Marty's Story

In this episode of the 4th Dimensioners podcast, the 4th Dimensioners Nightly 9 p.m. AA group members share their experiences and reflections on their sobriety journey. Members discuss the importance of interacting with newcomers in meetings, learning from veteran members, and the ongoing process of personal growth. They address their character defects and the need to be more open-minded. They also touch on the value of their home group and the joy of experiencing growth after periods of stagnation. Join our members as they delve into these topics and more, providing insights that can resonate with both newcomers and long-time program members.

29 Sep 20231h 18min

The 4th D Podcast celebrates its one-year anniversary on AA's Founders' Day with a continuation of Episode 28. Hosts Jessica M. and Marc C. welcome guests Rob D., Marty, JP, Dennis, and Amy, who share their experience, strength, and hope on their journey to sobriety from alcoholism in the Fourth Dimensioners nightly meeting. Jessica reflects on her various attempts to achieve sobriety, from trying different approaches such as attending/not attending meetings, reading the AA book, going to treatment, and living in a sober house, to experimenting with different ways of drinking. She concludes that none of these approaches helped her stay sober, emphasizing that it is not what one does but how one does it. Rob D. from New York shares his experience of struggling to participate in recovery meetings in the beginning, but finding solace in the fellowship before and after meetings, where he started making connections with people. With the pandemic forcing meetings online, Rob adjusted to participating in Zoom rooms, understanding that not every meeting could work for him. He experimented with different meetings and found that smaller meetings allowed for more connection and participation. Marty shares his experience with meditation and the importance of mindfulness in recovery. He believes that mindfulness has helped him become more aware of his thoughts and emotions and stay in the present moment.JP talks about the role of music in his recovery journey, such as using music as a form of therapy and finding comfort and inspiration in song lyrics. Dennis shares his experience with working the steps and how they have helped him stay sober. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness in personal interactions. Amy reflects on what she has learned in the past year and how the universe/God/Higher Power has shown up for her every time she needed help. Recently, she received a "nudge" from the universe to pick up another sponsorship commitment in AA, which has brought tremendous joy and change to her life. She believes that working the program of AA and staying willing and open-minded can bring about positive changes in one's life. The guests reflect on their experiences with the Fourth Dimensioners nightly meeting and how it has helped them stay sober during the pandemic. They express their gratitude for the support and fellowship they have found in the group and encourage others to attend meetings and stay connected with the program of AA. As the episode comes to a close, the guests emphasize the importance of patience, listening, and mirroring in personal growth and recovery.

23 Jun 20231h 20min

Welcome to the 4th D Podcast's first-anniversary special, where we celebrate our journey toward sobriety from alcoholism. This special episode is released on AA's Founder's Day, marking another year of commitment to sobriety, fellowship, and spiritual development. Jessica M and Marc C, welcome guests Lauren, Joseph R, Justine S, Anastasia, Ben, and Baba, who share their experiences, strength, and hope towards sobriety. The discussion initially centers around the power and challenges of alcoholism, sharing their personal journeys to sobriety, which were marked with ups and downs. Lauren talks about discovering the Alcoholics Anonymous program and shifting her focus from sitting in the problem to living in the solution. She shares how learning from the stories of other alcoholics and finding the solution has saved her from falling back into old habits. Joseph R speaks about the importance of the program's accountability and how it has helped him in his own journey towards sobriety. He emphasizes how the program has helped him become a better person, leading a life beyond his wildest dreams. Justine S shares her interpretation of balance between humility and self-awareness and how it has allowed her to overcome her slip-ups and mistakes. She emphasizes the value of proactively reaching out for support and creating a feedback loop to improve oneself continually. Anastasia emphasizes the importance of a supportive group of people who will cheer and hold you accountable, no matter what. She describes it as a community that walks with you, supporting and challenging you at every step of your journey. Ben shares his struggle with complacency and how it has tempted him to relapse. He warns against the dangers of slipping back into old habits and emphasizes the importance of accountability and being proactive towards step-work. Baba shares his journey towards self-realization and self-awareness. He highlights how the program has helped him gain perspective, overcome cognitive dissonance, and understand his own self and shortcomings. The guests also discuss the temptation to forget the seriousness of the disease during anniversaries and celebrations, and how it can lead to relapse. They share their individual experiences and how they conquered it, relying on the program's principles and fellowship. They wrap up the episode by highlighting their personal experiences, sharing anecdotes, and testimonials of how the program has enriched their lives. The episode is full of wisdom, positivity, and hope. It serves as a testament to the power of the AA program, fellowship, and spiritual development. Tune in to the 4th D Podcast's first anniversary special to hear more about these inspiring journeys of sobriety, strength, and commitment. Keep coming back!

10 Jun 20231h 1min

Today's episode features Steven C, who shares his inspiring journey of recovery from alcoholism. Steven talks about his questioning and inquisitive nature from a young age and how he began to doubt Catholicism after observing hypocrisy in churchgoers. Discovering other religions led him to question the correctness of Catholicism and view religions as human constructs. Despite dismissing organized religion, Steven still considers himself spiritual. Steven then shares his struggles with heavy drinking and partying, which led him to attend AA meetings but not fully commit to the program initially. However, after the death of his mother and years of struggling to quit drinking, Steven turned to recovery content and therapy, eventually leading him back to AA. Steven talks about how he initially struggled with finding the right meeting but eventually found the Fourth Dimension meeting and resonated with the practical and intriguing nature of the steps and the magic that happens in the meetings. His sponsor also played a significant role in his recovery, and Marc C. shares his experience of attending meetings to maintain his sobriety after the first year of his recovery. Jessica also shares her experience of transitioning to online meetings and finding it challenging to recreate the automatic intimacy that happens in in-person meetings. Throughout the episode, Steven shares his tools for maintaining his sobriety, including attending meetings, exercising, and staying connected with friends who send him pictures of the sunrise. He also discusses the importance of acceptance, finding lightness in difficult situations, and admiring people with long-term recovery. Steven's story is one of hope, perseverance, and learning to embrace positivity amidst the challenges of life. Tune in to this episode to hear Steven's experience, strength, and hope about his journey into sobriety from alcoholism.

5 Jun 20231h 20min

This episode of the podcast features a special guest, Rob D, who bravely shares his story of addiction and journey into sobriety. Rob candidly talks about how he had struggled with alcoholism for years before finding the help he needed through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He explains how his drinking started as something that he could control to something that he could no longer manage, ultimately leading to a personal breakdown. Throughout the episode, Rob shares various insights and experiences that helped in his recovery. He notes that the fourth step in his recovery was one of the most challenging things he has ever done, involving discussions about his issues with sex. However, through the program, he learned to stand up for himself and his needs, with the program leading him to become a better parent and friend. Rob also acknowledges the pain of his past but believes that going through the steps and working on his character defects has brought him freedom and a better way of life. He wonders if he would be the same person today if he had not gone through his struggles, but ultimately believes that his experiences have made him who he is today. Rob also notes how being honest about his problems has helped those around him and has even helped his church's attendance. Throughout the podcast, Rob shares personal insights about his struggles, recovery, and growth. He mentions how the program helped him understand himself and live in a healthy community, teaching him how to be a better human being, and building strong, lasting relationships. Listeners will be inspired by Rob's story of resilience, courage, and hope throughout this episode, reminding us that no matter what, recovery and change are always possible if we have the willingness to seek help and work on ourselves.

26 Mai 20231h 8min

In this episode, we hear from Justine S, who shares her personal journey of recovery from alcoholism. Justine's family was once wealthy and prestigious, but fell into poverty and shame when her father, a local politician and lawyer, was impeached and disbarred due to his drinking problems. The family lost their home and car, and had to move into a cottage with no heat, relying on welfare to survive. Justine's mother was pregnant with her youngest sibling at the time, and the family had to sleep on sleeping bags in front of a fireplace. Justine started drinking heavily in college and continued into adulthood, leading to daily binge drinking and increasing tolerance. Her mental health declined, and her personality changed as a result of excessive drinking, leading to bizarre behavior and blackouts where days would disappear. When her husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died, Justine struggled to process her grief and turned to unhealthy drinking to try and suppress it. Justine's journey of recovery began when she realized that she had a problem with alcohol and started attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It took some time, but eventually, she found hope and got a sponsor to help her in her recovery. Justine shares how AA helped her to work on her character defects and selfishness, and how it gave her a sense of community and camaraderie. Justine admits to lying, manipulating, and justifying her actions, even when it came to her character defects. She realized that taking her ego out of situations and being honest about her mistakes gave her more freedom and allowed her to improve. Justine also shares how she changed her sobriety date to start living on honest terms with herself and her program, even after a slip-up involving a seltzer infused with THC during Thanksgiving. Throughout the episode, Justine reflects on her upbringing, family tragedies, and how they contributed to her drinking process and sobriety. She also mentions two guardian angels on earth, one being her sponsor in AA. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges that Justine faced and the strength it takes to confront addiction. Her honesty about her struggles, as well as the hope and wisdom she shares, makes this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to overcome addiction.

19 Mai 20231h 6min

This is Anastasia's story.

20 Apr 20231h 14min

Baba's Story

10 Mar 20231h 33min