Q&A with publisher of Keys to Recovery, Jeannie Rabb-Marshall

Many of you will remember Jeannie Rabb-Marshall from the Steps for Recovery newspaper, where she worked until 2008 with business partner and good friend Jason Levin, who passed away. Unable to continue working on the newspaper without him, Jeannie choose to go back to corporate America. After 5 years of healing she felt ready, willing and able to go back to my one true passion – carrying the message of hope and recovery … through Keys to Recovery Newspaper Inc.

“A bit more about me: I restarted my sobriety in 1986; I love the 12-steps and living in a world where I have a purpose. I have a passion to help the helpless. My favorite principle is Service. Family is my anchor.”

KeysToRecovery

Q. If you are in recovery, what was your Drug of Choice? and when did you stop using?
A. I have been sober since 02/28/1986. I used and drank everything. However, I used PCP and Rainbows from the beginning to the end. 

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice or a wicked twist of fate?
A. I believe that addiction is a disease, an illness, and a wicked twist of fate.

Q. Do you log on to ZOOM 12-step meetings? How often? Do you share?
A. I have been using Zoom 12-step Meetings and attend them about 3-5 times a week. I have shared at Zoom meetings and have used Zoom to do 12-step work as well.

Q. Have you added anything to your Tool-kit to help keep you sober during the pandemic?
A. During COVID I have made a point to call people weekly to check in on them and not rely on them to call me. I have added more prayer and more meditation to my days and nights.

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I grew up in Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley, California.

Q. From what school or teacher did you learn the most?
A. School for me was more about survival.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?
A. Hope of the Valley Rescue mission 

Q. Who is your favorite poet?
A. Maya Angelou

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?
A. Jesus Calling,  Children of the Earth Series (Clan of the Cave Bear, etc.)

Q. Do you have any children?
A. I have one daughter and now one granddaughter.

Q. Have you started any new projects because of the quarantine?
A. I have been able to finish a few projects but I haven’t had the time to start any new ones.

Q. If you ever retire would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop or penthouse?
A. I think when I retire I will stay right where I am.

Q. What is your favorite hotel or resort?
A. Any one in Hawaii

Q. What is your biggest or littlest pet peeve?
A. Being on time — myself as well as others

Q. Who has had the biggest influence on you throughout your life?
A. God has always been the biggest influence in my life.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be? (choose 4 if you think one might be too drunk or stoned to attend.)
A. Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Agatha Christie

Q. What books are you reading now?
A. The Rooster Bar, Intergenerational Trauma Workbook, Jesus Calling

Q. What is your FAVORITE Radio show, news show, podcast?
A. Funniest Thing with Darrell & Ed

Q. What is your FAVORITE APP?
A. InstaGram

Q. Which film have you watched the most?
A. Last of The Mohicans 

Q. Who is your favorite sober celebrity?
A. Stephen King

Q. What/Who is your FAVORITE Band/composer/musical artist?
A. Alicia Keys

Q. What is your FAVORITE Broadway musical/play?
A. Rent

Q. What is your FAVORITE City?
A. Honolulu

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A. Stay in the Moment

Q. What is the best piece of advice YOU’VE given?
A. Trust God

Q. What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
A. Starting Keys to Recovery Newspaper