Episode 153 Angie B In this episode of Sober Speak, Angie B shared what it was like growing up in a military family with an alcoholic mother and how she found refuge in books. She shares how she ended up at her first Al-Anon meeting believing she was going to a car-related event and how each of her own family members has their own truths of their life. Angie speaks to why most people don't stay in Al-Anon and how she came to hit bottom and realize that she does not have the answers. Leave us a m...
Oct 02, 2020•54 min•Ep. 158
Episode 152 Jo M Tri-Cities Live In this Tri-Cities live Sober Speak episode, Jo M shares what it was like dragging her kids through active alcoholism, living through domestic abuse, and being scared of an alcoholic spiritual death. She shares the impact of kindness from an AA member on her worthiness coming in the door at the beginning and how it led her to stick around. Jo also shares what her life is like now and equates the kind of sobriety she wants to a fully loaded ice cream sundae. Leave...
Sep 25, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 157
Episode 151 In this episode of Sober Speak, Reno John is back at the mic sharing his perspective on treatment vs AA and how alcoholism now a spiritual malady that requires a spiritual condition. John speaks to how God works through people and shares a handful of the many miracles that have happened in his life. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com Donate here @ Donations for Sober Speak...
Sep 18, 2020•51 min•Ep. 156
Episode 150 In this episode of Sober Speak, Bill C shares his thoughts on Steps 8 & 9. Bill states that while most people get stuck on Step 3, in fact, all the steps are hard. He shares that it's okay to do a bad job on Step 3 the first time because you'll do it again. He also shares that Step 9 is important enough to do right the first time but do not do it alone. Finally, Bill shares a story about his life that demonstrates how sometimes amends can free the other person as well. Leave us a...
Sep 11, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 155
Episode 149 In this episode of Sober Speak, Gary K shares his views on coronavirus and what he sees as the epitome of Step 12: You did what you said you were going to do and when you said you were going to do it. Gary also speaks to the importance of location in finding a sponsor, how many of us confuse consequences with problems. Throughout the episode, Gar shares many AA gems about how recovery is to be experienced not learned, and building your life around your recovery. Leave us a message @ ...
Sep 04, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 154
Episode 148 In this episode of Sober Speak, Mimi F shares what it was like for her before she got sober and what it is like now recovering out loud as a public persona. She speaks to how alcohol was always the solution for her since childhood and how it took her eight years of trying to get sober before it stuck. Mimi also details the importance of putting the effort into the program and how sobriety has become her superpower. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ ...
Aug 28, 2020•58 min•Ep. 153
Episode 147 Vannoy's Big Book Study Thursday nights @ 6:00 pm CDT 839 386 904 P/W 927889 In this episode of Sober Speak, Vannoy S shares about her 51 years of experience in Al-Anon. She describes how an article in Ann Landers planted a seed within her for when she hit bottom and she reached out to AA. It was through meeting with alcoholics that gave her hope and brought her into AA and eventually Al-Anon. Vannoy speaks about the importance of the Big Book in Al-Anon and how she found herself in ...
Aug 21, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 152
Episode 146 In this Sober Speak Live event, David G answers listener questions on topics such as the impact of meditation on his life and recovery, family and briefly touches on religion. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com Donate here @ Donations for Sober Speak...
Aug 14, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 151
Episode 145 145 David G Sober Speak Live Part 1 In this Sober Speak Live event, David G shares how his avoidance of AA led him to attend NA meetings and then promptly go to the crack house. However, this action planted the mustard seed for when he was ready. David shares a little about his childhood and the impact AA program had on his relationship with his mother giving her the son she always wanted. He also speaks to how individual recovery is like a thumbprint, while similar no two are the sa...
Aug 07, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 150
Episode 144 In this episode of Sober Speak, Brian P shares how he turned to bank robbery to feed his addictions, going to prison multiple times, and what it took to make him realize he was an alcoholic. As with many of us, Brian shares how through grace, help, and one last chance from another alcoholic, he was able to get sober. He also shares how in sobriety he started a program to bring prisoners through the steps fulfilling the saying if you want to keep it, you've got to give it away. Leave ...
Jul 31, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 149
Episode 143 In this episode of Sober Speak, Rick W unabashedly shares his story of childhood trauma, navigating life as a homosexual alcoholic, and the utter blind faith he has been achieved through working the steps. Rick speaks to how he came into the rooms and the highs and lows of his life both while active and sober. He also shares how Insanity doesn't have an expiration date and how he needs to continue to make amends in his life. https://www.takethe12.org/ Leave us a message @ https://www...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 148
Episode 142 In this continuation of Sober Speak episode 141, Matt M shares how he went through treatment and how serendipity kept him sober upon his release. Matt speaks to how surrender leads to him to a life of grace and love and how members of the program have been there to support him during the tragedy. Matt eloquently describes the strength and hope received as a direct result of working the program. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com V...
Jul 17, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 147
Episode 141 In this episode of Sober Speak, Matt M speaks to the subtle theft of life and human decency he experienced by his drinking. He shares how alcoholism brought him to new lows, suicidal tendencies, and to domestic violence. Matt details how he accidentally took step one on a porch step speaking with another alcoholic when his intent was to kill himself that day and how sometimes all-night takes is a glimmer of hope. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ jo...
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 146
Episode 140 In this Sober Speak Live event, Bubba C is at the mic to share his story of what it was like and what it is like now. Bubba shares how you don't want to lose things as an alcoholic but that sometimes is necessary. He shares how being sober allowed him to make amends to his family and to be there for them when they passed. Bubba speaks to how through working together with the program of AA, he stills has character defects but they aren't as glaring. Leave us a message @ https://www.sp...
Jul 03, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 145
Episode 139 This episode of Sober Speak is a continuation of 138, where Doug M shares his strength and hope in getting sober. Doug speaks to how he finally reached his bottom and emerged from delusion in a treatment program. Through treatment, Doug was able to connect with AA leading him to a new honesty, a new life, and a new way of being. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com Donate here @ Donations for S...
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 144
Episode 138 In this episode of Sober Speak, Doug M shares his experience of what it was like before he got sober. Doug details his desire to be someone else from a very early age, attempted geographical cures, touring with the Grateful Dead, and how he didn't know how to ask for help. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com Donate here @ Donations for Sober Speak...
Jun 19, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 143
Episode 137 In this episode of Sober Speak, Jay S shares the story of his 41-year relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous. Jay speaks to always being on the front lines of the program where he can help the newcomer, how one can determine if they are an alcoholic and how the approach seems to have softened since he first came into the rooms. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com Donate here @ Donations for So...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 142
Episode 136 In a continuation of the Sober Speak Live event, Bill C answers listeners' questions while sharing a little bit more of his experience, strength, and hope. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com Donate here @ Donations for Sober Speak...
Jun 05, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 141
Episode 135 In this special edition Sober Speak Live event, Bill C shares how before he got sober he was a biker, a surfer, and a tough guy whose bike didn't run, he never went to the beach and he was afraid of getting hurt. In his share, Bill speaks to the role of ego in the human experience and deep dives into the 5 aspects of a spiritual condition Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com Donate here @ Donat...
May 29, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 140
Episode 134 In this episode of Sober Speak, Reno John is back at the mic continuing his the story of his experience strength and hope. Jon shares how he found that God provides once he stopped praying for himself and instead prayed to know God's will. He shares his philosophy of Let God be God and me be his son and have him take care of me. John also shares some anecdotal stories of AA reluctance to embrace new technologies as well as how he began his marathon "career" at 64. Leave us a message ...
May 22, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 138
Episode 133 133 Reno John / John A Part 1 In this episode of Sober Speak, John A shares how he believes alcoholism progresses in three parts: 1) spiritual 2) mental and 3) physical and sobriety returns in the reverse order. He shares the origin of his nickname and the story of his struggle getting sober and finding a sponsor. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com...
May 15, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 137
Episode 132 In the episode of Sober Speak, Bill C returns to continue his thoughts on Steps 5, 6 & 7. Bill talks about how when active, many believe/d things were happening to us, we lack/ed compassion and took everything personally and in doing the steps we acquire a knowingness that transcends intellect. He speaks about he has grown emotionally in the program and the face of recovery has changed with the pandemic emerging as another form of togetherness. Bill closes with how once in AA, yo...
May 07, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 136
Episode 131 In this episode of Sober Speak, Spencer T from The Recovery Show shares the mic to talk about the twelve steps of Al-Anon. Spencer shares that the programs share verbatim steps except for twelve and how he has a surrender date instead of the sobriety date found in AA. Spencer speaks to the shame he experienced being married to an alcoholic and his inability to fix her (step one). He feels that in order to progress in his program, he had to get past Step 3 and how acting as if it has ...
May 01, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 135
Episode 130 In this episode of Sober Speak, Brittany W takes the mic to share about how growing up in an alcoholic/addictive family led her to develop eating disorders and multiple addictions in search of relief from her home life. Brittany speaks to the many troubles, situations, and struggles she endured trying to fill the void of a loving and caring home family. She talks about how in AA, she was finally able to find the love of a mother in the form of a sponsor and how she now has the suppor...
Apr 24, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 134
Episode 129 In this episode of Sober Speak, Bill C returns to the mic to expound on his view of the 12 Steps. Bill states we are a society of storytellers and that when speaking we should stick to just sharing your story to take the ego out of it; don't preach! Bill shares how over time his fear list has become more important than his resentment list and that in doing the work we become willing to remove the character defects we don't just humbly ask. Bill believes that we don't just go to a mee...
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 133
Episode 128 In this episode of Sober Speak, Stephen F shares his experience living a life that they make movies about and how second chances led him to get and stay sober. He describes how he believes based on the text of the Big Book that he is a Recovered alcoholic and how recovered doesn't mean cured, it is only a daily reprieve based on spiritual condition. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com...
Apr 10, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 132
Episode 127 #prayforbrice In this episode of Sober Speak, Chris M shares his experience prior to getting sober, his faith in something bigger than him and the strength he has learned going through unimaginable tragedy. Chris speaks to his relapse after getting everything back in sobriety and how he is no able to find miracles where others see only pain. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com...
Apr 03, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 131
Episode 126 In this episode of Sober Speak, David G is back at the mic to expound on his interpretation of Step 11. David talks about how when he stops working the steps, old patterns reappear without picking up a drink. He believes that God has done for him what he thought impossible and that Step 11 brings him into the present and is his submission to something greater than himself. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www...
Mar 27, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 130
Episode 125 billc@kitchentableaa.com Bill's above email address was referenced on the episode In this episode of Sober Speak, Bill C is back at the mic to continue his interpretation of steps 3 through 5 as well as the concept of God. Bill states that we create a god and then don't believe in him and that God is truly an experience, not a concept. He also shares about how there is only one AA program but that every member has a unique experience. Bill believes that AA members are the mechanism u...
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 129
Episode 124 In this episode of Sober Speak, Jimmy D shares his interpretation of Steps 1, 2 and 3. Jimmy speaks to the secular nature of Alcoholics Anonymous and how it is not a self-help program and that the sole mission of AA is to help the still sick and suffering. Leave us a message @ https://www.speakpipe.com/SoberSpeak Email us @ john@soberspeak.com Visit our website @ www.soberspeak.com...
Mar 13, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 128
