Ten, Eleven, Twelve: The Daily ProgramTen, Eleven, Twelve: The Daily Program
Alcoholics Alive!
Shank and Wayne talk through AA steps 10, 11 and 12 as a simple daily way to stay spiritually active, accountable and useful to Alcoholics. The conversation mixes humour with practical guidance on avoiding resentment, keeping prayer straightforward and carrying the message in everyday life.
41:26•29 Sept 2026
Keeping the Spiritual Lights On: Living Steps 10, 11 and 12 Every Day
Episode Overview
- Steps 10, 11 and 12 are presented as a daily programme that keeps spiritual growth active rather than just maintaining sobriety.
- Step 10 helps prevent relapse by quickly addressing selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear before they build up.
- Step 11 is described as simple daily prayer and reflection, not about chasing intense spiritual feelings or elaborate practices.
- Step 12 means carrying the AA message and practising principles in all areas of life, with sponsorship as only one form of service.
- Trying to feel "deeply connected" all the time can become self-centred; steady action and helping Alcoholics matter more than feelings.
“This is not about feeling good or even feeling connected. The power and God are there whether we feel connected or whether we don’t.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This chat between Shank and Wayne on Alcoholics Alive! looks at exactly that through steps 10, 11 and 12 of Alcoholics Anonymous. Across the conversation, they break down what the AA book calls "the world of the spirit" and how life changes after the first nine steps.
You’ll hear Wayne joke that some of us are "pretty slow on the understanding and effectiveness" while still stressing that growth is meant to be gradual and lifelong: "Remember, progress, not perfection." The tone stays light and funny, but the message is serious – stopping at step nine or living as a "two-stepper" is risky, and daily spiritual maintenance really matters.
Step 10 gets framed as the first nine steps rolled into one, where you "continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, fear" and clean things up quickly before resentments snowball. Shank shares how focusing on helping Alcoholics has made petty resentments fade, saying many Alcoholics are "just thinking of themselves all the time", which makes it easier not to take everything personally. Step 11 is tackled as one of the most misunderstood ideas in AA.
Instead of chasing a mystical feeling or elaborate meditation routines, they point back to the book’s simple instructions: quiet time upon awakening, asking God for the right thoughts and actions, and pausing "when agitated or doubtful". As Wayne puts it, "This is not about feeling good...
the power and God are there whether we feel connected or whether we don’t." Step 12 rounds things off as a kind of mission statement: have a spiritual awakening, help Alcoholics, and practise principles in all areas of life. Sponsorship is part of that, but they remind you it’s just one way to carry the message.
If you’re wondering how to keep your "spiritual lights on" without overcomplicating AA, this episode might be a refreshing nudge to keep it simple and stay in the game—are you ready to make 10, 11 and 12 part of your daily life?
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