"So, about those 49'ers..." | Episode 120 - Bruce W

"So, about those 49'ers..." | Episode 120 - Bruce W

From An All Night Place - Secular AA by An All Night Place

May 7, 2026 · 15 min · Episode 118

About this episode

Bruce shares his journey of sobriety and resilience through various life challenges.

Bruce got sober on October 3rd, 1977. Since then, he’s lived through war, loss, grief, divorce, mental illness, the murder of his daughter, and the collapse of a faith that once shaped his entire life. He did not drink. Now approaching 49 years sober, Bruce shares a story that stretches across generations, from learning to drink on cough syrup in the 1950s to finding a home in secular AA after decades in traditional meetings. There’s humour here, honesty, and the perspective that only comes from someone who has stayed sober through nearly every kind of human experience imaginable. Bruce speaks openly about rage, bipolar disorder, recovery, and what it meant to lose his belief system while still holding onto sobriety. At the heart of it is a simple idea: you don’t have to drink, no matter what This is a story about endurance, community, and continuing to show up for life, one day at a time.

People in this episode

Guests: Bruce, Bruce W

Topics covered

  • sobriety
  • recovery
  • mental health
  • personal story
  • community
  • endurance

Keywords

  • sobriety
  • recovery
  • mental illness
  • community
  • endurance
  • secular AA
  • personal story

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: secular AA

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