John Bradshaw has in recent years become a prominent figure in American culture.

John Bradshaw has in recent years become a prominent figure in American culture. His book Homecoming reached number one on the bestseller lists, and a 10-hour PBS series on his work, seen by millions, won a coveted Emmy nomination. His lectures and workshops fill halls from coast to coast, and audiotapes of his books also top the charts. He has been the subject of writeups in virtually every major magazine and newspaper in the nation. In short, it's unusual for people in America to go for too many days without hearing the name John Bradshaw at some point.

His fundamental message, which grew out of the emotional wounds of his childhood and was fired in the crucible of a raging alcohol addiction, is this: virtually all of us were significantly wounded in childhood, and must heal our inner child if we are ever to become healthy, integrated adults.

Bradshaw's "inner child work" sees shame as a pivotal, insidious and destructive force, planted within us by misguided parents and kept alive until it is exposed to the healing light of day. His work focuses on healing these deep, shame-based wounds.

In this interview with Dr. Daniel Redwood, Bradshaw goes into greater depth than ever before on a number of subjects, including one controversial issue in the recovery community--the question of labeling. If a man like Bradshaw hasn't had a drink in decades, Redwood asks, should he still label himself an alcoholic? Bradshaw's answers to this and other questions reflect both independence of thought and recognition of complexity.