Scott L Steps 8-9 Saratoga Springfest 2026Scott L Steps 8-9 Saratoga Springfest 2026
Mad Dog Recovery AA Speakers
Veteran AA member Scott L shares how Steps 8 and 9 transformed his guilt, shame and fear into lasting freedom, using vivid stories and Big Book principles. His talk focuses on practical, spiritually grounded amends and the idea that no mistake is beyond repair.
54:03•28 May 2026
Scott L on Steps 8 and 9: Turning Heavy Guilt into Real Freedom
Episode Overview
- Step 9 requires the first eight steps, a sponsor, and a loving higher power rather than guilt-driven apologies.
- True willingness means doing what a qualified guide suggests, even when it feels uncomfortable or pointless.
- Amends should be specific, scheduled, and brief, without slipping in excuses that weaken their impact.
- There is always a way to make meaningful amends, even to people who have died or can’t be contacted directly.
- Step 9 offers deep freedom by turning past mistakes into lessons and tools to help others, rather than lifelong sentences of shame.
“I don’t have the power to make a mistake so ugly that God can’t turn it into wonderful.”
Curious about how others handle the hardest parts of making amends? This talk from Saratoga Springfest 2026 features long‑time AA member Scott L, who shares 41 years of experience with Steps 8 and 9 in a way that's honest, funny, and reassuring for anyone anxious about cleaning up the past.
Scott, sober since 1984, sets the tone by stressing a friendly, practical relationship with a higher power: “If you’ve got an angry God, put him on furlough and hire you a nice one.” From there, he breaks down why making amends needs more than guilt and good intentions.
For him, Step 9 requires three things: the first eight steps, “adult supervision” (a sponsor), and “a loving God.” You’ll hear real stories of amends that seemed impossible: an abortion, an unborn child, a stolen cap from childhood, unfaithfulness, unpaid tax debts, even harm caused through prostitution. Each example stays tightly grounded in AA’s Big Book and shows how creative, prayerful action can turn shame into service.
Scott insists there is always a way forward: “I don’t have the power to make a mistake so ugly that God can’t turn it into wonderful.” He also talks about sponsoring as part of Step 8–9 work, using humour and hard facts from AA history to lower the pressure. Newcomers worried about amends get clear warnings (“Don’t start on Step Nine”) and concrete guidance on scheduling, keeping amends brief, and avoiding unnecessary harm.
Underneath the stories sits a bigger message about freedom. Scott describes Step 9 as a “freedom step” that lets you stop being a prisoner of your own past, give others permission to make mistakes, and move from constant anger and judgement toward sadness, love, and genuine peace. If you’re feeling stuck, scared, or certain your past is “too bad,” this talk might make you ask a new question: what if nothing you’ve done is beyond repair?
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