The Living Clean Podcast welcomes Lynne and Gina as they sit down with Mason and Francis for a powerful conversation about the history of Narcotics Anonymous in New York. From the earliest days of recovery in the city to the struggles and rebirth of the fellowship, this episode explores the people, events, and spiritual determination that helped carry the message through difficult times.

The discussion covers early New York NA history, including the influence of Danny Carlsen, the story of “The Junkie Priest,” and the impact of the Rockefeller drug laws on addicts seeking recovery. Lynne and Gina share firsthand perspectives on the rise, decline, and eventual return of strong recovery communities throughout New York, along with memories surrounding the historic 1983 Narcotics Anonymous World Convention.

This episode is a heartfelt look at perseverance, service, and the addicts who refused to let the message die.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we continue our journey through the Twelve Steps with Step Seven: “We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

Our returning panel is back — Archer, Pete, Douglas, and Francis — and this week we're joined by special guests JW and Danette for a thoughtful and honest discussion about humility, willingness, and the ongoing process of spiritual growth.

Step Seven asks us to move beyond simply identifying our shortcomings and become willing to let them go. In this episode, we explore what humility really looks like in everyday life, why some defects seem so difficult to release, and how pride, fear, self-reliance, and ego can keep us stuck in old patterns. We also discuss the difference between knowing what needs to change and becoming willing to trust the process of change.

Recovery is not about achieving perfection. It is about becoming teachable, remaining open, and continuing to grow. Step Seven reminds us that lasting transformation doesn't come from self-improvement alone—it comes from humility, honesty, and a willingness to seek help beyond ourselves.

Through personal experience, practical examples, and heartfelt sharing, this episode offers insight into one of the most powerful and often overlooked steps in recovery.

Do yourself a favor and listen.

In Part One, we break down the conference itself — the lost chapters of the Basic Text, the all-night group conscience meetings, the workshops, the editing battles, the spiritual moments, and the unbelievable amount of work done by recovering addicts trying to build a book that could carry the message worldwide. We explore not only what happened at WLC V in Warren, Ohio in 1981, but also the spirit of the process — the unity, passion, exhaustion, humor, and faith that held it all together.

In Part Two, we’re joined by members who were actually there. They share personal memories and firsthand insight into what it was like to live through the process of building the Basic Text and participating in one of the most historic literature conferences in NA history.

This episode is both a historical deep dive and a reminder that the literature we often take for granted today was built by addicts who believed the message was worth sacrificing for.

We also encourage everyone to check out the incredible work being done at:

Preserving the Message

and subscribe to the:

Preserving the Message YouTube Channel