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PODCAST

Sobriety Bestie Podcast

Kirsten Johnson

The Sobriety Bestie Podcast helps you deprogram AA, heal from recovery dogma, and build a bold, empowered life on your own terms.

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

31:44

Ep 193 Is ChatGPT Brainwashing You?

Sobriety Bestie 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

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01:33:36

Ep 192 Rockefeller and Alcoholics Anonymous with Bobby C

Sobriety Bestie 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

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24:29

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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41:36

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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01:45:01

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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02:01:44

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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02:14:16

Ep 187 Most Effective Alcohol Addiction Recovery Path...

Sobriety Bestie 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

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02:14:39

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

Sobriety Bestie 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:

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30:52

Ep 185 The Real AA – Book Review

Sobriety Bestie 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

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02:17:09

Ep 184 How Principles Before Personalities Is...

Sobriety Bestie 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

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02:26:25

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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03:25:24

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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01:37:17

Ep 181 Why You Feel Shocked After Leaving AA

Sobriety Bestie 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

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48:33

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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03:15:04

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

Sobriety Bestie 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

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02:16:10

Ep 178 New Freedom, New Happiness After Leaving AA

Sobriety Bestie Podcast ·

2026/01/01

Happy New Year!! Woot woot 2026. Today we're exploring "New Freedom and New Happiness" from the AA promises and what that looks like in deprogramming. I'll share my version of "The Promises" for leaving AA. Then we'll crowd source other people's thoughts and ideas about The Promises when they were in AA and what their creating now that they've left.Resources for deconstructing AA:👉 Deprogram Lounge (community, Zooms, book club, Escape Kit + more)📚 Deprogram Book List (my fave deprogram, cult

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01:00:15

Ep 177 Twelve Step Trauma + Self Fulfilling Prophecy...

Sobriety Bestie Podcast ·

2025/12/30

Rene joins us today to share about how AA became a self prophecy leading him to be in and out of the rooms for twenty years.Rene's IGRene's TikTokTimestamps:00:00 In + Out of AA For 20 Years05:50 Going to AA Knowing It's A Cult17:25 Leaving AA Cult Within A Cult20:48 South Florida Pill Mills23:18 AA Ideology Created A Negative Cycle32:08 AA is a Self Fulfilling Prophecy36:50 Changing the Recovery Narrative44:39 The Big Book Mythology49:11 How He Actually Got BetterResources for deconstructing AA:👉

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02:11:58

Ep 176 You're Not Powerless: AA's Pickle Myth Busted...

Sobriety Bestie Podcast ·

2025/12/29

Today we are exploring AA's powerless idea and pickle mythology. You know how in AA they say "once a cucumber becomes a pickle, there's no going back." Meaning once you "cross a line" with drinking and become an "alcoholic" there is no becoming a normal drinker again. But modern science debunks this.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

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10:32

Ep 175 The 12 Days of Leaving AA

Sobriety Bestie Podcast ·

2025/12/25

Join us for a fun Holiday episode as Carrie (Carrie's Substack) and I sing about the 12 days of leaving Alcoholics Anonymous.👉 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.

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31:45

Ep 174 The Gifts of Leaving AA

Sobriety Bestie Podcast ·

2025/12/23

Join us for a fun Holiday inspired episode as Carrie (Carrie's Substack) and I share the gifts of leaving AA from our perspective.Timestamps:00:00 Gifts of Leaving AA Intro 01:13 The Gifts When Starting AA or Love Bombing? 01:55 Gift Newcomer Conversation 06:50 Growing Up in AA Cult + Leaving 11:40 Deprogramming AA is The Gift That Keeps Giving 16:27 Gift When First Leaving AA 19:30 Gift Months After Leaving AA 23:16 GIft One Year After Leaving AA 25:40 Gifts of Current Deprogramming Journey👉

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