Steven R at NHSCYPAA 2026

·1 hr·5 clips

Stephen's best friend Jason took his last drink at the end of a rope, and Brad ran into oncoming traffic while sober.

This episode features Stephen Rood as the Saturday night speaker at an AA conference. He opens by expressing gratitude for his 18 years of sobriety, attributing it to God's power. Stephen describes his early drinking, starting at age nine with a blackout, and his progression to daily drinking by his teens. He moved frequently due to his father's military career, from Colorado to Texas to Alaska, always gravitating toward people who drank. Stephen details multiple failed attempts at recovery, including a period where he attended meetings but did not work the steps, leading to a relapse after nine years of sobriety. That relapse lasted three years, during which he lived on the streets, nearly died under a freight train, and hit rock bottom. His turning point came when he surrendered honestly in a meeting and entered treatment, where he met sponsor Charlie Parker. Charlie taught him that alcoholism is a spiritual malady and that self-will is the core issue. Stephen worked the steps rapidly, had a spiritual awakening, and began sponsoring others within 62 days. He discusses the importance of steps 10 and 11, making amends over seven years, and serving in the AA community through his home group, the Primary Purpose Group. Stephen concludes by encouraging listeners to carry the message to others, highlighting the deadly seriousness of alcoholism and the transformative power of recovery.

As heard by us

A direct recovery testimony about desperation, willingness, and carrying the program forward.

Stephen Rood's testimony turns on the point where alcohol has worn him down enough to listen. Given a choice between jail and calling someone to pick him up, he calls his parents, enters treatment, and meets men who make sobriety look like an actual life: chasing dreams,…

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Why you'd press play

Press play when a rough landing and a narrow window for change sound like the motivation you need.

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