purpose – Shoutout From The Pit

2026-04-102026-04-09

Episode 0064 Robin & Blake

Bob sits down with Blake and Robin, a couple whose journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery highlights the raw reality of rebuilding a life from the ground up. From Robin’s story of surviving a childhood injury and rediscovering purpose through forgiveness, to Blake’s path through addiction, military service, and eventual sobriety, the episode explores how service work, accountability, and connection to others create lasting change. Their dynamic as partners in recovery, their commitment to helping others, and their willingness to share both struggle and growth make this episode a grounded reminder that no matter how far someone has fallen, there is a path forward and it often starts by simply showing up.

April 16-19: is an Arkansas AA Convention. This one is the 49^th Annual Springtime in the Ozarks, in Eureka Springs. No flier for that one so check out springtimeintheozarks.com.

June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

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2026-04-03

Episode 0063 Brett’s Journey

Brett’s journey is shaped by relocation, isolation, and ultimately connection through recovery. Brett shares how moving to Arkansas for work led him from going through the motions of sobriety to truly engaging in it, thanks to a tight knit “tribe” built through service work, events, and shared experiences. Along the way, he reflects on his early years of binge drinking, the cultural normalization of alcohol, and how what started as weekend fun evolved into something deeper. With candid storytelling, raw honesty, and plenty of laughs, this episode highlights the power of fellowship, the importance of stepping out of isolation, and how meaningful relationships can transform sobriety from a routine into a fulfilling way of life.

April 4^th: Grand opening of Crystal Palace, a family friendly, alcohol-free, event center at 173 Hwy 11 in Searcy, AR. Please tell them you heard about it from the Old Rucker. More on this in a bit.

April 16-19: is an Arkansas AA Convention. This one is the 49^th Annual Springtime in the Ozarks, in Eureka Springs. No flier for that one so check out springtimeintheozarks.com.

June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

2026-03-272026-03-26

Episode 0062 Dwight’s Journey

In this episode of Dwight one of the most seasoned voices in the room shares how a lifetime of discipline, success, and faith still led to a late in life battle with alcoholism after retirement stripped away his sense of purpose. What followed was a rapid descent into daily drinking, followed by an equally powerful turnaround through AA, spiritual reconnection, and the unexpected strength of community. Dwight’s story cuts through the noise, addiction doesn’t care about your background, but recovery demands honesty, structure, and connection. From “lone wolf” to tribe member, this episode delivers a clear message there’s a way out, but you’re not doing it alone.

March 28th: kicks off Arkansas Soberfest Golf and runs through October.

April 4^th: Grand opening of Crystal Palace, a family friendly, alcohol-free, event center at 173 Hwy 11 in Searcy, AR. Please tell them you heard about it from the Old Rucker. More on this in a bit.

April 16-19: is an Arkansas AA Convention. This one is the 49^th Annual Springtime in the Ozarks, in Eureka Springs. No flier for that one so check out springtimeintheozarks.com.

June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

2026-03-132026-03-12

Episode 0060 Barry Writing in Recovery

In this episode the Old Rucker sits down with Arkansas writer and farmer Barry Brown for a wide ranging conversation about creativity, therapeutic writing, and finding meaning through storytelling. Barry shares how ideas born during his time in prison eventually turned into books, essays, and children’s stories, and explains how curiosity, research, and life experience fuel his writing process. The discussion dives into identity, personal growth, and the difference between living by performance versus purpose, while also exploring practical tools like “morning pages” for unlocking creativity and processing life’s challenges.

https://barrybrown.art/

March 14: Arkansas Central Office presents, The Stage.

March 28: kicks off Arkansas Soberfest Golf and runs through October.

April 16-19: is an Arkansas AA Convention. This one is the 49^th Annual Springtime in the Ozarks, in Eureka Springs. No flier for that one so check out springtimeintheozarks.com.

June 20: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

2026-02-062026-02-05

Episode 0055 Joel B’s Journey – ESH

Joel’s story is a blunt reminder that rock bottom doesn’t always involve handcuffs or headlines. In this episode, Joel opens up about childhood trauma, addiction, ego, control, relapse, and the moment his internal voice shifted from self hatred to hope. He shares how detox, honesty, service work, music, and community, especially Bridging the Gap, became the foundation of his recovery. This episode explores shame, guilt, faith without dogma, the danger of isolation, and why “the only thing waiting in the comfort zone is alcoholism.” If you’re new to recovery, stuck in the middle, or questioning whether change is possible, Joel’s experience offers a grounded, lived example of how growth happens one honest step at a time.

New Year One Honest Challenge – you can use the links below to submit.

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Email us team@shoutoutfromthepit.com

2026-01-232026-01-22

Episode 0053 Shari – Cancer

When Shari received a breast cancer diagnosis, surrender wasn’t an option. In this episode, Shari and her husband Les share the full arc of their cancer journey from early detection through routine mammograms, to an aggressive treatment plan involving chemotherapy and immunotherapy, to the emotional, financial, and relational realities few people talk about out loud. With honesty, dark humor, and hard won insight, they explore what it means to fight without denial, support without fixing, and stay mentally and emotionally engaged when everything feels out of control. This episode is a candid conversation about resilience, partnership, early detection, and finding purpose on the other side of the fight.

This episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/B3krIDAvkNo

New Year One Honest Challenge – you can use the links below to submit.

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Email us team@shoutoutfromthepit.com

2026-01-162026-01-16

Episode 0052 Chris T: From Hellion to Helper – Sobriety, Service, and Second Chances

The tribe sits down with Chris T., a husband, father, tech wirehead, astronomer, and recovering alcoholic with just over 20 years of sobriety. Chris shares a raw, unpolished story of early rebellion, crime, addiction, repeated detox attempts, and the moment he finally asked for help; not because he had a plan, but because he wanted to live. The conversation dives deep into long-term recovery, sponsorship, service work, accountability, boundaries, amends, and spiritual growth without dogma. Chris also reflects on surviving catastrophic motorcycle accidents and multiple strokes, and how perspective, gratitude, and helping others keep him grounded today. This is a grounded, experience-driven discussion about what it actually takes to stay sober, grow up, and give back one day at a time.

New Year One Honest Challenge – you can use the links below to submit.

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Email us team@shoutoutfromthepit.com