Marty is one of the most colorful people I know in Alcoholics Anonymous. Because Marty and I attend many of the same meetings each week, we’ve gotten to know each other quite well over the past nine years.  Unfortunately, those years included relapses after 10 months, then another relapse after 14 months of sobriety. It was after his last slip, however, which landed him in a New York City hospital after a failed suicide attempt, that Marty finally embraced the Program and honestly got to work on sobriety. That was over six years ago and he’s been sober since. Frankly, Marty’s first couple of forays in AA were noticed by many of us as well-intentioned but half-hearted attempts to subserve the Program with his own intellect and self-will for staying sober. It obviously didn’t work. We were all familiar with the well-worn approach of just showing up at meetings, but not doing the actual work. So, with no real investment in his own recovery or spiritual condition, but still trying to run the show, it’s not surprising he slipped early on. But the damage he’d done to his family, friendships, and career along the way finally caught up with him. So did the notion of checking out. By God’s grace, Marty was given a second, or should I say, last chance to build a sober life.

Today, Marty is firmly anchored in the center of AA by virtue of his continual meeting attendance, close relationship with his sponsor, daily meditation and prayer, and lots of service work with sponsees. His commitment to long-term sobriety is reflected in his Program, as is the ready acknowledgement that one drink could end it all. And while his story on today’s AA Recovery Interviews podcast is as entertaining as ever, it’s underlying message of hope for those who may be struggling is both immediate and vital for all to hear.

I’m doing more face-to-face interviews these days, so audio quality on this podcast is quite good. This is the 53rd episode with many, many more to come. But for now, tune into the next hour and enjoy my interview with my good friend and AA brother, Marty S.

[This is an encore of Episode 53, originally released November 24, 2021].

If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio.

I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism.” This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon.

[Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. -Howard L.]