transformation – Shoutout From The Pit

2026-05-082026-05-06

Episode 0068 Cody Then & Now

In this episode “The Old Rucker” reconnects with returning guest Cody for a candid conversation about recovery, grief, incarceration, faith, and rebuilding a life after loss. Cody reflects on the years since his wife’s sudden passing, the spiral into addiction that followed, and the hard road through incarceration into sobriety and accountability. Now nearly five years sober, he shares how faith, community, physical fitness, recovery programs like Forever Free, and reconnecting with his children have transformed his life. The episode dives deep into grief, emotional healing, work ethic, rebuilding trust with family, and the importance of staying connected to a supportive tribe while learning to live authentically and one day at a time.

forever-free.net

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

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2026-05-012026-04-30

Episode 0067 Greg’s Journey

In this episode, Greg sits down with The Old Rucker to share his journey from early addiction and chaos to stability, purpose, and faith driven recovery. From drinking as a child and battling substance abuse for decades to reaching a breaking point that forced change, Greg walks through the hard truths of addiction and the discipline required to rebuild a life. Now five years sober, he reflects on restoring relationships with his children, building thriving businesses, and stepping into ministry all rooted in accountability, spiritual growth, and community support. This episode offers a grounded look at what recovery actually requires and what’s possible when someone fully commits to change.

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

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2026-04-172026-04-16

Episode 0065 Solo Promise Keepers

In this solo episode the Old Rucker dives into the real meaning of being a promise keeper both in recovery and in everyday life. From personal stories of broken trust to the transformative promises found in recovery principles, he unpacks how integrity, accountability, and consistent action shape who we become. Highlighting the importance of honesty, boundaries, and spiritual grounding, this episode challenges listeners to rethink the weight of their word and offers practical ways to rebuild trust starting from within. Whether you’re early in your journey or well down the road, this conversation is a reminder that progress, not perfection, is what leads to lasting change.

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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2026-04-102026-04-09

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

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

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

2026-02-272026-02-26

Episode 0058 Tribe OpenMic Truths

The Tribe breaks down Andrea H.’s Five Things to Know About Working the Twelve Steps… challenging “brutal honesty,” redefining surrender, and exposing the difference between surface level recovery and true emotional accountability. Through personal stories of relapse, grief, ego, and redemption, the crew makes one thing clear: insight without action is useless, surrender is strength, and real growth begins when the Steps stop being something you do and become who you are. If you’re tired of checklist recovery and ready to live it, this one’s for you.

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2026-02-13

Episode 0056 Just Keep Swimming

On this episode of Shout Out From The Pit, the Old Rucker reflects on the cycle of struggle, relief, and complacency; how we can go from desperate prayers to comfortable ruts faster than we realize. Through stories of addiction, near tragedy, job rejection, and recovery, he explores why motivation fades, why inspiration comes and goes, and why gratitude must be actively maintained. His message is simple but not easy: good things don’t just happen, we participate in them. When life feels great, serve someone. When life feels awful, serve someone anyway. Action, faith, and helping others are the antidote to stagnation, and the road back to hope.

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

Text Us at 501-613-8915

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Email us team@shoutoutfromthepit.com

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

2026-01-162026-01-16

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

2025-06-272025-10-30

Episode 0025 Not a Glum Lot

Members of the tribe chat about having a good life in recovery:

In this roundtable episode titled “We Are Not a Glum Lot,” Bob “the Old Rucker” gathers with fellow recovery brothers Sloan, Tony, and Pat for a candid, unscripted conversation about the joy, connection, and growth found in sobriety. They reflect on the struggles of early recovery, the transformative power of showing up and embracing the program, and the deep bonds they’ve built through shared service, road trips, laughter, and vulnerability. From moving into new homes and picking up sponsees, to hilarious misadventures at Broadway plays and weed shops in NYC, the guys illustrate how sobriety isn’t just about abstaining from alcohol—it’s about reclaiming life with gratitude, humor, and purpose. The group emphasizes the importance of fellowship, leaning into discomfort, and keeping service at the core. The episode ends with each member sharing tools for staying sober and joyful, especially while on the road, and a reminder that no one walks this path alone.

Text Us at 501-613-8915

Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Email us team@shoutoutfromthepit.com