Rogue Counselor

Episode 4: Step 4 – “The Moral Inventory – Clarity Without Shame”

Easier Ways & Underearning – Recovery Series with Randy Hyden and Mike Shoeman

In this episode, Randy and I explore one of the most transformative — and often misunderstood — steps in recovery.

Under Earners Anonymous – Step 4
“Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”

Easier Ways – Step 4
“We made a detailed inventory of our strengths, weaknesses, and misconceptions.”

What Is a Moral Inventory?
Step 4 is not about self-condemnation. It is about clarity.
Randy reframes the idea of a “moral inventory” away from punishment or shame and toward honest self-assessment.
This step invites us to look at:

• Our strengths
• Our weaknesses
• Our misconceptions
  *Our resentments
• Our patterns

The goal is not to prove we are broken. The goal is to understand ourselves accurately.

Moving from Victimhood to Responsibility
One of the key themes in this episode is responsibility — not as blame, but as empowerment. When we remain in resentment, we stay entangled. When we examine our part, we regain agency. Randy walks through the practical structure of listing resentments — identifying people, places, or situations that trigger emotional charge — and examining how those resentments affect different areas of life. This process helps shift us from projection to ownership. Ownership does not mean self-attack. It means reclaiming choice.

Strengths Matter Too
Randy’s Easier Ways framework emphasizes something often overlooked: we inventory our strengths as well.

Recovery is not only about identifying dysfunction. It is about recognizing capacity. Seeing our strengths clearly allows us to build from wholeness rather than from deficiency.

Triggers as Indicators of Growth
This step can bring up discomfort. Randy reminds us that strong emotional reactions are not a sign to stop — they are often signs that meaningful work is happening. Instead of judging ourselves for feeling triggered, we can:

• Pause
• Offer self-compassion
• Recognize the wound
• Continue with support

This is why Step 4 is often done with a trusted partner — someone who can help bring objectivity and kindness to the process.

Inventory as Liberation
A thorough self-inventory breaks the cycle of:

• Blame
• Shame
• Projection
• Self-sabotage

It opens the door to emotional maturity, healthier relationships, and financial clarity — especially for those working through under-earning patterns rooted in unworthiness.

Reflection Question
What resentment, belief, or pattern in your life might be ready to be examined with honesty and compassion?

All viewing hours of this series are creditable in the Karmic Margin Call Project Time Bank.

Step 4 is not about becoming smaller. It is about becoming clearer.