The 13th Step - Podcast Rankings and reviews

This series is riveting. So well reported, well told, entertaining and so important. Everything investigative reporting is supposed to be. And an indictment of the manosphere that is becoming so pervasive in American culture. It deserves a Pulitzer, Peabody and multiple federal investigations into the types of creeps that are exposed by this series.

This is a really good podcast. I’ll start with that. Everyone will get something from this, especially those who suffer from addiction or their loved ones. One objection I have is the apparent attack on AA as a whole. The “13th step” - this is actually just the grooming dynamic. It exists anywhere a power imbalance exists and unsupervised access can be obtained by predators. It’s not specific to AA. Any of the newer addiction groups will also have the same potential. The solution is to remove that dynamic. I achieved sobriety without AA. I didn’t feel like AA was the right way to go for me. So I agree that those who think AA is the end-all are too zealous. But still it’s unfair to make it seem like AA has an inherent problem that wouldn’t occur elsewhere.

I spent nearly twenty years in AA. And I left. I didn’t die and I didn’t go to jail. If you like AA, then stay. But if you feel awful, it’s not you. Walk away. Many, many people have left and have never felt better. What we works for you. But you’re not broken. I have never felt better. Leaving AA was the best thing I’ve ever done. It gave me self esteem. The predators in AA exploit the message in AA. This happens a lot. Many people don’t want to discuss it because the believe it will scare away the newcomers. My advice is to just walk away.

Lauren is a really, really gifted storyteller. This is a great podcast you will binge quickly. It goes in some wide ranging directions but all of them are compelling.