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Serving others is one of the most meaningful and transformative parts of the recovery journey. It’s not always loud or dramatic. More often, it shows up in small, intentional moments of compassion, moments where we pause long enough to acknowledge someone’s struggle, sit with their emotions, or offer clarity when they feel lost.
When we show up for others in this way, we strengthen the bonds of recovery and deepen our capacity for empathy, presence, and purpose.
Why the Greatest Privilege and Responsibility of All is Serving Others
You may know Dr. Jason Powers, M.D., MAPP, as the creator of the Positive Recovery approach, the Chief Medical Officer at Positive Recovery Centers, the Author of Positive Recovery Daily Guide, and the Host of Positive Recovery MD. However, this conversation is a bit different from our other podcast episodes, as CEO George Joseph interviews Dr. Powers, who shares more about his life, career, and commitment to helping others.
Throughout their discussion, George and Dr. Powers discuss the importance of creating a culture of service, the power of positive psychology, and the interconnectedness of human connection (and our beloved pets!).
Tap the link below to listen on Spotify!
The Gift of Meeting People Where They’re At and Speaking Their Language
One of the greatest gifts we can offer in recovery is the willingness to meet people exactly where they are, not where we think they should be, not where we wish they were, but where they truly are in this moment.
In this conversation, Dr. Powers shares a story about helping coach his son’s AAU basketball team. During a game, one player lost his composure after a foul. He threw the ball, got in another player’s face, and was hit with a technical. After that, he shut down on the bench, stuck in his thoughts and frustration.
Many adults might have ignored him or lectured him. Instead, Dr. Powers walked over and met him right where he was, feeling hurt, embarrassed, and mentally checked out of the game.
Speaking to the young boy, he shared, “You know sports are mostly mental, right? This game doesn’t really matter in the whole scheme of things. If you can put what just happened behind you in a game where it doesn’t matter, just think how much better you’re going to be when it does count a ton.”
That moment was a powerful example of what it truly means to serve others by connecting with the other person. Dr. Powers was able to help the young player reinterpret the moment and offered him a way forward grounded in confidence rather than shame.
In recovery, meeting people where they are works the same way. It might look like sitting with someone who feels overwhelmed or discouraged. It might mean recognizing that someone early in recovery may still be emotionally guarded as they relearn how to navigate life. Or it could simply be acknowledging that a person’s reactions often reflect what they are carrying inside more than the moment itself.
When we hold this perspective, everything shifts. Serving others becomes less about controlling the outcome and more about supporting the person in front of us as they find their footing. It becomes an invitation rather than an interruption.
Why Effective Communication is Key to Building Quality Relationships
Serving others and effective communication go hand in hand. You can have all the knowledge and clinical skills in the world, but if you can’t connect on a deeper level, it’s hard to create real change. As George shares, “We could have all the training in the world… but it’s in the moment what happens between two human beings, two hearts, and how we communicate that as a leader and as a mentor.”
The heart of serving others isn’t just in the words we say, but how we say them and the intention behind them. It’s what creates effective communication that moves people and drives positive change.
One example is listening to understand others, not simply to just respond. Sometimes we get caught up in what we want to say to others and in getting our point across. But the most effective way to communicate is to be truly open to understanding the other person’s perspective.
Even if it’s an uncomfortable conversation, simply acknowledging someone who may be feeling discouraged and inviting them to share what’s on their mind can shift the conversation to a positive one, as they feel seen and heard.
Communicating Through Love and Accountability
Dr. Powers also highlights how even specific words like “enabling” can shut people down in recovery. Instead, he frames it as loved ones overusing the character strength of love. With this reframe, blame becomes understanding, opening the door to change rather than defensiveness.
When we communicate well, we create safety. And when people feel safe, they’re more willing to be honest, more willing to try again, and more willing to accept help.
George reinforces this by talking about accountable love, the kind of love that doesn’t just comfort but also holds people responsible in a compassionate way.
As he puts it, many family members are terrified of making things worse by confronting a loved one, when in reality, silence often allows the disease to deepen. By speaking someone’s language with empathy, honesty, and clarity, we can interrupt unhealthy patterns without shaming the person who’s struggling.
This is why word choice matters. When we adjust our language, we meet people where they’re at emotionally. We let them know, “I’m not against you. I’m with you,” because when people know the other person has their best interests at heart, even the most challenging conversations can lead to positive growth for both parties.
Enjoyed This Conversation? We’ve Got More Episodes Designed for You in Mind
If you loved this conversation about the gift of meeting people where they’re at, why effective communication is key to building quality relationships, and the importance of “Making Everything Matter”, you can listen to the full episode with George Joseph and Dr. Jason Powers here.
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