AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L.

Devastated by his grandfather's death at age 10, Blayne H. sought refuge from grief and loneliness in alcohol and drugs. Years of progressive alcoholism eventually led him to treatment, sober living, and Alcoholics Anonymous. But lasting recovery required surrender and a willingness to embrace AA's spiritual principles. In this Encore presentation of Episode 99, Blayne shares how sponsorship, the Twelve Steps, prayer, and fellowship helped him face profound family challenges, rebuild relationships, and discover a meaningful life in sobriety. His is a moving story of perseverance, faith, and the transformative power of AA.

From violent gang life in the Philippines to the unforgiving pubs of London, Dhom R.’s alcoholism nearly destroyed everything he loved, including his own life. Desperate and defeated, one extraordinary moment led him to Alcoholics Anonymous. Discover his gripping journey from violence and despair to lasting sobriety, redemption, and the life-changing power of AA’s fellowship.

From alcoholism, homelessness, and despair to more than three decades of sobriety, Marianna L. shares a remarkable journey of recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous. Sober since 1991, she speaks candidly about the challenges and promises of long-term sobriety, the spiritual principles of AA, and the renewed connection and purpose she has found through fellowship and service. Her story offers experience, strength, and hope to anyone seeking a new way of life.

Paul’s liver disease, the result of years of heroin use and heavy drinking, nearly killed him three years ago. With no liver function and two failed transplants, survival seemed impossible. A last-minute transplant, more surgeries, and 17 days in ICU gave Paul another chance. Today, he credits his Higher Power and AA fellowship for his life—and his renewed commitment to the Program. His story is a powerful testament to sobriety, recovery, and hope.

Ryan grew up in a chaotic home where addiction was a best-kept secret. As an only child, Ryan’s family had also moved more than ten times by the time he was 12. Dealing with the constant loss of whatever brief friendships he experienced, the impermanence of his relationships fueled not only feelings of loneliness and isolation, but also the need to act out. Believing that alcohol and drugs would fix what was wrong with his life, Ryan opened the throttle on his growing disease during his teenage years. By 19, Ryan’s behavior warranted a short stint in AA where his half-hearted attempt was largely ineffective. Five more years of drinking and drugging landed him at inpatient treatment, followed by IOP, but once again prideful intellectualism and ego conspired with his alcoholism, and forced another slip. Landing in the same mire as before, Ryan continued to flail the disease and the mounting problems it caused during the next five years. By April of 2017, his quality of life deteriorating, Ryan finally came to AA with the willingness and desire to do whatever was necessary to achieve sobriety. With a new commitment to stay sober, Ryan implemented all of the tools needed to succeed at sobriety. He got a sponsor and worked the steps. He attended daily meetings. He took on service responsibilities, including staffing the coffee bar four days-a-week at a large AA club. He also found time to sponsor men and attend AA retreats. The net effect of all his sincere efforts was a spiritual awareness and awakening that wholly enriched the quality of his Program. I’ve learned a lot from Ryan during the time we’ve spent together and am pleased to see his outstretched hand of welcome to those who attend the meetings we go to each week. But for those who are relatively new in sobriety, Ryan’s demonstration of a well-worked Program will provide significant hope and inspiration for a brighter future. So please enjoy listening to this episode of AA Recovery Interviews as you spend the next 65 minutes with my good friend and AA brother, Ryan A. If you’ve found meaning, hope, or inspiration through my AA Recovery Interviews podcast, I invite you to go even deeper with a truly essential resource for recovery:“Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.” This is a word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, originally published in 1939—brought vividly to life through careful narration that lets the wisdom, clarity, and power of the text fully land. Listening allows the Big Book to meet you wherever you are: at home, on the road, or in moments when opening the book just isn’t possible. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and deeply engaging way to enrich your AA program through focused listening.You can listen to a free at Audible, iTunes, or Amazon. I also invite you to explore my latest audiobook,Lost Stories of the Big Book: 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Narrated by me, this audiobook restores powerful, long-forgotten personal stories that many AA members have never encountered. These original testimonials were removed to make room for newer stories in later editions—but their messages of surrender, transformation, and hope are just as vital today as when they were first written. For many listeners, this will be the first time hearing these voices speak again—honest, raw, and deeply human. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon for those who wish to read along while listening. Whether you’re newly sober or decades into the journey, these audiobooks are must-have companions—designed to deepen understanding, strengthen connection, and help keep the message alive, one careful listen at a time.

“Crazy Ray” G. shares his remarkable journey from a booze-soaked, drug-addled life and mounting DUIs to recovery. After years of failed attempts and a final shot at redemption, Ray found AA. Twenty years later, he’s sober, grateful, and dedicated to a life of maximum service.

Tilda B. shares how AA carried her from alcoholism in London to lasting sobriety in Kenya, proving that recovery, fellowship, and hope truly have no borders.

Growing up amid music, success, and the chaos of an alcoholic home, Gary followed a path that led from the music business to alcoholism. After years of failed attempts to quit on his own, a chance encounter with a sober friend led him to Alcoholics Anonymous. In this inspiring episode, Gary shares how wholehearted commitment to AA and daily practice of its principles have sustained decades of sobriety through life's greatest challenges and blessings.

Some alcoholics drink hard from the start. Chris S. didn’t. He rarely drank until his early 40s, despite a lifetime of loneliness, low self-esteem, and quiet emotional pain. But when alcohol and cocaine finally entered his life, they seemed to offer everything he had been missing—until they nearly destroyed him. After multiple relapses, six desire chips, and a life-changing sponsor, Chris finally found lasting sobriety and the freedom he had searched for all along. Today he’s a trusted sponsor, devoted servant, and carries the AA message into Texas prisons. Join me for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, recovery, and the extraordinary transformation that happens when we refuse to give up.

Jeff’s drinking took hold in his late teens, fueled by isolation, low self-esteem, and a lack of purpose. As alcoholism and work addiction consumed his life, his marriage began to collapse. Faced with an ultimatum and urged by a therapist, he turned to Alcoholics Anonymous. Though the marriage ended, Jeff embraced AA’s program, built a rewarding life in recovery, married a woman he met in the Fellowship, and became a devoted husband, grandfather, and servant to others. His story is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and AA works for those willing to do the work.