Recovery Coast to Coast

RC2C host Neil Scott takes listeners back to Akron, Ohio, to the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, as he shares a conversation with Harmon Velie, who was the chairman of Dr. Bob's historic home. This is where it all began for AA. And from the archives, the actual words of Dr. Bob, who gets this edition's Last Word!

RC2C host Neil Scott shares a fascinating conversation with award-winning actress Mackenzie Phillips, who was introduced to cocaine at the age of 11 by her dad, John Phillips, who was a member of the 'Mama and Papas'. Mackenzie eventually found recovery; however, she relapsed big-time at 10 years. Again, she went into treatment again, and eventually the 12-step rooms. and has been sober for the past 18 years. Her story is one of resiliency and recovery. And best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert ("Eat, Pray, Love") gets 'the Last Word' on this edition of Recovery-Coast to Coast'

Recovery Coast to Coast host Neil Scott introduces listeners to an amazing man who has been in recovery for 27 years. During his recovery, he was in a terrible car crash and was told he would never walk again; his oldest daughter was killed by her husband, who then took his own life, and he suffered a near-fatal heart attack. He came close to drinking, but he leaned into recovery, His name is Brian Harris, and he has written a book, chronicling his journey: what it was like, what happened, and what it's like today. The book is STOP DIGGING-START LIVING and is a must-read for those still suffering, as well as for those in recovery, and family members and friends. If you click on the title, it will take you to the book, and you can read a free sample. If you prefer audiobooks, CLICK HERE for a link to the audiobook, with a free sample, as well. This is the best book I have read on addiction and recovery in years! And at the end of the podcast, iconic actor Danny Trejo gets today's Last Word!

RC2C Host Neil Scott welcomes the NAATP Director of Public Policy, Mark Dunn, for a chat about his personal recovery, as well as the challenges facing America. And alcoholism historian William White gets 'The Last Word'! PLUS - as mentioned in the podcast, here is a link to Nima Sarikhani's photo, in the running for the wildlife photo of the year. Nima is a good friend of recovery and the podcast. You can read the story behind the photos, as well as vote for the photograph of the year at: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/peoples-choice/2025-the-final-portrait

As we start the new year ... retired counselor and nurse Judy York will be celebrating 18 years of long-term recovery. She partied hardy and recovers joyfully. RC2C host Neil Scott shares a conversation with Judy, who lives in Corvallis, Oregon. And rock 'n roll guitarist and a member of the Eagles, Joe Walsh, has today's last word on Recovery - Coast to Coast.

In this special edition of Recovery - Coast to Coast, Neil Scott celebrates 50 years of recovery for one of the world's most iconic actors - Sir Anthony Hopkins, who prefers to be called Tony H.! In an interview following the recent release of his autobiography "We Did OK, Kid," he takes listeners back to the end of his drinking and the beginning of 50 years in long-term recovery. As part of this celebration, Neil shares a 12 Step meeting in Laguna Beach, California, featuring Tony H., when he was just shy of 25 years sober! What it was like, what happened, and what it is now! And fellow actor and long-time friend - also in long-term recovery- Dick Van Dyke (in recovery 53 years) gets today's last word!

A special edition of Recovery Coast to Coast, as RC2C host Neil Scott presents highlights from the recent King County Behavorial Health Forum, featuring three recovery stories and comments from some of the 20 legislators who were on stage to listen and learn.

John F., a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous, joins RC2C host Neil Scott to share his story of long-term recovery - nearly 40 years, and how he came into the Fellowship, and why he has stayed - one day at a time! Also, iconic actor Dick Van Dyke gets today's 'Last Word' on Recovery!

RC2C host Neil Scott welcomes a dear friend - author Judy Jance -who has had over 50 books on the NY Times 'Best Seller List', including a long-running series of books featuring JP Beaumont, a Seattle police detective who found recovery, following a 'literary intervention'. Her latest book is 'The Girl from Devil's Lake,' a Joanna Brady mystery novel. Judy spent 13 years living with a chronic alcoholic before she finally divorced him, and he died a little over a year later. During that time, she wrote a number of poems chronicling her journey. That book is called 'After the Fire'. Judy talks about that book, and also reads a couple of poems from the collection in this podcast! And today's 'Last Word' comes from actor Charlie Sheen on making decisions in recovery.

On this edition of RC2C, Neil Scott sits down with Colorado Rockies Bench Coach Clint Hurdle, one of the very few who have been in the World Series as a player, coach, and manager. His biggest win was Recovery! Nearly 27 years ago. The conversation was held in the Rockies' dugout on the last day of a 3-game series with the Seattle Mariners. It is very inspirational! The podcast concludes with 'The Last Word' with Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who has 26 years in recovery! For those who missed the first interview Neil did with Clint Hurdle, follow the link: https://www.recoverycoasttocoast.com/how-a-former-world-series-manager-manages-his-recovery/

They are often called 'circuit speakers,' - they tell their 12-Step stories to thousands of people all around the world. Newcomers often hang on their every word. What happens when ego and pride sideswipe sobriety? RC2C host Neil Scott shares a conversation he recently had while down in Texas, with a woman who was in demand as a 'circuit speaker'. With ego and pride as a backdrop, she fell from grace back into the depths of her disease. Again. Yet it was that same grace that brought her back into the fellowship and 14 years of continuous sobriety. A lesson taught; a lesson learned. And today's 'Last Word' goes to Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter MacLemore, who is ever-reminded that sobriety is but a daily reprieve! Here is the 'National Recovery Month' toolkit that Neil mentioned .. https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/recovery-month/toolkit

From the RC2C archives, Neil shares an intimate conversation with award-winning singer/songwriter/composer Rufus Wainwright ... along with some interesting comments by actor John Goodman on how he finally went into treatment. Recovery Month Toolkit https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/recovery-month/toolkit Rufus Wainwright - HALLELUJAH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAKC1YD2kHQ

RC2C host Neil Scott presents an archived interview with a pioneer in the recovery movement, the counseling profession, and the addiction treatment field. Mel Schulstad! The interview was part of Neil's tribute broadcast following Mel's death in 2012 at the age of 93. And the podcast concludes with the interesting comments from award-winning actor Danny Trejo on 12-Step Programs!

Neil Scott, RC2C host, shares a conversation with a former NFL offensive tackle, who played for the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also had two stints in recovery. The second one finally took hold. His stories and insightful are inspiring! The podcast concludes with some thoughts from the multiple Grammy award-winning Adele. And here is the profile that was done on Neil Scott in a recent edition of the Alcoholism and Recovery eBulletin: https://addictionrecoveryebulletin.org/neil-scott-person-of-the-week/

RC2C host Neil Scott caught up with Steve Berger at the recent NAATP National Leadership Conference in Seattle. Steve just celebrated 37 years of recovery, including carrying the message of hope and the promise of recovery to men and women in Russia! He is truly an inspiration. This edition of RC2C also includes some reflections on 'hope' from Rolling Stone's guitarist Ronnie Wood! And, as promised, here is the link to the interview with Neil Scott by the 'Addiction and Recovery eBulletin' https://addictionrecoveryebulletin.org/neil-scott-person-of-the-week/

RC2C host Neil Scott is joined by addiction treatment pioneer Claudia Black, discussing addiction treatment, the importance of recognizing and treating co-existing trauma, and the light at the end of the tunnel: recovery! The podcast concludes with some comments on amends in recovery by actor Charlie Sheen. And here is the link to the interview that I mentioned in the beginning of the podcast - my interview with the Addiction/Recovery eBulletin, featuring me as 'Person of the Week' https://addictionrecoveryebulletin.org/neil-scott-person-of-the-week/ PS: I encourage you to subscribe to this publication, it's free and includes a wealth of information about treatment and recovery!

David Hobler, a man in long-term recovery for the past 33 years, joins RCC2C host Neil Scott to talk about his long and winding journey through his recovery, including the death of two of his children. Today. David is a lawyer and works to help people find their path to sobriety and recovery. It is a poignant and gripping story! And Rock 'n Roll legend Joe Walsh talks about his alcoholism and eventual recovery to round out the podcast.

Toby H., a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous, joins RC2C host Neil Scott to talk about his journey along the recovery road, beginning with 10 miserable years of not drinking, then finding a better way to live in the program of AA. And Actor Dick Van Dyke share some thoughts on long term recovery, as well.