Sobriety Bestie Podcast

The Sober Truth is a great deprogramming AA, deprogramming 12 step and deprogramming the recovery narrative resource filled with modern science.I've compiled a list of all the deprogramming books I recommend here:📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Timestamps:00:00 The Sober Truth Book Intro01:15 The Sober Truth Book03:24 Coerced + Court Mandated AA06:11 Spontaneous Remission09:38 The Nature of Addiction11:54 Rehab Industry15:24 Busting AA Myths19:45 Counting Abstinence Time Is Useful Myth21:50 "Drunks" Are All The Same MythResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free

Today we're exploring Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit from his book The Demon Haunted World and how it applies to deprogramming Alcoholics Anonymous.I've compiled a list of all the deprogramming books I recommend here:📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Timestamps:00:00 Baloney Detection Kit Intro02:09 1 - Independent Confirmation05:15 2 - Encourage Debate08:34 3 - Authority Means Nothing Without Evidence14:32 4 - Multiple Hypothesis19:23 5 - Don't Marry Your Own Ideas23:05 6 - Quantify26:57 Leaving AA + Doing Great29:24 Geting Worse in AA32:50 7 - Every Link Must Hold36:20 8 - Occam's RazorResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

MARA is a recovery path and stands for Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous. It has 12 steps but is NOT affiliated with AA or even that similar to AA but the steps are inspired from AA. I find MARA to be very compassionate, empathetic and a recovery path that I'm so glad now exists.Bob shares his story with leaving NA, joining MARA and how it's made all the difference in his own recovery and life.MARA websiteMARA bookTimestamps:00:00 Medication Assisted Recovery Intro 03:25 Why Bob Left NA 08:32 Googling Harm Reduction 09:41 What is Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous22:36 Prescribed Opioids at 22 Years Sober30:31 Withdrawing From Suboxone35:04 Recovery Treatment Not Working + Relapse42:29 Living a Safe Lifestyle44:35 NA vs MARA Recovery47:33 MARA Meetings1:03:34 My First MARA Meeting1:07:47 Working in Treatment + Harm Reduction1:13:22 We Were At The Same MARA Meeting1:22:23 Building a Support System1:29:00 Benefits of MARA Recovery1:33:40 Why MARA is a Better Solution👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Today on Burnie + Besite LIVE Tara Grace and I are joined by The 13th Step film maker and OG Deprogramming Badass Monica Richardson. We discuss her The 13th Step film, harm inside AA, dissenting and the hate that can follow, tips for deprogramming AA or deprogramming 12 step in general and more.You can watch Monica's Film 13th Step Film here and here's links to Tara Grace and Monica Richardson YouTube. Monica's Deprogramming podcast is here.Timestamps: 00:00 The 13th Step in AA Intro01:42 "I Was Never Broken"08:11 How AA Indoctrination Happens Fast13:06 "A Behavior Cannot Be A Disease"26:52 How AA Can Affect Family33:00 Why Monica Made The 13th Step Film37:42 12 Step Hate40:37 Advice For AA Dissenting54:09 AA HQ Ignoring Requests For Safer AA01:14:48 Advice For Navigating 13th Step01:17:24 Advice For Deprogramming AA01:26:13 Making Changes With AA01:32:34 Deciding To Speak Out About AAResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free

Introducing the Gold Standard for alcohol addiction recovery! This is the path I wish I knew about back in 2009 when I was getting sober. Or better yet, I wish I knew about it years earlier when I first realized I had a problem with alcohol.Katie Lain from Thrive Alcohol Recovery shares with us her journey of accidentally getting sober while using Sinclair Method. She'll also unpack what ex AA's struggle with when they come to her program after AA doesn't work for them.And best of AA Katie shares about how The Sinclair Method is the "easier softer way" AA said didn't exist yet. Well flash forward from when the AA Big Book was written in the 1930s and we do have a pill that can make a normal drinker out of a problematic drinker. It's called Naltrexone, is generic, cheap and works for 78% of those who try it according the science.Katie's websiteThrive Alcohol Recovery YouTubeThrive Alcohol Recovery IGThrive Alcohol Recovery TikTokTimestamps:00:00 The Gold Standard For Alcohol Addiction Recovery05:40 How Katie Drank Her Way Sober08:40 Sinclair Method Results Are Gradual13:04 AA Is Complex21:11 A Pill "To Make A Normal Drinker"24:43 Feeling Traumatized By AA29:21 TSM is "The Easier Softer Way"31:50 Possible Naltrexone Side Effects37:40 How To Get Naltrexone39:52 Drinking Moderately After Abstinence54:53 Naltrexone Can Reduce Alcohol Cravings + Obsession57:32 Replacing AA Ideology With Modern Science1:09:47 Most Surprising Thing With SInclair Method1:14:21 Changing The Mainstream Recovery Narrative1:25:27 Best Time To Start Naltrexone1:41:28 TSM Has A 78% Success Rate1:54:08 Needing More Support With Naltrexone2:01:08 Be Your Own Recovery Advocate2:06:52 "Relapse"Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free

Today we're unpacking the AA saying "Share the message, not the mess" and how it can be harmful. We'll cover how sharing the message not the mess:Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Share The Message, Not The Mess05:12 1. Replaces authentic expression with scripted speech19:49 2. Reinforces indoctrination through repetition38:10 3. Disconnects you from your inner authority58:31 4. Creates emotional stagnation1:01:54 5. Trains self-censorship1:03:18 6. Keeps the system alive, not you1:07:28 Reconstruction: Telling A New StoryResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

I LOVED the book The Real AA by Ken Ragge. I definitely recommend reading it to help in your deprogramming AA journey.I've compiled a list of all the deprogramming books I recommend here:📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Timestamps:00:00 The Real AA intro01:24 Jack Trimpey Forward02:18 The Real AA Book04:55 New Recruits Are Recruiting07:19 Dr. Silkworth's Opinions12:30 Anonymous Manipulation15:50 Bill "Kicked Out" of Oxford Group?16:30 Disease Theory Is Learned Helplessness19:28 Critical Thinking Manipulation23:05 Psychology of The Pawn28:02 Doubting The Program👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free.

Today we're unpacking the AA slogan and line from the 12th tradition, "Principles Before Personalities." We'll cover what this is, how it happens in the rooms, what it can sound like, the control pattern (a textbook propaganda example), why it can hurt after you leave and what moving forward can look like.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Jon barely survived 12 step. His courageous story highlights the harm inherent in 12 step ideology and the importance of trying something different if the "treatment" you are in is making you worse.Since leving NA he's created a "life beyond his wildest dreams." Truly an inspiration and I'm thrilled he's just begun his dissenting journey to help others recover from recovery and discover a life truly worth living.You can vibe with Jon here:Jon's Deprogramming YouTubeJon's other YouTubeTroubled Teen "Attack Therapy" From Recovery to Discovery FB GroupTimestamps:00:00 From Recovery to Discovery02:47 Childhood Abuse Conditioned Fast Indoctrination08:10 Therapist Recruits Him to NA14:42 18 Months In, 5 Years Out, Still Deprogramming20:40 Getting Shunned, Distrusting People + Making Friends26:46 Deconstructing 12 Step Mythology33:19 Mental Health Professionals Are Told To Recruit to 12 Step35:00 Misdiagnosis in AA + NA39:02 Can't + Won't Go Back to 12 Step42:43 12 Step Takes Lives59:27 Leaving NA + Reconnecting With Joy1:07:29 Healing After 12 Step1:19:12 Finding Healthy Communit6y + Connection1:25:20 Advice For Those Leaving 12 Step1:28:00 Stanton Peele's Life Process Program1:32:33 Synanon Based Troubled Teen Cult1:45:06 When the "Treatment" is Harmful1:56:12 Calling Addiction a "Disease" is Offensive2:01:00 Telling a Loved One 12 Step is Harmful2:05:57 Plans For DissentingResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free

Today on Burnie + Bestie Live we are exploring the movie The Business of Recovery.I'm joined today of course by my cohostest Burnie aka Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma. Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

A lot of us can feel shocked or shell shocked after leaving AA or 12 step. Today we're going to unpack what shell shock is, how it applies to leaving AA, post cult trauma and post cult symptoms that people may experience according to cult expert Margaret Singer's work in her book Cults in Our Midst.Of course this isn't medical advice and if you need support, find a professional who can help support you.Timestamps: 00:00 Feeling Shocked After Leaving AA Intro 04:44 What is Shell Shock? 09:24 How Shell Shock Applies to Leaving AA 15:35 Post Cult Trauma 33:25 Post Cult Systems Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Timestamps00:00 AA Shutdown Playbook Intro03:10 1 - Make It Personal Immediately06:28 2 - Assume Motive You Can't Know10:09 3 - Invoke Slogans As Sacred Truth15:48 4 - Announce Sober Time19:46 5 - Reduce AA to the Big Book22:33 6 - Ignore Harm Entirely27:48 7 - Turn Anecdotes Into Universal Laws33:20 8 - Claim Superiority Through Suffering35:08 9 - Label Dissent As Denial37:46 10 - Declare Never A "Real Alcoholic"40:22 11 - Truth Claims Without Data, Evidence, Citation42:46 12 - End With RighteousnessResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Today we are exploring AA's "It Works If You Work It" mythology.We'll bring in thoughts and research from experts (you know I like to read a little from deprogramming books on these pods!), Burnie aka Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma will share her perspective, I'll share mine (it's me, Kirsten, Sobriety Bestie). Then we crowd source for comments to see what everyone else thinks.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Happy New Year!! Woot woot 2026. Today we're exploring "New Freedom and New Happiness" from the AA promises and what that looks like in deprogramming. I'll share my version of "The Promises" for leaving AA. Then we'll crowd source other people's thoughts and ideas about The Promises when they were in AA and what their creating now that they've left.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Rene joins us today to share about how AA became a self prophecy leading him to be in and out of the rooms for twenty years.Rene's IGRene's TikTokTimestamps:00:00 In + Out of AA For 20 Years05:50 Going to AA Knowing It's A Cult17:25 Leaving AA Cult Within A Cult20:48 South Florida Pill Mills23:18 AA Ideology Created A Negative Cycle32:08 AA is a Self Fulfilling Prophecy36:50 Changing the Recovery Narrative44:39 The Big Book Mythology49:11 How He Actually Got BetterResources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free

Today we are exploring AA's powerless idea and pickle mythology. You know how in AA they say "once a cucumber becomes a pickle, there's no going back." Meaning once you "cross a line" with drinking and become an "alcoholic" there is no becoming a normal drinker again. But modern science debunks this.We'll bring in thoughts and research from experts (you know I like to read a little from deprogramming books on these pods!), Burnie aka Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma will share her perspective, I'll share mine (it's me, Kirsten, Sobriety Bestie). Then we crowd source for comments to see what everyone else thinks.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)🧰 Escape Kit (resources to Deprogram AA)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Join us for a fun Holiday episode as Carrie (Carrie's Substack) and I sing about the 12 days of leaving Alcoholics Anonymous.👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, Book Club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free.

Join us for a fun Holiday inspired episode as Carrie (Carrie's Substack) and I share the gifts of leaving AA from our perspective.Timestamps:00:00 Gifts of Leaving AA Intro 01:13 The Gifts When Starting AA or Love Bombing? 01:55 Gift Newcomer Conversation 06:50 Growing Up in AA Cult + Leaving 11:40 Deprogramming AA is The Gift That Keeps Giving 16:27 Gift When First Leaving AA 19:30 Gift Months After Leaving AA 23:16 GIft One Year After Leaving AA 25:40 Gifts of Current Deprogramming Journey👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, Book Club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free.

Today we are exploring the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of 12 step rehab treatment centers.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)🧰 Escape Kit (resources to Deprogram AA)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

Today we're unpacking spiritual bypassing, the use of spirituality or spiritual practices to override our feelings. We'll cover what spiritual bypassing can look like inside 12 step, how our brains are often trained to spiritual bypass via our sponsors, the meetings and the literature and what spiritual bypassing can be like on our deprogramming AA journey.This audio is from today's livestream on Sobriety Bestie YouTube from our weekly show "Tea With Bestie." Feel free to join us live on Thursdays at 9am Pacific / 5 pm UK.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)🌀 Deprogram AA Course (free your mind at your own pace)Let’s get f*cking free