The Living Clean Podcast

In this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, we continue our discussion of the Living Clean chapter on Disabilities. Recovery doesn't eliminate life's challenges, but it does give us new ways to face them. Whether those challenges are physical, cognitive, emotional, visible, or invisible, this conversation explores what it means to live a full and meaningful life in recovery while navigating limitations, obstacles, and differences.
Our panel discusses the importance of acceptance, self-worth, accessibility, asking for help, overcoming shame, and finding purpose despite circumstances that may feel unfair or overwhelming. We also examine how recovery helps us move beyond seeing ourselves as our disability and instead allows us to recognize our value, strengths, and ability to contribute.
This chapter reminds us that while disabilities may affect how we move through the world, they do not define who we are. Recovery offers connection, dignity, hope, and the opportunity to participate fully in life—one day at a time.
Join us as we continue this powerful and heartfelt conversation on resilience, inclusion, gratitude, and the freedom that comes from learning to live clean no matter what challenges we face.

In this episode, “More Mo,” we continue our journey through the history and spirit of recovery in Missouri with two longtime members of Narcotics Anonymous.
First, Jeff B. from Kansas City shares about the beginnings of NA in Kansas City, his relationship with Bob R., and his involvement in helping start the region. Jeff also reflects on the efforts toward unity in Kansas City and the challenges and rewards of bringing addicts together in service and recovery.
Then we hear from Roger F. from Mexico, Missouri, who once again shares powerful stories about Bob R. Roger talks about recovery in rural central Missouri, the importance of conventions and fellowship gatherings, and the spirit behind Cabin Fever—one of the events that helped connect recovering addicts across the state.
These stories help preserve the living history of Narcotics Anonymous—one addict helping another, carrying the message across cities, small towns, and generations.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we continue our Twelve Step journey with Step Six: “We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
Our returning panel is back — Archer, Pete, and Douglas — and this week we’re joined by special guests Karen J. and Ron H. for a deep and honest conversation about willingness, readiness, and the lifelong process of change.
We explore what character defects really are, why some behaviors are so difficult to let go of, and how many of us want relief while still holding on to the very things causing us pain. We discuss pride, fear, control, resentment, self-centeredness, and the inner resistance that often shows up when real transformation begins.
Step Six is where we stop just identifying the problem and start becoming willing to live differently. It is where honesty meets humility, and where growth becomes possible.
This is one of the most relatable and practical episodes in the Step series so far.
If you’ve ever known what needs to change but struggled to let it go, this episode is for you.
Do yourself a favor and listen.

On this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we explore a friendship that bridges generations in recovery.
Francis, with 33 years clean, and Travis, celebrating just over a year, share how recovery creates connections that go far beyond time clean. Though they come from different experiences and different places in their journeys, they’ve found something powerful in common: the ability to help each other grow.
This episode follows a special weekend in Northern California. On Thursday night, Francis speaks in Nevada City, sharing decades of experience, hope, and the spiritual principles that have carried him through life clean. The very next evening, Travis takes the message to Red Bluff at an Ice Cream Social Bingo Night, carrying a fresh and passionate message of early recovery.
Together, their stories show that recovery isn’t about seniority—it’s about connection. One addict helping another. Experience meeting enthusiasm. Wisdom meeting willingness. And both people walking away changed.
Whether you’re brand new or have decades clean, this conversation is a reminder that we never stop learning from each other, and we never outgrow the need for fellowship, friendship, and purpose.

Spotify Episode Description
On this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Jim H., one of the earliest members of Narcotics Anonymous in the Philadelphia area. Jim shares what it was like in the early days of recovery in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including getting clean on June 6, 1974 — a date that would ultimately change the course of his life.
Jim talks about being what he calls the fifth member of NA in Philadelphia around 1971, going back out for several years, and then finding his way back to recovery in 1974. From there, his story becomes deeply connected to the growth of Narcotics Anonymous itself. He helped start meetings throughout the Philadelphia area and carried the message internationally to places like Iceland and Copenhagen during a time when NA was still finding its footing around the world.
This episode is filled with personal history, hard-earned experience, humor, honesty, and a firsthand look at what recovery looked like before there were meeting lists, literature everywhere, or established fellowships in many cities. Jim’s story is a reminder that recovery survives because addicts continue carrying the message one person at a time.