The Living Clean Podcast

Atlanta has played a vital role in the growth and development of Narcotics Anonymous throughout the Southern United States.
In this Living Clean Podcast episode, we sit down with members currently serving on the committee writing The History of Narcotics Anonymous in Atlanta, along with several founding members of the Atlanta Fellowship. Together, we explore the early days of NA in Atlanta — how the first meetings formed, how the fellowship grew, and how addicts carried the message at a time when resources were scarce and recovery was still finding its footing.
This conversation captures the lived experience behind the history: the challenges, the service work, the unity, and the dedication that helped shape NA in Atlanta and influenced the broader Southern fellowship. These are stories of commitment, perseverance, and belief in a simple message — that any addict can stop using, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live.
Whether you’re interested in NA history, service, or the roots of recovery in the South, this episode offers a meaningful look at how Atlanta became one of the building blocks of Narcotics Anonymous.

In this special episode of the Living Clean Podcast, Mason, Francis, and good friend of the podcast Ron H. guide a heartfelt conversation with the two individuals behind the powerful story “A Tale of Two Key Tags.” What started as a small, spontaneous moment involving a suitcase and a recovery key tag turned into a deeply meaningful experience that would eventually connect two recovering addicts across the country.
One author reflects on being in a difficult emotional space during an overnight airport shift when he impulsively placed a key tag on a stranger’s luggage. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the suitcase’s owner was navigating grief, exhaustion, and the emotional weight of arranging hospice care for a loved one when he unexpectedly discovered that same key tag after returning home. What followed was a moment that served as a profound reminder that recovery is present even in life’s hardest seasons.
Together, Mason, Francis, and Ron H. help unpack the emotional depth behind the story, exploring themes of service, connection, grief in recovery, and the quiet ways the fellowship shows up when we least expect it. The discussion goes beyond the written piece and dives into the human experience behind it — what it felt like in the moment, how the story unfolded afterward, and what it still means today years later.
This episode is a conversation about more than a suitcase and a key tag. It is about unity, unseen connection, and the powerful reminder that none of us are as alone as we sometimes feel.

n this special episode, we pause to remember and honor the life of Mary Banner, a beloved member of the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous whose impact was felt far and wide.
With Mason unavailable for this recording, his sister Staci graciously stepped in as host—and did a beautiful job guiding a large and heartfelt panel of friends who came together to share memories, gratitude, and love for Mary. What unfolded was a powerful collective remembrance filled with laughter, tears, and deep appreciation.
Mary was a long-time member of Narcotics Anonymous in Texas, a trusted servant to the Fellowship, and a former NA World Services (NAWS) Board member. She was known for her dedication, her service, and—most of all—her heart. Mary showed up, carried the message, and lived the principles of Narcotics Anonymous in a way that touched countless lives.
This episode is a celebration of a life well lived in recovery and a reminder of how one addict, committed to service and love, can leave a lasting imprint on our Fellowship.
Thank you, Mary, for your service, your example, and your legacy. You are remembered. 💙

Wild Recovery is more than just a group — it’s a recovery experience built around movement, nature, and shared adventure. In this episode, we sit down with several members of Wild Recovery to talk about what it’s been like to live clean while hiking trails, pushing limits, and reconnecting with themselves, others, and the world around them. They share how challenge, discomfort, and community have become powerful tools in their recovery, and why this outdoor-based approach has resonated with people who may not have found their place in more traditional spaces. This is an honest conversation about growth, freedom, and discovering new ways to experience recovery. We’re excited to share this unique experience with you.

Last year, Francis traveled to the North Alabama Convention—home of Bill Brooks, a founding member of Narcotics Anonymous in Alabama and the author of the powerful Basic Text story “If You Want What We Have.”
While there, Francis went beyond the convention floor. He visited Bill Brooks’ home, paid his respects at his gravesite, and had a meaningful phone conversation with Bill’s widow, Bettie, who shared personal reflections on Bill’s life, service, and legacy in Narcotics Anonymous.
Francis also attended Open Minds and Miracles, the NA meeting Bill Brooks started in 1978—a living piece of NA history that continues to carry the message today.
This episode also marks a milestone: Francis’s first time presenting on an author whose story appears in the Basic Text. Upon returning to the North Alabama Convention, he was invited to present on Bill Brooks, honoring both the man and the message behind one of NA’s most enduring stories.
This is a heartfelt episode about history, humility, service, and the living legacy of recovery—reminding us that what was freely given to us is meant to be passed on.