Sam wasn’t sure he believed in god or a 'Higher Power' and thought he might have to give up on Al-Anon because of that. Sam shares how his sponsor gave him a new perspective that allowed him to explore not knowing but still trusting in something greater than himself, even if it was the group of people in a meeting. His trust became an important part of his recovery- and still is.

‘Having that concept of a High Power takes the pressure off…And that’s such a relief. Because I’ve been doing my best all these years but it hasn’t always been working out great. So maybe I can just relax a little bit, keep trying to do my best, but it’s just not all on me anymore, somehow.’  

Step 2: Came to believe that a Power great than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

For years, Matt knew he was powerless over his drinking, no question. The key to Step 1 and the start of his recovery was his life becoming truly 'unmanageable.' Matt’s shares what made him finally choose rehab and how dedicating himself to working the Twelve Steps changed him from wanting to give up on life to wanting to make the most of it.

'I feel like I was given a lot of potential to really help other people, to do some great things, live a happy life and share that with other people. And I can do that today instead of worrying about how to not drink today.’

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol- that our lives had become unmanageable.

For this series, I set to find out: what are the Twelve Steps of Recovery and what is it actually like to work them? Listen here for a quick intro to AA and Al-Anon, the steps as a whole, and to hear the 12 Steps and 12 Promises of AA before jumping into the following episodes. Hope you enjoy!

(For reference: The 12 Steps and Promises are copyrighted by AA. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (1989). Twelve steps and twelve traditions. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps)

'I’m Going For It!' Amanda spent decades working in corporate life- climbing very high and all without a college degree. But she hit a breaking moment and had to leave. In her 50's, she's now starting a business on her own driven by her passion to help other's succeed. She shares what it's like to start over, what skills she honed that she relies on - and why it matters to have courage but still laugh through the fear. 

'I Can’t Explain It.' Our conversation starts with Lou recounting an extraordinary moment she shared with her husband towards the end of his life. But she also shares how they met and then found their way  to their love- in one of the most surprising love stories I've heard.

'It Was A Great Day!' Pre-instagram, pre-social media, and among the first of their friend group to get married, Michelle and Phil had a beautiful and touching wedding day that was very much their own. Michelle shares what it was like to plan it and live through it- and why it was so much fun. 

'An Unexpected Surprise.' Decades after serving together in the Vietnam War, a Vietnamese translator reached out to reconnect to Kenneth. Kenneth shares that story and his own of his career and how he always prioritizes service and family. 

'It Was A Hard Day.' Mary-Catherine lost her brother to HIV/AIDS in the '80s. She recounts how the experience impacted her and her family and how she has learned to find grace in the face of loss and grief.

'It Started There.' One conversation over lunch led Kelly to career at the ATF (Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). She shares what it was like to train and work at ATF.

'It’s So Much Fun!' Stephen shares what it's like, and what it takes, to compete in BBQ competitions.