The Living Clean Podcast

In this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, I’m joined by Jay L. (Montana) and Chris C. (Yreka, CA) as we sit down with Marc S., who shares a powerful story of addiction, transformation. Marc’s journey takes us deep into the counterculture era, where LSD became a central part of his life and identity. From couch surfing and hitchhiking to living on the streets, Marc found himself immersed in a fa...

After sitting in the archive for over a year, we’re finally releasing this conversation with Bo S. Bo was there in the early days. He served as the first World Literature Conference Chair and was one of the members who stepped forward when the question was asked, “Who’s going to write the book?” The answer he got was simple: “Any addict.” And Bo said, “Well, I’m an addict.” He would go on to be on...

From the early days of Narcotics Anonymous in Memphis, Chet P. shares firsthand memories of a time when the Fellowship was still finding its footing in the Mid-South. He recounts going through treatment at the historic Memphis House, attending the Mid-South Regional Service Conference, and taking road trips with Joseph Proctor to help carry the message of recovery wherever addicts were still suffe...

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we dive headfirst into Step Four: “We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” Our consistent panel returns — Archer, Pete, and Douglas — and we’re joined by two powerful guests, Tim and Dawn, as we break down all things Step Four. We talk about what it really means to be searching. What fearless actually looks like. How to write honestly...

In this episode of Francis’s Archive, we follow Brad S. from Jackson, Mississippi as curiosity about his home group, the Foglifters, turns into a deep dive down the NA history rabbit hole. What begins as a simple desire to learn more about the roots of his home group quickly grows into a passion for preserving the stories of how Narcotics Anonymous took hold in Mississippi. Brad doesn’t just liste...

This week’s episode came together in a way that honestly couldn’t have been planned any better. Francis and I had the opportunity to be together in person at the Texarkana Area Convention in Texarkana, Arkansas, and that alone made this week different. While we were there, we were both involved in different parts of the convention. We did a History of the Basic Text workshop together, I shared on...

n this episode of Be The Change, the team presents the Welcoming the Newcomer workshop based on Traditions Three and Five. Together we explore how the actions of a group shape the atmosphere of recovery and how every member plays a role in creating a space where newcomers feel safe enough to stay. Through discussion, reflection, and role-play examples, we talk about what it really means to carry t...

n this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, we continue our book study of Living Clean: The Journey Continues , focusing on the final six paragraphs of the “Illness” section in Chapter 4 . Illness can challenge our recovery in ways we never expected. Physical suffering, fear of the future, and difficult choices can test the spiritual principles we rely on every day. In this conversation, we explor...

Gratitude is one of the spiritual principles that transforms our recovery and changes the way we experience life. In this special episode of the Living Clean Podcast, My Gratitude Speaks, we hear a chorus of voices from members of Narcotics Anonymous sharing what gratitude means to them today. Inspired in part by the spirit of the Newcomer Montage and the Original Gratitude Exercises, this episode...

n this episode of DM’ing the Pamphlets , Mason from the Living Clean Podcast sits down with Douglas from the Anonymous Podcast to take a deep dive into IP #2 – The Group . The group is often described as the heart of recovery. It’s where addicts find connection, accountability, and a place where the message of recovery can be carried addict to addict. But what actually makes a group work? What is...

After nearly five years of persistence, Francis finally tracks down Keith S., and in this special episode, both Mason and Francis sit down with him for a rare and powerful conversation about early Narcotics Anonymous history and service. Keith was deeply involved in the Ohio fellowship during the early 1980s and attended both the 1982 and 1983 World Service Conferences. He shares firsthand insight...

Living Clean Podcast – Francis’s Archives Episode Title: Texarkana Roots: Carrying the Message Forward As Mason and Francis prepare to attend the Texarkana Area Convention (March 20–22), we felt it was only fitting to pause and honor the local history that made this convention — and this fellowship — possible. With the help of our friends Steven and David, Francis sits down with long-time members...

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast , Mason and Francis sit down with returning panel members Archer, Pete, and Douglas, along with two special guests, Jay and Mindy, for a powerful and honest conversation about Step 3: “We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” This discussion goes far beyond the words on the page. The group explores...

In this episode of Living Clean, Francis is joined once again by David, Amanda, and Travis—and this time we’re welcoming new voices to the table: EJ, Jenna, and Brittany. Together, we take an in-depth look at the Be The Change exercises, moving beyond the page and into real life. We talk about what it looks like to practice these principles in our personal recovery, our relationships, and in Narco...

Living Clean Book Study — Page 101: Illness (Living Clean: The Journey Continues) On this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, Mason and Francis are joined by Jay, Jess, JW, Gregory, Dave, and Barb as we study page 101 from Living Clean: The Journey Continues and break down the section on Illness, one paragraph at a time. This reading speaks to a reality many people in recovery face but don’t alwa...

In this episode, Mason and Francis sit down with comedian Mark L., a performer known for bringing humor into recovery spaces and treatment settings across the world. While respecting the spiritual principle of anonymity, this conversation focuses on experience, strength, and hope — not identity. Mark shares about his past, the role humor played in his recovery, and how laughter can help us talk ab...

After being invited onto the Living Clean Podcast, I started listening back through the early episodes. Toward the end of many of them, Mason or Travis would often ask a simple but powerful question: “Do you have something you’d like to say to the newcomer?” This episode is a montage of those answers from the first year of the podcast. The question wasn’t asked at the end of every episode—but it c...

Atlanta has played a vital role in the growth and development of Narcotics Anonymous throughout the Southern United States. In this Living Clean Podcast episode, we sit down with members currently serving on the committee writing The History of Narcotics Anonymous in Atlanta , along with several founding members of the Atlanta Fellowship. Together, we explore the early days of NA in Atlanta — how...

In this special episode of the Living Clean Podcast, Mason, Francis, and good friend of the podcast Ron H. guide a heartfelt conversation with the two individuals behind the powerful story “A Tale of Two Key Tags.” What started as a small, spontaneous moment involving a suitcase and a recovery key tag turned into a deeply meaningful experience that would eventually connect two recovering addicts a...

n this special episode, we pause to remember and honor the life of Mary Banner, a beloved member of the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous whose impact was felt far and wide. With Mason unavailable for this recording, his sister Staci graciously stepped in as host—and did a beautiful job guiding a large and heartfelt panel of friends who came together to share memories, gratitude, and love for Mary...

Wild Recovery is more than just a group — it’s a recovery experience built around movement, nature, and shared adventure. In this episode, we sit down with several members of Wild Recovery to talk about what it’s been like to live clean while hiking trails, pushing limits, and reconnecting with themselves, others, and the world around them. They share how challenge, discomfort, and community have...

Last year, Francis traveled to the North Alabama Convention—home of Bill Brooks, a founding member of Narcotics Anonymous in Alabama and the author of the powerful Basic Text story “If You Want What We Have.” While there, Francis went beyond the convention floor. He visited Bill Brooks’ home, paid his respects at his gravesite, and had a meaningful phone conversation with Bill’s widow, Bettie, who...

Mason and Francis are back with a reflection on their experience at Out of the Darkness Into the Light 28 , held February 4–9, 2026 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Decatur, Alabama. In this episode, they share their personal takeaways from the convention, the fellowship, and the spirit of recovery that filled the event. Francis offers his perspective coming from Northern California to the South for the...

For this second episode in our 12-month journey through the 12 Steps, we dive into Step Two: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." Our panel regulars—Douglas, Archer, and Pete—are joined by Bronwyn and Dan. Together, we explore what "coming to believe" means, how sanity is restored, and how this step builds the foundation for hope in recovery. Join us...

In August of 2025, Francis and Mason traveled to Tupelo, Mississippi for a Narcotics Anonymous convention—and what turned out to be a meaningful milestone for the Living Clean Podcast. This was our first time presenting Narcotics Anonymous history at a convention, and while we did run out of time for our full PowerPoint presentation, it was a powerful and encouraging test run. We were warmly welco...