Sober Sunrise - AA Speaker Podcast

AA Speaker - Cia F. - Brentwood, CA - 2015

Cia F. from Los Angeles, CA speaking at the Brentwood Workshop in Los Angeles, CA - July 16th 2015
Audio gets better at around the 1 minute mark :) 
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 With a sobriety date of January 30, 1983, Cia speaks candidly about her chaotic pre-recovery life marked by anger, dysfunctional relationships, geographics, and spiritual claustrophobia. Her turning point came not through a thunderclap of spiritual lightning but through an unexpected moment of clarity and surrender—sparked by fear, a community service ad, and the strange relief of not feeling the obsession to drink. Through multiple relapses, she learned that her true issue wasn’t alcohol, but ego, resentment, and a self-centered spirit. In working the 12 steps—particularly after a second bottom in sobriety—Sia rebuilt her life, became deeply active in service, and grew into someone who sponsors others and lives with integrity. Her message is clear: recovery isn’t just possible—it’s miraculous, but only when done fully and honestly, one day and one surrender at a time.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Forrest S. - Pompano Beach, FL - 2024

Forrest S. from Fort Lauderdale, FL speaking about step 1 at the Spiritual Awakening in Pompano Beach, FL - November 1st 2024
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Forrest’s journey is a raw, layered reflection of both the depths of addiction and the challenges of staying spiritually connected after years of sobriety. His first white chip came in 1992, leading to 19 years in Alcoholics Anonymous before a relapse in 2011. Unlike a stereotypical bottom, Forrest didn’t lose his job, home, or outward stability—he lost his inner peace. That spiritual bankruptcy, masked by career success and family life, was enough to lead him back to the drink. He jokes about picking a sponsor based on material things like a Porsche and a bleach-blonde girlfriend, only to find out the guy wasn’t even really an alcoholic. He talks candidly about his years in active addiction—crystal meth, days-long binges, blackouts, and a mindset where people became “resources” to help him keep the party going.
Even more striking is how he describes his relapse after 19 years: slow, subtle, justified by spiritual pride, academic knowledge of the Big Book, and the belief that he’d outgrown AA. He didn’t leave with a bang—he drifted, convincing himself that AA was just “spiritual kindergarten” and he was ready for “graduate-level” work through yoga and outside spirituality. But when he drank again, it took only one night for the old Forrest to return—force-feeding others alcohol, creating chaos, and ending up banned from a house. That moment of clarity, that “it’s time” voice in his head, returned stronger than ever. And unlike so many who don’t make it back, Forrest was lucky enough to land safely back in the rooms.
Now, with his second sobriety date of February 22, 2014, Forrest speaks from a place of deep earned wisdom. He continues to check in with the first step daily and emphasizes the danger of thinking he has any real power over his own sobriety. With a thimble-sized cup, as his sponsor puts it, Forrest keeps filling it with spiritual action—unity, service, recovery—and pouring it into others. His life today is one of grace and clarity, and his share is a powerful reminder that the path back to sanity starts with a gut-level surrender: “I can’t. God can.”
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speakers - Chris S. & Steve L. - East Dorset, VT - 2021 - Part 3

Chris S. from Pottersville, NJ and Steve L. from Nashville, TN speaking at workshop entitled Upping your Game at the Wilson House in East Dorset, VT - August 21st 2021
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In the powerful concluding sessions of their workshop at the Wilson House, Chris and Steve delved deeply into the spiritual heart of Steps 8 through 12, emphasizing how the willingness to make amends and the practice of daily spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and self-examination can create lasting emotional freedom and transformation. Steve shared moving personal experiences—including confessing hidden past actions and confronting shame—highlighting that growth in understanding and effectiveness requires honest vulnerability, accountability, and trusted guidance. Chris reinforced the life-changing value of rigorous step work and the joy of living that comes from continuous application of spiritual principles and helping others, showing that sobriety is not just about abstinence but about active service and spiritual awakening.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Stephanie K. - Martha's Vineyard, MA - 2017

Stephanie K. from Portland, ME speaking about step 2 at the Unity at the light convention in Martha’s Vineyard, MA - November 14th 2017
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Raised in an alcoholic household where dysfunction masqueraded as normalcy, Stephanie described how alcoholism blinded her from truth long before she ever drank. Her first experience with alcohol gave her what she called an "alcohol chakra awakening," making her feel beautiful, powerful, and seen — the sanity she thought she’d been missing. Despite rehabs, codependent relationships, and years of denial, she eventually came to AA not for herself, but to save someone else. And through a series of humbling moments, from falling in love with people who couldn’t love her back to watching her father die of cancer while she was newly sober, she slowly began to trust in a power greater than herself. Her story highlights how love, service, and guidance from other sober women helped her transform from a terrified, promiscuous girl masking pain with noise — to a deliberate, dignified woman grounded in truth and grace. Today, her faith, humor, and grit make her a spiritual warrior determined to give it all back.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Jason J. - Issaquah, WA - 2018

Jason J. from Portland, OR speaking at the Pine Lake speaker meeting in Issaquah, WA - April 14th 2018
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Born into chaos and raised amid instability, Jason J. was the kind of wild, deeply troubled child who once stole the neighbor’s cat—three times. Despite his loving grandparents stepping in to give him safety, Jason’s descent into alcoholism, drug use, and criminal behavior spiraled until it landed him in prison, facing hard truths and broken relationships, including missing his grandmother’s funeral—the woman who always saw the good in him. Yet amid the wreckage, Jason found AA, a sponsor who demanded accountability, and a new life fueled by faith, humility, and service. Through countless challenges, including relapse, divorce, fatherhood struggles, and incarceration, Jason’s ultimate victory lies in becoming the man his grandmother always believed he could be. His legacy is a living amends: showing up, helping others, and honoring the grace he was given—day by day.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Tom B. - Laughlin, NV - 2003

Tom B. from Avon Lake, OH speaking at the 19th Annual Tri State Roundup in Laughlin, NV - May 18th 2003
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Tom's story is a deeply human portrait of resilience, humility, and grace found through decades of sobriety. Sober since July 5, 1962, Tom shares his journey with unflinching honesty—painting a picture of a once-chaotic life marked by jail stints, blackouts, failed promises, and broken family trust. But through the rooms of AA, he found not just abstinence, but emotional and spiritual transformation. He emphasizes action over intellect, and service over self—rooting his recovery not in knowledge of the Big Book, but in doing what it says. His greatest victories lie not in wealth or status, but in the renewed love of his wife, the laughter of grandkids, and the pride of watching his children thrive. Tom’s story reminds us that sobriety isn’t just about stopping drinking—it’s about learning how to live, how to give, and how to be present for life’s quiet miracles.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Matthew M. - Issaquah, WA - 2017

Matthew M. from Gig Harbor, WA speaking at the Pine Lake speaker meeting in Issaquah, WA - April 8th 2017
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Matthew M. from Gig Harbor delivered a deeply moving and at times humorous account of his transformation through Alcoholics Anonymous, reflecting on over three decades of sobriety since May 16, 1993. Once a rock musician who had sunk into despair, addiction, and near-suicide, Matthew described his turning point—the raw, grace-filled moment he told his brother, “Of course I do,” when asked if he thought he had a drinking problem. From there, he recounted with honesty how AA, family, and unexpected grace helped rebuild his life: repairing relationships, embracing fatherhood, and later becoming a dedicated husband and caregiver after his wife’s stroke. With humor, humility, and spiritual clarity, Matthew emphasized that while everything may not be “all right,” doing the work of recovery makes it possible to face life with integrity, presence, and love. His story reminds us of the sacred power in telling the truth, taking action, and staying connected—no matter what.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Kathleen W. - Studio City, CA - 2014

Kathleen W. from Studio City, CA speaking at the Brentwood Beginners Workshop in Los Angeles, CA - October 2nd 2014
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Kathleen W. delivers a raw, humorous, and deeply moving account of her transformation from a court-ordered attendee to a woman celebrating 23 years of sobriety. Born into a laid-back surf culture in Santa Barbara, Kathleen turned to alcohol early to silence her inner critic and navigate a life of blackouts, shame, failed relationships, and professional disasters. Her bottom came when her acting career imploded and her husband overdosed—pushing her to finally seek real help. Reluctantly, she committed to a year of AA, only to discover connection, grace, and the power of the steps. Today, Kathleen lives a life beyond her wildest dreams with a husband, children, a meaningful spiritual practice, and a fierce dedication to service. Her story is a testament to how AA can rescue not just lives, but identities, restoring dignity, family, and love through honest work and daily spiritual maintenance.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Charlie P. - Santa Barbara, CA - 2013

Charlie P. from Austin, TX speaking at the South Bay men's retreat in Santa Barbara, CA - December 12th 2013
Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com
Sober since March 22, 1985, Charlie shares his transformative AA journey with humor, vulnerability, and conviction, reflecting on how following the clear-cut directions of the Big Book—rather than just attending meetings—completely changed his life. After 17 years of sobriety, he hit a spiritual bottom despite staying dry, and rediscovered recovery by recommitting to the steps, deep sponsorship, and service. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual experience, identification with fellow alcoholics, and a full surrender to a Higher Power. From pawn shops and psych wards to purpose and peace, Charlie’s message is a testament to the power of real recovery through action, not just abstinence.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speakers - Chris S. & Steve L. - East Dorset, VT - 2021 - Part2

Chris S. from Pottersville, NJ and Steve L. from Nashville, TN speaking at workshop entitled Upping your Game at the Wilson House in East Dorset, VT - August 21st 2021
Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com
In part 2 of Chris S. and Steve L.'s workshop, the focus turns inward as they guide listeners through the deeply personal process of the 4th through 7th steps of recovery. Chris opens with raw self-reflection, sharing how his resentments, fear, and selfishness nearly pushed him out of AA entirely—until working the steps helped him see that his thinking and perception, not the world around him, were the root of his pain. Through humorous but vulnerable stories, he highlights how early sobriety was marked by turmoil, denial, and self-will run riot, until he embraced the 4th step's spiritual inventory. Steve builds on this, illuminating how resentment, fear, and dishonesty keep us blocked from connection with God and others. He emphasizes the freeing power of forgiveness and spiritual surrender, using vivid analogies (like NCIS-style “spiritual autopsies” and metaphorical yard sales) to show how self-examination, willingness, and humility make space for God to work in our lives. Both men stress that recovery is not about perfection, but about spiritual growth, one surrendered defect at a time. 
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu