The Living Clean Podcast

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Join us for another episode of The Living Clean Podcast as Francis takes us along on his big Midwestern adventure! What started as a trip through the heartland turned into a history quest filled with new friendships, unexpected discoveries, and a deeper connection to the history of Narcotics Anonymous.

From attending three different NA conventions to meeting members, hearing their stories, and uncovering pieces of our fellowship’s history, Francis shares the experiences and connections that ma...

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Join Francis for a special two-part conversation with Mike R. from Mike and Chris’s Cool NA History Page.

Mike shares his personal journey: finding Narcotics Anonymous, getting clean, and the experiences that shaped his life and his connection to the fellowship.

Francis and Mike dive into their shared passion for Narcotics Anonymous history. They talk about collecting and preserving our history, the stories behind the memorabilia and literature, the people and events that he...

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What does it take to preserve the history of Narcotics Anonymous, and what happens when a few dedicated members decide that the stories of those who came before us are too important to lose?

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we're joined by members of the Northern California History and Archives Committee to discuss their journey from a small history project during the COVID-19 pandemic to becoming an officially recognized regional subcommittee dedicated to...

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Be the Change SeriesWhat does commitment look like in Narcotics Anonymous service?Sometimes it is as simple as showing up.In this special Be the Change episode, Dee M. from Cookeville, Tennessee joins David, Francis, Amanda, and Travis for a conversation about commitment and service and the first exercise in Be the Change #6: Spiritual Principles in NA Service.Exercise 1 — Showing UpSpiritual Principle: Commitment“When we come together in service, we connect with each other in a vital way.”— Guiding...

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This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we continue our journey through the Twelve Steps with Step Ten—the beginning of learning how to practice what we’ve gained in recovery as part of our everyday lives.

Our returning panel of Archer, Pete, and Douglas is back, and this week we’re joined by Ali and Rufus to talk about what it means to continue taking personal inventory.

Step Ten teaches us that recovery isn’t...

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Sometimes the best conversations are the ones you don’t plan.

In this spontaneous episode of The Living Clean Podcast, Francis sits down with J.W. for an open and personal conversation about where life has him today. J.W. shares about his current health issues, the spiritual principles that help him navigate difficult circumstances, and what recovery looks like when life shows up on life’s terms.

Along the way, Francis and J.W. t...

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In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with the Māori woman from Aotearoa, New Zealand, who wrote “Kia Ora Koutou,” one of the personal stories published in the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text.

The episode begins with a narration of her powerful story—a woman who entered treatment kicking and screaming, got clean partly out of stubbornness and spite, and slowly discovered hope through the message of Narcotics Anonymous. She shares honestly about t...

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The Newcomer Montage returns with a second collection of voices speaking directly to the most important person in Narcotics Anonymous: the newcomer.

This montage covers episodes of The Living Clean Podcast from November 3, 2024, through December 28, 2025—a period that also represents an important chapter in the evolution of the podcast. It begins around the time Francis joins Mason as co-host, and the two begin recording together on a regular weekly basis.

During these conversations, Mason ag...

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In this Living Clean Book Study episode, we begin the section “Spiritual and Emotional Crisis,” covering the first four paragraphs.

Recovery doesn’t mean we stop going through hard things. Sometimes the crisis isn’t about wanting to use—it’s about feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, uncertain, or struggling to make sense of what we’re going through.

We discuss what Living Clean has to say about these difficult periods, what they can reveal about where we are s...

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Mo returns to The Living Clean Podcast to lead a panel discussion exploring gender bias in sponsorship and the traditional “men with men, women with women” approach.

What happens when we look at sponsorship outside of heteronormative and binary thinking? How do gender, sexual orientation, attraction, safety, identification, and personal experience influence who we choose as a sponsor? And most importantly, how can we make sure the newcomer has access to the guidance and support they need...

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This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Michael M., who has been clean since August 17, 1975.

Michael takes us back to his early days in recovery and shares what Narcotics Anonymous looked like at that time, including his involvement in the early development of the fellowship in his area and his experience attending the 7th World Convention.

From there, we get into Michael’s many years of service and some of th...

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The Paradise Strong Book Study presents a special historical meeting commemorating the 40th anniversary of Narcotics Anonymous’ Sixth World Literature Conference, held in Miami, Florida, in September 1981.

The World Literature Conferences were an extraordinary period in NA history. Members from across the Fellowship came together to write, review, organize, and shape the material that would eventually become the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text. By the time members gathered for the Sixth World Literature Conference, years of work at...

At the beginning of 2026, we made a decision to spend the entire year developing the foundation for the Southern Middle Tennessee Area of Narcotics Anonymous, with the goal of officially beginning January 1, 2027.

That process has included developing our service structure and policy, along with training trusted servants in areas such as consensus-based decision-making, facilitation, and the GSR role.

We’re releasing these trainings as bonus episodes of The Living Clean Podcast so they can be used as service resources by anyone who may benefit from them.

In this bonus episode, we share our Fa...

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This week on The Living Clean Podcast, Francis and Mason mark the 45th anniversary of the 6th World Literature Conference, held in Miami, Florida, September 14–20, 1981.

In Part One of this special episode, we go day by day through the conference, using the original minutes and historical records to look at what was actually happening in the room as members worked to complete the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text. We talk about the unfinished chapters, the debates over Ho...

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What does it really mean when we say, "The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel"?

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, Francis sits down with Chris C. from Yreka, California, an active member of Recovery at Work (RAW), to explore one of the most recognizable sentences in Narcotics Anonymous literature.

Using the unique RAW format, Chris thoughtfully breaks down the statement one phrase at a time, revealing the...

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This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we continue our journey through the Twelve Steps with Step Nine—the step where the preparation of Step Eight becomes action.

Our returning panel of Archer, Pete, and Douglas is back, and this week we’re joined by Brandon B. and Lucy for an honest conversation about making direct amends.

We talk about what an amends actually is, the fear that can come before making one, the diff...

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September 5 is World Unity Day, and Francis and I decided there was no better reason to jump behind the microphones for a spontaneous special episode of The Living Clean Podcast.

Unity has always been at the heart of Narcotics Anonymous. We come from different places, different backgrounds, and different experiences, but we share a common purpose: to carry the NA message to the addict who still suffers.

In this special episode, Francis and I...

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What started as a simple message turned into an unexpected journey through the history of Narcotics Anonymous in Indiana.

After receiving a random request for ideas and questions for the Dinosaur Panel at the 40th Annual Fun in the Sun Hog Roast in the South Central Area of Indiana, Francis realized there was a much bigger story waiting to be told. Instead of just helping prepare for the panel, he sat down with Indiana's own NA...

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In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Pamela T. to hear her recovery story and explore a journey through Narcotics Anonymous service that has taken her into some fascinating places.

Pamela shares her experience helping establish a new NA area and being involved during the early days of what was, at the time, a groundbreaking approach to service: Consensus-Based Decision Making (CBDM). We talk about what it was like watching those...

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Francis and Rowan return for a second panel discussion exploring the Arizona Narcotics Anonymous history book, As the Journey Began. This episode shifts from the stories in the book to the work of preserving them for future generations.

Together they discuss how technology has transformed NA archiving, from scanning old newsletters and photographs to organizing digital collections and safeguarding decades of fellowship history. The conversation explores the advantages and challenges of digital storage, graphic design, file...

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Every piece of NA history begins with someone who cared enough to preserve it.

In this episode, Francis sits down with members of the committee behind As the Journey Began, the Arizona Narcotics Anonymous history book. Together, they share the inspiring story of how a dedicated group of trusted servants spent years collecting memories, interviewing members, preserving photographs, verifying facts, and assembling the rich history of Narcotics Anonymous in Arizona.

The conversation explores the...

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What happens when a story from the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text comes to life?

Mason, Francis, and Jasmine B. sit down with Lucia C., whose recovery story, "A Brazilian Full of It," appears in the Basic Text. Lucia shares an honest and inspiring conversation about the road that led her to recovery—from traveling the world as a professional dancer during her addiction to finding a new way of life through Narcotics Anonymous.

Lucia re...

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What does it take to help a fellowship grow from the inside out?

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, Francis is joined by Kristin D. from St. Louis, Missouri, Brawnyn B. from Berkeley, California, and Travis M. from Chico, California, for an engaging conversation about Fellowship Development in Narcotics Anonymous.

Together, they explore this exciting and evolving area of NA Public Relations, discussing how Fellowship Development strengthens local communities, supports struggling meetings...

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Francis sits down with Mel Helman for a very special conversation, recorded on July 16, 2026—one month before Mel’s passing.

Mel got clean on October 7, 1968, in Southern California and was a personal friend of Jimmy K., one of the founding members of Narcotics Anonymous. His life in recovery gave him a unique connection to the early days of the fellowship and to the people who helped shape NA into what it is today.

Mel spec...

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This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Chris M., an addict in recovery whose personal journey eventually led him to create something that would have a lasting impact on Narcotics Anonymous service around the world: the Basic Meeting List Toolbox, better known as BMLT.

But before we talk about technology, databases, or service, we start with Chris himself.

Chris shares his personal recovery story — where he came from, what brought hi...

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What happens when recovery takes you halfway around the world and into the driver's seat of one of the most famous cities on earth?

In this episode, Francis and Travis sit down with the unforgettable Bombay Mark—a recovering addict whose journey began in Bombay and eventually led him to the streets of New York City as a nighttime cab driver.

Mark shares the story of finding recovery, building a new life in America, an...

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What happens when one simple idea grows into a worldwide source of hope and connection?

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Camilla, the person whose vision sparked the Loving Our Long-Timers meeting. What began as a way to honor members with decades of continuous recovery has become a place where experience, strength, and hope are shared by some of the fellowship's longest-clean members.

Camilla shares the story behind...

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What inspires someone to answer the phone when another addict reaches out for help?

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, Mo brings an idea to life with an episode titled "Tales from the Helpline." Francis and Mo sit down with members who have dedicated themselves to Narcotics Anonymous helpline service, exploring the heart behind one of NA's most important yet least visible forms of service.

Our guests share what motivated them to...

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This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we continue our journey through the Twelve Steps with Step Eight: “We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.”

Our returning panel is back — Archer, Pete, Douglas, and, of course, the co-host with the most, Francis. This week, we're joined by special guests Shane and Margaret as we unpack one of the most significant turning points in recovery.

S...

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In this episode of Francis's Archive, we hear firsthand stories from two longtime members of the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship of Joplin, MO. Pam M. and Vern P. They share memories of the early days of recovery in southwest Missouri, recalling the first meetings, the challenges of carrying the message, and the dedication that helped establish a strong NA community throughout the Show Me Region.

Pam and Vern reflect on how meetings were started, how trusted servants...

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This week on The Living Clean Podcast, we’re honored to welcome the author of one of the most unforgettable recovery stories ever published in Narcotics Anonymous: “Life and Death in NA.”

In this deeply personal conversation, we revisit the story more than twenty years after it was written. Together, we explore the unimaginable losses of a father, a brother, and a son to the disease of addiction, the grief that followed, and the recovery principles that m...

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In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, Francis sits down with Jacob B. for a fascinating look at the history of Narcotics Anonymous in the Metro Detroit and Michigan Regions. Together, they explore the fellowship's early roots in Michigan, including some of the first known NA meetings and the important role that meetings at Jackson State Prison played in carrying the message of recovery.

The conversation traces the growth of NA throughout the state, highlighting...

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Bob J is back!

If you listened to our episode "A Tale of Two Keytags," you already know Bob has a remarkable story. That conversation left us wanting to hear more, so we invited him back to go beyond the keytags and share the journey that shaped his recovery.

In this episode, Bob opens up about his path through recovery, his decades of service, and his experiences serving on the World Board. We talk...

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In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, Francis sits down with longtime NA service enthusiast John L. for a wide-ranging conversation about recovery, service, and the relationships that have shaped his journey.

John reflects on his experience serving at the World Service Conference, what it was like to complete his term as the Northern California Regional Delegate, and the lessons he learned through years of trusted service. He also shares memories from his involvement with...

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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...

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n this episode of Francis's Archive, Francis is joined by David, Travis, and Amanda as they continue their discussion of Be The Change #6: In All Our Affairs, Part 2. Together, they work through the Step Twelve exercises found in the Be The Change workbook, exploring how spiritual principles move beyond meetings and become a way of life.

The conversation focuses on the ripple effect our attitudes, actions, and behaviors have on the people and environments around us...

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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 beco...

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The Living Clean Podcast, we are pleased to share this special recording of the Paradise Strong Book Study meeting commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Fifth World Literature Conference (WLC5). Originally held on June 29, 2021, this event brought together members who attended the Fifth World Literature Conference, along with other trusted servants and members who participated in World Literature Conferences throughout the years.

This unique gathering offers firsthand accounts, historical reflections, and personal memories from those who...

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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...

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In this episode of Francis's Archive, Francis sits down with Kareem K. to explore the history and preservation of the Orange County Area Archives. Kareem shares his journey into archival service, what sparked his passion for preserving Narcotics Anonymous history, and the importance of safeguarding our fellowship's collective memory.

Together, they discuss the value of archives in NA, the stories and documents that help connect us to our roots, and how preserving our past helps carry...