The Awakening: The Lybarger's Story of Forgiveness, Hermetic Practice, and Spiritual Sobriety

·1 hr 24 min·5 clips

Lee Leibarger, an 83-year-old former Navy officer, shares how he quit drinking after 10 years of sobriety and reconnected with his son.

["Host Pop Buchanan introduces the episode with guests Lee Leibarger and his son Richard 'Rick' Leibarger, focusing on their story of forgiveness and spiritual sobriety.", "Lee begins by recounting his history of drinking since high school, through his Navy service, and up to 10 years ago when he quit.", "He explains that AA did not work for him despite being a leader in a group, and his sobriety came from a mental shift after reading the Kabbalion, a book on hermetic philosophy.", "Lee describes his disillusionment with organized religion after a pastor refused to baptize his son, which influenced his spiritual path.", "He details his current fitness regimen at age 83, including walking 7,000 steps weekly, calisthenics, and using an oximeter to monitor heart rate and oxygen levels.", "Lee demonstrates specific exercises like catwalk, high knees, Hindu push-ups, and a breathing routine called 'Buddha of a thousand arms.'", "He shares his morning activation routine involving stretches, head rolls, and balance exercises to maintain physical health without medication.", "Rick discusses his own journey, starting drinking at 14 to cope with his father's absence and dealing with depression and anger.", "He explains how his 12-year-old daughter's comment about his drinking prompted him to seek change, leading to sobriety four years ago.", "Rick highlights the importance of forgiveness in reconnecting with his father after 25 years, emphasizing boundaries and personal growth.", "He talks about using tools like meditation, breath work, and energy healing from the Modern Mystery School to support his recovery.", "The conversation touches on themes of spiritual beings having a human experience and the eternal nature of the soul.", "Lee offers advice on maintaining sobriety through daily affirmations, such as repeating 'every day and every way I am better' and rejecting negative thoughts.", "He shares a personal ritual of saying a prayer before drinking any liquid, focusing on gratitude, love, peace, health, abundance, wisdom, and renewal.", "Rick provides a prayer for listeners, encouraging connection to inner light and the power within, and mentions his website wisdom1.com for resources.", "Pop Buchanan reflects on his own family struggles, including a brother he hasn't spoken to in 10 years, relating to the themes of forgiveness.", "The episode concludes with Pop emphasizing the never-too-late message of transformation and a call to men and fathers to fight for love and sobriety.", "Throughout, the dialogue blends personal testimony with practical advice on fitness, spirituality, and emotional healing.", "The father-son dynamic serves as a central narrative arc, illustrating how sobriety can mend broken relationships.", "The episode runs about an hour and a half, ending with the host's signature 'pop bounce' and a message of hope for those dealing with addiction."]

As heard by us

A father and son follow sobriety into forgiveness, spiritual practice, and a reopened family door.

Forgiveness lands here as something practiced, not neatly declared. Lee Leibarger is seen through starting over, recovery, and spiritual work, while Richard Leibarger, also known as Wisdom One, looks back on distance, anger, frustration, and the slow return between father and…

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a recovery conversation where family distance, spiritual practice, and forgiveness share the same room.

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