Shoutout From The Pit

Interview with Don Ellis, a Pentagon staffer awarded the Medal of Valor, discusses the devastation witnessed at Ground Zero, honor the sacrifices of victims, survivors, and heroes.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

This episode centers on the tension and interplay between joy and grief as essential human emotions. Bob the Old Rucker explores how grief is a natural response to loss, while joy is a deeper, lasting state that often gets overlooked or dismissed, especially in tough or military-hardened mindsets. Distinguish healthy grief from destructive self-pity, contrast …

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The Tribe meets up for an open mic trivia session. Bob (“the old rucker”) is joined by Sloan, Josh, Pat, and Dwight. After opening thanks, reminders, and shoutouts, the hosts and guests dive into trivia about the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, testing each other on facts about the Big Book, its founders, and traditions, while joking about “man cards.” The conversation shifts into open-mic reflections on unspoken “rules” and suggestions of recovery, including not drinking, going to meetings, getting a sponsor, embracing service work, finding a higher power, and working the steps. Participants share personal insights on why sponsorship, fellowship...

Bob and Jeremy sit down with David, a living archive of AA history in Arkansas. From his own recovery journey to the overlooked weight of steps 6 and 7, David unpacks the origins of AA, the Oxford Group roots, and how Sterling, Harlan, and Bud kicked things off in Little Rock with the “Approach Program.” We hit the weird rules (no women, Joe McQ outside on the steps), Bill W.’s 1944 visit, and why archives matter for keeping the story straight. A mix of recovery grit, AA nerd history, and plenty of laughs about ego, humility, and the “AA police.”

Listen in as Bob the Old Rucker, Brett, and Pat grow a closer bond with Jeremy. Jeremy is husband, father, grandfather, former marine, and a very active member in recovery. He’s respected in many circles for his recovery insight and dedication to service. 

This is a candid, unscripted conversation between Bob and his son Mark, a licensed professional counselor, exploring overlaps and differences between therapy, counseling, and recovery work.

Ben Grimes is a former 82nd Airborne Ranger turned professional theatre artist and founder of Riverside Actors Theatre, shares how classical theatre—especially Shakespeare’s rhythm and language—became the unexpected framework that helped him and other veterans move out of trauma. In a wide-ranging, raw conversation with Bob (“the old rucker”), RedBeard, and Pat the Marine, Ben walks through his journey from stage to combat to healing, the development of his trauma-informed ensemble work (“The Breach”), and the daily practices that keep him grounded. He also reveals the “toolbox” he lives by, the empathic power of storytelling, and his new chapter as...

In memory of Paul

In this episode The Old Rucker interviews Lisa, who courageously shares her harrowing journey living with and eventually losing her husband Joe to pornography addiction and COVID-19 complications. Lisa recounts her early life, past marriages, and how her second marriage—while initially full of hope—slowly eroded due to Joe’s secret compulsive behaviors rooted in childhood trauma. Despite their involvement in church, marriage counseling, and recovery leadership, Joe’s addiction persisted for over 15 years, manipulating Lisa’s trust and consuming their emotional and financial lives. Lisa opens up about the psychological and spiritual toll, including feelings of worthlessness, secrecy, a...

Members of the tribe chat about having a good life in recovery:

In this roundtable episode titled “We Are Not a Glum Lot,” Bob “the Old Rucker” gathers with fellow recovery brothers Sloan, Tony, and Pat for a candid, unscripted conversation about the joy, connection, and growth found in sobriety. They reflect on the struggles of early recovery, the transformative power of showing up and embracing the program, and the deep bonds they’ve built through shared service, road trips, laughter, and vulnerability. From moving into new homes and picking up sponsees, to hilarious misadventures at Broadway plays and...

Couples in Recovery: Stephanie and Preston—Team G—sit down with Mandy and the Old Rucker to talk about the real, messy journey of getting sober and staying that way as a couple. Bob “the Old Rucker” and Mandy crack open an old recording and reintroduce Stephanie, who’s now eight years sober after losing custody of her …

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Republishing to correct the feed, the wrong episode got attached to the original Charlie and Nathan sit down to share what it’s really like between a sponsor and a sponsee—pulling from their raw, personal journeys through addiction and recovery. Charlie, who’s been in this game a long time and is as real as they come, …

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Charlie and Nathan sit down to share what it’s really like between a sponsor and a sponsee—pulling from their raw, personal journeys through addiction and recovery. Charlie, who’s been in this game a long time and is as real as they come, lays out why walking someone through the 12 steps matters: it’s about building a relationship with your higher power through honesty, surrender, and actually living the work. Nathan, still early in the process, opens up about the hard hits—alcohol, denial, loss—and how connecting with someone like Charlie, who’s walked the walk, gave him real...

A truly life-changing episode featuring Team Hubbard from Second Chance Youth Ranch—Billy, Rachel and their incredible kids Bronley and Brooklyn—who welcome traumatized children, keep entire sibling groups together and turn heartbreak into hope every single day; you’ll hear raw sound bites from the kids themselves, learn staggering stats (400,000 kids in foster care nationwide, 4,000 …

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Team BS (Bob the Old Rucker and Shannon) share in Tom’s 40 plus years of sobriety and how alcohol nearly ruined his marriage, family, and United States Navy career. Because of the change he credits God for in his life, Tom dedicates his life to giving back that which was so freely given to him. In this heartfelt …

Continue reading "Episode 0021 Tom – A Septuagenarian’s Tale"

In this episode we get to hear Melissa’s story.  Melissa shares how she overcame alcohol, food addictions, awkwardness, and injuries as a differently abled person dealing with cerebral palsy. She shares how a famous iconic figure changed her life.

Immersion Table Jam – Immerse yourself into recovery The Immersion Table Jam – Immerse Yourself Into Recovery discussion centers on the concept of fully committing to a recovery program and the role of spirituality in that journey. Members of the tribe share personal experiences, emphasizing that recovery isn’t just about abstaining from alcohol or drugs …

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Today’s discussion is Sex, Love, and Pornography Ole Rucker is joined by The Reverend, Tony, Pat and RedBeard. They discuss the impact of sex, love, and pornography in modern society. The hosts acknowledge the sensitive nature of the topic and highlight the prevalence of sex-related content in Hollywood, advertising, and digital platforms. They explore how …

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Members of the tribe gather to discuss principles from their program, focusing on “love and tolerance is our code” and “principles before personalities.” They share personal experiences of how these values have shaped their recovery journeys, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness, regardless of differences. They acknowledge that while they don’t have to …

Continue reading "Episode 0017 Tolerance Routines and Obstacles Tracks"

Screw Shame! Kristi, a youth pastor and former pornography addict, schools the Old Rucker  to the harms of pornography and how she overcame the addiction and helps others to get out of the addiction. Kristi’s Battle Plan for Recovery Resources: XXXChurch.com https://youtube.com/shorts/YOoRgdrwztk?si=USZWDT2UJ7Vd15OQ

An approach to self-improvement is built on the “Three P’s”: Program, Purpose, and Passion, with actionable frameworks like REMAP (Reading, Exercise, Meditation, Action/Anonymous Service, Prayer) and FUN (Focus, Use Your Tools, Never Quit). They encourage listeners to stay the course, find their purpose, and build a fulfilling life. REMAP FUN Remember, you’re not alone—Bob and …

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Brett and featured guest Mark share what it means to be a quadriplegic and correlations between physical disabilities and alcoholism. Mark is a quadriplegic, public speaker, and advocate who supports individuals with recent injuries and their families in navigating the adjustments and challenges of life in a wheelchair. Learn more about Mark at his website: …

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https://hiredpower.com/blog/service-in-recovery Includes Benefits of Service and What to be Careful of When Being of Service https://www.anewcomerasks.com/post/what-is-service-work More service work benefits and some ideas how you can do service work in your recovery group Write us or Call us

Natasha an Alaskan Native adopted into a non native family shares her recovery journey. Without great sorrows, you don’t have great joys. Learn from the past and be in the present. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline #988 or 1-800-273-8255 You can call us and leave a voicemail 501-613-8915 The Practice of Native American Boarding Schools and Adoption The history …

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Bob sits down with Mandy to hear about her recovery journey

Bob solo short talking on the topic of anxiety

Fitness and recovery with Cody from episode 4. Fitness: The Old Rucker and tribe talk making the broken body whole again. Update: fixed most of the audio issues JE Fit https://www.jefit.com/ My Fitness Pal https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ Calorie Calculator https://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html

Bob sits down with the Judge and Dianne. The Judge hold’s Sobriety Court and Dianne regularly sits in as a recovery community representative. “Isolation isn’t treatment, participation is treatment” – The Judge Who else wants to hear some of Dianne’s missives? Sobriety Court – a recovery approach to court with addicts Sobriety Court is a …

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Bob the Old Rucker along with Josh from episode 2 sits down with Tim a former law enforcement officer. It’s not everyday that the same person that sued you also saves you.

The Old Rucker sits down with Mandy, Katrina and Paula to hear Katrina’s story

Johnny from Hopeless Dope Addict to Dopeless Hope Addict

Join the Old Rucker and Pat as they sit down with Cody who tells his recovery journey, you’re in for a wild ride. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline #988 or 1-800-273-8255 Reach out to us via our contact page

In episode 3 Old Rucker and Sloan sit down for a quick chat with the Reverend

Broken and Blue – Join Old Rucker as he interviews Josh a law enforcement officer in recovery

Join the Old Rucker, Tony, Pat and Redbeard in the launch episode of Shoutout From the Pit.