Explore every episode of the podcast Sobriety Bestie Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 151 What No One Warns You About Leaving AA – Teri’s Story | 09 Nov 2025 | 02:24:42 | |
After years in Alcoholics Anonymous — and a lifetime of seeking belonging in controlling systems — Teri realized she didn’t need to dim her light or outsource her thinking anymore. This raw and powerful conversation explores what it’s really like to leave AA, find your voice again, and build a new life rooted in freedom, truth, genuine connection and self-trust. Timestamps: 00:00 Best Thinking Got Her Out Of AA Intro 01:08 Leaving AA 05:33 Staying Silent, Guilt + Mormon Roots 08:24 AA Was Helpful + Also Emotionally Damaging 10:35 Deprogram Lounge 13:10 AA Cult Within A Cult 17:04 Teri's Evolution After AA 26:02 Healing Trust Issues + Group Trauma 36:21 Hardest Part of Leaving AA 39:48 Making Friends After AA 49:09 Scared to Join a Deprogramming Group 58:32 Speaking About Leaving AA 1:14:17 Drinking Around Social Issues 1:17:04 Leaving AA Was Harder Than Getting Sober 1:30:04 Deprogramming Course + Group 1:46:54 Is Deprogramming a "Cult" or Forever? 1:55:46 Freedom From Group Think 2:02:45 Still in Recovery? 2:13:14 Best Part of Leaving AA 🪩 Community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 150 The #1 Way Angry AA's Come For You | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:25:20 | |
You’re Angry. You’re Resentful. You’re a Dry Drunk. You’ll Be Drunk in Five Years. Have you ever heard things like this? 👀 Today’s episode dives into the #1 way AA defenders come for you (and why it’s actually a logical fallacy). This one’s a total game-changer in our Critical Thinking Series, because once you see this pattern — you can’t unsee it. We’re breaking down how ad hominem (Latin for “to the person”) and appeal to authority show up in arguments, manipulation, and cult-like thinking — not just in AA, but everywhere. 00:00 Way Angry AA's Come For You Intro 01:28 Ad Hominem 04:35 Appeal to Authority 07:24 Staying Safe From Manipulation 14:18 Dry Drunk Mythology 18:06 Ad Hominem Deeper Dive Whether you’re deprogramming from a high-control group, rethinking recovery, or just learning to trust your own brain again — this one’s for you. 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 149 I'm sorry (my amends) | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:12:56 | |
Today’s episode is called “I’m Sorry (My Amends)” — but this isn’t the kind of amends you think. 🕊️ I just got off our Deprogram Zoom Call inside the free Deprogram Lounge, and someone said something that hit me hard: “I don’t agree with everything you say.” And honestly… that’s exactly what I hope for. This episode is about learning to think for ourselves again — after indoctrination, after dogma, after groupthink. It’s about realizing that disagreement isn’t danger. It’s freedom. 💥 In this episode:
🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 148 Vibing LIVE with Burn The Stigma | 03 Nov 2025 | 01:39:01 | |
You're invited to our first ever LIVE stream episode featuring Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma and Kirsten (me, Sobriety Bestie) discussing all the addiction and recovery things. We went live on Sunday November 2nd and are thinking about making this an ongoing thing (let me know what you think!). Burn The Stigma channel:@Burnthestigma420 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 147 Escaping from Alcoholics Anonymous 👻🎃🕸️🕷️💀 | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:43:02 | |
Escaping AA: Halloween Special with Carrie (AA Escapee 👻) Your best thinking got you here — now let’s get you free. In this Halloween jam, Carrie and I riff the AA clichés we lived, how we actually left, and what life’s like now without the daily-reprieve hamster wheel. Critical thinking, self-trust, nervous system regulation, and writing a new story — no chips required. Timestamps: 0:00 Escaping from AA Intro 0:19 What It Was Like (in AA) 08:36 What happened (to leave AA) 10:59 No Daily Reprieve Needed 15:36 Escaping AA 18:49 What It's Like Now 28:33 Reinventing + Reconstructing After AA 31:34 AA Escapee Awakening 34:34 Normalizing Leaving Recovery 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 146 The AA Big Book's Most Harmful Line | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:11:19 | |
There are many harmful aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous, but today we’re diving into what I believe is the most damaging paragraph in the Big Book of AA — and how it quietly stripped away my self-trust, autonomy, and personal power. If you’ve ever wondered why you still doubt yourself, feel “selfish” for wanting things, or have trouble trusting your own instincts after AA — this episode is for you. In this podcast, I break down how this one paragraph shaped my thinking for years and how I’ve been rewiring my brain since leaving AA. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Harmful Line in AA Big Book 02:42 Most Harmful Big Book Paragraph 03:55 Why It's Harmful 07:15 How The Harmful Brainwashing Happened 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 145 Five Ways AA Fools Smart People | 26 Oct 2025 | 00:24:37 | |
Ever wonder how smart, self-aware people can get trapped in systems like AA for years, decades or life? 🤔 In this episode, we break down the decision traps that keep us stuck — and how to reclaim your mind, freedom, and critical thinking power. If you’ve ever felt fooled, shamed, or confused after leaving a high-control group or belief system, this one’s for you. Timestamps: 00:00 AA Fools Smart People Intro 01:38 1 - Loss Aversion 05:20 2 - Sunk Cost Fallacy 08:56 3 - Framing Effect 11:04 4 - Mental Accounting 13:29 5 - Overconfidence or Intuition Bias 16:17 Growing in Wisdom 19:11 Cautious With Ideologies 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 144 Ideological Possession: Big Freedom Unlock | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:12:34 | |
There’s a term that unlocked massive freedom for me when I left Alcoholics Anonymous: Ideological Possession. In this episode, I share how I first heard the concept from Jordan Peterson, how it helped me see AA for what it truly is — a belief system, not a path to truth — and how understanding it completely changed the way I see the world. If you’ve ever felt possessed by an ideology — whether it’s AA, religion, politics, or something else — this one’s for you. We’ll talk about: 00:00 Ideological Possession Intro 04:15 “You don’t have ideas, ideas have you” 06:02 Understanding Ideological Possession Unlocked Freedom 07:56 True Believers vs. Periphery Cult Members 10:17 Why I no longer try to convert anyone Biology of Desire book review video 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 143 Why Addiction Is Not A Disease — Biology of Desire Book Review | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:18:50 | |
Is addiction a disease, a choice — or something in between? 🤔 In this episode, I dive into The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease by Mark Lewis, PhD — the book we just finished in our Deprogram Book Club inside the free Deprogram Lounge community. 💬📚 Mark Lewis argues that addiction isn’t a disease or a moral failing — it’s a deeply learned habit rooted in neuroplasticity and desire. In this video, I share my biggest takeaways from the book, how my view of addiction has evolved since leaving AA, and why I now see addiction as a habit of thought, feeling, and behavior — one that can be unlearned. We’ll explore:
Timestamps: 00:54 Core Framework 01:31 Addiction as a Habit 06:03 We Over Pathologize People 07:51 Evidence Against The Disease Model 09:40 Habit Loops 12:23 Our Brains Recover On Their Own 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 142 Seven Ways AA Hijacked Your Brain | 19 Oct 2025 | 00:34:48 | |
Leaving AA isn’t just about walking away from meetings — it’s about rewiring your brain. In this episode of The Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I share 7 ways Alcoholics Anonymous can hijack your thinking (often subtly, then aggressively)… and how to get your critical thinking and self-trust back. I spent 10 years in AA and left in 2020. What I’ve discovered since will blow your mind. This video is part of our Critical Thinking Series — because freedom starts with changing our minds. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro – AA Brainwashing Intro 01:13 1 – Authority Bias 04:10 2 – Groupthink 06:42 3 – Confirmation Bias 13:27 4 – Learned Helplessness 18:14 5 – Negativity Bias 23:47 6 – Anchoring Bias 28:03 7 – Illusory Truth Effect Videos mentioned: 5 Ways to Stop Second Guessing Yourself After Leaving AA Deconstructing Sobriety Birthdays + AA Sober Time Leaving AA Conversations (playlist) 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 141 Five Ways To Stop Second Guessing Yourself After Leaving AA | 12 Oct 2025 | 00:41:52 | |
Have you ever caught yourself spinning on a decision — looping between “what if” and “maybe not”? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 powerful ways to stop second-guessing yourself, especially if you’re leaving AA, deconstructing 12-step ideology, or just learning to trust your own thinking again. By the end of this video, you’ll understand:
This is for anyone who’s been taught to doubt themselves — by society, religion, recovery programs, or high-control groups — and is now reclaiming their critical thinking, intuition, and freedom. Timestamps: 00:00 Stop Second Guessing Yourself in Recovery intro 00:59 Why I Was Second Guessing Myself After Leaving AA 03:30 1 - Cognitive Dissonance 11:32 2 - Fear of Mistakes or Regrets 16:45 3- Conditioning and Authority 23:36 4 - Perfectionism and Control 29:08 5 - Threat Mode Biology 38:55 Recap 5 Ways to Stop Second Guessing Yourself 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 140 Six Months Speaking Out About AA Changed My Life | 06 Oct 2025 | 00:35:33 | |
Six months ago I finally hit publish on my first video about leaving AA—and it changed everything. What started as fear turned into freedom, growth, and a whole new life. In this episode I reflect on six months of dissenting out loud, what I’ve learned from deconstructing Alcoholics Anonymous, and why this work matters so much. From 123 videos to playlists on AA mind control, cult comparisons, grieving, and alternatives, we’ve built a massive resource for anyone ready to get AA out of their head (playlists linked below) Playlists: Now, as I move from deconstruction into critical thinking and reconstruction, I’m inviting you to keep evolving with me. Team Freedom—let’s keep getting free together. 🪩 Get free tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 139 Quackaholics Anonymous: AA Kept Him Relapsing, Leaving Set Him Free – Victor’s Story | 03 Oct 2025 | 01:49:37 | |
Victor from Quackaholics Anonymous shares his powerful journey of breaking free from Alcoholics Anonymous and finding the power to quit drinking on his own. In this candid conversation, Victor opens up about being branded a “chronic relapser” in AA, feeling isolated and hopeless, and how leaving the program set him free. From realizing AA was a scam, to rebuilding life on his own terms, to starting one of the first dissenting AA YouTube channels — this is his story of reclaiming self-esteem, critical thinking, and true sobriety. Whether you loved AA, hated it, or are just questioning it, this interview shines light on what life after AA can look like. Quackaholics Anonymous YouTube Channel Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Quackaholics Anonymous 03:48 Deprogramming Out Loud, Online 05:28 First Leaving Alcoholics Anonymous 10:24 Seeing Old Timers "True Colors" 13:58 DUI + Getting Back On Your Feet 16:57 Feeling Empty After Leaving AA 19:31 Deciding To Leave AA 24:35 Finding The Power To Stop Drinking Without AA 28:14 Realizing AA Is A Scam 35:17 Starting A Dissenting + Deprogramming AA YouTube Channel 47:33 The Mindset That Got Him Sober Without AA 54:20 Rebuilding Life After AA 1:03:13 Deconstructing AA Martyrdom + Self Sacrafice 1:11:58 Best Part About AA Dissenting 1:23:20 AA Disables Critical Thinking + Self Esteem 1:28:14 AA Friendships After Leaving AA? 1:34:00 Commenting With Trolls, Haters + AA Lovers 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 138 AA Invented This Term to Control You #CultyComments | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:11:33 | |
In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I’m unpacking a culty comment that accuses my podcast of being “alcoholic thinking and behaving at its finest.” 🚫 Here’s the truth: there is no such thing as “alcoholic thinking” or “alcoholic behavior” outside of literally drinking alcohol. These terms were invented and weaponized by AA to control the narrative, sell the disease model, and funnel people toward God as the supposed solution. We’ll break down:
🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 137 Deconstructing Sobriety Birthdays and AA Sober Time | 29 Sep 2025 | 01:28:01 | |
Welcome to our sobriety birthday party podcast. Today September 29th I'm 16 years sober and Carrie (here's her Substack) turned 26 years sober on September 17th, the day we recorded this. You're in for a fun treat as we unpack all the sobriety birthday and sober time things. In this candid convo, Carrie and I unpack the status game around sober time, the shame of “starting over,” why slips don’t erase growth, and what feels actually worth celebrating now. If you’ve ever felt weird about chips, countdowns, or announcing your sobriety date, this one’s for you. We explore:
00:00 Intro deconstructing sobriety birthdays and AA sober time 1:04 Carrie's sobriety birthday feels 06:26 Rethinking slips, relapses and changing sobriety date 10:36 AA conference slipped alcohol 16:02 Rigidity around sobriety birthday announcements 21:39 What does a sobriety birthday actually measure? 23:04 Does drinking actually "erase" sobriety time? 31:04 Why anchor to an old bad habit? 36:59 Sobriety date becomes new birthday 40:18 Sobriety birthday parties 47:37 How long does it take to deprogram? 55:18 Sobriety time "status" game 57:27 Coerced into marketing AA via sobriety chips 1:07:52 What feels relevant to celebrate now? 1:17:22 Do sobriety birthdays matter? 1:24:20 Sober time hierarchy + countdowns
Carrie's Substack: https://carrieengland.substack.com/ 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 136 AA Across The World Same Book, Same Control #CultyComments | 26 Sep 2025 | 00:15:51 | |
In today’s Culty Comments episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, we’re breaking down a classic AA defender argument: “You got sober in the wrong country — AA is different elsewhere.” I’ve been to meetings across the U.S., Australia, Bali, India, Nepal, and Europe — and here’s the truth: no matter the culture, no matter the meeting format, it all comes back to the same book and the same controlling ideology. 👉 In this episode we’ll cover:
🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 135 How Charlie Sheen Got Sober (And His Thoughts on AA) | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:26:46 | |
Charlie Sheen has been one of the most outspoken celebrities about his relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous and sobriety. From his infamous “winning” era in 2011 to creating his own Sober Valley Lodge, to now approaching 8 years sober, Charlie has been refreshingly candid about what worked—and what didn’t—for him. In this video, we react to Charlie Sheen’s recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, dive into his brand-new book The Book of Sheen (2025), and unpack his raw thoughts on AA, interventions, sponsorship, and making the decision to quit drinking on his own terms. Joe Rogan Podcast with Charlie Sheen Timestamps: 00:00 How Charlie Sheen Got Sober Intro 01:37 Charlie Sheen on Joe Rogan Podcast 05:26 Charlie Sheen's Intervention 07:33 How Charlie Sheen Got Sober (this time) 14:32 Making A Decision + Sticking To It 18:21 Charlie Sheen On AA's Indoctrination Process 24:51 Charlie Sheen Got Sober On His Own 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 134 Alan Carr's Quit Drinking Without Willpower — Book Review | 22 Sep 2025 | 00:31:16 | |
Alan Carr flips the script on alcohol. Instead of using willpower to fight cravings, he shows how to remove the desire to drink altogether. 🎉 In this episode, I review Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Quit Drinking Without Willpower and share how the method connected with my own journey—both quitting cigarettes and alcohol. Whether you’re looking for an AA alternative, rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or just curious about habit change, this perspective shift might blow your mind. Get the book here. Timestamps: 00:00 Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Drinking Intro 02:35 How I Quit Smoking Cigarettes 09:07 All Brains Can Become Addicted 10:46 Brainwashed Quitting is Hard 13:46 Brainwashed into Drinking Trap 15:45 Little Monster (Withdrawal) + Big Monster (Desire to Drink) 21:08 New Attitude on Sobriety 23:07 Addictive Personality Mythology 27:01 Alcohol Does Not Cause Pleasure 29:56 Don't Drink Poison Ever 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 133 Deprogramming AA From the Inside — Bobby C.’s Story | 19 Sep 2025 | 01:15:42 | |
Bobby C from Anonymous Addiction Podcast spent 35 years inside Alcoholics Anonymous — but he was never fully at peace with the ideology. Trapped by cognitive dissonance, he questioned the slogans, the control structures, and the religious roots even while he kept showing up. In this conversation, Bobby shares how he saw “cults within the cult,” why the chips and steps never sat right, and how he finally shifted into true freedom outside the 12-step frame. Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro Bobby C Deprogramming While In AA 02:05 — Joining AA + First Sponsor 08:29 — In Alcoholics Anonymous 35 Years 10:08 — Control structure: Steps, Traditions, Concepts, Trustees 14:36 — Roots in religion: Oxford Group, Sister Ignatia, priests 18:14 — Labels, DSM skepticism, and “dis-ease” 23:14 — Culture & media: why AA dominates screen time 39:30 — Paradigm shift away from 12-step + leaving timeline 50:45 — Becoming a SMART Recovery facilitator 56:05 — Boundaries, in-person community, and the “becoming” lens 1:11:10 — How Bobby C and Sobriety Bestie "met" 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 132 AA Doublespeak: Your Best Thinking Got Your Here | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:16:10 | |
AA loves to say “Your best thinking got you here.” But when I arrived at AA, I was in survival mode with my worst thinking—traumatized, anxious, medicated, and terrified. To call that my “best” is pure doublespeak. In this episode, I break down why this phrase is manipulative, how it positions members to distrust their own thoughts, and how Bill Wilson’s best thinking (propaganda, PR, Oxford Group ideology) is what actually got me to AA. We’ll unpack:
Timestamps: 00:00 Your Best Thinking Got You Here Intro 01:48 My Worst Thinking Got Me To AA 06:49 Survival Thinking vs Best Thinking 09:42 Bill Wilson’s Best Thinking + AA Propaganda 13:12 What My Best Thinking Looks Like 15:02 Invitation to the Deprogram Lounge 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 131 When Strangers Try to Convince You You’re Powerless #CultyComments | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:13:53 | |
A random AA stranger tried to convince me that I’m powerless—that I can’t even know if I’ll drink tomorrow. He compared my choices to predicting the lottery. 🤦♀️ This episode breaks down the logical fallacies and culty ideology behind the powerless narrative AA keeps pushing. Of course I have no clue what YOU should or will do. But I do know I'm not drinking tomorrow. We’re powerful. We can change habits, rewire our brains, and decide our own future. Anyone trying to convince you otherwise? 🚩 That’s control, not truth. 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 130 The Doctor's Opinion That Trapped Millions for Life – Big Book Deconstruction #2 | 12 Sep 2025 | 01:35:40 | |
Welcome back to our Big Book Deconstruction series. In this episode, Kirsten and Carrie (Carrie’s Substack here) unpack The Doctor’s Opinion — the chapter that AA uses as its "medical" foundation. We explore how Dr. Silkworth’s unproven ideas about a “fatal progressive disease” became the sales pitch that trapped millions into a lifetime of dependence. 🕒 Timestamps 00:00 – Deconstructing The Doctor's Opinion Intro 01:23 – Dr. Silkworth Traps + Converts Us 04:08 – Lies AA Coerced Us Into Believing 08:25 – Bill + Dr. Silkworth Fall Off The Pedestal 15:56 – We Need A New "Marty Mann" 22:44 – Predators in Alcoholics Anonymous 29:34 – AA Opinions Are Not Facts 34:29 – Deconstructing The Doctor's Opinion 40:17 – Bill Becoming A Millionaire 47:31 – Deconstructing Dr. Silkworth's Letter 57:15 – Body + Mind "Abnormal" Mythology 01:08:23 – The "Allergy" Manipulation 01:13:31 – Toxicity + Learned Helplessness in AA 01:19:39 – Bill's Best Thinking Got Us To AA 01:29:22 – Breaking AA's Global Indoctrination 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 129 Common Abuse And Mistreatment in AA | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:20:07 | |
In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, we’re breaking down the most common forms of abuse and mistreatment in Alcoholics Anonymous—from being told you have a “progressive, fatal disease,” to being convinced you’re powerless, to the gaslighting baked into terms like “dry drunk” or “denial.” These points come from Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey, written 30 years ago but still just as relevant today. We’ll unpack the first 10 examples from the book and talk about how AA’s harmful messaging keeps people stuck in fear, shame, and learned helplessness. This conversation is about more than deconstructing AA—it’s about critical thinking, self-trust, and freedom. Rational Recovery book: https://amzn.to/47AyGlh Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Common Abuse in AA 02:22 1 — "Fatal progressive disease" 04:41 2 — "Can't abstain on your own" 05:21 3 — "AA is the only way" 06:31 4 — "AA is not religious" 07:22 5 — "Must surrender to AA ideology" 08:58 6 — "You'll relapse without AA" 09:18 7 — "Dry drunk" 11:34 8 — "Alcoholism symptoms" 12:30 9 — "Leaving AA means you'll relapse" 14:25 — 10 "Doubting AA means is a symptom" 16:12 We save ourselves 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 128 Guilt, Doublespeak + Denial in AA Recruitment #CultyComments | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:17:57 | |
In this #CultyComments episode, we’re breaking down two of AA’s most common contradictions: 👉 “AA has no leaders.” Really? Sponsors, old-timers, secretaries, and even professional recruiters all lead — they just hide it behind the doublespeak of “trusted servants.” 👉 “You can leave anytime.” On the surface, yes. But the ideology repeats that leaving = relapse, jails, institutions, or death. That’s phobia indoctrination, and it keeps people trapped even when they want out. This isn’t about shaming one person. It’s about exposing how AA’s own language and thought reform tactics convince members they’re free, while quietly controlling their choices. ✨ In this video, I unpack:
Any group that tells you you’ll die if you leave? 🚩 Run for the hills. 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 127 She Decided to Drink Again After 13 Years in AA — Emma’s Story (Group Thinking Podcast) | 05 Sep 2025 | 01:16:10 | |
Emma from Group Thinking Podcast left AA after nearly 13 years—and chose moderation. In this candid conversation, we unpack what made her walk away, how she rebuilt community, why “your disease is getting worse even when you’re sober” never sat right, and what deprogramming looks like in real life. We get into AA culture, Finland AA vs. international AA, sponsorship red flags, nervous system regulation, trying alcohol again (including first-week hangovers and fear), and the power of speaking out. Emma also shares how launching a deconstructing AA podcast became both purpose and therapy—and why multiple recovery paths (not one ideology) should be the norm. ⛪📘🧠 Timestamps: 00:00 Emma from Group Thinking Podcast intro 01:00 Leaving AA After 13 Years 07:54 ACA, 12 Step Pathologizing Culture 10:38 Starting A Deprogramming Podcast 13:20 Nervous System Regulation After AA 15:30 Deciding To Drink Alcohol Again 18:00 Podcasting To Help Deprogramming Journey 22:10 Coming Out Online About Leaving AA 23:54 Drinking in Front of AA Family Member 27:19 Feeling Confident Drinking 31:05 Steps to Leaving AA 37:00 Finland AA Vs. International AA 39:22 Emma's Message 43:23 Rebuilding Life After AA 50:37 Advice to Former Self 54:20 Most Harmful Part of AA 1:00:09 Best Part of Leaving AA 1:04:07 Tried to Make AA Safer 1:09:35 Feedback From Podcast Listeners 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 126 Hidden Danger in AA Meetings | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:19:40 | |
Any group that tells you you’ll die if you leave? 🚩 Run for the hills. In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I dive into the hidden danger in AA meetings — not just shady individuals or mini–cult leaders, but the ideology itself. 📖 Inspired by Rational Recovery: The New Cure for Substance Addiction by Jack Trimpey, we’ll unpack his concept of Recovery Group Disorder (RGD) — the compulsive dependency on recovery meetings that looks and feels a lot like addiction itself. Rational Recovery book: https://amzn.to/47AyGlh Timestamps: 00:00 Intro — hidden dangers in AA 01:14 What is “Recovery Group Disorder”? 03:06 Are recovery meetings required? 05:55 Expanded definition of RGD 08:08 Problems AA creates in identity + thinking 10:40 How AA builds dependency 14:28 Moving on with life 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 125 Rational Recovery Book — Escape the Recovery Trap | 01 Sep 2025 | 00:29:01 | |
You are powerful. You can decide your future. You don’t need AA, sponsors, or church basements to stay sober. In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I dive into Rational Recovery: The New Cure for Substance Addiction by Jack Trimpey — the revolutionary AA alternative that says: once you decide, that’s it. No “recovery process,” no lifelong meetings. We’ll explore:
I wish I had found this book when I got sober in 2009. It’s bold, liberating, and a must-read if you’re deprogramming from AA or exploring real freedom. You can check out the Rational Recovery book here. Timestamps 00:00 Rational Recovery intro 03:16 Rational Recovery history 04:56 No recovery meetings required 07:05 Rational Recovery core philosophy 10:22 Recovery reality check 13:50 Addictive Voice Recognition Technique 15:43 Being "in two minds" about drinking 19:28 Deciding to not drink 23:13 Common myths Rational Recovery challenges 25:15 "Recovery Group Disorder" 26:34 Rational Recovery main takeaway 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 124 13th Step Filmmaker Exposes AA’s Darkest Secrets — Monica Richardson's Story | 29 Aug 2025 | 01:20:41 | |
After 36 years in Alcoholics Anonymous, filmmaker Monica Richardson discovered the truth she never expected: AA has a dark side. In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, Monica shares her journey from devoted member to whistleblower, revealing:
This is a powerful conversation about trust, recovery, and taking your power back. Monica Richardson's links: Watch The 13th Step Documentary Connect with Monica: makeAAsafer@gmail.com Timestamp: 00:00 Monica's AA Escape Story 1:04 Criminals Court Ordered to AA 05:09 Monica's 13th Step Film 06:35 Cracks in the Brainwashing 13:00 Dark Side of LA and Hawaii AA 18:59 More Reasons to Leave AA 24:49 Making a Plan to Leave AA 39:13 Nurses, Doctors, Pilots Forced into AA 46:11 Anger and AA 47:50 Navigating Being 13th Stepped 54:57 A Wave of 12 Step Harm Awarness 1:04:45 Autism, Sexual Abuse + Gaslighting 1:09:16 Kicked out of Sober Living, Psychedelics + Healing 1:12:31 Monica's Deprogramming 12 Step Facebook Group 1:15:20 Advice to Someone Leaving AA Additional Resources Monica Mentioned:
🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 123 RFK Jr Is Brainwashed — And Recruiting Us | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:59:53 | |
RFK Jr. just admitted it: AA is brainwashing — and he wanted it. 🤯 In this episode, we break down his April 2025 speech on the opioid crisis in Nashville and expose how deeply Alcoholics Anonymous ideology is woven into his words. From “your disease is doing pushups” to magical thinking and lifelong indoctrination, this talk is packed with AA propaganda — and it’s being spread from the top of American health leadership. This isn’t about RFK Jr. as a person — it’s about the dangerous ideology being promoted as fact. If you’ve ever questioned AA, felt trapped by its dogma, or wondered why so much of this sounds like cult language… this episode will be a game-changer. You can watch the original video here. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro RFK Jr Indoctrinating The World 01:50 "Disease" learned helplessness indoctrination 04:50 "It's irrelevant how I got it" 07:75 "My addiction is doing push ups" 10:04 12 step brainwashing + propaganda 17:00 12 step religious conversion 20:26 42 years of daily meetings 24:38 Jails, institutions, death + identity manipulation 36:07 What about church and state? 39:33 Misinformation about AA roots 51:24 Daily reprieve manipulation 54:57 Spiritual bypassing 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 122 Who AA Helps, Harms and Kills — Book Review | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:23:49 | |
AA doesn’t just “help” people. It also harms — and in some cases, kills. This episode is a deep dive into AA: Who It Helps, Who It Harms, Who It Kills, and Why by Dr. Edward Wilson, PhD. We’ll explore the central premise of the book: that AA is either irrelevant or actively harmful for most people who misuse alcohol. You’ll hear clips from the author himself, and then I unpack the book through the lens of my own experience after 10 years in AA and 5 years out. We’ll look at why AA only works for a narrow group, how it harms “normals” who might have recovered naturally, and why it can be deadly for the bright, creative, independent thinkers who are forced to conform and cut off from self-trust. For anyone deprogramming from the cult religion of Alcoholics Anonymous, or anyone seeking new ways to understand alcohol addiction, this book is a liberating resource. Get the book here Watch video from reaction here Timestamps: 00:00 AA Helps, Harms, Kills intro 01:24 Author Dr. Edward Wilson reaction 05:10 Minnesota Model doesn't work? 07:26 Why people think AA works 10:28 Ego development: protect + conform 11:36 Ego development: outgrow AA 12:06 Ego development: AA harms 15:54 Ego development: AA is toxic 18:21 Who AA helps, harms, kills 19:01 Recovery + growth outside AA 20:26 "In Recovery" identity stunts growth 21:04 Dr. Wilson's multi solution approach 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 121 The Forward That Stole Your Power – Big Book Deconstruction #1 | 22 Aug 2025 | 01:31:57 | |
We’re kicking off a brand-new series deconstructing the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous — exposing the hidden messages, the power-stripping language, and the indoctrination baked into its pages. In this episode, we unpack the Forward to the First Edition — where AA starts shaping how you see yourself, your “disease,” and your ability to choose your own recovery path. We’ll talk about how the language trains self-abandonment, why this sets you up for lifelong dependence on the program, and how to reclaim your agency. Whether you’ve left AA, are thinking about leaving, or just want to understand the mechanics of its influence, this series will help you see the text with new eyes — and take your power back. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Big Book Deconstruction 01:22 Carrie's intro to the AA Big Book 04:20 AA sponsors as cult leaders 11:00 Kirsten's intro to the AA Big Book 14:50 AA Big Book Title page 20:32 Forward to First Edition 28:22 Bill decides we are "sick" 41:15 AA's care about the system not the people 47:07 Bill knows how we should live 54:50 We're allowed to feel angry 57:15 Bill's pitch to exploit us 1:00:20 MANY requirements for AA membership 1:13:09 Learning through AA mishaps 1:20:24 Can't separate AA good from AA harm 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 120 My Most Cringe AA Confession… | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:20:04 | |
I’ve got a cringe confession from my AA days… one I’ve never shared until now. Since it’s my birthday week (and my book’s birthday too), today I’m revealing an AA secret that I haven't shared yet — and unpacking what that says about mind control, cult personality, and how far I’ve come in deprogramming. I’ll share my AA cringe story and the story behind The Heartgasm Revolution book, and give you the free PDF this week to celebrate (links below). Timestamps: 00:00 Most AA Cringe Moment Intro 01:27 Dedicated to Bill 05:39 Charles Manson Mind Control 06:46 Cult Persona 08:34 Healing Emotions in Sobriety 11:16 Heartgasms + Self Love 14:13 Your Free Gift!! 17:38 Committing to Courage 📕 Get The Heartgasm Revolution — A Mind Blowing Guide To Self Love Free Book PDF https://www.sobrietybestie.com/free-book Paperback Book https://amzn.to/4mTPSGV 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 119 Emotional Closure After AA — Grieving AA 6: Goodbye Letter | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:18:52 | |
Leaving Alcoholics Anonymous can feel like walking away from your entire world — relationships, identity, purpose, safety, community, and structure. That’s why so many of us feel stuck in grief, even after we’ve left. In Part 6 of the Grieving AA series, I’m sharing a powerful tool from the Grief Recovery Method — the Completion Letter. This is not about excusing harm or betraying yourself. It’s about ending the loop of overthinking, guilt, shame, and anger… and reclaiming your freedom. Inside, you’ll learn:
Whether you write the letter, speak it aloud, or burn it in a ceremony, this process can help you cut the energetic tie, close the grief, and move forward without the weight of AA still on your shoulders. Timestamps: 00:00 Grief Recovery Method completion letter intro 08:14 Writing the letter 09:02 The apologies 12:11 The forgiveness 13:11 Significant emotional truths 15:38 The Closure 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 118 Realizing the Truth About AA — Grieving AA 5: Acceptance | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:16:56 | |
Acceptance after leaving Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t about forgiving abuse or sugarcoating the harm — it’s about choosing yourself and stepping into freedom. In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I share what “acceptance” really means in the grieving process — without surrendering to AA’s powerlessness narrative. We’ll unpack:
If AA was part of your life and leaving brought up grief, doubt, or relief, this is your space to get clarity and move forward on your terms. 📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:
Timestamps: 00:00 Acceptance after AA 05:00 Journaling prompts 13:32 Finding purpose after AA 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 117 Dark Night of The Soul After AA — Grieving AA 4: Depression | 14 Aug 2025 | 00:19:13 | |
What if you never feel okay again after leaving AA? For many of us, there’s a crash after the anger fades — the loss of community, identity, and structure can feel like a dark night of the soul. It’s not failure — it’s grief. In this episode of the Grieving AA series, we talk about the depression stage, why it happens, and how to navigate the “after-recovery void” between who you were in AA and who you’re becoming now. You’ll also get journaling prompts to help you move through this phase. 📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:
Timestamps: 00:00 Depression after leaving AA intro 08:04 Journal prompts 09:12 Dark night of the soul 14:46 This too shall pass 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 116 Why Part of You Still Wants to Go Back to AA — Grieving AA 3: Bargaining | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:13:47 | |
Bargaining is a normal stage of grief — but when you’ve left AA, it can keep you stuck. Maybe you’ve told yourself, “It wasn’t that bad,” “I can just take the good and leave the rest,” or “Maybe I was the problem.” In this episode, I break down how AA culture trains us to bargain with harm, avoid the full truth, and even spiritualize abuse. I share real examples from my 10 years in AA, how I recognized my own bargaining, and how you can start unpacking it. 📌 Inside this video:
📝 Journaling Prompts:
Timestamps: 00:00 Doubting your decision to leave AA intro 07:17 Journaling prompts 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 115 Why You’re So Angry at AA — Grieving AA 2: Anger | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:23:57 | |
Are you still angry about what happened in AA — or that you were even there? You're not alone. This episode dives into the second stage of grief after leaving Alcoholics Anonymous: anger. I was stalked in AA. I was gaslit, misdiagnosed, manipulated — and told that feeling angry meant I was the problem. If anything like this sounds familiar, this one's for you. Inside this episode:
📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:
Timestamps: 00:00 Grieving AA: Anger intro 5:44 AA pathologized anger 12:08 Angry at an AA member 17:02 Journaling prompts 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 114 Was AA Really That Bad? — Grieving AA Part 1: Denial | 11 Aug 2025 | 00:17:53 | |
Welcome to the Grieving AA series — a 6-part journey to untangle from Alcoholics Anonymous and reclaim your emotional freedom. In this first episode, we unpack denial. What if the group that “saved your life”… was actually harming your mind? What if the thing you thought was spiritual… was a religious cult in disguise? We’ll explore:
Timestamps: 00:00 Grieving AA Denial Intro 05:40 What denial may look like 10:05 Journaling prompts 📝 Journaling Prompts in this Episode:
🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here. 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 113 Bali Rehab Therapist Leaves AA — Mark’s Story | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:48:23 | |
Mark, a former AA member, professional therapist, and addiction counselor, shares why he left Alcoholics Anonymous after four years and what happened next. We talk about the uncomfortable truths inside the rooms, what it was like to be sober and rebellious, and how AA fed his ego instead of helping him heal. Mark shares what it was like working in a rehab while quietly deprogramming from 12-step ideology — and why real healing required trusting himself, not a dogma. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:12 Why Did You Leave AA? 09:00 "AA Fed My Ego" 10:46 AA While Working At A Bali Rehab 13:34 Addiction Therapist Advice on AA 14:54 How AA Reacted To Him Leaving 17:58 Still sober? 21:05 What Deprogramming Was Like 23:57 Feeling Betrayed in AA 30:00 If You Left AA But Still Are "In Recovery" 32:36 Find Out Why You Drank 36:09 Learning To Trust Yourself Again 39:48 He Always Knew He'd Leave AA 45:13 A Big Thing To Work On Mark's website Mark's Facebook Mark's Instagram Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 112 Does AA Make Drinking Worse? | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:11:59 | |
What if it’s not the booze — but the belief system? In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, we dive into Alan Marlatt’s 1973 expectancy experiment, featured in Resisting 12-Step Coercion by Stanton Peele. This study throws a major wrench in AA’s core claim: the “physical allergy” to alcohol. 🔬 Study findings? 👉 People who thought they were drinking alcohol behaved more "drunk" — even when they weren’t. 👉 Those who were drinking but didn’t know it? No typical "alcoholic" behavior. So… is it the alcohol or the expectation? Does AA’s ideology create a self-fulfilling prophecy that makes drinking worse? 📍 We’ll break down the study, bust the allergy myth, and explore how belief — not booze — might be the real trigger. 🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 111 The Study That Shatters AA's Biggest Claim | 04 Aug 2025 | 00:12:45 | |
You were told to leave AA is to drink — and to drink is to die. But what if the data says otherwise? In this episode of the Sobriety Bestie Podcast, I break down one of the most important studies you’ve probably never heard of — the 1992 NLAES study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This massive, government-funded study followed thousands of people who met the criteria for alcohol dependence... and most of them got better without AA or treatment. This episode dives into:
🪩 Get fee tools, community, Zooms and book club to deprogram 12-step ideology 📚 👉 Inside the Deprogram Lounge click here 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 110 Midtown AA “13th Stepping” Scandal — Mandi’s Story | 01 Aug 2025 | 02:09:24 | |
This is not just one woman’s story. It’s a window into what’s been allowed to happen behind closed doors in Alcoholics Anonymous. At 15 years old, Mandi was sent to AA as a “troubled teen.” What followed was not recovery — it was manipulation, coercion, grooming, and systemic cover-up. In this conversation, Mandi details how a so-called spiritual leader in the Midtown AA group in Washington, D.C. used his power to exploit underage girls — and how the group protected him. This conversation exposes the underbelly of AA culture: the “13th stepping,” the spiritual gaslighting, the silence around sexual abuse, and the refusal to evolve. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Midtown AA Exploitation 01:44 Why It Was Hard To Leave AA 06:34 1990's "Troubled Teen" Sent To AA 9:19 Midtown AA Cult 12:15 Misdiagnosed As Alcoholic 17:54 Breaking Free From AA 22:50 Coercive Control in AA 27:45 13th Stepping Children 32:46 What Helped Her Heal 41:23 Red flags in AA 48:00 Societies Blind Spot to AA Harms 1:02:36 Sinclair Method + "No Meds" in AA 1:06:55 Cult Experts Won't Touch AA 1:09:55 If You're in A Rouge AA Group 1:17:49 Staying Safe From Predators 1:26:47 Leaving AA, Cocaine + ADHD Diagnosis 1:35:12 Sexual Abuse: Speaking Out + Not Being Believed 1:46:34 Men Get 13th Stepped Too 1:49:42 Trafficked To Other AA Groups 2:00:41 Shifting Public Consciousness on Addiction Recovery Mandi's IG: https://www.instagram.com/mandiptalkspredators/ Mandi's Substack: https://mandiptalkspredators.substack.com/ Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 109 Why AA's Calls You Resentful When You Leave #CultyComments | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:14:06 | |
Why does AA call you resentful just for leaving? In this episode of Culty Comments, we break down how the word resentment got rebranded from sin, why it’s weaponized against dissenters, and how AA uses emotional manipulation to keep you locked in. If you've ever been called "bitter," "angry," or "a dry drunk" after walking away… this one's for you. Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 108 Preacher Exposes the Truth About AA—And I’m Shook | 28 Jul 2025 | 00:33:59 | |
🚨 This Preacher Says AA Is Dangerous — And He Has a Bus to Prove It 🚌 In today’s reaction episode, we dive into a bold and controversial video titled "Alcoholics Anonymous Is Dangerous – Part 1" by Jim Battle. This preacher isn’t holding back—and neither am I. From cult recruitment tactics to the powerless indoctrination, we break down exactly why AA might not be what you think it is. Original video AA Is Dangerous Pt 1 00:00 – Intro AA Is Dangerous 01:10 – Meet Jim Battle, the preacher warning the world about AA 03:22 – The first thing wrong with AA 07:10 – Why “It works if you work it” is a lie 08:44 – Warning: AA kills people 12:20 – “AA Takes Lives”—What if that was the slogan? 13:36 – You are not powerless 23:50 – AA’s deceptive cult recruitment tactics 28:47 – AA never takes responsibility for deaths 29:50 – Court-ordered religion? Separation of church and state violation Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 107 Big Book Thumper Leaves AA After 32 Years — Carrie's Story | 25 Jul 2025 | 01:35:21 | |
After 32 years in Alcoholics Anonymous, Carrie walked away from the program she once lived and breathed. A retired VA nurse, dynamic speaker, and hardcore Big Book Thumper, Carrie sponsored thousands and climbed the service ladder—until she started asking herself the one question AA fears most: Do I actually believe this? This powerful conversation dives into indoctrination, service burnout, identity loss, spiritual manipulation, predatory behavior in meetings, and the courage it takes to walk away. If you’re questioning AA, feeling trapped, or just want to hear a brutally honest story of breaking free—this one’s for you. Carrie's substack: https://carrieengland.substack.com/ 👇 Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:02 Indoctrinated into hardcore AA 07:38 Core issues under drinking 09:20 Drunk on AA Kool-Aid 12:20 Cracks in AA brainwashing 17:01 Retired VA registered nurse for substance abuse 18:28 Elite AA & Getting Fired by a Sponsor 22:27 "I feel scammed" 26:38 Questioning AA + Sponsor Burnout 31:40 Her Big Regret from AA 36:40 AA is a Religious Cult 37:48 Leaving AA Feels Scary 40:41 Predators in AA 45:12 The First Days After Leaving 50:20 Coming Out Online About Leaving AA 53:41 AA Myths She No Longer Believes 58:34 What Surprised Her About Leaving 1:04:03 Cults Within the Cult 1:14:00 Alternatives to AA 1:15:10 Is She Still “in Recovery”? 1:18:30 Ego, Self-Esteem & Service 1:24:25 AA as Self-Medication 1:28:06 Learning to Trust Herself Again Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 106 Wait... Every AA Meeting is Toxic? #CultyComments | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:14:29 | |
"Sorry You Missed That Part" — AA Indoctrination in Full View Welcome to another episode of Culty Comments — where we break down the ideology, not the individual. Today we’re responding to a spicy little comment that accuses me of bashing AA, claims meetings have “personalities,” and confidently declares I’m going downhill (lol ok Bro). But here’s the thing: Cult members can view deconstructing as "bashing" Mind control can trap us in survival Deconstruction unlocks freedom Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 105 The Dangerous AA Lie That Jordan Peterson Repeated | 21 Jul 2025 | 00:27:11 | |
Jordan Peterson once helped me break free from AA's ideological grip. But in this viral clip from Theo Von’s podcast, he repeats dangerous myths about Alcoholics Anonymous — calling it “psychologically intelligent” and denying the harm it causes. So today, we're unpacking this AA propaganda in real time — from coerced confessions to forced religious conversion, and the global indoctrination that keeps people stuck in a cult disguised as recovery. This isn’t about bashing Jordan or Theo — it’s about calling out misinformation that gets millions of people trapped in high-control systems. Let’s critically think together. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro Jordan Peterson on Alcoholics Anonymous 01:32 – Theo Von: 12 Steps Not Working? 02:52 – AA Alternatives? Why Are We Ignoring the Data? 05:22 – Ideological Possession in AA 10:02 – Peterson: The 12 Steps Are a Religion 12:10 – AA Is Exploitative (Here's How) 17:54 – Does AA Do Harm? (Peterson Says No…) 21:01 – AA’s Coerced Confession Culture 22:38 – AA’s Forced Religious Conversion Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 104 Leaving 12 Step with Tara @BurnTheStigma | 18 Jul 2025 | 01:15:58 | |
What if the thing you were told would save your life… was actually harming you the most? In this raw and powerful episode, Tara from @BurnTheStigma shares how 10 years in AA and 12-step recovery impacted her more deeply — and more dangerously — than heroin ever did. We unpack the hidden trauma of 12-step indoctrination, the slow unraveling of belief systems, and the courage it takes to walk away from something everyone says “works.” Tara's Recovery Rebellion Podcast Timestamps: 00:00 Intro with Tara Burn The Stigma 01:20 What Leaving AA Was Like 06:29 Growing Out of Addiction 10:08 Realizing AA is Harmful 13:01 ADHD in addiction and recovery 16:13 AA Wasn't Working 20:55 Starting to Deconstruct AA 24:54 AA is Dangerous 31:08 How Long is Deconstructing AA? 33:57 What's Been The Most Liberating? 41:30 The Power of Choice 53:28 Harm Reduction 57:56 Sobriety Wasn't The Goal 1:04:23 AA Affected Life More Negatively Than Heroin 1:07:08 Freedom Through Deconstructing AA Are you on your deconstructing AA journey and want support? Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 103 Dangerous False Choice AA Keeps Repeating #CultyComments | 17 Jul 2025 | 00:11:58 | |
It’s Not a Loving Philosophy — It’s a Cult Religion. Welcome back to Culty Comments — where we deconstruct the ideology of Alcoholics Anonymous so we can get free. Today’s comment says: "The alcoholic death is worse than anything you can say about AA. I love AA, not perfection, but progress and life-saving philosophy of love and others paying it forward." Let’s unpack this. What if what looks like “love” is actually coercive control? What if that “life-saving philosophy” is rooted in cult religion tactics and false binaries like “AA or death”? And what if the people praising AA the loudest are also the most deeply controlled by it? Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||
| Ep 102 You Won’t Believe What He Compared AA To #CultyComments | 16 Jul 2025 | 00:09:35 | |
Someone Just Compared AA to a Gym… Seriously?! In this episode of #CultyComments, we're unpacking a wild claim: that Alcoholics Anonymous is no more of a cult than a gym. 😳 I break down the real differences — including the shame, moral inventories, powerlessness, and threats of death — and share why this kind of ideology comparison is not just off, it's dangerous. 👉 If you’ve ever questioned AA or felt the residue of its ideology stuck in your head, you’re not alone. This episode is for those of us unpacking the thought reform and reclaiming our autonomy. Are you on your deconstructing AA journey and want support? Join our free deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit here → 🔓 AA Escape Kit click here Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course: 💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation. Let’s get f*cking free. | |||