From a Catholic schoolgirl to a crack house, from a promising engineer to a ditch in Georgia: Alex’s story is a raw and harrowing journey through addiction, trauma, and mental health crisis.

After multiple DUIs, psych wards, and a terrifying psychosis, she found herself completely broken.

But through the unexpected strength of her family, the love of a loyal dog, and the structure of recovery, she discovered that who she truly was had never been destroyed—it was just buried, waiting to shine through.

This is a powerful testament to survival, hope, and the profound change that is possible.There is also a JEEP, and a dog.

In this raw and deeply personal share, Charlie—an alcoholic and addict with a tumultuous past—opens up about his decades-long struggle with addiction, identity, and recovery.

From his first drink at age five to his last, which finally made him confront his self-destructive behavior, Charlie’s story is one of repeated cycles of sobriety and relapse, self-sabotage, and hard-won redemption.

He recounts a life marked by childhood trauma, failed relationships, military service, prison time, and a harrowing legal battle that forced him to flee to Mexico.

Despite multiple attempts at recovery, it wasn’t until he found an online secular AA group during COVID that he truly began to heal—this time, with honesty about his marijuana use and a rejection of rigid definitions of sobriety.

Now in his 60s, Charlie reflects on the peace he’s found: a loving marriage, self-respect, and the ability to face life without substances. His message is clear—don’t wait as long as he did. Recovery is possible, but it requires honesty, self-acceptance, and doing "the next right thing."

A powerful reminder that there’s no one "right" way to get sober—just your way.

Michael’s Journey – From Sobriety to Relapse and Back Again

Michael’s story is a raw, powerful reminder of addiction’s grip—and the resilience it takes to break free. From his first drink as a teenager, alcohol became an obsession, leading to DUIs, stolen cars, and fractured relationships. After finding sobriety in AA, he rebuilt his life—only to drift away from the program, convinced he had "beaten" his addiction. Then, decades later, loss and despair pulled him back into drinking.

In this candid episode, Michael shares the painful lessons of relapse, the ego’s pitfalls, and the moment he realized: I don’t want the next 20 years to look like the last 20. Now sober again, he’s reclaiming the tools that once saved him—meetings, steps, and a higher power he defines as love. His journey asks a universal question: How do we stay honest when life convinces us we’re cured?

Listen for:

• The slippery slope of complacency in long-term sobriety

• How trauma and grief can reignite addiction—and the way out

• Why "crushing the ego" became Michael’s key to survival

A story of humility, hope, and starting over—with experience.

"From Chaos to Connection: Mary Beth’s Story of Recovery"

In this powerful share, Mary Beth—sober since November 10, 2015—takes us through her tumultuous journey from a childhood marred by family dysfunction and alcoholism to her eventual surrender in AA. With raw honesty and humor, she recounts:

• Growing Up in Chaos: Raised in a seemingly "normal" family with an alcoholic father who turned violent, Mary Beth learned early to shield her siblings and resent her passive mother. She carried unresolved anger and low self-worth into adulthood.

• Dangerous Drinking: From hitchhiking with a self-proclaimed murderer (while sharing a bottle of liquor) to flagging down cops to change her flat tire during a DUI, Mary Beth’s drinking was reckless—yet she denied her alcoholism until a seizure during self-detox forced a reckoning.

• The Gift of Desperation: After a DUI and a moment of clarity (fearing she’d die drunk in her new home), she called AA. A kind stranger named Joe listened without judgment, and she attended her first meeting—skeptical but willing.

• AA’s Lifeline: From baking cakes daily to stay busy (and feeding entire meetings) to confronting old-timers who criticized her outreach, Mary Beth found purpose in service. She embraced a higher power she calls "Harvey"—a humorous, forgiving presence that guides her.

• Healing Relationships: Sobriety helped her reconcile with her parents, understanding their flaws with compassion. Today, she tends to her aging mother with love, free from resentment.

Key Quote:
"Our very lives as ex-problem drinkers depend upon the constant thought of others—not convenient, constant."

Mary Beth’s story is a testament to transformation through AA’s steps, service, and spiritual connection. Her wit and wisdom remind us that recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, laughing at ourselves, and helping others along the way.

Episode Note: This share is a reminder that recovery begins when we stop running from ourselves. Mary Beth’s journey—from geographic cures to genuine connection—will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt "less than" or struggled to surrender.

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, we hear from Chris — a member whose story reminds us that healing rarely follows a straight line.

Chris shares his early experiences with alcohol, how it became both a refuge and a destructive force, and how a complicated relationship with his father shaped his understanding of connection, masculinity, and emotional survival.

Though his share is cut short by a sudden family emergency, we’ve chosen to present it exactly as it unfolded — a quiet reminder that sobriety doesn’t pause life’s interruptions, but rather equips us to face them with clarity and courage. In the spirit of Marshall McLuhan, the medium is the message.

This episode stands not only as a testament to personal growth but also as a snapshot of life in motion — honest, unfinished, and undeniably real.

Alyssha: Show Up, Stay Sober, Be Honest

In this powerful and unflinchingly honest share, Alyssha opens up about the realities of recovery after her first year of sobriety—navigating grief, motherhood, relationships, and the slow unravelling of deeply rooted survival mechanisms.

From the loss of her father just before her first sober anniversary to the heartbreak of losing her husband and becoming a single parent to six children, Alyssha reflects on how the rooms of AA, her sponsor, and her home group kept her grounded through unimaginable pain.

She talks about discovering uncomfortable truths through her fourth and fifth steps—about cheating, emotional dependence, and resenting motherhood—and how even years into recovery, more is still revealed. Alyssha’s story reminds us that sobriety isn’t perfection; it’s about growth, willingness, and showing up when you want to run.

Whether you're in early recovery or decades sober, this episode offers wisdom, humor, and deep humanity.

Alyssha shows us how to stay honest, stay connected, and—above all—keep coming back.

The Best Gift I Ever Gave Myself – Maggie’s Story of Sobriety

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Maggie shares her journey through addiction and recovery.

From her first drink at 15 to waking up in treatment on her 38th birthday, she recounts how alcohol and Adderall gradually took over her life—despite a successful career, a loving family, and everything to live for.

Maggie speaks candidly about denial, near-death experiences, the shame of relapse, and the turning point that finally led her to choose sobriety.

Her story is a raw, honest look at the insidious nature of addiction—and the freedom and hope found in recovery.

From Rock Bottom to Redemption: A Raw Journey Through Alcoholism and Recovery

In this gripping and unfiltered episode, Luke shares his harrowing descent into alcoholism—from romanticizing the 'tortured artist' lifestyle to waking up covered in spit, blood, and regret. He recounts the delusions that kept him drinking (thinking booze made him 'more interesting'), the isolation of hiding bottles in his mother’s house, and the terrifying reality of withdrawals and DUIs. After hitting a breaking point—willing to live in a 'metal box' if it meant escaping the mental prison of addiction—he finally surrenders to AA.

With brutal honesty, Luke reveals the messy, non-linear path of recovery: relapsing on Thanksgiving, the humility of calling his sponsor, and the slow, transformative power of accountability and the 12 Steps. Today, he’s sober, married, traveling the world, and even bought a race car—proof that recovery isn’t just survival, but a life beyond his wildest dreams.

A must-listen for anyone struggling with addiction or seeking hope in the chaos."

Recorded on 14 May 2025

In this moving AA share, Ash K reflects on recently passing the 1,000-day sobriety milestone — a journey marked not just by abstinence, but by profound personal growth.

With clarity and grace, she opens up about one of the hardest decisions she’s had to make in her relationship — a step that seemed impossible until she chose to honour her truth.

Once she found the courage to be authentic, what once felt difficult became surprisingly simple.

This is a story about honesty, healing, and the quiet power of becoming who you truly are.

Recorded on 28 May 2025In this raw and emotional share, Phill recounts his harrowing journey through addiction—from teenage drinking to meth dependency, lost marriages, and criminal threats.

He describes the manipulative cycles of addiction, the heartbreak he inflicted on his wife, and the moment he hit rock bottom: jobless, homeless, and facing an EPO.

A desperate call to rehab (after showing up late) became his lifeline. Though initially motivated by family reconciliation, Phill ultimately chose sobriety for himself.

Now, despite a painful separation, his daughter keeps him anchored to recovery.

A testament to resilience, accountability, and the power of second chances.