Bob O. AA Male Disk 6

Bob O. AA Male Disk 6

Curious about how others manage their sobriety journey? This talk from Bob O. on Recovery Radio Network focuses on the gritty, practical side of making amends and living Steps 10 and 11 in everyday life. Bob speaks directly to sponsors and sponsees wrestling with financial amends. One man he sponsors feels uneasy telling someone to pay back money he simply doesn’t have. Bob’s answer is straight but kind: start where you are.

He shares going to his banker uncle, listing all his debts, and being told, “You start paying now, and you pay until it’s paid.” So he made small monthly payments for three years until the debt disappeared. No drama, just persistence. There’s also a striking story about a massive industrial scam and a terrified man who owes $40,000. Sent back to Chicago to own up, he expects police cars and prison.

Instead, the company asks for $400 to charity and wipes the slate clean. For Bob, this shows why he calls amends “a spiritual experience” and stresses that there’s value in going to people even when you can’t pay in full yet—provided you genuinely intend to pay.

He then walks through Step 10 as a daily tool: watching for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear, talking to someone, making amends quickly, and “resolutely turn[ing] your thoughts to someone you can help.” He talks about having “10th-step buddies” and notes that most long-term sober people use this step often, while new folks tend to protect their egos.

Step 11 gets a thorough, practical breakdown: morning plans, asking God to direct thinking, building intuitive thought, relaxing instead of panicking in indecision, and doing an honest evening review. Bob jokes that many people just say, “I pray and meditate,” but rarely follow the detailed directions. If you’re wondering how to move beyond half measures and into a more disciplined, spiritually grounded recovery, this talk might be exactly what you need to think about next.