x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Kirsten Johnson Podcast

Kirsten Johnson

This podcast is about courage in real time—facing fear, trusting yourself, and actually doing the things you know you’re here to do.

education self-improvement

All Episodes

50:26

Ep 198 Speaking Out Against AA: What No One Tells You

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/04/06

Today marks one year of dissenting! And today is my 6 year anniversary of leaving Alcoholics Anonymous. What a wild ride this past year has been.Today we're diving into what it's been like dissenting this past year. I've timestamped it in case you want to skip around and alll the links are below.It's been great to have you hear this past year!! What a liberating year it's been. Team Freedom all the way.We'll be feature some of your fave AA dissenters later this month to hear about their dissenting

en

01:47:40

Ep 197 Kirsten's AA Deprogram Story, ADHD, Autism +...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/03/31

Katie Lain of Thrive Alcohol Recovery interviews me (Kirsten!) about joining, leaving and deprogramming AA. We also talk about trauma, autism, ADHD and what can be going on beyond the misdiagnosis of "alcoholism." We dive into The Sinclair Method, which Katie's program is based upon, and discuss what dissenting has been like.🔥 Deprogram Course + leaving AA resources → here🧠 Brain optimization tools → here🌶️ Neurodivergent Discovery Portal (with self assessments) → here❤️‍🔥 If you’re ready to

en

18:28

Ep 196 How AA Harms ADHD & Autistic People

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/03/24

🔥 Deprogram Course + leaving AA resources → here🧠 Brain optimization tools → here 🌶️ Neurodivergent Discovery Portal (with self assessments) → here ❤️‍🔥 If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back → hereTimestamps: 00:00 How AA Harms ADHD & Autistic People Intro 04:49 Bill W.'s Blind Spot Still Harms Neurodivergents 06:39 AA, Autism + ADHD Timeline 09:33 ADHD + Alcohol Use Disorder 11:02 AA + Misdiagnosis of ADHD 12:57 How AA Harms Neurodivergent People 14:20 Deprogram, Neurodivergent +

en

30:49

Ep 195 Sobriety Bestie Deprogramming AA Resources

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/03/17

I'm super excited to gather all of the deprogramming resources (including ones you haven't seen before!) in one space.It's all accessible from SobrietyBestie.com which is now like a deprogram 12 step hub.I've moved my website to a new location with my name Kirsten-Johnson.com so that Sobriety Bestie can live on as a one stop deprogramming extravaganza start to finish freedom experience for those navigating the mindf*ck of leaving AA, realizing they were in a recovery cult and wanting to reclaim

en

26:15

Ep 194 Why I'm No Longer Deprogramming AA

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/03/10

My AA deprogramming journey feels complete. I unpack it all in today's podcast.I highly recommend getting the deprogramming checklist that's inside the free 👉 Escape Kit (It's in the very first lesson inside there along with an hour video unpacking it all. But you really only need the checklist at a glance to see where you may be.)This of course is not the "rule" but it's a guide that I have found super helpful in my own deprogramming journey.

en

31:44

Ep 193 Is ChatGPT Brainwashing You?

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/03/03

A week ago I switched from ChatGPT to Claude and I want to share WHY with you. This was before the headlines and has nothing to do with politics.This is about the language ChatGPT uses, even when you ask it not to, and the potential long term consequences of repeated exposure to this language.Timestamps:00:00 Why I Switched From ChatGPT To Claude 05:59 ChatGPT Can't Stop Doing This 12:26 ChatGPT Authoritarian Language 16:13 Is AI Brainwashing Us? 17:28 My Cult Programming Experience 22:06 Taking

en

01:33:36

Ep 192 Rockefeller and Alcoholics Anonymous with Bobby C

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/02/24

Bobby C is back on Sobriety Bestie Podcast to discuss the Rockefeller and AA connection which runs deeper that you might think. Bobby C unpacks AMA, DSM, Car Jung, and both Rockefeller Jr and Rockefeller Sr along with Alcoholics Anonymous.Bobby C's YouTubeBobby C's Story Timestamps: 00:00 Rockefeller and Alcoholics Anonymous Intro 06:05 Benjamin Rush 09:21 Temperance Movement 11:46 Magnus Huss 14:41 Etymology + Words As Control 23:11 John D Rockefeller 30:57 Rockefeller Jr and Alcoholics Anonymous

en

24:29

Ep 191 The Sober Truth: Debunking AA Myths — Book Review

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/02/17

The Sober Truth is a great deprogramming AA, deprogramming 12 step and deprogramming the recovery narrative resource filled with modern science.I've compiled a list of all the deprogramming books I recommend here:📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Timestamps:00:00 The Sober Truth Book Intro01:15 The Sober Truth Book03:24 Coerced + Court Mandated AA06:11 Spontaneous Remission09:38 The Nature of Addiction11:54 Rehab Industry15:24 Busting AA Myths19:45

en

41:36

Ep 190 The AA Deprogrammer's Baloney Detection Kit...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/02/10

Today we're exploring Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit from his book The Demon Haunted World and how it applies to deprogramming Alcoholics Anonymous.I've compiled a list of all the deprogramming books I recommend here:📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Timestamps:00:00 Baloney Detection Kit Intro02:09 1 - Independent Confirmation05:15 2 - Encourage Debate08:34 3 - Authority Means Nothing Without Evidence14:32 4 - Multiple Hypothesis19:23 5 - Don't

en

01:45:01

Ep 189 MARA: A Non-Judgemental Alternative to AA –...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/02/03

MARA is a recovery path and stands for Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous. It has 12 steps but is NOT affiliated with AA or even that similar to AA but the steps are inspired from AA. I find MARA to be very compassionate, empathetic and a recovery path that I'm so glad now exists.Bob shares his story with leaving NA, joining MARA and how it's made all the difference in his own recovery and life.MARA websiteMARA bookTimestamps:00:00 Medication Assisted Recovery Intro 03:25 Why Bob Left NA 08:32

en

02:01:44

Ep 188 The 13th Step with Monica Richardson – Burnie...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/02/01

Today on Burnie + Besite LIVE Tara Grace and I are joined by The 13th Step film maker and OG Deprogramming Badass Monica Richardson. We discuss her The 13th Step film, harm inside AA, dissenting and the hate that can follow, tips for deprogramming AA or deprogramming 12 step in general and more.You can watch Monica's Film 13th Step Film here and here's links to Tara Grace and Monica Richardson YouTube. Monica's Deprogramming podcast is here.Timestamps: 00:00 The 13th Step in AA Intro01:42 "I Was

en

02:14:16

Ep 187 Most Effective Alcohol Addiction Recovery Path...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/27

Introducing the Gold Standard for alcohol addiction recovery! This is the path I wish I knew about back in 2009 when I was getting sober. Or better yet, I wish I knew about it years earlier when I first realized I had a problem with alcohol.Katie Lain from Thrive Alcohol Recovery shares with us her journey of accidentally getting sober while using Sinclair Method. She'll also unpack what ex AA's struggle with when they come to her program after AA doesn't work for them.And best of AA Katie shares

en

02:14:39

Ep 186 How AA's "Sharing The Message" Is Harmful

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/23

Today we're unpacking the AA saying "Share the message, not the mess" and how it can be harmful. We'll cover how sharing the message not the mess:Timestamps: 00:00 Intro Share The Message, Not The Mess05:12 1. Replaces authentic expression with scripted speech19:49 2. Reinforces indoctrination through repetition38:10 3. Disconnects you from your inner authority58:31 4. Creates emotional stagnation1:01:54 5. Trains self-censorship1:03:18 6. Keeps the system alive, not you1:07:28 Reconstruction:

en

30:52

Ep 185 The Real AA – Book Review

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/20

I LOVED the book The Real AA by Ken Ragge. I definitely recommend reading it to help in your deprogramming AA journey.I've compiled a list of all the deprogramming books I recommend here:📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Timestamps:00:00 The Real AA intro01:24 Jack Trimpey Forward02:18 The Real AA Book04:55 New Recruits Are Recruiting07:19 Dr. Silkworth's Opinions12:30 Anonymous Manipulation15:50 Bill "Kicked Out" of Oxford Group?16:30 Disease

en

02:17:09

Ep 184 How Principles Before Personalities Is...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/15

Today we're unpacking the AA slogan and line from the 12th tradition, "Principles Before Personalities." We'll cover what this is, how it happens in the rooms, what it can sound like, the control pattern (a textbook propaganda example), why it can hurt after you leave and what moving forward can look like.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get

en

02:26:25

Ep 183 Recruited Into 12 Step + Barely Survived –...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/13

Jon barely survived 12 step. His courageous story highlights the harm inherent in 12 step ideology and the importance of trying something different if the "treatment" you are in is making you worse.Since leving NA he's created a "life beyond his wildest dreams." Truly an inspiration and I'm thrilled he's just begun his dissenting journey to help others recover from recovery and discover a life truly worth living.You can vibe with Jon here:Jon's Deprogramming YouTubeJon's other YouTubeTroubled Teen

en

03:25:24

Ep 182 The Business of Recovery (movie) – Burnie +...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/11

Today on Burnie + Bestie Live we are exploring the movie The Business of Recovery.I'm joined today of course by my cohostest Burnie aka Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma. Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult recovery and critical thinking books)Let’s get f*cking free

en

01:37:17

Ep 181 Why You Feel Shocked After Leaving AA

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/09

A lot of us can feel shocked or shell shocked after leaving AA or 12 step. Today we're going to unpack what shell shock is, how it applies to leaving AA, post cult trauma and post cult symptoms that people may experience according to cult expert Margaret Singer's work in her book Cults in Our Midst.Of course this isn't medical advice and if you need support, find a professional who can help support you.Timestamps: 00:00 Feeling Shocked After Leaving AA Intro 04:44 What is Shell Shock? 09:24 How

en

48:33

Ep 180 12 Ways AA Makes You the Problem When You Leave

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Timestamps00:00 AA Shutdown Playbook Intro03:10 1 - Make It Personal Immediately06:28 2 - Assume Motive You Can't Know10:09 3 - Invoke Slogans As Sacred Truth15:48 4 - Announce Sober Time19:46 5 - Reduce AA to the Big Book22:33 6 - Ignore Harm Entirely27:48 7 - Turn Anecdotes Into Universal Laws33:20 8 - Claim Superiority Through Suffering35:08 9 - Label Dissent As Denial37:46 10 - Declare Never A "Real Alcoholic"40:22 11 - Truth Claims Without Data, Evidence, Citation42:46 12 - End With

en

03:15:04

Ep 179 It Works If You Work It Mythology — Burnie +...

Kirsten Johnson Podcast ·

2026/01/04

Today we are exploring AA's "It Works If You Work It" mythology.We'll bring in thoughts and research from experts (you know I like to read a little from deprogramming books on these pods!), Burnie aka Tara Grace from Burn The Stigma will share her perspective, I'll share mine (it's me, Kirsten, Sobriety Bestie). Then we crowd source for comments to see what everyone else thinks.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List

en

201 results

Similar Podcasts

Science Talk

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

五分钟心理学

柠檬心理

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Veterinary Clinical Podcasts

The Royal Veterinary College