The Recovery Radio Podcast - KMP3 - Long-Term Sobriety in A.A.

Season 1

1. Episode #1 - "Early Recovery"

   Episode 1

   Show notes

   This episode goes through the personal experience of what it was like to first show up in Alcoholics Anonymous, at the age of 18.

   Homeless, penniless, and out of ideas, the 12 Steps were the only option left.

   The host has remained sober since 1989.

   Jul 26, 2019 38 min

2. Episode #2 - "Early Recovery - Part II"

   Episode 2

   Show notes

   This episode continues with the personal experience of what it was like to first show up in Alcoholics Anonymous, at the age of 18.

   Homeless, penniless, and out of ideas, the 12 Steps were the only option left.

   The host has remained sober since 1989.

   Aug 1, 2019 50 min

3. Episode #3 - "The Obsession Returns"

   Episode 3

   Show notes

   At one year of sobriety, the obsession to drink returned, and remained for the next year and a half. Some people in A.A. told me to go drink again, that I was not "done drinking" and/or I had not really done the First Step.

   By the grace of God, I did not drink again, and was eventually led to a man who carried the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to me in a way that changed my life.

   Aug 7, 2019 35 min

4. Episode #4 - "My Guest is Dave - Part 1"

   Episode 4

   Show notes

   Today, my guest is a close friend of mine in Alcoholics Anonymous named Dave.
   He talks about prayer, the "Big Book", A.A. meetings, the Third Step, and that time he was tazed by police officers right in front of his horrified neighbors.

   After trying to get sober for twenty years, Dave received the same message I received, and it completely changed his life.

   Aug 15, 2019 57 min

5. Episode #5 - "The Problem & The Plot"

   Episode 5

   Show notes

   In this episode I discuss my understanding of what alcoholism is, and is not, according to the first 164 pages of the "Big Book"; a clear understanding of the "problem" made the application of the "solution" much, much easier.

   Aug 23, 2019 42 min

6. Episode #6 - "A.A. Meetings"

   Episode 6

   Show notes

   In this episode I discuss how my relationship with AA meetings has evolved. I talk about practicing listening, getting out of self, the 12 Traditions, giving verses taking, the loving and tolerant nature of Alcoholics Anonymous, how easy it is to play God in a meeting, and finally, about how whatever I'm looking for, I will find it in a meeting.

   Aug 29, 2019 35 min

7. Episode #7 - "When a Person Offends Us"

   Episode 7

   Show notes

   The Big Book suggests that I do very specific things when someone pisses me off.
   So I do not simply pray for that person. Rather, I ask God how I can be helpful to them, and then I take action if possible (it usually is).
   In this episode, I share about how the practice of these very suggestions has had a tremendous impact on my entire life, on my relationships, and on how I respond to this world.

   Aug 30, 2019 30 min

8. Episode #8 - "The Fellowship You Crave"

   Episode 8

   Show notes

   The "Big Book" tells us that God will show us how to create the fellowship we crave.
   In this episode, I discuss my journey through the process which eventually put me right in the middle of a group of people with whom I feel comfortable, elated, and inspired.

   Do you have the fellowship you crave?

   Sep 6, 2019 28 min

9. Episode #9 - "Gratitude"

   Episode 9

   Show notes

   In this episode, I talk about gratitude, about why it is important.
   I discuss some events, aside from the incredible gift of my sobriety, that, I believe, continue to keep me in a state of gratitude (my own flat-lining; the suicide of my best friend; September 11th, 2001).

   "I've never met anyone who relapsed because they were grateful."

   Sep 6, 2019 31 min

10. Episode #10 - "My Guest is LaDawn - Part 1"

    Episode 10

    Show notes

    A very close friend of mine shares her experience, strength, and hope.
    She started sponsoring other women when she had 33 days, and has remained sober for over two and a half years.

    She talks about, among other things, how she picked her sponsor, the 12 Steps, the amends process, keeping spiritually fit, being a stay-at-home-mom, flatulence, Taylor Swift, and Del Taco, and prayer. Not in that order.

    Sep 12, 2019 45 min

11. Episode #11 - "Amends"

    Episode 11

    Show notes

    In this episode I talk about my understanding of the point of making amends.
    I discuss the difference between an apology and an amends.
    I share stories about both giving and receiving them.

    Sep 14, 2019 30 min

12. Episode #12 - "Does Anyone Take the Steps?"

    Episode 12

    Show notes

    In this episode I discuss my general experience with sponsoring people in Alcoholics Anonymous. How many people who ask me for help actually accept my help?
    Do we need to be called out on our B.S.? Is there still B.S.?

    Sep 22, 2019 29 min

13. Episode #13 - "My Spiritual Experience"

    Episode 13

    Show notes

    In this episode I describe the powerful spiritual experience I had in 1989.
    Up until that moment I had been an atheist.
    Yet the event gave me strength I have never completely lost.

    Sep 22, 2019 29 min

14. Episode #14 - "My Guest is LaDawn - Part 2"

    Episode 14

    Show notes

    My friend LaDawn returns for part two. In this episode, I ask her about contrary action, prayer, spiritual growth, and vulnerability.

    (Other topics included: "The Whole Thirty", Star Wars, and tortilla strips verses tortilla rounds.)

    Sep 30, 2019 37 min

15. Episode #15 - "Step Three"

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    In this episode, I read Step Three from the "Big Book." I discuss, as I go, my own understanding of it.
    When this particular understanding was first passed onto me, it greatly improved the quality of my sobriety and the experience I was having with the 12 Steps, and everything else.

    Oct 6, 2019 53 min

16. Episode #16 - "Health Scare; A.A. is an All Terrain Vehicle"

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    Two weeks before I recorded this episode, I suffered from a stroke.
    Gratefully, it was minor, and I am expected to make a full recovery.
    In this episode, I check in with all of you, and talk a little bit about the last two weeks of my life.

    Oct 24, 2019 22 min

17. Episode #17 - "The Story of my First Sober Holiday/Happy Halloween"

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    On this episode, I describe the events of my first sober holiday (Halloween, 1989).
    These events were profound for me, as I began to learn that my experience in sobriety was going to be. ultimately, up to me.
    I discuss the idea of assigning new meaning to things.

    Oct 31, 2019 20 min

18. Episode #18 - "Resentments, Part One"

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    In this episode, I discuss resentments, what the "Big Book" says about them ("they destroy more alcoholics than anything else"; "these resentments must be mastered", e.g.).

    Nov 5, 2019 23 min

19. Episode #19 - "Resentments, Part Two"

    Episode 19

    Show notes

    In this episode I talk more about resentments, my understanding as to the difference between resentment and getting angry.
    I further discuss my own understanding of the Step Four process, concerning resentments.

    Nov 6, 2019 27 min

20. Episode #20 - "Restored to Sanity"

    Episode 20

    Show notes

    I hope this offers hope to anyone struggling with the obsession.
    In this episode, I read from pages 84-85 in the Big Book, where it describes being restored to sanity (this relates to the first drink). It is my favorite thing in the book, as it is all I ever wanted, and is my experience on this day.

    Nov 12, 2019 33 min