The Living Clean Podcast

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Bella A and Craig R to revisit an article they wrote for the NA Way Magazine back in 1999, where they boldly tried to predict the future of Narcotics Anonymous. Together, we reflect on which of those predictions came true, which expectations were exceeded, and where reality took a different turn than anyone imagined.The conversation also explores how NA has evolved in reaching the newcomer, including changes in public relations and communication, and how the message continues to find addicts in new and unexpected ways. We close the episode by looking ahead once again, asking what Narcotics Anonymous might look like in the year 2050.A thoughtful, reflective, and forward-looking episode that bridges NA’s past, present, and future.

Francis’s Archives — Episode: Steve M. In this episode of Francis’s Archives, Francis sits down with Steve M., a name that quietly appears in the early history of recovery—and a voice with a story worth hearing.Steve was present during the formative conference years and is listed among those who helped shape the early fellowship landscape. What began as simple curiosity—tracking down a name from conference records—turned into a deeper discovery: Steve was the musician referenced in Gina H.’s story, No Excuse for Loneliness.Steve shares openly about his early involvement, the tension he experienced around language and messaging, and how encounters with influential figures like Joseph Proctor and Scooby ultimately pushed him toward Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an honest look at how tone, expectations, and rigid ideas can unintentionally alienate people who are simply trying to find a way to stay clean.This conversation isn’t about taking sides—it’s about understanding history, honoring experience, and reflecting on how recovery spaces evolve. Steve’s story reminds us that language matters, humility matters, and sometimes the path we take isn’t the one we expected—but it still saves our lives.

Welcome to the first episode of DM’ing the Pamphlets, a collaborative series between The Living Clean Podcast and The Anonymous Podcast.In this series, Douglas and Mason sit down to break down the Information Pamphlets (IPs) of Narcotics Anonymous and bring some attention to literature that often sits on the rack unnoticed.In Episode One, Douglas and Mason take Another Look at IP #5, slowing it down, unpacking the message, and talking about what it really says — and how it applies to real life and real recovery.We’re not gurus or experts. We’re just sharing our experience and perspective, and we’re genuinely interested in your take — reach out and let us know your thoughts.

In this special holiday episode of the Living Clean Podcast, Francis and Mason hop on the mic in a spontaneous moment to connect with our listeners during the holiday season.The holidays can bring a mix of gratitude, joy, stress, loneliness, reflection, and everything in between — especially for people in recovery. Rather than offering a polished or scripted episode, we simply wanted to show up, check in, and remind you that you’re not alone.We talk honestly about staying grounded, managing expectations, leaning into connection, and keeping recovery at the center during a season that can feel heavy for many.Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, struggling, or simply getting through the day — this episode is our way of reaching out and saying: we’re glad you’re here.Thanks for being part of this community, and for walking this path with us.

This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we wrap up the Wellness and Health section from the Living Clean book study series. We continue right where we left off, finishing the remainder of this powerful chapter and exploring how wellness, balance, and self-care evolve as we grow in recovery.We’re joined by Kevin, Holly, Steve, Denise, Karen, and Brian as we dig deeper into these principles — discussing our experiences, what health looks like today, and the ongoing effort to take care of ourselves in recovery.Thanks for following along with this series. We hope you enjoy the conversation and take something meaningful back to your own recovery journey.

Step One is where recovery begins.In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we start a 12-month journey through the Twelve Steps by talking honestly about Step One:“We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.”This panel discussion explores what powerlessness and unmanageability actually looked like in our lives, how denial and rationalization kept us stuck, and what surrender finally felt like. We share personal experience around addiction as a disease, hitting bottom, reservations, and the spiritual principles that bring hope.This episode is not a replacement for working the steps. We encourage addicts to attend meetings and work the Twelve Steps with a sponsor. We don’t speak for NA as a whole — we’re simply sharing our experience, strength, and hope.Step One gave us hope. This is where the journey begins.

This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we’re honored to welcome Betül B. from Istanbul, Turkey. Betül shares pieces of her personal recovery story — a journey of courage, transformation, and finding freedom through Narcotics Anonymous. She also takes us inside the history of NA in Turkey: how the fellowship first took root, the challenges of growth in a predominantly non-English-speaking community, and the incredible strides being made to bring recovery to those seeking a new way to live.From cultural barriers to breakthroughs in service, Betül offers an inspiring look at what it really means for NA to be a global fellowship. Recovery is alive and well in Turkey — and her message reminds us that the solutions we find in NA transcend borders, languages, and backgrounds.Tune in, be inspired, and help us carry the message worldwide.

In this week’s episode of the Living Clean Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome our good friend Gogs T. from Namibia. Gogs shares his personal story, his involvement with the African Zonal Forum, and the incredible work he’s doing to support fellowship development across Southern Africa. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how the message of recovery is spreading and growing in new ways.

In this week's episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we're sitting down with Charles K., who’s been a part of the recovery community since 1978. Charles shares his fascinating experiences from the literature conferences of the late '70s and early '80s—moments that helped shape the very literature many of us rely on today.Along the way, we dive into Charles's personal journey, his reflections on the evolution of newer recovery texts, and just have an all-around great conversation that you won't want to miss. Join us as we explore a bit of the past, the present, and the enduring wisdom of someone who’s seen it all.

In this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with our longtime friend Ron H. to break down the 2026 Conference Agenda Report (CAR) and help NA members truly understand how the World Service Conference process works. Ron brings deep experience from his time on the World Board, working with NA World Services, and reporting on conference business for years. We start by explaining what the CAR is and why it’s the vehicle NA uses to conduct fellowship business at the world level. Then we walk through how input from home groups flows up through areas and regions to the World Service Conference, so members know how their voices can make a difference. We go through each of the motions in the 2026 CAR, talk about issue discussion topics (IDTs), and explain the surveys — what they’re for, how the information is used, and how you can participate. We wrap up with practical guidance on how you can get involved at every level of service: home group, area, region, workshops, and more. Whether you’re new to NA or have been in the rooms for a long time, this episode will help you understand how the process works and how your voice matters.Full CAR link we’re discussing: https://na.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-CAR-11-12-25.pdf

In this special episode, we have the privilege of chatting with Chuck G., Jack B., and Phil P., three individuals who were absolutely instrumental in the development of Narcotics Anonymous from the 1970s and 80s right up to today. We dive into their experiences in service, their relationship with Jimmy K., and a whole range of fascinating NA history and insights. Tune in to hear these stories that connect the past to our present recovery journey!

This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we’re diving back into our Living Clean book study. We’re on page 97, exploring the first six paragraphs of the Wellness and Health section.We’re joined by Marta, Terry, Teresa, MJ, Danial, and Abby as we unpack this chapter together—breaking down the ideas, sharing personal experience, and exploring how wellness, balance, and daily practice show up in our recovery today.If you’re following along with the Living Clean book or just love hearing real people connect recovery principles to real life, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

In this special Sponsorship Day episode, we invited a full panel made up of our own sponsees — and even some of their sponsees — to dive deep into the heart of sponsorship in Narcotics Anonymous.Together, we explore what sponsorship really looks like, how the relationship is built, what it means to work the steps with a sponsor, the benefits that come from accountability and guidance, and how the trust formed in sponsorship carries over into every other relationship in recovery.This episode is packed with experience, insight, and real stories from people living this principle every day. We hope you enjoy it — and that it reminds you of the power of connection in recovery.

This week, Mason and Francis sit down with Tami, the granddaughter of Jimmy Kinnon, one of the founders of The Fellowship, alongside long-time member Indiana Joe, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation.Together, they explore the life and legacy of Jimmy Kinnon — his vision, his humanity, and the lasting influence he had on what would become a worldwide movement of recovery. Tami shares her personal journey of discovering Narcotics Anonymous and learning about her grandfather’s impact, along with tender reflections on her mother, Cathie Kinnon, Jimmy’s daughter, who recently passed away.The discussion also dives into the story of the History Gypsies, the passionate travelers dedicated to preserving the fellowship’s roots, and other stories that remind us of where we came from — and why it still matters today.This is an episode about love, legacy, and the spiritual foundation that continues to guide our fellowship forward.

In this episode of the Living Clean Book Study, Mason and Francis dive into Chapter Four – “Our Physical Selves,” focusing on the section “Thrill-Seeking and Adventure.” Chris A., Justin K., Mallory S., Mo C., and Shaun join them for a raw and insightful discussion about how the drive for excitement shows up in recovery — from chasing adrenaline and chaos to rediscovering passion and purpose in healthy ways. Together, they explore how to find balance between the rush of living fully and the serenity that comes from spiritual growth.

This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we’re bringing you something a little different — and completely unplanned. Francis sat down with Pete and George from the Bristol Literature Committee to talk about their experiences at the Third World Literature Conference, a pivotal event in the history of the Basic Text. Both of them were deeply involved in putting that conference together and helping shape the chapters that would eventually define our fellowship’s foundational book.What started as a simple historical discussion quickly evolved into a heartfelt, wide-ranging conversation. The topics naturally expanded into Step Working Guides, Living Clean, sponsorship, and the process of working the Steps — both personally and with others.It became one of those organic moments that capture the true spirit of recovery: connection, insight, and shared experience. We hadn’t planned to release it, but it turned out too good not to share — so here it is, a bonus episode we hope you’ll really enjoy.

When the 2018 Paradise wildfires devastated Northern California, entire towns — and recovery communities — were wiped out overnight. In this episode, members of Narcotics Anonymous share their powerful stories of survival, loss, and the unbreakable spirit that kept recovery alive amid the ashes.These are firsthand accounts of fleeing the flames, finding each other again, and rebuilding meetings from nothing. From borrowed church basements to new meeting halls, the fellowship proved that recovery is stronger than any disaster.Paradise Strong is a story of courage, connection, and the enduring power of addicts helping addicts — no matter what burns down around them.

This week, we got to do something truly special. The inspiration for starting The Living Clean Podcast came from the struggle of getting into prisons to carry the message through H&I. When those doors wouldn’t open, the podcast became a new way to reach people on the inside.Since then, we’ve connected with some incredible folks doing deep, meaningful work—bringing recovery meetings into prisons both virtually and in person. Because of their dedication, we finally get to accomplish something we’ve dreamed about since the very beginning.In this episode, we’re joined by actual inmates from inside Indiana State Prison who share their experience, strength, and hope directly from behind the walls. This moment represents everything our fellowship stands for—proof that recovery knows no boundaries, and the message always finds a way.

Even in paradise, addiction finds a way in—but so does recovery. In this powerful episode, we hear one woman’s story of transformation from the streets of Waikiki to the rooms of recovery on a remote corner of Hawaii. She shares her journey through trauma, shame, and repeated relapse to a life of spiritual awakening and freedom.Through fearless inventory work and the love of a sponsor who helped her “meet herself,” she learned to let go of the pain that once defined her and discovered what it means to live clean—body, mind, and spirit. Today, she embraces recovery as a daily practice of forgiveness, connection, and conscious contact.From darkness to light, this is a story of healing, honesty, and the miraculous breath of life that recovery offers us all.

Clean since January 13, 1977, AJ H joins us for a candid and inspiring NA conversation spanning nearly five decades of recovery. In this episode, AJ shares stories from his early days in the Fellowship, lessons learned through service, and reflections on how recovery—and NA itself—has evolved through the years.From the early meetings and literature development to the spiritual principles that still guide his daily life, AJ reminds us that recovery is timeless, living proof that the NA message endures: an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live.A heartfelt and historical chat filled with experience, strength, and hope.