In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we’re joined by a powerful voice in recovery whose story is featured in the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text. Growing up in an inner-city environment shaped by crime, addiction, and spiritual disconnection, our guest found himself chasing the acceptance and toughness of the street life—despite being surrounded by examples of success within his own family. Heroin quickly became his solution, and addiction took him down a long road of pain, isolation, and near-death experiences.

After hitting bottom and uttering the simple prayer, “Please, God, help me,” he found himself at his first NA meeting. That moment marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation. With the support of the fellowship, the Twelve Steps, and a growing relationship with his Higher Power, he rebuilt his life from the ground up. He earned a GED in his thirties, overcame barriers of age and race in academia, graduated college with honors, and went on to earn a master’s in social work. Today, he’s pursuing a PhD, runs a recovery-based nonprofit he founded, and continues to carry the message of hope to others.

This conversation explores the spiritual awakening that emerged through service, the struggle to find belonging as a Black man in both NA and academia, and the power of personal surrender. With humility, depth, and contagious gratitude, our guest reminds us that God still hears an addict’s prayer—and that it’s never too late to become who we were meant to be.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we bring you A Conversation with Tommy B. — a longtime member with nearly five decades clean whose story is deeply woven into NA’s early history.

Many in the fellowship know the famous story of Bo S. flying out to California for the Seventh World Convention to discover who was writing the Basic Text — a journey that led him to meet Greg P. and others who shaped NA literature. What’s less known is that Bo didn’t make that trip alone. Alongside him was our guest, Tommy B., who shares his memories of that historic moment.

In this episode, Tommy reflects not only on that pivotal story, but also on the beginnings of Narcotics Anonymous in Atlanta, his decades of service, and his personal experience, strength, and hope.

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has lived NA’s history and continues to carry the message today.

Podcast Description:

In this powerful episode, we sit down with a member of Narcotics Anonymous from Nairobi, Kenya, whose story of redemption and recovery has deeply impacted the NA fellowship both locally and abroad. Born in the heart of Nairobi's slums, he experienced a life of loss, crime, and addiction that spiraled out of control—until he found hope in an NA meeting. After years of battling heroin addiction, personal heartbreak, and living on the streets, he discovered a sense of belonging in NA, where even during lonely meetings, he found renewed commitment and purpose in his recovery.

Hear about his journey of self-discovery, from being the "junkie in sunglasses" to becoming an active member of a growing NA community in Kenya. Despite facing immense struggles, including hepatitis C and the challenges of spreading NA’s message across East Africa, he remains committed to serving others, sponsoring new members, and making a lasting impact on those around him.

This episode highlights the power of service, the growth of NA in Kenya, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from being a part of something greater than oneself. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, recovery, and the importance of never giving up.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast we continue our journey through Chapter 4 of Living Clean: The Journey Continues and dive into the section on Sex. It’s one of those topics that can bring up everything from laughter to discomfort, and the book gives us a powerful framework to unpack it honestly in recovery.

Helping us break it down is none other than “the squad” from The Anonymous Podcast. We had an incredible time collaborating with them, sharing experience, strength, and hope about how we’ve each navigated sexuality, intimacy, and relationships in recovery.

Don’t miss this crossover episode—be sure to like, subscribe, and follow The Anonymous Podcast to keep up with their amazing work as well.

We’ve got something special for you this week! 🎙️ Instead of our usual format, we’re dropping the full panel discussion from the Speaker Jam 2025 in Hohenwald, Tennessee, held on September 13, 2025.

This was our first time trying out a more live podcast style approach rather than a traditional speaker meeting. You’ll hear from panelists sharing their experience, strength, and hope in real time, creating a dynamic and powerful conversation around recovery.

We’d love to hear what you think of this new format! Drop us your feedback anytime on the Living Clean Podcast Facebook page.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we sit down for A Conversation with Bob S. — a trusted servant who has dedicated decades to Narcotics Anonymous at nearly every level of service.

Bob’s journey includes his time working at the World Service Office, where he witnessed and contributed to many of the most significant events in NA’s history. In this episode, we explore his firsthand perspective on milestone moments, the evolution of our fellowship, and the lessons carried forward from those experiences.

Join us for a powerful conversation filled with history, insight, and inspiration from someone who helped shape the message we carry today.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast we’re celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Second World Literature Conference, held in Lincoln, Nebraska, September 8–14, 1980. This historic gathering helped shape the fellowship’s written message and gave birth to the earliest drafts of what would become our Basic Text.

We’re joined by special guests who were in the room during that week, and together we’ll explore:

• The atmosphere and energy of the conference

• The workings and process of creating literature by addicts for addicts

• The significance of the Literature Prayer

• Stories, reflections, and insights from those who helped preserve our message

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear firsthand what it was like to help write the book that carries our message around the world.

👉 And don’t forget to check out Preserving the Message’s YouTube page for a full breakdown of the Second World Literature Conference.

In this episode, we continue our journey through Living Clean: The Journey Continues, picking up where we left off on page 89 in Part 2, "Letting Ourselves Go." This section explores the delicate balance of surrender and growth in recovery—how letting go of our past selves and the tight grip we have on old behaviors can be the key to living a clean life.

I’m joined by several special guests who bring their insights and personal experiences to the table, helping us unpack this powerful chapter. Together, we dive into the challenges and rewards of releasing the baggage that holds us back and embracing the freedom that comes with true self-acceptance in recovery.

Tune in for an honest and engaging discussion as we finish this transformative section of the book. Whether you're new to recovery or a seasoned member, there’s something here for everyone looking to deepen their understanding of letting go and living fully in the present.

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Tim B., whose story of recovery from addiction is nothing short of miraculous. Born in Australia, Tim’s addiction spiraled into a world of violence, crime, and despair. His breaking point came when, in the depths of his addiction, he attempted suicide. But by the grace of God, he was given another chance to live.

Now clean for over sixteen years, Tim shares his journey from the crossroads of life and death to finding hope and purpose through Narcotics Anonymous. He talks about the emotional pain he carried, his struggles with relapse, and the ultimate surrender that allowed him to embrace recovery.

Tim’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and the power of NA’s message. He now lives a fulfilling life, full of love, purpose, and service to others. His dedication to helping others find recovery mirrors the core principle of NA: "We keep what we have by giving it away." Tune in to hear how Tim turned his darkest moments into the driving force for a life worth living.

In this exciting episode, we chat with Danny M., a passionate NA literature collector and the proud owner of the largest known collection of Narcotics Anonymous materials. Danny shares his incredible journey of hunting down rare and coveted pieces of NA history, with some wild and unexpected stories about how he came across these priceless items. From early literature to limited edition treasures, Danny’s collection is a testament to the evolution of the fellowship and the stories behind the pages.

With dreams of one day opening an NA history museum, Danny takes us behind the scenes of his collection and reveals how the items he’s gathered have shaped his understanding of NA’s rich legacy. Whether you’re a collector, a history buff, or just curious about NA’s origins, this episode is packed with fascinating insights into the world of NA memorabilia and the impact it has had on recovery communities worldwide.

Danny also shares how listeners can contribute to the future of NA history through the Carry The Message Museum. To donate or learn more, visit carrythemessagemuseum.com. Don’t miss this one!