That's Me! That's Me! episode 30 with Mike W.That's Me! That's Me! episode 30 with Mike W.
Recovery Radio Network
Mike W shares how an envelope from Mary T.G, a firm message from a hospital, and a joyful AA meeting lined with welcoming faces shaped his second meeting and long-term sobriety. The conversation covers service, sponsorship, amends, spiritual growth and the attraction of seeing genuine happiness in recovery rooms.
42:54•30 Aug 2026
From an Envelope to Hope: Mike W on Finding Joy in AA
Episode Overview
- Seeing happy, joyous and free people in AA can spark a desire for change, even before fully accepting alcoholism as a disease.
- Daily meetings, a sponsor, a home group and service positions are presented as key actions that support long-term sobriety.
- Delegating tasks and letting others be of service can reduce stress and give more people a chance to participate meaningfully.
- Making Ninth Step amends can release others from years of misplaced guilt and show that amends are for them as much as for the alcoholic.
- Continuous spiritual growth is framed as essential, with AA described as a lifelong way of living rather than something to complete and move on from.
“Hang around until you start feeling the joy. If you're not feeling the joy, there's something we need to work on.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This episode of "That's Me! That's Me!" puts the spotlight on Mike W, a long-time member of Alcoholics Anonymous whose sobriety date goes back to October 1992 and whose home group is Happy, Joyous and Free in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. You’ll hear how a simple envelope changed everything for Mike.
Elizabeth’s outpatient programme, he first heard alcoholism described as a disease rather than a character defect, and then got told bluntly that if he wanted help, he’d have to go to AA: “They said, we actually don’t treat alcoholism at this hospital… if you don’t go there, you can’t stay here.” Mike walks through his first day in AA — a quiet noon meeting at the Promises Club followed by a packed evening meeting where 175 people greeted him in a line, grabbed his hand, and showed him what happy, joyous and free really looks like.
Hungover and out of ideas, he was handed a note from Mary T.G with a hospital number and a lifeline to help. At St. That was when he thought, "I want this to be me." He explains how clear direction, action-based guidance and being "voluntold" into service, sponsorship and home group life kept him sober.
The conversation also touches on the importance of delegation and service, from planning a surprise Al-Anon birthday party for his wife to setting up AA rooms so newcomers have a place to land. Mike shares a powerful Ninth Step amends to his ex-wife, who had carried guilt for years, and reads from "Keys of the Kingdom" about AA being a lifelong way of living, not a quick fix.
With moments of humour, warmth, and straight-talking experience, this episode offers a grounded look at long-term recovery, AA culture, and the quiet magic of finding joy in rooms full of sober people. Could this be the kind of hope you’ve been waiting to relate to and say, "That’s me"?
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