Cecil C. AA speakerCecil C. AA speaker
Recovery Radio Network
speaking in 2003
1:03:10•7 Oct 2021
Cecil C. Shares Fifty-One Years of AA Wisdom with Humour and Honesty
Episode Overview
- Working the Twelve Steps in order, rather than selectively, is presented as essential for real change.
- Regular reading of specific Big Book pages and daily prayer and meditation are suggested as practical tools for living sober one day at a time.
- Sponsorship is portrayed as a responsibility, not just a title, with an emphasis on staying close to newcomers instead of “dumping” them at meetings.
- Making amends directly, by letter, phone or face to face, is linked to the freedom of being able to walk anywhere without fear of meeting people from the past.
- Financial and service support for AA structures is framed as a way to carry the message worldwide to people who do not yet know about Alcoholics Anonymous.
“We have the opportunity to save lives, to give a new life to families. We have that great opportunity. So let’s do it.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This talk from the Recovery Radio Network shares the long-time AA experience of Cecil C., recorded in 2003, with a mix of sharp humour and hard-earned lessons. You’ll hear how a farm kid who “didn’t get here by mistake” went from restless, irritable teenager to fast‑drinking adult, bouncing through the army, navy and a string of jobs, all fuelled by alcohol and an ever-growing pile of consequences.
Cecil keeps things real and funny, opening with stories about being mistaken for his old friend Mac, and a Bible‑selling joke that sets up his self-described role as a fast-talking motivational speaker. But underneath the laughs sits a clear message: AA’s Big Book and the Twelve Steps changed his life, starting at age 27 when a doctor bluntly suggested he was an alcoholic and two AA members turned up uninvited at his hospital bed.
The heart of this talk is his step-by-step description of working through the Twelve Steps with his early group in Prince Albert. He talks about buying his first Big Book on the “installment plan”, getting a sponsor who was only ten days sober, and being pushed by an out‑of‑town member, Ernie, to actually do each step in sequence – not just talk about them.
He stresses written inventory, going to a minister for Step Five, taking Steps Six and Seven seriously, and the freedom that came from making amends so he could finally walk down the street without dodging people he owed. Cecil also highlights daily spiritual practice, regular reading from the Big Book, and sponsorship as ongoing responsibilities, not optional extras.
With stories ranging from rabbits and barbers to a closing tale about the true cost of quitting AA, this talk speaks to anyone who wants practical, old‑school Twelve Step guidance wrapped in humour and honesty. What part of his story sounds most like yours?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.