The first episode of The Recovery Show was posted to the internet on Dec 10, 2012. It’s hard to believe that we are now 5 years and 227 episodes in. What has 5 years of podcasting meant to me? What has it meant to you?

• How did it happen?
  • 6 years ago — the only “podcasts” I listened to were NPR shows like “Car Talk” and “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me”.
  • I first heard about recovery podcasts from my friend Mark, who produces “Recovered”
  • I asked him to be my sponsor in early 2012, and he said “would you like to be in my podcast?”  I had to think about it!
  • Started guest hosting in Recovered Spring 2012.
  • Said “we should do an Al-Anon episode”. Mark responded “You should do an Al-Anon podcast!” What?!
  • Thought about it. Talked to some friends about it. Decided to give it a try.
  • Early December 2012, Kelli, Swetha, and I recorded our first “pilot” episode with a conversation about boundaries. The audio quality was not good, but we decided to post it anyway.
  • I bought some microphones and a mixer, and by episode 4, we decided it was no longer a “pilot.”
  • During the next 11 months we consistently had 3 hosts for each episode, and sometimes an additional guest.
• Changes!
  • In October, 2012, Kelli and Swetha decided they could not continue with the podcast.
  • What to do!?
  • Episode 47, “Changes” records my reaction, as I tried to draw on my program tools, and move forward.
  • I was challenged to find co-hosts, because I thought I needed to keep the conversational format we had developed in the preceding 11 months.
  • Bringing in remote co-hosts.
  • First remote co-host in episode 55 with Ruth from Germany!
  • First solo episode: 66 “codependency”.  Challenging myself to do it differently, feeling insufficient.
  • Later feedback is that people like both formats.
• Struggles
  • Consistency: format, schedule
  • Finding co-hosts
  • Keeping track of requests and offers!
  • Expectations — particularly what I expect you expect of me!
• Gratitudes
  • That Mark suggested it
  • That Kelli and Swetha were consistent co-hosts, co-creators in the first year.
  • For all of you who express your gratitude to me.
  • For all of you who contribute your ESH to the show.
  • Especially for those who have co-hosted, or who have offered to co-host, even when I lost track of your offer.
  • To Ruth and Akilah, who were my co-hosts for the Traditions and Concepts episodes.
  • For your questions and topic suggestions.
• How has my recovery benefited?
  • I have to “dive deep” into a recovery topic almost every week.
  • I have to move outside my comfort zone, to reach out to co-hosts and ask them for the gift of their time.
  • The “Step 10 inventory” aspect of “our week in recovery”.
• What now?
  • Keep on as we have done?
  • What changes would you like to see?
  • Episode formats: conversation, solo, speaker.  What else?

Upcoming episodes include 3 parenting topics: being the sober parent in an alcoholic marriage, parenting an addict or alcoholic child, and parenting in general. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecoveryshow.com with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the show

Lori McKenna – Drinkin' Problem

Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror

Sam Cooke – A Change is Gonna Come

And a bonus track. I couldn't help myself.

David Bowie – Five Years