Joseph found recovery in AA entirely on Zoom during the Covid Pandemic. As of the date of this interview, that was over two years ago. Since then, he has enthusiastically embraced the Program in a way that will inspire those AA members in their early years to stay the course and recover from the disease of alcoholism. Joseph came from a strict upbringing during which he followed all the rules for being good but did so at the expense of his self-esteem, confidence and general enjoyment of life. By the time he found alcohol late in his teens, it rapidly became his best friend and constant companion. Deep into his successful career in the corporate world, where he drank all the time, the alcoholism that had always been in tow morphed into a full-blown destroyer. It ruthlessly sank every opportunity for happiness and left him bereft of all hope for the future. By the time he called for help, his life had become increasingly hopeless and suicidal thoughts recurred on a daily basis. Fortunately, the man he called had been sober over 30 years who lived the AA life. He took Joseph under his wing, initiating a rigorous program of action and accountability. Today, Joseph credits his sponsor for literally saving his life and AA for safeguarding his future.

Though we live states away, I can reliably count on seeing Joseph at the Zoom meetings we both attend. I look forward to meeting him in person and sharing some in-person meetings with him. I think you’ll find Joseph has wisdom beyond his years of sobriety and those of you with less than two years will find much to be inspired with in his story.

So gather up your friends and enjoy AA Recovery Interviews with the AA brother I gratefully found on Zoom, Joseph L.

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.

Check out I 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 and no one receives financial gain from the show. 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.]