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What if your deepest regret could become the very thing that heals you, and helps someone else heal too?
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with actor, artist, and soon-to-be debut author Sean Hemeon, who just celebrated 20 years of sobriety. Sean's real-life story reads like a Hollywood script—complete with addiction, cartel connections, federal agents, and undercover work, but what makes it powerful isn't the drama, it's the emotional depth, spiritual transformation, and powerful healing that came after.
Sean shares how his greatest regret became the heartbeat of his upcoming memoir, The Good Little Drug Lord, and how he went from pain and loss to a life of purpose and love.
If you've ever struggled with shame, family wounds, or the weight of unspoken regrets, this episode is for you.
Listen now to hear how Sean turned his greatest regret into a message of healing and redemption
In this episode:
- How one life-altering regret became the inspiration for a redemptive memoir
- The difference between acknowledging regret vs. being imprisoned by it
- Why forgiveness is an active verb, and how to practice it in real time
- How resentment and unresolved trauma keep us stuck in survival mode
- How healing your inner child can transform your current relationships
- How your personal healing can influence your entire family
- The surprising way Sean's relationship with his mother was restored and strengthened
- Why every human needs to feel seen, heard, and understood—and how to be that safe space for others
Listen now if you're ready to reclaim your story and transform your pain into impact
More about Sean Hemeon & Resources Mentioned:
Sean is an actor, artist, and debut author who recently celebrated 20 years of sobriety. From appearing in shows like 9-1-1 on Fox to creating stunning artwork and penning his upcoming memoir, The Good Little Drug Lord, Sean's journey is one of radical transformation—from addiction and deep regret to healing, forgiveness, and creative purpose.
Sean's story is equal parts gripping and inspiring, as he courageously shares how his darkest moments became the foundation for his most meaningful work. His art, storytelling, and spiritual perspective offer powerful reminders that redemption is always possible—and that our greatest regrets can lead to our greatest impact and purpose.
To learn more about Sean's artwork, acting projects, or to get updates on the release of his memoir:
- Visit his website: www.seanhemeon.com
- Follow him on Instagram: @sean_hemeon
Main Takeaways & Golden nuggets of wisdom from this episode:
This conversation with Sean Hemeon is full of deeply human truths and life-shifting wisdom. Here are a few of the biggest takeaways that stood out, and may just be the insight you've been needing to hear.
- Your biggest regrets can become your greatest creative power. When regret is acknowledged instead of avoided, it became a catalyst for healing, purpose, and growth.
- Forgiveness is not a one-time act, it's an active verb. Sean's journey with his mother shows us that true forgiveness takes repetition, intention, and the courage to let go over and over again.
- Resentment may be the real habit keeping you stuck. We often think of resentment as justified anger, but it's often an old story we keep reliving. Breaking free means rewriting that narrative on purpose.
- Everyone longs to be seen, heard, and understood. Whether you're a parent, a partner, or a friend, healing happens in spaces where people feel emotionally safe.
- Transformation often starts by letting go of what we think love, healing, or purpose "should" look like. Sometimes we miss what's already there because we're expecting it to show up differently. Letting go of those old expectations is what makes room for what we've been looking for.
"Resilience comes from the heart."
For an in-depth exploration of these takeaways and more, be sure to listen to the full episode below.
Tips for applying these takeaways:
Want to apply these insights to your life? Here are some actionable steps you can take today:
- Reflect on a regret you've been avoiding. Ask yourself: What could I learn from it? What healing is still possible? Then take a small step toward creating something meaningful from that experience.
- Practice forgiveness as an active, daily verb. Repeat phrases like, "I forgive you," or "I'm ready to stop reopening this wound." Start with just one layer.
- Notice where resentment has become a habit. Is there a situation that still triggers you easily? Use it as a cue to pause, breathe, and choose healing over reliving the pain.
- Create space for someone to be seen and heard. Next time a loved one acts out or withdraws, try listening without trying to fix things or defend yourself and your beliefs to create the space to allow them to feel seen, heard, and understood.
- Let go of old expectations, and then look again. Ask yourself: What am I expecting love, success, or healing to look like? What if it's already in your life, just not in the way you thought?
You don't have to change everything today. But if today you choose one thing it'll move you closer toward your next transformation.
Listen now to gain a new perspective on regrets—and the willingness to do what's necessary to heal and learn from it.
final thoughts:
Sean's story is a great reminder that our greatest regrets have the potential to help us find purpose, heal, and grow. But that will only happen if we do something about those regrets and then release it.
We don't need to stay prisoners of our past regrets. Healing doesn't mean erasing the past. It means you're choosing not to let it control you anymore. It means you're willing to grow, even if it's uncomfortable. It's empowering to realize that you don't need a perfect past to step into a powerful future and to make a powerful impact. You just need the courage to be honest about your regrets—and the willingness to do what's necessary to heal and learn from it.
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we and people from all walks of life share their experiences and we identify the lessons, blessings, and success principles that life is providing—lessons that we can all take advantage of and learn from if we pay attention.
If you're ready to step into your full potential, make sure to listen to the episode and share it with someone who could benefit from this powerful message. And don't forget to subscribe to Recounting Life Lessons and jump onto our Insider email list for more insights, actionable tips, and empowering stories.
We are Sione & Alana
Co-Hosts and Owners of
Recounting Life Lessons
We're a married couple from Hawaii who are now living in Vancouver, Washington.
Two things that we are passionate about are:
1) Uncovering the success principles and life lessons that help us all grow into our best selves.
Our favorite ways to uncover success principles and life lessons are by sharing stories from our own adventures and interviewing inspiring guests from all walks of life on our podcast.
2) Making personal growth and consistently leveling up in your life simple and sustainable, no matter what your circumstances are.
We take special care to craft the programs and resources we create, in a way, that keeps things simple and easy to follow-through on.
Through our blog, podcast, courses, and programs, we aim to empower you to grow into your best self, live with purpose, and make a meaningful impact on the world around you.
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