Safe Recovery Podcast LEAVING Alcoholics Anonymous
Monica Richardson
Publishing Details
About This Podcast
Safe Recovery is a new series examining predatory behavior, power dynamics, and cultural issues inside 12 step meetings and the broader recovery industry.
Our mission is simple: Empowerment — not powerlessness.
This show explores modern, ethical, evidence-based, and spiritually diverse approaches to alcohol and drug overuse. We discuss alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous and traditional 12 step programs, while supporting authors, clinicians, and advocates who are creating new pathways to healing.
Safe Recovery highlights:
• Alternatives to AA
• Recovery without powerlessness
• SMART Recovery and cognitive-based approaches
• Moderation and harm reduction
• Secular and spiritual healing models
• Addiction treatment reform
• Protecting vulnerable people in recovery spaces
We believe people deserve informed choice.
Sobriety, moderation, or a different path entirely — empowerment means you choose what works for your life.
Americans deserve recovery models rooted in dignity, autonomy, accountability, and evidence — not shame or coercion.
Safe Recovery is about building a culture of informed recovery, personal responsibility, and real healing.
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Recent Episodes
Rage Recovery, Responsibility – Sober Feelings
This episode was originally published in April 2011. A one hour show with NA previous Board Member Tom McCall talks about rage with blogger Monica Richardson.
Make AA Safer Pamphlets, Posters, Workshops
This episode was originally published in April 2011. I will discuss what we did in Southern California to address Sexual and financial Predators in the rooms. We have pamphlets, posters, and safety…
Michelle Dunbar, St Jude's Retreat
This episode was originally published in February 2013. Join us for an interview with President of St Judes Retreat, a non 12 step place to go for help with alcohol or drug problems. If you need to…
Robert Whitaker, author of Anatomy Of An Epidemic
This episode was originally published in August 2012. Robert Whitaker is the author of four books: Mad in America, The Mapmaker's Wife, On the Laps of Gods and Anatomy of an Epidemic. His newspaper…
Mary Ellen Barnes and Ed Wilson from Non 12-Step Help
This episode was originally recorded in July 2012. Mary Ellen Barnes and Ed Wilson will join me for a 45 minute show discussing a truly non 12 step program they created. It is located in Palos…
Steven Slate St Jude's Retreat Offers a Non 12-Step Retreat
This episode was originally recorded in August 2012. Join Monica Richardson and Steven Slate who now works for St Jude's Retreat for those who need to get away and get help at a NON Treatment…
Hank Hayes, author "You’ve Been Lied To"
This episode was originally recorded in September 2012. Courageous. Investigating. Author Hank Hayes joins us to discuss the Lies the 12 step Program has generated for decades. Hank offers new,…
Local Citizens In Florida Threatened by NA/AA Members
This episode was originally published in May 2011. In a small town near Daytona Beach, Florida is a park (Holly Hill) where NA and AA meetings have been meeting for over 17 years. Recently a group…
I Am Not Broken - Are You? Lies 12 Step Culture Tells Youth
This episode was originally published in March 2012. Are you a man/woman/teen who has lost his/her legs and will never grow new ones. (quote from Big Book of AA) Who was Bill W and what did he know…
Recovering From Recovery: A New Anti AA Site
This episode was originally published on July 17th, 2012. Here is a new site for bloggers that is troll free. Many bloggers left OPF and after Sinkin thinkin shut down ( although I hear it's up…
Life Beyond 12 Step Meetings: Why I Left, Why You Left
This episode was originally published on September 7th, 2011. After years attending AA meetings people when people leave sometimes feel alone and unsupported. Monica shares how she and many others…
Donna J Cornett on Drink Link Moderation
This episode was originally published on February 22, 2012. Join Donna Cornett Founder of Drink Link Moderation to discuss help for those with early stages of a drinking problem who prefer to learn…
Dangerous Men in AA Meetings
This episode was originally published on Oct 31st, 2012. When a male AA member killed a mother and child in Honolulu a big five year investigation ensued, only to discover that courts were ordering…
Dr Marc Kern, founder of Moderation Management
This episode was originally published on December 5th, 2012. In 1982, Dr Marc Kern received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. In 1983 He…
When AA Doesn't Work For You, What Are Some Other Options?
This episode was originally published on April 18th, 2012 Alternatives to 12-Step Programs When AA doesn't work for you, there are many other ways to get help for problematic use: SMART…
SMART Recovery with founder Tom Horvath
This episode was originally published on June 8th, 2011. Join Monica and Tom Horvath for an in depth interview on one of the hottest newest Smartest modalities of healing. SMART Recovery® is the…
Is the Big Book outdated? Debate, Discuss, and Disect
This episode was originally published on April 26th, 2011. A discussion around... AA's Original first and only text...The Big Book. Is it still viable. How can a religious fellowship be a place…
Sexual and Financial Predators in AA - Part 2
This episode was originally published on May 25th, 2011. Join Monica & Kali for another episode of uncovering predatory behavior and bringing safety to all in & out of 12 step rooms.
Sexual and Financial Predators in AA - Part 1
This episode was originally published in May 2011. Monica will host and Kali will co-host this in depth interview discussing the notorious 13 stepping behavior in AA meetings, its culture and…
Frequently Asked Questions
Safe Recovery Podcast LEAVING Alcoholics Anonymous has published 19 episodes since January 2026, covering topics in Alternative Health, Documentary.
Safe Recovery Podcast LEAVING Alcoholics Anonymous is currently dormant with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 59m.
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