Episode #300 The Fix Robert P. Tomoka Group 12 06 2025Episode #300 The Fix Robert P. Tomoka Group 12 06 2025
The Recovery Guy Podcast
Robert Pardon shares his journey from seeing himself as “dead” at 32 to living 39 years sober through AA, sponsorship, and the Twelve Steps. He talks about honesty, surrender, service, and a higher power as the foundations of a life that feels happy, joyous, and free.
44:24•8 Dec 2025
From “I Saw Myself as Dead” to Happy, Joyous and Free: Robert’s 39-Year Sobriety Story
Episode Overview
- Getting a sponsor, a Big Book, and working the Twelve Steps is presented as the core route to lasting recovery.
- Honesty and full personal surrender are described as essential; trying to fake it or only do Step One leads back to drinking.
- Recovery is framed as more than just not drinking, involving emotional and spiritual growth to become “happy, joyous, and free.”
- Service work, including 12-step calls and helping others, is highlighted as the missing ingredient when sobriety feels shaky.
- A personal relationship with a higher power, defined individually, is described as the only effective defence against the first drink.
“I didn’t want to die. I just didn’t know how to live.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This milestone 300th episode of The Recovery Guy Podcast centres on Robert Pardon sharing his long-term sobriety story with raw honesty and a surprising amount of humour.
Speaking at an Alcoholics Anonymous group, Robert introduces himself simply: “My name is Robert, and I’m a recovered alcoholic.” From there, you’ll hear how a lonely, terrified 32-year-old who “saw myself as dead” in the mirror ended up with decades of sobriety, a stable family life, and a daily commitment to being “a better version of me than I was today.” The heart of this talk is practical recovery.
Robert stresses sponsorship and the Twelve Steps, repeating the basics without apology: get a sponsor, get a Big Book, go to meetings, do service. He’s clear that just removing alcohol isn’t enough: “Not drinking is the absence of something… Recovery is a whole different story.” His turning point comes when he stops trying to imitate others in AA and finally owns the words “My name is Robert, I’m an alcoholic” for himself.
You’ll also hear why he calls himself a “grateful recovered alcoholic”, how denial kept him stuck, and why full surrender to a higher power is essential for him. Service work features heavily too, from 12-step calls in Las Vegas hotel rooms to ongoing sponsorship and carrying the message. This episode speaks directly to anyone feeling beyond hope, anyone faking their way through meetings, or anyone restless in early sobriety and wondering what’s missing.
Robert’s mix of blunt truth, Big Book focus, and gentle humour offers a clear message: there is a way to be “happy, joyous, and free” – but you have to be ready to surrender and do the work. So, where are you on that journey today?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.