AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L.

Howard L.
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Alcoholics Anonymous members from around the world share their awesome stories of experience, strength, and hope with interview host Howard L.

  1. 2D AGO

    Ted O. - Sober 42 Years

    Welcome back my friends to AA Recovery Interviews. I’m your host, Howard L. and I’m an alcoholic, sober since January 1, 1988, one day at a time. I’m grateful you’ve joined us. AA Recovery Interviews is the podcast where Alcoholics Anonymous members from around the world share their timeless and extraordinary stories of experience, strength, and hope. There are over 180 interviews in this podcast series, all of which you can enjoy on aarecoveryinterviews.com and all podcast apps. As disturbing as some personal stories can be, most take place before sobriety. But in the case of today’s guest, Ted O., the worst of the worst happened at nearly ten years into the 42 years of sobriety. For it was on a mostly deserted road in rural Mexico that Ted and another AA friend were way-laid by three modern-day banditos. After being robbed, Ted was tied up and forced to lay in a ditch, while three shots rang out from across the road. Fearing he was the next to die, Ted was surprised when the murderers drove off, only to return to finish the job. The outlaw with the Glock fired two bullets into Ted’s torso. A third slug missed his head by inches. Being a gun owner himself, Ted diagnosed a jammed cartridge while he waited for the fatal shot… Rather than make this intro a teaser for a true crime podcast, I’ll let Ted finish the story. And, as remarkable as Ted’s story is, what’s more remarkable is that he stayed sober in the midst and aftermath of a horrible situation in which less-grounded alcoholics might have drank. At 82 years of age and 42 years sober, Ted’s testimony is chock full of experiences, both good and bad, that many long-term members will identify with. Newer members may find parts of his incredible story hard to believe, but nevertheless, it is true. No matter where you are on AA’s road of recovery, I feel you will be enriched by Ted’s  story. It’s the latest of over 180 interviews in the AA Recovery Interviews podast series. So put please enjoy the next hour with my long-time friend and AA brother, Ted O. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, Apple Books, or Amazon.  I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio.

    1h 7m

  2. SEP 5

    Nancy K. - Sober 53 Years

    Nancy K. is an extraordinary woman whose 53 years of  continuous sobriety is a stunning achievement built upon the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Growing up in a home dominated by a violent alcoholic father, Nancy started drinking at age 12 to quell the constant fear and self-loathing she felt daily. Seemingly “rescued” at age 17 by her first failed marriage, Nancy continued to drink heavily with her husband, hastening the inevitable divorce. Her second marriage involved the same kind of abuse, dysfunction, and divorce. but was further complicated by three children. Lacking interest and skills in child-raising, Nancy turned to the bottle, but felt little relief after so many years of self-recrimination. Her drinking increased, and her completely hopeless state of mind manifest as feelings of guilt, shame, regret, and self-punishment. With her second divorce looming, Nancy’s thoughts turned to suicide. But she stopped short of it and a divine ray of hope lead her to Alcoholics Anonymous in 1972 at the age of 31. My interview with Nancy K. covers a wide range of experiences over her 53 years of continuous sobriety. She talks about the good times and the bad times; the challenges of maintaining sobriety in the midst of both difficulties and good fortune; and the importance of using a sponsor, working the steps, attending meetings, and service work. It would be easy to point to Nancy’s 53 years of concurrent sobriety and AA membership as proof the Program works in the long-term. But it’s so much more than that. Hear it for yourself over the next hour as AA Recovery Interviews welcomes my newest friend and AA sister, the remarkable Nancy K. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, Apple Books, or Amazon.  I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio.

    1h 6m

  3. AUG 22

    Susan D. - Sober Since January 2003 (Encore Episode)

    Ever meet someone in an AA meeting for the first time whom you can just tell is working a good Program? My guest on today’s show, Susan D., is that kind of person. When she first attended a Tuesday meeting that I’ve been going to for the past 15 years, she showed up early with the countenance and confidence of someone who has attended many meetings. She comfortably introduced herself and was soon chatting among our members who show up early for fellowship before the meeting. When the originally scheduled leader couldn’t make it, the chair asked Susan to lead the meeting. She instantly said “yes” and proceeded to lead a fine discussion, infusing her share with the experience of 19 years sober and plenty of references to the Big Book. In the following weeks and months, Susan became a regular attendee and participant at that meeting, readily accepting the service commitment of talking with newcomers and others looking for knowledgeable guidance in the Program. Susan’s story will strike a familiar refrain for many baby boomers who became alcoholics and drug addicts. Dysfunctional home life with alcoholism rife through the family, Susan sought escape through alcohol and drugs, and a wild lifestyle common to the late 60’s and 70’s. Though a binge-drinker, her blackouts shielded her from cognitive awareness of the damage she was doing to her own life. Susan somehow managed to make it to AA in 1985, and even stayed sober for several years, but her unwillingness to embrace the Program had her skating around the periphery where she slipped time-and-again. By 2003, she’d finally hit the wall of hopeless abandon, with no spiritual armor to soften the impact. But it was the bottom that Susan had to hit in order to survive and later thrive. As you follow Susan’s difficult journey from active alcoholic to recovered alcoholic, you’re bound to hear many similarities to your own story, as well as some differences along the way. But once you’ve heard her entire story, I think you’ll land solidly on similarities of gratitude and humility from which we can all thrive as sober alcoholics. So please enjoy the next hour of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA sister, Susan D. [This is an encore of Episode 68 originally released March 2022.] If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, Apple Books, or Amazon.  I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperbackfrom Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA

    59 min

  4. JUL 23

    Jeff B. – Sober Since October 2017 (Encore Episode)

    Jeff B. rose to very top of major league baseball, only to find alcoholism waiting to take him down. For years, his extraordinary achievements on the field thrilled millions of fans. Off the field, his growing consumption of alcohol set the stage for the disease to take over when a painful and career-ending injury forced him to retire years before he was ready. As Jeff experienced relentless daily pain, the heart-breaking loss of his beloved profession, and the boredom of retirement, he sought relief through the bottle. Instead of relief, heavy drinking only numbed the pain, while it fractured his marriage, upset his children, and self-isolated him from the people in his life who cared most. His first attempt at treatment was to appease his wife and children, but the absence of a honest desire to stay sober took him out shortly thereafter. Subsequent treatment programs and therapy did little to effect a long-term solution, but they did open Jeff’s eyes to Alcoholics Anonymous. The following years found him in and out of AA, collecting nine desire chips, along with lots of self-recrimination, shame, and disappointment in the process. But the men in the Program never gave up on him, and “12th- Stepped” him time and time again. When he finally picked up his last desire chip nearly five years ago, Jeff had been totally beaten by the disease and he was ready to do the hard, but necessary, work to stay sober. Ironically, his spiritual awakening came with the realization that might seem counterintuitive to an elite professional athlete: Jeff had to surrender to win. That surrender was the ticket to lasting and contented sobriety for Jeff, sustained by his constant involvement in AA. Choosing to remain in the middle of the program, he attends regular meetings, works the Steps, reads the Big Book, calls his sponsor, and carries the message to other alcoholics. His local and national renown allows him a wide sphere in which to help others, while his humble nature, quiet demeanor, and total confidence in the Program, has allowed him to touch many lives. I’m honored to have Jeff as my 75th interview. His story embodies many of the same experiences of other AA members I’ve interviewed. His extraordinary career notwithstanding, his place as an active member of AA is as vital and significant as every other member of the fellowship. His love for and accountability to the Program is both admirable and attractive. I believe you will enjoy the next hour and ten minutes with my good friend and AA Brother, Jeff B. [This is an encore of Episode 75 originally released March 27, 2022.] If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, Apple Books, or Amazon.  I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs.

    1h 11m

  5. JUL 16

    Sabine H. - Sober 2 Years

    Joining me from Copenhagen, Denmark, Sabine H. grew up in a culture in which alcohol is both ubiquitous and deeply ingrained in social life. She never considered drinking as the cause of her problems until well into her forties. By then, the ruinous effects of her drinking had supplanted Sabine’s diminishing ability to mask her growing alcohol abuse and other mental health issues. The fame, money, and lofty positions she had attained as a highly functional alcoholic conflicted with the self-loathing and disdain she felt deep inside. As the disease progressed and her Sabine’s life began to unravel. Despite her need for help, she nonetheless became an expert at hiding her problems. Naturally, she found little help or support from those with whom she worked. By the time she took a month’s sick-leave to both drink and work out her problems, she came up miserably empty. With utter despair eroding her desire to live, Sabine finally found the hand of AA reaching out to her. She entered the Program a little more than two years ago, clawing her way past preconceived notions and self-doubts toward the middle of the herd. Since then, Sabine has embraced AA wholeheartedly, doing the work she was instructed to do. She even demonstrated the progress she had achieved by recently leaving her stress-ridden, booze-soaked corporate career to work as a counselor at a rehab facility. I feel you will be inspired and encouraged by what Sabine has to share, especially if you’re relatively young in sobriety. Hers is a story that bears out the international appeal of Alcoholics Anonymous to those who reach out for help. So no matter where you are around the world, please enjoy the next hour or so with my friend and AA sister, Sabine H. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon.  I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. 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 if you’d like to read along with the audio. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]

    1h 5m

  6. JUN 25

    Sam H. - Sober 38 Years

    With his life in tatters, Sam's entrée into Alcoholics Anonymous literally came down to a coin flip. Heads, he’d go AA. Tails, he’d put a bullet through his head. Such an abject choice was the culmination of a life largely ruined by alcoholism. Sam was penniless, homeless, and suffering from untreated clinical depression. His options were running out quicker than the many quarts of booze he consumed each week. Whatever knowledge Sam gained by examining his highly dysfunctional upbringing were not to be discovered until many years into his sobriety, but he admits such knowledge would have availed him nothing at the time. What Sam did discover during his early AA meetings was that his earnest desire to stay sober were hinged entirely on the time and effort he invested in his Program. So with the help of good sponsorship and an unwavering belief in AA’s literature, 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, and tireless service work, Sam built a rock-solid foundation on which he has based an AA-centric life over the past 38 years. Sam’s brand of sobriety and his no-nonsense approach to sponsoring other men has made him highly sought-after source of guidance and wisdom. I feel that his story will resonate strongly with AA members at all stages of sobriety. He is a serious believer in AA’s three legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service. I’ve enjoyed knowing Sam for the past 35+ years and hope you will enjoy and benefit from the next hour here on AA Recovery Interviews with my very good friend and AA brother, Sam H. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon.  I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. 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 if you’d like to read along with the audio. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]

    1h 2m

  7. JUN 18

    Jay S. - Sober Since May 2003 (Encore Episode)

    Jay’s foray into alcoholism stemmed from a difficult childhood in a home where his father drank, and fear and confusion reigned. By the time he started drinking in his early teens to quell the fear and ease his dissonance, he had set the pattern for a life of alcoholic behavior. Dishonesty and narcissism both isolated him and caused pain to those who cared about him. As his adult life was rapidly spinning out of control, Jay realized he needed help. He went into treatment and, subsequently, AA. But what started out as a good idea, inevitably failed as he continued to drink, paying lip-service to both treatment and half-hearted involvement in AA. In fact, as he collected countless desire chips on what seemed like a weekly basis, he labeled himself as Ph.D. in relapsing. Neither pride in nor practice of that degree did much to mitigate Jay’s incomprehensible demoralization. As the elevator plunged towards the bottom, his moment of clarity finally came into focus, Jay was finally ready to stop drinking and do the actual work to stay sober.     Though Jay’s story is hilarious at times and tragic at others, it remains a cautionary tail of what can go wrong in the pursuit of sobriety. It’s value as a stark backdrop to Jay’s sober life in AA cannot be undervalued. His AA-inspired service work in the community and his no-nonsense approach to sponsoring other men in the program provides solid footing from which Jay can influence to the good in other people’s lives. His daily commitment to the basics of the Program has also made it possible to avoid hitting the potholes in his road of happy destiny. He is both available and approachable to others in a way that encourages his fellows to follow suit. I’m confident that you will benefit by listening to this episode of AA Recovery Interviews as we focus the next 65 minutes on my close friend and AA brother, Jay S. [This is an encore of Episode 76 originally released May 4, 2022.] If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, Apple Books, or Amazon.  I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]

    1h 12m

  8. JUN 11

    Episode 175 - Howard L. Interviewed by Adam M.

    This is the 175th interview in the AA Recovery Interviews podcast series. This milestone episode celebrates the success of this podcast in touching so many peoples’ lives around the world over the past 4 ½ years. Its impact on listeners has been nothing short of astonishing. I invite you to revisit Episode 50, the interview in which I shared my personal story. I’ve sought to share parts of my sobriety journey during conversations with my podcast guests over the years. But the mission of this podcast has always been to hear the whole story, especially the “what-its-been-like-since-getting-sober part of the story. In the spirit of that commitment, I’ll share with you the past 4 ½ years of my life since starting the podcast. To do that dear listeners,  I gratefully turn the microphone over to my good friend, Adam M. As my very first interviewee for the Podcast, it was Adam was who first suggested doing an interview for episode 50 with the creator, producer, writer, editor, director, sound engineer, and host of this podcast, namely me. And now he’s  helping me do it again! So sit back and enjoy Adam’s masterful job of interviewing me in celebration of Episode 175 of AA Recovery Interviews.

    1h 6m
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Alcoholics Anonymous members from around the world share their awesome stories of experience, strength, and hope with interview host Howard L.

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