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Several months ago, Francis and I attended the Louisiana Regional Convention of Narcotics Anonymous, where one of the main speakers was a man named Hank W. As we listened to Hank share, something immediately caught our attention—he mentioned that he had known Jimmy K., one of the founding members of Narcotics Anonymous.

Naturally, that sparked our interest. We knew we wanted to hear more.

Hank was around during some of the early days of Narcotics Anonymous, and his firsthand experiences offer a unique connection to our fellowship's history. But there's much more to Hank than his connection to the past. He's got an unbelievable personal story of addiction, recovery, and the life he's lived along the way.

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we sit down with Hank W. to hear his story, talk about those early days of NA, and explore the experiences that have shaped his journey.

We're grateful to Hank for taking the time to share with us, and we're excited to bring this conversation to you.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Recovery doesn't mean we stop experiencing emotional pain, spiritual struggles, or moments when life feels overwhelming. Sometimes, even with years clean, we find ourselves facing challenges that shake us to our core. So how do we navigate those moments without losing sight of our recovery?

In this episode of The Living Clean Podcast, we continue our study of the Narcotics Anonymous book Living Clean: The Journey Continues, exploring the section "Emotional and Spiritual Crisis," paragraphs 4–9, on pages 111–113.

We're joined by four guests—Amber M., Erik J., Jason B., and Belinda—as we break down these paragraphs, share our personal experiences, and discuss what it means to face emotional and spiritual challenges while staying connected to the principles of recovery.

Together, we explore how difficult experiences can challenge our understanding of ourselves, our relationships, and our Higher Power—and how the tools of Narcotics Anonymous can help us find our way through.

Whether you're going through a crisis right now or simply looking to deepen your understanding of recovery, this conversation reminds us that we don't have to face life's challenges alone.

The heart of NA beats when two addicts share their recovery.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

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 preserving the history of NA.

We explore how Art M. and Francis C. began connecting with longtime members and NA predecessors, the challenges they faced in gaining support within the service structure, and how the determination of local Areas helped establish the committee in 2023.

Along the way, we discuss the importance of oral histories, the preservation of photographs, letters, meeting directories, newsletters, and other historical materials, and the incredible work that has gone into recording more than 100 interviews by the end of 2024.

We also talk about the committee's efforts to digitize historical collections, including materials from the San Francisco Area Service Office, and their work documenting the development of NA throughout Northern California.

Looking ahead, we explore one of their most ambitious projects yet: a comprehensive history book documenting the growth of Narcotics Anonymous throughout Northern California.

One of the most powerful messages from this conversation is simple: "You Are the Book." Every member has a story, every Area has a history, and every generation has a responsibility to preserve what was freely given to us.

This episode is a reminder that the history of Narcotics Anonymous isn't just found in old documents or photographs. It lives in the experiences of the addicts who carried the message, built our service structure, opened meeting doors, and helped make recovery possible for those who followed.

Preserving our past. Documenting our journey. Sharing our history with future generations.