AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L.

By Howard L.Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement

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Typical duration
67 min
per episode

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AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L. episodes

September 12 Paul D. – Sober Since July 1984 (Encore Episode)
Paul’s liver disease, the result of years of heroin use and heavy drinking, nearly killed him three years ago. With no liver function and two failed transplants, survival seemed impossible. A last-minute transplant, more surgeries, and 17 days in ICU gave Paul another chance. Today, he credits his Higher Power and AA fellowship for his life—and his renewed commitment to the Program. His story is a powerful testament to sobriety, recovery, and hope.
1 hr 18 min
September 03 Ryan A. – Sober Since April 2017
Ryan grew up in a chaotic home where addiction was a best-kept secret. As an only child, Ryan’s family had also moved more than ten times by the time he was 12. Dealing with the constant loss of whatever brief friendships he experienced, the impermanence of his relationships fueled not only feelings of loneliness and isolation, but also the need to act out. Believing that alcohol and drugs would fix what was wrong with his life, Ryan opened the throttle on his growing disease during his teenage years. By 19, Ryan’s behavior warranted a short stint in AA where his half-hearted attempt was largely ineffective. Five more years of drinking and drugging landed him at inpatient treatment, followed by IOP, but once again prideful intellectualism and ego conspired with his alcoholism, and forced another slip. Landing in the same mire as before, Ryan continued to flail the disease and the mounting problems it caused during the next five years. By April of 2017, his quality of life deteriorating, Ryan finally came to AA with the willingness and desire to do whatever was necessary to achieve sobriety.
With a new commitment to stay sober, Ryan implemented all of the tools needed to succeed at sobriety. He got a sponsor and worked the steps. He attended daily meetings. He took on service responsibilities, including staffing the coffee bar four days-a-week at a large AA club. He also found time to sponsor men and attend AA retreats. The net effect of all his sincere efforts was a spiritual awareness and awakening that wholly enriched the quality of his Program.
I’ve learned a lot from Ryan during the time we’ve spent together and am pleased to see his outstretched hand of welcome to those who attend the meetings we go to each week. But for those who are relatively new in sobriety, Ryan’s demonstration of a well-worked Program will provide significant hope and inspiration for a brighter future.
So please enjoy listening to this episode of AA Recovery Interviews as you spend the next 65 minutes with my good friend and AA brother, Ryan A.
If you’ve found meaning, hope, or inspiration through my AA Recovery Interviews podcast, I invite you to go even deeper with a truly essential resource for recovery:“Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.”
This is a word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, originally published in 1939—brought vividly to life through careful narration that lets the wisdom, clarity, and power of the text fully land. Listening allows the Big Book to meet you wherever you are: at home, on the road, or in moments when opening the book just isn’t possible. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and deeply engaging way to enrich your AA program through focused listening.You can listen to a free at Audible, iTunes, or Amazon.
I also invite you to explore my latest audiobook,Lost Stories of the Big Book: 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Narrated by me, this audiobook restores powerful, long-forgotten personal stories that many AA members have never encountered. These original testimonials were removed to make room for newer stories in later editions—but their messages of surrender, transformation, and hope are just as vital today as when they were first written. For many listeners, this will be the first time hearing these voices speak again—honest, raw, and deeply human.
Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon for those who wish to read along while listening.
Whether you’re newly sober or decades into the journey, these audiobooks are must-have companions—designed to deepen understanding, strengthen connection, and help keep the message alive, one careful listen at a time.
1 hr 13 min
August 12 Ray G. – Sober 20 Years
“Crazy Ray” G. shares his remarkable journey from a booze-soaked, drug-addled life and mounting DUIs to recovery. After years of failed attempts and a final shot at redemption, Ray found AA. Twenty years later, he’s sober, grateful, and dedicated to a life of maximum service.
1 hr 6 min
July 29 Tilda B. – Sober Since February 1994
Tilda B. shares how AA carried her from alcoholism in London to lasting sobriety in Kenya, proving that recovery, fellowship, and hope truly have no borders.
1 hr 5 min
July 15 Gary G. – Sober Since February 1983
Growing up amid music, success, and the chaos of an alcoholic home, Gary followed a path that led from the music business to alcoholism. After years of failed attempts to quit on his own, a chance encounter with a sober friend led him to Alcoholics Anonymous. In this inspiring episode, Gary shares how wholehearted commitment to AA and daily practice of its principles have sustained decades of sobriety through life's greatest challenges and blessings.
1 hr 4 min
July 01 Chris S.- Sober Since June 2009
Some alcoholics drink hard from the start. Chris S. didn’t. He rarely drank until his early 40s, despite a lifetime of loneliness, low self-esteem, and quiet emotional pain. But when alcohol and cocaine finally entered his life, they seemed to offer everything he had been missing—until they nearly destroyed him. After multiple relapses, six desire chips, and a life-changing sponsor, Chris finally found lasting sobriety and the freedom he had searched for all along. Today he’s a trusted sponsor, devoted servant, and carries the AA message into Texas prisons. Join me for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, recovery, and the extraordinary transformation that happens when we refuse to give up.
1 hr 13 min
June 17 Jeff A. – Sober Since December 1992
Jeff’s drinking took hold in his late teens, fueled by isolation, low self-esteem, and a lack of purpose. As alcoholism and work addiction consumed his life, his marriage began to collapse. Faced with an ultimatum and urged by a therapist, he turned to Alcoholics Anonymous. Though the marriage ended, Jeff embraced AA’s program, built a rewarding life in recovery, married a woman he met in the Fellowship, and became a devoted husband, grandfather, and servant to others. His story is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and AA works for those willing to do the work.
59 min
June 03 Maryrose M. – Sober 5 Years
In this episode, guest Maryrose M. shares her journey to sobriety, detailing how alcoholism developed later in life despite earlier signs of its growing impact on her life. After facing escalating binges, blackouts, and deep self-reproach, she embraced a well-worked AA program to achieve over five years of continuous sobriety. Listeners will hear an inspiring story illustrating how finding similarities and shared experiences can be the key to lasting recovery.
1 hr 3 min
May 23 Corby M. – Sober Since Sept. 2020 (Encore Episode)
Corby’s story is one of pain, relapse, survival, and redemption—an honest reminder that alcoholism can reemerge even after meaningful time in recovery. After entering AA in 2017, Corby later faced a devastating relapse when prescribed pain medication for severe back problems gradually led him back to alcohol. What followed was a difficult journey through addiction, treatment, and ultimately a return to the Fellowship.
But this episode is not primarily about falling—it’s about getting back up. Corby shares how accountability, sponsorship, service, and fully engaging in the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous helped him reclaim his sobriety and discover a renewed purpose in helping others.
We’re deeply grateful for the worldwide AA Recovery Interviews family. Every episode carries hope to alcoholics, families, and friends seeking answers. If you or someone you love is struggling, Corby’s experience offers a powerful reminder that recovery—and a new way of life—is possible, one day at a time.
1 hr 8 min
May 06 C.T. – Sober 37 Years
C.T.’s story begins with loss and instability—
Like many recovering alcoholics, C.T. grew up in a fractured family. His mother died when he was five and he’d never met his biological father, early family contention centered on where C.T. should stay. He never knew why his grandparents didn’t take him in,
C.T. ended up being raised by his “Auntie” Irene, from whom C.T. learned values, virtues, and how to be a decent human being in a society where the pursuit of ease and comfort could morph into serious addiction to alcohol and drugs. During the 1960s, 70’s, and early 80’s,, C.T.’s life was disrupted many times by alcohol and drugs. Fortunately, his employer health plan afforded him treatment, IOP, and sober living as the first steps toward sobriety.
The balance of C.T.’s story exemplifies the saying that, “AA is not for people who need it or want it. It’s for people who do it.” Listen carefully to my interview with C.T. and you will learn dozens of ways to enrich a well-worked program as well as valuable ideas for recommitting and re-invigorating your AA Program.
If you’ve enjoyed the interviews in this podcast series, will you do a little service work by spreading the word about this rich and meaningful listening experience? This show is another helping hand of AA we can all to extend alcoholics everywhere. AA Recovery Interviews is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and all other podcast providers. Or visit our website, aarecoveryinterviews.com where you can listen to every episode of AA Recovery Interviews. And if you want to contact me directly with any comments or suggestions, simple email [email protected]. Please also take a minute to leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you’ve found meaning, hope, or inspiration through my AA Recovery Interviews podcast, I invite you to go even deeper with a truly essential resource for recovery:“Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.”
This is a word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, originally published in 1939—brought vividly to life through careful narration that lets the wisdom, clarity, and power of the text fully land. Listening allows the Big Book to meet you wherever you are: at home, on the road, or in moments when opening the book just isn’t possible. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and deeply engaging way to enrich your AA program through focused listening.You can listen to a free sample at Audible, iTunes, or Amazon.
I also invite you to explore my latest audiobook:Lost Stories of the Big Book: 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Narrated by me, Howard L., this audiobook restores powerful, long-forgotten personal stories that many AA members have never encountered. These original testimonials were removed to make room for newer stories in later editions—but their messages of surrender, transformation, and hope are just as vital today as when they were first written. For many listeners, this will be the first time hearing these voices speak again—honest, raw, and deeply human.
Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon for those who wish to read along while listening.
Whether you’re newly sober or decades into the journey, these audiobooks are must-have companions—designed to deepen understanding, strengthen connection, and help keep the message alive, one careful listen at a time.
By the way, this podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs, and no one receives financial gain from the show. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me.
The next episode of AA Recovery Interviews is on the way, so keep coming back, it’ll be here soon.
1 hr 19 min