45th anniversary of the Third World Literature Conference of Narcotics Anonymous — held in Memphis, Tennessee in 1981 — the gathering that brought the NA Basic Text into being.

In this special episode, we’re joined by Doug W., Linda M., George R., and Gene L., members who were there and helped carry the responsibility of finishing the book so that addicts they would never meet could find recovery.

Rather than reading minutes or timelines, this conversation explores the human side of that work: the pressure, disagreements, unity, spiritual grounding, and trust required to bring the Basic Text to life. This is a story about service, surrender, and what can happen when addicts come together for something bigger than themselves.

We are the book — and together we will always have the book.

Welcome back to Francis’s Archives, a special solo series within the Living Clean Podcast where history, personal stories, and reflections come together to honor the voices that helped shape recovery as we know it today.

This week, we remember Bill Brooks — a foundational member in the growth of Narcotics Anonymous in Alabama whose influence continues to be felt by generations of recovering addicts. Bill has a personal story in the back of the Basic Text titled “If You Want What We Have,” and many members recognize the powerful opening line that begins, “My name is Bill, and I’m a junkie and a juicer.” — a simple yet unforgettable introduction that has resonated with countless people over the years.

Through shared memories, historical context, and heartfelt reflection, this episode highlights the humility, service, and compassion Bill carried into every room. We’ll also touch on excerpts from his story that capture the spirit of openness, love, and the life-changing impact of walking into an NA meeting for the first time.

This episode isn’t only about looking back — it’s about recognizing the people who helped build the path we walk today and continuing to carry the message forward. The heart of recovery beats strongest when we remember those who came before us and honor their legacy through action.

In this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with the author of “Just Say Yes,” a powerful personal story from Life on Life’s Terms written more than 20 years ago.

Raised in a traditional Sikh family, our guest shares his journey from a double life of addiction and professional success to recovery through Narcotics Anonymous. We talk sponsorship, willingness, prayer before belief, service, and what it means to trust the process over time.

This conversation bridges early recovery and life today, offering an honest look at how spiritual principles continue to guide growth, relationships, and change—one day at a time.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Bella A and Craig R to revisit an article they wrote for the NA Way Magazine back in 1999, where they boldly tried to predict the future of Narcotics Anonymous. Together, we reflect on which of those predictions came true, which expectations were exceeded, and where reality took a different turn than anyone imagined.

The conversation also explores how NA has evolved in reaching the newcomer, including changes in public relations and communication, and how the message continues to find addicts in new and unexpected ways. We close the episode by looking ahead once again, asking what Narcotics Anonymous might look like in the year 2050.

A thoughtful, reflective, and forward-looking episode that bridges NA’s past, present, and future.

Be the Change 2 | Francis’s Archives

Welcome back to Francis’s Archives, the midweek bonus series from the Living Clean Podcast, where Francis continues to step outside the usual format to explore recovery through reflection, history, and lived experience.

In Part 2 of “Be the Change,” Francis returns to the exercise that began with a spontaneous lobby conversation at the Volunteer Regional Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. What started as a single moment of honesty has continued to unfold into something deeper — a closer look at responsibility, personal ownership, and what it actually means to live the message we talk about.

This episode moves beyond the idea itself and into application. What does it look like to be the change in our relationships, our service, our fellowships, and our everyday choices? Where do we get stuck? Where do we resist? And what happens when we stop waiting for others to move first?

Raw, thoughtful, and intentional, this installment continues the conversation — not with answers, but with direction. Less theory. More practice. More recovery in action.

More content. More connection. More recovery.

Francis’s Archives — Episode: Steve M.

In this episode of Francis’s Archives, Francis sits down with Steve M., a name that quietly appears in the early history of recovery—and a voice with a story worth hearing.

Steve was present during the formative conference years and is listed among those who helped shape the early fellowship landscape. What began as simple curiosity—tracking down a name from conference records—turned into a deeper discovery: Steve was the musician referenced in Gina H.’s story, No Excuse for Loneliness.

Steve shares openly about his early involvement, the tension he experienced around language and messaging, and how encounters with influential figures like Joseph Proctor and Scooby ultimately pushed him toward Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an honest look at how tone, expectations, and rigid ideas can unintentionally alienate people who are simply trying to find a way to stay clean.

This conversation isn’t about taking sides—it’s about understanding history, honoring experience, and reflecting on how recovery spaces evolve. Steve’s story reminds us that language matters, humility matters, and sometimes the path we take isn’t the one we expected—but it still saves our lives.

Welcome to the first episode of DM’ing the Pamphlets, a collaborative series between The Living Clean Podcast and The Anonymous Podcast.

In this series, Douglas and Mason sit down to break down the Information Pamphlets (IPs) of Narcotics Anonymous and bring some attention to literature that often sits on the rack unnoticed.

In Episode One, Douglas and Mason take Another Look at IP #5, slowing it down, unpacking the message, and talking about what it really says — and how it applies to real life and real recovery.

We’re not gurus or experts. We’re just sharing our experience and perspective, and we’re genuinely interested in your take — reach out and let us know your thoughts.

In this special holiday episode of the Living Clean Podcast, Francis and Mason hop on the mic in a spontaneous moment to connect with our listeners during the holiday season.

The holidays can bring a mix of gratitude, joy, stress, loneliness, reflection, and everything in between — especially for people in recovery. Rather than offering a polished or scripted episode, we simply wanted to show up, check in, and remind you that you’re not alone.

We talk honestly about staying grounded, managing expectations, leaning into connection, and keeping recovery at the center during a season that can feel heavy for many.

Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, struggling, or simply getting through the day — this episode is our way of reaching out and saying: we’re glad you’re here.

Thanks for being part of this community, and for walking this path with us.