The Living Clean Podcast

“In this special bonus episode titled ‘The Storm,’ Mason and Francis share raw, personal reflections. Mason recounts how a literal ice storm disrupted his recovery, while Francis opens up about a difficult separation. Together, they explore how life’s storms—both literal and emotional—can challenge recovery, and what it means to weather them.”

In Episode Two of DM’ing the Pamphlets , Douglas and Mason sit down with one of the most foundational pieces of Narcotics Anonymous literature: “Who, What, How, and Why.” This pamphlet answers the core questions so many of us had when we first showed up — Who is an addict? What is NA? Why are we here? And how does this actually work? Together, we slow it down and talk through the language, the pri...

45th anniversary of the Third World Literature Conference of Narcotics Anonymous — held in Memphis, Tennessee in 1981 — the gathering that brought the NA Basic Text into being. In this special episode, we’re joined by Doug W., Linda M., George R., and Gene L. , members who were there and helped carry the responsibility of finishing the book so that addicts they would never meet could find recovery...

Welcome back to Francis’s Archives , a special solo series within the Living Clean Podcast where history, personal stories, and reflections come together to honor the voices that helped shape recovery as we know it today. This week, we remember Bill Brooks — a foundational member in the growth of Narcotics Anonymous in Alabama whose influence continues to be felt by generations of recovering addic...

In this episode of the Living Clean Podcast , we sit down with the author of “Just Say Yes,” a powerful personal story from Life on Life’s Terms written more than 20 years ago. Raised in a traditional Sikh family, our guest shares his journey from a double life of addiction and professional success to recovery through Narcotics Anonymous. We talk sponsorship, willingness, prayer before belief, ser...

Be the Change 2 | Francis’s Archives Welcome back to Francis’s Archives , the midweek bonus series from the Living Clean Podcast , where Francis continues to step outside the usual format to explore recovery through reflection, history, and lived experience. In Part 2 of “Be the Change,” Francis returns to the exercise that began with a spontaneous lobby conversation at the Volunteer Regional Conv...

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 exp...

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...

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 — discus...

In this Thursday Throwback episode, we revisit a powerful piece from the Paradise Strong book study, remembering Gina H. and her story, “No Excuse for Loneliness.” Gina was an artist and musician from Nashville, Tennessee, who helped start the very first meetings there and played a role in the writing of the Basic Text. This episode is part remembrance, part reflection — honoring Gina’s creativity...

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 ke...

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...

Welcome to Francis’s Archives , a new midweek bonus series from the Living Clean Podcast. In this space, Francis steps outside the usual format to experiment — sharing solo reflections, recovery exercises, personal stories, history, and ideas that don’t always fit into a standard episode. Think of this series as the notebook, the voice memo, the late-night conversation — raw, thoughtful, and inten...

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 communit...

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,...

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 th...

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 th...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

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 f...