
November 26th - The Hazards of Publicity - Kevin Barhydt (Niskayuna, NY)
11/26/22 • 37 min
Kevin Barhydt is an author, actor, member of the recovery community and a survivor. He is the author of Dear Stephen Michael's Mother, a memoir of how a young boy abandoned, abused and addicted became a man with the hope, courage and resilience to seek his biological mother.
You will also find Kevin on his Youtube channel where he creates and shares content about his journey from abandoned to reunited, from addicted to 33 years sober, from a high school dropout to a master's in education, continues.
On today's episode, Kevin shares about the Hazards of Publicity.
THE HAZARDS OF PUBLICITY
People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human need. We of A.A. do not question that. But we do have to soberly face the fact that being in the public eye is hazardous, especially for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 181
As a recovered alcoholic I must make an effort to put into practice the principles of the AA. program, which are founded on honesty, truth and humility. While I was drinking I was constantly trying to be in the limelight. Now that I am conscious of my mistakes and of my former lack of integrity, it would not be honest to seek prestige, even for the justifiable purpose of promoting the A.A. message of recovery. Is the publicity that centers around the A.A. Fellowship and the miracles it produces not worth much more? Why not let the people around us appreciate by themselves the changes that A.A. has brought in us, for that will be a far better recommendation for the Fellowship than any I could make.
Need the Daily Reflection Book?
Read about Recovery on our Blog
Support the Podcast:
- On Patreon: https://patreon.com/dailyreflection
- On PayPal: https://paypal.me/dailyreflection
If you’re struggling with alcohol or addiction, or wondering how to stop drinking it’s helpful to know that there’s a solution that has worked for millions of people. The Daily Reflection Podcast provides hope, and inspiration through the shared experiences of people that have found a way out.
Kevin Barhydt is an author, actor, member of the recovery community and a survivor. He is the author of Dear Stephen Michael's Mother, a memoir of how a young boy abandoned, abused and addicted became a man with the hope, courage and resilience to seek his biological mother.
You will also find Kevin on his Youtube channel where he creates and shares content about his journey from abandoned to reunited, from addicted to 33 years sober, from a high school dropout to a master's in education, continues.
On today's episode, Kevin shares about the Hazards of Publicity.
THE HAZARDS OF PUBLICITY
People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human need. We of A.A. do not question that. But we do have to soberly face the fact that being in the public eye is hazardous, especially for us.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 181
As a recovered alcoholic I must make an effort to put into practice the principles of the AA. program, which are founded on honesty, truth and humility. While I was drinking I was constantly trying to be in the limelight. Now that I am conscious of my mistakes and of my former lack of integrity, it would not be honest to seek prestige, even for the justifiable purpose of promoting the A.A. message of recovery. Is the publicity that centers around the A.A. Fellowship and the miracles it produces not worth much more? Why not let the people around us appreciate by themselves the changes that A.A. has brought in us, for that will be a far better recommendation for the Fellowship than any I could make.
Need the Daily Reflection Book?
Read about Recovery on our Blog
Support the Podcast:
- On Patreon: https://patreon.com/dailyreflection
- On PayPal: https://paypal.me/dailyreflection
If you’re struggling with alcohol or addiction, or wondering how to stop drinking it’s helpful to know that there’s a solution that has worked for millions of people. The Daily Reflection Podcast provides hope, and inspiration through the shared experiences of people that have found a way out.
Previous Episode

November 24th - A Universal Search - Bonnie J. (Billings, MT)
Join us as Bonnie J., from Billings, MT, shares her experience, strength, and hope around today's Daily Reflection, A Universal Search.
A UNIVERSAL SEARCH
Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87
I do not claim to have all the answers in spiritual matters, any more than I claim to have all the answers about alcoholism. There are others who are also engaged in a spiritual search. If I keep an open mind about what others have to say, I have much to gain. My sobriety is greatly enriched, and my practice of the Eleventh Step more fruitful, when I use both the literature and practices of my Judeo-Christian tradition, and the resources of other religions. Thus, I receive support from many sources in staying away from the first drink.
From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Need the Daily Reflection Book?
Read about Recovery on our Blog
Support the Podcast:
- On Patreon: https://patreon.com/dailyreflection
- On PayPal: https://paypal.me/dailyreflection
If you’re struggling with alcohol or addiction, or wondering how to stop drinking it’s helpful to know that there’s a solution that has worked for millions of people. The Daily Reflection Podcast provides hope, and inspiration through the shared experiences of people that have found a way out.
Next Episode

November 28th - Attraction, Not Promotion - Mark L. (Delmont, PA)
Join us as Mark L., from Delmont, PA, shares his experience, strength, and hope, around today's Daily Reflection, Attraction, Not Promotion.
ATTRACTION, NOT PROMOTION
Through many painful experiences, we think we have arrived at what that policy ought to be. It is the opposite in many ways of usual promotional practice. We found that we had to rely upon the principle of attraction rather than of promotion.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 180-81
While I was drinking I reacted with anger, self-pity and defiance against anyone who wanted to change me. All I wanted then was to be accepted by another human simply as I was and, curiously, that is what I found in A.A. I became the custodian of this concept of attraction, which is the principle of our Fellowship's public relations. It is by attraction that I can best reach the alcoholic who still suffers.
I thank God for having given me the attraction of a well-planned and established program of Steps and Traditions. Through humility and the support of my fellow sober members, I have been able to practice the A.A. way of life through attraction, not promotion.
From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Need the Daily Reflection Book?
Read about Recovery on our Blog
Support the Podcast:
- On Patreon: https://patreon.com/dailyreflection
- On PayPal: https://paypal.me/dailyreflection
If you’re struggling with alcohol or addiction, or wondering how to stop drinking it’s helpful to know that there’s a solution that has worked for millions of people. The Daily Reflection Podcast provides hope, and inspiration through the shared experiences of people that have found a way out.
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