John K. from Dallas, TX speaking at the Eastside Group in Fort Worth, TX - February 2006

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In Part 1, John K. delivers a powerful and direct message about recovery, sharing his journey of repeated relapses, failed attempts to control his drinking, and ultimate surrender to the AA program. Speaking at the Eastside Group, he emphasizes the necessity of following the Big Book precisely, rejecting half-measures, and fully conceding to alcoholism’s grip. After years of unsuccessful attempts at sobriety, he finally reached a breaking point in 1999, realizing he was powerless and on the brink of destruction. Guided by a firm sponsor, John learned that recovery requires more than just attending meetings—it demands rigorous honesty, precise action, and complete commitment to the 12 Steps. His message is clear: for real alcoholics, anything short of full surrender and spiritual action is a death sentence. With humor, intensity, and conviction, he calls on newcomers to stop trying to outthink their disease and instead embrace the solution that has worked for thousands.

Mary T. from Espanola, NM, Donna D. from Aurora, CO, Catharine D. from San Angelo, TX and Aaron M. from Chayenne, WY speaking on the topic of Step 2 at the Fellowship of the Spirit convention in Copper Mountain, CO - June 27th 2013

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Mary T. shared her journey of coming to believe in a higher power, rooted in a life-changing experience with her daughter's illness and later reinforced through AA. Donna M. initially struggled with the idea of insanity in Step Two but found faith by witnessing the strength of others in the program, realizing she was loved and supported. Catherine D. recounted her transformation from self-reliance and despair to discovering a loving higher power that brought her out of darkness. Aaron, after years of skepticism and resistance, found willingness through desperation, leading him to embrace spiritual help and ultimately experience a profound return to sanity. Each speaker highlighted the transformative power of faith, willingness, and community in their recovery.

Jay S. from Redondo Beach, CA speaking at the "Living Fearlessly Men's retreat" in Estes Park, CO - April 18th 2008

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In Part 4 of the men's retreat, Jay and his wife Adele explore the themes of perception, love, relationships, and the transformative power of meditation. Adele shares a deeply personal realization about how she had never truly seen Jay for who he was, but rather through the lens of her own expectations, judgments, and stories. Through years of meditation and spiritual practice, she found peace and clarity, allowing her to love him fully without the need for change. Jay then shifts the focus to relationships in sobriety, discussing his conscious approach to dating after divorce, the importance of integrity in intimate relationships, and the profound trust-building process he and Adele cultivated before marriage. He highlights the role of meditation, patience, and mutual support in fostering deep connections, contrasting it with the impulsive and often destructive patterns of relationships in active addiction.

Jay also shares his experiences with spiritual awakenings, emphasizing the difference between sudden, profound moments of clarity and the more gradual, educational variety of spiritual development. He recounts his own encounter with an overwhelming presence of love and knowledge, reinforcing that such experiences are available to anyone willing to seek and remain open. Tying it all together, he challenges attendees to embrace meditation, deepen their faith through action, and recognize their role in carrying the message of recovery. The retreat closes with a powerful call to live with purpose, reminding each man that they are destined to change lives through their sobriety. The final moments are spent in five minutes of shared silence, reinforcing the weekend’s theme of deep spiritual connection.