italian, okay. Plus just like, how about a temper to throw that in there with your alcoholism?
RBK Kaleidoscope (28:33.766)
Yeah, yeah, right.
RBK Kaleidoscope (28:37.482)
out.
Chuck LaFLange (28:39.734)
Whiskey and wine, yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (28:42.142)
Yeah, whiskey, wine, and a temper. Yeah, maybe some hands talking.
Shannon (28:48.28)
Yeah, yeah, that's what my husband used to say. She sure is little, but she sure is scary.
Chuck LaFLange (28:49.122)
Welcome to another episode of the Racial Profiling Show.
RBK Kaleidoscope (28:55.443)
Yeah, your husband's calling you scary? That's sick, seven. That's impressive. Wow. Yeah, I got to do a lot of work to be scary. I don't know. Well, that's cool. I mean, I think like, it's okay. I'm going to go another way a little bit. So we did talk about a little bit about.
Shannon (28:55.456)
Yeah.
Yeah. Right.
Chuck LaFLange (29:00.69)
Ha ha ha.
Shannon (29:07.029)
Ha ha!
Yeah.
Shannon (29:17.599)
Okay.
RBK Kaleidoscope (29:20.094)
you know, outside help and, you know, I'm not asking for specifics, but how did, how does, how did that enhance your, your journey? And at what point in your journey, did you decide you're ready to, to go through a therapeutic process or whatever he did?
Shannon (29:22.561)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (29:36.828)
Mm-hmm. So I kind of feel like when I first went in, I was void of any things spiritually, mentally, you know, all those things that make you enjoy your life or feel like a whole person. I was kind of felt void of all those. So going in, you know, and I think
this might be what kind of makes it successful for newcomers is you see a lot of people when you go in, if you go into the right room, it has to be the right room, that genuinely laughing, genuinely caring about each other, genuinely interested in what's going on around them. And I hadn't felt that in...
RBK Kaleidoscope (30:15.619)
Heh.
Shannon (30:35.252)
kind of a long time because I had turned so inwards that I just was kind of grasping at anything that would help me come out of that, right?
RBK Kaleidoscope (30:47.146)
Yeah, and it's almost, I can't put my finger on it, but there's a uniqueness to that safety or something. Like if I go onto a baseball team, I don't feel that right away. Or if, you know, if I, I don't know, join a bowling league, I don't know. But anything I do, book club, I'm not gonna feel like that. But all of a sudden there's this like permission that happens and it's like, there's a magic in the support system that allows you to be
Shannon (30:55.084)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (30:58.856)
Right. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (31:17.338)
almost okay to be vulnerable with yourself, maybe for the first time, which is like a hard thing to do. And it's hard to look at ourselves at any time.
Shannon (31:26.172)
Oh yeah, it is. Well, and I mean, we have this pride about like, I wore my character defects almost as a badge of honor, you know? And so to go into these rooms and figure out that's what's upsetting me so much, you know, that that's what I have to work through and that I wasn't unique, that was...
RBK Kaleidoscope (31:36.766)
Yeah.
Shannon (31:55.6)
something else for me to deal with, right?
RBK Kaleidoscope (31:57.894)
I can still deal with that. So yeah, I get that. Yeah. But yeah, so you came in void of those things and then you got some like, you know, recovery in the basic texts and the 12 traditions and how those work together and really put it together. But I don't know about you, but like, I hit a lot of times where I hit year four, year five, that, you know, I started to.
Shannon (32:03.104)
You know.
Shannon (32:07.518)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (32:22.635)
Yep.
RBK Kaleidoscope (32:25.49)
my arrogance or my defects really started to take hold. I can't say that I was working this amazing program. I think I sponsored people for Ego in those days. And so, what was it? Can you define it? Maybe a year, how far in before you? Yeah, like.
Shannon (32:35.956)
Right, yeah, yeah.
Shannon (32:43.736)
like a time frame before I felt like oh yeah I need some uh not very long probably yeah like a year because I kind of feel like you have that high of rediscovering things like I remember one day
RBK Kaleidoscope (32:53.686)
Good for you.
RBK Kaleidoscope (32:58.847)
Yeah.
Shannon (33:04.328)
walking by my friend's house at seeing a tree in his front yard for the first time that I'd seen every time I'd walked by his house to take my kids to the swimming pool. And it was this one spring, my first sober spring, where I was like, Oh my God, that's a beautiful tree. And it was fully grown. So obviously it had been there for a long time, but it had all these blossoms on it. And you know, it smelled nice. And I had just never even noticed it before. So like your first year is full of stuff like that, right?
RBK Kaleidoscope (33:31.614)
Yeah, the peak cloud.
Shannon (33:32.948)
And then when that kind of, yeah, and then when that kind of.
Chuck LaFLange (33:33.482)
I just gotta say, I gotta jump in on that one for a quick second if you don't mind. That's just you flexing as an alcoholic because us former coke addicts, we can't smell the tree. We can. It's done. It's gone. Right? Yeah. So thanks for showing off and, you know, yeah, right. Yeah. Still got still didn't lose my license, so whatever. Right. You know.
RBK Kaleidoscope (33:46.082)
Smells like diesel. I think though, I think what you just talked about Shannon is something that we talk about a lot. And that is.
Shannon (33:52.48)
Okay, yeah
Where are we talking about ego? Yeah.
Shannon (34:00.788)
Yeah, okay, fine.
RBK Kaleidoscope (34:10.714)
again being in concert with the earth as it's spinning and we're present in our own existence. You walk by that tree every day and your mind was somewhere else. But in that moment, it wasn't. It was with the tree. It was where you were at that time. And how often can we say that? Even now, how often can I say that I'm present in my own existence? And it's probably with practice a couple times a day.
Shannon (34:14.446)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (34:20.295)
Mm-hmm. Yes.
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Yeah.
Shannon (34:35.104)
Right.
Shannon (34:39.252)
Yes.
RBK Kaleidoscope (34:39.57)
I'm usually in Yesterday or Tomorrow, which are these fictional bad vibes.
Shannon (34:45.424)
And you know, that brings me, like speaking of that is, so I live with anxiety and panic attacks and stuff like that. And one of my therapists that I saw told me four words that kind of I try to go to regularly, which is right here, right now. And so if you like you say, be conscious in the right here, right now.
RBK Kaleidoscope (35:05.71)
Ha ha, love it, I love that.
Shannon (35:13.292)
a lot of stuff falls away from you that you're either thinking of or bothered by, you know. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (35:17.878)
The noise, yeah, I do. Yeah, we did an episode called F the Noise, with the full letter. And that's what we're talking about is like, that's the noise that made you miss the tree. You know what I mean? And like, yeah.
Shannon (35:23.224)
Oh. Mm-hmm.
Chuck LaFLange (35:23.35)
Yeah, we did.
Shannon (35:29.896)
Yes. Right? I was probably pissed off at my kids because they were walking too far behind me or you know somebody drove by too fast or you know all these things that are exterior stimulus that just take you away from that appreciation, right?
RBK Kaleidoscope (35:37.017)
Yeah.
It just.
RBK Kaleidoscope (35:43.466)
Meanwhile, there's this beautiful tree growing your whole life. I mean, yeah, I mean, I had a profound moment like that watching the sunset. And that's really, I don't know what you really, when I, when I, I'm going to say from my early thirties on sunsets to me have been that moment that I can consciously actively participate in my life by watching something absolutely beautiful, you know, and, and so I'm watching a sunset in Mexico and I realized that.
Shannon (35:47.01)
Yeah.
Shannon (36:06.418)
Mm-mm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (36:11.738)
my human potential is directly correlated to my understanding of the universe itself. In other words, I'm capable of just about anything as big as I can think, because I don't know where the universe ends. And that's the same as my potential. I don't know where it ends. But as long as I have action and I have commitment, effort, environment, and perception in my control, then I can live in this existence that I get to sit down and watch the sunset or I get to notice the tree. And so...
Shannon (36:25.792)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (36:40.82)
Right.
RBK Kaleidoscope (36:42.362)
I kind of want to keep on this thread a little bit if we could because there's a time that therapy isn't a part of your recovery and then there's a time that both of them are. And can you like think of like, did you notice that both of those things together have made a solution for you?
Shannon (36:46.167)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (37:05.024)
Well, I definitely knew, like say that I needed to like see professional help, right?
Shannon (37:15.092)
And I will say that.
There was a time where, and even up till now, like going to meetings and stuff like that just hasn't been my priority, even though I still identify as part of the program, I kind of wasn't as, or still not as consistent about going there, right? But like I have...
Well, the other thing with professional help is how expensive it is, right? So, I mean, sometimes you got to let that go a little bit. And I just kind of feel like. I'm going to say this, but it's going to sound rude, but like the free ones that you get from your.
RBK Kaleidoscope (37:44.639)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (37:48.236)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (37:59.215)
EAP in Sofia. Yeah, yeah.
Shannon (38:00.508)
Yeah, like, I can just like chew them up and you know what I mean? I've just had... Yeah, so yeah, so I don't want to sound like rude or mean or anything like that or but I just know I need more than that, right? So...
RBK Kaleidoscope (38:06.243)
Yeah. Twist them around. Oh yeah, I know. I'm a therapist, of course I know.
RBK Kaleidoscope (38:19.914)
Well, if it helps, you're on with myself and Chuck. So you're always gonna look good, no matter what you say, because we'll come up with something worse, I'm sure. So I wouldn't worry too much about that. But no, I definitely, I certainly agree. I think that, I think there's also a right fit for therapists as well. And you know, like, I'm not gonna say, I think that fit comes easier with.
Shannon (38:24.737)
Yes.
Shannon (38:32.328)
Right. Yeah. Okay. Noted.
Shannon (38:42.112)
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (38:48.435)
a higher training but not always you know and
Shannon (38:52.78)
Right, so I guess what I'm trying to say is, there was a shift to where I felt more value to having professional help, than like going to meetings and being in the rooms. Do you know?
RBK Kaleidoscope (39:05.766)
Yeah, but they didn't replace one another. You just kind of.
Shannon (39:08.7)
No, not at all. No. Well, and I mean, that's part of like, if we're speaking about what makes a good foundation and, and what is helps people be successful. I mean, I can only speak to my own but you know, I never used any of the meetings as therapy sessions or, you know, I knew that was just sort of to like, lay a foundation of
how to live my life type thing, you know, based on those steps, this is how you react in situations or whatever, you know. And I think maybe sometimes a lot of people use it for the wrong reasons or, you know, because you can have one person that sits in that chair for 20 years and never gets the message and you can have somebody that sits there for three months and gets the message, right?
RBK Kaleidoscope (39:53.502)
Yep, certainly. And I think, you know, furthermore...
RBK Kaleidoscope (40:03.706)
It's almost like, you know, I guess, I guess, I like to use the word universe, but you know, like, it's almost like it was God had this plan and this is the way it was supposed to be, like, you know, and I had to go through the things I had to go through to figure out who I was. And, you know, so I don't, that's not something I ever want to question. But having said that,
Shannon (40:15.873)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (40:33.166)
You say, I'm going to reference something I don't typically like to, but the time. So I just want to say, like, you know, I know what eight years is. And that's amazing. You know, like that is not an easy thing to do. And I know it's not just you, but there's a whole support network and, and people that have invested in that as well. And you know, like we do, we do that to make ourselves better. Like, you know.
Shannon (40:43.605)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (40:52.333)
Thank you.
RBK Kaleidoscope (40:59.026)
everybody that goes and sits in the seat, they help someone to help themselves. And there's nothing wrong with that in any way. But it is really cool to see how this sober family functions and how the foundation has really like, you have broken the cycle. You know, there's the, I don't know if you're aware, but like 50% of addiction is genetic.
and then the other 50 is usually social or, you know, social influence. And so what you've done is at least taken away that 50% that is in the gray area. You know, there's nothing we can do about genetics, but, you know, when I first heard that, I first thought, oh, 50%, man, I'm screwed. But then I thought about it and I was like, well, this is another whole 50% to play with. You know what I mean? And so that, that's really cool for me to hear.
Shannon (41:40.344)
Mm-hmm. Right.
Shannon (41:49.166)
Yeah.
Shannon (41:52.997)
Yeah, yeah, that's true.
RBK Kaleidoscope (41:58.102)
that your kids are experiencing, you know, really the way the cycle breaks. And then ultimately, what if, and I like to dream, but you know, what if down the line, there's like, oh, 200 years ago, our family had addiction problems, but you know, right? And like, we, you know, like I chase addiction all the way back to anywhere I can find my family. And I'd like, it'd be cool if my daughters, granddaughters could trace it back to me.
Shannon (42:05.583)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (42:14.848)
Right, right? Cause wouldn't that be amazing? Mm-hmm.
Shannon (42:22.968)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (42:28.18)
Right. Yeah, that would be amazing. That would be amazing. You know, well, let you know when my youngest grows up because he is a product of just the 50%. The other ones, the other ones are 21 and 17. Yeah. But yeah, you know, but I'm there if something ever comes up for them. And I pray that we have a good enough relationship that they feel like they can come to me if they're
RBK Kaleidoscope (42:28.682)
You know, I think, yeah, I think so.
RBK Kaleidoscope (42:39.314)
Right. All right. Yeah. Right. Because I'm not a mathematician. Yeah. So there. But I mean,
Shannon (42:57.224)
if they feel they have a problem, you know?
RBK Kaleidoscope (42:59.154)
Yeah, I think what you said there is really, really powerful and carries a lot of weight. And it's really simple that I'm there. And, you know, like, I don't know, I can't speak for anyone else, but I mean, I've had some abuse, but I think that the most hurt I experienced was the neglect, you know, of growing up in a household of addiction. And, you know, it's not to blame anybody. But...
Shannon (43:28.054)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (43:29.626)
Ultimately, I think I'm pretty sure I knew loneliness before I knew love. You know what I mean? Like, and that's certainly not anything I want for my little girls.
Shannon (43:35.136)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (43:42.056)
Yeah, that's so rampant in households that we grew up with that, you know.
RBK Kaleidoscope (43:48.768)
Yeah.
Yeah, but you know, I think doing things like this, you know, is our drop in the bucket. You know, who knows, maybe somebody listens to this and takes that and focuses on presence in their home. Maybe not even addiction issues, maybe just presence issues, you know. And so hopefully that, you know, what we're doing here impacts people. Yeah.
Shannon (44:01.793)
Yep.
Shannon (44:06.391)
Mm-hmm.
Right. Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (44:18.606)
All said. Hey, guys.
RBK Kaleidoscope (44:21.058)
Quiet timer.
Chuck LaFLange (44:23.306)
Well, I said this in the Ramble last weekend here. We did an episode on parenting and recovery. It was kind of in front of us. And I found myself saying almost nothing. And to me, that's a great episode because, let's face it, people are gonna get tired of hearing me talk at some point. But I'm picking up, I'm listening, and sometimes that's what we're best served to do, right? Is just to listen, and the conversation you guys are having is wonderful. I'm not a 12-stepper.
Shannon (44:25.116)
Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (44:53.474)
And it's not because I have anything against us, because that's not where my journey went, but to hear what you guys are talking about to me is truly informative for me. So that's why I'm shutting up through it. And it wouldn't be me if I didn't jump in with the odd smart ass, but that's just who I am. All of that said, you guys, we are getting to the mark now where we've all got things that we've got to get on to doing this evening for you guys today for me. I'll admit, I'm gonna take this little bite.
Shannon (44:56.128)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (45:09.598)
Yeah. Yeah, true. True.
Chuck LaFLange (45:23.086)
beach. That's on my list for today. Hey, I worked most of the night. So it's I'm allowed to right? You know? Yeah, yeah. Right.
RBK Kaleidoscope (45:26.544)
You go to the beach, poor guy. Crisp 25. That's fair.
Shannon (45:29.055)
Oh yeah.
Shannon (45:36.768)
Well, you know, Chuck, I just want to, sorry, I want to say that that's what I like about your platform is it's a safe space for people of all platform or what am I trying to say? Like anybody that has any form of recovery can come here and feel safe to share it. Right. Yeah, that's yeah, exactly. You know? Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (45:51.955)
recovery methods.
Absolutely, right. And I take a lot of pride in that. I do, right? I do. I think it's unfortunate that
RBK Kaleidoscope (46:00.775)
I think that might be the best compliment that the show's got.
Chuck LaFLange (46:05.866)
Right? I mean, I mean people commenting on my voice it looks that helps too. I'm just saying folks if you're gonna drop something in the comments, but you know, yeah, yeah. Of course it is.
RBK Kaleidoscope (46:06.114)
There's a lag there. Well, it might be to have a safe space.
Chuck LaFLange (46:18.75)
I was saying that I'm not a 12-stepper. And I think my journey over the last, we're coming up on a year since the podcast has been out, the 27th of this month actually, will be since I started. What I've noticed is a tendency for 12 steps to be villainized by some, or not maybe villainized, well, yeah, villainized is the right word, by some. I think that's the far extremes. And at the end of the day,
Shannon (46:42.994)
Mm-hmm.
Chuck LaFLange (46:47.298)
millions and millions of people have been helped with 12 step programs, millions. It's by far the most prolific thing in recovery and it's kind of the go-to and personally I feel like, well I know my first 30 days doesn't happen without it. There's no way, right? And I went to do different things, my path took a different course after that. It was more about logistics than anything. It's a beautiful thing that the...
Fellowship part for me. I'll tell you what if they had a meeting in Krabi, I would be there in a heartbeat Right, just to find other people in the same mindset as you right? And and there are there are zero meetings here a and a Koda you name it. None of them are here, right?
RBK Kaleidoscope (47:21.122)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (47:25.024)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (47:30.648)
Well, and I think lots of people will go into... yeah, yeah. But I mean, I think lots of people, and talking about the villainizing of AA, 12 Steps, lots of people can go into one room and have a really bad experience and that they identify all of AA, is that right? But you know, there's this saying that we always say is like...
Chuck LaFLange (47:35.394)
Go ahead.
Chuck LaFLange (47:50.398)
and end. Go ahead, go ahead.
Go ahead.
Shannon (47:56.36)
I was gonna say there's this saying where it's like take what you need and leave the rest and it's like I Don't have to care that person was Mad about something. I don't have to care that they disagreed with somebody like That's not my problem, you know, but I'm here to Learn how to be a better person You know Yeah
Chuck LaFLange (48:16.694)
And I think if you're new to it, as was I, so I'll tell you where my journey with 12 Step Ended was I found a resentment. But that I think with the benefit of a lot of hindsight now and living, eating, shitting, drinking, breathing recovery for the last year that I've been doing this and a lot of self-introspection, that had more to do with me looking for resentments than it did for the, you know.
RBK Kaleidoscope (48:16.734)
And boom, isn't that what we want?
Shannon (48:26.157)
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Chuck LaFLange (48:45.694)
And so for a newcomer to come in, find a resentment, it's such an easy thing to do. And I hope that maybe this part, this message gets to, if you find something that doesn't work for you, go to another meeting. And if that one doesn't work for you, go to another one. Whatever it takes. I think there's different people in different rooms who are gonna give you different results. The Al-Anon, Narnon bunch gets a bad rap that way. Sorry, sorry, Ryan, go ahead.
Shannon (48:53.778)
Oh yeah.
Shannon (49:06.868)
Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (49:10.498)
I think we learned early.
RBK Kaleidoscope (49:16.578)
Well, I was just saying I think I think we learn early to take we take whatever we're feeling that we don't like and put It into something and that it's really easy to do is to put it into a resume because that's something we know how to do And then what we learn in that journey is about Humility and acceptance and all those things that are foundational pieces But we you know, it's like a fish doesn't know he's in water until they leave water like we don't know how
Shannon (49:16.749)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (49:28.972)
Mm-hmm.
Chuck LaFLange (49:29.366)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (49:44.174)
up we are until we start to look at how actually we start doing four and a five and a six and a seven and an eight and ultimately a nine, which is my favorite. But yeah, I think it's just natural for us from social programming to take something and put it into anger. Especially as men in North America, that's what we learn how to do with our emotions is turn it either into anger or into...
Shannon (50:06.75)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (50:13.526)
You know, excitement. But there's a whole wheel of emotions that don't get addressed, is my point. And then we learn that as we go through. I know you're trying to wrap it up here, and I just wanted to like...
Shannon (50:20.044)
Mm-hmm.
Chuck LaFLange (50:26.603)
It's more about your guys' schedule than it is about mine.
RBK Kaleidoscope (50:30.718)
Well, like Shannon, it's been, it's really cool.
RBK Kaleidoscope (50:36.97)
that the product of commitment, the product of investment or commitment, effort, environment and perception and your life has become this really, to me, like really cool. It's what I'm trying to do, you know, with my family. And you managed to do that by building this process and like we know nothing comes easy. A lot. I'm sure a lot of.
Shannon (50:54.421)
Mm-hmm.
RBK Kaleidoscope (51:05.55)
of gone into where you are right now in a lot of struggle. But it just, I think we get to a point that's like, shit, yeah, that's, you know, it's worth it. You know, I see my little girl smile. I'm like, yeah, it's worth it. Yeah, it is. All that shit I went through. Yeah. So thank you. I just really wanna thank you for your showcase of, again, resilience of the human spirit and your love for the gift of life.
Shannon (51:09.119)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (51:16.902)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (51:24.187)
Oh yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (51:33.107)
which is obvious and apparent in how you speak and how you talk about what you build. So appreciate it.
Shannon (51:33.795)
Mm-hmm.
Shannon (51:38.3)
Yeah, awesome. Thank you for that. That's nice words. Thank you.
RBK Kaleidoscope (51:42.902)
Thank you, Canadian standoff. Oh no, what do I do with that? What do I do? Oh yeah, thank you. And off it goes. You're welcome.
Chuck LaFLange (51:43.294)
stuff. That is a... I've never heard that before. Oh my gosh, that is wonderful. I've never heard that before. That's gonna make a reel right there. That is yeah, yeah for sure. Okay, listen guys, that takes us at quite a nice segue into my favorite part of the show. That is the Daily
Shannon (51:47.297)
You're welcome.
Shannon (51:52.256)
Just say thank you again.
Chuck LaFLange (52:12.334)
I'll let you off for some gratitude.
Shannon (52:16.548)
Uh, today I am grateful for, uh, yesterday, actually, so it kind of, I had a really good weekend. So I'm grateful for having a good weekend, spending time with my kids. We did three hockey games in the weekend. One of them was the Hitman game yesterday. So I took my son, my husband, my son, and one of his friends, and just to see the magic of watching professionals, athletes, professional athletes play in a sport that he loves watching was...
Pretty special, so that's still sitting with me today for sure.
RBK Kaleidoscope (52:48.566)
Very cool.
Chuck LaFLange (52:49.538)
That's awesome. It's awesome. I actually years and years ago in another life moved Brett, the Hitman heart. There's a whole story there, let me tell you. I'm not gonna get into it on this platform, but yeah. Brian, what you got for some got a toots?
Shannon (52:58.719)
Oh.
RBK Kaleidoscope (53:02.939)
Heh.
RBK Kaleidoscope (53:06.102)
Oh yeah, I should be ready for these. How about, how about compassion and forgiveness?
Chuck LaFLange (53:10.038)
You would think.
RBK Kaleidoscope (53:20.386)
Um, and those that seek to understand, um, and then of course, my girls. Yeah. Even, even pepper. My dog's a girl. I live in a household of girls. Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (53:31.178)
All three of them.
Chuck LaFLange (53:36.24)
Ha ha
Shannon (53:37.035)
That's really nice.
Chuck LaFLange (53:39.246)
So there's a small silly gratitude. My toilet paper budget. It occurred to me this morning that being a single guy, I don't have a toilet paper budget. I've literally used two roles in two months. I'm like, that's because I don't live with women. So being single has its ups and that's, you know, right. That's it right there. Right. Yeah. All right. Oh, I've lived in a house full of women. I get it. Right. Yeah. That's a lot of talk. What? How the f... What are you talking about?
RBK Kaleidoscope (53:56.835)
Ha ha
Shannon (53:59.126)
Oh yes, I'm sure Ryan understands that.
RBK Kaleidoscope (54:00.598)
Oh yeah. We go through toilet paper. Oh yeah. Yeah.
Shannon (54:07.782)
Hehehehehe
Chuck LaFLange (54:09.23)
Right, so I use as a bachelor, I could survive on gas station toilet paper. I could just like roll a bunch up at any gas station I was at and it would be good. Right, I never bought it for like 10 years, right? It was, yeah, so anyway, that's a silly gratitude.
Shannon (54:11.462)
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (54:12.068)
There's some pretty...
RBK Kaleidoscope (54:17.814)
Ha ha ha.
RBK Kaleidoscope (54:22.93)
There's a comedian that does a clip, hold on, women do this with toilet paper and men do this fold thing and it's so funny. Like they use one square, women use like 40.
Chuck LaFLange (54:35.39)
It's so true.
Shannon (54:40.232)
It is, yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (54:42.57)
I also live in a country with butt guns, so that affects the... Well, now that we're doing it, butt guns. Here, you don't flush toilet paper, right? It's not a thing that you can do in Thailand. So we have butt guns. Like literally, everybody has a hose besides their toilet, right? Yeah, right? They don't flush it, right? So way less toilet paper, right? Because it's just there to dry off with, right? So yeah, anyway. Now that we've covered that...
RBK Kaleidoscope (54:43.236)
Anyway, enough of the party talk.
Shannon (54:55.208)
Right. Yeah. Same with Mexico. I was just in Mexico. They don't flush.
RBK Kaleidoscope (55:08.514)
Sure. Yeah.
Shannon (55:09.8)
Yeah, it's not my favorite. Like going into those washrooms, we went to this ball game in Mexico and there's like a trash can in each stall where you put your toilet paper. As a Canadian, I just was like, but you know what? They don't think anything of it because that's just how they grew up. And we're just like, uh, what? I have to put it in there? Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (55:11.222)
I don't know if I'm gonna make a real out of today's gratitudes.
Chuck LaFLange (55:30.134)
Yeah, but they don't have the butt guns there then? No?
Yeah.
RBK Kaleidoscope (55:36.538)
I feel sorry for the guy with that job cleaning those out.
Chuck LaFLange (55:40.614)
Yeah, yeah, so here it's very different. So yeah, yeah anyway Okay, that devolved rather quickly. I apologize to the audience for that. Yeah Listen for myself past toilet paper budget or lack thereof. Okay. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. You guys behave. Okay That's the toilet paper budget I am also grateful to Chad for coming on for another episode
RBK Kaleidoscope (55:42.58)
Anyway.
Shannon (55:47.319)
I know, but you know what, it's good to learn those things.
Shannon (55:53.052)
K.
RBK Kaleidoscope (55:53.762)
They know what they're getting into.
Shannon (55:56.306)
Exactly.
Chuck LaFLange (56:10.742)
I do love having you on the show, Shen. I do, right? Yeah. The focus so often now is with these big content creators and, you know, it just happens that way. The show kind of evolves that way. And the thing about yourself is, you've just got this real authentic thing about you. There's no questioning it. There's never any motive. There's nothing to push. There's not another brand to promote. I just love having you on because you're just so genuine and I really do appreciate that about you, so.
Shannon (56:16.146)
Aww, thank you!
Shannon (56:39.)
Aww, that's really kind. Thank you. I appreciate that. I appreciate you guys too for having me.
Chuck LaFLange (56:40.866)
Yeah, thank you. Yeah, that's very true. I just call as soon as I see them, right? You know, yeah. Okay, it's my gratitude now. You could have said that earlier, you didn't. It's mine. Okay, so just shh. I'm kidding. I'm just talking tough. I'm sorry. I totally shushed a guest. Yeah, oh my God. I'm going to podcast hell. I'm also very grateful to
Shannon (56:56.764)
Okay, next time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
RBK Kaleidoscope (56:57.91)
just you just shusher.
RBK Kaleidoscope (57:04.866)
Yeah, you did. Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (57:09.138)
Every single person who continues to like, comment, share, support, watch, whatever, listen, do all the things, the buttons down at the bottom. Every time you do any one of these things, you're getting me a little bit closer to living my best life. My best life is to make a humble living, spreading the message. The message is this. If you're in active addiction right now, today could be the day. Today could be the day that you start a lifelong journey. Reach out to your friends, reach out to a family member, call into detox, go to a meeting, pray, go to church. I don't care.
Shannon (57:09.409)
Yeah.
Chuck LaFLange (57:37.238)
Do whatever it is you have to do to get that journey started, because it is so much better than the alternative. And if you have a loved one who's suffering an addiction right now, you're just taking the time to listen to this. You just take one more minute out of your day and text that person, let them know they're loved. Use the words.
RBK Kaleidoscope (57:56.154)
You are loved.
Shannon (57:56.894)
You are loved.
Chuck LaFLange (57:59.734)
That little glimmer of hope just might be the thing that brings them back.
RBK Kaleidoscope (58:06.986)
I was too slow on it.
Chuck LaFLange (58:06.996)
The timing thing at the end there is great.
Shattered Stigma
Yatra
Morning Cup
