The Boiled Owl

Dave was in treatment at 15, in & out of AA for 3 years. Drugs were a problem, but alcohol? At 15-20 years old, he was the youngest person in AA in his area. On a road trip to DC with a friend, he got obliterated. "Gratitude first" about 15 years ago changed how he looks at life. Terrific tale of a motorcycle accident in sobriety.

Dave's home group is Young People in Greensboro, NC, and his sobriety date is 04APR1988.

Originally aired Mar 15, 2020

Sharon relives, rethinks, and refeels at her birthday each year. She tried many other ways before AA. Working in the restaurant business back then, she would book people in a blackout. Sharon drums for meditation. At a red light, she chose AA over wine.

Sharon's sobriety date is 05DEC1981 and her home group is Big Book, No Smoke in Greensboro, NC.

Originally aired Mar 1, 2020

Scott got sober at 24 in Houston, TX. His cocaine use led to his alcoholism. In his last year of college, he dropped all but one course and was failing that. He had a close call with death twice; the second is when he reached out for help. Wonderful discussions of Hot 'n Dry roundup, Crystal Meth Anonymous service, and racial and gender equity in recovery fellowships.

Scott's sobriety date is 01APR1987 and his home group is Common Solution in Durham, NC.

Originally aired Feb 15, 2020

Michelle got a DUI. 6 Months later, her drinking was worse. IOP led to AA. Fun story about a goat dealer! She is agnostic on her best days and atheist on her worst. We chat about mental healthcare and AA.

Michelle's sobriety date is 18JUN2018 and her home group is Keeping It Green in Greensboro, NC.

Originally aired Feb 1, 2020

Seth started drinking in the 3rd or 4th grade. He was forced into treatment at 16. "Fight Club" was his only understanding of AA at the time. ("The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club.") One month before getting sober, he couldn't not drink. He was on a boat for three months... with his 4th Step.

Seth is in between home groups and his sobriety date is 08AUG2008.

Originally aired Jan 15, 2020

Patrick didn't think he was an alcoholic; he just didn't know how to drink. A marriage counselor suggested not drinking and that led to his first 90 days sober. His first AA meeting was in a city an hour away so no one who knew him would see him. At 18 months sober, he divorced and his sponsor had died, leading to anger and anxiety.

Patrick got sober on 28SEP1990 and his home group is Midtown in Wilmington, NC.

Originally aired Jan 1, 2020

Gabi spent one and a half years picking up white chips. That kept her close to the program for when she was ready. She was in MacArthur Park in LA to buy drugs when her car was impounded. She was homeless and panhandling to get her car back. She stalked her second sponsor. She talks a lot about unmanageability. Here's her spiritual music playlist of unusual songs:

1. Fire and Rain: James Taylor

2. Let It Be: Beatles

3. Surrender: Cheap Trick

4. Beauty Mark: Rufus Wainwright

5. Drift Away: Dobie Gray

6. Good Vibrations: Beach Boys

7. Chicago: Sufjan Stevens

8. Black Water: Doobie Brothers

9. Boy in the Bubble: Paul Simon

10. What’s Up: 4 Non Blondes

Gabi got sober on 12AUG2008 and her home group is the No-Name Group somewhere in central NC.

Originally aired Dec 15, 2019

"My Name is Ebenezer S." is a ghostly 12th-Step call play that's been presented by members of AA in Greensboro, NC, for many years. We've pulled together a cast for this audio version to share with folks who can't join us in person. The script for "My Name is Ebenezer S." is available for free by request at [email protected]. We encourage you to put together your own production of this fun holiday play and to put your own local flavor into it. Our 2019 show is on Saturday, 07DEC, and details are available at nc23.org. Happy Holidays, y'all!

Originally aired Dec 1, 2019

A lot of people wanted Emily to stop drinking. She lost 3 jobs in 1 year. She said, "I need major help" and then thought "Oh God, why did I say that?" She was confident there was a problem and not confident there was a solution. Early on, Emily drank while reading her Big Book. The 10th Step Promises touched her soul.

Emily got sober on 28FEB2016 and her home group is The Way Out in Greensboro, NC.

Originally aired Nov 15, 2019

For 2 years, Ric was not convinced he was an alcoholic. He was a pro at being apart from. Tacos tricked him into going to his first 3 meetings! There's the rat poison incident. At 2 years, the obsession to drink returned at a meeting. He then worked the steps quickly.

Ric's home group is Young People in Greensboro NC. His sobriety date is 23DEC1995.

Originally aired Nov 1, 2019