CA, LA, NY, WI
Kane C of California as Chairperson, Irvin D of Louisiana - 1st speaker, Stephanie N of New York- 2nd speaker, Jeff C of Wisconsin - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "A Daily Inventory" in room Lone Star D-F starting at 3pm for approximately 20 minutes each with 3 readings.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 8.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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MO, NC, CA, PR
Kevin N of Massachusetts Chairperson, Earlene W-MA 1st speaker, Jim W-ON 2nd speaker, Ellen Z-VA 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of A Daily Reprieve in room 204 starting at 1:30 pm . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 55 min) ( 6.4 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(12/13/2012)
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N. Ireland, Manitoba, WI, AZ
Cathy F of N.Ireland as Chairperson, Greg U of Manitoba Canada - 1st speaker, Barbara M of Wisconsin - 2nd speaker, Frank B of Arizona - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "A Newcomer Asks" in room Lone Star D-F starting at 9am for approximately 20 minutes each.
| Chair Cathy F-N.Ireland, Greg U-MB, Barbara M-WI, Frank B-AZ |
(10/21/2013)
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BC, FL, NY
Happy C of British Columbia Canada Chairperson, Carolyn of British Columbia Canada, 1st speaker, Graham G of Florida 2nd speaker, Vada G of New York 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "A Selfish Program?" in room BR C2 starting at 3 pm . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 59 min) ( 6.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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ON, MI, NY, OH
Jan L Ontario Canada Chairperson, Mel L (female) of Michigan (Delegate), 1st speaker, Tracy K of New York 2nd speaker, Thomas V of Ohio 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "A Sense of Belonging" in Hall C starting at 3 pm . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20-25 minutes.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 7.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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CA, MI, AZ, MI
Paul C. of California as Chairperson, Jay S. of California - 1st speaker, Gail L. of Ohio - 2nd speaker, Arthur S. of Texas - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "A.A.'s History of Love and Service" in Ballroom C1 starting at 9:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
Notes of interest: All three are or have been area archivists. Ruth Hock's daughter is in the audience. Arthur speaks to some AA lore that turns out not to be true. e.g Dr. Bob's last drink was probably not June 10, 1935 but rather a week later based on records from the AMA archives.
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 8.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop, Historical(03/30/2014)
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KY, NY, GA, CA
Tom B of Kentucky Chairperson, Loretta B-New York 1st speaker, T. J. N. of GA 2nd speaker, Marsha W of California 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "At the Turning Point" in room 006 starting at 11 am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes followed by 12 minutes of general sharing from the mic.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 8.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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MT, TX, PEI, MT
Carol C of Montana Chairperson, Linda R of Texas 1st speaker, Hari P-Prince Edward Island Canada 2nd speaker, Terry of Montana (sister of the chairperson) 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Breaching Walls of Ego" in the Lone Star A-B room starting at 9:30 am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 57 min) ( 6.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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SC, DE, AZ, OH
Robert H of South Carolina Chairperson, Aaron H of Delaware (short talk) 1st speaker, Becky D of Arizona 2nd speaker, Renee B of Oklahoma 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Came to Believe" in Hall D starting at 9:30 am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 10-20 minutes.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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WV, FL, MA, AZ
Kathy O of West Virginia Chairperson, Mary P of Florida 1st speaker, Ken T of Massachusetts 2nd speaker, Suzette C of Arizona 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Celebrating Sobriety" in Hall C starting at 1 pm . Each speaker speaks for approximately 10-20 minutes.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 7.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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NY, FL, SK, MD
Richard H of New York Chairperson, Annie C of Florida 1st speaker, Carynn K of Saskatchewan 2nd speaker, Reney H of Maryland 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Courage to Change" in Lone Star BR C starting at 9 am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 7.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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VA, MT, NV, ON
Sandra B of Virginia Chairperson, Libbie L of Montana 1st speaker, Gary G of Nevada 2nd speaker, Martin A of Ontario 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Do You Think You're Different" in Ballroom C2 starting at 11 am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 8.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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CT, HI, FL, PA
Rosemary S of Connecticut Chairperson, Nancy H of Hawaii 1st speaker, Floyd C of Florida 2nd speaker, Clive H of Pennsylvania 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Easy Does It - But Do It" in the Alamo Ballroom starting at 11:30 am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes plus a few minutes sharing from the mic.
( 55 min) ( 6.3 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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MO, CA, DC, BC
Pat D of Missouri Chairperson, Joel C of CA 1st speaker, Tara H of DC 2nd speaker, Brendan W of British Columbia 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of Emotional Sobriety in Ballroom A 11:30am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 7.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(12/01/2012)
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NJ, PEI, TX, BC
Keith B of New Jersey Chairperson, Bernard McC of Prince Edward Island Canada 1st speaker, Deborah D of Texas 2nd speaker, Christie G British Columbia Canada 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Fear as a Stepping Stone" in the Alamo Ball room starting at 9:30 am . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 8.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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CA, PA, MT, OK
(10/22/2013)
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MA, ON, IL, SC
(10/22/2013)
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N. Ireland, WA, LA, NY
(10/22/2013)
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AZ, PA, VA, TX
(10/22/2013)
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NY, CA, KY
(10/22/2013)
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KY, NS, OH, CA
Nancy S of Kentucky as Chairperson, Hughie McA of Nova Scotia - 1st speaker, Steven C of Ohio - 2nd speaker, Carol M of California - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Going to Any Lengths" in room BR C2 starting at 1:30 pm for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 7.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(01/01/2014)
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NY, KY, AZ, AR
Brian C of New York as Chairperson, Joy F of Kentucky - 1st speaker, Vivaian W of Arizona - 2nd speaker, Ken K of Arkansas - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Gratitude in Your Attitude" in Hall D starting at 1:30 pm for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 7.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(01/01/2014)
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BC, NJ, TX, UT
Tony L of British Columbia as Chairperson, Kate MacF of New Jersey - 1st speaker, Kenny L of Texas - 2nd speaker, Jim H of Utah - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Gratitude-A Full and Thankful Heart" in Hall C starting at 11 am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 7.9 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(01/01/2014)
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TX, MA, NY, BC
Tom H of Texas as Chairperson, Kathy S of Massachusetts - 1st speaker, Al B of New York - 2nd speaker, Sean C of British Columbia - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Growth Through the Tenth Step" in room 204 starting at 9:30 am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 7.2 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(01/01/2014)
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NJ, MO, AZ, CA
Robert P of New Jersey as Chairperson, Steve P of Missouri - 1st speaker, Lois L of Arizona - 2nd speaker, Gigi B of CA - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "H.A.L.T." in Ballroom A starting at 9:30 am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 8.4 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(01/01/2014)
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OH, OK, NY, MT
Dave S of Ohio as Chairperson, Kay W of Oklahoma - 1st speaker, John C of New York - 2nd speaker, Teresa K of Montana - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Healing Through Laughter" in Hall D starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 10 - 20 minutes.
( 53 min) ( 6.1 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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LA, OH, YT, AZ
Jimmy H of Louisiana as Chairperson, Sharon F. of Ohio - 1st speaker, Jennifer K. of Yukon Territory - 2nd speaker, Dave M. of Arizona - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Honesty and Recovery" in the Texas Ballroom starting at 3:00 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 7.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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NY, MT, DE, CA
Hermina J of New York as Chairperson, Dan K of Montana - 1st speaker, Kathy L of Delaware - 2nd speaker, Donald K of California - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "How It Works " in Lone Star A-B starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 10 - 30 minutes.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 8.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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AZ, SK, KY, NY
Larry R of Arizona as Chairperson, Bob O of Szechuan Canada - 1st speaker, Camille F of Kentucky - 2nd speaker, George D of New York - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Humility: This Precious Quality" in Room 214 C-D starting at 1:00 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 7.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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IN, CT, TX, CA
Charlie B of Indiana as Chairperson, Erica C of Connecticut - 1st speaker, Gus H of TX - 2nd speaker, Dean B of California - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Identification: Why it Matters " in Room 214 A-B starting at 9:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes followed by seven general shares from the floor.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 8.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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CA, MN, DC, BC
Linda C of California as Chairperson, Brian S of Minnesota - 1st speaker, Lea A of Washington D.C. - 2nd speaker, Joe G of British Columbia Canada - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "In All Our Affairs " in Hall D starting at 3:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 8.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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IN, BC, FL, OK
Leo S of Indiana as Chairperson, Gail P of British Columbia Canada - 1st speaker, Lynn W of Florida - 2nd speaker, Jeremy F of Oklahoma - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Intensive Work with Other Alcoholics" in Ballroom A starting at 3:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 7.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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OH, OR, TX, BC
Steve S of Ohio as Chairperson, Marilyn H of Oregon - 1st speaker, Laura G of Texas - 2nd speaker, Barbara S of British Columbia Canada - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Just for Today" in Lone Star Ballroom starting at 11:00 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 7.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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AUS, MO, AZ, DC
Brian S of Sydney Australia as Chairperson, Debbie N of Missouri - 1st speaker, Steve K of Arizona - 2nd speaker, Carmella C of Washington D.C. - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Let Go and Let God" in Room 217 A-C starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 8.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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UT, IN, FL, MT
Mickey H of Utah as Chairperson, Don B of Indiana - 1st speaker, Cecilia R of Florida - 2nd speaker, Mark S of Montana - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Let It Begin With Me" in Ballroom A starting at 9:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 7.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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CA,CA,OH,TX
Joseph E. of Oklahoma as Chairperson, Bob McA. of West Virginia - 1st speaker, Karen McL. of New York - 2nd speaker, Nick H. of Hawaii - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Letting Go of Old Ideas " in Ballroom C3 starting at 9:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/21/2014)
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CA, MI, AZ, MI
Gerard W. of California as Chairperson, Torv of Michigan - 1st speaker, Dale W. of Arizona - 2nd speaker, Leonard D. of Michigan - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Live and Let Live " in Ballroom C1 starting at 9:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 7.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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OR, BC, OK, S. Africa
Chase B. of Oregon as Chairperson, Jim deB. of British Columbia, - 1st speaker, Deb G. of Oklahoma - 2nd speaker, Detlef P. of South Africa - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Living Sober" in Ballroom A starting at 1:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 7.1 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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MN, AZ, FL, CA
Chris B. of Minnesota as Chairperson, Ben S. of Arizona - 1st speaker, Joni E. of Florida - 2nd speaker, Marita H. of California - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Made Direct Amends" in Ballroom C3 starting at 9:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 8.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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vario
(11/01/2013)
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OK, BC, NH, IN
Robyn F. of Oklahoma as Chairperson, Susan B. of British Columbia - 1st speaker, Arthur D. of New Hampshire - 2nd speaker, Michalene R. of Indiana - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "My Home Group" in Room 006 starting at 9:00 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes followed by eight members sharing from the floor.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 8.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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UT, NY, CO, BC
Shirley O. of Utah as Chairperson, Yisrael C. of New York - 1st speaker, Tami R. of Colorado - 2nd speaker, Clayton M. of British Columbia - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "One Day at a Time" in Room 103 starting at 9:00 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 8.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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AZ, IL, NM, GA
Craig E. of Arizona as Chairperson, Bill W. of Illinois - 1st speaker, Kathleen P. of New Mexico - 2nd speaker, Michael C. of Georgia - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Our Common Bond" in Alamo BR starting at 1:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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MD, TX, KS, ID
Buck R. of Maryland as Chairperson, Carolyn B. of Texas - 1st speaker, Jimmy B. of Kansas - 2nd speaker, Madeleine P. of Idaho - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Our Critics Can be Our Benefactors" in Room 217 A-C starting at 1:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes 10 minutes sharing from the floor.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 8.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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NH, FL, CA, MO
Diana T. of New Hampshire as Chairperson, Fred H. of Florida - 1st speaker, David S. of California - 2nd speaker, Pat B. of Missouri - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Our Primary Purpose" in Ballroom B starting at 1:00 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 57 min) ( 6.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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OK, MA, AB, VA
Jesse W. of Oklahoma as Chairperson, Annemarie M. of Massachusetts - 1st speaker, Dave B. of Alberta - 2nd speaker, Gloria S. of Virginia - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Our Three Legacies: Recovery, Unity and Service" in Room 214 A-B starting at 3:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 57 min) ( 6.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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ON, ON, TX, MS
Pete B. of Ontario as Chairperson, Paul D. of Ontario - 1st speaker, Zazu M. of Texas - 2nd speaker, Charles T. of Mississippi - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Pain-The Touchstone of Growth" in Ballroom C2 starting at 9:00 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 59 min) ( 6.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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AZ, SK, CA, SC
Kim W. of Arizona as Chairperson, Irma V. of Saskatchewan - 1st speaker, Dreigh P. of California - 2nd speaker, Herman R. of South Carolina - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Peace and Serenity" in Ballroom C1 starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 52 min) ( 6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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MD, MB, AZ
Richard (substitute) as Chairperson, Nancy K. of Maryland - 1st speaker, John J. of Manitoba - 2nd speaker, Gary G. of Arizona - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Personal Responsibility: Let it Begin with Me" in Room 107 starting at 3:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 20 min) ( 9.2 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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NY, FL, OH, NY
Susan U of New York Chairperson, Tommie D of FL 1st speaker, Mel B of OH 2nd speaker, Liz B of NY 3rd speaker in Hall D starting at 1:30 pm . Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes. Each is a Pioneer in A.A. Tommie D was one of the twelve people attending Ebbie Thatcher's funeral. She new Bill and Lois well and spent time at Stepping Stones and did her fifth step in the car with Bill and Lois on that trip to the funeral. Mel B is the principle author of the Official AA Biography of Bill W Pass It On. He also knew Bill and Lois and is a source of great information about the history of AA. Liz B is one of the real characters in AA - which is saying a lot! A delightful talk by each speaker. At the end two other Pioneers in the audience were invited to speak.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 8.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(12/13/2012)
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CA, NY, MD, WI
Jacque C. of California as Chairperson, David C. of New York - 1st speaker, Linda W. of Maryland - 2nd speaker, Jim S. of Wisconsin - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Prayer and Meditation" in the Lone Star Ballroom starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 7.4 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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TX, MB, OH, FL
Baxter B. of Texas as Chairperson, Lloyd K. of Manitoba - 1st speaker, Jean S. of Ohio - 2nd speaker, Kathy G. of Florida - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Principles Before Personalities" in the Alamo Ballroom starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 7.2 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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NY, MO, CA
No Chairperson, Nancy S. of New York - 1st speaker, Dave H. of Missouri - 2nd speaker, Mike N. of California - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Resentment-The Number One Offender" in Ballroom C1 starting at 3:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 54 min) ( 6.2 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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PA, NY, MN, TX
Marty S. of Pennsylvania as Chairperson, Daniel S. of New York - 1st speaker, Jill B. of Minnesota - 2nd speaker, Joe G. of Texas - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Seeds of Faith" in Room 006 starting at 1:00 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of sharing from the floor.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 8.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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MT, WI, UT, NY
Andrew W. of Montana as Chairperson, Monica M. of Wisconsin - 1st speaker, Keith M. of Utah - 2nd speaker, Rosemary P. of New York - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Self-Support: The Seventh Tradition" in Lone Star A-B starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 58 min) ( 6.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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HI, IL, OH, SC
Elizabeth M of Hawaii as Chairperson, Paula P of Illinois - 1st speaker, Scott D of Ohio - 2nd speaker, Marshall C of South Carolina - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Service: Gratitude Made Visible " in Room 206 starting at 3:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 15 - 20 minutes.
( 1 hr ) ( 6.9 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/02/2014)
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NM, NY, NJ, NY
Tom U. of New Mexico as Chairperson, Peggy B. of New York - 1st speaker, Ken B. of New Jersey - 2nd speaker, Sarah H. of New York - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Sex, Security and Society" in Ballroom C3 starting at 11:30 am. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 7.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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CT, MO, PA, CA
Ken B. of Connecticut as Chairperson, Karen H. of Missouri - 1st speaker, Bill L. of Pennsylvania - 2nd speaker, Harry H. of California - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Sober Awhile - Now What" in Room 217 A-C starting at 3:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes.
Lots of years of sobriety on this topic!
( 57 min) ( 6.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(03/30/2014)
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MO, MB, TX, WV
Chip B of Missouri as Chairperson, Laura B of Manitoba - 1st speaker, Randee B of Texas - 2nd speaker, Joan McA of West Virginia - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Sobriety is Progressive Too" in the Texas Ballroom starting at 11am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 7.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(05/29/2014)
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MA, CA, MI, CA
Randy M of Massachusetts as Chairperson, Mary Alice C of California - 1st speaker, Jack W of Michigan- 2nd speaker, Diane C of California - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Start by Forgiving " in Ballroom B starting at 9:00 am for approximately 20 minutes each followed by 6 comments from the audience.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 8.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(02/27/2014)
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AZ, TX, NY, GA
Ann M of Arizona as Chairperson, Josh K of Texas - 1st speaker, Myra S of New York- 2nd speaker, David S of Georgia - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Step Twelve: Sharing My Experience" in Ballroom C3 starting at 1:30 pm for approximately 20 minutes each followed by 10 questions and comments from the audience and responses from the speakers.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 8.1 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(02/27/2014)
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MO, SD, NY, CA
Ed M. of Missouri as Chairperson, Melanie C "Snowflake" of South Dakota - 1st speaker, Kay T. of New York - 2nd speaker, John H. of California - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "The Great Reality within Us " in Room 007 starting at 11:30am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 56 min) ( 6.4 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(06/07/2014)
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GA, MN, NE, CA
Dick A. of Georgia as Chairperson, Sonja B of Minnesota - 1st speaker, Peg M. of Nebraska - 2nd speaker, Clancy I. of California - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "The Joy of Helping Others " in Hall C starting at 9:00am for approximately 20 minutes each with Clancy speaking for 30 minutes. Peg and Clancy sponsor legions with long term sobriety in AA.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 8.4 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(06/15/2014)
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NC, CA, AR, MA
Hank M. of North Carolina as Chairperson, Santiago E. of California - 1st speaker, Jo B. of Arkansas - 2nd speaker, Mary N. of Massachusetts - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "The Joy of Living" in Room 217 D starting at 9:00am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(06/15/2014)
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TX, CA, DE, AK
Wendy H. of Texas as Chairperson, Craig R. of California - 1st speaker, David K. of Delaware - 2nd speaker, Laura H. of Alaska - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "There is a Solution" in Room 103 starting at 1:00pm for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 7.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(06/15/2014)
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GA, MT, MB, PA
George C. of Georgia as Chairperson, Sandy A. of Montana - 1st speaker, Lyle D. of Manitoba - 2nd speaker, Sheila D. of Pennsylvania - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "This Matter of Honesty" in Ballroom B starting at 3:00pm for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 59 min) ( 6.9 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(06/15/2014)
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NY, FL, SK, S. Africa
Deborah S. of Florida as Chairperson, Simonne C. of Florida - 1st speaker, Gordon W. of Saskatchewan - 2nd speaker, Paul G. of South Africa - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Tolerance and Trust" in Room 007 starting at 9:30am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 59 min) ( 6.9 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(06/15/2014)
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KS, CA, WI, SC
Joe C. of Kansas as Chairperson, Annie C. of California - 1st speaker, John F. of Wisconsin - 2nd speaker, Marty E. of South Carolina - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Turning It Over" in Lone Star D-F starting at 1:00 pm for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 7.9 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(07/13/2014)
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WI, OK, FL, ON
Ralph of Wisconsin as Chairperson (different from brochure-sober since 1956), Chuck B. of Oklahoma - 1st speaker, Virginia T. of Florida (sober since 1966) - 2nd speaker, Gary L. of Ontario - 3rd speaker all speaking on the topic of "Twelfth-Stepping the Old-Fashioned Way" in Room 214 A-B starting at 1:30 pm. Each speaker speaks for approximately 20 minutes. Lots of sobriety at the podium!
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 7.1 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(04/20/2014)
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NB, NV, NY, ND
Heather D. of New Brunswick Canada as Chairperson, Joan M. of Nevada - 1st speaker, Don H. of New York - 2nd speaker, Roy J. of North Dakota - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Unity: I am Responsible" in Room 103 starting at 11:00 am for approximately 20 minutes each (did not speak in the order shown in the Program of Events).
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 8.1 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(07/13/2014)
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VT,BC,WY,MD
Jacki P. of Vermont as Chairperson, Viki E. of British Columbia - 1st speaker, Kim G. of Wyoming - 2nd speaker, Stu B. of Maryland - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Unity: The Most Cherished Quality" in Room 008 starting at 3:00 pm for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 8.7 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(07/13/2014)
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NM, TN, FL, AZ
Lori P of New Mexico as Chairperson, Buster B of Tennessee - 1st speaker, Jamie O of Florida - 2nd speaker, Dennis W of Arizona - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Victory in Defeat" in room 103 starting at 11am for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 8.2 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(05/29/2014)
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NY, TX, UT, OH
Marcy N-New York as Chairperson, Ed C of Texas - 1st speaker, Renae H of Utah- 2nd speaker, Carl D of Ohio - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "The Warranties: Maturity in the Fellowship" in room Lone Star C starting at 3pm for approximately 20 minutes each with 5 minutes of general sharing from the mic after.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 8.4 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(10/21/2013)
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CA, NY, AZ, FL
This is one of the best sessions of the 2010 International. Carla M. of California as Chairperson, Dawn W. of New York - 1st speaker, Rebeka L. of Arizona - 2nd speaker, Beverly C. of Florida - 3rd speaker, all speaking on the topic "Women in A.A." in Ballroom B starting at 1:00 pm for approximately 20 minutes each.
( 59 min) ( 6.8 MB)AA, Female, Workshop(07/13/2014)
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New York, NY
Sober since 10/29/1984, Adrienne retired from the General Service Office (GSO) in New York on 11/15/2013. Once a staff member always a staff member. Raised in Harlem, she always thought she needed to have the answers even if she had to make them up. She did not drink early on because she saw what it did to people. Her dad got drunk, her mom hit him in the head with a frying pan and kicked him out. He later was murdered. Her mother and grandmother died when she was 15 and 16. Her Uncle became her "dad" and her aunt became her "mom". Her grandmother had spoiled her but she was now expected to be responsible and do chores. All these events and others turned her against God. She went to college and did all the things she said she would never do.
This is a strong story from a trusted servant.
( 58 min) ( 13.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(11/17/2014)
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Irvine, CA
Funny speaker. Ajit is not sure when he came to Al-anon (circa 1980) but knows exactly when his qualifier came into AA. Born in India and moved to Detroit. A drinking woman made his evening quicker and cheaper. Married a polish alcoholic waitress working her way through nursing school. Her bathroom became her bar. If its a behavior he tends to obsess on it. "We move in the direction of our dominant thoughts". In the beginning he talked a good program but then got back to the fundamentals. His response to alcoholism is his problem not alcoholism. His wife discovered she had been molested as a child and the intimacy was gone. After 17 years she filed for divorce and he hired a "barracuda" lawyer but sponsorship and the program came to the rescue.
( 53 min) ( 24.5 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(09/15/2011)
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Decatur, GA
(01/25/2014)
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Cary, NC
A surgeon and son of an alcoholic mom and dad, a doctor from Statesboro, GA. His mom and dad got sober prior to 1961 in AA. His dad was instrumental in the early days of the Atlanta Roundup as well as the growth of AA in middle Georgia. This talk is both a great talk on the recovery from the family disease of alcoholism and one that has a touch of the history of AA and Alateen in Georgia. He came into Al-anon in Kentucky 15 years after his qualifiers got sober.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 15.7 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
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North Hollywood, CA
Alabam loved her men. She was quite a character in AA and that is saying alot. She married a wealth man. After he died she turned more toward the bottle. Some men in AA helped her detox and she began to get her sanity back, become self-supporting through her own contributions and start a whole new life.
This is one of the first recordings I converted from cassette tape to MP3 six years ago. I loved it so much I started looking for more.
( 1 hr ) ( 27.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/14/2011)
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Dallas, TX
Sober since 1972. Wife Sally is in Al-anon and spoke at the same event. Humorous. Concerned some are trying to create a different path vs our path. We all come in from the Skid Row of the soul. Focus on recovery. Was about to loose the house and wife when he came in. Focus of the talk is after he came into AA.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 29.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/14/2011)
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Glenview, IL
Sober 14 years since 12/25/1980, Allyn was recently married to a non-alcoholic attending his first event and hearing her speak for the first time. She grew up in Glenview, IL to where she has recently returned. Her church going family gave her a foundation that would later awaken in the program. She realizes today that it was not the things that happened in her family but the way she reacted - that she took everything personally. She describes herself as thin-skinned. Her first drink was on Christmas break from religious boarding school given to her by her dad. She had to wait til college to drink the way she wanted. By the time she was a junior blacking out and as a senior she was in depression. She decided to become a nurse. She got the notion that to be happy she needed to change her circumstances and thus started a series of geographics.
( 1 hr ) ( 13.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/16/2012)
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Roswell, GA
Speaking at an Al-anon conference. Young with enthusiasm, passion and reaches out to young people in the program. Sobriety date 1/25/2002 at 22 year old. First drink at 8 years old on straight scotch watching the Brady Bunch. Alcohol was quickly not enough and switched to huffing Scotch Guard. Nobody knew. Her brother in and out of treatment, parents having problems, too, used it as an excuse. Made great grades, star athlete but with a secret night life. By 8th grade she used and drank every day. Relationship problems, lying, stealing. Went to Peachford in Atlanta and AA at the 8111 Club at 13 years old. Could not identify with all these old guys. Asked if she was willing to go to any length to get sober. Could stay sober for 30 days at a time. Went on like that and was miserable. Could not maintain the double life. Tried to kill her mom with a hammer with a plan to then be able to fly to Puerto Rico and be able to drink and use all day. At 14 left home and did whatever needed to drink and use. Later moved back with her dad. Went in treatment voluntarily for 14+ months from ages 15 to 17. Best thing that could have happened. Got honest for first time in life. Moved home, back to school but didn't change the people, places and things or work the steps. Drank again. Obsession kicked in. Got a DUI. Became a dealer at college. Started hiding bottles and obsessing. Met a guy who had her quit drugs but booze OK. Secretly drinking - blacking out - shame and guilt. Boyfriend gave ultimatum. Came to AA to friends who missed her and has been sober since. Click here to hear her mom Ann H. who spoke at the same conference.
( 49 min) ( 22.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/17/2011)
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Los Angeles, CA
Keep AA for Alcoholics - big on singleness of purpose. Booze causes alcoholism. A functioning intellectual when she came in. Got sober 3/28/1979 because a women came in her antique store and said, "Maybe booze is your problem." The obsession was lifted right then and it has not come back.
( 39 min) ( 18.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/14/2011)
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Blythe, CA
Angie D. is a favorite of many women in AA. She is a lively Hispanic with a great sense of humor. She experienced gang life growing up. She speaks of how her husband really knows how to take care of her today. A must have for any collection.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 32.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/14/2011)
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Atlanta, GA
Adopted, Ann grew up in an alcoholic home with many alcoholics on both sides and married into one. Mom was the closet drinker, rager and untreated Al-anon. Had two brothers. One brother was killed in auto accident when she was ten. The family changed from that point. Mom refused to have his name mentioned or pictures in showing. Dad would secretly go to the grave. Second brother was Ann's mentor - very positive attention. Watched out for her. Ann experimented with alcohol in HS - had a great time. Never had friends over. Brother pushed her to go to college. Never did drugs. Did not like the way it booze made her feel the next day. Met and married a pilot heading to Vietnam. Had a child while still in school. Knew her biological parents. Husband stationed in Europe but insisted she stay to finish school. Ann graduated and went to Europe. He was a functioning alcoholic. Back in USA they lived with and came to love her mother-in-law. Husband had also lost a brother. This bothered her. They both loved her as she was. Moved to Atlanta. Ann is Allyson Z.'s mother who has a recording here on WeJoy. Ann's father passed suddenly when she was 27 years old. Mother wanted to not talk about it but Ann insisted they not repeat the old mistake.
( 52 min) ( 23.9 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/17/2011)
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Cartersville, GA
Ann got sober 1/3/1995. Her alcoholic mother had seven children from five husbands. Ann married a soldier at 17 to leave her chaotic home. She quit high school to take care of her sisters because her mother had cancer she refused to treat. Ann began to drink but swore she would never drink like her mother.
Ann left that marriage and moved to Hawaii got a cosmetology degree and eventually open her own successful salon. She joined Al-anon years before AA, had many failed relationships with alcoholic men, lost the salon when all the staff left at once. She moved with her two children to a one bedroom apartment in a crack neighborhood.
On Christmas 1994 she did what she swore she would never do and finally came into AA. AA strong sponsorship taught her how to behave appropriately. One more failed marriage while sober but now she finally has a real relationship, a partnership, with her current husband.
( 58 min) ( 20.2 MB)AA, Female, Story(08/23/2014)
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Westminister, CA
Sober since June 16, 1978, 26 years sober, Ann is an Irish born red head who was known for being crazy long after she got sober. What the program has done for her is truly remarkable. She came to AA at 22 years old. She has been through a great deal in sobriety. She is lively and quick. Enjoy!
( 57 min) ( 19.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/01/2014)
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Conyers, GA
Sober since Dec 7, 1977, Annette was reared in Stone Mountain, GA when it was still country. She did not drink until she was 24 but eventually gave up her children because she could not stop drinking. Once sober, she was guided by good sponsorship to respond appropriately when she was denied visits often in violation of court orders. She also speaks about her recent divorce and the reuniting with her kids.
( 56 min) ( 26 MB)AA, Female, Story(12/28/2014)
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Tyler, TX
Touching and passionate talk. Excited to be in AA, Art came to AA in Cleveland, OH for the 2nd time on 1/30/1975 and never had a drink since. He feels the Al-anons and Children of Alcoholics are some of the strongest people he knows. Went to school to become a doctor. Was drinking, flunking out and engaged to two women when he ran away to the navy during WWII. Did not do well with the rules in the navy. Woke up in jail in California accused of trying to kill a women whose lawn he was watering. Was offered a discharged from the navy. Went back to school for medicine. Got kicked out and met his current wife. Had 7 children. He tried AA but did not like it but stayed dry for 5 years for the kids while active in church. Then he picked up and in 2 weeks he was back where he left off. Booze made him a non-participator in his kid's lives. Got violent with his son. In 1975 a voice told him it was his last day of drinking and then his doctor told him he had to come to AA. Then the miracles and loving support started. Has had same female sponsor for 21 years.
( 46 min) ( 21.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/15/2011)
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Colfax, WI
From the Georgia State Service Assembly (GSSA) Archives in Macon, GA. There is an introduction about the recording and then the recording. It was on a cassette in the collection. The sound quality is good though not excellent. (GSSA Inventory #CA0017)
This talk is, in my opinion, a classic example of how NOT to give an AA talk.
If it were not for the historical significance of the recording it would not be on WeJoy.
It is over crafted, needlessly flowery and you learn absolutely nothing about the speaker's own personal experience.
I wanted to ask him "but did you drink?"
It also has a small reference that might be considered racial.
I am glad I persevered through it as a classic bad example.
I find I learn from both types.
(09/26/2014)
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Atlanta, GA
Avery is an icon in Atlanta AA. She works with Helen R. at the Intergroup Central Office. She is one of the many beautiful black women in recovery. She shares on what it is like at Central Office. Avery came into the program in Chicago in 1979 and got sober in 1982. Talks about the program of recovery and the steps - what happened and how it helped her. Mother and father both had a drinking problem. Her father died of drinking right before she came to AA. Got arrested for DUI and found she had a long record she did not know about. Signed herself into 28 day treatment and thought she might have been a little hasty. Got out and was dry for 3 months and then off and on for 3 years in AA.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 36.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/15/2011)
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Louisburg, NC
B. J. spent over 29 years in prison on a life sentence. He got sober 1/15/1998. He was raised on a tenant farm. None of his immediate family drank. He started stealing things from others' yards so he could drink. He was first incarcerated at age 15. He found out while there that his father committed suicide. B. J. used the event to drink while on emergency leave. Later got a Bachelors Degree while in another prison but was only an "educated crook". First came to AA in prison. There he heard real people talking about real emotions. Started slowly but finally identified with the Doctor's opinion and the stories in the back of the book. His spiritual awakening is an ongoing process happening at this very moment.
( 1 hr ) ( 27.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(06/13/2012)
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Dallas, TX
In Al-anon 24 years. Great sense of humor. A favorite of many in the program. Career woman. Always considered herself one of the greatest self-sacrificing of persons. Says her mind is not her friend. Been around this "damn disease" all her life. Comes from a long line of long-suffering women.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 36.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/14/2011)
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Lithia Springs, GA
Over 30 years in the program, Barbara does a classic piece on her 12 steps before Al-Anon. Dick A., her qualifier who also spoke at this roundup, required her to go to Al-Anon if she was going to marry him. She went to Seminary School but ran into prejudice against the concept of female pastors when she attempted to find a congregation. Past Delegate and very active member of Al-Anon in Georgia, she has been in substance abuse and family counseling for many years. Dick and Barbara actively practice the 12 Traditions and the 12 Concepts in their marriage and all their relationships. They often share in workshops on "Emotional Sobriety" to show others how important this is to a quality of life.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 28.2 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/08/2011)
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Lithia Springs, GA
Emotional Sobriety Workshop 2010
Held in Woodstock, GA, Father's Day Weekend, June 19, 2010. The workshop included Dick and Barbara A. of Lithia Springs, GA and Helen R. of Atlanta. Dick and Barbara lead similar workshops around the country. Sober over 30 years, Helen is the Office Manager for the Central Office of the Metro Atlanta Intergroup of AA. The Workshop focused on the Traditions and Concepts of AA with an emphasis on applying them to our daily lives.
Total time across all 4 files is 3.4 hours.( 71 MB )Barbara shares from her Al-Anon perspective her experience of how the Traditions and Concepts became a central part of her marriage. Speaks to the different types of relationships we each have. Al-Anon helped teach her to think in a different way. Shares her 12 Steps Before Al-Anon. Hopes to dispel some of the fear AAs can have of Al-Anon. Speaks to Acceptance without judgement. Shares her "toilet seat" story. She explains the 3-P's of not forgiving: Protection, Power and Punishment. Learned to live life anticipating God's Gift for today.
( 46 min) ( 15.9 MB)(Item #2 of 4)Al-Anon, Female, Workshop, Traditions(10/08/2011)
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La Jolla, CA
A favorite among the local AA's. A TV anchor who could not stay off the booze. Try coming into work and when they ask "How are you doing?" and you can't say "I have feelings of inadequacy." because they will ask "Why?" and you don't know. He thought he could keep his wife from leaving by threatening to keep the six kids and she said "Ok." and left. Fun talk.
( 1 hr 20 min) ( 36.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/15/2011)
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Various
The panel consists of a Chair and four speakers. Todd of Forrest City, NC (sober date: 7/7/2002). Tony (sober date: 11/11/2007). Patricia D, Rocky Mount, NC (sober date: 1/13/2011). Soteros C (Tony) (sober date: 1995). Each speaker spent time ion corrections with Soteros sentenced to 50 years. They share how AA reached them inside the walls.
( 42 min) ( 19.5 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(06/13/2012)
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Sperryville, VA
Sober since 9/25/1977, Ben is best known for portraying Cooter on the TV show Dukes of Hazard and as a two term Georgia Congressman winning elections in 1988 and 1990. All of this he did as a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Only a year before he began his role as Cooter, he awoke with the DTs all alone under a wicker sofa in his Atlanta home - wife gone and out of money. He remembered just the look in the eye of an old drinking buddy whom he sensed had quit. He called the friend who helped him detox at the NABA Club in Atlanta. He has never had a drink sense. An excellent talk about the power tapped into through the program.
( 55 min) ( 19.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/30/2014)
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New York, NY
Sober since 1951 and working as a GSO Staff member in New York and speaking to the Georgia State Service Assembly. The recording quality is very good.
This recording is part of the GSSA Archives collection. (GSSA#RR0065)
( 34 min) ( 16 MB)AA, Female, Story, Historical(09/27/2014)
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Brecksville, OH
Funny, informative and passionate: Beth told her sponsor she can't wait to get "there", who said, "You will never get 'there'. Its a journey". Beth is a housewife who hid her wine hanging out the window in a bottle on a rope and in the douche bag. Her dad was murdered in a speak-easy when she was a child. Beth comes from a long line of alcoholics but is one because she picked up the first drink. They call this a lonely sickness. After she came to the program her sponsor went with her on a very funny 12 step call. Our job his giving Hope to the new comer.
I once handed this talk to a new woman at my home group. She looked at the CD and said "Brecksville is my home town. Beth is my sponsor." Turns out she was 19+ years sober, considering relocating and looking for a home group. We both considered it another God-shot.
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 34.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/15/2011)
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Cary, NC
Beth is the author of the story in the Big Book "Empty on the Inside" - 4th Edition Page 512. Sober since 6/6/1988, she is a lively speaker with a good message.
( 58 min) ( 26.6 MB)AA, Female, Story, Author(06/12/2012)
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Lewisville, TX
She is a thousand miles from home but the smiles and the love is the same. Married 35 years and her husband was with her at the conference. Born in Chicago, IL to a poor family where her dad was alcoholic and her mother struggled with his disease. Many other family members died or are dying of the disease. Developed a characteristic reaction to alcoholism long before she met her husband. Beverly became the kind of wife and mother she hoped she never would. Tried to make her sister look small so that she would look better. Her grandmother was the good role model in her life. Was attracted to her husband because his life was exciting like a soap opera. Her dad liked him but not her mom. She had many warnings but ignored them all. But he did something for her self-esteem. Later, the outsides looked like they were doing well but alcohol was rampant. Her husband came into AA in 1980, is still sober, and shortly after she realized her son was alcoholic. Then she looked for an answer to what was going on in her house. Her oldest son got and stayed sober in 1981. Then her younger son moved out and the all dealt with his disease for several years.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 14.3 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/04/2011)
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Chattsworth, CA
Lively speaker. Recovered but not cured. We have solved our drink problem on a daily basis. Loves the Big Book. Still a party girl. Black-out drinker, pregnant and married in that order by 16. Got divorced and bought a liquor store. Always blamed others but the trouble was in the glass. Describes in detail how she went through the steps.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 30.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/15/2011)
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Ft Worth, TX
A truly delightful talk, Beverly knows how to have fun in Al-Anon since she joined in April 1977. A Ft. Worth native, she is a depression baby whose father was an oil executive. Her alcoholic grew up near her in Ft. Worth. She met him before her puberty. Shortly after, she met her husband and stalked him from the start. She got him which is why she is up there talking. He was several years older than her and a B17 pilot flying in the Gulf - drinking alot. She went to the library to get a book on sex published in 1917 that she studied for four years in preparation and brought it out on her honeymoon to show him how it was to be done. She describes his kamikaze drinking toward the end. She spent many years trying to teach him how to drink. She would follow him in her VW and ram his station wagon if she saw him heading to the bar - it gave her great joy. From a book, she became convinced he had developed mental retardation. Her husband came in April of 1976. She insisted on trying to join AA rather than Al-anon. The women in AA kept her out of AA for one year until she was ready for Al-anon.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 24.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/04/2013)
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Atlanta, GA
Bill A. F. , sobriety date unknown, speaking at Area 16's January Georgia State Service Assembly (GSSA) is a soft spoken old timer. He went to the hospital five times in nine weeks before sobering up in Florence, SC at the State Sponsored Palmetto Center run by a doctor who himself got sober in AA. After a long talk with the doctor, Bill went back to his room and concluded, "There must be a better way." A close doctor friend had previously diagnosed him as "hopeless alcoholic". He is now relieved to find out he was just an alcoholic.
From the GSSA Archives.
The standard links on this page have the start and end of the meeting removed.
For a full version of the session listen or download directly:
Single MP3: GSSA January 1970 Saturday Night Speaker Meeting - Bill A. F.
Tracks in Zip Format: GSSA January 1970 Saturday Night Speaker Meeting - Bill A. F.
( 46 min) ( 21.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(10/14/2014)
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New York, NY
Worked in the PSI section of the General Service Office (GSO) in New York. The scheduled speaker for the day did not show. Gives a brief overview of the GSO and the roles played then shares his experience, strength and hope. Grew up in a fairly normal family in Canada. Hockey player, coaches kid. Came of age in the late 60's. Started getting loaded at 12. Used most substances known to man, animal and model airplane. Drinking solved his drug problem. Too intelligent to go to the University. Became traveling salesman. In 1984 his brother came into AA first. Had material success in AA.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 28.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/15/2011)
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Rodondo Beach, CA
Grew up in AA but doesn't advise it. Dad has 45 years in AA and mom near the same in Al-Anon. Got drunk and blacked out the first time he drank at 14. Mom and dad open the bathroom door to see him sitting on the toilet with a trash can between his legs. Mom aghast and dad laughing hysterically both saying in their own way, "Oh my God, it begins." Many mental institutions, psychiatrists and failed marriages later, he hit bottom. In the last institution they made him where a cardboard sign around his neck that read, "I am not a counselor." AA is not therapy. It is not a self-help program. I can identify with the message but the solution lays in the realm of the spirit. "If I drink hard enough and long enough, and hard enough I will lose my soul." Identifies with the story of Bill W. and Ebby T. (with some historical inaccuracies). Walks through the steps as he took them. Works on his character defects by making amends. I am you. We are all the same. The 12th step is why we are all here. The Oxford group called it "Individual Evangelism". That is what we done one at a time. God send us here sober. We learn how to live that way in AA. Want to know how? Come and ask.
( 57 min) ( 13.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/24/2011)
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Nutley, NJ
Bill G is the author of the Big Book story (p. 499 in 2nd edition.) "There Is Nothing The Matter With Me".
"That's what the man said as he hocked his shoes for the price of two bottles of Sneaky Pete. He drank bayzo, canned heat, and shoe polish. He did a phony routine in A.A. for a while. And then he got hold of the real thing." Bill got sober in 1945. He went to Bellvue Hospital over 30 times. (See Silkworth.net for his biography.)
(06/13/2012)
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Roswell, GA
Bill tells this updated version of his story to his home town crowd. He has been very active in leading the group that puts on the Atlanta Men's Workshop in Rock Eagle Park in Georgia twice each year. He is an example of love and service in action. There is a 1993 talk he did in Canada on this site as well.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 24.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(11/29/2012)
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Roswell, GA
The Wind Beneath My Wings: Bill has been a leader in the Atlanta AA community for years. He has been a key to the success of the Atlanta Mens Workshop held twice each year east of Atlanta at Rock Eagle, GA. As well as speaking at large roundups around the US and Canada, Bill shared his experience, strength and hope at a meeting I attend of 20 inmates at the Cobb County Jail. He truly walks the talk.
Bill accidentally shot his best friend while at college. Shortly after he was miraculously rescued during a suicide attempt. Bill had a long career in broadcasting. This is a story of a family disease and becoming a father again through taking the actions suggested in the Big Book.
( 57 min) ( 26.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/15/2011)
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Bedford Hills, NY
The Birth and Publication of the Big Book as remembered by its principle author: This is a wire recording of Bill Wilson speaking to a gathering in South Carolina in 1951. It is not as well known as the talk done on the same topic in 1954 in Ft. Worth TX. There are aspects of the story covered here that were not included in the talk in Ft. Worth. A wire recording uses a magnetized spool of metal thread and served as the recoding media on one of the earliest Dictaphones. Another historic figure - George Hood of Detroit - used wire recordings to capture Anne and Dr. Bob as well as to send updates to Bill Wilson about George's business trips around the country. On these trips he went to many AA functions. During the 1940's this was likely a key source of information convincing Bill of the need for the Traditions. One of his recordings will be uploaded soon to WeJoy.
( 59 min) ( 20.4 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/21/2013)
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Bedford Hills, NY
At the First International Convention of AA in Cleveland OH in 1950, the organization began a five year experiment designed to turn the reins over from the Founders to the Membership via the General Service Conference. At the time of this talk the Board of Trustees was still known as the Alcoholic Foundation. The Membership had not yet met as a Conference. The Twelve Traditions had only been in effect for seven months. Dr. Bob had been dead only three months. The Concepts were not to be adopted until 1962.
Bill states in this talk that 1951 may be seen as one of the Turning Points in the History of AA. Here he delivers, for possibly one of the first times, his often repeated theme talk on The Cathedral of the Spirit.
( 1 hr 23 min) ( 28.6 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/21/2013)
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Bedford Hills, NY
A little over two years before his death, AA's in New York gathered to celebrate the 34th Anniversary of Bill Wilson's sobriety (12/12/1934 - 1968). They start the meeting having Bill light a candle and passing it to the front table. From there it is passed around to all the other tables as a symbol of how AA had spread over those 34 years. Lois speaks for two minutes and then Bill delivers a talk that is a little out of the ordinary in its local focus. Many in the audience had heard his standard pitch. Here Bill mixes it up a bit for the hometown crowd.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 21.4 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/21/2013)
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Bedford Hills, NY
In this talk, the only recording of it's kind that I have heard, Bill sits around a table with an unknown number of people in Atlanta (this location is not 100% certain) . His topic is Spirituality. He does talk a good bit about his personal story. That part is very familiar from his other talks. What is unique is the Question and Answer style at the end. The talk ends with a reference to using B3 (Niacin) to help sober up a drunk - a rare reference to one of his great passions toward the end of his life. I was told by Bill B. that money was left in his will to go to a woman in a nearby town who shared this passion.
( 42 min) ( 9.7 MB)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(07/31/2013)
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Bedford Hills, NY
From the Area 16 (GA) archives - Reel to Reel. Recorded originally by Paul L (AFG) of Louisville KY. Intro by Paul included on this recording. I do not know if this recording is anywhere else on the net. Paul indicates he was the only one recording at the event. 19 years after Bill and Bob met, this talk covers the events of that meeting in some detail. Bill says he met Henrietta on Mother's Day but it was Saturday the day before. Also he tells the story of Dr. Bob and the potted plant and Bob being under the table. Smitty (Dr, Bob's son) says that part never happened. They always helped the good doctor upstairs to his room where he would pass out. Smitty said it took he and his sister both to get Bob to bed. Nell Wing and Ruth Hock (Bill's secretaries at different times) commented on how Bill did not bother too much with the accuracy of dates or numbers. This is a very good addition to the collection of Bill's talks and adds some details not easily found elsewhere. (From a reel-to-reel stored at the Area 16 Georgia Archives)
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 17.6 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical, Author(11/28/2013)
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Bedford Hills, NY
Speaking to an Al-Anon meeting, Bill speaks about the traditions and how to balance living in the past the present and the now. He addresses some concerns he has for the future of AA. He seems tired in this recording.
Although the taper indicates this might be the last long talk Bill made, there was another (Bill's birthday 1968) that was longer and later. The taper also refers to another recording on the same reel of Bill in Akron 1954.
Taken from a Reel-to-reel in the Area 16 (GA) Archives December 2013.
( 28 min) ( 6.4 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(12/08/2013)
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Bedford Hills, NY
How the Big Book Was Written
This well-known talk took place in Fort Worth, Texas in 1954. The occasion was the 9th annual Texas State Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous, which was held in the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth June 11-13, 1954. Bill spoke Saturday evening, June 12, after the banquet. Were not sure how many attended the event, but normally the Texas State Conference in the 1950s drew at least a thousand people. With Bill scheduled to speak it may have been considerably more. Both the mayor of Fort Worth, Edgar Deen, and the governor of Texas, Allan Shivers, sent letters welcoming Alcoholics Anonymous which were printed in the program.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 25.3 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(03/07/2011)
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Bedford Hills, NY
Back home in Vermont, Bill W., co-founder of AA, reflects much more on his childhood than in any other talk. Discusses looking out his window at a mountain and dreaming. Gives details of the boomerang episode and always needing to be #1.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 22.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(09/15/2011)
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Las Vegas, NV
Billy believes that "If I take care of myself God will take care of the rest". Alcohol did something "for" him not necessarily to "him". With just an 8th grade education he is articulate in easy to understand manner. Once he took a drink one thing always happened...he took another. He joined the Navy to see the world and got drunk. He drank cheap. Arrested 11 times in the Navy. One of the last things he did in the Navy was miss the boat when it left Japan. Once I take a drink all bets are off. He skips around in an interesting way.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 21.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/16/2013)
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West Blockton, AL
Wonderful talk. Started the Al-Anon journey 27 years earlier on 9/4/1982. First exposed to Al-Anon months earlier when he was directed to the Alanon meeting when he and his wife Shirley (sober since 7/29/1982) went to a closed AA meeting. There were 23 women and one man in the Al-Anon meeting. He said to the man "I am glad your here" but the man said he was moving in the morning to Florida. He was raised in Al-Anon by old timers and was taught the history of our fellowships. The first meetings were family meetings because this is a family disease. Had to learn how to accept and give hugs. Learned unconditional love when he learned of God's unconditional love.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 17.7 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(09/27/2011)
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West Blockton, AL
Bo's talk at the 1986 GA Pre-Pay was taped as was his daughter's. The recordings were heard by others and they both began to be asked to speak all over the world. Alateen raised his daughter and made her the person she is today. Tells how he used the steps to manage is life. His son Mike was killed at 20 years and 6 months old. The last words he heard him speak were "I love you dad." The people of the programs surrounded the family. "There is a power in our way of life that my simple mind is not capable of comprehending."
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 17.8 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(09/27/2011)
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Minneapolis, MN
Family Afterward
Bob is in AA. Linda is in Al-Anon. This Workshop covers using the Steps in relationships. Bob became wealthy then lost it all while in the program and stayed sober. This is not about what the circumstances do to our lives but how both programs help us to stay connect with God and those about us regardless of life's ups and downs.
Total time across all 2 files is 2.8 hours.( 38 MB )Intro through Bob's 2nd Spiritual Awakening at eight years sober.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 17.5 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Workshop, Steps(09/13/2011)
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Minneapolis, MN
NOTE: Drop the final track (9b) before sending to the CD burner or it will not fit. No real content is lost.
( 1 hr 31 min) ( 20.9 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Workshop, Steps(09/13/2011)
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St. Paul, MN
The Woodstock format was introduced by Bob D. of Las Vegas, NV some years back. Well known and loved speakers with long term sobriety share their experience with a focus on 1 to 3 steps each. The order of the presenters is determined by the step(s) each will focus upon. It becomes a cross between a step and a pure speaker meeting. The result of those I have attended is magical.
Total time across all 8 files is 8 hours.( 151 MB )Covering Step 3, Bob B. got sober in the 60's while still in his 20's. He has many successes and some of what Bill W. called "colossal human failures". Through this he has continually needed to turn to God as he understands him to discover how to live in the care of God as he understands Him.
( 58 min) ( 20.2 MB)(Item #2 of 8)AA, Male, Steps(06/15/2014)
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Los Angeles, CA
Sober since January 1964, Bob was once a sheriff's deputy in his home town like his dad. His dad died young of this disease. Bob lost his badge in a blackout chasing his wife around town with a loaded .38. He eventually was living in an abandon car - his own - and homeless until he found the rooms of AA. Bob lost his wife of 46 years shortly before this talk. Very touching and funny.
( 56 min) ( 25.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(12/01/2011)
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Riverside, CA
29 years in Al-Anon, Bob came in before his wife's sobriety and found that he could find peace of mind rather she was drinking or not. He came in with 22 years of marriage with nothing left - he hated and loathed her with no respect or trust on either side. A healing has taken place over the years and were married 51 years at the time of this talk. His wife has been his best teacher. Today his life is so complete that when she is away he does not miss her because he is enough on his own right here right now. He stayed in the marriage not because he was a noble person. He stayed because he was a coward that stemmed from events related to his parents divorce. He shares about how their son lived with AIDS for an additional 18 months at their home. He told his son that he did not understand his lifestyle but that did not mean he did not love him.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.3 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(07/18/2012)
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Kennesaw, GA
1st talk ever. 5 years sober. Great message of recovery.
( 47 min) ( 10.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/05/2011)
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Greenville, SC
Fast talker with a good sense of humor. Sponsored by Sterling W. of SC. Sober since 9/17/1983. Grew up feeling poor and not enough. Went to college to find a wife. Hooked up with one who grew up in an alcoholic family. Sick people attract sick people. Became an habitual lier. Had people believing he played professional football. It was always "when" and "then". "When" I get this "then" I'll be happy. Wife was an enabler. Drank rather than be with his Mom on her death bed. Reached a point of loneliness such as few know. Realized one night he needed help. At 44 years old he went to Peachford Hospital in Atlanta and had one of the most wonderful experiences in his life. He was taught about God. Became Grateful.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 14.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/18/2011)
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Phoenix, AZ
Dad was a drunk and died drunk. Supper was the biggest problem - 98% of the battle at an alcoholic home. Left home around 12. Went to Catholic school and then the Marines. Not well emotionally or spiritually. Came home to marry one of the first girls he met back home. She was a cheap date and liked to drink wine. She got pregnant and they married in the 50's. They tried many geographic cures - lots of role playing. Got to the point he wanted to die. Wife went to AA and they did for her what he could not. Then he was introduced to Al-anon and felt overwhelming love for the first time. Shares how he took the steps to recovery.
( 51 min) ( 23.4 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(09/13/2011)
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Centennial, CO
Bob got sober in the 1970's. He was from a broken home and foster parents. He is soft spoken with a message that is indeed experience, strength and hope. He was a Forward Observer for the Navy in Beirut and a bill collector in the Chicago Projects yet he discovered fear was a larger part of his life than he knew. He describes going thoroughly through the steps in a group some years ago. Today all but one of those men are still alive and sober. One froze to death in the winter on the streets of Denver. This recording is highly recommendable.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 32.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/27/2013)
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Littleton, CO
A mild mannered speaker with a powerful message. Bob was a spotter for the Navy on the ground in Beirut around the time 299 marines and French servicemen were were killed there in a bomb blast. He later was a bill collector on the south side of Chicago. He drank until he reached bottom and then experienced DT's and hallucinations. He never knew fear until his sponsor pointed out how it had been a driving part of his life. Part of a strong program in the Denver Area.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 17.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/27/2011)
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Greenwich, CT
Author of the Big Book Story "AA Taught Him To Handle Sobriety" (p. 554 3rd edition, p. 553 4th edition.) Bob speaks on this recording to a group of New Yorkers who have seen him in action in service. According to Silkworth.net, "Bob has served A.A. in many ways. He worked for G.S.O. for twelve and a half years. He was a director and trustee of the General Service Board for six years and office general manager for a decade." During the 1986 General Service Conference, Bob gave a powerful and inspiring closing talk to the conference at the closing brunch on Saturday morning, April 26.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 28.9 MB)AA, Male, Story, Author(06/13/2012)
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Phoenix, AZ
Funny and touching. She stayed in AA even she thought she could not make it. Grew up in a small town in New England. Her mom married her dad for potential - no outward signs of love. Grew up in fear and loneliness. Lived in a fairy tale waiting for her prince. Discovered her mom's booze at 15 and blacked out from the beginning. Got pregnant in late 1950's as result of a marine party and got married angry. Tried many geographic moves. Became more and more depressed and suicidal and went to live near Daddy but mom became her drinking buddy. A year later Daddy and Grandaddy died suddenly. Her doctor prescribed pills that became a way of life for 14 years. Has 3 years with no recall. Became a foster mother during her illness. Called a hotline after failed suicide and went to treatment, withdrawal and near complete loss of memory. But she still had hope.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 28 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/15/2011)
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Polk City, FL
Soft spoken - insightful. If not born an alcoholic, when she took her first drink, an alcoholic was born. Married and divorced the first person she drank with. Drank whenever available. In California in the 60's and kept meeting 'who's next'. Remarried a navy troop transport man who was often gone. He got shore duty and she left to something new - a Hell's Angel. She drank less but went to prison for two years for heroin. Went to one AA meeting there. Her Angel got long prison sentence so she moved in with daddy. Came of age when locked up. Married a nice man who worked, paid bills but drank like she did. Had a daughter but he got tired of wrecked cars and she left. Could not take care of her daughter and she let her go to her father. Had 4 DUI's in CA, 3 in GA another in AL so changed names regularly. Went to truck driving school under fake name. This was the answer - could always go somewhere else.Had no skills for living except finding who's next. Married an abusive career criminal truck driver she drove with who hated drinking. She had the idea nice girls get married. He is now in prison. He nearly beat her to death once but, being sober, they believed him at first. He fled. December 1985, she drove off a cliff near a lake, trapped, she made a deal with God. Stopped drinking but took five years to come to AA using pills. Finally came to AA 11 years ago (1990) incoherent, at the the end of her rope. Her sponsor and others taught her how to be appropriate inside and outside - putting the principles in action on a daily basis. They showed her what they did and what they got.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 28.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/16/2011)
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Wayzata, MN
Sober 18 years since 1/11/1980. " To whom much is given, much is expected." Her husband has had the same sponsor for 25 years. Tends to jump around in telling her story between sobriety and drinking. Grew up in a small town of 500 in NW Iowa. Her parents owned a bar. There was something magical about that bar. Started drinking at 14 and took her last drink at 22. Never wanted to be where she was, in her own skin. Today she is OK wherever she is. Went to college and got into radio broadcasting when there were few women in the industry. Did well for a while but at 22 got laid off for being a wonderful worker who didn't show up very often. Met her husband when she answered a help wanted Ad for someone to look after his kids. Did well for a time but decided to go out drinking on Tuesday and woke up Friday in a motel room after a blackout. She was done. When she called him, he said "Come back. You still have a job and I know where you ca get some help." She then found out he was sober in AA for 5 years. She came back to work on Saturday and has been sober since. Many little stories of living and loving in sobriety.
( 53 min) ( 12.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/26/2011)
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Stillwater, MN
Rich in content. Came in as a young person in AA in November of 1999 at 19 year old and has never had a drink since. Relates an ironic story of how Da Vinci found the models for the painting "Last Supper". There is a bit of good in the worst of it and a bit of bad in the best of us. He is a product of the "educational variety". The newcomer cannot always see the profound changes in their lives. Lots of opportunity for education living in Europe when his dad got a job there. Got into soccer there and was the youngest player on the team when they moved back to the USA. Just drank gin. Beer is a waste of time though his first drink was a beer in Germany. Started getting drunk every night. Started attending college in Denver in September of 1998 and came into the rooms in November of 1999 fully qualified. It can happen that fast. Could not related at first to anything but "don't drink tonight and come back tomorrow." They became his higher power. Speaks at length about getting sober in the program.
( 49 min) ( 11.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/28/2011)
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New York, NY
Lively, funny speaker. Merchant Seaman from the Upper East Side of NY. Started drinking at 13. Was taught that as long as a man worked, he could drink, beat the wife, beat the kids. Story of his life was one shrug after another. Came into AA at 38 looking like the Wolfman. All his life he'd left an oil slick a mile wide behind him. Came into 38. Had been slipping in and out of impotency for years as a result of his drinking. Some suggested 90 meetings in 90 days, read the book and get a sponsor. When asked where they got the 90 and 90, nobody knew but the old timers said that for him it might be a good idea. Says it takes that long to learn the AA lingo - lots of paradoxes.
( 53 min) ( 12.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/28/2011)
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Portland, ME
Funny talk. A 5' 1" ex-bank-robber who had trouble keeping his anonymity. Got sober 3/6/1993 in Tucson Arizona. Home group Camden, ME. Loves and is grateful for AA's immense power. Grew up in Stockton, CA. Mom was great but an alcoholic beer can collector. Brian always felt different. Started drinking regularly at home at 10 or 12 years old. At 18 (1980) decided not to go to college and moved in with fellow drinkers. Drugs at 21. House painter. Financial trouble beyond control - dealing. Decided on suicide using friend's car exhaust parked in desert - but the desire to live won. Made a casual decision to rob a bank to solve his problems - asked only for $50. Bought a 12 pack and robbed another across town for alot more money the same day. Went to work next day. Six months later out of money, robs another. Didn't think he would get caught. FBI arrested him at home. He felt relieved. Robbed another bank while on bond waiting for trial. Five years eight months in prison. Drank there and did nothing to better himself. On parole, violated eight months later because he started drinking at a high school reunion. On the run but at the same job, he was rearrested. Mom sent him a letter "I love you so much that I am not going to watch you die." AA has repaired that relationship. Learned unconditional love when his own daughter was born. Spent another year in prison. Started drinking three days out of prison. Parole officer was AA member and ordered him to go to AA at 29 years old. More scared of AA than prison and they saved his life. For last nine years Brian works for a big marketing firm as a sales rep. Ironically, has a big bank as a customer. Is the Area 28 Corrections Chair.
( 50 min) ( 23.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/16/2011)
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Milledgeville, GA
Sober since 12/2/1983, Brookins is a past Delegate of Area 16 (Georgia) and a solid member of AA. In Dick A's introduction of Brookins he said how just that evening he spoke with another member who was in middle Georgia recently. She needed a meeting and called the local AA hot line. It was Brookins that came out to pick her up and take her to a meeting. Brookins wife Sara Jane B., past Georgia Delegate for Al-anon was also at the event. Watching her expressions while he spoke added a great deal what was already a great talk. Her talk in Cartersville, GA 2011 is also on this site.
( 49 min) ( 17.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/19/2013)
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Atlanta, GA
Bruce shares how his story and how he sees his past has changed over the years . Drink and drug free since 7/1/1984, he did not really get the program until 1999. He chose 11/23/1999 as his sobriety date because he came in, kicked out of his house, with his life in shambles. His journey has taught him much about living in harmony rather than isolation. You will enjoy getting to know Bruce.
( 43 min) ( 15.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(05/03/2014)
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Akron, OH
Sober since October 1945, Bruce was a lawyer who Dr. Bob spent two hours trying to help around 1943. Bruce thought Bob was a sad case and if he ever got as bad as him he might join AA. Two years later it was bad enough. Bruce was a Class-B Trustee on the General Service Board. His slow deliberate delivery is typical of speaking styles of the time. His story is sometimes humorous, informative and filled with twists and turns.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 15.8 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(06/07/2014)
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Louisville, KY
Funny speaker. Medical doctor. Talks at many round-ups. AA is a wonderful program composed of some of the sickest and wonderful people on earth. Bill W. said, "AA is the common property of all mankind." Sober 20 years since 12/1/1977. Speaks to the ones still suffering regardless of time in the program. Put one of his early role models in the hospital last week - she was secretly drinking. Don't graduate but do get deluded. Trip over pebbles more than boulders. Came in during the best of times and worst of times of AA in Louisville. Fellowship was in lock step 24 hours a day but recovery was not based on the Big Book. Lived 10 years on three and a half steps - 1,2,3 and half of 12. Found roommate hanging in the closet and wondered, "Who am I going to play ping-pong with?" Stopped drinking for 8 years using pills. Then drank a quart every night but none during the day. When we come in we do not need to define God or figure out the Will of God. Lucky in first 2 years if we remember where we parked our car . Its called post acute recovery syndrome. Only non-habit forming drug is the one that came out today. When he came in he was finished. Remember - God Is Love.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 35.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/16/2011)
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Manhattan Beach, CA
Married to Larceen G, a favorite speaker of Al-Anon, Butch has a delightful story in his own right. It is truly a family disease.
( 37 min) ( 8.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/12/2011)
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Statesboro, GA
Funny talk. Sober 43 years since 10/21/1957 . Grew up on a one horse farm in Georgia. Four relatives committed suicide because of shame drinking brought to the family. Raised in a hard shell Primitive Baptist Church. Worked at learning how to drink and do all the things the church told him would send him to hell. Finished law school and got married in 1941. Joined the Army Air Corps at the start of WWII. Became a fighter pilot. After war became adjudicator for veterans Administration. Drinking was not a problem. Checked out in jets in 1948 as a Captain in the Reserves. Drank when he flew. Active duty Korea 1950. Started drinking every day, flying and bombing. Came home full-blown drunk. Son born while in Korea. Back to work for Federal Government. Wife divorced him. Was put in jail for child support. His daddy took him back to his ex-wife and paid her to remarry him because she was the only one mean enough to handle him. Started drinking again. Wanted out. Checked into treatment in Atlanta. Wife filed for a second divorce. Got a job cutting grass. A women got AA started in Statesboro and he started to go. Stopped cheating, lying and stealing. Wife took him back. 68 meeting a week in Statesboro - more AA per capita than any place in AA. Has a son in AA.
( 43 min) ( 19.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/16/2011)
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Hollywood, CA
Sober since 6/23/1983, Cahuenga gives a strong and funny talk at this International Women's Conference. Born in LA to two hard working parents, dad Swedish and mother native american, and two perfect sisters. She would rather move stuff around that vacuum. She had her first drink when she was 16. She was given a break at 23 to get in the music business and get out of a factory job. She was successful and made lots of money and left her family behind. She even created a new identity to cover where she came from. Meanwhile she was picking up strange men at bars, leaving them in the parking lot and coming home to a husband she hoped would not notice. When she came into the rooms she had 76 cents, living in her car on Venice Beach for 7 months and needing something to eat.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 50.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/12/2012)
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Denton, TX
Insightful. Twenty years in the program. Two home groups because two homes - TX and FL. Closer to fellow Al-anon members than with many in her family. AA gave her her husband back. She came into Al-anon for all the wrong reasons - treatment person said it would help her husband. Did not feel she needed it at first. Now knows Al-anons understand in a way nobody else can. Grew up in small town in TX - dad owned a drug store. He self prescribed for his pain. Caused problems in the family. There was drinking. Drawn to alcoholics long before she married one. Married service man at 20. Got a teaching job. Quit working when had 4 children in 7 years. Learned early to look at life the way she wanted it to be not the way it was. Had alot of good years. Later, the family looked perfect but was falling apart on the inside. Had spiritual awakening in a Bible study - believes God was preparing her. Went back to teaching after 23 years at home. Could have lived with alcoholism but not all the other things that went with it. Staged an intervention that worked. Never stopped loving him. Keeps getting better every year.
( 43 min) ( 19.9 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/18/2011)
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Marietta, GA
A powerful story and great message - Catherine got sober in January 2000.The youngest of seven in a Catholic family, she says she was not the "baby" of the family. Her dad traveled and her mom was alcoholic so she had to take on responsibilities early in life. Her dad was abusive when he was home. Catherine realizes today that her parents gave her everything she needed to be successful and that she is alcoholic because she is alcoholic. Her older brothers introduced her to alcohol at an early age.
She was put in a Catholic private school that probably saved her life. She got into running early. She compartmentalized her life. She drank during the summers but during the track season substituted the obsessive running program for obsessive drinking.
She went to therapy to deal with childhood issues and came first to Al-anon. She even drank at Al-anon meetings. She came into AA when she was finally ready. Her family likes to talk about movies when they get together but when she really needs help she calls AA.
Her husband abandoned her in her first year in the program - pregnant. She nearly died from complications spending the last three months of pregnancy in the hospital. Her family could not be there but AA showed up. Ladies stayed overnight. It took her years to recover physically. The week before this talk she ran her 1st marathon ever - the Marine Marathon in D.C. - 26.2 miles with the last 0.2 up a steep hill to the famous marine monument. Now she looks forward to the next thing she gets to do as a result of this program.
( 43 min) ( 14.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(11/02/2013)
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Penrose, NC
Sober since 4/28/2000, Cathy describes herself as a total redneck. She has quite a few white chips. Is an emergency room nurse who became a nurse while sober, got away from the program then went back out before coming back in 2000. Very strong story.
( 50 min) ( 23.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(12/01/2011)
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Prince Albert, SK
Cec C, sobriety date 1/23/1952, was 18 years sober at the time of this talk. He is a well loved speaker in AA.
He started drinking at 16 and drank for 11 years.
From the GSSA Archives.
The standard links on this page have the start and end of the meeting removed.
For a full version of the session listen or download directly:
Single MP3: Cec C. of Prince Albert SK at Atlanta GA 1970 - Full Version
Tracks in Zip Format: Cec C. of Prince Albert SK at Atlanta GA 1970 - Full Version
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 32.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(10/14/2014)
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Savannah, GA
Funny story about treatment, gowns, slippers and rubber gloves. Also shares how, with the Grace of God, he turned his life story of a mother who left him with his dad at 8 months old, Vietnam and self-destruction into recovery, strength and hope.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 31.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/24/2011)
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Venice, CA
Wife of Clancy I, probably the most recorded speaker in AA history, Charlotte speaks of her own genuine need for the Al-Anon program and what it was like living with Clancy before and after full sobriety.
( 46 min) ( 10.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(01/26/2014)
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Jersey City, NJ
Sober 11 years since 6/1/1977 and speaking to a crowd of over 5,000, Cheryl is an alcoholic and an employee of GSO in NY. Born and raised north of Boston in a home with an alcoholic "wild hellion" mom and a father from a strict upbringing. The "ism" came before she started drinking. Only had faith in things she could see and hold. She rebelled from the Catholic School and ran away from home at 19 to Boston without leaving even a note. Started blackout drinking immediately. Alcohol was her answer for the next 13 years working for a major airline. The alcoholic is cunning and baffling not the alcohol. Had a responsible job and carried on like a 2 year old. Her mother came into AA first and Cheryl followed some months afterward. In AA she found a higher power and the healing power of forgiveness.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 21.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/28/2011)
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Ferndale, MI
Sober since 1958, Chief of Ottawa and Chippewa Nation, he says he knew Bill Wilson for six years. He has found that God always come through in the end. His wife asked, "Why does he always wait til the last minute?" He died August 6, 2013 with 54 years in AA. Funny and lively. Enjoy!
( 44 min) ( 10.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/24/2014)
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Malewa, Oahu
This is a delightful talk. A native Hawaiian, Chrissy is second generation AA. Her parents got sober when she was six years old. A strong Tom-boy, she had her first drink at 14 years old. Her second drug of choice was "you" which is why her life was unmanageable. She mistakenly thought the "lives" being turned over to God in the third step were all hers. She hit bottom at 24 years old in what she called a make-believe marriage. She discovered her God has a middle name - Forgiveness. Taken from cassette, the recording starts with slight bass tone but later clears up during the most powerful parts of her sharing.
( 52 min) ( 8.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/18/2012)
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Columbus, GA
Christie is a trained nurse who got hooked on Percoset then alcohol. She is the mother of three daughters and wife of Dr. Jim M (AFG) whose talk is on WeJoy.org. All the children were exposed to the program earlier. Christie was in an out of the program many times before she got it. Her bottom was very low on the inside though it did not always look that way on the outside.
( 53 min) ( 12.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/26/2014)
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Laguna Beach, CA
Chuck and Elsa C-1964
Chuck is in AA. Elsa is in Al-Anon. Years after this event, Chuck did a weekend retreat n Pala Mesa, CA (1975). The transcript of these talks were published as A New Pair of Glasses. Here he and Elsa take turns speaking on various topics related to building and maintaining a healthy relationship.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.8 hours.( 25 MB )Chuck on his mom at 16.5 years sober as part of Q&A (part 2) through End
( 35 min) ( 8 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Story, Historical(09/13/2011)
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Laguna Beach, CA
Intro through Chuck and his mom at 16.5 years sober as part of Q&A.
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 17.3 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Story, Historical(09/13/2011)
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Laguna Beach, CA
Chuck C is one of the best known and loved members AA after Bill W and Dr. Bob. In this talk, he speaks a bit about his program before delivering a clear and concise explanation of the 12 steps as he applies them in his life. The book A New Pair of Glasses was taken nearly verbatim from a weekend retreat he led one year after this talk was given. This recording is of very good quality taken from an original tape.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 16.1 MB)AA, Male, Steps(03/12/2012)
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Laguna Beach, CA
This is one of the earliest recording of Chuck C in the WeJoy collection. It is called the "Prodigal Son". This is one of his favorite stories and is repeated many times in later years. It is classic Chuck, fairly lond and a reasonably good recording.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 26.2 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/21/2013)
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Laguna Beach, CA
Chuck was already scheduled to speak at this event. It was known that Bill Wilson was in the last days of his life. Bill died 1/26/71 and this occurred five day later. Chuck knew Bill well. Bill actually used Chuck as a kind of Life Counselor to help him with his depression. As Chuck tells it in this talk, Chuck went to Bill and said I can't fix you and shortly after that Bill came out of his depression. It was never to visit him again with the same force it had. There are some small inaccuracies in the story about Roland Hazard and Ebby as CHuck tells it but these are small matters when compared to the love, admiration and gratitude these men had for each other that flows so freely in this talk.
( 56 min) ( 12.8 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/22/2013)
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Laguna Beach, CA
Chuck is there in Michigan to help celebrate their 11th anniversary. Chuck says, "Any one of these events is pretty hard to celebrate because for any alcoholic to be sober for any length of time, he must have received a miracle. He is the product of a miracle and how are you going to celebrate a miracle?" This is classic Chuck C. The recording quality starts out a little weak but improves as it goes along. Created from cassette tape.
( 1 hr 26 min) ( 19.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/28/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Chuck says, "I look over 28 years of drinking and I can't find one place in my entire drinking career where I could honestly say that liquor added anything to my well being....I was out of good drinking time before Alcoholics Anonymous was even born." He calls himself a periodic, seriously dry between ever two drunks always thinking the next time is going to be different. It was different. It was worse. This is classic Chuck C. Share and enjoy!
( 1 hr 23 min) ( 19.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/29/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Classic Chuck, the recording quality is rather good though not perfect. This recording was taken from cassette. I could not find it listed anywhere else on the web. Share and enjoy.
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 17.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/01/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Chuck speaks with a special emphasis on why AA is not a self-improvement program. It is an excellent quality recording from a cassette. I could not find this talk on the internet though there are plenty of great talks by Chuck. I like the theme of this one especially as it points to what makes the form of sobriety experienced in AA unique.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 14.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/01/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
In 1975 at a retreat of 64 alcoholic men in Pala Mesa, CA, Chuck C. gave a series of talks that were to become an AA classic. Transcribed nearly word for word, the talk was published in book form and called A New Pair of Glasses. There were seven segments in the series. Segments 5 and 6 are combined into one download in this set. Each download will fit easily on a standard CD-R.
Total time across all 6 files is 6.4 hours.( 133 MB )Part 1 of 7-"The Problem" - "Now I am convinced in my own mind, totally and completely convinced from my toenails to the top of my longest hair, that there's only one problem in this life. One problem that includes all problems, and one answer that includes all answers. Now that's oversimplification, isn't it? One problem that includes all problems, and one answer that includes all answers. I am totally convinced that the only roadblock between me and you and me and my God is the human ego. The only roadblock there is. I further believe that the best definition you'll ever hear of the human ego is, "The feeling of conscious separation from." The feeling of conscious separation from.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.7 MB)(Item #1 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(02/07/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Part 2 of 7 "The Golden Key" - "Now I'm accused, sometimes, of being a water walker. Some people think I'm overboard on the so-called spiritual. I am not. I just happen to know that there isn't anything else but spiritual. That's all there isthere ain't no more. So I'm naturally a little bit prone to that direction. But I have never heard a speaker, including myself, from the podium of Alcoholics Anonymous so strongly affirm that as does the book, "Alcoholics Anonymous."
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 23.5 MB)(Item #2 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(02/07/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Part 3 of 7 - "The Power of Truth" - "And practice these principles in all of our affairs." Step Ten says, we "continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it." Now I do not believe that this means that we go back through our lives and redo Step Four. I think this means that we look at our day. How closely are we living according to these principles today. How're we doing today. Step Ten has been very, very, very important to me because up until the time I got into this program there was no way that I could say, "I don't know." There was no way I could say, "I don't know" particularly in business. You don't say "I don't know" in business. They ask you anything and you answer! No way you could say, "I don't know." I'm quite sure that if you'd asked me to explain Einstein's theory, I'd have explained it. If you asked me how God created the earth I'd have told you and I very likely would have said, "Now on the third day, we did thus and so...." I couldn't say, "I don't know." I came to the program, and I learned by doing the things that the program told me to do, that the truth was the most powerful thing on earth."
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 22.3 MB)(Item #3 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(02/07/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Part 4 of 7 "Sobriety A Spiritual Rest" - "We have talked about the fact that ever since we grew up a little bit, we have had to reverse everything that we were conditioned to believe that was true about life in home, school, and church. And, of course, this includes getting out of our own way. Self-discovery. It includes surrender, even though we were conditioned to believe that surrender was for the weak. "Strong man wins, weak man surrenders." Thus we thought we had to run our own lives, we had to win the battle. But in this new way of life we have nothing to win, nothing to prove, and we're not going anyplace. Nothing to win, nothing to prove, and we're not going any place. I'm either going to run my life and take the consequences thereof, or I'm not going to run it and take the consequences thereof; one or the other of those things I must do. We cannot do both."
( 55 min) ( 19.1 MB)(Item #4 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(02/07/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Parts 5 & 6 of 7 "The Prodigal Son" - "One of the greatest things about getting older in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is the memories that build over the years. The memories, the tremendous experiences that we have, one with another, as we go along. I remember when we went to Toronto in '65 for the International up there. There was an old boy by the name of Frank M., from Edmonton. I'd met Frank a number of years before and I had a beautiful experience with him. I was hoping that Frank might be there, and he came. When I spotted him we immediately went for coffee, and we sat down there and talked. And I told him how I so wanted him to be there, and I said that all the way up here I was thinking, "Supposing five years ago, I had said to myself, 'I've done enough, I've done my stint. I'm going to take it easyI'm going to retire. Let the other guys have it, now. I've done my thing.' And I was so happy, coming up here, that I hadn't done that, because I feel that the last five years have been the greatest period of my own growth." And the tears came into ol' Frank's eyes, and he said, "I drove down here from Edmonton, and all the way down I was thanking God that I had remained active in Alcoholics Anonymous, because I felt that the last few years had been my greatest period of growth."
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 22.1 MB)(Item #5 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(02/07/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Parts 7 of 7: "Question and Answer" -
"Should we work with practicing alcoholics before we have taken all the steps ourselves?
In our sobriety, how do we deal with our emotions and the emotions of others we work with in the program?
What about sex after sobriety?
The answers to these questions and more like them on this session.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 22.9 MB)(Item #6 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(02/07/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Carbon Canyon Retreat
Twelve years before the retreat that resulted in the book A New Pair of Glasses, Chuck led a retreat outside Yorba Linda, CA at a place called Carbon Canyon. In some ways this set is more organized than the 1975 retreat.
After the intro on the first part, Chuck talks about the Business Phase in part 2 and the Home Phase in part 3 and into part4. The rest of part 4 and 5 are Question and Answer. Part 6 is Chuck's favorite Story - The Prodigal Son.
When I listened to The Prodigal Son this time it became clear how much the parable matches to pages 60-63 in the Big Book. When the son returns home he expects to become a servant. In the Big Book the actor becomes the agent, no longer on the stage but rather in the background helping make the show better for all involved.
Total time across all 6 files is 7.2 hours.( 148 MB )Intro, Chuck's Story and Surrender
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27.2 MB)(Item #1 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(01/25/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Business Phase
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27 MB)(Item #2 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(01/25/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Home Phase
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 26.8 MB)(Item #3 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(01/25/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Home Phase (part 2) and Question and Answer (past 1)
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27 MB)(Item #4 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(01/25/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Question and Answer (past 2)
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 25.6 MB)(Item #5 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(01/25/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Prodigal Son and Finale
( 42 min) ( 14.4 MB)(Item #6 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(01/25/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
The Steps: This is the only recording I have heard of Chuck going through the steps. As always, his talk is worth listening to several times to get the full impact of the message.
Note for burning the CD: The talk is longer than the 80 minute limit of a standard audio CD.
If you download the Tracks in zip format and leave off the 1st Track, the result is a good audio CD with all the major content included at less than 80 minutes.
(09/05/2011)
TRACKS
Superior, WI
Married to his qualifier Sandy L, Chuck is a soon to retire fork lift operator who explains what it was like to come into Al-Anon as a man and how he had to face the insanity of his own behavior. Who is the crazy one - the drunk running around the yard or the husband chasing her in his underwear?
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 24.6 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(03/16/2012)
TRACKS
Superior, WI
Chucks wife Sandy L. also is a delightful AA speaker.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.5 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(03/07/2011)
TRACKS
Atlanta, GA
Soft spoken with a good sense of humor, her husband has 16 years sobriety in AA. Her story is a love story of God's Grace. Her first Al-Anon meeting was 6/13/1988. Born to a very religious family that was not very spiritual. She has a similar thinking to the alcoholic but without the physical allergy. Her drug of choice from 8th grade was men. She was serially monogamous. She was dishonest if it meant she could get the guy. Lived and worked in New York dating heavy drinkers because they were fun. Drugs users scared her. The choices got worse and worse with stalking bordering on physical abuse. Cindy went to therapy and was directed to Al-Anon in Manhattan. She did not identify at first with their outsides but began to identify with their understanding of her misery. Fear ruled her life, isolated in her apartment. Attending meeting every day for two years before she raised her hand to speak. That is when her real recovery began. Did not get a sponsor for the first six years - not recommended. She then describes her path through the steps.
( 54 min) ( 18.8 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/10/2011)
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Billings, MT
Al-Anon member 24 years since 1/1/1983, her AA husband also speaks at conferences and roundups. Did not need Al-Anon in the beginning. She was there to help her husband in open AA meetings. Then they asked her to help an AA's wife get to the "other" meeting. Cindy took her first alcoholic at age 13, which is her current husband. She lied about her age. They were head over heels in love. She always lived in and around alcoholism. Her step-dad married her mom when her mom was 16. He did not want Cindy. Started life unwanted and isolated looking to be needed. Alcoholism totally destroys homes. In the rooms we find laughter, healing and love. Al-Anon made her the person she is today.
( 1 hr ) ( 20.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/10/2011)
TRACKS
Bessemer, AL
She came into the program at age 13 with a Serenity Date of September 4, 1982: A country girl with a big heart, she grew up with a kitchen alcoholic mother and crazy non-alcoholic father. She is an Al-anon who believes the 5th Tradition of Al-anon gives her permission to take the 12 steps through the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. A funny, moving and healthy story...enjoy.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 14.4 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(08/22/2014)
TRACKS
Venice, CA
Sober since 10/31/1957, Clancy is probably the most recorded speaker in AA. In this classic talk to members of the medical profession, Clancy describes alcoholism as "The Disease of Perception". He explains how medicine has ignored the disease in the past. He tells part of his story to illustrate his main point. He describes alcoholic emotions, dynamic memory, metaphysical insights and discolored perceptions. This is a great talk for the alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike. What is more amazing - Clancy is reasonably behaved and unoffensive.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 24.2 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(07/25/2012)
TRACKS
Venice, CA
Clancy I - HOW Place Steps
In this one talk burnable to two CD's, Clancy goes through the steps at a relatively small venue. This adds in some way to the intimacy of the talk and the ability to cover all the steps in classic Clancy style. Clancy got sober Halloween 1958.
Total time across all 2 files is 2.1 hours.( 57 MB )Intro and Steps 1 through 5
( 58 min) ( 26.6 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA, Male, Steps(06/15/2014)
TRACKS
Venice, CA
Steps 6 through Step 12 and finale
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 30.5 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA, Male, Steps(06/15/2014)
TRACKS
Venice, CA
The Woodstock format was introduced by Bob D. of Las Vegas, NV some years back. Well known and loved speakers with long term sobriety share their experience with a focus on 1 to 3 steps each. The order of the presenters is determined by the step(s) each will focus upon. It becomes a cross between a step and a pure speaker meeting. The result of those I have attended is magical.
Total time across all 8 files is 8 hours.( 151 MB )Covering Step 12, Clancy is known as a strong sponsor. He got sober 10/31/1958. He is probably the most recorded speaker in AA. Here he talks about his sponsor when he came in and what Bob did for him that he could not do for himself. Clancy is well loved for a reason. Under all that gruff exterior is a heart willing to go to any length necessary to help the still suffering alcoholic. The stories of him going out of his way on countless occasions are legendary. Clancy still runs the largest non-denominational shelter in the United States. AA lives through him and in him. Thank you Clancy for helping keep the flame of AA going strong for me when I needed it in my hour of deepest darkness.
( 53 min) ( 18.4 MB)(Item #7 of 8)AA, Male, Steps(06/15/2014)
TRACKS
Oceanside, CA
Cliff is the husband of Pat R. who also has a talk on this site. He is a strong member of AA with a great message. He has a very special story of forgiveness that involves his mother. Cliff is a favorite among the AA speakers.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 14.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/04/2011)
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Louisville, KY
Sober since 8/2/1985, the old timers told her when she was nervous that it was God trying to shake the truth out of her. She grew up in public housing in Louisville but in the 60's it was not as run down as it is now. Her parents and siblings are almost all admitted alcoholics. They say alcoholism runs in families but in her's it galloped. She learned alot of things fast on the street. She never felt enough - pretty enough, smart enough - and a hole inside that could never get full. She married several alcoholics. Had an affair with a judge and drank herself out of that job. She began to compromise every value she had. Went to work in a bar when "he" showed up and was married in two weeks. He was and alcoholic who had a wallet that took them into a horrible relationship. Her brother got sober in AA shorty before her dad died of the disease in 1982. It took her 3 more years to find sobriety.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 21.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/24/2012)
TRACKS
Leland, MS
A truly wonderful talk, Cora got sober in New York City in September 1957. Her husband was an Episcopal Clergyman and Chairman of the Department of Religion at New York University. She tells a delightful story of throwing a dinner party for the faculty while drunk. She was given all the treatments available at the time in the Big City. She spent years in psychotherapy but did not mention her drinking for the last seven years.
Her husband went with her to her first AA meeting. They heard a rough story of a man from the Bowery. Her husband thought he made a mistake because she was not like that man. But Cora identified and thought "If that man drank like that and got sober in AA then maybe it will work for me." She got the message of hope. Later she worked at GSO in New York but does not speak much of that experience.
( 53 min) ( 18.2 MB)AA, Female, Story(02/23/2013)
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Brunswick, GA
Sober since 10/19/1975 (23 years), Coretha is a black southern woman and respected health professional. She is passionate about the program. She speaks from experience in this delightful and inspiring talk. She says God blessed her with the disease of alcoholism so that she could be free today. She found what God was all about in the rooms of AA and takes her God with her when she goes to church. Born in Brunswick, GA, Coretha was raised by a loving, hard working single mother with a 5th grade education who quit drinking on her own. Her dad was not a part of the family and died from this disease. She believes she is genetically predisposed to alcoholism. She gave her mother many worries. She says she committed every sin there is and is crazy as a bedbug even today.
( 54 min) ( 12.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/16/2012)
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Brunswick, GA
60 years old and sober 23 years since 10/19/1975, Coretha is a lively speaker with a solid knowledge of the Big Book and History of AA. She came into the program at age 35. She grew up in the rural area of Georgia. AA was the furthest thing from her mind. Alcohol was not her problem. She nearly died from being unique and different.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 14.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(12/29/2014)
TRACKS
Woodstock, GA
Sober 3 years at the time of this talk, Corey has been around the program for a number of years. He could stay away from the drink and drugs for a time on the fellowship. It was not until he reached the stage of desperation that he become willing to find out what is really meant by "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path." This is a powerful talk from the heart with depth and weight.
( 48 min) ( 16.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(02/06/2014)
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Los Angeles, CA
Craig is a professional entertainer from Scotland who got sober before going into show business. Great piece on old timers and IHOPs and Who are the winners? We take turns.
( 40 min) ( 14 MB)AA, Male, Story(04/05/2011)
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Kansas City, KS
Craig is speaking on his 44th birthday. Sober 18 years since March 6, 1978, Craig travels and has been to AA meetings around the world. Knowing respect and being a whole human being is wonderful. After his first drink at 13 years old there was no need to grow up until he came into AA at age 26.
( 1 hr 23 min) ( 28.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/01/2014)
TRACKS
Ft. Worth, TX
A Powerful story of Recovery, Cricket grew up following the crops with her family. She spent time in the middle 1950's at 16 years old in a mental institution in Pueblo Colorado. This was a time when they used heavy drugs and electric shock therapy three times a week. She learned how to survive on the streets. She was challenged to come into AA. She went through the DT's in the rooms, turned tables over, and stole money and equipment from AA. Confronted by the men of AA, she was told the AA's traditions would not allow them to kick her out but they escorted her in and out of meetings. The law kicked her out of Denver and she settled in Ft. Worth, TX. Later there she found AA, sobriety, love, sanity and serenity.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 21.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/10/2011)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
In the first talk at the Foundations Group the focus was on Damon's story - what happened and what it was like - essentially ending near his sobriety date 8/10/04. Eleven months later he spoke to the same group and focused more on living sober - what it's like now - particularly how he uses the "Saint Francis Prayer" (p.99 of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions) to face life successfully.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.5 hours.( 30 MB )Part 1: His Story - what it was like and what happened.
NOTE: recorded on an Android phone. The sound quality of the recording is very good though not excellent.
(GO TO Part 2)
( 36 min) ( 12.6 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA, Male, Story(01/04/2015)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
Part 2: The St. Francis Prayer - living life successfully.
NOTE: sound quality of the recording is excellent.
(GO TO Part 1)
( 50 min) ( 17.3 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA, Male, Story(01/04/2015)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
Damon got sober 8/10/2004. He covers in this talk how transcendence has been a major theme of his journey in sobriety. Bill W seems to suggest a change to the 3rd Step Prayer (Alcoholics Anonymous, p.63) in his 1967 book As Bill Sees It: The AA Way of Life (p.210). He changes the word "victory" to "my transcendence" in a manner that Damon feels is a better term to describe the shift from Actor to Agent, User to Giver, Victim to Having a New Employer.
( 45 min) ( 15.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/06/2012)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
RELATIONSHIP TOOLBOX
Twisted relationships are present in 100% of alcoholics entering treatment according to Dr. Burns B. - noted addictionologist and member of AA. What does the book say about how we were "especially stupid and stubborn" in this regard? What king of out-of-proportion living needs to be altered as part of realizing the complete psychic change necessary for recovery from alcoholism? When the relationship between the "thing that needs to concede I am an alcoholic" and "my innermost self" is in proportion then all my relationships become easy. How can I apply the Steps, Traditions and Concepts in my relationships? What does the book say about healthy relationships?
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 21.1 MB)AA, Male, Traditions, Workshop, Steps(08/18/2013)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
Recorded on an Android phone, the quality of the recording itself is less than studio. The message was well received.
( 43 min) ( 15.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/29/2013)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
Sober since 8/10/2014, this talk has a theme of the three things Damon does regularly as a result of the program:
- Changes the story he tells himself about what is going on
- adds to the quality of the lives of those around him and
- be useful.
(01/01/2015)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
Sober since 8/10/04, Damon covers his story as it relates to practicing the traditions in his life. This was the first speaker meeting for this group at the firehouse on Bell's Ferry north of Sixes Road.
( 49 min) ( 17.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Traditions(08/04/2014)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
AA History with a Twist
AUDIO Overview of AA History with emphasis on areas where current research seems to tell a slightly different story than the approved literature. Also, talk by Jim D. who got sober in Rosary Hall in Cleveland under the care of Sister Ignatia. PowerPoint Slideshow with synchronized audio of the speaker.
Flash Player Slides & Audio (40MB)
MP4 (Smartphone Slides & Audio) (54MB)
ADOBE: AA History GCYPAA pdf
(09/03/2011)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
The Turning Point
Pages 60-63 in the Big Book: How big of a decision do we make in step 3? Victory or transcendence? Surrender or Abandon? Covers in depth pages 60-63 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous.
PowerPoint Slideshow with synchronized audio of the speaker:
Flash Player Slides & Audio (54MB)
MP4 (Smartphone Slides & Audio) (47MB)
ADOBE: The Turning Pointv02.pdf
POWER POINT: The Turning Pointv02.ppt
(08/30/2011)
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Tyler, TX
Sober since 11/26/1984, Daryl traveled the world working on oil rigs and even spent time in a Peruvian prison on his journey into the rooms of AA. "We do not teach, preach, counsel or advise anybody about anything. We share our experience, strength and hope with each other." A lively speaker who tried long and hard to drink and could not. Drugs are a also part of his story.
( 51 min) ( 23.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(11/23/2014)
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Jacksonville, FL
Dave and Polly P's 2011 "Traditions in Relationships"
They have been providing this workshop for a number of years. The accompanying Workbook has reached 70 pages. It can be downloaded here. The focus is on practicing the Traditions of AA and Al-Anon in our relationships as couples. Therefore, Dave and Polly have adjusted the wording of each Traditions to make them more directly applicable. The Workshop also includes an intro by Dave in session one plus a never before heard discussion of some special things Dave does as part of his larger program (covered in session five).
WORKBOOK
Total time across all 5 files is 5 hours.( 138 MB )Dave's introduction with a piece on "Men are like waffles - women like spaghetti". Recognizing that we are put together differently is the starting point. How Dave describes their journey through therapy and other means of trying to get on the fast track of sobriety. "For us, what we found out was that Psycho Therapy informs but it does not heal. Alcoholics Anonymous heals."
( 1 hr ) ( 27.6 MB)(Item #1 of 5)AA, Both, Workshop, Traditions(12/01/2011)
TRACKS
Jacksonville, FL
After a break, Dave continues discussing Characteristics of AA. He then introduces Polly and the concept of Emotional Sobriety. She tells part of their story and their journey together toward the Traditions and Emotional Sobriety. "Making love work is a challenge for alcoholics of my type. ..I thought if you loved me enough I'd be OK. ..Today, what I give is what I get back." (Lunch break ends the session).
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 32.2 MB)(Item #2 of 5)AA, Both, Workshop, Traditions(12/01/2011)
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Jacksonville, FL
Traditions 1 thru 4: Polly starts off with Tradition One. They then trade off discussing each tradition as it applies to their marriage.
( 56 min) ( 25.8 MB)(Item #3 of 5)AA, Both, Workshop, Traditions(12/01/2011)
TRACKS
Jacksonville, FL
Traditions 5 thru 9
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 28.9 MB)(Item #4 of 5)AA, Both, Workshop, Traditions(12/01/2011)
TRACKS
Jacksonville, FL
Traditions 10 thru 12 - Sunday morning. After covering these three Traditions, Dave speaks on some topics he was encourage to talk about for the first time at a podium namely, his AA daughters.
( 51 min) ( 23.4 MB)(Item #5 of 5)AA, Both, Workshop, Traditions(12/01/2011)
TRACKS
Fountain Valley, CA
Dave and Polly go through the traditions as they apply to relationships. The TRACKS are split based on content rather than time. There is an accompanying workbook with questions suitable for a couple to use for a combined inventory. Applying the traditions of AA to my marriage from just my side has done wonders for the quality of my life.
( 1 hr 43 min) ( 35.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop, Traditions(09/13/2011)
TRACKS
Omaha, NE
A talk with both humor and depth. Dave got sober 1/26/1984. He is in AA because he threw up on his dog. It was the second time he had called AA but this time he remembered it. The next day he went to went to AA and has not had a drink since. Did not go to treatment. He was living alone with no furniture but lots of bottles laying around. Recently he had blown a .38 and seemed fully functional to the police. He had been engaged to eight women in three years - two at a time once. He got engaged to number eight after the second date in two days - he did not remember her last name. He married her but was too drunk to stand at the ceremony.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 31.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
TRACKS
Dallas, TX
David A sober since 4/20/1967, with humor and from long experience, does a masterful job of going through the Traditions of AA. He relates many failed experiences where members or groups attempted activities outside the Traditions. He also tells the story of how Alcoholics Anonymous got its name. I heard a similar story from a recording of Jim Burwell (Author: The Vicious Cycle) who was there when the Big Book was being written. David confirms the story with greater detail.
Total time across all 2 files is 2.6 hours.( 54 MB )Part 1 of the set covering the introduction and Traditions 1 through 5.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 26.3 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA, Male, Workshop, Traditions(07/08/2012)
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Dallas, TX
Part 2 of the set covering Traditions 6 through 12.
( 1 hr 21 min) ( 27.8 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA, Male, Workshop, Traditions(07/08/2012)
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Savannah, GA
Sober since 1/27/1987, later Area 16 (GA) Delegate, David is speaking here as DCM for District 5C at age 41. Born and raised in Savannah. He came from a family that might be the poster child for the anti-Leave-It-To-Beaver campaign. But that is not the reason he is an alcoholic. He started drinking by age 13. By the time he was 17 he had lots of problem at home. He had problems with authority figures and having potential if he only applied himself. He left home at 16 but could not make it and came back home again but could not do that either. So he joined the Air Force at 17. At 19 he met his wife Lucille - over 30 and married. - the rocks in her head fit the holes in his. Getting David sober became Lucille's job. The idea of suicide became a regular thought in the last year of drinking. He came into AA in San Antonio TX after telling his commander he thought he had an alcohol problem - not because he believed it - but to get the heat off. It was a dual speaker meeting and he identified.
( 48 min) ( 11.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(12/15/2013)
TRACKS
Chicago, IL
Dawn is married to Peter C, her qualifier. She was the youngest of 8 and daughter of the minister of the largest black church in the city. There were some 5,000 in the congregation. This kept her parents so busy that they turned the job of raising her over to her grandparents. As a result, she was sexually abused by her grandfather. She grew up feeling dirty and damaged. Her grandfather died when she was six. She was obese. She always thought she was on the outside looking in. She is so grateful that Al-Anon has taught her how to be there for her husband and her son.
( 35 min) ( 8.2 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(03/01/2014)
TRACKS
Reston, VA
Dawn has 39 years in Al-Anon. Calls herself "A very young old lady". Funny story includes strength and hope of coping with the loss of a a loved one - Peter.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 33.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/03/2011)
TRACKS
Orange County, CA
Raised in a small town outside Akron, OH, Deb got sober at the age of 15 on 3/15/1987 uncertain whether she was alcoholic - sure that her life was over and so full of guilt shame and remorse that she had been able to look herself in the mirror for years. She has a very strong program and powerful story of making it through sudden losses through the strength of the members of AA.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 18.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/13/2014)
TRACKS
Yucca Valley, CA
Lost her husband in a motorcycle accident weeks before this talk. The most amazing applause followed this talk that I have ever heard at an AA meeting. As the Class-A Trustee said the next day, I have seen the future of AA and I like it. The talk is over 80 minutes and will not fit on a single audio CD. Hard to pick what to trim out. Her talk was extremely well received by those present. I was there and it was truly special. Thanks Deb! Saturday Night Speaker.
( 1 hr 24 min) ( 29 MB)AA, Female, Story(04/05/2011)
TRACKS
Beaufort, SC
Sober since 3/12/1987, Deb is speaking at an Old Timers meeting in Mississippi. This is her third conference as a speaker. One of the others was at a young peoples conference. Raised outside of Akron, OH where the AA program started. Her family was from West Virginia. There were no social drinkers in her family. Her parents fought constantly over his drinking. Her dad is now coping with sclerosis of the liver. She learned to live in a mix of anger and fear. Deb had her first drink at 9 years old wanting to know what was so important about alcohol that was so important. She blacked out but also felt OK for the first time. She fell in love with alcohol even though the next day she was sick. By 15 she was paying a dear price for her booze hanging with some people from the wrong side of the tracks that did things for and to an adolescent. By the end of her short career she was drinking every day and remembered only half her life.
( 52 min) ( 18.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/12/2012)
TRACKS
Woodstock, GA
Debbie, sober 20 years at the time of this talk, is passionate about AA, sponsors a number of women. She got sober in the Caribbean. Very thoughtful and articulate.
( 39 min) ( 9.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(06/03/2013)
TRACKS
Cleveland, OH
Over 10 years sober, what Delilah wrote and read at the start says it all. It is called:
The Women of AA
It is because of you, the women of AA, that I am here.
I am here because you showed me the way.
I saw the gleam in your eye and the glow on your faces.
I saw how you walked and talked like ladies.
I saw the women in AA bond and establish lasting relationships.
I saw women in AA grow whether married or divorced.
I saw women who, when they came to AA, could not read or write but today hold college degrees.
In AA I watch women learn through the examples of others how to deal
with child rearing and become better parents.
In the rooms of AA I saw our children grow up and become better children.
I saw women learn how to become better daughters, mothers, sisters, wives and friends.
I saw women in AA lose loved ones and continue going.
I saw the women of AA with terminal illness carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous
until dying, they died with dignity and grace.
And when I saw the women in AA,
I saw women who were everything I wanted to be.
It is because of the women in AA that I am who I am today.
And it is because of you, the women in Alcoholics Anonymous,
that I keep coming back so that you may continue to teach me how to live
- one day at a time.
(07/26/2012)
TRACKS
Freehold, NJ
"Since I have been in AA I have had nothing but fun!". He has been coming to the conference since 1999. For over 26 years Dennis has taken meetings to a maximum security prison in Avondale, NJ that houses sex offenders. He has been in corrections service for over 27 years. His mother was a diplomat. He went to school with the children of other diplomats. He had all the material things could ever want but it was never enough.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 30 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/06/2012)
TRACKS
Metro Atlanta
Emotional Sobriety Workshop 2010
Held in Woodstock, GA, Father's Day Weekend, June 19, 2010. The workshop included Dick and Barbara A. of Lithia Springs, GA and Helen R. of Atlanta. Dick and Barbara lead similar workshops around the country. Sober over 30 years, Helen is the Office Manager for the Central Office of the Metro Atlanta Intergroup of AA. The Workshop focused on the Traditions and Concepts of AA with an emphasis on applying them to our daily lives.
Total time across all 4 files is 3.4 hours.( 71 MB )Question and Answers via an Ask-It-Basket.
( 59 min) ( 20.6 MB)(Item #4 of 4)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Workshop, Traditions(10/08/2011)
TRACKS
Lithia Springs, GA
Sober 33 years since 6/8/1977, Dick briefly shares his story and how a call to Central Office in Atlanta started his journey through the program. Helen R., a fellow presenter at this workshop, answered that call. This program is about service. Speaks about the history of AA and the Traditions. He has not seen good long term sobriety that did not include Emotional Sobriety and Service. The traditions teach us how to get along with others. Goes through the Traditions one at a time and explains how they apply to our everyday lives. Ultimately, God has ALL Power that has enabled Dick to recover from esophageal cancer. Explains how he hit an emotional bottom at 15 years sober looking for a gun to put to his head.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 26.9 MB)(Item #1 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop, Traditions(10/08/2011)
TRACKS
Bellvue, NE
Dick and Peggy have sponsored large numbers of men and women all around the country. Dick is sponsored by Clancy I of Venice CA. He shares about his decision with over 20 years sober to ask Clancy to sponsor him. There were no men in Nebraska with more years than he had who were still active in AA.
Peggy is delightful as always and shares her unique perspective on sponsoring and being sponsored.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.6 hours.( 22 MB )Sober since 9/15/1965, he has not had a drink since he came into AA. He emphasizes to newcomers that you do not have to relapse. He talks about the sponsors he has had and the value of service work in his journey through recovery.
( 49 min) ( 11.2 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA, Male, Workshop(05/26/2013)
TRACKS
Marietta, GA
Sober 35 years, Dick is an attorney who's fear of being drunk for a future trial helped encourage him to try AA for real. Dick loves the humorous side of life but also has experienced the "certain trials and low spots". His oldest son had severe learning disabilities and later died. Another son is a childhood cancer survivor who married a fellow survivor. Dick is himself a cancer survivor. Through it all he laughed and hurt, didn't drink and went to meetings. He also describes how he used his profession to help others in unexpected ways. I have other stories of Dick's working behind the scenes not recorded here that prove to me he is more than just a bag of hot air...he is an often kind and considerate bag of hot air (with a warm and generous heart) who does many things to help AA members find long term recovery.
( 44 min) ( 20.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/05/2012)
TRACKS
Cleveland, OH
Sober since 8/31/1961, Don is a fast and lively speaker. He grew up in a neighborhood of gangsters. He said AA is like the mafia - if you leave here your dead. He did not drink as a teenager. Joined the army at 18 and only drank once during his time in the service blacked out and woke up only to find he was married. His character defect was he did not like to take orders. Had 15 summary court-marshals and wound up in United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, KS. He left the army with a dishonorable discharge. He became a famous hair stylist. The money started flowing and he started drinking. He ended up in Rosary Hall under the care of Sister Ignatia in Cleveland OH. His wife and kids were gone, he hated God and was having trouble facing the real world sober. He then describes his journey in the program.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 23.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/12/2012)
TRACKS
Whitney, TX
Sober since July 1, 1975, Don is a lively and entertaining speaker. His home town has 212 more people than attended this talk. His home group says they are the AA Capital of the World.
( 59 min) ( 20.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/01/2014)
TRACKS
Louisville, KY
Don M got sober 4/9/1981. In this retreat at an unknown location, Don tells his story and then goes through the steps in 4 sessions.
Total time across all 5 files is 6.2 hours.( 85 MB )Don's story and a review of the over all process.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 15.1 MB)(Item #1 of 5)AA, Male, Steps(01/10/2014)
TRACKS
Louisville, KY
Steps 1, 2 and 3
( 1 hr 24 min) ( 19.4 MB)(Item #2 of 5)AA, Male, Steps(01/10/2014)
TRACKS
Louisville, KY
Steps 3, 4 and 5
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 14.7 MB)(Item #3 of 5)AA, Male, Steps(01/10/2014)
TRACKS
Louisville, KY
Steps 6, 7, 8 and 9
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 17.3 MB)(Item #4 of 5)AA, Male, Steps(01/10/2014)
TRACKS
Louisville, KY
Steps 10, 11 and 12 plus Living Sober.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.3 MB)(Item #5 of 5)AA, Male, Steps(01/10/2014)
TRACKS
Denver, CO
Concepts Discussion
Don P sponsored a large number of people and was a positive role model to countless others before he died.. Here he leads a small group in a discussion on the 12 Concepts of World Service and how those applies to the groups and to our daily lives as recovered alcoholics. There are times when the volume gets quiet as someone away from the microphone asks or comments.
Total time across all 4 files is 4.4 hours.( 92 MB )Part 1.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 26.7 MB)(Item #1 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop(08/19/2013)
TRACKS
Denver, CO
Part 2.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 26.5 MB)(Item #2 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop(08/19/2013)
TRACKS
Denver, CO
Part 3.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 23.2 MB)(Item #3 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop(08/19/2013)
TRACKS
Denver, CO
Part 4.
( 44 min) ( 15.1 MB)(Item #4 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop(08/19/2013)
TRACKS
Rancho Mirage, CA
A very good share and sober since 5/5/1987, Donna does not speak very often. She grew up in Montana of parents who married to run away from alcoholic homes. Her dad was an alcoholic waiting for a drink he finally took in Donna's early teens. Her family moved 27 times in ten years. Her dad was full of anger. The family experienced all the abuse that occurred in alcoholic homes - terror, fear and anxiety. But that has nothing to do with why she is an alcoholic. She has the allergy of the body coupled with the obsession of the mind. She no longer blames them - they did the best that they could. Now she can focus on doing the best she can one day at a time. After seven years of exposure to the program she reached a crisis point in Kona, HI and met her "Eskimo" - Phyllis, who put her under new management.
( 53 min) ( 18.2 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/24/2012)
TRACKS
Statesboro, GA
Dot and her husband were very active in AA in Statesboro. After getting sober, they founded the first treatment facility in the area. It took her a long time to realize she was an alcoholic and that "he" was not her problem especially after he got sober. Her son Al M of Cary, NC is a active member of Al-anon and active in the recovery field. His story is also on WeJoy.
Al M (AFG) at the Atlanta Roundup 2000
( 42 min) ( 9.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/11/2014)
TRACKS
North Hollywood, CA
Alcoholic and a neurotic - one who makes destructive decisions. Close friends with Alabam C. Has a great collection of mis-reads like "Our leaders are but twisted servants. They do not govern." Describes the medical cause she believes makes us alcoholic. She went to the gates of insanity or death. Drank for 19 years periodic- "unswallowed" alot - but for the last four years she drank from morning to night, weighed 90 pounds. Born and raised in Reno, NV. Her family helped settle Reno. She and her husband moved to LA early in marriage. Lived in terror and used alcohol for relief. Does not know how she dialed AA but came out of blackout on the phone to Central Office. Came the next day to a meeting and was welcomed with open arms. She started speaking and sponsoring but was secretly very sick. After a year, she drank and nearly died from the deeper seated problem. Had to learn how to live in reality comfortably.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 14.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/30/2011)
TRACKS
Oklahoma City, OK
He drove himself crazy trying to raise two alcoholic sons. Came into Al-Anon because he thought it would be the only way he would get to see his wife. Found out it was the best solution for him. Later, he and his wife divorced. Al-Anon helped him to recognize and be OK with the decision that the marriage was never going to work.
( 40 min) ( 9.2 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(10/03/2011)
TRACKS
Laguna Niguel, CA
Dr. Paul O was the well loved author of the story in the 3rd edition of Alcoholics Anonymous called Doctor, Addict, Alcoholic that was renamed in the fourth edition to Acceptance Is The Answer. This talk is very clear but has a curious quality: the taper edited out any long applause. Not sure what the motivation was. This is an excellent talk and covers some areas not covered in other talks. Download and enjoy if you want a good laugh ... or 50.
In researching this entry I found this link: An Unofficial Guide to the Twelve Steps- Written by A.A. Members in Texas, Edited by Dr. Paul O. This is very thorough guide through the steps.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 16.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(05/26/2013)
TRACKS
Laguna Niguel, CA
Dr. Paul is a classic AA speaker. In this talk he covers many of the best loved parts of his story. He is natural funny with a great grasp of what AA is and what it is not.
( 50 min) ( 11.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(12/28/2014)
TRACKS
Akron, OH
Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in the longest known recording. Talks about the how it all began, the four absolutes, humility, happiness and peace of mind.
( 44 min) ( 15.4 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(03/07/2011)
TRACKS
Rochester, NY
A class A Trustee on the AA General Service Board for 27 years , Dr. Jack is not an alcoholic. He is speaking to a gathering of current and past delegates from the South East Region of the US. He begins by eloquently reading historical memos, minutes and letters from the founding days of the program - the minutes of the first meeting of the Foundation, reports from Hank Parkhurst on the numbers of sober members in 1938, a 1955 letter from Ruth Hock, the non-alcoholic secretary who typed the manuscript of the Big Book and more. The selection is wonderful - the information enlightening. The recording quality is excellent. A real AA History lovers treasure. Thank you Gary N.
NOTE: Takes two CDs to hold all the tracks in the zipped file.
The first character of the unzipped filename indicates the CD number.
The single MP3 file will NOT fit on a standard 80 minute CD. Download and use the TRACKS file.
( 1 hr 35 min) ( 21.9 MB)Other, Male, Historical(09/25/2014)
TRACKS
Laguna Niguel, CA
One of the best loved AA speakers and author of the Big Book Story Acceptance Was The Answer (4th Ed) (Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict (3rd Ed)), Paul got sober in July 1967. In this talk to a group on the north side of Atlanta, GA, Paul tells his story and celebrates his 27th AA birthday. It is classic Dr. Paul.
( 50 min) ( 11.7 MB)AA, Male, Story, Author(07/17/2012)
TRACKS
Laguna Niguel, CA
One of the best loved AA speakers and author of the Big Book Story Acceptance Was The Answer (4th Ed) (Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict (3rd Ed)), Paul got sober in July 1967. In this talk, Paul is sober only 10 years. The precise location of the Conference is unknown. The recording quality is very reasonable given the age.
( 55 min) ( 25.2 MB)AA, Male, Story, Author(01/01/1970)
TRACKS
Brighton, MI
Speaking on "Sexual Dysfunction in the Chemically Dependent", Dr. Richard M., is a recovered Alcoholic and Director of Brighton Hospital, Brighton, MI. Brighton was founded in 1948 with assistance from Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA and is one of the oldest facilities of its type in America. This talk is based on personal as well as professional experience. It also includes question and answers at the end of the talk.
NOTE: To create an 80 minute Audio CD from the TRACKS download, put all but the last two Q&A sessions on the first CD.
( 1 hr 52 min) ( 25.8 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(10/02/2011)
TRACKS
Los Angeles, CA
The Steps as a Way of Life
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 26 MB)AA, Male, Story(04/08/2011)
TRACKS
Los Angeles, CA
This is the most popular CD in the collection. Earl H. makes a great point at the end. Find out what thoroughly really means on page 58.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 28.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/04/2011)
TRACKS
Walnut Creek, CA
With 38 years at the time of this talk, the author of Physician Heal Thyself, Dr. Earle M. got sober 6/15/1953. According to Silkworth.net, "Many alcoholics make geographic changes when they are drinking. But Earle seems to have made his after achieving sobriety. He has lived in many places, both in this country and abroad, traveled around the world three times, and attended A.A. everywhere he went. He also married several times." Here he tells his story but also shares things that he has learned in AA over the years. He stays out of the controversy of mixing addicts and alcoholics in the same rooms. He does share some based on his medical background mixed with his personal experiences as he explored several non-AA self-help approaches. Returning to AA, he read through the opening paragraphs of How It Works emphasizing which parts struck a cord with him. Later he shares that there is no way to surrender. He explains how to take the third step without it.
( 1 hr 12 min) ( 33.4 MB)AA, Male, Story, Author(07/17/2012)
TRACKS
Montgomery, AL
Muir Easy Edney - August 26, 2008, Died with 65 Years Sobriety
With sorrow at his passing but filled with joy at having known this grand man, I regretfully report to you that Muir Easy Edney of Montgomery, Alabama, completed his journey of 95 years peacefully this morning and left for the Big Meeting.
For the past few years, Easy Edney was the longest sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Easy got sober Nov. 15, 1942, in Jacksonville FL, and then moved back to his home of Montgomery where he helped start AA there. He knew Bill Wilson. Easy was in remarkably good shape to the end. He still attended meetings and sponsored a number of men until the last. I last saw him in April at the Alabama/NW Florida Area Assembly, which he faithfully attended over the years. Less well known is that Edney got his nickname Easy from his hobby as a pool shark. Easy was one of the 20th Centurys greatest pool players, who successfully competed (sober!) against such legends as Willie Mosconi and Minnesota Fats. One of the great rewards of AA has been the opportunity to know men such as Easy. We shall miss him.
(quoted from: AAPinellas.org)
( 46 min) ( 10.5 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/31/2012)
TRACKS
Dallas, TX
Ebby brought the message to AA Co-founder Bill W at 182 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, NY sometime between Armistice Day November 11th and December 12th 1934, the day Bill checked in to Towns Hospital for the last time. In this talk, Ebby tells a very different story of that meeting. Among the numerous differences, he indicates it did not happen around the kitchen table with Bill alone but with Bill and Lois in the upstairs common room after dinner. He says it really doesn't change anything but he was sober at the time and Bill was not. AA Historians Mel B. and Bill B. (author of My Name is Bill W.) both confirmed that Ebby called Lois the night before. Lois did not confirm or deny Ebby's version in a multi-CD interview with Bill B. but she seems to tell a different story than Ebby in a talk she did in Dallas TX in 1973. Bill B asked Searcy W, the man who helped get Ebby sober in Texas, and Searcy indicated Ebby told a different story more than once.
I have fun researching these little anomalies of AA lore. The important lesson for me to remember is that my story, as I remember it, never happened and is unknowable. I have to distinguish truth from dogma. What truly matters is how I am treating the world today.
( 50 min) ( 11.6 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(04/30/2012)
TRACKS
Dallas, TX
Ebby brought the message of recovery to Bill W. in the last half of November 1934. Bill sobered up the week of December 12th 1934 never to drink again. Ebby did drink again on several occasions. The first time was 2 years and 9 months after the historic meeting "around the kitchen table" (which Ebby, in a talk in Memphis 1958, said actually happen in the upstairs parlor with Lois present and Bill was not sharing his gin).
In this talk, Ebby covers in some detail the events that led to his first relapse. This is a very interesting talk that stands on its own merits as well as being great listening for AA armchair historians...like me.
( 33 min) ( 7.7 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(01/02/2014)
TRACKS
Mt. Holly, NY
A solid, entertaining talk, Ed was an Air Force pilot who took his last drink 9/3/1962 and managed to stay enlisted after getting sober in AA. On his last drunk he woke up from a blackout in Ethiopia and not sure why he was there or how he got there. He realized later he was the crew navigator on an Air Force mission. He had joined AA six months earlier. Later in life he went back to school and became a defense trial lawyer. He is CIA - "Catholic, Irish, Alcoholic".
( 58 min) ( 13.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/09/2012)
TRACKS
Bittendorf, IA
Ed died sober in December 2008 while shoveling snow. In this talk, given shortly after 911, Ed talks about forgiveness from personal experience. Ed called himself trailer trash and a cop fighter. Ed was 6' 11" with a big heart. Early in sobriety his father was killed in a bar in a random act of racial violence. Ed moved to California and gave up a job offer as Goofy at Disneyland to be the manager of the Ice Capades. Later he managed the Globetrotters then became a minister. Years after his father's murder one of the perpetrators was up for retrial on a technicality. Ed asked the DA not to pursue a retrial. The DA would only release the man if Ed would agree to have the man live with him and Ed agreed. The story made national news but for AA it is an understandable arrangement when we recognize that "resentments are the number one offender".
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/24/2012)
TRACKS
Bettendorf, IA
This talk was the first talk I every copied and it started with a resentment.
In the July of 2004, a lawyer I was working with on his office systems went to Dallas TX to the Gathering of Eagles retreat.
He brought back one CD and in the late fall asked me to make copies.
I thought they were copyrighted and that he was a cheap hypocrite for asking me to do something illegal.
When I heard I thought, "Where can I get more of these?"
I met ED M. before he died and thanked him for launching me into service.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 34.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/06/2015)
TRACKS
Erie, IL
Ed M. - Steps Workshop
Sober since 1/5/1971, Ed was a truly larger than life figure in AA at 6' 11" tall. He grew up in Iowa as what he called "trailer trash" and a cop-fighter. In sobriety he managed the Ice Capades and later The Globetrotters basketball exhibition team and then became a minister. His story of forgiveness made national headlines. I met him twice. A truly gentle giant.
Less than a year after this workshop Ed died shoveling snow Monday, December 22, 2008 in his home town of Erie, IL.
In this set of talks Ed goes back to Akron, OH where it all started to take us through the 12 Steps as he saw them - he doesn't pull any punches.
Total time across all 5 files is 6 hours.( 123 MB )Steps - Part 1 of 5 - Ed's Story
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27.3 MB)(Item #1 of 5)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/23/2014)
TRACKS
Erie, IL
Steps - Part 2 of 5 - Steps 1 thru 3. Talk about the 12 steps but take away the word alcohol and replace it with "I am powerless over my life situations". Steps 1 thru 3.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 25.7 MB)(Item #2 of 5)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/23/2014)
TRACKS
Erie, IL
Steps - Part 3 of 5 - 4th Step thru Step 6 and the start of a long Ask-it-Basket that goes over to the next CD/recording.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27.3 MB)(Item #3 of 5)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/23/2014)
TRACKS
Erie, IL
Steps - Part 4 of 5 - (some overlap with previous Part) Ask-it-Basket on Depression, Surrender, the Lord's Prayer and more. Steps 7, 8 and 9.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 27 MB)(Item #4 of 5)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/23/2014)
TRACKS
Erie, IL
Steps - Part 5 of 5 - Steps 10 - 12.
( 45 min) ( 15.5 MB)(Item #5 of 5)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/23/2014)
TRACKS
Dallas, TX
Boundlessly enthusiastic.
Funny and informative. Over 20 years in Al-anon. Knew Chuck C. of Laguna Beach, CA. From a family of drinkers. Married a number of alcoholics. Is not an Al-anon because of them. Always wanted the people who love me to be happy but they just won't do that for me. Always wanted to be the best in someone else's eyes. Decided she wanted to be alcoholic, just tried to look alcoholic but an Al-anon's doomed to sensible shoes. Thought she should stay away from those who don't drink - they are fanatics. Acceptance in the Big Book of AA (p449 3rd ed. 417 4th ed) at three years in Al-anon saved her life. Al-anon vs. alligator. For every alcoholic there are 10 to 42 people directly affected. Hard to come to the program when there is nothing the matter with me. Al-anon waltz: 1-2-3-12. I know what the problem is now let me tell you about it. When all the alcoholics left, my life got worse. Tells her story.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 29.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/17/2011)
TRACKS
Richarson, TX
This is her talk in 1992 She has another recording on this site as Ellen C. of Dallas, TX in 2006. An enthusiastic and very funny member of Al-Anon. Has a disease of story telling. Don't like what's going on? Change the story. Came in the program self-destructive which is a step below low self-esteem. Lots of good program and energy.
NOTE: When burning TRACKS to an Audio CD, there are two versions of TRACKS 1 and 17: Full and Edited. Use the Edited for both or it will NOT FIT on and 80 minute Audio CD,
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 36.6 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/24/2011)
TRACKS
Laguna Beach, CA
Elsa C, wife of Chuck C - author of New Pair Of Glasses, speaks here four years after Chuck's death from emphysema. This is a delightful talk with several points where Elsa tells stories that she says she rarely told from the podium about there son Richard as a child and Chuck's death. This is what makes this talk of historical significance.
( 59 min) ( 20.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story, Historical(02/23/2013)
TRACKS
Potomac, MD
"Ernie the Attorney". Entertaining and Insightful.
( 55 min) ( 12.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/24/2011)
TRACKS
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Sober since 1/6/1945, at 79 years of age Eve was glad to be an alcoholic because it allowed her to find out who she was through the program. This was her third time to speak at Sessions by the Sea. She was an alcoholic from the very beginning at age 17. We must remember the disease is physical, mental and spiritual. We have to learn to get the willingness to affect the change necessary to change all three. Sobriety is not an event but a process. It was what alcohol did for her not to her that makes her an alcoholic. She drank to cope. She shares how she faced fears and resentment while going through her divorce in sobriety. Eve worked in GSO in New York with Bill Wilson and traveled the world to see AA in action. The recording quality is average but the message is excellent.
( 58 min) ( 26.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/18/2012)
TRACKS
Rogers, AR
Sober since 1/6/1945, at 86 years of age Eve speaks about being a "recovered" alcoholic. Later in the talk she talks about her solo trip around the world in sobriety. She was a true and beautiful trusted servant. The recording quality is excellent.
(Read an article Eve wrote for the 1964 Grapevine about Love and Service
http://www.silkworth.net/pdfGSC/PRACTICING-THESE-PRINCIPLES-Apr-1964.pdf )
(07/18/2012)
TRACKS
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (later Rogers AR)
Eve's sobriety date was 1/6/1945. She gives a delightful talk spending enough time qualifying then speaks in depth about a life of service in sobriety. She worked in the Central Office in New York for years. She took one year off to travel the world alone visiting AA along the way. The quality of this recording is good but not crystal clear. The quality of the message is exceptional.
( 58 min) ( 13.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/27/2013)
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Washington, DC
A very funny, powerful talk, Evelyn describes herself as a good, black, baptist drunk who got sober in 1953. She says there is a difference between not having a drink and being sober which is a "state". There are parts of her story that she has tried to clean up but has been unable to do it. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, the City Of Brotherly Love. She took that nickname to heart and tried to love every brother.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 14.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/09/2012)
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Various
This "Family Illness Workshop" is a powerful look back by three male sober members of AA on how their illness, incarceration and subsequent recovery affected their families. Tom I of Southern Pines is a key part of this annual conference dealing with taking meetings into jails and prisons in North Carolina. Tom went from inmate to warden spending over 35 years on both sides of the bars.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 35.5 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(06/13/2012)
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Center City, MN
Asks: Are you willing to get in the wheel barrow? Also, has a great story about a circus elephant.
( 1 hr 20 min) ( 27.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/05/2011)
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Westfield, IN
Faye is a strong, experienced speaker. When she came into Al-Anon she was real serious but learned to laugh. Her husband Mike is a past AA Delegate Area 23 Panel 46 (1993). She went with him to Stepping Stones and while standing in the little kitchen alone with him she realized they were right where they were supposed to be. Al-Anon and AA saved their lives and their marriage. She grew up in a home with a step father, half-brothers and sisters where kids should be seen and not heard. She was told not to tell family secrets. Her mother got involved in a very strict religion with a very punishing God. She full of fear but did not know it until she came into the program. Her marriage had much violence she now realizes was as much her fault as it was hers. Mike started going to AA but still drank on occasions. December 26, 1981, Mike had his last drunk. Faye got a resentment to AA without knowing about the program. She read the Big Book one night while he was at a meeting and got reluctantly convinced she needed Al-Anon.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 21.8 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/19/2012)
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Long Beach, CA
Originally from London, Fr. Leo drank and got sober in AA as a Catholic Priest. He has lived in Long Beach for four years. This is a delightful and insightful talk. "What is the point of getting sober if your going to be serious and dull and miserable."
( 56 min) ( 13 MB)AA, Male, Story(05/26/2013)
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Stuart, FL
Sober 26 years since 3/20/1978. Very active in AA. A Traditionalist. Lost her husband of 52 years weeks earlier and decided to come speak anyway. Had at least two members of AA with her the whole time even before her family could be there. Don't take your love for granted. It can be taken from you in a heartbeat. Frances met him at 19 and was already a full blown alcoholic. Born and raised in San Antonio, TX to a strong family. Loved the saloons, bars, dancing cowboys and all that went with it. Knew before she came to AA that it was the first drink that did it. When she started hiding her drinking, it was the start of the end. Came into AA. Did not go to detox or treatment. Just cried, walked and drank orange juice. What she found was unconditional love and opportunities for service. Got serious about the program in her fifth year. Started doing Tradition Meetings even though many people did not want to hear about them. Goes through the Traditions and how they apply to her life.
NOTE: One part of the source tape in the middle was slightly garbled but the message is worth the effort.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 15 MB)AA, Female, Story, Traditions(10/06/2011)
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Dunwoody, GA
A delightful talk. A member since 1964, Frances grew up near Greer, SC with no alcoholism in the home but very much in the families on both sides. The first of four children and the first grandchild. She became a people-pleaser early. She married in 1951 to a wonderful, hansom, charming fellow choir member. Started having children in 1952. He got a virus in 1953, became a hypochondriac then became mentally ill. She went to work and stuffed a lot of feelings. He spent nine years and later died in the state hospital. His family tried to force him back home. She could not get a divorce at that time in South Carolina. Later she met her current husband, Jerry, while she was working at IBM. He had two sons. In the beginning there was no problem with alcohol. Dated him for three years. Got married and had a son of their own. Lots of good time before things got bad and the control issues started. Depressed and sad, her minister told her about Al-Anon and three months later she came to her first meeting at the Sandy Springs Holy Family Group. Later she went to an open AA meeting while Jerry was still drinking and found the laughter, hope and the message of alcoholism as a disease.
( 49 min) ( 11.4 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/19/2012)
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Portland, OR
Sixteen years in Al-anon , now 39, Francis was first taken to an Al-anon meeting at age 2 - 3 by her mother. Her first experience with unmanageability was when her father got them kicked out of their apartment for growing marijuana. She felt enslaved in many ways growing up in an alcoholic home. She developed numerous coping mechanisms to make everything OK - to deal with the shame. She knew she was lesbian from an early age. She came into the rooms of Al-anon hoping to fix her girl friend. She heard them laughing but did not understand. When she came back later she got it - she needed to focus on herself and not fixing the alcoholic. She did not work the steps in the first few years in the program. Through the steps, Al-anon has provided "nuanced" thinking for Francis. "I will always be a learner. I will always need room to grow."
( 40 min) ( 18.6 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(06/14/2014)
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Mill Valley, CA
From the gutter in Las Vegas with no GED to passing the Bar and becoming a lawyer in NY and California via the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Truly inspirational. We can be sober achievers.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 22.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(04/05/2011)
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Sherman Oaks, CA
Sober 24 years. Funny guy and strong speaker who was born in Danville, OH to a great family. His parents were married 50 years. Frank loved sports. He was a liar, a cheat and a thief. None of those made him an alcoholic. He wanted to be macho but inside he felt like a whoose. He drank sloe gin and 7 at a dance and he knew he fit in. He now realizes he drank and did all the other stuff in order to fit in. He quit high school and joined the Marine Corps. All his bad behavior was someone else's fault. He had to learn in AA that he was responsible for his actions and nobody else. Spent a year in the brig for assault. Returned to the states and got married in Jacksonville, FL. He had to learn how to be a husband and father in AA. Went to Vietnam, got wounded and came back. Accidentally shot himself while trying to shoot his wife. She divorced him. Became a drill instructor then back in Vietnam in 1970. Came back and became a police officer. Got married again. Had an affair with his police partner who later got jealous and shot him in the head. Retired from the force and got a real estate license and made lots of money. The money and stuff didn't do it. He lost it all and wound up on the streets. He went from a detox to AA for the first time. He hated AA but kept coming back. They told him do 90 and 90 and if you want to drink come to AA. He moved to California and spent 10 months without alcohol and no meetings. He experienced road rage and grocery line insanity. He did not want a drink; he wanted to hurt someone. At 13 months he attacked a man for asking him how he was doing. He was told he had a living problem that he could resolve in the rooms of AA. That has saved his life.
( 58 min) ( 19.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/24/2012)
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Fayetteville, GA
When I asked another past delegate of Area 16 about Frank he replied in part:
"He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about the time he was delegate (1984-85). I was DCM when he was delegate and became good friends with him. He did some regional speaking and always closed with the same reading. He used a cane in the 80's and part of the 90's then a walker and finally a wheelchair.
We always paid for him to stay at the Atlanta Round-Up--he had a great smile. Toni C. and I spoke at his funeral. Joe S. was his caretaker when Frankie became bound to that chair and he knows more details about dates than anyone.
Frankie was a good man and a good friend to me--he was the one who suggested I stand for delegate almost 20 years after I was DCM and was very happy when I was elected.
When Frankie couldn't eat without a feeding tube, he decided it was time to go. He didn't want to stay if he couldn't go to AA meetings. I saw him two days before he left. He was still full of Joy. I never saw anything except gratitude in Frankie!"
...Nuff said. Enjoy this recording. Toni C. has also passed. Her recording can be found on WeJoy (Toni C - 2010).
( 47 min) ( 16.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/28/2013)
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Acworth, GA
Gail C got sober in Massachusetts in 2008. A nurse by profession, her disease led her to a near death experience, desperation and then recovery in the rooms of AA. Sober, she followed her kids down to Georgia and found a connection with the God of her understanding through a broken leg at 4 am while walking her dog. Beautiful talk. Beautiful recovery.
( 42 min) ( 14.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(11/01/2014)
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Marietta, GA
Though the recording quality is not the best, this talk is significant to Atlanta Area AA. The REBOS Club in the Northeast Atlanta suburb of Smyrna has a long standing speaker meeting on Saturdays. This is a recording of the first speaker ever at that meeting. Gail has a great story of recovery that is worth the effort. On a humorous note, I edited out the canned applause someone had inserted into the original cassette recording.
( 48 min) ( 22.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
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Ireland
Sober since 2008, Garrett traces a path from growing up in Ireland around no alcohol to a monastery at age 15 to a horrific car crash to still more drinking and then the rooms of AA. He follows up with the five C's of recovery. Very delightful talk. Thanks to Leo for contributing this CD to the collection.
( 45 min) ( 21.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(12/11/2012)
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Lilburn, GA
Gary is in the process of writing a book on Charles Towns proprietor of Towns Hospital where Bill Wilson was treated for alcoholism and where during the week of December 12, 1934 he had his "hot flash". Gary's knowledge of the material is wonderful. He gives insights into this rather controversial figure. He also shows how indebted AA is to this charismatic and powerful early friend of AA.
( 48 min) ( 22.3 MB)AA, Male, Workshop, Historical(09/24/2014)
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Decatur, GA
Gay was delegate for Area 16 (GA) from 1988-1989. Sober since March 14, 1976 and a member of the Clarkston 12th Step Group, Gay died sober January 20, 2011. She was an inspiration to many in the metro area and around the state. According to her obituary "A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Mrs. Garner was a graduate of The Julliard School of Music." Her husband Al is a member of Al-anon. His talk from 1991 is also on WeJoy.org.
( 46 min) ( 16 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/25/2014)
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Chicago, IL
Shares what it was like and "How I'd like it to be." Black woman, last of 10 kids born and raised in Jackson, MS. Adult child of an alcoholic. Her dad always drank. Three brothers were alcoholic. When she was 14, her dad quit working after 20 years and never worked again. Got drunk 3 times a day starting at 4am. Mom was OK with that but Geneva was not. Was known as Old Drunk Ernest's daughter. Would laugh with you so you won't laugh at her. Better if you were afraid of her. Tried to drink with her dad but the hangovers were terrible. Tried college. Fell in love there with Bob. His family had money. Got married. He forgot they were married the day after the ceremony. Went back home to mama two weeks later when he got drunk. Mom said, "If a man worked all week, he had a right to get drunk." Tried to stop her alcoholic from drinking in very creative (sick) ways. Planned to kill him but God intervened. She started 99% of the fights - many of them planned out. Bob came into AA - made 45 meetings in 45 days. She thought he was seeing another woman when she followed him to a meeting and saw a woman hugging him. Bob bribed her to go to an AA banquet with him. There she met her first Al-anon.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 33.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
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Los Angeles, CA
(01/23/2014)
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Myrtle Beach, SC
George got sober in Williamstown, WV 30 years earlier on 10/26/1966 at age 27. He says that coming to Founders Day for the Alcoholic is like going to Mecca. He arrived at AA for his first meeting agnostic, full of fear with a sense of pending doom. Actually it was the best day in his life. A bit of hypochondria adds color to his story. Eighteen years younger than the next youngest member, he went to meetings everyday for the first year and a half with a sponsor who emphasized the book and the program. Two-thirds of the talk is about his time in the program.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 22.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/12/2014)
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Fargo, GA
George is sober since 1974. He ran a park in the swamps of south Georgia as a practicing alcoholic. There are stories of alligators, insane shootouts, repeated trips to asylums and institutions and the felling of hopelessness and despair so common to the alcoholic as he reaches bottom. George later went on to found a kind of boot camp for alcoholics that is still operating in 2012 down near his beloved swamps.
( 56 min) ( 19.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/12/2012)
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Savannah, GA
Humorous, 58 year old dentist, spent time in the Air Force, married to an alcoholic for 32 years who is still practicing. Divorced in 1995. Married Anna, an Al-Anon. Doing service work for a long time because if he gets a commitment he won't quit. His alcoholic was dynamic - never passed out. Raised by the adult children of alcoholics. His alcoholic first wife once bit the end of his nose off and he still stayed married to her.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 55.9 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
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Area 16-Georgia
From the GSSA Archives (#RR0061-Side 2): Educational Session chaired by Virgil W. in his last year as Delegate for Area 16 with Maurice R. Southeastern Region Trustee, Waneta N of NY staff member GSO, Margaret W GSR Decatur Group and Tom S. immediate past Southeastern Regional Trustee. It is an educational session with question and answers. The sound quality is excellent.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 28.8 MB)AA, Both, Workshop, Historical(09/27/2014)
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Charlotte, NC
Went into a bar when he was 18 with a suit and tie and ordered a drink. That day he became a man and stopped growing. He was under the influence of alcohol for the next 30 years - not drunk the whole time but thinking about it or drinking it or dealing with problems associated with it. Psychiatrists have described us as suffering from childish grandiosity. Met his wife in a bar. At the time all she was drinking was a lemonade. Later she became an alcoholic and came into the rooms of AA. She divorced him three times, moved in and out with him and attempted suicide many times. Hank was in outside sales. Describes how he got trapped between his intentions and his disease. Only got fired after he got into AA. Speaks about how he got a spiritual pride in AA that became a problem. Hank is sponsored by Clancy I.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 29 MB)AA, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
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Charlotte, NC
Speaking here on Friday, Linda, his wife of four years at the time of this talk, spoke at the same conference on Sunday. Hank first drank to become a man but alcohol later made it so he could not make mortgage payments on time, sold the house and moved in with his parents. He had to take a loan to pay the hospital for the birth of his son. He mostly sat around an drank as an observer of life. He got Clancy I. of Venice, CA as a sponsor shortly after entering AA. He describes Clancy's style of sponsorship in an informative and entertaining manner.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 16 MB)AA, Male, Story(04/20/2014)
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Des Moines, IA
Harold got sober and then got active in politics at the state and national level. He was Governor and then U.S. Senator. His story came out in Look magazine. When it became obvious he would not be able to keep them from printing his affiliation with AA at the national level, he decided to cooperate to add truth to the story where possible. He received much grief from the AA community for this approach. He was a powerful advocate for the government acceptance of alcoholism as a disease. He favored alternative sentencing guidelines for judges giving them options for handling cases where alcoholism was the principle factor in the crime. He left the Senate voluntarily to join a series of spiritual and faith based causes.
This is a good talk of historical significance, sharing experience with drinking and recovery with an emphasis on encouraging AA Members to get involved in service inside and outside of the Program
( 55 min) ( 12.7 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(05/28/2013)
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Miami, FL
Sober since January 1956, Harriet is active in service in the Dade County area. She drank alcoholically from an early age. She decided to join the Marines in WWII but got off on the wrong floor and only realized she joined the Nanvy when it was too late. They made her an officer but she preferred to be the fork-lift driver hauling ammunition around while drunk. Fortunately the ammo was spent. She speaks of her relationships in sobriety and how diving into service was the key to finding joy and purpose in her life. A truly compelling talked.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 15.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/21/2013)
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Atlanta, GA
It was announced at the 73rd Anniversary of AA in Atlanta that Helen M. died sober that day - 6/23/2014. She had her last drink 12/31/1964. She was a sponsor, grand sponsor, great-grand sponsor, mentor and more to so many women in and around Atlanta. A kind spirit with a gentle manner. I was told this was her last recorded talk. We shall miss you gentle spirit.
( 45 min) ( 15.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(06/24/2014)
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Atlanta, GA
Emotional Sobriety Workshop 2010
Held in Woodstock, GA, Father's Day Weekend, June 19, 2010. The workshop included Dick and Barbara A. of Lithia Springs, GA and Helen R. of Atlanta. Dick and Barbara lead similar workshops around the country. Sober over 30 years, Helen is the Office Manager for the Central Office of the Metro Atlanta Intergroup of AA. The Workshop focused on the Traditions and Concepts of AA with an emphasis on applying them to our daily lives.
Total time across all 4 files is 3.4 hours.( 71 MB )With her wry sense of humor and 42 years sober, Helen is a leader in AA in Atlanta and a resource for members with questions about the application of the Traditions in and among the groups. In this short, powerful talk, Helen speaks about how she practices these principles in her affairs. Was asked to speak on "How has AA changed?". Compares how the demographics have changed based on AA surveys. Comments on the effect of the courts sending offenders to AA. She is a story teller rather than a speaker. Tells stories on herself that are funny and enlightening. She is not patient but she knows how to behave.
( 21 min) ( 7.3 MB)(Item #3 of 4)AA, Female, Workshop, Traditions(10/08/2011)
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Culver, CA
Howard says the most spiritual thing we do in AA is laugh. "I want what you have... but have discovered I now want what I have." He lacked the power to feel good when he came into AA. He grew up in Kansas around the buckle of the Bible Belt raised by hard working, stern Prussian parents. He has a great analogy about "baby elephant beliefs". His talk is anything but stern. Rather it is entertaining and lively - Enjoy.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 35.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/18/2014)
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Gilbert, AZ
The Woodstock format was introduced by Bob D. of Las Vegas, NV some years back. Well known and loved speakers with long term sobriety share their experience with a focus on 1 to 3 steps each. The order of the presenters is determined by the step(s) each will focus upon. It becomes a cross between a step and a pure speaker meeting. The result of those I have attended is magical.
Total time across all 8 files is 8 hours.( 151 MB )Steps 10-11: Howard is an old timer sober since 8/1/1972. I found real spiritual pearls as I listened to this recording more than once. This was a little surprising to me. His speaking manner is down to earth and practical. His heart is all AA.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.5 MB)(Item #6 of 8)AA, Male, Steps(06/15/2014)
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Los Angeles, CA
Sober 21 years since 3/3/1975, Ilene is a lively and funny. She got sober at 25. At 40 she got a tattoo; at 45 dyed her hair blue; is scared to think what she will do when she turns 50. She has a tenuous relationship with reality. The Mexican Day of the Dead is her favorite holiday. For her the way to stop drinking is to stop drinking. The way to stay stopped is to work the steps. She spends a good part of her talk on life after entering AA.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 24.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/11/2012)
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Los Angeles, CA
Sober 22 years, Ilene got sober at age 24 in 1975 when there were not many young people in AA and few attractive young people. She was one of the more unattractive - 230 pounds, discount store granny dress, bad haircut and a worse attitude. She was born in Boise, ID by Jewish parents from the Bronx. There were not many Jews in Idaho. When she was four they move to California in the San Fernando valley. She was the teacher's pet and active in everything til age eleven but at the same time weird, nervous, neurotic and self absorbed. Her parents and immediate family were not alcoholic. She was the dysfunctional member. She drank for 12 pathetic years. "There are basically two kinds of people, I think, that come into AA: those who drink to get into life and those who drink to get out of life." She drank to get out. She was always more or less insanely drunk. She became a slut and a slag. She came in frozen and has been thawing out since.
( 1 hr ) ( 13.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/12/2014)
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Missoula,MT
Originally from Danville, OH, funny speaker, former police officer, J. R. got sober 2/20/1981 but says he is as close to his next drink as the newcomer.
He had his first drink at 11 to feel apart of and get rid of the fear and it worked. He served in the Marines in Vietnam and drank through it. He got out, came back to work on the railroad. "There are 17 places on a diesel locomotive where you can hide a bottle."
He enter the police force trying to find himself. He continued to drink to make himself bigger and "them" smaller. Then the worst thing happened - it stopped working. He left his last drink half finished on a table.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 16.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(11/08/2014)
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WSO Trustee
JP came into the program not thinking he needed it. He has become a very active member of the fellowship. He was serving as the interim Regional Trustee at the time of this talk. Later he was appointed as a Trustee at Large for the Alateen Advisory Committee. Not a story for those who want sad tales. The talk is well organized and covers not only his story but also covers his progress through the steps and his experience within the Service Structure of Al-Anon.
( 58 min) ( 20.1 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(10/10/2011)
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Redondo Beach, CA
Jack is married to Jean K (Al-Anon talk on this sight). They met in Greenwich Village, NY while living in the same apartment. He came to her apartment with a quart of beer and a volume of Dylan Thomas poetry. He got involved in managing theater productions and at times teaching drama. After losing a great position in Ohio because of his drinking, he became a hippy teacher in California in the 60's. He got fired for helping students plot to take over the administration building. While he is out saving the planet, Jean is trying to hide his alcoholism. The two talks on their own are great but together they form a complete picture of the disease and recovery.
( 54 min) ( 12.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/14/2013)
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Louisville, KY
Sober 34 years since 8/21/1962, Jack is a well loved member of AA with a great message. He helped many people by showing how he got out from under. He is not working on anything. The 12th step says that he just needs to be kind to people to day. Happiness for him is wanting what he has and Jack has reached that point in his life.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 22.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/12/2014)
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Kennesaw, GA
Sober since 1/17/2007, Jackie is a native of Marietta, GA. Until 1974, Cobb County was dry and his family was involved in what were known in the black community as "shot houses" where illegal liqour and many others things could be purchased. They were like convenience stores. He had a learning disability but went to grade and middle in a private Catholic school though neither of his parents were catholic. He did poorly at school. His natural athletic talents were discovered late in high school. He was able to excel at Morris Brown with a full scholarship and spent one preseason with the Seattle Seahawks. Alcoholism did not really kick in until he began to move up in business. He gave up one marriage and a daughter to the disease, hit bottom hard while working a union delivery job. He was allowed to go to Ridgeview in Smyrna, GA and has been clean and sober since. He worked AA Lite until he was compelled to work a thorough 4th and 5th step - then real recovery began.
( 40 min) ( 14 MB)AA, Male, Story(08/31/2014)
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Washington, DC
Author of the Big Book story, James' Story, James is an example that, "We are people who normally would not mix." (Big Book p.17) This talk is by an African American physician speaking to a mixed race group in 1955. AA truly anticipated Martin Luther King, JR's dream: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Jim shares his story from the heart and how AA enabled him to truly live up to his potential.
( 37 min) ( 17.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical, Author(07/17/2012)
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Douglasville, GA
Jan tells it from the heart - how he got sober and his journey of discovering and awakening the innermost self through prayer and meditation. He speaks here to his old home group - a kind of home coming.
( 34 min) ( 23.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
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Waleska, GA
Sober 17 years since 9/18/96 and recently moved to Georgia from Northern California, Jane shares her story of ego deflation, recovery and forgiveness that touches the heart. Born and raised in Colorado until her late teens, she an her mother moved to California. She went to college there and worked many years in the high-tech field. She could not see how alcohol began to take control of her life and to affect her family. Later in recovery, she experienced the gift of family recovery through the healing of twisted relations with her daughter.
( 46 min) ( 15.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(08/04/2014)
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Tallahassee, FL
This is a powerful talk of where alcohol can take us and how AA can bring us back. Jane was convicted of vehicular manslaughter in a tragic accident where to all rights she should have died as well. Still without a license after years of sobriety, Jane has found success in many facets of her life ... with a little help from her friends.
( 1 hr ) ( 20.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(02/08/2014)
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Kennesaw, GA
Got sober Jan 2010. Is passionate and active in AA. In 2010 went to San Antonio for the AA International and New York for ICYPAA.
( 47 min) ( 10.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(08/05/2011)
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Myrtle Beach, SC
Recorded months before he died, Jay was an inspiration to many in AA through his leadership and dedication. For many years he picked an amazingly consistent selection of great speakers for the Fellowship by the Sea roundup in Myrtle Beach.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 22.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/13/2014)
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Redondo Beach, CA
Jean was born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island where there were two ways to leave home - move to the city, get an apartment and a job or get married. She got married. That marriage produced a daughter but did not last long. She had dreams of an idyllic life of getting a job in the city, meeting a rich man and moving to the suburbs. Instead she met her husband Jack (who also spoke at this event). His apartment was messy and she knew he needed someone to fix him. They had more children, Jack was trying and finally made it to the suburbs with a teaching job. He was secretly drinking. She could not figure out what was wrong with him.
( 51 min) ( 11.9 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/14/2013)
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Kennesaw, GA
Sober since September 2007, Jeff speaks from the heart of the countless times he came in and out of recovery before finding the answer. Laying in an abandoned house in the hood within blocks of a treatment center he said "God I thought you had a better plan for my life." He heard a very clear voice say, "I did and you got in the way." From that point his life changed. He found recovery, then service at a bread line he once waited in, then a chance to carry the message as a house manager for a recovery home for college students in a predominantly white neighborhood near a golf course in Kennesaw GA. A real "How did he get here from there?" story. A number of the sober past residence were there to support Jeff.
( 57 min) ( 19.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/21/2012)
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Philadelphia, PA
Never had a legal drink. Great interpretation of its the first drink that gets you drunk. Great message.
( 37 min) ( 8.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(08/30/2011)
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Tequesta, FL
Jennie is a truly delightful speaker with a great message and an infectious laugh. On January 7, 1985 she began to go to Al-Anon instead of sitting beside her sober husband Bill H in the open AA meetings because she was told they "needed" her. For over 20 years she had lived in Brussels with her first alcoholic husband until he lost his job and they moved back to the States. After her divorce, she met her current husband Bill in the airport when he strolled up to her and asked "Haven't I seen you some place before?" (Tacky!). He was sober many years when she met him. He just turned 80 at the time if this talk. A few years before this talk Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
There is another talk by Jennie on WeJoy but I can never get enough of a great speaker!
( 56 min) ( 13 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/26/2012)
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Tequesta, FL
Married to Hewitt H. Very funny and inspirational. One of the first talks I converted from cassette tape to MP3.
( 49 min) ( 22.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/07/2011)
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Acworth, GA
Sober since 11/5/1985, Jerry is a native of Acworth. He grew up on what was considered the wrong side of the tracks. He got saved, had his first drink and first date all at the age of 12. One of seven children, he is the only one that has faced the disease in recovery. He quit school at 17 so he could work to earn the things he thought would make him happy. He soon joined the Army and in 1965 was one of the few who did not go to Vietnam. He married his pregnant girl friend and they had a son. The marriage was rocky with sickness on both sides. Jerry got a job with the railroad and built a business on the side. He sold that in the last years of his drinking. He saw a vision in the mirror that brought him closer to the truth about himself. He came into AA and was guided toward recovery. At five years sober he nearly drank and considered suicide. He got down on his knees and found some relief. He had divorced the first wife and after several failed relationships found in his fifties he could truly love a woman. They are happily married to this day. They had just gotten back from the Al-anon International in Seattle where Jerry chaired a panel on an invite from GSO. How to you get from there to here?
( 51 min) ( 17.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/13/2013)
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Atlanta, GA
Jerry, sober since 6/4/1984 (now deceased) was a well loved member of AA in Georgia, past Area 16 Delegate (1998-1999) and member of the Mt. Vernon Group. He is a lively speaker who says God is first and last in his life. He did not get a sponsor, a home group or work the steps for a long time after coming in the program. He only got happy, joyous and free by doing those things. He spends a good portion of the talk on the solution.
( 56 min) ( 12.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/12/2014)
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Salem, VA
Female, active in corrections in Virginia. Jerry has been sober 23 years since 8/22/1988. Born and raised back in the country - very poor. Grandparents raised her. Never felt like the other kids. Filled with anger and resentment except when drinking. Stayed in trouble. Married 9 years to a navy man. They moved to Maryland. She got fired after two weeks for drinking. Husband eventually died drunk. Had two children. Got to a point where she had to buy gallons of booze at a time, drink every hour and even hid the bottle though she lived alone. Went to detox. Then the miracles started happening.
( 59 min) ( 27.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/06/2012)
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College Park, GA
Jerry tells it short and sweet. He managed to start his own business and make lots of money but could not find sanity or sobriety until he entered the rooms of AA AND adopted the program in his life. This down home country boy shares a delightful message of recovery and fellowship. Enjoy! NOTE: The voice introducing the tape is Bill S. of Roswell, GA who shares his story also on WeyJoy.
( 37 min) ( 8.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/21/2013)
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Plantersville, MS
Sober since 8/4/1976, Jessica is a lively country gal who got sober in the old school of AA. She is still crazy after all these years. She didn't know she was crazy when she came in. "My crazy has kept me from going insane." Born on a farm in the early 30's in the segregated south, she knew she did not like it. She had to keep everything bottled up inside her. Her family moved to Chicago and life was very different. She got pregnant out of wedlock and that was frowned on in those days. Her mom did not care who she married but just that she married. It was terrible. Jessica is a night person and would not take direction from her husband. Her drinking took her into a blackout and kicked out of the lowliest bars. She was given a number for AA and thought it was Triple-A but kept the card. She found the card on August 3rd, tired of drinking for the first time, she came into AA the next day.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 23.2 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/25/2012)
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The Villages, FL
Sober 50 years since 9/4/1960 at the time of this talk, Jim was always energized by the young people in the rooms. I consider this the best of all his talks I have heard. It is great for the delivery and content but most for how, in his 80's, he managed to connect deeply with a room full of young alcoholics.
Jim got sober in Rosary Hall with Sister Ignatia in Cleveland. He was a well known T.V. personality who, once sober, used his talents to travel the world attending AA meetings in many different places. He said several times that AA is not what it used to be...it is better.
At 88 years old and 54 years sober, on Monday September 8, 2014 Jim died of bladder cancer after only 24 hours in hospice. He refused pain medications on that last day, I believe, so as not to cloud his final experience on earth.
He was kind to me when I first came into the program and continued as our friendship grew. I saw him a few weeks before he died. He was still sharp and we laughed and cried together.
Here is a video from that last meeting of Jim reading a poem he wrote called Dixieland Funeral.
He taught me how to live and then he taught me how to die.
I can only pay it forward.
I cannot pay it back.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/14/2014)
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Kennesaw, GA
Jims 50th AA Birthday 2010. Jim got sober in 1960 in Rosary Hall Cleveland Ohio under the care of Sister Ignasia.
( 51 min) ( 17.8 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(09/05/2011)
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Cheyenne, WY
Jim grew up in the Omaha area. He got thrown out of the Navy for drinking on his first ship. He came back to his hometown, took the Air Force recruiter out for drinks and was enlisted in the Air Force the next day. He later went to medical school and his wife had him swear off alcohol in writing. He quit until his last year of residency. His wife thought that since he had not had a drink in five years it would be OK to have a glass of wine. Within three weeks he was back in full swing. He setup practice in an oil town in Wyoming. He worked long hours and got free drinks after work. Got bad, so he moved to Cheyenne. The rest of the story you get to hear for yourself...
( 1 hr 20 min) ( 27.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/10/2013)
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Bessemer, AL
Jim H, sober since 12/8/1955, was a past Delegate from Alabama at the time of this talk. He is speaking at the Georgia State Service Assembly (GSSA) in May 1968. GSSA is where the business of Area 16 AA is conducted three times per year - January, May and September.
This recording was digitized in 2014 from a reel-to-reel in the GSSA Archives. It is the second assembly for which recordings are available. The earliest is September 1967. (see Waneta N on this site)
The quality is very good considering the age of the media and inexperience of the person converting the tapes - me. It is a very good message from someone deeply involved in service.
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 34.3 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(10/12/2014)
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Huntsville, AL
This is the full recording of the meeting including readings, announcements and closing prayer.
Jim H, newly elected GSO Trustee at Large, speaks here to the Georgia State Service Assembly. Jim first got sober in Atlanta on 4/1/1949 but finally got sober in April 1951 in Huntsville, AL Jim was born in South Carolina. Married to Evelyn with three daughters. Worked for the Federal Government in various cities around the US.
This recording also contain a 2 minute talk by the Georgia Al-anon Delegate Ruth F.
This recording was taken from a reel-to-reel owned by the GSSA Archives in Macon, GA. The sound quality is excellent considering the age of the recording.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 32.8 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(12/28/2014)
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Columbus, GA
Grew up in Manchester, GA, His father was a dentist and an alcoholic. By 10 to 12 years old the alcohol came to be a problem. Jim knew he had some problems with his expectations, attitude and thinking in general early. The last prayer he would say today is "God, give me what I deserve." He loved his dad but did not respect him. His dad got sober just before Jim's graduation from High School, stayed sober for five years before being killed in a car crash. His dad remarried sober to, Lillian, long time "secretary" to AA in Georgia (Area 16).
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 30.1 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
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Raliegh, NC
Sober since April 1980, Jim got sober at the NABA club in Atlanta. Later he was among the founders of the 8111 Club in Sandy Springs, GA in north Atlanta. I love this talk. Jim reads from his own "30 Questions" that uniquely describe his experience in a way I can relate. Funny and touching at the same time. His awakening happened when he stopped looking for God somewhere to find Him instead Everywhere!
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 15.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/04/2015)
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Ft. Worth, TX
Jim is a well known and loved speaker in AA. Here is a fairly early version that is more straight forward than the style he later adopted with its characteristics paradoxes and elaborate twists of logic. A delightful talk with the clear insight into the program that has made him a favorite of roundups and workshops ever since.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 14.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/13/2013)
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Ft Worth, TX
Jim W. is one of the most recorded AA speakers. He loves to show humor through paradoxes, twisted and convoluted thinking. I have included this recording here as it may not be available elsewhere. Also, it is a classic talk worthy of a good laugh, a bit of inner examination and deep gratitude for the program. Enjoy!
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 26.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(08/09/2014)
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Dallas, TX
Sober since 6/10/1982. Sponsored himself for the 1st 90 days and he and his sponsor wound up naked and drunk in North Carolina. The only thing we have is our stories. At 40 never was able to tell the truth about himself. Growing up with a two ton elephant in the house as well as baboons and giraffes. Comes from a long line of dysfunction, madness and chaos. Second of 10 kids and none of the daddies hung around. Grew up in the projects. Changed into something different to everyone he ran into. Remembers the ugly poverty of childhood. First love lasted 2 years and when it was over the pain was so bad, he swore he would always have a backup. Never new intimacy until got into AA. His wife was mysteriously murdered while he was in prison. By 1982 he was driving a beat up '71 Maverick with his belongings in two plastic bags. We are survivors. Some will make the supreme sacrifices rather than change. Lost two brothers to the disease. Jimmy was four times in prison - locked up 12 years. In a field in Dallas he started running, fell down, broke down in tears and started asking God "Where have you been in my life?" Resulted in a deep and effective spiritual experience. Spends a longf time talking about the challenges and rewards of sobriety.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 16.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/25/2011)
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Smyrna, GA
Jimmy is one of my favorite speakers and this is one my favorite talks he gave. He is at a retreat that happens twice a year in Atlanta. I never knew Jimmy - he died from cancer shortly before I entered the program. Jimmy worked with a friend of mine who confirmed he had never seen him angry. That is saying a lot from a golden gloves contender, Attica inmate and past participant in organized crime.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 24.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/31/2014)
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Smyrna, GA
Jimmy is speaking here in what must have been one of his last recorded talks. He knows he has cancer and that it has returned. He knows the doctors have given him months to live. He does not let it change his faith in God or his optimistic outlook. I am told, in his final days, friends would come to cheer him up at the hospital and come away uplifted.
( 57 min) ( 13.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/31/2014)
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Smyrna, GA
One of Jimmy Es last talks before he died of cancer in 2003. AAs went to console him when he was dying and came away consoled. Danny R. worked with him for years and never saw him angry. Jimmys message you cannot be angry unless you first think anger.
( 51 min) ( 17.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/05/2011)
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Memphis, TN
In the program 25 years. Calls herself an Al-anon because she attends her home group meeting on a regular basis and practices the principles daily. Her husband is an admitted alcoholic but that is not what makes her an Al-anon. Childhood not different except started dancing at age 4. Became a dance instructor. Not a family of drinkers. Native Memphian. Liked older boys but not studying. Met George #1 at 15. He was 23. Got secretly married at 16. Hell broke loose when family found out. Divorced him after 6 months. Met George #2 after High School, dated for years until found him cheating. Hurt badly, decided to never get close to another man. George #2 married another. Met her current husband, Milton, a fireman, while working as a waitress at George #2's drive-in. Dated and drank with Milton for six months then got married. Three days married, he went out for a beer and came back three days later. Went on for years. In 1973 Milton called AA and two men came with a Big Book. They went to their first speaker meeting. Sure it was a cult with corny sayings on the wall but it was their last resort. Told it was her wifely duty to go to Al-anon. Came in talking and learned to listen. Found out she was sicker than he was. Milton's sponsor's wife became Jo Anne's sponsor.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 31.2 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
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Middleburg, FL
Joan has 22 years in Al-anon. Got to know and spend time with Lois Wilson, co-founder of Al-anon. Was a Panel 16 delegate. Methodist who only had two kids. Had a wonderful childhood. Born in Canada. Never noticed alcoholism. Very insecure and under weight. They called her Olive Oil. Married at 20 to a Scotch and was back home two years later. Knew it was wrong going down the aisle. Took 6 years to get a divorce. Then met a distinguished southern gentleman dentist. Married 6 months later having seen him just four times. He was in the last stages of alcoholism. Courted by phone - hours per call. She thought it was special for her and found later it is what drunks do. Honeymoon in Jamaica with too much free booze. Tried many ways to stop his drinking. Later spent long nights waiting for him in the dark closets of the mind. The loneliest time of her life. Hunted bottles as a hobby. Followed him around town. Cried, begged, pleaded and screamed - obsessed. No one she could talk to. Alienated from his family. He tried to stop by using Librium but he forged the Rx and abused it. He wanted to move back with his ex-wife and children and sent Joan back to Canada. She wanted to kill him. Cried all the way home. Hurt so bad, ashamed and six months pregnant. Knew nothing of Spiritual life but she was at her bottom. Her husband called next day. He wanted her back and "we" went "back" to AA in closed meetings. Took notes so he wouldn't miss anything. Did it all wrong until she went to Al-anon "for her husband". Hated it to begin with - all little old ladies with gray hair and smiles. Felt the waves of love and that kept her coming back. Husband had a slip for three days but she knew now how to handle it. Joan went back to Al-anon with a new pair of eyes.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 15.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
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Acworth, GA
Joanna shares a powerful story of transformation. Her parents divorced when she was in 3rd grade because her father was an alcoholic. She moved to Atlanta with her mom & her brother after the divorce. Her mother worked full time & attended law school at night. Joanna made good grades in school and was a cheer leader for 3 years in high school. She was raped at 15 after being slipped the date rape drug. She blamed herself & never told her parents. She began using shortly after the rape and her good grades began to disappear. She dropped out of high school & got her GED when she was 18. She got involved in a Program in 1989 but did not do what was suggested. She left the Program 1 year later and didn't get back into a Program until 2006. Since 2006, she has experienced the death of both of her parents, the lose of her job twice, getting her home out of foreclosure, facing the IRS, the death of many friends and a failed relationship in sobriety only to grow stronger. Wanting nothing to do with God at first, she has become a Spiritual Seeker. She finds particular strength through the Native American Ceremonies in Cherokee North Carolina.
( 51 min) ( 17.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/03/2013)
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Dunwoody, GA
Fourth talk ever. Learned how to turn life of tears into a life of joy and happiness. Born before WWII. Christian. Atlanta native. Dysfunctional family. No drinking at home but alcoholism on both sides. Raised in a small town south of Atlanta. Mom qualified for Al-anon. Even though Joanne's dad never drank, her mom lived in fear he would and regularly would go fetch him. Mom abusive by today's standard. Under stress in school she diagnosed as hopeless and though Protestant was sent to Catholic School. Was treated well and was convinced she needed to become Catholic. Went to public high school. Sister eloped which ruined dating for Joanne. Got a gift whenever mom through a fit but would hold it over her. Met a Catholic boy who could stand up to her mother. Got married against mom's wishes. Her husband drank from the beginning. Started having children. Husband promoted to job in Miami - three years of solitary confinement with babies coming every two years. Found a priest to approve birth control. Got as car, baby sitter and job. Alcohol becoming a problem. Moved to Dallas, took over the checkbook and he started closet drinking. Smooth sailing for two years. Started having problems getting up. Husband got reported to the company by a client. He sent her to find out about AA. They suggested she go to Al-anon. For first time in her life she identified. He read about detachment and hated Al-anon from that point. Found her purpose in life. Turned her life over to God. Found all the scriptures about drunks. But that was not the end of the story...
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 31.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
4th Step Workshop: Joe and Charlie
Classic original Joe and Charlie. This is a selection from a full Big Book Comes Alive Workshop. For a complete set from 1998 see Silkworth.net FreeStuff For a transcript of a Joe and Charlie Workshop see Silkworth.net .
Total time across all 3 files is 2.9 hours.( 60 MB )End of Step 4 (Page 72) thru Step 7
(04/07/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
Page 65 Start of Column thru Fear Inventory p.68
(04/07/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
Start p.64 thru Page 65 Start of Column
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 27 MB)(Item #1 of 3)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(04/07/2011)
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Palm Coast, FL
The Woodstock format was introduced by Bob D. of Las Vegas, NV some years back. Well known and loved speakers with long term sobriety share their experience with a focus on 1 to 3 steps each. The order of the presenters is determined by the step(s) each will focus upon. It becomes a cross between a step and a pure speaker meeting. The result of those I have attended is magical.
Total time across all 8 files is 8 hours.( 151 MB )Joe does a masterful job covering steps 1 and 2. He was filling in for Ken D. of La Mesa, CA who was originally scheduled to kick off this journey through the steps by a great selection of those who talk a good talk and really walk the walk. He shares his experience with a focus on what it took for him to be ready for recovery.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 23 MB)(Item #1 of 8)AA, Male, Steps(06/15/2014)
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Atlanta, GA
(01/25/2014)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
Big Book Study: Joe, Joe and Charlie
Joe McQ. & Charlie P. met in 1973 when Joe introduced Charlie as the AA speaker at an Al-Anon Convention. They instantly discovered their mutual fascination with AAs basic text The Big Book. The original Joe McQ. had to curtail his travels in later years. Oddly enough, another Joe Joe McC., active in the study group since the beginning was able to pick up the slack. This is a rare event where all three participated.
Total time across all 11 files is 13.3 hours.( 274 MB )History through Preface
(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
Into Action p.76 (9th Step) through Into Action p.86 (Start of 11th Step)
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 26.5 MB)(Item #10 of 11)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
Into Action p.86 (Start of 11th Step) through Step 12 p.164
(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
Dr.'s Opinion through Bill's Story p. 4
( 59 min) ( 20.3 MB)(Item #2 of 11)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
Bill's Story p.4 through There is a Solution p.25
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 27 MB)(Item #3 of 11)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
There is a Solution p.25 through Start of We Agnostics p.44
(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
We Agnostics p.44 through How It Works p.60 (start of 3rd Step)
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27.3 MB)(Item #5 of 11)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
How It Works p.60 (start of 3rd Step) through How It Works p.64 (start of 4th Step)
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 26 MB)(Item #6 of 11)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
How It Works p.64 (start of 4th Step) through How It Works p.67 (4th Step - Start of My Mistakes)
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 25.2 MB)(Item #7 of 11)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
How It Works p.67 (4th Step - Start of My Mistakes and Fear) through How It Works p.69 (4th Step - Start of Sex Inventory)
(09/04/2011)
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Arkansas and Oklahoma
How It Works p.69 (4th Step - Start of Sex Inventory) through Into Action p.76 (9th Step)
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27.4 MB)(Item #9 of 11)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/04/2011)
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Laguna Beach, CA
Sober 38 years, John was born is Sweden but lived in California for many years. He has a delightful accent and a sense of humor to match. This talk is both very funny at times and dead center in the program. There are many excellent insights and observations. Excellent for the new comer or the old timer. In my opinion, this is a truly classic AA talk.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 36.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/27/2013)
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Arlington, TX
Grew up in Utah. One time thought it was the altitude that got him drunk so he moved to the Pacific NW. Shares on the amazing coincidences experienced in sobriety. Added by request 7/31/11.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 34.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/31/2011)
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Hampton, GA
A professional Santa, John recorded this talk on his own cassette recorder. I had never met John and I was four months sober. It was one of my first if not my first speaker meeting. After the meeting I spoke with him and he found out I knew something about computers. He asked if I could convert that cassette and another to CD. I told him I probably could but had never done it. Since that time I have been given thousands of cassettes to convert. So, Santa gave me a present my first Christmas - the gift of service - a way to go from being a user to being useful. John passed away October 2013 near Sharon, PA. Thank you my friend for giving to me the true spirit of Christmas.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/28/2014)
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Hampton, GA
John gave me this cassette the first time I met him and asked if I could copy it to CD. That request eventually led to WeJoy. The trouble with trouble is it starts out looking like fun. The funny thing about fun is it start out looking like trouble.
John made his living as a professional Santa at Malls all around the country. He came into the program after he ran out of gas while trying to get an "alcoholic car" going fast enough to kill him when he hit a bridge abutment. He died sober in Pennsylvania in October 2013. Job well done John.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 25.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/28/2014)
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Atlanta, GA
Sober 42 years since 2/23/1952, John is so grateful that his cup sometimes runneth over in emotions. One of 13 children, he had his first drink at 16, shy, timid and full of frustrations, as a clerk at a grocery store. This started a 25 year downhill journey. Full of fears, not knowing he was afraid or why. Arrested for the first time at 19. He was locked up more times than he can remember including the chain gang. Married at 20. They were to have four children only to divorce. He made his living as one of the best cooks in Atlanta but kept losing jobs for his drinking. Many people tried to help to no avail. His brother was in AA and showed him the Big Book in 1941 but the word Alcoholic turned John off. In the fall of 1951 he heard of AA again and went to a meeting for the first time where he was warmly greeted but he did not admit he was an alcoholic. He stayed sober until 1/12/1952 when he decided to drink to prove he was not alcoholic. On 2/23/1952 in a bar going to get a haircut with a friend he admitted to another he was alcoholic and made a decision way down deep inside he wanted to get sober more than anything else.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 15.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/11/2012)
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Chino Hills, CA
Funny talk, with 45 years, John came into AA at 26 years old - he did not drink for long. His program was "take something you'll feel better". Shopped in others' medicine cabinets. Came from an Irish Catholic, rambunctious family. Dad could be a real jerk when he drank. John thought he was different as a kid. Started keeping deep, dark secrets at 6 years old that he did not get rid of until he got into AA. Very lonely when he came in. Avid duck hunter. Doing poorly in school, at 16 years old, his brother got him a job as a merchant seaman where he learned to drink. Learned about hashish in Saudi Arabia. Everyone smoked dope on the ship. Began to live by "take something - you'll feel better". Life got worse. Started going to doctors for help. Got out of jail and asked God for help. Came into AA and got his first good nights sleep in a long time. Talks long on recovery and service.
( 56 min) ( 19.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/11/2011)
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Collingswood, NJ
John has been sober since St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1985. He came to AA on an intervention because everybody else wanted him to get sober. He lied to his wife about calling AA and that the next meeting was next summer. He was a pathological liar and a daily drunk. He and his wife have 11 children. John got sober when his oldest son was 15 years old. He got in trouble from his first drink at 18 when he and a friend threw a TV out of an 18th story hotel window. John is soft spoken and quietly humorous.
( 48 min) ( 16.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/16/2012)
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Central Coast NSW, Australia
Past delegate from Area B in Australia, John's talk was one of the early ones in my collection. How he got to speak at Soberfest is an interesting story. The phrase I took away from his talk was "Takes a Steady Hand to Hold a Full Cup".
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 22.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(12/29/2014)
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South Berlin, MA
John "The Indian" V is one of the best loved AA speakers. This tape was mailed to me with a request to share it with the world. This is vintage John that I did not see on other AA Speaker sites. The cassette was sent along with two of Keith L which I will upload in the near future. I have been researching and cannot find what happened to John in the 90's. Thanks Cheryl.
( 51 min) ( 11.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(11/04/2013)
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Atlanta, GA
Alcoholism-An Overview of Addition
A medical doctor and member of AA presents a workshop at an Al-anon conference on the nature of alcoholism and addiction. Very informative but dated (1987). Some of the details of addiction have changed since but the basic message is sound and well presented. In the end, he covers the nature of the nicotine addiction as well.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 14.7 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(09/19/2011)
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Douglasville, GA
Spiritual seeker with a great story and sense of humor. Recorded on an Android so the audio quality is a little weak. 8/16/11
( 39 min) ( 17.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/05/2011)
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New York, NY
Sober 21 years since 10/15/1975, Joanie was an employee of GSO at the time of this recording. She was attending the Georgia State Service Assembly in her official capacity and was the Saturday Night speaker. She was brought by non-AA members to AA empty, lost, dirty, unemployable, did not know where she was going and did not care. She learned from her mentors what AA love and service is all about. She speaks about the Power of AA.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 29.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(12/28/2014)
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Kansas City, KS
Sober since 11/14/1991, Joy is a very lively speaker who is still dealing with crazy thinking after years of sobriety and service. Her home group is strong and active. She calls herself a different kind of Joy. AA saved her life, gave her life and gave her purpose. I love the story of her heart attack while driving...funny as a heart attack ;->
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 14 MB)AA, Female, Story(11/17/2014)
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Cucamonga, CA
Born to Polish immigrants in Winnipeg, MB, she felt less than especially given the local discrimination at the time. She both loved her family and was ashamed of them. She wanted to leave town and came to Los Angeles, CA via by getting a job as a TWA stewardess. Her first memories of drinking were enjoying the effect but it did not become an obsession until she left Winnipeg. She learned how to fake it on the outside to make up for the inadequacies and lack of self-esteem. Her first obsession had been men but to that she added alcohol. When she came into the program she had three kids but was too self-obsessed to be a good mother. She learned how in the rooms of AA>
( 58 min) ( 13.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/26/2014)
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Douglasville, GA
Joycie was Area 16 (Georgia) Delegate from 1996-97. She has reached several mountaintops in sobriety and they were all in service - being responsible. The payoff was always seeing people enjoy themselves in sobriety.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 23 MB)AA, Female, Story(06/22/2014)
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Santa Fe, NM
Juanita walked into her first Al-anon meeting 30 years earlier, 7/2/1986, not because she needed to but because they would not let her husband out of treatment until she went to three meetings of Al-anon. Her first thought was, "I've been trying to get rid of this S.O.B. for a long time - you want him that bad, you can keep him!". Her goal in life at that point was to make his life miserable. The program taught her, that whenever she starts to blame or criticize no matter what they did - it is never them. Her family has changed as the result of living the 12 steps.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 17.8 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(08/22/2014)
TRACKS
Louisville, KY
A sometimes grateful member of Al-anon since 1960 (27 years). Eligible by her husband who got sober in 1962. A member because she works at it and attends meetings regularly. An only child so she wanted six kids. God looked down and saw it upside down - they had nine children. One was in Alateen before she joined. Knew and dated her husband in High School. Did not like his personality change. He said her personality changed. True was they both changed. Her head hurt the day after he drank because of over thinking. She never knew her father. Spent 11 years trying to fix her husband.
( 1 hr 13 min) ( 16.9 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
TRACKS
Culver City, CA
A great talk by a man who went from waking up in the gutter to sitting on as an alternate on the California Supreme Court. This talk is full of humor and insight. There is a very funny story about dealing with cigarette burns in a couch.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 23.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/08/2013)
TRACKS
Sherrodsville, OH
Presented with passion and excitement. A special event for Judy - she heard her story told for the first time at an Atlanta Roundup 6 years before. AA has no opinion on outside issue but she does - inside ones, too. Controversy is good, it keeps us balanced. Tells the same story pretty much every time. Came from a polish-catholic home. At 5, mom divorced and remarried to an alcoholic in the early stages of the disease. Loved him at first but then things got violent. Physically, emotionally and sexually abused. There were no good times and that is no excuse. Judy came in and got and stayed sober from the very first meeting. Relapse is not a ploy for sympathy. Quit playing games with your disease. Your alcoholic not stupid. Wild woman. Lively.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 36 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
TRACKS
Elijay, GA
Sober 36 years. Drank an awful lot in a short period of time. She was 23 when she got to AA (age 59 now). Step-father was Jekyll and Hyde alcoholic. Story has parts that are not delicate. She does not clean up her story because she had to wait 6.5 years to hear her story at a meeting. What she heard was "You can get sober, too." Her job is to screw up your drinking. Beat up or sexually abused depending on her step father's mood. Turned to alcohol to deal with what was going on. It may have saved her. A child of the 60's. Drugs are a part of her story..
( 52 min) ( 23.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/19/2011)
TRACKS
Indianapolis, IN
Julie is qualified by her husband Gary. With a number of family members in the audience, this talk has added power and depth. Julie was born in 1941 in Cheyenne, WY to loving parents who had waited five years for her and 4 years later her mother died. It took her years to understand why. Her grandmother had 82 children and grandchildren when she died. Reunions had a cast of 100's. Some were in-laws and some outlaws and they did some fighting. She met Gary when they were both young in the Jimmy Dean 50's, dated off and on for three years and then married in August of 1959. That started the 5-year long road of alcoholism into Al-Anon and AA.
( 43 min) ( 10 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(04/20/2014)
TRACKS
Acworth, GA
Julie in her first talk at a roundup left not a dry eye in the place. Her disease took from her everything of value. She relates an amazing story of how she rationalized leaving husband, home and child in middle-class Georgia to live and grovel in the streets of Atlanta. She went to prison twice - faced a near-certain 30 years sentence and finally found recovery through AA and strong sponsorship. Via a mix of miracles, challenges and a broken heart she has emerged married to a truly loving soul-mate and fellow recovering alcoholic. This is a must listen talk. Thank you Julie for the courage it took to pour your heart out to us.
( 46 min) ( 15.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(08/18/2013)
TRACKS
Bixby, OK
A joyous speaker, well connected to the Al-Anon family. She suffered from a disease called alcoholism and she does not drink. Her children are her qualifiers. She grew up in the little farm community of Bixby. Her daddy was a prominent and successful farmer in the community. There was no alcoholism or abuse in her family. There was alot of church going. At 17 she got tired of that way of life, got married and moved 10 miles down the road to join a family that was well known for very different reasons. She thought it was wonderful. She joined the Honky Tonk life, had three babies in eight years and threw away all she had learned. It all fell apart. Daddy took her back and paid her to stay at home and take care of her kids. Then a cute cowboy came into her life.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 16.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/14/2013)
TRACKS
Los Angeles, CA
June is another well loved speaker in AA. Here she is speaking at a roundup that years earlier had been her first big event in AA. She came in young and mean - the scared little girl hiding in a tough exterior. She describes her journey to womanhood and responsibility.
( 58 min) ( 13.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/13/2013)
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Kennesaw GA
Relatively new in sobriety at the time of this talk, Justus speaks from the heart in sharing his journey out of a hopeless state of mind and body into responsibility and sobriety. He came into the program relatively young and connected with with an old timer in the last years of his life. We are people who would not normally mix but in AA magic happens. Here's thinkin' about you Chuck!
( 47 min) ( 16.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/04/2014)
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Venice, CA
K. C. believes alcoholics are emotionally wired the same way. The only reason his family was dysfunctional was because he was in it. They were well off and well balanced. He recovered from polio but was unable to walk for a time. He liked having polio at first because of the attention he got. Back at school he was shunned as being somehow contagious. He isolated and began to live in a world of books though he was one of the youngest and fastest track stars in the country for a time.. At 18 he was a weird emotionally unbalanced, ultimate conformist kid. Had his first drink at college and he finally fit in. He was a daily drinker for the next 21 years. Eventually got involved with the Mafia, Black Panthers, Bikers and all sorts on the fringe of society.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 28.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/17/2011)
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Venice, CA
Sober since 5/30/1982 and sponsored by Clancy I, Karen is one of the best known AA speakers. She is lively with a wild story. Shortly before this talk an elderly man cropped a 2-liter bottle of pop on her feet at the checkout and broke toes on both feet. Karen grew up in a good family in Nebraska but her alcoholism took her to a very dark desperation doing everything a women had to do get by. She became a nurse who lost her license to her disease but got it back in sobriety. In anger after a beating from her husband, she super-glued his hand to his privates while he was passed out. Karen is passionate about AA and carries a strong message of recovery. AA taught her a level of love she never her thought possible.
( 58 min) ( 20 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/26/2012)
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Laguna Beach, CA
Karin and her husband John both spoke at this event. She was raised in an alcoholic home in Lapland in northern Sweden. She has a delightful accent and a great sense of humor. She says in Al-anon you are new longer than you are in AA. There is more coming in and going out again than in AA. Coming to Al-anon to sober-up a loved one is a wonderful reason - it won't work - but it is a wonderful reason. In the height of John's disease she went to a minister who told her there were three ways he could go - crazy, die or get help. She heard the first two. But that day something happened and she gave up trying to fix him. Her father was drinking and dying as was her husband. She was angry and once thought of putting a pillow over John's face when he was passed out. He was a pain to have along when they went anywhere. The sloshier John got the more proper she got - we over-compensate so much. When John got sober in AA, Karin went into the indescribably smokey rooms and fell in love with it. John asked her to quit work and stay home with the kids. She remembers what it was like coping with his early sobriety and of coming into Al-anon for the first time.
Here John's talk at the same event...
John A of Laguna Beach, CA at Atlanta, GA 2001
( 1 hr ) ( 13.9 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(01/27/2013)
TRACKS
Covina, CA
In this workshop that Karl held in tandem with Larceen G (AFG), Karl goes through the oft read first pages of Chapter 5 "How It Works" of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. He focuses on the different Ah-Ha moments he has had over the years as different sections have come into focus in his life.
( 38 min) ( 13.2 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(10/12/2011)
TRACKS
Covina, CA
Step 1: Karl is 27 years sober at this talk.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 16.1 MB)AA, Male, Steps(11/20/2014)
TRACKS
Studio City, CA
A delightful strong talk from a a Santa Barbara, CA native who grew up in the beach culture. Her siblings were tall and tan. She was pale with freckles. She began to add tools to her bag of tricks to try to feel better about herself -singing, acting, song writing. Surrounded by friends, she still felt not good enough. Alcohol worked for her at first. Later, she would lose acting jobs with a reputation as a loose cannon. Her agent told her that she needed to do something or he would fire her. She called the Central Office in LA, came to her first meeting ashamed...but she had let the secret out of the bag. She wanted the fellowship but not the steps. She wanted to take the heat off so later she could drink. Her sponsor said great..just do the steps.
( 54 min) ( 12.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(08/31/2014)
TRACKS
Cincinnati, OH
Member Kathy H. presents the steps from an Al-Anon perspective in this two part series.
Al-Anon Steps
This was only the second time she had done this at a Roundup and does a masterful job.
The event and location are unknown. I tried looking on the internet and found no other copy of this talk.
The quality of the recording is excellent as well.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.9 hours.( 26 MB )Al-Anon Steps - Part 1 of 2.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.2 MB)(Item #1 of 2)Al-Anon, Female, Steps(01/26/2014)
TRACKS
Cincinnati, OH
Al-Anon Steps - Part 2 of 2.
( 32 min) ( 7.4 MB)(Item #2 of 2)Al-Anon, Female, Steps(01/26/2014)
TRACKS
Woodstock, GA
One week shy of 37 years sober at the time of this talk, Kathy weaves a delightful tale of a party-girl who eventually wound up well-to-do, looking good on the outside but drinking in isolation at home on the weekends. She came into AA in the Los Angeles area, later moved to Boston and then Atlanta. She shares the different forms AA takes in those areas and what is wonderful about each. She also shares about the tough times using the language of the heart and a few tears that is also the language of hope. Thank you Kathy for sharing your strength.
( 47 min) ( 16.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(06/30/2014)
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Acworth, GA
Katie has been sober for over 20 years. She is a lively and delightful speaker. Originally from Michigan, she has been living in Georgia for a number of years. She actively participates in the program sponsoring and holding service positions.
Enjoy!
( 47 min) ( 32.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(06/07/2013)
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Kingston, ON
Kay got sober since June 7, 1953. She spends much of her time talking about sobriety. Late in life she followed a dream - she trained to be a clown! Now she wears her costume for sick and recovering kids.She says she does not have anything new to tell you but she does have a delightful way of delivering an old message. She drank for 10 years fully qualified and has been sober 4 times as long as she drank. Her father was an alcoholic but well to do. She found a Big Book in his library after he died. She started drinking during WWII as a nurse at age 21 and married a troubled airman.
( 50 min) ( 11.5 MB)AA, Female, Story, Historical(05/26/2013)
TRACKS
Taylorsville, GA
From Stand-up comic to church secretary a message of fun, fellowship and faith.
( 40 min) ( 9.2 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/05/2011)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
His second time speaking at the Atlanta Roundup, Keith speaks about growing up in a large family thinking they were poor but realizing now they were rich in the things that really mattered. He calls his younger brother "Dumb Denny" who grew up in the same environment, went to one college, married one woman, worked for one company and retired as a VP of a major corporation. He cannot blame his circumstances for his alcoholism. Keith went from being a marine to living on Skid Row where he had a spiritual experience that drove him into the rooms and back to the faith of his childhood.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 21.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/10/2011)
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Carolina Beach, NC`
The earliest talk in the collection by Keith L, this talk is delightful. Keith got sober May 13, 1973 when a woman's voice told him not to kill himself. He left the shared bathroom in the basement of a Skid Row apartment in Washington D.C. and called the number his estranged wife had given him for a treatment center. He was told he could enter treatment in three days. He had a bottle of Scotch left but could not pour it out. It dropped out of his hand and broke in the sink. He has not had a drink since. In later years his mind was slipping away but he went to Mass every day praying for a long list of people. Keith Lewis, surrounded by friends and family, died sober and deeply loved November 15, 2007 .
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 23.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/08/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
STEPS WORKSHOP
Keith L is no longer with us. A true follower of our path he is one of those universally loved and respected members of Alcoholics Anonymous we all are blessed to know. This recording came from a set of cassette tapes. The quality is rather good but side 8 was very weak and unusable. The set is so good in content that it easily overcomes what is a minor deficiency...unless your a perfectionist.
Total time across all 6 files is 7.1 hours.( 97 MB )Part 1 of 6
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 17.9 MB)(Item #1 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
Part 2 of 6
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 17.3 MB)(Item #2 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
Part 3 of 6
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.2 MB)(Item #3 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
Part 4 of 6
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 17.3 MB)(Item #4 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
Part 5 of 6
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.1 MB)(Item #5 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
Part 6 of 6
( 35 min) ( 8.1 MB)(Item #6 of 6)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
SHORT JOURNEY THROUGH THE STEPS
This session was one I listened to intently in early sobriety. It is one of my favorites. At the end of part one the meeting is disrupted by a fire alarm. They emptied the room and Keith picked up again for another delightful 45 minutes. I have been told the alarm was set off by someone smoking in one of the non-smoking hotel rooms. What kind of a person would exhibit that kind of defiance?
Total time across all 2 files is 1.9 hours.( 26 MB )Part 1 of 2
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 15.6 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
Part 2 of 2
( 45 min) ( 10.5 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(02/10/2013)
TRACKS
Wilmington, NC
Keith L. passed several years ago. He left a legacy of touched lives and great talks. A personal favorite, this talk on Relationships is one of the best I have heard. His concept of covenant relationships is one that works great when I apply it.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 21.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/17/2011)
TRACKS
La Mesa, CA
One of the truly funniest speakers in AA, Ken grew up in Brooklyn where everybody's name started with "A"...A-tony, A-Joey,... He says he discovered that you cannot think and laugh at the same time. So he gives us a break from our own thinking. Ken never really tells his story in chronological order. He jumps around in a delight manner sharing what he has learned. He got to take care of his son while he was dying of AIDS. Recently he gave away everything he owned and moved to a Navajoe reservation to learn from the old men in the tribe about the spiritual path. I had a chance to spend a couple hours with him before this talk and find him to be the same in life as he is behind the podium - full of life and laughter.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 30.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/17/2012)
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La Mesa, CA
In this workshop on Spirituality, Ken shares his experience starting with what the Buddhist say, "He who speaks does not know. He who knows does not speak." AA is not a religious program. He points out that the word "SPIRITUAL" has the word "RITUAL" in it. We need a ritual that will expand the depths of who we are. We have to kill off that which got us in trouble by applying the principles of the steps and the traditions. Bill Wilson was able to communicate this in street language so that anyone could understand the process. The spirituality of the program is not very ethereal.
( 59 min) ( 27.3 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(07/17/2012)
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Seneca, SC
Ken is 56 years old and got sober Jan 1992 in Aiken SC. He grew up in a normal non-drinking religious immediate family though two grand parents died of the disease. Born in Canada his family moved to Petal Mississippi. In High School he discovered drinking and had fun partying and going to New Orleans. Yet he also, had a feeling of not belonging.
They moved to South Carolina after high school. They wanted home to be a Pentecostal minister so he did. He was not drinking. He worked at a Holiday Inn in Ottawa at night downtown while also pastoring. He started drinking vodka with a bartender while sharing the gospel with him. His life started going down hill, took $3000 of the church's money and left the church and Canada. Later he decided to stop drinking and get back in the ministry. He had a daily radio and TV show and would sneak drinks when he could. You will need to listen to see how he got out of this mess...
( 53 min) ( 12.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/11/2014)
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South Pasadena, CA
Sober 19 years the day of this talk, Kenna tells the story of the newly sober guy at bat in an AA softball game who froze as gnats were swarming around him and someone in the crowd yelled, "We see them, too!". She came into the program on a string of broken promises. She got sober in Honolulu. Suffered from panic attacks early in sobriety but lives free today. She is grateful for being legitimate today with a valid drivers license, working vehicle with valid tag. She traveled the world in her disease out of fear rather than courage, running from responsibility. She grew up in Santa Cruz, the youngest of four in an alcoholic home. Is now a teacher with a fantastic relationship with her parents.
( 59 min) ( 20.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/24/2012)
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Sandusky, OH
The Woodstock format was introduced by Bob D. of Las Vegas, NV some years back. Well known and loved speakers with long term sobriety share their experience with a focus on 1 to 3 steps each. The order of the presenters is determined by the step(s) each will focus upon. It becomes a cross between a step and a pure speaker meeting. The result of those I have attended is magical.
Total time across all 8 files is 8 hours.( 151 MB )Covering Steps 4 and 5, Kent shares more on the spirit than the mechanics of Step 4. He also shares on Step 3 as the prerequisite and how he was raised on these universal principles by his mother who was the highest ranking black woman in a nationally known company. But it took desperation and coming into AA to help him realize that knowing is not enough. He has never heard "works if you know it" in the rooms of AA. This talks comes with many recommendations from listeners.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 23.4 MB)(Item #3 of 8)AA, Male, Steps(06/15/2014)
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Baltimore, MD
Sober 36 years since 1953, Lamar came into the program in his late 30's. At his first meeting he learned that if you don't drink you won't get drunk but little else. That was not enough to keep him sober. He says there is a vast difference from being at AA and being in AA. He got sober when he quit drinking. He stayed sober when he followed the plan. He describes early AA in Baltimore. Later in the program he was at a meeting in New York where Bill Wilson was speaking. He saw a man in bad shape and came over to 12 step him only to discover it was Ebby Thatcher - the man who brought the message to Bill in November 1934!
( 34 min) ( 7.9 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(09/09/2012)
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Manhattan Beach, CA
In this Workshop held in tandem with Karl M (AA), Larceen reads from the Al-Anon book Paths To Recovery. She focuses on the Four Primary Ideas of Al-Anon. 1) We are powerless over the problem of Alcoholism. 2) We can turn our lives over to a Power greater than ourselves. 3) We need to change both our attitudes and our actions. 4) We keep Al-Anon's gifts by sharing them with others. Larceen is married to Butch G who also has a talk on this site.
( 24 min) ( 8.4 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Workshop(10/12/2011)
TRACKS
Manhattan Beach, CA
Larceen grew up with a military father who was a mean drunk, both verbally and physically, and fanatical about discipline. She met her husband Butch when she was 17 and tells a delightful story of her journeys and old approach to life that led her into the program of Al-anon. The Cornhuskers Roundup has a tendency to bring out the best in the speakers and this talk is another example of the power and energy of this Roundup.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 30.3 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(03/16/2012)
TRACKS
Manhattan Beach, CA
Funny and touching. Grew up in a military family. Says she came out of the womb with a clipboard in hand. Dad was a mean drunk, army sergeant who died at 55 of alcoholism. Her husband is a member of AA. A favorite of a local Al-Anon member. Husband is Butch G. Date, event and location unknown. Can anyone help identify? Just curious.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 21.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(03/06/2011)
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Freeport, FL
Slow talking country boy, came into the rooms in 1962 and got sober 8/18/1972. Came from a drinking family of multiple generations. Dad died, in part, from drinking - mom quit 5 years before this talk. Larry was discharged from the service from the service for drinking. Moved to Chicago and worked in high rise construction. Worked up to supervisor. Blamed drinking on stress. Went to church, got active and quit for a year. Came home one Sunday, got drunk and didn't take a sober breath for the next ten years. Many DWI's. Wife bailed him out so could get back to work to suport the family. She later came into Al-anon. Came in to AA the 2nd time with a "wet brain". Could not understand the book. Could not accept the 3rd step for the first four years and wanted to drink every day. Did not work the steps and was miserable. Admitted he was an alcoholic in 1972 but could not accept it until he finally surrendered in 1976.
( 41 min) ( 18.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/20/2011)
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Dallas, TX
Married to Anita "Sam" J (AFG), whose recording at the same conference is available on WeJoy, Larry quit drinking 7/5/1959 but he stopped drinking for good 9/18/1972. He got sober in Dallas, TX. AA has afforded him and his family many wonderful things a step at a time. In the fall of 1972 he heard the message in a Treatment Center dining room from a man with five years in the program. Larry is a supporter and volunteer caring the message to prisons and treatment centers today. He has been following the simple plan laid down for him by that man from the dining room ever since. He was born and raised in a cotton mill village in North Carolina. He was on his way to California on a geographic when he stopped in Dallas. He was a car dealership general manager who later found it difficult to hold down a job as a car salesman. He agreed to marry Sam just after she bailed him out of jail for the nth time.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 30 MB)AA, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
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Inman, SC
Larry got sober in Dallas on 9/18/73 (41 years). He was outwardly successful but inwardly a failure in life. Alcohol finally beat him into a state of reasonableness. Living in North Carolina in his 20's, dry for over two years, his wife divorcing him, his boss talked him into taking a drink with the team after work. They all went home to their families but the next day he was heading for California - but only made it to Dallas. He shares how he finally made amends to the wife and kids he left behind. Past delegate from Texas, Larry is a great walker and talker. NOTE: The ZIP version contains a verbal history of the Macland Group not included in the full length MP3.
( 1 hr 2 min) ( 21.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/18/2014)
TRACKS
Lake Mary, FL
Sober 28 years and introduced here by Dick A, Lee gave a truly inspired talk to a packed house at the 30th Anniversary of the H.O.W. Place in Woodstock, GA. Lee found the magic of alcohol from the very first drink. He went from being too shy to talk to the cheerleader across the street to standing on his grandparent's roof screaming his proclamations of love for all to hear. He also fell in love with stealing. He was incarcerated many times in some of the toughest places to do time and could still not stop drinking on his unaided will. He was introduced to AA in a jail in Florida, continued to practice the program for two years in a Florida Correctional facility and went to meetings right when he got out. His recovery story is funny, to the point and touching.
For HOW Place Members and friends, the entire meeting is available in full MP3 and TRACKS form:
Full meeting Download- HOW Place members and attendees ONLY Please. (MP3)
Full meeting Download- HOW Place members and attendees ONLY Please. (TRACKS)
( 52 min) ( 35.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/31/2013)
TRACKS
Kaufman, TX
Sober 25 years since 8/20/1977 at the time of this series of 4 talks, Les covers the 12 Steps from his experience. It took lots of convincing to realize he was powerless both before and after he got sober. A very active member of AA with a very down home approach to the program. Enjoy. Note: The first session is 90+% complete but ends a bit abruptly. All the others are intact.
Total time across all 4 files is 3.5 hours.( 102 MB )Steps 1-3
NOTE: Ends abruptly just before the end. Missing from the original recording.
Still well worth listening.
( 51 min) ( 47.6 MB)(Item #1 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/17/2014)
TRACKS
Kaufman, TX
Steps 4-5-6
Les encourages us to "take" the steps rather than "work" them.
Complete Session.
( 46 min) ( 16.8 MB)(Item #2 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/17/2014)
TRACKS
Kaufman, TX
Steps 7-8-9
Complete Session.
( 54 min) ( 18.8 MB)(Item #3 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/17/2014)
TRACKS
Kaufman, TX
Steps 10-11-12
Complete Session.
( 54 min) ( 18.6 MB)(Item #4 of 4)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(11/17/2014)
TRACKS
Charlotte, NC
Speaking here on Sunday morning, Linda was married four years at the time of this talk to Hank J. who spoke Friday night at this same conference. She had failed relationships in AA but is happy to be married to someone with good quality sobriety as well as time in the program. She is an alcoholic because of what alcohol, the "secret of life", did for her. She came to AA, the mother of three, to get out of trouble she could no longer explain away. This is a solid story of what works and what does not, in and out of sobriety.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 15.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(04/20/2014)
TRACKS
Waycross, GA
Truly a Grateful Al-Anon for 14 years since June 1984. Did not grow up around alcohol. Brought up in the church and was taught to pray "Thy Will be done" but did not mean it. Had control issues. Always wanted to be like "those" people that had money. Wore a mask. Captain of the cheerleaders but felt she did not deserve it. Went to college and met a man with money who was the life of the party. Made her feel important. Started trying to stop him from drinking early. Dated for 7 years. Had a "Happy ever after dream". Got married and the drinking got worse, the harder she tried to get him to stop the harder he drank. Habitual DUI violator - pulled a gun on her once. Stuffed the fear deep inside. Felt trapped in the marriage and decided to redouble her efforts to stop his drinking. He did not know how not to drink. In 1977 she was 12-steped by two Al-Anons and went to one meeting while he went to treatment. He drank the night he got back but the seed was planted. Tried psychiatry and a psych-ward. Played the martyr role to the hilt. Built walls up against her emotions. In 1984 he went to treatment, got out and they started going to open AA meeting together. Then Linda came into Al-Anon and felt alot of love and hope for the first time. (See Linda's 2001 talk at Marietta GA for more details.)
( 54 min) ( 12.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/04/2011)
TRACKS
Waycross, GA
Truly a Grateful Al-Anon for 17 years since June 1984. Her first husband came into AA in 1984 and she came back to Al-Anon shortly after. He did not make it to 90 and 90. He started drinking and threatening her. She finally left him but stayed in Al-Anon. Met a man in AA and got a divorce in part to be with him. He decided he do not want her after the divorce was final. Her sponsor told her, "Not all the people in AA got it together." Met and married another man in AA who was older with two children - her knight in shining armor - the love of her life. Lost two pregnancies and her world fell apart - she got angry with God. Did two things right - went to meetings and called her sponsor. In July 1996 her 2nd husband was diagnosed and died of cancer. Linda was diagnosed and survived breast cancer in 1997. Her 1st husband died of the alcoholism and she grieved for him. (See more about Linda's story at her 1998 talk in Myrtle Beach, SC)
( 55 min) ( 25.4 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/04/2011)
TRACKS
Hollis, NY
(07/17/2012)
TRACKS
New York, NY
Got sober 1n 1995 at 16 years old fully qualified having drank alcoholically since the age of 9. Born and raised in California to a well to do but emotionally troubled family, Lizz terrorized her siblings, stole, lied and cheated to get what she wanted. Sentenced to a recovery center in rural Montana, she had to make a decision to go ahead with recovery or spend two years in Juvenile Detention. She chose recovery. She came in with remedial reading skills at best. Sponsor taught her to read. Finished treatment, returned to CA and completed her GED. Went to college in Oregon against her parents wishes. Had trouble finding AA there but did and got active. Moved to Portland, OR and hooked up with ICYPAA and the bid committee. Took her meager savings and moved to Russia and fell in love with the country. Found a meeting claiming to be AA but with no book, steps or traditions. Went to Moscow GSO, purchased literature, brought it back and started the first true AA meeting in the area. It is still going. Ran out of money, returned to Oregon. Portland had won the ICYPAA International bid. Became the program chair. Applied for and was accepted to a position with AA GSO in New York involved in Young People's literature development and promotion. Got a job serving coffee and worked her way up to General Manager of a company opening Cafes all over the USA. Shares wonderful stories of AA and Al-Anon healing her family.
( 48 min) ( 16.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/06/2011)
TRACKS
Bedford Hills, NY
Lois W, co-founder of Al-Anon and wife of the co-founder of AA Bill W, speaks in Dallas two years after Bill's death. The TRACKS version includes a five minute introduction by Searcy W, a historical figure in his own right, and a one minute introduction by Searcy's wife Freida. Lois speaks a great deal about Ebby T., the man who first brought the message of recovery to Bill W. Ebby did not get any significant time in recovery until Searcy agreed to bring him to Texas and provide treatment and other oppotunities for recovery. The recording quality is very good.
( 50 min) ( 23.2 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story, Historical(03/12/2012)
TRACKS
Bedford Hills, NY
Lois W in Australia-1972
Lois W. co-founder of Al-anon traveled to Perth Australia in 1972, the year after Bill W. died. She was accompanied by Evelyn C. who worked at Al-Anon World Services. This two hour combined meeting of AA and Al-anon was held the day after they landed. Also speaking was Ella, the founder of Al-Anon in Australia, Teraze - a relative Al-Anon newcomer with 3 years and two male AA members - Bill and Sid. The TRACKS file is split to allow isolating individual speakers.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.9 hours.( 26 MB )Ella (AFG)- Founder of Al-anon in Australia, Bill C (AA), Lois W. (AFG) co-founder of Al-anon & Evelyn C (AFG) part 1 of 2.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.3 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Story, Historical(09/14/2011)
TRACKS
Bedford Hills, NY
Evelyn C (AFG) part 2 of 2, Teraze (AFG), Sid (AA) and Finale.
( 33 min) ( 7.7 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Story, Historical(09/14/2011)
TRACKS
New York, NY
Lorna is speaking at a women's retreat that adds a certain intimacy that helps make this a delightful talk. She is one of the most requested speakers in the collection.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 29.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/06/2015)
TRACKS
New York, NY
From Great Britain originally. Spent time with Mother Teresa. She compares her coming into AA like a plane crash landing. Very popular speaker.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 23.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/05/2011)
TRACKS
New York, NY
No Frills Meditation Workshop: Lorna led us through meditation as she practices it each morning. There is silence in the recording. It is intentional.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 32.8 MB)AA, Female, Workshop(09/15/2011)
TRACKS
Little Rock, AR
Wife of Joe McQ, famed for his many Big Book Study Comes Alive Weekends with Charlie P of Tulsa, OK, this is a strong talk in its own right. Born in the back woods of Tennessee, her family life was one of struggles inside and outside the home. She found peace in the program of Al-anon after Joe started coming to AA.
( 36 min) ( 8.3 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(01/15/2014)
TRACKS
Stockbridge, GA
Lyle P is the author of Grounded in the fourth edition of the Big Book. He spoke at the monthly speaker meeting of the Breakfast Club.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 15.7 MB)AA, Male, Story, Author(09/03/2011)
TRACKS
Stockbridge, GA
Lyle P is the author of "Grounded" in the fourth edition of the Big Book. He spoke at the 12th Anniversary of the Macland Group.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 30.7 MB)AA, Male, Story, Author(07/21/2011)
TRACKS
Seattle, WA
Her delightful accent adds to a great story of recovery. She was originally from Mexico - Ensenada, Baja California where everybody drinks and gets high. Her father still drinks at 77 - and that is OK now. The oldest of six girls she was named after her grandfather - the crazy drunk. They built a box in the back yard with a little door that they fed him through and kept him there til he died.
The other grandparents were wonderful, active and intelligent or so she thought. Mostly he was high on marijuana and making things up about traveling the world. Her dad was violent and left her mom and five kids for another woman. Her mom went to work in the US and left Magdelena to raise her four sisters. But her Dad harassed she and her sisters such that she decided to enter the US illegally. She felt that she was less than nothing - reject of the world.
She worked, went to school and met and fell for an exciting, dangerous alcoholic. She was delusional. Chaos ensued.
She had no self-esteem but Al-anon has restored her sanity.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 15.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/13/2014)
TRACKS
Layfayette, LA
Malachy is a Catholic Priest born in Ireland who came into AA in the late 70's but got sober in 1984 after a dramatic relapse. On leaving to come to America after being ordained, the last words from his mother were, "Whatever you do, don't start drinking and bring shame to the family." This is a message about finding spirituality and redemption in AA. This is a strong, well told story with a surprising ending.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 30.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/17/2011)
TRACKS
Various
Marathon Meeting #1: Midnight Thursday/Friday. The attendees have been waiting five years for the meetings of the AA International in San Antonio, TX to start and here is the first meeting. It is midnight and the energy is high. There are two 20 minute speakers and then the floor microphone is opened for general sharing.
( 1 hr 12 min) ( 8.3 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(12/02/2012)
TRACKS
Various
Marathon Meeting #6: 7:30 am Friday. Bill wrote about Relationships in the Twelve and Twelve p.77,
"Learning how to live in the greatest peace, partnership, and brotherhood with all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating adventure."
Later on page 80, "Since defective relations with other human beings have nearly always been the immediate cause of our woes, including our alcoholism, no field of investigation could yield more satisfying and valuable rewards than this one. Calm, thoughtful reflection upon personal relations can deepen our insight. We can go far beyond those things which were superficially wrong with us, to see those flaws which were basic, flaws which sometimes were responsible for the whole pattern of our lives. Thoroughness, we have found, will pay and pay handsomely. " '
The AA International in San Antonio, TX was a place of amazing energy at all hours. In this talk, there are two 20 minute speakers and then the floor microphone is opened for general sharing.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 8.6 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(12/02/2012)
TRACKS
Various
Marathon Meeting #13: 6pm Friday. There is great energy in this meeting after the first full day meeting and just before the Big Meeting at the Alamod0me at the AA International in San Antonio, TX. There are two 20 minute speakers and then the floor microphone is opened for general sharing. The first speaker is James H of Corpus Christi, TX who is sober since 1993 and was the current Delegate for West Texas. The 2nd speaker is Kevin S. of Baltimore, MD and is sober since 1982..
( 1 hr 12 min) ( 8.3 MB)AA, Both, Workshop(12/02/2012)
TRACKS
Toronto, Ontario
Mari is a favorite AA speaker who spoke in San Antonio at the 2010 AA International Big Meeting in the Alamo Dome. She was a stewardess who hated people, got married to a well-to-do Jamaican and moved to the Islands. She lived across the street from Bill Marley, the Rastafarian. She had to go back to make amends to the whole Island. Her husband took her kids from her for 13 years. She wound up homeless in Miami then got sober in Canada. She has been restored to sanity and a good relationship with her children through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
( 44 min) ( 15.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/24/2012)
TRACKS
Toronto, ON
Mari gives a delightful talk. This is one of my favorites of hers. I had the privilege to hear this one live. Enjoy!
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 32.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(02/21/2014)
TRACKS
Arlington, VA
Sober since 2/8/1977 when his life got so bad he had to call AA. He grew up in a small town in SW Ohio called Hamilton - 1st born of five in an alcoholic quarreling home. At age 4 or 5 he figured out that it was all his fault. His mother was very angry.
His drinking became grim rather than entertaining until he got to the point where he said, "I deserve better than this." He decided to call AA. All he wanted was information and the person of AA thought what he really needed was to go to a meeting. He had lots of excuses not to come. He made it in anyway and never drank again.
Funny and insightful.
( 57 min) ( 19.7 MB)AA, Male, Story(08/28/2014)
TRACKS
Ashland, VA
Funny talk. Mark got sober 12/27/1994. Mark used to live in Southern Pines. Got sober in Dunn, NC. Early thought the world was an unnerving place and he was looking for a solution. Identifies with Bill W's need to be number one. Alcohol gave him his solution at first. He did crazy things at first but without consequences. Had a high GPA in Junior College (cheated frequently) Graduated medical school in Seattle. Lived on and off women. Drinking was a way of life. Became an anesthesiologist. He was the best patient he ever had. His profession gave him the option to either drink or practice medicine. He went to treatment and tried to drink in there. He finally surrendered. He had to be honest about everything and learn to have meaningful relationships.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 29.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(06/13/2012)
TRACKS
Houston, TX
(07/17/2012)
TRACKS
Richmond, Alberta, Canada
Sober since 2/8/1976. Very funny talk. Went through a major hail storm to get to the Roundup. Marty was a radio personality in Canada at one time. He came into AA with great skepticism but was out of ideas. This program is about self-obsessed ego. Recovery requires reaching a feeling of personal helplessness.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 29.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
TRACKS
New York, NY
According to Silkworth.net, "Marty was the first woman to enter A.A. and gain long-term sobriety. But she had several slips, and thus other women were able at one time to claim longer uninterrupted sobriety." Silvia K, author of Keys to the Kingdom came in shortly afterwards in Chicago on September 13, 1939 and reportedly never drank again. Marty was the author of the story Women Suffer Too! which has been in all four additions of the Big Book. In this talk, that I cannot find anywhere else on the web, she speaks in depth about her experience with accepting the full implications of Step 3. The two other talks I have of her were in San Francisco in 1946, before the Traditions were well known and in Jacksonville FL 1960. This recording was taken from the copy of a tape but the quality is still fairly good.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 23.8 MB)AA, Female, Story, Historical(03/16/2012)
TRACKS
Beaver Falls, PA
Sober since June 22nd 1976, she describes herself as your little firecracker for tonight. She is just a little spoke on the wheel of AA. When we keep it down to this one day thing, we can keep this thing. She picked up her first drink at 16. She came in through rehab at 17 1/2 fully qualified. It took 10 years in AA before she heard the "pop". Her dad ran away from the family before she started drinking. Her mom had to move them from a nice neighborhood to the projects. She had a serious brain illness in her early teens - including an out of body experience. She spends much of her talk discussing life and how the program helped her face life in sobriety.
( 53 min) ( 12.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/03/2013)
TRACKS
Marietta, GA
This is a really powerful story. Sober since 5/26/2008 (5 years) and turning 60 this year, sexually abused as a child, Mary went from that to rock singer, to corporate public speaker, raped at the office, to mental institutions to homeless to her recent spiritual awakening through the steps of AA. I witnessed her awakening and rebirth over the last five years. In the words of the old hymn:
It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
Mary's story appeared in the Grapevine for the month when this talk was shared.
( 52 min) ( 18.2 MB)AA, Female, Story(04/05/2014)
TRACKS
Hamburg, NY
A member for 26 years since the age of 30, Mary speaks a great deal. She describes how her program has been changing recently. She grew up in upstate New York. She married Leo G (who spoke on the AA portion of the weekend). If she did not marry Leo she would have married someone like him. They broke up and got back together many times before getting married. Mary has a very good delivery and a wonderful message.
( 49 min) ( 11.3 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/14/2013)
TRACKS
Houston, TX
Funny talk. One of the real characters in AA. Known in Texas as Shotgun Mary, her family had to hide ammunition from her to protect themselves when she got drunk. She started stashing bullets as well as bottles. She is a page 21 alcoholic. When she drank she was a lady up to a "pint". Sponsored by Willie B. of Spring, TX. Took last drink at 47. Greatest gift of sobriety is to give it away. Loves to sponsor women but they are coming in so young now days. Who can understand the awesomeness of God? She once read a quote from Blaise Pascal, "Console thyself. If you had not found me, you would not seek me."
( 58 min) ( 13.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/23/2011)
TRACKS
Tustin, CA
Funny talk with lots of strength and hope. Mary sponsored many women in CA. Describes her drinking like the cat after making love to the skunk who said, "I didn't get all I wanted but I got all I could stand." Was nearly court-marshaled as a USO dancer in WWII. Tried to be a housewife but went to extremes even carrying a toothbrush around to scrub the cracks. After coming into the program, started a restaurant that later became a clubhouse. Thought of herself as the AA Queen of the Fernando Valley. Speaks about misguided relationships in AA. Got Clancy I. as a sponsor. Got a menial job which was the only way that her values could have been changed. Taught her to recognize the spiritual gifts that she had been given. Finally found gratitude.
( 56 min) ( 12.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/23/2011)
TRACKS
Espanola, NM
One of the best all around talks in the collection, Mary is naturally funny in a soft way. Speaks from the heart. Spends most of the talk covering what happened after she got sober. Raised to be "proper" in Marblehead, MA, sobered up in California and in a few weeks after this moved back to Maine. Raised by nursemaids. Alcoholism was part of the family - dad "quacked" alot. Raised around money. Sent away to school at 12 and her alcoholism started. Later as a mother, reached a point where she cried herself to work and cried herself home. Left her daughter overnight with a neighbor so she could drink. The neighbor broke her anonymity and introduced her to AA at Winnetca, CA.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 17.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/23/2011)
TRACKS
Laguna Nigel, CA
Max is the wife of Dr. Paul O. who wrote the story "Acceptance is the Answer" in the Big Book. She tells the rest of the story. She is a very good speaker in her own right.
( 41 min) ( 19.2 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/13/2011)
TRACKS
Atlanta, GA
(07/17/2012)
TRACKS
Woodstock, GA
Sober since 1/1/1989 and speaking Sunday morning, Mike was born in Georgia near the Alabama border. His mother remarried and moved to Scottdale, GA near Decatur when he was young. He was a house painter by trade after he got sober. He has no blame to put on his family for his alcoholism. He simply drank too much liquor. He was in the military stationed in Japan in 1960 and got arrested by shore patrol walking in a kimono and wooden shoes. He was a great sailor on the ship but could not handle the shore. Released early and later back home his disease took him to dark places, robbing drug stores and prison time. Mike was a great member of AA in Woodstock who helped many men get and stay sober.
( 59 min) ( 20.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(06/08/2013)
TRACKS
Richardson, TX
Very strong message based on experience. Came into AA young. Talks about action in the program. Sober since 7/19/1987. Likes to be in the middle and busy in AA. Do what those in the center are doing and the force will hold you in. Talks about the nature of the disease as stated in the Big Book. Over half the talk is after he comes to the program. Good example about the founding of a group starting with defining what "its purpose" means in the Traditions. His wife is an active member if Al-anon. They had two requirements for their house - it had to have a room big enough for meetings and room for a volleyball court.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 29.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/01/1970)
TRACKS
Chandler, AZ
Mike burned the house down when he was a toddler and knew he had to keep it a secret. This was the start of many secrets to come. He came into the program young but had a difficult time getting permanent sobriety. His father was in the program. The last thing Mike wanted to be was an alcoholic. Originally from New York, his father helped him get with some old timers in Texas. He shares how they nurtured him in the program and taught him to respect our history. One of his mentors was one of the first tapers in AA. Today Mike and his wife have hundreds of reel-to-reel tapes they are in the process of digitizing. A true joy to listen to and share his passion for AA.
( 59 min) ( 20.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/13/2013)
TRACKS
Woodstock, GA
26 years sober, Mike's focus on this talk is sobriety as he has been sober longer than he drank. He shares enough of his experience with foreign jail, hospitalization, multiple car accidents and liver disease to qualify as a real alcoholic. His message is abstinence, taking action and getting a reliance on God. He is convinced that knowing the consequences of drinking will not be enough to stay sober. Frequently both funny and hard hitting, this talk is well recommended.
( 46 min) ( 15.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/04/2014)
TRACKS
Eros, LA
The Thursday night kickoff speaker, from her earliest memory she always wanted more. It first manifested with food until at 15 she had surgery to curb that problem. Then she started getting attention that she never had. At 16 she moved across the street with a guy she could not live without. Her first chance to drink was alcoholic and lost her sobriety and "other things" that night. She had been a caregiver to her dad who died when she was 18. The program helped her deal with the guilt over her relief at her father's death. She drank whenever she could moving from relationship to relationship. She came into AA through Al-anon which taught her first that everything was going to be OK. She got active in Al-anon but began to identify with alcoholics at AA meetings. Her sponsor hooked her up with her current AA husband in 2000. She became miserable because of her expectations. She began to romance a drink to make her feel better. She realized she was alcoholic and entered AA.
( 59 min) ( 20.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/13/2014)
TRACKS
Minneapolis, MN
31 years sober, Nancy has learned very little that is essentially new after her first few months in the program. The program is really very simple. Her drinking ended with her husband standing over her with her face down on the carpet in her bathroom and vomit. She found AA four months before. She came back into AA and has continued to go to meetings ever since. She is excited and never felt better.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 21.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/20/2012)
TRACKS
Athens, GA
Daughter of University of Georgia Head Football Coach Wally Butts (coached: 1939-60), Nancy had to take care of both her parents after Wally was wrongly accused of rigging a game with the legendary Bear Bryant of the University of Alabama. Her dad became depressed but finally got out of it to win awards in sales and the law suit against the magazine that liabled him. Later she met her alcoholic (with great legs) who finally got sober in the 1980's. He died some two years before this talk. She is learning to live with the silence. This is a very good story of family recovery on many fronts.
( 51 min) ( 11.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(04/20/2014)
TRACKS
Tujunga, CA
A lively and funny speaker, Nancy was 24 years sober at the time of this talk. Her band Sweetwater was the first band to play Woodstock. She later contracted an illness of the throat that ended her singing career. She had not lost everything external when she came to the rooms but she had reached the Skid Row of the soul. Nancy also spoke at the Big Meeting at the AA International 2000 in Minneapolis.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 27.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(04/20/2014)
TRACKS
Tujunga, CA
A lively and funny speaker, Nancy was 24+ years sober at the time of this talk. Her band Sweetwater was the first band to play Woodstock. She later contracted an illness of the throat that ended her singing career. The International talks are limited to 20 minutes. For a longer version of Nancy's story that same year you can listen on WeJoy to her talk in Tacoma, WA at the Freedom in Sobriety conference.
( 15 min) ( 14.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(04/20/2014)
TRACKS
Carle Place, NY
Found Al-Anon in 1963. Sometimes grateful member forgetting that without the program she would be locked up. Grew up in a household in the 'slumy' part of Greenwich Village. There was no drinking and drinking was frowned upon. Father was a cop. Nancy had a low opinion of herself. Went to High School uptown and learned that drinking could be upscale and lots of fun. Drank to fit in and loose her inhibition. Met her current Irish husband and thought he was sophisticated. Married in 1951. She stopped drinking when his drinking became a problem. Started trying to moderate her husband's drinking but always afraid she could not care for herself without him. Soon became war - would stop him or kill him. Would give him food and pills to make him sick enough to go to the doctor so the doc would make him quit drinking. He never got sick enough to go to the doctor. In 1963, her husband was in the psych-hospital and befriended a man from AA who introduced her to the idea of Al-Anon. Preferred crazy to alcoholic but came to believe that alcohol was the problem. Al-Anon made it OK to get off her husband's back.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 14.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/03/2011)
TRACKS
New York, NY
Nell Wing was a non-alcoholic who joined GSO as a part-time secretary in 1947 just trying to earn some money to travel to Mexico. She never made it. She became Bill Wilson's personal secretary from the early 50's through his death in 1971. She was a close friend of Bill and Lois even having her own bedroom at Stepping Stones.
In this recording, as the first archivist of AA's General Service Office (GSO), she covers the history of AA and what is in (and not in) the Archives and how this newly created resource was being used.
The recording quality is acceptable...the information ...priceless.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 15.5 MB)Other, Female, Historical, Author(01/31/2014)
TRACKS
Smyrna, GA
He called himself the Token Redneck Speaker - born in Tennessee, grew up in the delta in Mississippi, went to High School in lower Alabama and now living in Georgia. He has a passionate love affair with this program. His sponsor says he is very unique - he worked the promises backwards in his life. "I intuitively baffled situations I used to handle." Nine years sober at the time of the talk. He got sober 3/31/1989 in Mobile, AL at the age of 17. His story is a miracle but it is not the only one in AA.
( 44 min) ( 10.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/16/2013)
TRACKS
Atlanta GA
(11/01/2013)
TRACKS
San Diego, CA
A lively and often funny talk, Nita always wanted to drink in a dignified manner but always wound up in a prone position. She grew up the middle of three kids in a small town in Mississippi.
She felt she was "insignificant Nita". Her parents divorced when she was young. She was ordered by the court to be raised by her mother's side of the family - the Bible "toten" side. Her father's was the hell-raisers and the bootleggers. That was where she wanted to be.
She felt isolated and alone. At 14, the family moved to Detroit. A good student in Mississippi, she did not like school in Michigan. She had her first drink at 15 and passed out the same night but not before it took away the disconnected feeling.
It was to be that way for the next 11 years even though she never got that feeling of Utopia again...until she got into the rooms of AA.
( 38 min) ( 8.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/26/2014)
TRACKS
Monrovia, CA
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah 1924, Norm died in California in June, 1982, 16 months after this talk He is considered by many to be one of the best speakers, sponsors and teachers in AA. He is famous for saying that the difference between himself and the guy who didn't make it is "seconds and inches". Entertaining and informative, his message carries weight and depth. The quality of the recording is acceptable. The quality of the message - wonderful.
( 49 min) ( 11.4 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(10/10/2011)
TRACKS
Monrovia, CA
Norm was a very well known speaker who sponsored many in the L.A. area and his program is a role model for many. He was a favorite of Pat H. whose talks are also available on WeJoy.
( 58 min) ( 20 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(04/09/2011)
TRACKS
Various
The recording quality is good though not excellent. This recording is well worth the effort. Between the moderator Ross W and the four speakers there was over 160 years of sobriety represented at the speakers' table.
Herb W knew Bill Dodson AA#3 and used to drive him around.
Mose Y was a lively speaker famous for his saying - in fact most of his talk is sayings which are all very good.
Ann C was a non-drinking Sunday School teacher working at the lunch counter in Dr. Bob's office building during his drinking years. Later she moved to Niles, OH and began her drinking "career". Later she was startled to learn that the Bob everyone had been talking about was the man she used to shy away from because he smelled of alcohol.
Al L got sober in West Virginia but moved to Akron. He worked nights for many years but did get to spend a good deal of time with Bill Dodson AA#3.
NOTE: The Tracks version is split every 5 minutes or when the speaker changes.
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 17.9 MB)AA, Both, Story, Historical(05/26/2013)
TRACKS
Canton, GA
Sober since September 27, 2000, Owen's theme is always gratitude. This is a chance to see Owen's beautiful growth through the program at his work as a 4th grade teacher and at home with his lovely wife Trish and their six year old adopted son Asher - The Rainbow Baby.
( 41 min) ( 14.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(08/18/2014)
TRACKS
Georgia
From the Area16 Georgia State Service Assembly Archives, this recording is interesting in several regards:
- It includes the voices of seven of the first 10 Area 16 Delegates:
* 1952-1953 Neely Daniel
* 1956-1957 Jim OBrien
* 1958-1959 Louis Mulherin
* 1960-1961 Clarence Roberts
* 1968-1969 Joe Clements
* 1970-1971 Bob Ross - They attempt to breakout into six groups - the complexity causes some humorous confusion
- Some of the results are interesting as they are issues we still face today
(10/14/2014)
TRACKS
Powder Springs, GA
THE ART OF LIVING EACH DAY
(PDF of the Handout mentioned in the talk)
Pat died a little after11pm Tuesday March 8, 2011 surround by family and friends.
When I first came into AA in 2004, Pat said he never had a bad day in AA he had bad moments but they were all his fault. Since that time I can say I have never had a bad day in AA even the day my beloved mother died and the day she was laid to rest. They were all good days gifts of a Loving God. Thank you Pat!
Today will be a Good Day!
(03/05/2011)
TRACKS
Powder Springs, GA
More Experience, Strength and Hope .
( 52 min) ( 18.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/09/2011)
TRACKS
Powder Springs, GA
Experience, Strength and Hope.
( 43 min) ( 14.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/09/2011)
TRACKS
Powder Springs, GA
10 Minute Speaker Experience, Strength and Hope.
( 12 min) ( 4.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/09/2011)
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Canton, GA
Pat has been sober since 3/18/1988. The first time I met Pat, she came into the HOW Place in Woodstock, GA and I offered her a free CD of Beth G. of Brecksville, OH. Pat looked up curiously and said, "Brecksville. That's my home town. Beth G. That's my sponsor!". Pat came into the program in Ohio as housewife and mother who could not get and stay sober. She grew up in a small Happy Days town in upstate New York. Fifth of six children in an alcoholic home. Her dad died by his own hand during a dry drunk. Her alcoholism always went to the dark side. Her last drunk was on St. Patrick's night 1988. She was in her bathrobe in her closet by candle light drinking Johnny Walker with green food coloring in it. For the first time she could not get drunk. Then she said "Dear God, I can't do this anymore. Please help me." That night God removed the obsession.
( 40 min) ( 13.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/12/2012)
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Myrtle Beach, SC
Sober 21 years since 1/6/1975, Pat is Irish, Italian, Greek, Roman Catholic and none of that caused her alcoholism. She was always comparing her insides to your outsides. She taught 6th grade for 15 years. 13 of those were wonderful. The last two her alcoholism was out of control. She liked men. She wound up being that woman at the end of the bar. She sobered up in Florida living between blackouts. Pat was sponsored at the time by Eve M of Rogers, AR. Both she and Eve are delightful speakers and great examples to follow in AA.
See also ...
Eve M of Rogers, AR 1996
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 14.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/27/2013)
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Canton, GA
Pat has been sober since 3/18/1988. This is her second talk at this event. The first was in 2008 and is available on WeJoy. She speaks here about some of the changes that have happened in the last few years as well as describing what it was like and what happened in her delightful style. Enjoy!
( 44 min) ( 15.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/21/2013)
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Ocenside, CA
Long glowing introduction. Married to Cliff R. for 52 years. She is sick - she loves alcoholics especially the screwballs. Cliff was drunk and swearing when she met him and thought "This man needs Help," which is an Al-Anon four letter word. Shares some favorite miss-reads. She and Cliff don't have slightest idea what actually happened. Her's has a better chance of being correct because he was drunk. Had an uncle who they thought was strange because he carried a blue book and talked with drunks. She identifies with the man who said he thought he had all his ducks in a row when he came in but then he found they were not his ducks. Born and raised in a small town in California to hard working mid-western parents. Her mom was a periodic drunk.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 15.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/03/2011)
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Cherokee, NC
Patti got sober 1/27/1987, has a great laugh, is very Spiritual and active in the program. Native American female who grew up near Memphis, TN as the only Indian family in the area. They moved back to the reservation in Oklahoma when Patti was 12. Active in setting up a Native American sponsored AA Convention.
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 21.2 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/12/2014)
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Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Patti and Ron share for 30 minutes each. Both have many years in their respective program. The recording is of good but not professional quality - very understandable and delightful as a result. It is interesting to hear both sides of the story.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 22.7 MB)AA and Al-Anon, Both, Story(08/09/2014)
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Chicago, IL
Patti is the daughter of a full blooded Native American mother and unknown father. Her mother claimed Patti's dad was a leader of the D.C. mafia. This man took her into her home when she was an adolescent and near death with rickets and lice. He raised her as his own. She graduated High School at 15 and had a job with high security clearance at the State Department when she was 16. Her I.Q. of 200 was not enough to control her alcoholism which surfaced after her first drink in her late teens. She was to ride it from a million dollar income of crime to living under a bridge and doing whatever she had to to get her next drink. She literally crawled into the arms of AA overweight and covered with sores from syphilis. She describes in detail how her sponsor guided her. This is a powerful talk that starts with tears of joy and a happy birthday wish from the crowd of sober women.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 17.4 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/12/2012)
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Riverside, IL
This is a MUST LISTEN. Very funny guy. Navy seaplane pilot in WWII and a one time professional wrestler, Paul was raised in a small town in Georgia. Sober 53 years since 8/15/1947, Paul spent time with Lois (who was a wrestling fan) and Bill W at their home in Bedford Hills, NY. Paul said, "I have never seen anybody get in trouble from working the 12 steps too soon...I have seen many, many get in trouble from working them too slow or not at all." Going to meetings and not drinking does not treat alcoholism. Working the 12 steps treats alcoholism. Without the steps all we have is untreated alcoholism. An author by trade, Paul is an excellent, knowledgeable speaker with long experience. He spends much of his sharing on the steps and how he uses them in his life. He lives ALL the steps, not just 10, 11 and 12, going through them at least annually with emphasis on 4, 5, 8 and 9.
( 52 min) ( 12.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/17/2012)
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Athens, TX
Sober 29 years since Oct 1949, Peck is a lively speaker who tells lots of stories about the old days and delightful little analogies. He went from the Navy in WWI 1919 to skid row in the 1940's. He was a cook most of his life. As an alcoholic he cannot drink with any measure of success. He is allergic to three things: alcohol, work and poverty. He retired in 1962 and says he does nothing and doesn't start that until noon. AA is the greatest thing invented for his life. He has been to AA meetings all over the world.
( 52 min) ( 12.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(07/31/2012)
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Bellevue, NE
Sponsorship Workshop
Peggy M. got sober in 1964; Dick M. in 1965. Dick , is sponsored by Clancy I. Together, Peggy and Dick sponsored hundreds of sober alcoholics either directly or through those they sponsor. They have developed this workshop that includes a great deal of hard earned experience as well as some practical tools they share in this tag-team style presentation. These talks were transferred from five cassette tapes. They will fit on three full 80 minute audio CDs plus one partial.
Total time across all 4 files is 4.2 hours.( 57 MB )Intro thru Picking a Sponsor
(09/24/2011)
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Bellevue, NE
Picking a Sponsor (part 2) thru How Many Should I Sponsor?
(09/24/2011)
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Bellevue, NE
Q&A Before Lunch thru List of Things To Do and Not Do For Your Sponsee (Pigeon, Baby, Prospect,...)
(09/24/2011)
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Bellevue, NE
List of Things To Do and Not Do For Your Sponsee (Pigeon, Baby, Prospect,...) Patr 2 thru Finale
(09/24/2011)
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Baltimore, MD
Peggy came to her first meeting 1/10/1979 hopeless with a wilted spirit to discover the first ray of sunlight to shine on her spirit. She quotes that a miracle is a shift in perception. Raised Irish Catholic in West Philadelphia. Her alcoholic father died from this disease. He would take her to the tap room at five years old. She would sneak his beer, get tipsy and the men would give her pennies to dance. At 16 she had her first real drink on a date, got sick and fell down stairs. Her family moved in the night many times. Later she got a Go-Go Dancing job part time while working at the Telephone Company. Married a non-alcoholic at 22. She learned to become a liar, cheat and thief about her drinking. Tried to fill the hole inside by adopting a child. Moved to a Maryland boating community and had a child in 1975. Marriage was never good. Began to drink in private to avoid embarrassment. Went to Sunday mass for the first time in years, lit a candle and said a gut level prayer and felt it. That night the booze stopped working. Three days later she came into AA feeling worthless and came out feeling very disserent.
( 50 min) ( 17.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/27/2012)
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Landsdown, PA
In Al-anon since 1968 and Ala-teen sponsor. Responsible for literature at Al-anon World Services.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 14.6 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/20/2011)
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Bellvue, NE
Dick and Peggy have sponsored large numbers of men and women all around the country. Dick is sponsored by Clancy I of Venice CA. He shares about his decision with over 20 years sober to ask Clancy to sponsor him. There were no men in Nebraska with more years than he had who were still active in AA.
Peggy is delightful as always and shares her unique perspective on sponsoring and being sponsored.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.6 hours.( 22 MB )Sober since 2/4/1964, which is slightly longer than her husband Dick, Peggy says it is not necessary for everyone to sponsor the same way. "There is a wrench for every nut ...somewhat...The important thing is to find someone you can be accountable to."
( 47 min) ( 10.8 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA, Female, Workshop(05/26/2013)
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Los Angeles, CA
(01/23/2014)
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Torrance, CA
Sober since May 1, 1983, Paul carries a message based on the Big Book in an intimate setting. He was shocked to hear one time that his life was none of his business. His job was to stay close to his New Employer and perform his work well. He has a good speaking presence and is comfortable in his sobriety.
( 31 min) ( 11 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/08/2014)
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Conyers, GA
Po-Boy was another of the real characters in AA. He was in trouble early in life. He escaped from a Georgia prison, was caught and returned. He expected never to get out again. After finding a spiritual solution, a series of remarkable events led to his release. He later married his one true love. She is still alive at the time of this talk.
What happened after 1988 is a lesson as well. As I understand the events, after his wife died, he married a younger woman. Those who knew him say it was not as healthy a relationship as his first and he seemed somewhat disconnected. Being convinced is a good start. Staying convinced is why I keep coming back.
( 55 min) ( 25.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/15/2011)
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Jacksonville, FL
Polly speaking at the 20th AA Birthday for her sponsee Robin. The topic Robin gave her was "20 is not enough". As always, Polly covers the topic using the Language of the Heart.
( 46 min) ( 16 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/08/2013)
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Jacksonville, FL
The Woodstock format was introduced by Bob D. of Las Vegas, NV some years back. Well known and loved speakers with long term sobriety share their experience with a focus on 1 to 3 steps each. The order of the presenters is determined by the step(s) each will focus upon. It becomes a cross between a step and a pure speaker meeting. The result of those I have attended is magical.
Total time across all 8 files is 8 hours.( 151 MB )Covering Steps 8 and 9, Polly is the one female on the schedule. She speaks openly about making amends for neglecting and verbally abusing her children during her illness and early recovery. She, also, covers her recent making financial amends after recovering from financial bankruptcy and what she and her husband Dave did to pay back what they owed even when an institution refused to accept payment. This is real experience. As the Big Book says on page 83, "The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it."
( 59 min) ( 20.5 MB)(Item #5 of 8)AA, Female, Steps(06/15/2014)
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Los Angeles, CA
Steps 1, 2 & 3: Part of a weekend focused on the steps and family recovery, Ralph did a masterful job of laying a firm foundation. He starts with the Dr's Opinion placed on a personal level. He then provides a convincing case for the need or a power grater than ourselves in terms that are practical and actionable. Then he finishes with a powerful appeal to seriously ask yourself - God is everything or He is nothing...What is your choice to be? This is one of the best talks in the WeJoy collection on these critical steps. Thanks to Lee's Tapes and Cds http://www.LeesTapesAndCDs.com (877-902-5975) for recording this incredible talk.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 34.3 MB)AA, Male, Steps(12/17/2011)
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Los Angeles, CA
STEPS 1-2-3: Ralph gives one of the truly great talks in AA. I was there to participate in a genuine standing ovation. This is a must listen for new comers, old timers, Al-Anons and Alateens alike. He covers just about every angle of the first three steps with mastery and humor - from the heart. The whole weekend was extra special but this talk to me was the highlight. It would be a disservice not to make this available online to the recovery community.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 31.9 MB)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(04/01/2013)
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Los Angeles, CA
Ralph and Ron W. are two of six brothers from the area called Watts in Los Angeles, CA. Their alcoholic father left them to be raised by their mother - a woman of great strength and courage. She raised those boys and instilled them with values while earning her GED then college degree. Ron became a lawyer and Ralph a manager with good jobs they both drank away. At one point, six brothers were back at home stealing from their mother to feed their habits. Now over 25 years sober, Ralph and Ron share the transformative power of the steps to heal a family.
Total time across all 3 files is 3.9 hours.( 53 MB )Steps 1,2 & 3
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 17.6 MB)(Item #1 of 3)AA, Male, Steps, Story(08/22/2014)
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Los Angeles, CA
Steps 4 through 9
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 17.9 MB)(Item #2 of 3)AA, Male, Steps, Story(08/22/2014)
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Los Angeles, CA
Steps 10 through 12
( 1 hr 18 min) ( 17.9 MB)(Item #3 of 3)AA, Male, Steps, Story(08/22/2014)
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Okmulgee, OK
Strong, passionate and funny, in Al-Anon for 22 years since 1963, she was raised on a ranch by a loving Native American father and non-Indian mother and one sister. It was a beautiful life with long horseback rides with her father learning about the Great Spirit and a life based on principles. Ramona married a cowboy named Bob. Life was great in the beginning with weekends at old Oklahoma honky-tonks. She cannot say when alcoholism stole into their home. She wanted to teach him but found it was hard to talk sense to an alcoholic especially when they have been drinking. A prime qualification for AL-Anon is to become a fixer. She had a baby to try and fix him. Today she realizes that one of her greatest gifts from God was the ability to love an alcoholic. Alcoholics try to hide their bottles. "We tried to hide a live, damn drunk!". She came into Al-Anon with a hardened, tiny knot of a heart. Today each member of the program is a cell in a much larger heart.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27.4 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/18/2012)
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Miami, FL
Ray O'K was one of the real characters in AA and that is saying alot. He was a lawyer, law professor, husband to Stephanie O'K ( in the program since 1983) and father of 7 (6 in the program). Funny and insightful, he describes his journey from meager beginnings in the Bronx, through law school to the bed wetting law professor, to being in a room with no handle on the inside. A truly classic AA speaker.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 21.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(01/27/2014)
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Miami, FL
AA History & Primary Purpose Explored
Originally labeled "How It Works" and "Primary Purpose", these are really a loving walk through the history of AA. There is new evidence that shows that Carl Jung probably did not play as large a part in the founding of AA as is traditionally attributed. There is a need to reexamine the role the Emmanual Movement's Courtnay Baylor played as the man who directly helped Roland Hazard get sober. Ray was, apparently, not aware of this in his talk. The essential spirit of the AA history though is well presented even if some of the details about the personalities may not be completely accurate.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.7 hours.( 35 MB )Ray takes a tour through a history of AA and begins to lay the foundation for his views on Singleness of Purpose.
( 53 min) ( 18.3 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA, Male, Historical(03/12/2012)
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Miami, FL
Ray continues his views on Singleness of Purpose and the difference between alcoholics and non-alcoholics and why AA is not the right solution for those with problems other than alcoholism. The views expressed here are not necessarily the views of this website or AA as a hole. Ray is articulate and his opinions are well though out. He is a man who made his living as a professor of law. As such, he states his case plainly and with great intelligence.
( 49 min) ( 16.9 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA, Male, Historical(03/12/2012)
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McDonough, GA
Lively and enthusiastic, sober since 1987, Rea spends a large part of her talk in the recovery portion of her story. Born in Arkansas, she had relatives that brutalized and victimized her as a child. Her mother grew up in an alcoholic home and married an alcoholic. Rea married one as well. She did not know how to love anyone or have a relationship. She just knew how to go out in the world and get what she wanted. She had children with different fathers and left them with her mother so Rea could go"find herself". Came into Al-Anon to help her husband. Two weeks later they told her she was in the wrong room. Finally got on her knees and asked God for help and pledged to go anywhere and do anything to get sober. Got a "Big Book Thumper" for a sponsor who took her through the program in the book long distance. Her fourth step revealed she had lived one year of her life 20 times.
( 45 min) ( 15.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(10/10/2011)
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McDonough, GA
Sober since 1/1/1988, Rea was born in Arkansas where the only virgins are those who can outrun their brothers. Though kidding, she had an uncle and two cousins she had some problems with growing up. She frankly would have done anything to feel loved. Her family traveled with the carnival most of the year and came back to Arkansas in the winter. In the 5th grade they threw her into a Catholic school run by Benedictine nuns who lived a sheltered life. They gave her the first real love she ever experienced. This was diametrically opposed to the carnival life. She does not remember the first time she drank but does recall that at 16 her social drinking career lasted for about 15 minutes. She started getting married at an early age - every one was an alcoholic. But she was fine. It was the rest of the world. After her second child she knew there was something wrong but alcoholism never occurred to her. Every time she got in trouble her solution was to get married. She got a tiger by the tail - he was violent and she was afraid to leave him. She came into AA trying to get yet another husband sober. The world became a very odd place when she stopped drinking and using in Dumas, AR. She went to school for her GED and then a college degree. Education became her solution. She did not have a sponsor or work the steps. In December 1987, New Years Eve she drank without thinking about it and realized fully the next day she was alcoholic. She met a man at a roundup who got her involved in the Big Book. She got active and began to realize the repetitive patterns of her life. She explains what she did from there to get and stay sober.
( 48 min) ( 16.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/26/2012)
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Torrance, CA
Rebecca is a delightful speaker who did not like Al-Anon or Al-Anons when she first came in. She is from Hawaii originally. "There was trouble in paradise." She grew up in a non-alcoholic, loving family. Her father was a minister. She had no clue. She came from a very large Hawaiian family. They all got together for parties and funerals. There was lots of exciting drinking there that attracted her. She got pregnant and married to a Hawaiian marine in that order. She paid for the wedding, gown, rings and airline ticket. He passed out on the way to the reception. Neither she or he knew what he had.
( 57 min) ( 19.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Steps(07/13/2013)
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Norfolk, VA
At the time of this workshop, Ric B. was the Director of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. He speaks some at the beginning about how to find literature and to access the member's portion of the WSO website (available as a link from the WeJoy Home page). He then does a marvelous job explaining what the 12 Concepts mean to the organization as well as how they are applied to add quality to our lives.
Recommended for anyone who wants to find greater peace and harmony.
Total time across all 3 files is 2.9 hours.( 118 MB )Part one
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 54.5 MB)(Item #1 of 3)Al-Anon, Male, Workshop(04/01/2013)
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Norfolk, VA
Part two
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 54.5 MB)(Item #2 of 3)Al-Anon, Male, Workshop(04/01/2013)
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Norfolk, VA
Part three
( 12 min) ( 8.9 MB)(Item #3 of 3)Al-Anon, Male, Workshop(04/01/2013)
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Toronto, ON
Member of Al-Anon since 4/10/1987. Anyone can join AA. You have to know someone to join Al-anon. Five qualifiers - three of which were women he was attracted to in the rooms. Loves the laughter in the rooms. Can never remember a time before alcoholism. Alcoholism - a family disease is his problem not others with alcoholism. Was always attracted to alcoholics. Came in on the side of the bridge that says "its them" and crossed over God's bridge to "its me".
( 1 hr 15 min) ( 34.5 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(09/13/2011)
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NC
Corrections Workshop on Cooperation with Administration. Three speakers with experience in Corrections and lots of time in AA.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 31.4 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(01/01/1970)
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Frederick, MD
Rollie Hemsley was the player for the Cleveland Indians that got sober with Dr. Bob 4/16/1939. The clarity of the recording is very good though it appears to be cut off at the end. He is 29 years sober in 1968. When the media discovered the notorious drunken catcher had sobered up in an organization called Alcoholics Anonymous - it was real news.
This was 7 years before the Traditions were published and 11 years before they were adopted. From his publicity later came the articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about AA and from there the famous 1941 Jack Alexander article in the Saturday Evening Post.
Valuable as an historic recording, this is also a story worth hearing in its own right.
( 43 min) ( 14.9 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(01/02/2014)
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Folly Beach, SC
A truly delightful speaker, Rosa was a waitress who later became a treatment counselor for the Navy. She says she sounds like she'd "been rode hard and put away wet!" Her first husband told her he was sterile from being near the atomic bomb tests. Later she went to the doctor for a "tumor" that she gave birth to seven months later. She grew up in the mountains of North Carolina but loves living near the energy of the ocean. Her life has been miracle after miracle once she drank herself into this program. She came into AA the first time but she left AA and tried religion to get sober. She got so holy nobody could stand her. But she drank again. She woke up in her bed after wrecking the car one more time only to find an AA women sitting next to her. And Rosa said "Good Morning" to her just like she was there every morning. She was convinced to go to treatment to avoid staying home with that wrecked car.
( 51 min) ( 17.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/24/2012)
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Montgomery, AL
Preacher who learned about God in AA.
( 47 min) ( 16.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/22/2011)
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Denver, CO
Rusty came into Al-Anon during the 60's looking like a too-old-hippie and got unconditional love. Had 6 children before the oldest was 8 years old. Tried to teach her twins how to drink responsibility - what wines went with what food, how to pour the brandy. Called the President of the United States to save her child from being discharged for drinking.
( 53 min) ( 24.4 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/13/2011)
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Tom's River, NJ
Ruth was one of the oldtimers chosen to speak at the 1995 AA International in San Diego, CA where she created quite a following. Her first meeting was April 14, 1948. The recording is not the best technically but Ruth is delightfully well worth the effort.
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 14.6 MB)AA, Female, Story, Historical(08/31/2014)
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Dublin Irelaand
This historic talk is by the 6th member of AA in Ireland and author of the Big Book story "Career Officer". His talk is part history of AA and part his own journey into recovery and sobriety. This is a very strong story that speaks to the heart of AA's Service legacy.
( 56 min) ( 25.9 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical, Author(07/06/2012)
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Honolulu, HI
OVer 20 years in Al-Anon, Sallye was born and grew up in Oklahoma until she was 14. She really loves the way AA and Al-Anon work together in Texas. She knows she is a member of Al-Anon, not because her husband and daughter are members of AA, but because she goes to Al-Anon meetings on a consistent basis. She did not know a lot about herself or anything else before that time and did not come because she thought she needed to come. In the rooms she learned to replace anger with compassion.
She came to Al-Anon after her husband Keith started in AA. When things were at their worst, she prayed to God alone in her bedroom to help Keith. Soon after, Keith called AA. She thought that was rather drastic but was resigned if that is what it took. On July 20, 1967 Keith went to his 1st AA meeting and Sallye was contacted by an Al-Anon member.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 15.2 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(04/20/2014)
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Atlanta, GA
Sam was a preacher and alcoholic who attended the 1st in an unbroken chain of AA meetings in Atlanta June 12, 1941. A few other meetings had been held as early as November 29, 1940.
He entered the ministry at an early age. He had never touched alcohol. He worked hard and became very successful. During prohibition he took his first drink under doctors orders to relieve work related tension. He believed he was an alcoholic from the first drink. He started to over prescribe and make the formula stronger.
He began to have problems and feel the guilt of secretly drinking. He quit drinking for two years. He resigned from his church in New York and moved to Atlanta. Stayed dry until a personal incident drove him back. It became known he drank and he was forced to resign and leave the ministry.
He sent his family back to her home town. He moved to Chicago and drank for five years "like few men do and live to tell the tail". He worked many different jobs to earn money to drink and drank to be able to work. He lived on the streets. His wife died from breast cancer - that called for more drinking. His son was killed in a horrible car accident - that called for more drinking. Shortly after he married the women that was still his wife at the time of this talk.
He became a periodic. They read the late 1939 Liberty Magazine article about AA. He knew AA was what he was looking for. They hunted for information about AA while Sam drank and managed only to get a pamphlet and a Big Book. He knew he had to go back to Atlanta to set things right. They set out for Atlanta without any money and without any hope.
They lived outside Atlanta. He met a man in West End who had attended an AA meeting in New York. He sent him to see another in Buckhead who also had attended AA in New York. They both were willing. Sam went back to the man in West End only to find him drunk. He rushed back to the man in Buckhead only to find him drunk. So in despair, Sam got drunk as well.
Then Sam responded to an Ad in a the paper of someone wanting to start an AA group. He replied by mail and then went to watch the Post Office to see who would pick up the mail. It was an Army Medical Corps officer from D.C. relocating to Atlanta. They had the meeting June 12, 1941 sitting on the unpacked crates in the officers apartment.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 23.1 MB)AA, Male, Story, Historical(12/08/2013)
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Dallas, TX
Married to Larry J. who's talk at the same conference is also on WeJoy, Sam's real name is Anita. She is as much a lover of AA as Al-Anon. Many times it was the members of AA who help her when she needed it. Born in the small town of Cooper in Northeast Texas. Her father died when she was nine. Her mother had to move to Dallas to make a living. Her mother married an "alcoholic" in Dallas. Sam held down four jobs at one time because she was bored. She got the name Sam while working in an office where the manager considered her a flat-chested, jeans-wearing office boy. She wore jeans to work so she would be ready to horseback ride if the chance came. He gave her the nickname and it stuck. She tells how she met, dated and married Larry.
( 52 min) ( 24.3 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(02/16/2012)
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Tampa, FL
(07/17/2012)
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Tampa, FL
(01/01/1970)
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Tampa, FL
This was Sandy's last recorded AA talk before he died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. One of the best loved AA speakers of all time. He explained the spiritual path in a way many could grasp. My favorite line: "There is a new game in town: the least disturbed wins!"
(12/28/2014)
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Tampa, FL
The Woodstock format was introduced by Bob D. of Las Vegas, NV some years back. Well known and loved speakers with long term sobriety share their experience with a focus on 1 to 3 steps each. The order of the presenters is determined by the step(s) each will focus upon. It becomes a cross between a step and a pure speaker meeting. The result of those I have attended is magical.
Total time across all 8 files is 8 hours.( 151 MB )This Spiritual Workshop is classic Sandy. He relates the progressive nature of recovery when he says, "I look back and I realize that between years 38 and 41 I had more spiritual growth than any other period." He shares some of this spiritual wisdom in a kind and gentle manner. I have met Sandy a number of times and believe there are parts of this program that I have only gotten through osmosis - being in the presence of those who have experience, strength and hope.
( 46 min) ( 16.1 MB)(Item #8 of 8)AA, Male, Workshop(06/15/2014)
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Tampa, FL
In the spring of 2010 one of Sandys daughters, sober in AA, was found murdered in her front yard. At a talk in Athens, GA October 2010, Sandy said he forgave the person the day it happened. In June 2010, another daughter died from this disease despite family efforts at intervention. Sandy calls it his best year in sobriety. Hear why.
( 47 min) ( 16.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/17/2011)
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Superior, WI
Sandy is a delightful speaker. Her husband Chuck is a member of Al-Anon. The story of him chasing her around the front yard in his underwear thinking she is the crazy one is a classic. Born 8/11/1947, never remembered feeling peace. Felt fearful, maybe adopted and frequently suicidal (1st attempted at age 12). Her dad was an alcoholic who tried to put a plug in the jug but did not always succeed. Her mother was a very strict Baptist and still Baptist today. Never saw her practice what was being preached. Drank and got drunk the first time at 13. Loved the way the fear went away. Went to Al-anon first with her sister as her qualifier but became convinced after three weeks she was an alcoholic after drinking the night before. She then spends most of the talk sharing about dealing with sobriety as a married couple.
Listen to Chuck's Al-Anon Story
( 47 min) ( 16.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/24/2012)
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Milledgeville, GA
Sara Jane is a member since 1983, past Al-anon Delegate for the state of Georgia and married to Brookins B a past Delegate for AA Area 16 (Georgia). She is still cute after all these years of living with an alcoholic. It is easy to see what Brookins saw in her that made him want to marry her ... twice.
( 41 min) ( 14.1 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/19/2013)
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Nashville, TN
Scott does a masterful job explaining the 4th step as outlined in the Big Book. This is as close as any I know come to explaining the instructions as written on pp 64 to 72. The second CD contains questions and answers.
Total time across all 2 files is 1.9 hours.( 40 MB )Scott starts with a series of definitions for terms like "The Program" and other ground setting exercises including what are the reasons to do a 4th step. He discloses the significant concepts for Steps 2 and 3 on pp 60-63. He then covers the heart of the fourth step with Resentments, Fear and the Sex Inventory (part one) that continues on the next recording. He points out that there are many death threats in this section of the book.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 27.3 MB)(Item #1 of 2)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(04/12/2012)
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Nashville, TN
Scott finishes the Sex Inventory (part two) and then leads a question and answer session with the audience.
( 37 min) ( 12.7 MB)(Item #2 of 2)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(04/12/2012)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Big Book Workshop Weekend
Scott and Bob take turns as they go through the steps using the Big Book, 12 and 12 and their experience, strength, hope .
Total time across all 9 files is 11.2 hours.( 154 MB )Bob D (Step 1) through Scott L. (Start Step 1)
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Scott L. (Start Step 1) through Bob D. (Step 2) end of day 1
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Start of Day 2: Scott L. on More About Alcoholism p.31 through Bob D. We Agnostics p.55
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Bob D. We Agnostics p.55 through Scott L. p.63 (3rd Step Prayer)
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Scott L. Start of 4th Step p.63 through Bob D. p.67 4th Step Resentments
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Bob D. p.67 4th Step Resentments through Bob D. Start of Step 5 p.72
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Bob D. Start of Step 5 p.72 through Scott L. Step 9 p.80
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Scott L. Step 9 p.80 through Scott L. p.124 Step 12
(03/06/2011)
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Nashville, TN and Las Vegas, NV
Scott L. p.124 Step 12 through Bob D. reads Sam Shoemaker's Poem
(03/06/2011)
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Van Nuys, CA
A Jewish alcoholic who has fun with his heritage, Scott has a fair amount of drugs in his story and does not apologize for it Scott grew up in a wacky family and got sober while working in the Entertainment Industry in LA. Once a producer, he later ran a catering truck serving those who had worked for him. He speaks of the humbling experiences that helped him grow in sobriety. At this event Scott has the flu but decided to speak anyway.
( 1 hr 7 min) ( 23.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/10/2011)
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Van Nuys, CA
Scott R. was raised Jewish in a family with some very interesting characteristics. One aunt sewed throw pillows out of the steel wool her husband had been given as a bonus at work. It made for squirmish guests as the fibers poked through the fabric. This is the type of humor Scott brings to this walk through the steps.
Scot passed away in 2008. One recent entry in his guestbook says it well:
"It's amazing how the light of one person can touch so many. I stumbled upon a recording of Scott sharing in South Dakota and it led me here. My thoughts and love to his family. Scott's humor and delivery of the miracle of working the steps of AA touched me deeply. I so appreciate his honesty about his spirituality and that God does not dole out tragedy to those needing to learn lessons. What a true gift to be able to communicate the hope sobriety offers. Thank you Scott for being of service to this alcoholic." -- http://scottredman.net/
Enjoy.
Total time across all 4 files is 4.8 hours.( 99 MB )CD 1 of 4
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 26.5 MB)(Item #1 of 4)AA, Male, Steps(07/13/2013)
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Van Nuys, CA
CD 2 of 4
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 26.3 MB)(Item #2 of 4)AA, Male, Steps(07/13/2013)
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Van Nuys, CA
CD 3 of 4
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 24 MB)(Item #3 of 4)AA, Male, Steps(07/13/2013)
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Van Nuys, CA
CD 3 of 4
( 1 hr 3 min) ( 21.7 MB)(Item #4 of 4)AA, Male, Steps(07/13/2013)
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Richmond, IN
Very, very funny guy. Known as Serenity Sam because he tore the Serenity Prayer off the bulletin board at a clubhouse, Sam shares his "experience, strength and scar tissue". He went to a catholic school for 8 years where he majored in guilt and minored in shame. He came into AA in his 20's. His aunt told him he was the grand finale of SOB's in their family. Started the 9th grade but did not finish. Went from there to reform school. He chased older women until there weren't any anymore. He went to the Penitentiary at 18. By 23 he was hooked on everything he tried and was looking for more. Two weeks before he got sober he had a judge call him a social irritant. He drank as long as he possibly could and then 2 years longer. He witnessed a killing back east and reeled in his umbilical cord and came back to mama who had discovered Al-Anon. He moved to Venice, CA where he lived for the next 30 years. Not sure why he went to his first AA meeting except that his father suggested it. Someone gave him a book that he threw in the trash on the way home. He drank for a week and wound up at the End Of The Line Group in LA. And it was. He felt welcomed.
( 40 min) ( 18.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/27/2012)
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Columbus, OH
Sober 22 years to the day since 1/19/1979, Shaaron is a lively, active member of AA. She qualifies why she needs to qualify as an alcoholic. She was born in Columbus, an adopted only child, fully self-centered who used her adoption to get her lots of free drinks over the years. None of this is the reason she is an alcoholic. She knows her real parents today. She was always afraid of everyone and everything and got angry whenever she heard the word "No". She felt less than and spent her life trying to prove she was OK. She does not remember her childhood because she did not participate in it - she was always up in her head. She wanted what you had and when she got it it was never enough. Today in AA she has what she needs and wants very little extra.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 15 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/26/2012)
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Milledgeville, GA
Sharon Ann was introduced to Al-Anon 17 years ago but got serious about the program 13 years ago She does not like to speak but goes through her fear to help the member who might be suffering. Married to her husband over 30 years he is her qualifier. She was raised in a good family with good morals with no drugs or alcohol. She realized in the program that her parents bashed each other's family. Sharon Ann took on the role of Peace Maker - the Fixer. This pattern still crops up in her life. She came into the program in a great deal of pain from dealing with alcoholism in her family but the program has helped her find a God that has removed even the memory of the pain.
( 42 min) ( 14.6 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(03/12/2012)
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Los Angeles, CA
Step 12: A great talk with lots of heart felt gratitude. She spoke there with Clancy I-CA (Steps 1,2,3) Scott L-TN (4th Resentments) Charlie C-CA (4th Fear & Sex) Bob B-MN (5,6 & 7) Clint H-CA (8&9) Sandy B-FL (10&11)
( 1 hr 1 min) ( 28.1 MB)AA, Female, Steps(07/31/2011)
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Norman, OK
Sober since 12/15/1984. Humorous story with moments of tearful joy, Sheila is a favorite among listeners. She is active in sponsorship. She was fresh out of ideas and in desperation when she came into AA and stayed until she caught alcoholism. Her dad was a long term member of AA who died two years before this talk. Her parents got divorced before she was old enough to realize it. Her mom was an alcoholic who found it hard to take care of her kids. Sheila and her family came to California to live near her dad. Her mother left in the middle of the night and Sheila did not see her again until she was 18. Dad got sober in AA and Shelia got exposed to the program early. Her dad married a woman in AA with two kids and they had kids together. It was not the Brady Bunch. The marriage did not last. Sheila and her dad did not get along for years and lived separately. She drank and used drugs through several marriages. She drank and used drugs while pregnant. Her mother died of the disease and that death helped Sheila and her dad mend their relationship. Her prayers in AA have gone from "Help me!" to "Give Me!" to hopefully now, "Use Me."
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 30.6 MB)AA, Female, Story(02/16/2012)
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Omaha, NE
19 years in the program since 1981, she recently returned to live in Omaha from Cincinnati. Her qualifiers are grandparents, ex-husband and current husband. She was always attracted to people who never were where they were supposed to be. Her dad was a police officer. He trained her to responsible. She liked the alcoholics who did fun and crazy things but she could watch from a safe distance. She lived on the fringe of the most popular groups and that was enough. She had many unrealistic fears that she never shared with anyone. She lived three years in a roller-coaster world. Her disease isolated her in her home where she thought she could be in control. She planned his funeral. Her family worried about her. She came to her first Al-Anon meeting through her uncle who was in AA. She did not think she needed it. She gave her husband a choice - treatment or divorce - hoping he picked divorce but he picked treatment. She came to her first Cornhusker Roundup 19 years ago where she planned his recovery. Later she entered Al-Anon for her. She did not feel at home but felt she could help these poor people. Her ex-husband decided he did not need AA any more but she continued to go to Al-Anon but did not work the steps. He drank again. She tried to heal the marriage with babies. Then she met a woman who had what she wanted, got active and got a divorce. She finally felt free.
( 43 min) ( 19.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/18/2012)
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Chattanooga, TN
Alateen country girl. Emotional talk. Relatively new to the program but really committed. Her dad was an alcoholic preacher. Not a good profession for an alcoholic. Family would constantly make excuses and cover up for him. Things kept getting worse until they left him and went to Florida for a while though he threatened her mother with a shotgun. Her mom took him back and he was fine for a time but started drinking after a time. Things got even worse. Sinnamon thought she ws the reason for his drinking. They left him again. She had to grow up fast and got with the wrong crowd. Mom got physically and emotionally sick and hysterical. Mom joined Al-Anon and got remarried to a wonderful man. Sinnamon came to Alateen as a Christmas present for her mom. She thought she had it together but she was a basket case. But felt 10 years younger and lighter and so kept coming back. Once she started the steps it did not seem like the same meeting. Now knows that there is nothing she can do for her dad but pray for him and love him and hope he can overcome.
( 21 min) ( 5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/01/2011)
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Anderson, IL
I have had another recording of Sister Ruth for some years but one section of the tape was corrupted. I discovered this talk among the eight boxes of cassettes recently donated for conversion. Ruth's parents are of German ancestry. She has been a nun over 50 years. She is a nurse by training. She speaks in a delightful away about her escapades to hide her drinking from her fellows and family. The greatest message is how she found God through the fellowship of AA. She speaks of how the program shows her God in action.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/12/2012)
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Miami, FL
With 9 years of sobriety and married to the popular AA Speaker Ray O'K for 38 years, Stephanie, "she who must be obeyed", believes it is very important to know who I am, what I am and where I belong. She loves to spend time with people getting better. She worked, went thru graduate school and looked for a movie star husband who would make her laugh. 30 years ago she went to Al-anon and is very grateful for what she learned in 20 years before going "across the hall" and recognizing she was really an alcoholic.
( 59 min) ( 13.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/27/2014)
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Woodstock, GA
Stephanie came into the program fully qualified in 1998 at age 22 and had 14 years sobriety at the time of this talk. She spends at least half the talk discussing her transitions in sobriety from no high school diploma through earning a college degree and on to responsible positions in society, traveling the world and settling down. A truly wonderful talk, thank you Stephanie for all you do to make the world a better and funnier place.
( 52 min) ( 17.9 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/05/2013)
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Brentwood, TN
Steve is sober since 6/30/1989. Humorous talk with many solid insights into the nature of the disease. His last drink was an Amaretto and his first day sober he spent some of it at a Chuck-E-Cheese. He recommends neither. What it was like changes. He realized he used to suffer from a past that never really happened. The conditions have not changed as much as the experience of life from the inside out. His sponsor said, "Your not who you think you are. Your not who they think you are and you are not who you think they think you are." He came into AA via the court system with a mandatory stay at a treatment center. Steve spoke at the closing meeting at the 2010 AA International in San Antonio, TX.
( 1 hr 10 min) ( 32.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(02/16/2012)
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Canton, GA
Steve got sober 26 years ago in California and spent time in Michigan (where he met his wife) and Atlanta. A very strong and funny talk. The quality of the recording is not the best because it was captured on an Android phone (I left home without Old Reliable - my laptop recorder). But it is well worth listening to his experience, strength and hope.
( 50 min) ( 17.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/06/2012)
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Powder Springs, GA
Sober since 2010, Steven's story is of the insanity of drinking that seemed normal when it was happening and so hilarious looking back. He was sober a number of years before circumstances combined with a drift away from the program brought the insanity back again into his life. Jailed numerous times in his drinking career, Steven is active today in AA and carries the message regularly to the inmates at the local jail.
( 49 min) ( 22.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/05/2012)
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Baltimore, MD
Funny talk. Sober since 3/12/1966, Stu says laughing at ourselves is a sign 0f getting well. First came into AA in 1964 at age 23 in tears. He started drinking at 14 and got sober at age 25. Used his relative youth as an excuse to drink. He would not have survived much longer the way he drank. Thought sobriety was going to be boring with cobwebs growing on him in a corner. Came from a family of seven children. His mother at 74 has never had a drink. His dad only had a few his whole life. None of his siblings have a problem with drugs or alcohol. He thinks you have to drink to be an alcoholic and you have to stop drinking to get sober. He was the kind of a kid your parents didn't want you to play with. He was bad kid, back row dummy, shy, bashful and immature. Lost everything he had sober and did not drink Regrouped and now lives in the kind of neighborhood he never thought he could afford.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.3 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/27/2012)
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Whitehouse, TN
Sober 28 years since 2/4/1973, Sue would love to just talk about sobriety but she owes it to the new comer to qualify. She has been on a journey that is wonderful, indescribable and, oh so, attainable but you have to live it to know it. So she attempts to show what she had to do to get here. You have to do something to get the promises. She had her first drink and her first baby in 1946. Her dad was an alcoholic, died from the disease and she swore she would never drink. In 1946 her morals were right where they should be. Her husband was a sailor. What they say about sailors is true. She drank to be with him. From the first drink she drank alcoholically. She was not an alcoholic because she was unloved or unhappy but because when she took on drink she could not stop.
( 49 min) ( 11.3 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/26/2012)
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Dallas, TX
Great talk. Power went off for 10 minutes of the talk. Married a rancher non-alcoholic. Her mother is her qualifier and husbands kids.
( 1 hr 4 min) ( 29.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/03/2011)
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Los Angeles, CA
Just shy of 79 years old and just over 46 years in the program, Sybil is a lively and entertaining speaker. At the time of this talk she had the most years of continuous sobriety of any women in California and probably west of the Mississippi. In this talks she spends a little extra time covering the history of AA in California as she experienced it since she first got sober in 1941.
( 54 min) ( 12.4 MB)AA, Female, Story, Historical(07/13/2014)
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Acworth, GA
Tammy L was born in Luxemburg, Germany on August 10, 1962. She passed in Acworth, Georgia on March 3, 2013. Tammy was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother and friend and she will be missed terribly.
Here she tells her story with two years of sobriety with the greatest Peace she had to that point in her life. She tells it like it is. We love that about you Tammy. May the Peace that passes all understanding be with you always.
Tammy was a member of the Breakfast Club Meeting at 8am at the How Place in Woodstock, GA. She also attended the Brown Baggers Meeting at 1pm. Please keep her children and her family in your prayers.
( 30 min) ( 20.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/09/2013)
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Sumpter, SC
Tasha is a lively and articulate member of Alateen. Born into an alcoholic family, her parents divorced when she was one. Her mom soon got a convenient husband and they moved to a small town. Her step-dad payed her $5 not to tell her mom he had been drinking (though she told her anyway). At first it was OK to live in an alcoholic home because she knew how to get what she wanted and there were no rules. She learned to cover up for the stumbling, passed out parents at home. Her mom insisted her husband go to treatment or she was leaving, ignoring her own drinking. He got out and drank again. This repeated. Tasha was being molested by her step-dad while all this was going on. When she hinted to her mom about the sexual abuse, her mother mentioned it to her husband but lived in denial. She finally got rid of him but managed to marry four times to alcoholics. Her mother started in Al-Anon first but then it dawned on her that she was alcoholic.
( 40 min) ( 18.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(07/20/2012)
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Chicago, IL
What Makes A Great Relationship: A classic discussion of Co-dependency and contra-dependency. Thanks Deb for recommending this addition. Talk repeated later 1989 with some different emphasis.
( 1 hr 26 min) ( 19.7 MB)Other, Male, Workshop(05/03/2011)
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Chicago, IL
Co- and Counter- Dependency: A further amplification of the topic from his talk in 1987.
( 1 hr 26 min) ( 19.7 MB)Other, Male, Workshop(05/03/2011)
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Aledo, TX
Wife of the well known and loved speaker Jim W, Terry started in Al-Anon 10/17/1983 because of her inability to cope with the alcoholism of her previous husband. Jim and Terry have only been married 3 and a half years at the time of this talk. Terry is passionate about the both programs.
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 16.5 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(01/26/2014)
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N. Hollywood, CA
Steps 4 and 5: Theresa is a lively speaker who got sober at age 24 and is 24 years sober at the time of this talk. When she came into AA her higher power was anything and everyone outside herself. She took the program at face value and did what she was told. Now she is in a somewhat confusing stage of her sobriety. Real, from the heart, down to earth share.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 15.9 MB)AA, Female, Steps(11/20/2014)
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Woodstock, GA
A Real Alcoholic, Tim blew a .41 on one of his last outings. He frequently acknowledges he does not know how to stay sober. Tim got sober in the 80's and stayed sober for 16 years. He drifted away from the program and once he drank again found it astonishingly difficult to get and stay sober. He knew the Big Book and the literature. He began instead to ask God in the morning to keep him sober. Since then he has been restored to his family and healed the relationship with his son who is now at LSU.
( 49 min) ( 16.9 MB)AA, Male, Story(03/03/2013)
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Torrance, CA
The Sunday morning speaker, sober since 10/10/1984, she came into the program tortured by loneliness. The greatest gift in her 28 years of sobriety is forming relationships that are unique and priceless. Passionate and funny, this is also a tribute to Jay P. who died shortly before this talk. He was the leader of the Fellowship by the Sea for many years. He had a knack for picking the best speakers. Tina is a fine example of his keen sense of quality.
( 1 hr 5 min) ( 22.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/13/2014)
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Austin, TX
Tina is on stage with her son Dylan. In the audience is her daughter hearing her story told from the stage for the first time. It is touching and a good listen. Hear Tina's full talk in Houston on WeJoy at: http://wejoy.org/speaker_list?id=421
(Upload by a WeJoy listener. THANKS!)
( 48 min) ( 16.6 MB)AA, Both, Story(01/01/2014)
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Austin, TX
Speaking at the Southeast Texas Area 67 Correctional Facilities Conference September 13, 14, and 15, 2013, Tina got sober 8/22/2000. From a broken home, mother alcoholic, she found alcohol gave her the strength to lose her fears and stand up for herself. Alcohol led to drugs, to dealing and multiple trips to jails and institutions. She was married and a mother at 16 and again at 17. She loved her kids but could not keep sober for them. Their grandmother raised them. She was introduced to AA at age 18 but did not want what she thought we had. She came in again in the early 90's and got a sponsor and worked the steps but failed to enlarge her spiritual condition. Cancer and pain pills, though taken as prescribed, eventually led back to alcohol and years more of suffering. She finally admitted she was powerless in 2000. She faced multiple felonies with mandatory sentences but stayed in AA and got involved in service. The outcome was miraculous. (Upload by a WeJoy listener. THANKS!)
( 57 min) ( 19.7 MB)AA, Female, Story(01/01/2014)
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Charlotte, NC
Tom B is an all time favorite speaker. He was very knowledgeable about the disease as a counselor and as a member of AA. He has a down home country delivery. His message is strong and direct with lots of fun woven between experience, strength and hope. He had an almost photographic memory for details and an ability to link the concepts of the Program in a way that is understandable and believable. Tom passed some years back. Sit back, relax and enjoy because he "did it live and for free".
( 1 hr 11 min) ( 32.6 MB)AA, Male, Story(10/17/2011)
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Charlotte, NC
Sober since July 20, 1965, Tom was a favorite of many in the South and around the US. His country accent hides the fact that he had a near photographic memory. He got active in addiction treatment after getting sober. He helped many to understand it was the spiritual realm that held the key to recovery and that "self knowledge availed us nothing.". Tom died sober sometime after 2000.
( 58 min) ( 20.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/07/2012)
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Wintergarden, FL
Known as "The Arkansas Traveler" and sober since May 14, 1945, Charles was a naturally funny guy. He had his first drink while "huntin' somethin'" in Bush Bottom, AR where he came upon a moonshine still and the operator offered him "somethin". At times he was a barroom drinker, a real train-hoppin' Hobo and an inmate at the county farm. His description of his talk with a psychiatrist is one of the classic stories in AA. AA was the light at the end of the alcoholic tunnel of despair and a voice that said come with me and we will do this together.
( 52 min) ( 18.1 MB)AA, Male, Story(07/07/2012)
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Avon Lake, OH
Sober 35 years since 7/5/1962, Tom is an energetic and informative speaker. His wife says he jumps around alot in his story but reminds her he is talking to other alcoholics who, not wrapped to tight, understand the language of the heart. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, his dad died and alcoholic death.
( 1 hr 16 min) ( 17.5 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/11/2012)
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Charlotte, NC
Spirituality: Growth Through Subtraction
Meister Eckhart said, "The soul grows through subtraction." This was a workshop on the steps as a path of spiritual subtraction. Tom B takes the audience through the steps with a focus on letting go and finding what is left when we get rid of the unnecessary. Bill W. did not use surrender in the first 164 pages but rather terms like abandon, rid, cast to one side and divorced.
Total time across all 3 files is 3.2 hours.( 87 MB )Intro through 3rd Step Prodigal Son
(09/19/2011)
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Charlotte, NC
Grow & Abstain are One through 10th Step: A Process of Watching
(09/19/2011)
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Charlotte, NC
11th Step: Prayer & Meditation through Conclusion
( 35 min) ( 16.5 MB)(Item #3 of 3)AA, Male, Workshop, Steps(09/19/2011)
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San Antonio, TX
Tom calls himself a grateful Al-Anon adult child. Since every member of AA should have relatives or friends who are alcoholics, he welcomes all the AA's present to their induction meeting into Al-Anon. Tom's parents were both alcoholics along with brothers, sisters and cousins. Originally from St. Louis, there were two stories - on the outside all was nice and orderly -the second - what was actually going on. He lived in denial for years and years.
( 55 min) ( 12.8 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(04/20/2014)
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NC, MN, FL
Enjoy the wisdom of some 140 years of sobriety with Tom I of Southern Pines, NC (sober since 1957), Bob B of St. Paul MN (sober since 1967) and Sandy B. of Tampa, FL (sober since 1964). Each was given the opportunity to talk about any topic. There is a bit of a theme that runs through it all: what sponsorship was like then and maybe what is needed today. But other areas are covered as well.
( 52 min) ( 48 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(05/03/2014)
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Southern Pines, NC
Corrections 101. How to take meeting into jails and prisons. Tom went from inmate to warden. Long time member of AA and very active.
( 1 hr 6 min) ( 22.9 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(05/16/2011)
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Luray, VA
Around AA almost 30 years and sober 25 since 1950, a minister and a co-founder of the Blackstone Retreat, Tom tells a story of transformation. "Only a fool, when properly informed, would give up the pleasures of slow dying and yet living". He spends a good bit of the time thanking, in a delightful way, those who taught him truths. He thanks God everyday for AA. Tom grew up in the little cotton town of Newnan, GA. He came into the ministry after getting sober in order to pay back his debt to God. This talk is at times funny, poignant, powerful and grateful. (From a reel-to-reel stored at the Area 16 Georgia Archives)
( 56 min) ( 13 MB)AA, Male, Story(12/15/2013)
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Chappaqua, NY
Sober since 1946, an insightful and often funny talk, Tom was a failure in AA for four years that he traces to a stubborn refusal to the "God Thing". This is a suggested program but if you want to get well you better take the suggestions. Standing in front of a crowd and bearing witness binds you to this program like nothing else can. Two key points: 1) Through the program he learned that everything on this earth makes sense - everything. 2) The Lord has been with us always. He was put in institutions 9 times. Early on he wanted to be not just one of the boys but one of the men. It was what got him started drinking and what became the bait to get him in AA and kept him here. God's Grace is something nobody understands. He came in and stayed dry without the God Thing for a time but then went out. For four years he was a chronic slipper, a miserable periodic. Then something happened the weekend of Easter 1946 - he found a Higher Power to depend on. (From a reel-to-reel stored at the Area 16 Georgia Archives)
( 49 min) ( 11.4 MB)AA, Male, Story(12/15/2013)
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Anderson, SC
I could not resist including the person introducing the speaker. It is a classic. Tom got sober at age 32 in 1967. Originally from New York, he never got any place except through the 12 steps. He had a wonderful childhood so he has no excuses. He works for the Alcohol and Drug Administration in South Carolina. He loves what he does and all the people he can help by passing on what we have - you don't have to give up your life to a drug.
( 49 min) ( 16.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/08/2014)
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Oakland Park, FL
Great long term sobriety. One of 12 AAs at Ebby Thatchers funeral. Tommie drove there with Bill W. and Lois W.
( 41 min) ( 14.4 MB)AA, Female, Story, Historical(03/06/2011)
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Boston, MA
The Sunday morning speaker, the youngest of six, Tommy grew up in South Boston in a tough neighborhood. "I live the live I think to be true." He associated good times with drinking. He was a high school dropout who came into the rooms young.
( 47 min) ( 10.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(11/23/2014)
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Atlanta, GA
This talk focuses on the humor in AA. Toni C died from cancer April 28, 2011. She helped many to recovery in the Atlanta area. She was both well loved and respected.
( 1 hr 9 min) ( 23.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(04/21/2011)
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Atlanta, GA
This is the last audio I have of Toni. This photo is from a video clip to send to Pat H when he was in hospice in Feb 2011
(04/21/2011)
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Sunfish Lake, MN
An 18-year member since October 1970, Tony calls himself a procrastinating but ever so grateful Al-Anon member. Long before he knew there was such a thing as Al-Anon, it was the "AAers" who kept him saner until he could walk through the doors of Al-Anon. He his very grateful to his wife, his qualifier, who taught him how to love the unlovable - "and there is certainly no one more unlovable that a full-blown, practicing alcoholic".
( 53 min) ( 12.3 MB)Al-Anon, Male, Story(04/20/2014)
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Powder Springs, GA
Sober 28 years since 4/5/1985, Traci is a lively, passionate and enthusiastic member of AA. She was born in a small town in Texas. Raised going to church several times each week, she gave up on God in the aftermath of a gunman opening fire in her family's church. She started drinking at 12 and sought a drink as often as she could until coming in to the program in her 20's. She weaves a story of her insanity before and after joining AA and how she finally had to ask God's help from the depths of her soul.
( 51 min) ( 17.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(02/01/2014)
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Roanoke, VA
A funny speaker and sober since 2/23/1992 (last drink in 1987), she was born in West Virginia on a dairy farm that did not last. Her dad decided to go into insurance and was transferred from the country to Roanoke. A daddy's girl and tomboy, she grew up in a good home. Neither parent was alcoholic but her grandfather died of the disease. Her brother broke his neck in a car wreck in high school hanging with the wrong crowd. She swore she would never drink but within 3 years she was hanging and drinking with the same crowd her brother had.The accident was a point when she felt the family's attention turned toward her brother. Her dad could never work again from a nervous breakdown. Her brother died of a coronary 5 years after the accident. The family was blown apart. She got into an abusive relationship and was herself loud and abusive but yet underneath she really wanted a normal life. She was driving drunk in 1982 with her 16 month old daughter Amanda and crashed killing her daughter. She did not stop drinking until 1987 and was not fully sober until 1992.
( 53 min) ( 18.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(07/24/2012)
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Marina Del Ray, CA
Funny talk. Came in to Al-Anon 2/7/1969 (34 years) in Lubbock TX where she was born and raised. She now lives in California - and yes it is the land of fruits and nuts. She got as much from AA as she did from Al-Anon. Hates alcoholism but the loves the alcoholic - especially when they are sober. Her parents fought alot with strange ideas about religion. Vannoy left that all behind found and loved the honky-tonks. She lived with an alcoholic until she could not take anymore. Thought of suicide but could not do that to the kids. She called AA in the phone book. An AA couple came and did not care that she was just an Al-Anon. They took her to her first meeting. She loved it from the very beginning. She explains how the steps changed her life. Her husband tried AA but went back to drinking for over 20 years. She left him after 7 years.
( 59 min) ( 13.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(10/04/2011)
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Various
A workshop led in part by Tom I covering the state of AA Corrections Service in North Carolina. Very informative about how to organize and effective state-wide AA Corrections Program.
( 1 hr 8 min) ( 31.3 MB)AA, Male, Workshop(07/06/2012)
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Bakersfield, CA
A lively speaker, Viki grew up in a Brady Bunch type family in Maryland. Her dad was a professional football player. There was no alcoholism in her family. She had insanity; all she need was to add alcohol. Her first drink led to a blackout drunk as a pom-pom girl on the beach. She started with alcohol and ended with alcohol with lots of drugs in between. She learned to live a double life like "Looking for Mr. Goodbar". She became a special ed school teacher where all the staff used alcohol and drugs. She left that job to wander the country as a bar tender. She got thrown out of Telluride, CO and made her way to Phoenix, AZ. There she got into AA on a series of events involving a library, books on how to beat a lie detector test and twenty questions left on a copier.
( 42 min) ( 19.5 MB)AA, Female, Story(03/27/2012)
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Lumberton, NC
Soft spoken member of Al-Anon for over 10 years. Hated being in the program with a passion in the beginning. Her husband Jim is her qualifier. Was spiritually, physically and mentally dead and hated her self. Father was a bootlegger who drank so she wonders how he made any money. Violence was an everyday thing and love was absent. She was the 15th child in a large family. Remembers her dad trying to kill her mother. Vivian became like her father and mother - a state she never wanted. Repeatedly married and enabled alcoholics. Even tried to drink like them. Husband came back and stayed sober for a time and things were good until he went back to drinking. She attempted suicide. Her husband came into AA. Later, when her son ran away, she realized how her children hated her. She was at her lowest point. It made her look at herself and it started her on the road to recovery.
( 44 min) ( 10.3 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(09/29/2011)
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Hilton Head, SDC
Vivian, sober since January 3, 1990, has a beautiful story of forgiveness for herself. Her nine year old daughter was killed in an auto accident while Vivian was driving under the influence. Vivian was born in Columbia, SC. Her father was a raging alcoholic. Though she has no memory of him, she swore she would never be like him. She had severe ulcers and was in the hospital for most of the first nine years of her life. She was pronounced dead several times. Paregoric- a strong opiate- became a central part of her treatment. She met a man 11 years older while she was in high school. They got married and had a daughter and a son. She drank too much while they were dating and continued after marriage to go out on weekends getting wilder as time went on. She walked out on her family to pursue drugs and alcohol. She hung with dangerous people. She carried a 357-magnum in her purse. A woman she hired to work in her shop introduced her to AA. She met Michael E of Evans GA (female alcoholic) and Michael's sponsor Polly P. They took her through the steps. Michael was there with her when they stood by Vivian's daughter's grave and had a remarkable spiritual experience.
( 46 min) ( 15.8 MB)AA, Female, Story(06/06/2013)
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Cartersville, GA
Sober since February 28, 1990, Walt is a well loved member of AA in his local area. He is very active in AA in and around Cartersville, GA. Originally from Chicago, he got sober in Florida. His dad was a pharmacist and adult child of an alcoholic who worked all the time. His parents were not alcoholic but they had all the behaviors. Walt became a joiner just to get out of the house. His parents retired to Sarasota Florida. Walt jumped around all the time. It was all sex, drugs and rock and roll and I'll get to know you later. He worked hard and played hard. He was a teacher with a landscaping business. He is in his fifth marriage now- two died from the disease. He is currently married to someone in the program.
This is a short but delightful talk his friends have been requesting I post here.
( 31 min) ( 10.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(04/08/2013)
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New York, NY
Waneta had been on the Public Information (PI) staff at the AA General Service Office in New York and with GSO for four years at the time of this talk. She was a singer whose opera career was interrupted by WWII. She sang in the clubs in New York and married an alcoholic in show businesses. Their spiral downward led her to the rooms.
This recording is from a reel-to-reel - the earliest of a set of recordings of the Georgia State Assembly (Area 16).
When I heard her name I spelled it Juanita but could find no reference to her on the web. In the archives room at the GSSA office in Macon days later I picked up one pamphlet just for fun. It was the program from the AA International in Toronto in 1965. The first page I looked at had her name spelled Waneta. From there I found a reference and quote from her in the AA History classic Not God by Ernie Kurtz where he reports she chaired the 1971 General Service Conference - the first one after Bill Wilson's death.
The quality is excellent. The story interesting and beautiful.
( 58 min) ( 20 MB)AA, Female, Story, Historical(08/04/2014)
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Santa Monica, CA
Funny and enthusiastic. AA's over-under achiever. In and out of mental institutions 17 times. Could never pick up a woman out on the streets but get him in there before the Thorazine kicked in and ... Came in to AA 28 years 2 months and 6 days ago and has been to a meeting every day except one in that time. He did not know what was wrong with him. There is a difference between self-knowledge and full knowledge of my conditions. Only drank beer. Take alcoholic away from him and he is a danger to himself and you.
( 1 hr 17 min) ( 17.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(09/29/2011)
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Spring, TX
Twelve and Twelve Workshop
Sober since 6/19/1957, Willie passed in January 23, 2011. Named after her Dad's brother, she became a Schoolmarm in Spring Texas. She often presented alongside Joe & Charlie during Big Book Weekends. Normally nine hours, this is the short version. Her talk focuses on the 12 and 12 as a Study Guide to the textbook Alcoholics Anonymous. The quality of the recording is very good in the beginning but gets weaker towards the end. Part four had to be digitally enhanced for volume only. It was not possible with the tools at hand to improve it further without introducing an artificial quality to the last recording. The presentation is a bit dry but the insights and experience are well worth the time.
At the end of this segment she reads a piece called "The Spirit of AA" that you can download here.
Total time across all 4 files is 4 hours.( 67 MB )Intro thru Step 3 (page 41)
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.2 MB)(Item #1 of 4)AA, Female, Workshop, Steps(09/24/2011)
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Spring, TX
Finish Step 3 (page 41) and Step 4 (page 42) thru Step 7 (page 73)
(09/24/2011)
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Spring, TX
Step 7 (page 73) thru Step 10 (page 91)
(09/24/2011)
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Spring, TX
Step 11 (page 96) thru Step 12 (page 106)
( 17 min) ( 16.3 MB)(Item #4 of 4)AA, Female, Workshop, Steps(09/24/2011)
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Omaha, NE
She walked thru the doors of AA 3/26/1969 and has not found it necessary to take a drink since. Still feels the magic of AA. Grew up and got sober in Los Angeles, Mexican Mom (The Warden) and Chinese Dad (100 years old), Wilma had 16 siblings. She was tall and skinny and they were all short. They called her Olive Oil and she beat them up for it. Then they called her Popeye. She is the only alcoholic or addict. Father is Buddhist and her brothers do not drink. She was a rotten no good kid with a bad attitude. She went from active alcoholic and drug runner to sober quality control expert.
NOTE: The tape had to be digitally enhanced to remove background noise. The quality of the message is worth including it in this collection even if the technical quality, though acceptable, is not perfect.
( 1 hr 14 min) ( 17.1 MB)AA, Female, Story(09/29/2011)
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La Puente, CA
A delightful speaker discovered in a mislabeled download. Took some searching to find anything about her. If anyone knows more about the date and location of this talk it would be appreciated to leave a comment on the home page. She spoke from 1965 or so until the late 80's.
( 55 min) ( 12.7 MB)Al-Anon, Female, Story(08/09/2014)
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Tyler, TX
Wino Joe is one of the best loved of all AA speakers. He has a set of questions to replace AA's official pamphlet called 44 Questions. He is sure they can qualify an alcoholic for AA more quickly than the approved set. He combines great timing, and down home humor with a deep love for the program.
( 1 hr ) ( 13.8 MB)AA, Male, Story(06/12/2012)
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Tyler, TX
26 years at the time of this talk, Wino Joe L was one of the classic AA speakers. This recording is slightly off in the very beginning but becomes clear and easy to understand fairly quickly. He was speaking at this conference with Willie B from Spring TX (not on this recording but can be found on WeJoy). He had a set of his own questions to see if you qualify as an alcoholic.
( 1 hr 19 min) ( 18.2 MB)AA, Male, Story(05/26/2013)
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Oxnard, CA
The author of the much loved Big Book Story (p. 553, 2nd edition, p. 544 3rd edition, p. 544 4th edition.) "Freedom From Bondage", Wynn gives details of the famous magazine article that suggested if she prayed for the person she resented for 14 days, she would be free. The article, she says here, came from an article by Norman Vincent Peale in Liberty Magazine. Peale was himself a long time supporter of AA.
( 52 min) ( 24.1 MB)AA, Female, Story, Author(06/13/2012)
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Travelling is my life
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