Surrender, Service, and Staying Sober

From Anger to Acceptance - From the AA Live archive, recorded in 2022, Jan speaks with Tony about his recovery journey. In this honest, courageous, and deeply relatable account, Tony reflects on his struggle with alcoholism, the destructive weight of anger and long-held resentments, and how a life marked by isolation can transformed. This show was broadcast on OAR FM Dunedin thanks to the support of New Zealand on Air - visit OAR.ORG.NZ to discover new podcasts.

What happens when the internal fight finally stops? In this show, our guest Martin joins us to break down the concept of surrender in recovery, grounded in Dr. Harry Tiebout's 1953 insight on how deep acceptance releases us from inner conflict. Plus, we discuss why service is one of our strongest tools for staying sober. This show was broadcast on OAR FM Dunedin thanks to the support of New Zealand on Air - visit OAR.ORG.NZ to discover new podcasts.

Recovery needs regular maintenance. Like a well-loved car, it benefits from ongoing care, attention, and the occasional tune-up. In this episode Marty reflects on the tough turning points he has faced in recovery, the power of unity, and hope found through the Salvation Army Dunedin Bridge Programme. This show was broadast on OAR FM Dunedin thanks to the support of New Zealand on Air - visit OAR.ORG.NZ to discover new podcasts.

In this episode, Jan—our AA Live cohost from 2022 to 2025—joins us to unpack Step 8. It’s more than just a list of those we’ve harmed; it’s a true roadmap for long-term sobriety and a gateway to the ultimate goal: forgiving ourselves. This show was broadast on OAR FM Dunedin thanks to the support of New Zealand on Air - visit OAR.ORG.NZ to discover new podcasts.

What does it truly mean to take action in recovery? In this episode, our guest Hamish shares his journey through Step 7 and the practice of humility. We dive into the daily discipline of letting go of the ego and relying instead on a Higher Power for the strength to change. This show was broadast on OAR FM Dunedin thanks to the support of New Zealand on Air - visit OAR.ORG.NZ to discover new podcasts.

Tonight, we hear how Marisha’s life has changed through recovery, and what it means to start over in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Moving to a new place means arriving somewhere unfamiliar and rebuilding a recovery community from scratch. Throughout our conversation, we look at The Daily Reflection’s focus on trust - and how it connects naturally to the Step Six themes of willingness and readiness to change.

In tandem with Step 4, this episode delves into Step 5 of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. We’re joined by our guest, Meredith, who shares her transformative experience with this pivotal step - breaking free from the isolation of addiction, easing feelings of shame, and fostering accountability through the act of admitting past behaviours to a trusted person. Join us as we explore the power of honesty and ‘taking action’ in recovery.

Often, we look at recovery as a solitary journey taken by the individual seeking sobriety. But for those of us living in the wake of alcoholism, we know that the family is an ecosystem. When one part shifts, the whole system can undergo a rupture or a series of deep cracks and fissures. In this episode, we explore the parallel paths of Craig and Katrina taking a real live snapshot at how two different 12-Step programs—AA and Al-Anon— intersect to create a shared life built on two thriving, personal recoveries.

In this special episode, Michael and former AA Live host Martin welcome Dr Dawn Eden Goldstein, author of Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.'s Spiritual Sponsor — the acclaimed biography of Jesuit priest Father Edward Dowling, whose remarkable friendship with AA co-founder Bill Wilson helped shape the spiritual heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. Dawn brings a unique perspective to Father Ed's story — she began her career as a rock and roll journalist in New York City before a profound conversion experience led her to become a theologian and canon lawyer. She joins us from Connecticut, USA, for a conversation about Father Ed's extraordinary ministry, the deep connections between Ignatian spirituality and the Twelve Steps, and the unconditional love at the heart of the AA fellowship.

This episode continues from where we left off last month, sharing Part Two of our reflections on the 63rd Annual Alcoholics Anonymous Convention, held in Ōtepoti Dunedin. The episode is presented in two parts: In the first segment, we share a recorded conversation with Rita, who travelled from overseas and within Aotearoa to attend the Convention. We spoke together following the International Meeting, where Rita shares her experience in a way that reflects the principles of recovery. In the second segment, we explore a story from Alcoholics Anonymous literature that is mentioned during the conversation — the short biography “The Belle of the Bar” from They Lost Nearly All (3rd Edition) — and how its themes relate to the message being shared.