The Living Clean Podcast

In this episode of the Living Clean Podcast, I’m joined by Jay L. (Montana) and Chris C. (Yreka, CA) as we sit down with Marc S., who shares a powerful story of addiction, transformation.
Marc’s journey takes us deep into the counterculture era, where LSD became a central part of his life and identity. From couch surfing and hitchhiking to living on the streets, Marc found himself immersed in a fast-moving lifestyle shaped by the psychedelic scene and the cultural shifts of the time. What began as experimentation gradually turned into deeper involvement in the drug trade, eventually spanning multiple cities including San Francisco and Los Angeles.
At first, the lifestyle seemed exciting and full of freedom. But over time, the consequences of addiction began to surface. Marc describes how the very thing that once felt like connection ultimately led to isolation, instability, and spiritual bankruptcy.
Marc eventually found recovery in the early 1980s in Miami, beginning a new way of life grounded in principles, community, and service. His recovery journey carried him across both coasts, where he built friendships with longtime members and individuals connected with the World Service Office, helping shape a foundation of lasting recovery and connection.
His story reminds us that no matter how far we go into addiction, there is a way back—and a life beyond what we ever imagined possible.

After sitting in the archive for over a year, we’re finally releasing this conversation with Bo S.
Bo was there in the early days. He served as the first World Literature Conference Chair and was one of the members who stepped forward when the question was asked, “Who’s going to write the book?”
The answer he got was simple: “Any addict.”
And Bo said, “Well, I’m an addict.”
He would go on to be one of only two members to attend all seven World Literature Conferences, playing a role in the development of what would become the Basic Text.
This episode wasn’t easy to release.
When we recorded this, Bo’s health was declining. At times he was sharp and clear, and at other times he struggled with details and timelines. Because of that, we held onto this recording for a long time. We wanted to make sure anything we shared respected both the history and Bo.
After going back through the archive and carefully editing this conversation, what remains is something honest and human.
This may not be our cleanest episode but it’s real.

From the early days of Narcotics Anonymous in Memphis, Chet P. shares firsthand memories of a time when the Fellowship was still finding its footing in the Mid-South. He recounts going through treatment at the historic Memphis House, attending the Mid-South Regional Service Conference, and taking road trips with Joseph Proctor to help carry the message of recovery wherever addicts were still suffering.
But Chet’s story doesn’t end there.
Decades later, in his 70s, Chet found himself living a very different reality—homeless on the streets of San Francisco. His journey reflects both the promise and the fragility of recovery, reminding us that addiction is a lifelong illness and that staying connected matters.
This episode is not just NA history—it is a powerful reminder that recovery is something we live, one day at a time.
Follow Chet’s current journey and outreach work on Instagram:
@uplifthumanitysf
Living Clean Podcast — preserving our history, carrying our message, and remembering that every story matters.

This week on the Living Clean Podcast, we dive headfirst into Step Four: “We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”
Our consistent panel returns — Archer, Pete, and Douglas — and we’re joined by two powerful guests, Tim and Dawn, as we break down all things Step Four. We talk about what it really means to be searching. What fearless actually looks like. How to write honestly without drowning in shame. Why resentment, fear, and sex inventories matter. And how this step becomes a turning point in recovery instead of a punishment.
This conversation is real. It’s raw. It’s practical. And it might be the strongest episode in our Step series so far.
If you’ve ever been intimidated by Step Four… If you’ve ever avoided it… If you’re in the middle of it right now…
Do yourself a favor and listen.
This is where freedom begins.

In this episode of Francis’s Archive, we follow Brad S. from Jackson, Mississippi as curiosity about his home group, the Foglifters, turns into a deep dive down the NA history rabbit hole. What begins as a simple desire to learn more about the roots of his home group quickly grows into a passion for preserving the stories of how Narcotics Anonymous took hold in Mississippi.
Brad doesn’t just listen—he pitches in. Through interviews and conversations with trusted servants who were there in the early days, we begin to piece together a living history of the Mississippi Region. Dennis E. shares his recollections of the beginnings of the Mississippi Region and the spirit of service that helped carry the message in its formative years. Scott P. reflects on what is believed to be the first meeting in Jackson, Mississippi, and possibly the first meeting in the state, offering insight into the courage and commitment it took for NA to take root in a new place.
These stories remind us that NA history is not just about dates and events—it is about addicts helping addicts, one meeting at a time. The willingness of members like Brad to ask questions, seek connection, and participate in preserving our shared past helps ensure that the message remains available for the next newcomer who walks through the door.
From one home group’s story to the broader development of a region, this episode highlights how our history lives through the members who care enough to learn it, share it, and carry it forward.
Welcome to Francis’s Archive.