Forrest S. from Fort Lauderdale, FL speaking about step 1 at the Spiritual Awakening in Pompano Beach, FL - November 1st 2024 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com 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

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 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

Stephanie K. from Portland, ME speaking about step 2 at the Unity at the light convention in Martha’s Vineyard, MA - November 14th 2017 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com 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

Jason J. from Portland, OR speaking at the Pine Lake speaker meeting in Issaquah, WA - April 14th 2018 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com 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

Tom B. from Avon Lake, OH speaking at the 19th Annual Tri State Roundup in Laughlin, NV - May 18th 2003 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com 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

Matthew M. from Gig Harbor, WA speaking at the Pine Lake speaker meeting in Issaquah, WA - April 8th 2017 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com 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

Kathleen W. from Studio City, CA speaking at the Brentwood Beginners Workshop in Los Angeles, CA - October 2nd 2014 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com 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

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

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

Kip C. from Vista, CA speaking at the Paramount speakers group in Los Angeles, CA - September 12th 1999 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Kip C.'s story is a powerful testament to the redemptive possibilities found through surrender and spiritual recovery. From growing up in a turbulent home to smuggling drugs at 16, serving prison time in Mexico, and enduring the unbearable losses of his son and brother, Kip spiraled into chronic alcoholism, homelessness, and attempted suicide. Yet through a moment of grace, he surrendered fully to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous and found a sponsor who guided him through the steps with unwavering honesty. Over time, he rebuilt his life, became a dedicated father, made peace with his past, and gave back to others with deep compassion. His journey—filled with unimaginable lows and hard-won victories—shows that no matter how far someone has fallen, healing and purpose are possible through spiritual action, community, and an unshakable commitment to recovery. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

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 Chris and Steve's powerful weekend sessions at the Wilson House offer a heartfelt and often humorous exploration of Step One and Step Two of Alcoholics Anonymous. Chris shares the brutal honesty of his drinking history—escalating from chaotic party years to ten years of isolated blackout drinking—and how his eventual spiritual awakening came only after a painful relapse, when he was willing to do everything he once resisted: get a sponsor, join a home group, and work the steps thoroughly. Steve brings deep insight into the emotional and spiritual unmanageability of alcoholism—describing the painful self-consciousness, fear of disconnection, and ego-driven isolation that plagued him even before he drank. Together, they break down alcoholism not just as a physical craving and mental obsession, but as a spiritual illness rooted in selfishness, fear, and separation from God. Their message is clear: the AA solution isn’t intellectual—it's experiential, rooted in surrender, honest inventory, and a willingness to develop a conscious relationship with a higher power. Through humor, grit, and grace, both men paint a picture of redemption—a life of usefulness, freedom, and spiritual wholeness born not from trying harder, but from giving up and letting a power greater than themselves lead the way. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Don P. from Aurora, CO speaking at the Classic Opening of Thoughts convention in Billings, MT - January 16th 1990 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Diagnosed by institutions as a sociopath and psychopath, and cloaked in layers of denial, Don initially couldn't see that alcohol was the core problem—but AA members with clarity, compassion, and lived recovery helped guide him through the Twelve Steps. He experienced profound change: from a man afraid of both dying and living, to someone fit for service, able to sponsor others and walk hand-in-hand with God. Don emphasizes that sobriety isn’t for him—it’s for the next sick alcoholic—and he has lived his life carrying that message, healing relationships with his children and brother, and growing through painful challenges. His life exemplifies the AA promise: that through total surrender, rigorous honesty, and spiritual discipline, even the most broken lives can be transformed and used to heal others. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Howard P. from Phoenix, AZ speaking at the Paramount Speaker Group in Paramount, CA - January 7th 2001 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Though plagued early on by shame, spiritual disconnect, and a relentless internal void, Howard found fleeting relief through alcohol—what he later recognized as a counterfeit spiritual experience. His life spiraled through deception, professional fallout, and emotional devastation until desperation led him to Alcoholics Anonymous. With sharp wit, humility, and gratitude, Howard recounts how surrendering to the program and taking action—especially returning stolen equipment—lifted an invisible burden he didn’t even know he carried. His story highlights how even the most broken pasts can become a foundation for spiritual rebirth, truth-telling, and peace, emphasizing the enduring importance of service, accountability, and connection in living a meaningful, sober life. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Mary P. from Orlando, FL at the Crested Butte Mountain Conference in Crested Butte, CO - July 23rd-28th 2006 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Mary shares her journey through fear, denial, chaos, and transformation. Despite a loving upbringing and early academic success, she was plagued by deep-seated fear and perfectionism, eventually turning to alcohol to cope. Her life spiraled into addiction, failed marriages, and heartbreaking consequences, including forgetting she was a mother. But through Alcoholics Anonymous, surrender, and the grace of a persistent sponsor, Mary found sobriety. Over time, she rebuilt trust, earned back the love of her family, and became a steady source of support and healing. A pinnacle moment was being chosen to hold her grandson the night he was in neonatal crisis—an act that symbolized the full circle of recovery, responsibility, and redemption. Mary’s story is a testament to how lives once lost to addiction can be wholly reclaimed and used in service to others. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Chris C. from Auburn, AL speaking at Pelham House in Alexander City, AL - September 24th 2011 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Chris shares his transformation through pain, perseverance, and the grace of a spiritual awakening. From early trauma, deep insecurity, and a lifelong struggle with alcoholism and addiction, he endured homelessness, arrests, and the devastating loss of his brother—yet through it all, he found a path to healing in Alcoholics Anonymous. His turning point came when he fully surrendered to the 12-step process, embracing honesty, making amends, and ultimately becoming a sponsor to others. Today, he lives with purpose as a loving father and a man of integrity, carrying the message of recovery to help others find the freedom he once believed was impossible. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Thank you to this weeks supporters of the show: Eric, Shelley, and Stephen. We really appreciate your sponsorship!  If you'd like to donate, check out: Sober Sunrise Marty J's talk is a raw and deeply human journey through the wreckage of alcoholism and the redemption found in recovery. With humor, vulnerability, and a storyteller's flair, Marty reveals the full arc of his life—from early family trauma and relentless drinking to delusion, hospitalization, and the depths of self-centeredness. But the power of Alcoholics Anonymous—and of a persistent sponsor who "didn't understand rejection"—helped Marty confront his selfishness, rediscover spiritual connection, and rebuild love in his family. He speaks with honest gratitude about getting his children back, rekindling his marriage, and learning how to serve others from the heart. Above all, Marty’s story reminds us that the true miracle of sobriety isn't just not drinking—it's being freed from fear, discovering purpose in service, and becoming someone who can love and be loved fully. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Scott R. from Van Nuys, CA speaking at the East Bay Roundup in Oakland, CA - May 20th 2007 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Scott R. blends biting humor with raw vulnerability, tracing a journey from delusion and destruction to spiritual renewal and purpose. With a sobriety date of April 22, 1985, Scott speaks candidly about the devastating impact his addiction had on his family—particularly his sons—and how AA offered not just relief from drinking but a complete design for living. He challenges clichés, calls out superficial spirituality, and emphasizes deep honesty and humility in recovery. Despite intense pain, psychiatric struggles, and spiritual confusion, Scott ultimately reclaimed his humanity and rebuilt his life through the 12 Steps, sponsorship, and a higher power he still doesn't claim to fully understand—but which he trusts. His story is a poignant reminder that the real miracle of AA lies not in staying dry, but in the transformation of character, connection, and daily renewal. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Don L. from Bellingham, WA speaking on the topic of sponsorship at the New Horizons group in Bend, OR - May 15th 2021 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Don L, with nearly three decades of sobriety emphasizes that his joy and freedom come not just from abstaining, but from surrender, service, and spiritual growth. Don brought humor and humility to his stories—like detailing his wife's car only to expect a sonnet of gratitude or calling his sponsor who simply diagnosed him with “untreated alcoholism.” He underscored that sponsorship works because sponsors don’t carry our emotions and can reflect the truth back to us with love. His first 12-step call, his early days setting up meetings, and sponsoring others—even when feeling unqualified—revealed a deep message: Alcoholics stay sober not by self-will, but by giving away what was freely given to them. Through laughter, tough love, and grace, Don showed how AA transformed his life from hopelessness to purpose, and how sponsorship continues to be the single greatest tool for sustaining that miracle. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Johnny T. from Lawtey, FL speaking at the 48th Annual Big Deep South Convention in New Orleans, LA - June 17th 2016 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com Johnny T. shares of his fall and recovery, turning tragedy into testimony. A fifth-generation Floridian, Johnny was a sawmill operator, father, and devoted husband whose drinking nearly destroyed his family and drove his father to the edge. He recounts being consumed by ego, chasing status through motorcycles, boats, cattle, and booze—until Alcoholics Anonymous cracked him open. After a desperate moment on his knees in a treatment center, Johnny surrendered. He got sober in 2003, worked the steps, made deep amends, and transformed from a loud, broken fraud into a loving father, husband, sponsor, and service-driven AA leader. His message is powerful: bring what you’ve got—Your higher power can work with that. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Sandy B. from Tampa, FL speaking at the Far Corners retreat in Ellenton, FL - December 11th 2008 Visit our website - Sober-Sunrise.com In Part 4 of Sandy B’s talk, he fields deep spiritual questions with clarity, humility, and grace—reminding listeners that true growth lies in acceptance, not control. He shares personal stories, including a touching tribute to Scott Redman and a moment with Clancy who told him, “You can’t quit—you have a gift.” Sandy explains that trying to fix others often masks our own discomfort, and instead, we should pray for the willingness to accept life exactly as it is. He speaks passionately about humility as the key to escaping self-centeredness, and describes grace as God's unconditional love that asks nothing in return. His central message: let go, trust God fully, and keep showing up—for fun and for free. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu