AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L. Podcast By Howard L. cover art

AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L.

AA Recovery Interviews with Howard L.

By: Howard L.
Listen for free

Alcoholics Anonymous members from around the world share their awesome stories of experience, strength, and hope with interview host Howard L.Copyright © 2020-2025 AA Recovery Interviews Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Craig S. – Sober 4 Years

    Craig S. – Sober 4 Years
    Mar 11 2026
    Craig came to AA later in life, getting sober at 63. For years he appeared to manage his drinking while building a highly successful business and providing a rich lifestyle for his family. But alcoholism is patient—and progressive. As control slipped and cocaine entered the picture, the consequences grew harder to ignore. Anxiety mounted. Relationships suffered. The very abilities that built his success began to erode. In a courageous moment of clarity, Craig walked into an AA meeting and asked for help. He found a strong sponsor, committed himself to the work, and has built nearly five years of solid sobriety. Today, you’ll find him calling other men, working with newcomers, and living the principles that once saved his own life. This is a compelling story of late-in-life surrender, willingness, and transformation. Settle in, listen closely—and let hope do its quiet work. I’m honored to introduce my friend and AA brother, Craig S. If you’ve found meaning, hope, or inspiration through my AA Recovery Interviews podcast, I invite you to go even deeper with a truly essential resource for recovery:“Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.” This is a word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, originally published in 1939—brought vividly to life through careful narration that lets the wisdom, clarity, and power of the text fully land. Listening allows the Big Book to meet you wherever you are: at home, on the road, or in moments when opening the book just isn’t possible. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and deeply engaging way to enrich your AA program through focused listening.You can listen to a free at Audible, iTunes, or Amazon. I also invite you to explore my latest audiobook,Lost Stories of the Big Book: 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Narrated by me, this audiobook restores powerful, long-forgotten personal stories that many AA members have never encountered. These original testimonials were removed to make room for newer stories in later editions—but their messages of surrender, transformation, and hope are just as vital today as when they were first written. For many listeners, this will be the first time hearing these voices speak again—honest, raw, and deeply human. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon for those who wish to read along while listening. Whether you’re newly sober or decades into the journey, these audiobooks are must-have companions—designed to deepen understanding, strengthen connection, and help keep the message alive, one careful listen at a time.
    Show more Show less
    Less than 1 minute
  • Amy B. – Sober Since October 2018 (Encore Episode)

    Amy B. – Sober Since October 2018 (Encore Episode)
    Mar 6 2026
    Amy’s fascinating story is one of early exposure to her father’s alcoholism and her mother’s active involvement in Al-Anon. But her parents also divorced when she was very young and she and her sister were shuttled back-and-forth to fulfill the terms of joint custody. Like many adolescents of divorced parents, Amy sought relief and release through the alcohol and marijuana she started using in 8th grade. The habitual use of alcohol carried her through a wild and colorful journey until she briefly tried AA in her early 20’s to ease her growing troubles. Unfortunately, she saw only the differences and few similarities in the infrequent meetings she attended. Deciding she could handle it herself, she spent the next couple of decades up and down in her addictions while raising four children and dealing with her husband’s escalating alcoholism. By the time she hit the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous, Amy’s life had been turned upside-down. A lengthy and difficult divorce in the early days of her AA membership nearly took her out. Had it not been for the AA women who surrounded her with tough love and constant support, Amy likely would not have made it. She immersed herself in the steps and service work sufficient to gird her against the continuing allure of her previously glamorous, yet alcoholic, life style. Listening to Amy’s story it’s clear she is a woman who takes her sobriety and spirituality seriously. She imparts her hard-won wisdom to other women who reach out for help and can be seen at meetings making sure everyone feels welcome. Amy was quick to agree to my invitation to share her story, which we recorded directly after a meeting we both attend. Because she chaired that meeting, her demonstration of service to her group service was top-of-mind and a great starting point for the interview. Please enjoy listening to this episode of AA Recovery Interviews as you soak up the words of active recovery gleaned from my friend and AA sister, Amy B. If you’ve found meaning, hope, or inspiration through my AA Recovery Interviews podcast, I invite you to go even deeper with a truly essential resource for recovery:“Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.” This is a word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, originally published in 1939—brought vividly to life through careful narration that lets the wisdom, clarity, and power of the text fully land. Listening allows the Big Book to meet you wherever you are: at home, on the road, or in moments when opening the book just isn’t possible. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and deeply engaging way to enrich your AA program through focused listening.You can listen to a free at Audible, iTunes, or Amazon. I also invite you to explore my latest audiobook,Lost Stories of the Big Book: 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Narrated by me, this audiobook restores powerful, long-forgotten personal stories that many AA members have never encountered. These original testimonials were removed to make room for newer stories in later editions—but their messages of surrender, transformation, and hope are just as vital today as when they were first written. For many listeners, this will be the first time hearing these voices speak again—honest, raw, and deeply human. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon for those who wish to read along while listening. Whether you’re newly sober or decades into the journey, these audiobooks are must-have companions—designed to deepen understanding, strengthen connection, and help keep the message alive, one careful listen at a time.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Kirkland V. – Sober Since February 2005 (Encore Episode)

    Kirkland V. – Sober Since February 2005 (Encore Episode)
    Feb 26 2026
    Kirkland’s family of origin was a difficult place to grow up. Alcoholism was rife and the cause of constant stress and chaos. Wracked with fear and isolation, he inevitably turned to alcohol and marijuana for solace. It didn’t take long for the disease of alcoholism to take hold and thrive. Kirkland’s subsequent use and abuse of alcohol and grass throughout high school and college affected every area of his life. By the time he was in his mid-20s and early 30s, he was gradually losing his ability to be a functional alcoholic. Despair from that realization, plus periodic bouts with depression and suicidal ideation, finally overwhelmed him. His moment of clarity and divine intervention appeared in the form of memories of his late grandmother and her words of wisdom to him earlier in his life. He reached out to a friend, who brought him to his first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. Seeing former friends and business colleagues in the rooms did much to bolster Kirkland’s early commitment to sobriety. He quickly found a sponsor and by three months, he’d already completed his 4th step. He finished with his steps by the end of his first year and continued active involvement in meetings and in the fellowship. With amends to his parents made along the way, Kirkland discovered the freedom and peace that accompanies the willingness to do the work. To this day, and certainly in the interview, he exudes a quiet confidence and enthusiasm for the Program. Kirkland’s story is one I think you’ll enjoy listening to. It speaks to the gifts of hope and redemption available to those who are willing to embrace the AA way of life. So, please enjoy the next sixty-five minutes with my friend and AA brother, Kirkland V. If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testamonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book if you’d like to read along with the audio. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs and no one receives financial gain from the show. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. -Howard L.]
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 10 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I'm an AlAnon, and get excited that I can get a probing yet caring understanding of AA via this meaty open show. I"ve listened to all the episodes, and they always power my 12 step day. Howard is a gifted interviewer - his questions skillfully pull even more experience, strength, and hope from the speakers' hearts and recovery stories.

High-quality AA, great variety of speakers, honest

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Just finished my first interview and love it!! I can listen at work and in the car now. Thank you❤️

Great!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.