Sober Sunrise - AA Speaker Podcast

AA Speaker - Valerie D. - Dallas, TX - 2005

Valerie D. from Richmond, VA speaking at the 60th annual Texas State AA Convention in Dallas, TX - August 20th 2005
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Valerie D. shares her powerful journey through alcoholism and recovery, highlighting her struggles with feeling different, early drinking, and eventual immersion into Alcoholics Anonymous. She details her initial resistance to AA, relapses, and eventual surrender, crediting strong sponsorship and deep engagement with the steps for saving her life. Through making amends, practicing daily spiritual principles, and committing to service in her home group, Valerie finds the fellowship and purpose she had always sought. Her story is one of transformation—moving from deception, instability, and self-will to a life of accountability, connection, and faith in a higher power.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Jay S. - Estes Park, CO - 2008 - Part 1

Jay S. from Redondo Beach, CA speaking at the "Living Fearlessly Men's retreat" in Estes Park, CO - April 18th 2008
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With decades of sobriety, Jay is known for his deep understanding of AA’s spiritual principles and his engaging storytelling. In Part 1 of this retreat, Jay shares his insights on the importance of AA literature, the spiritual journey of recovery, and the significance of community in maintaining sobriety. He references historical AA figures like Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob, and Carl Jung, highlighting the spiritual awakening necessary for lasting recovery. With humor and wisdom, he challenges attendees to engage in self-examination, prayer, and step work, emphasizing the role of personal accountability in spiritual growth. Throughout his talk, Jay’s experience, strength, and hope shine through as he encourages men to deepen their commitment to AA principles and create a supportive, safe space for one another.

AA Speaker - Yisrael C. - Toronto, Canada - 2018

Yisrael C. from Jerusalem, Isreal speaking at the Hamilton Archives Breakfast in Toronto, Canada - April 15th 2018
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Yisrael shares his heartfelt journey in Alcoholics Anonymous, blending humor, wisdom, and deep gratitude for the fellowship that saved his life. Reflecting on his transformation from a troubled teenager in Philadelphia to a sober, spiritual man living in Jerusalem, he highlights the importance of AA traditions, sponsorship, and service. Through personal anecdotes, he emphasizes the power of human connection, the necessity of humility, and the reality of alcoholism’s devastating grip. His message is clear: sobriety is a daily reprieve, rooted in action and shared experience, and every member of AA plays a role in keeping the message alive for those still struggling.

AA Speaker - Linda R. - Charlottesville, VA - 2005 - Parts 4 & 5

Linda R. from Indianapolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005
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In parts 4 and 5 of Linda’s "A Day in the Big Book", she shares deeply personal experiences about love, loss, and spiritual growth through the lens of Alcoholics Anonymous. She reflects on being fully present with her father during his final months with cancer, overcoming self-centered fears, and embracing the profound lessons of service and surrender. Linda also recounts the transformative relationship with her late husband Richard, navigating his illness and death with grace and newfound intimacy that transcended physicality. Through step work and inventory, she highlights the freedom found in amends, the discipline of daily spiritual practice, and the realization that sobriety is not just a personal gift but a channel for God's love to others. She closes with a meditation, guiding others to detach from ego, fear, and even their own personalities, to recognize their true essence as God's creation. Her journey exemplifies the promises of AA—living in a new and wonderful world, no matter the circumstances.

AA Speaker - Linda R. - Charlottesville, VA - 2005 - Part 3

Linda R. from Indianapolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005
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In Part 3 of A "Day in the Big Book", Linda shares how the journey of making amends and following spiritual principles opened her life in ways she could never have planned. She reflects on the 9th Step promises and the profound impact of direct amends, including a powerful moment of healing with her father. Through personal stories, like her struggles with financial dishonesty and the unexpected blessings that came from choosing integrity over comfort, she illustrates how self-will and fear often keep us from experiencing the true gifts of sobriety. Linda emphasizes that following God's will isn't about knowing the full plan—it's about trusting each step and being open to the unexpected, whether that means moving into her sister’s home or showing up for her father’s final months. Her journey is a testament to the promise that, no matter the circumstances, a new and wonderful world awaits those who walk in faith.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - John K - Fort Worth, TX - 2006

John K. from Dallas, TX speaking at the Eastside Group in Fort Worth, TX - February 2006
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John K. shares his experience, strength, and hope, emphasizing that real gratitude is shown through action—by carrying the message to others. After years of failed attempts to stay sober, he finally surrendered in 1999, realizing he was completely powerless over alcohol. Through a strong sponsor and the Big Book’s precise instructions, he worked the steps, starting with a deep understanding of his hopelessness in Step 1. Step 2 gave him the hope that a power greater than himself could restore him, and Step 3 marked a true turning point—fully committing to take action. With rigorous Step 4 and 5 work, he uncovered the truth about his selfishness, self-centered fears, and delusions, leading to a complete psychic change. Today, John emphasizes that the steps are not theoretical but practical tools for living. By sponsoring others, he continues to stay close to God and remain free from alcohol, experiencing the profound joy of seeing new men and women recover.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu
 

AA Speaker - Linda R. - Charlottesville, VA - 2005 - Part 2

Linda R. from Indianapolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005
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In Part 2 of "A Day in the Big Book", Linda continues her deep dive into the steps, bringing warmth and clarity to the often-misunderstood process of surrender and faith. She breaks down Step 3 with humor and honesty, sharing how she struggled to grasp the concept of turning her will and life over to a higher power. Instead of needing to fully understand God, she realizes she only has to make a decision—one that allows her to stop managing every detail of life and begin trusting in something greater. Linda illustrates this shift with real-life moments, from a simple household frustration to a health scare, showing how applying these principles can transform fear into faith. She also unpacks Step 4, guiding listeners through inventory with practical examples, reminding them that it's not about discovering who they are but shedding the false self they've built. Her reflections highlight how the steps don’t just stop at getting sober—they offer a path to real freedom, emotional peace, and a life of spiritual connection.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Rick K. - Edmonton, Alberta - 2008

Rick K. from Edmonton, Alberta speaking at the Edmonton Winter Roundup in Edmonton, Alberta - February 16th 2008
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Rick shares his journey from a chaotic, alcohol-filled upbringing to a life of sobriety, guided by the steps of AA. Drinking was always central—bringing both excitement and destruction. Despite a loving marriage and career as a chef, his drinking spiraled into blackouts, DUIs, and broken trust, ultimately leading to separation from his wife, Joanne. Hitting rock bottom, physically ill and unable to stop, he found himself in AA, initially resistant but eventually embracing the steps. Working with a strong sponsor, Rick took Step 3 seriously, closed the back door to drinking, and found freedom through rigorous Step 4 and 5 work. Making amends, especially with his dying father, brought deep healing. Through AA’s guidance, he rebuilt his marriage, adopted a son, and later, miraculously, welcomed a biological son. A cancer scare tested his faith, but the program’s tools helped him find peace. Now, with decades of sobriety, Rick emphasizes the power of service, fellowship, and working the steps to build a life beyond his wildest dreams.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Linda R. - Charlottesville, VA - 2005 - Part 1

Linda R. from Indianopolis, IN doing a workshop titled "A Day In The Big Book" in Charlottesville, VA - April 9th 2005
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In Part 1 of "A Day in the Big Book", Linda shares her deeply personal journey through the first two steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, bringing to life the raw, transformative power of surrender. She describes how, for years, she convinced herself she didn’t have a drinking problem—until she woke up one morning knowing she was dying inside. With honesty and warmth, she talks about the desperation that led her to her knees and how she found hope in the pages of the Big Book. Linda explains how her sponsor guided her through Step One, helping her see that her life had always been unmanageable, even when it looked good from the outside. In Step Two, she wrestles with doubt, realizing that while she believed in God, she wasn’t sure He believed in her. Through the guidance of AA and the willingness to set aside old ideas, she begins to open up to the possibility of a power greater than herself, setting the stage for the spiritual awakening to come.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

AA Speaker - Peter M. - Toronto, Canada - 2012

Peter M. from Boca Raton, FL speaking at the All Our Affairs group in Toronto, Canada - July 7th 2012
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Peter M. shares a powerful, raw, and deeply spiritual account of his journey through alcoholism, recovery, and transformation. Growing up in a turbulent household in Brooklyn, losing his mother to addiction, and experiencing repeated relapses and homelessness, Peter vividly describes the pain, shame, and destruction that alcoholism brings into his life. After multiple treatment centers and failed attempts at sobriety, he finally reaches a point of total surrender on June 23, 1988, when he cries out to God for help. Through the guidance of a sponsor, deep work in the Twelve Steps, and a complete shift in perspective, he finds a life of purpose and service. Today, he embodies the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual awakening, rigorous honesty, and living a life centered on God-consciousness. His journey is a testament to the power of recovery, reminding others that the path to healing requires surrender, action, and a commitment to carrying the message of hope to those still suffering.
Music: Deep by KaizanBlu