In this week’s episode of The 12th Step Podcast, the hosts read a heartfelt letter from Aaron, a listener who’s been in recovery for four years and recently faced an emotional challenge, his sponsee decided to move on to another sponsor. Though Aaron knows it’s “not personal,” he admits to feeling hurt and a little betrayed after investing so much time and heart into helping someone else.

The hosts unpack this all-too-common experience in recovery circles, exploring what it means to give freely without expectation, the emotional bonds that form in sponsorship, and how to navigate feelings of rejection when someone’s journey takes a new direction. Through honest discussion and personal experience, they reflect on the balance between service and self-care, the humility in letting go, and the quiet beauty in knowing that sometimes growth means releasing others with love.