465- Glen H - Part 2 - The Importance of Giving Back465- Glen H - Part 2 - The Importance of Giving Back
Sober Speak- Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Interviews
Glenn H shares how forgiveness, thorough amends, and consistent service in AA have reshaped his sobriety and relationships. The discussion stays close to the Big Book, focusing on practical spiritual tools and a daily relationship with God.
1:01:19•11 Sept 2026
Forgiveness, Index Cards and Giving Back with Glenn H
Episode Overview
- Thorough amends work, approached with humility and clear questions, can repair long‑damaged family relationships.
- Glenn’s sponsor taught that most of the Fourth Step focuses on forgiveness, with fear and harms playing smaller but vital roles.
- Rewriting and personalising the Third Step prayer helps clarify what is being offered to God and strengthens daily commitment.
- Daily disciplines such as Tenth and Eleventh Step work, prayer, and meditation are presented as essential for sustained sobriety.
- Giving back through sponsorship and service in meetings and recovery homes keeps the past fresh and strengthens one’s own recovery.
“80% of this four-step is about finding forgiveness, right? 15% of it is about identification of these fears. And then the other 5% is identification of harms done so that I can go clean it up later.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation with Glenn H from Aiken, South Carolina, brings that question right into focus, with a strong emphasis on practical AA tools and the spiritual payoff of giving back. Listeners looking for solid Big Book guidance will feel right at home. Glenn talks about going beyond simply staying dry and getting into the real work: amends, daily disciplines, and sponsoring.
He explains his index card system for Step Nine, where each card holds a person’s name, the harms done, and the key questions he asks during amends, like, “Is there anything else that I did that I don’t remember?” and “What can I do to make it right?” You’ll hear how that approach healed his once-broken relationship with his brother and changed family dynamics that had been damaged for years. A major theme is forgiveness and the Fourth Step.
Glenn shares how his sponsor reframed the so‑called “sick man’s prayer”, noting, “As long as you realise… that you are the sick man.” He breaks down the prayer in detail, saying, “80% of this four-step is about finding forgiveness,” and explains how moving from simple tolerance to a “kindly and tolerant view” shifted deep resentments he carried for years. For those wrestling with God language, Glenn’s journey is especially relatable.
He describes arriving at AA “hating the word God” and later finding that, “God doesn’t keep me sober. My relationship with God keeps me sober.” Daily prayer, meditation with his wife, and ongoing inventory work are presented as non‑negotiables rather than spiritual extras.
Throughout, he returns to a simple formula: “Clean house, trust God, help others.” If you’re craving concrete, AA-based tools and a heartfelt reminder that service can transform both relationships and sobriety, this episode might be the nudge you’ve been waiting for. Where could giving back change your journey next?
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