In this episode of Path of the Sober Seeker, we dive into the vibrant world of recovery culture — exploring how memes, meetings, and the timeless message of hope all weave together in the digital age.

I sit down with a special guest from OYPAA (Ohio Young People in AA) to unpack the evolving landscape of fellowship, from the group chat to the meeting hall. We explore the double-edged sword of a digital lifestyle — how online spaces can foster community but also fuel distraction, detachment, and even new forms of addiction.

Together, we reflect on how internet addiction and constant digital stimulation can quietly lead to new forms of unmanageability — and why staying anchored to spiritual principles matters more than ever.

We also discuss how AA’s message is expanding beyond alcohol to address a wider range of addictions among younger generations — and why the heart of recovery remains timeless even as the platforms change.

Key Topics Covered:

• The role of online meetings in recovery

• The double-edged sword of the digital lifestyle

• How internet addiction creates new forms of unmanageability

• Staying spiritually grounded in a hyperconnected world

• Balance digital distraction with responsibility

• Spiritual companionship (suhba) in the digital era

• Honoring the original message in a distraction-driven culture

Guest:

Lacey R — Lacey R. is a 40-year-old mom, musician, and server living a life of service and recovery. Active in OYPAA (Ohio Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous) and online recovery communities, she uses humor, honesty, and humility to connect with others walking the path. When she's not helping organize events or supporting newcomers, Lacey loves reading, makeup, and spending time with her family.

Lacey is also the first non-Muslim guest featured on Path of the Sober Seeker, reflecting the shared spiritual truths and fellowship that transcend all backgrounds.

Book Recommendation Disclaimer:

During this episode, Lacey recommends The Prophetess by Chelan Harkin. While the book offers poetic reflections on spirituality, it is written from a New Age perspective and is not based on Islamic teachings. Muslim listeners are encouraged to approach it with discernment, keeping in mind that our compass as seekers remains the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the clarity of tawhid.

Here's a direct link to The Prophetess: The Return of The Prophet from the Voice of The Divine Feminine by Chelan Harkin on Amazon:

👉 The Prophetess on Amazon

Website: Path of the Sober Seeker

X: James H (@SoberSeeker) / X

Instagram: @path.of.the.sober.seeker

TikTok: Sober Seeker (@the_sober_seeker) | TikTok

YouTube: Path of the Sober Seeker - YouTube

In this inaugural episode, I sit down with Yahya Abdul Alim Coats, a lifelong seeker and student of Islamic spirituality with over three decades of experience on the path. The conversation is unfiltered, honest, and full of lived insight.

Bear with the audio—I'm a better host than a sound engineer. What we may lack in polish, we make up for in presence.

It’s real. It’s raw. It’s recovery.

Yahya Abdul Alim Coats

Yahya Abdul Alim Coats is a 30-year Muslim convert and lifelong seeker on the path of sacred knowledge. He’s a dedicated student in the Darul Qasim Arabic program under Shaykh Musa Sugapong, walking the path of the Maliki madhhab, and deeply rooted in the spiritual teachings of Shaykh Ahmadou Bamba of Sénégal.

For seekers who want to go deeper, here are the books Brother Yahya referenced in our discussion:

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• Al-Ghazali’s Path to Sufism: His Deliverance from Error (al-Munqidh min al-Dalal)
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• Al-Ghazali on Disciplining the Soul and on Breaking the Two Desires (Books XXII and XXIII of the Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din)
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• Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart
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• Sufism for Non-Sufis?: Ibn 'Ata' Allah al-Sakandari's Taj al-'Arus
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• Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam

Also check out our website or join the discussion on discord https://discord.gg/tSEg9cuc.