That's Me! That's Me! episode # 18 with Monica K.
That's Me! That's Me! episode # 18 with Monica K.

Recovery Radio Network

Co‑hosts Julia J and Monica K share an AA‑centred chat where Monica steps in as guest, recalling her first meetings, a dramatic DUI, and years away from the rooms. The conversation touches on soul sickness, isolation, service, and the simple power of showing up and saying, “that’s me.”

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44:49•5 Jun 2026

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“That’s Me, That’s Me”: Monica K on AA, Isolation and Coming Back

Episode Overview

Hearing “you don’t have to live that way unless you absolutely insist on it” helped Monica see her drinking clearly and opened the door to change.
A first AA meeting can bring huge relief by naming alcoholism and showing that others share the same secrets and struggles.
Monica’s time away from AA, while still not drinking, showed her that abstinence alone left her in a dark and lonely place.
Regular meetings, service roles and simple commitments like showing up as treasurer help counter isolation and keep connection alive.
Just sitting in a meeting chair can be valuable 12‑step work, offering quiet support to others who might relate to a so‑called ‘boring story’.

“You don’t have to live that way unless you absolutely insist on it.”

What emotional and inspiring tales of recovery are out there? This conversation with long‑time AA member Monica K gives a honest, funny, and very human answer. The show’s format is simple: people share what brought them back to their second meeting and the moment they thought, “that’s me, that’s me.” This time, co‑host Monica steps into the “unguested” hot seat herself, while Julia J keeps things moving with warmth and plenty of laughter.

You’ll hear Monica talk about early drinking in New York, rapid progression while working in bars, and what she calls a “self‑imposed crisis” that led to a drink‑driving crash and a first DUI in Ohio. One of the most striking parts is her story of a boyfriend who quietly rang AA, took her to a beginner’s meeting, and then disappeared from her life.

In that room, a simple line landed in her chest: “You don’t have to live that way unless you absolutely insist on it.” The episode leans into AA’s emotional side rather than heavy doctrine. Monica describes blackouts, soul sickness, and trying every possible “solution” from meditation to Wicca before AA.

She also talks about life after that first meeting: treatment in the 1980s, going to “tons and tons and tons of meetings,” leaving AA for several years yet staying dry, and discovering that “just not drinking is not a solution for me.” There’s plenty here for parents, long‑timers, and anyone who’s drifted away from meetings. The pair also keep things grounded with talk of girls’ weekends, hiking, motherhood, and the quiet miracle of simply sitting in a meeting chair.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your “boring story” matters, Monica’s journey might change how you see your own. So, where do you see yourself saying, “that’s me, that’s me” in your recovery story?

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