Sober Sunrise - AA Speaker Podcast

Joe & Charlie's "The Big Book Comes Alive" tapes - Part 1 - "AA History" Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Lauren A. from Sydney, Australia speaking at the Brentwood Beginners Workshop in Los Angeles, CA - October 27th 2016 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Lauren shares her journey in a sponsorship workshop, reflecting on her transformation through Alcoholics Anonymous. Growing up in a middle-class home, she always felt different, struggling with dishonesty, self-worth, and addiction. Her drinking led her down a destructive path, bouncing between cities, jails, and near-death experiences until she had a moment of clarity and sought help. Entering AA at 19, she found a community that supported her, guided her through the steps, and helped her rebuild her life. Embracing service, sponsorship, and sobriety, she not only graduated from UCLA but also became a lawyer, a mother, and a person of integrity. Now with over 30 years sober, she credits AA’s principles for her transformation from a lost, hopeless addict to a woman living a life beyond her wildest dreams, proving that recovery, connection, and change are possible for anyone willing to put in the work. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Zach G. from New Orleans, LA speaking at the 48th Annual Big Deep South Convention in New Orleans, LA - June 18th 2016 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Zach shares his journey through Alcoholics Anonymous, illustrating the transformation from a hopeless alcoholic to a man with purpose and connection. Growing up in Iowa, he masked insecurity with bravado, fighting to prove himself and using alcohol as his escape. His drinking led him through college failures, lost jobs, jail, and reckless living across multiple countries. Despite recognizing his problem, he resisted change, believing he could outsmart addiction. It wasn’t until he surrendered, sought help, and worked the 12 Steps that his life truly changed. Sponsorship became his lifeline, guiding him not just to sobriety but to a life of service and meaning. He found peace in helping others, a deep sense of belonging, and a connection to a higher power. Today, Zach lives a life far beyond what he imagined, embracing love, humility, and spiritual growth. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Bill C. from Torrance, CA speaking at the Salt River intergroup roundup sponsorship workshop in Scottsdale, AZ - August 13th-15th 2007 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Bill C. leads a workshop on sponsorship, exploring its history, purpose, and transformative power in AA. Coming into the program emotionally immature, he learned that true recovery went beyond just staying sober—it was about deep personal growth and service. Guided by his sponsor of 22 years, Bill embraced the responsibility of helping others, leading him through profound experiences, from supporting friends in hospitals to nursing his own parents through their final days. Through sponsorship, he discovered humility, emotional maturity, and a deeper connection to others and his higher power. His story reflects a life rebuilt through AA’s principles—one of purpose, connection, and a willingness to show up for others, no matter how uncomfortable or challenging the path. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Sharon C. from Los Angeles, CA speaking at the New Horizons group in Bend, OR - August 15th 2020 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Sharon delivers a deeply moving and inspiring share, reflecting on her 45 years of sobriety and the transformative power of Alcoholics Anonymous. From her rebellious beginnings and downward spiral fueled by alcohol to her miraculous bottom and spiritual awakening, she recounts her journey with honesty, humor, and gratitude. She highlights the profound impact of making amends, the unexpected ripples of recovery, and the unwavering support of the AA fellowship, especially during life's toughest moments, including the loss of her husband. Her story is a testament to resilience, the power of sponsorship, and the beauty of a life rebuilt through AA’s principles. Sharon’s journey proves that the age of miracles is indeed still with us, and that through surrender, service, and spiritual connection, we can not only survive but truly thrive. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Charlie P. from Austin, TX speaking at the South Bay mens retreat in Santa Barbara, CA - December 12th 2013 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Charlie delivers a dynamic and deeply insightful talk on the Big Book’s approach to the fourth step, breaking down the inventory process with humor, personal experience, and powerful lessons in spiritual growth. He highlights the importance of removing self-centeredness, the dangers of resentment, fear, and dishonesty, and the necessity of rigorous self-examination to achieve real freedom. He illustrates how inventory work reshapes perception, turning old resentments into moments of humility and healing. His talk reinforces that sobriety isn't just about not drinking—it's about spiritual transformation, accountability, and surrendering to a power greater than ourselves to live a more honest and meaningful life. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Louise C. from Gulf Shores, AL speaking at the Brentwood Beginners Workshop in Los Angeles, CA - April 30th 2015 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Louise C. shares a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply personal journey of alcoholism and recovery, painting a vivid picture of her Scottish-Irish upbringing, chaotic drinking days, and ultimate transformation in AA. From childhood memories of watching her mother’s highball-fueled Saturday nights to teenage blackout adventures and an adulthood marked by broken relationships and reckless living, she openly recounts her path to hitting rock bottom. Through surrendering to AA, embracing commitments, and practicing service, Louise found purpose and healing, especially in caring for others, including her late mother, stepchildren, and an elderly family friend. Her story reflects the power of humility, responsibility, and faith, proving that through willingness and action, a sober and meaningful life is possible. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

John R. from New York, NY speaking at the 22nd Desert AA roundup in Palm Springs, CA - June 6th 1982 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com John R. shares his journey from arrogance and denial to a deep and humbling realization of his alcoholism, marked by the humor and self-awareness that often accompany those who have walked the path of recovery. A high-functioning alcoholic who once thrived on pressure, he eventually spiraled into chaos, facing locked wards, straightjackets, and the near-total collapse of his life and career. With a sharp wit and a keen sense of storytelling, he describes his early resistance to AA, his intellectual rationalizations, and his eventual surrender to the program, learning that true change required more than just knowledge—it demanded action. Through the 12 Steps, the support of his sponsor, and the hard-earned wisdom of experience, John found a new way of living, embracing spirituality, service, and humility. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Yvonne S. from Los Angeles, CA speaking at the Primary Purpose group's annual convention in Oslo, Norway - November 3rd 2018 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Yvonne shares her journey from deep resistance to Alcoholics Anonymous to a profound transformation through surrender, service, and faith. Initially unwilling and skeptical, she followed direction reluctantly, first attending meetings just to regain custody of her daughter. Despite her initial defiance, a series of experiences—meeting young, vibrant AA members, an unexpected sponsor, and the willingness to take action despite disbelief—brought her into true recovery. A pivotal moment came when she prayed for relief from her suffering, experiencing a spiritual awakening that solidified her faith. Through the 12 steps, rigorous honesty, and making amends, she rebuilt her life, finding joy, purpose, and an unshakable connection to God. Now, with decades of sobriety, she remains deeply engaged in AA, passing on the message of hope, humility, and the power of service. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu

Don M. from Louisville, KY speaking at One Page at a Time group's October Thing event in Moorhead, MN - October 5th 2019 Drop a couple dollars in our virtual basket: Sober-Sunrise.com Don shares his remarkable journey of recovery, beginning with his struggles with alcoholism and self-delusion, and how divine intervention—whether through the steps or the “magic” of AA—led him to a new way of life. Despite his early intellectual resistance to the program, he ultimately found freedom by taking action, following directions even when he didn’t understand or believe in them. He reflects on his past failures, including multiple asylums and losing everything, and how surrendering to the AA way of life restored his relationships, career, and most importantly, his spiritual condition. Now, with decades of sobriety, he continues to sponsor and guide others, proving that through service, faith, and the 12 steps, true transformation is possible. Music: Deep by KaizanBlu