The Living Clean Podcast

In Episode Two of DM’ing the Pamphlets, Douglas and Mason sit down with one of the most foundational pieces of Narcotics Anonymous literature: “Who, What, How, and Why.”
This pamphlet answers the core questions so many of us had when we first showed up — Who is an addict? What is NA? Why are we here? And how does this actually work? Together, we slow it down and talk through the language, the principles, and the lived experience behind the words.
We explore what NA says about addiction as a disease, the idea of complete abstinence, the role of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness, and why one addict helping another remains at the heart of recovery. We also touch on the Steps, the Traditions, and how these principles show up in real life — not just on paper.
We’re not gurus or experts. We’re simply sharing our experience and perspective, and we’re genuinely interested in yours. This is a conversation, not a lecture — and we’d love to hear what this pamphlet has meant to you.

45th anniversary of the Third World Literature Conference of Narcotics Anonymous — held in Memphis, Tennessee in 1981 — the gathering that brought the NA Basic Text into being.
In this special episode, we’re joined by Doug W., Linda M., George R., and Gene L., members who were there and helped carry the responsibility of finishing the book so that addicts they would never meet could find recovery.
Rather than reading minutes or timelines, this conversation explores the human side of that work: the pressure, disagreements, unity, spiritual grounding, and trust required to bring the Basic Text to life. This is a story about service, surrender, and what can happen when addicts come together for something bigger than themselves.
We are the book — and together we will always have the book.

Welcome back to Francis’s Archives, a special solo series within the Living Clean Podcast where history, personal stories, and reflections come together to honor the voices that helped shape recovery as we know it today.
This week, we remember Bill Brooks — a foundational member in the growth of Narcotics Anonymous in Alabama whose influence continues to be felt by generations of recovering addicts. Bill has a personal story in the back of the Basic Text titled “If You Want What We Have,” and many members recognize the powerful opening line that begins, “My name is Bill, and I’m a junkie and a juicer.” — a simple yet unforgettable introduction that has resonated with countless people over the years.
Through shared memories, historical context, and heartfelt reflection, this episode highlights the humility, service, and compassion Bill carried into every room. We’ll also touch on excerpts from his story that capture the spirit of openness, love, and the life-changing impact of walking into an NA meeting for the first time.
This episode isn’t only about looking back — it’s about recognizing the people who helped build the path we walk today and continuing to carry the message forward. The heart of recovery beats strongest when we remember those who came before us and honor their legacy through action.

In this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with the author of “Just Say Yes,” a powerful personal story from Life on Life’s Terms written more than 20 years ago.
Raised in a traditional Sikh family, our guest shares his journey from a double life of addiction and professional success to recovery through Narcotics Anonymous. We talk sponsorship, willingness, prayer before belief, service, and what it means to trust the process over time.
This conversation bridges early recovery and life today, offering an honest look at how spiritual principles continue to guide growth, relationships, and change—one day at a time.

Be the Change 2 | Francis’s Archives
Welcome back to Francis’s Archives, the midweek bonus series from the Living Clean Podcast, where Francis continues to step outside the usual format to explore recovery through reflection, history, and lived experience.
In Part 2 of “Be the Change,” Francis returns to the exercise that began with a spontaneous lobby conversation at the Volunteer Regional Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. What started as a single moment of honesty has continued to unfold into something deeper — a closer look at responsibility, personal ownership, and what it actually means to live the message we talk about.
This episode moves beyond the idea itself and into application. What does it look like to be the change in our relationships, our service, our fellowships, and our everyday choices? Where do we get stuck? Where do we resist? And what happens when we stop waiting for others to move first?
Raw, thoughtful, and intentional, this installment continues the conversation — not with answers, but with direction. Less theory. More practice. More recovery in action.
More content. More connection. More recovery.