Sober Friends

Send us Fan Mail In the final episode of Decoding the Big Book, we explore how Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, wrote the final chapter of the Big Book, the basic text of the AA program. We learn about the challenges he faced, the influences he received, and the message he delivered. We also hear his powerful words of hope and encouragement for the alcoholic who still suffers....

Send us Fan Mail In this gripping episode, join Matt and Steve as they delve into the profound world of speaker meetings within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Steve recounts his recent experience speaking at a detox center, unraveling the chaos, challenges, and invaluable moments of connection that transpired. Discover the underlying reasons why individuals engage in public speaking within the AA comm...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an eye-opening journey into the hidden history of Alcoholics Anonymous and the untold story of Hank Parkhurst, the unsung hero of AA's foundational text. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing revelation that challenges the widely held belief of Bill Wilson as the sole author of the iconic Big Book. While Bill Wilson often publicly acknowledged the collecti...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt and Steve share their personal stories of how they struggled with comparing themselves to other alcoholics, both in and out of the program. They discuss how this comparison can keep you from accepting your reality and your potential, and how to overcome it by identifying with your own journey of recovery. They also talk about the importance of finding support...

Send us Fan Mail Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg.  We highly recommend this book.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. The episode delves into the myths and realities surrounding the authorship of the renowned "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't collectively written by the first 100 m...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, Matt and Steve delve deep into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous—its financial landscape. Together, they unravel the intricate threads of financial operations within AA, shedding light on the challenges, traditions, and potential transformations faced by the organization. The conversation kicks off by addressing the significa...

Send us Fan Mail Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg.  We highly recommend this book.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. Discover the intriguing story behind the creation of "Two Wives," attributed to Bill Wilson despite common misconceptions. Understand the tensions between Bill and his wife, Lois Wilson, regarding the chapter&...

Send us Fan Mail How does service affect sobriety?  Why do I have to make coffee, or return the tables and chairs?  What difference does it make? Service in sobriety is important because it helps spread the message that recovery is possible and there are all kinds of things big and small you can do to help the next sick and suffering alcholic. It's something as small as greeting someone at th...

Send us Fan Mail Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg.  We highly recommend this book.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. In this compelling episode, we unravel the backstory before the 12 steps were formulated and how Bill's four years of helping other alcoholics shaped AA's foundational principles. Bill's relentless dedica...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, we unravel the complexities of addressing a friend's potential drinking problem.  Matt's friend reached out recently to ask what to do when you think you have a friend with a problem.  Steve and Matt discuss this situation and their own personal experience with this topic and 12 step calls. If you have a loved one with a problem and are not su...

Send us Fan Mail Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg.  We highly recommend this book.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. In today's episode, we unravel the transformative Step Five and its pivotal role in your journey to sobriety. Discover the unvarnished truth about the necessity of Step Five, and how its omission could be the downf...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Sober Podcast, I talk to Angela Pugh, the founder and host of Addiction Unlimited Podcast , a nationally ranked podcast that offers coaching strategies and guest interviews on how to live sober and happy. Angela shares her own story of recovery, specifically how she took the unconventional step of having a male sponsor, one of the biggest no-no's in AA.  Sh...

Send us Fan Mail Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg.  We highly recommend this book.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. Join us in this insightful episode as we delve deep into the heart of recovery with "How It Works" in Alcoholics Anonymous. In the chronicles of book writing, "How It Works" was penned towards the en...

Send us Fan Mail Vulnerability involves trust.  If you are going to be vulnerable with your emotions, you have to trust someone won't take advantage of them.  I've always found it important to be honest with my own emotions and share them with someone else.  This is the way I keep my own emotions in check and keep them in balance so I ward off the first drink.  In today's episode, I...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of recovery with Chapter Four: We Agnostics.  Discover why Bill chose the title "We Agnostics" and how it reflects his inclusive approach to spirituality. Half of the fellowship were once strangers to religious experiences, just like many of us.  Bill's timeless wisdom reminds us that, even in the 21st century, AA members...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of the Sober Friends Podcast, where we delve into the future of addiction treatment and recovery. We're here to discuss an astonishing development - a potential game-changer in the fight against addiction. This episode is proudly sponsored by our friend Pete B., who understands the significance of our message and bought us five coffees. Tha...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we unravel the wisdom from the pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, chapter by chapter. In this episode, we explore the profound insights of Bill Wilson, the co-founder of AA, and his conviction that self-knowledge and willpower alone cannot conquer alcoholism.  We'll take you on a journey through tales of those who thought they had it all under control,...

Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode, we're diving headfirst into the world of recovery, where gifts of sobriety and the power of paying it forward take center stage. Join us as Steve and Matt share their heartfelt stories and experiences, revealing why helping newcomers is more than just a duty; it's a profound journey of transformation. First, we explore the ripple effect of re...

Send us Fan Mail In this installment, we unravel the mysteries of "There Is a Solution," the second chapter of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, authored by none other than Bill Wilson himself. Bill explores the inner workings of the alcoholic's mind and reveals that the real problem lies in our thinking, especially in that critical moment just before taking that fateful first d...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an eye-opening episode as we delve into the intricacies of trust, vulnerability, and the journey to recovery. Discover the story of a friend who faced a trust issue that might seem small on the surface but carries profound lessons. We explore the question: What drives someone to betray trust, and what does it reveal about their own insecurities? We share insights into...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the purpose behind Bill Wilson's words and the evolution of his own recovery narrative. Did you know that Bill had to rewrite his own story several times? We'll uncover the reasons behind these revisions and the key moments that shaped his path to sobriety. Explore the turning point in Bill's life as he meets Ebby Thatcher, a moment that resonates with coun...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're diving deep into the toolbox of coping mechanisms for those tough days we all encounter. From attending meetings to embracing vulnerability and practicing meditation, our hosts share their strategies for navigating the stormy seas of life without turning to anger or frustration. Listen as we recount the power of sharing in recovery meetings and how some...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Dive into the fascinating world of addiction recovery with "Decoding the Big Book" on the Sober Friends podcast! 📚 Join us as we unravel the secrets behind the pivotal text, "The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous." In this special limited series, we explore each chapter's context and history, followed by a captivating reading from the fourth edition. 👨...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt and Steve uncover the untold stories of managing ADHD, the quest for relief, and the unexpected connection between sensory overload and sobriety. Matt shares his journey of self-discovery, where he grapples with his ADHD diagnosis and the realizations that follow. From hearing difficulties in noisy environments to the constant struggle for focus, Matt's...

Send us Fan Mail Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg.  We highly recommend this book.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon. 🎙️ Dive into the history and essence of Alcoholics Anonymous with "Decoding the Big Book," a captivating limited series of the Sober Friends podcast! 📖 In each episode, we unlock the secrets of the Big Book o...