Approaching the Twelve Steps from a secular viewpoint can present challenges, particularly with Step Three, which traditionally involves turning one's will and life over to the care of God. Spencer and Marilyn explore how we have navigated these waters while remaining respectful to their own beliefs as atheists or agnostics. Founding a Secular Al Anon Meeting The conversation begins with Marilyn sharing her experience in founding a secular Al Anon meeting, named “Any Faith or...

Retirement can be an exciting yet challenging phase of life. It brings forward new experiences and demands a blend of anticipation and adaptation. The principles and tools garnered through our journeys of recovery can play a pivotal role in navigating these changes. Mary H. shares insights into her retirement process and how recovery has helped her face the associated challenges. The Unexpected Path to Retirement Mary's journey began with mandatory retirement at age 65 from her...

Recovery can challenge us to transform our spiritual and religious understandings and underpinnings. For many, especially those emerging from rigid religious backgrounds, rediscovering or reimagining one's higher power becomes a transformative step. In this episode, Sara delves into her personal journey of redefining her higher power, lending an inspiring narrative to those struggling with similar paths in recovery. Overcoming a Fearful God Spencer: You wrote to me and said you...

Step Three states: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” We’ll be delving into this step, discussing its essence and sharing personal experiences. Step Three comes after acknowledging the hope for a saner life (Step Two). This step is about making a definitive choice to turn to a higher power for guidance. It is a decision step, where we decide to let go of control. For many, this step feels like the hardest because it challenges...

Spencer opens the discussion by reiterating Step Two: “[We] came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” Bruce notes that their discussion is a reflection of their personal experiences.. Personal Narratives of Insanity and Restoration Both Spencer and Bruce share their personal stories, highlighting their past struggles and how they found a path to sanity. Bruce recalls the powerful impact of realizing his own insanity – living repeatedly with...

I had the privilege of speaking with Pat R., the author of the heartfelt and powerful book “Surviving Alex: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Addiction.” This story may resonate with you if you are grappling with the complex combination of mental illness and addiction. A Mother's Heartfelt Journey Pat's journey began with her son, Alex, who faced overwhelming challenges with both mental illness and addiction. Tragically, Alex did not survive his illnesses, but Pat has bravely...

Spencer and Nora explore Step One of Al-Anon, which is about admitting powerlessness over alcohol and recognizing the unmanageability in one's life. They read from the book ‘How Al-Anon Works' and discuss how their lives have been impacted by others' alcoholism. Both hosts share personal anecdotes on their journey to accepting their lack of control and finding serenity through Al-Anon principles. The discussion aims to provide insights into the struggles and rewards of embracing Step One,...

In conversation with Barb W, we dive into the vital role honesty plays in the journey of recovery, particularly in accepting and working the first step. The Challenge of Honesty We kick off the discussion with Barb reflecting on the necessity of honesty in recovery. Honesty often starts with acknowledging our own denial and deceit, both to ourselves and others.  Barb’s personal story details the emotional and psychological impact of living with an alcoholic. She talks...

Being a leader in Al-Anon is fundamentally different from traditional notions of leadership. As we highlight in our discussion, Al-Anon leaders are guided by humility and enthusiasm rather than authority and control. This approach is rooted in Tradition Two, which states, “Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Understanding this principle is crucial for anyone facing challenges in their service roles. Diffusing Tension and Resolving Conflict Conflicts are...

Host Spencer and guest Ashley delve into the transformative power of the 12 steps in the Al-Anon program. We revisit the 12 steps and explore their impact on our personal growth and healing. We read and reflect on passages from chapter 8, “Twelve Steps”, in the book How Al-Anon Works, sharing our own experiences and insights. Our discussion emphasizes the importance of attitude change, the deep self-awareness that comes from working the steps, and the continuous journey of recovery. Through...

Al Anon's Tradition 3 emphasizes the gathering of relatives of alcoholics for mutual aid, forming an Al Anon family group rooted in shared experiences and support. Spencer elaborates on how this mutual aid creates a safe space where individuals facing the impact of addiction can find solace and understanding. The only requirement for membership is the presence of alcoholism in a relative or friend, fostering a sense of unity and compassion within the group. Spencer recounts his journey...

We find value in the shared experiences, wisdom, and support expressed in Al-Anon meetings. Sharing in meetings plays a crucial role in bolstering recovery, assisting in healing, and fostering a sense of community among attendees. However, we may hear instructions and conventions that seem challenging to adhere to at times. Why do we share? Sharing in an Al-Anon meeting invokes an atmosphere of sincerity, openness, and compassion. Speakers such as Heather and Spencer cherish the...

In February, 2023, Spencer gave a talk at the 71st Greeley AA Stampede. This is that talk. Readings and Links The Greeley AA Stampede is an annual AA conference with Al-Anon participation. Find out more at their website. A listener asked about finding “speaker tapes” online. Two sources are XA Speakers and Recovery Radio Network. A couple listeners have asked about the “adult child” oriented podcasts I've been listening to. They are Fragmented to Whole and...

Listen to the experience, strength and hope, questions, and fears of 30-ish listeners of The Recovery Show. Hear from members on topics such as these: * Coping with the effects of addiction * The recovery process * Working the Al Anon program * Sponsorship in recovery * Understanding self-centered behavior * Acceptance of powerlessness * Reflections on past recovery experiences Here are few moments that you might connect...

The 12 steps are indispensable in the journey towards healing. They can spark enlightenment, foster growth, and propel personal transformation. In this episode, Spencer, Karen, and other contributors explore several approaches to working the 12 steps. Acknowledging Variety and Personalizing the Process 12-step recovery does not have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Members apply the steps to their own lives in differing ways. The Al-Anon literature includes several guides to the...

Did you attend the 2023 Al-Anon International Convention? If you didn't, have you wondered what it was like? In this episode, Heather, Racheal, and Spencer share our expectations of the convention, what happened at the convention, what we learned, and what we are bringing home. Contact the show You can leave a voicemail at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right...

In our lives, we often find ourselves faced with situations that require us to make decisions. We have a choice to either react impulsively or take a moment to consider our actions. This interplay between inaction and reaction can shed light on how we navigate life's complexities. Let's delve deeper into the concepts of inaction, reaction, and the transformative power of taking meaningful action. The Dance of Inaction and Reaction Our primitive “lizard brain” responds when faced...

What is gossip? How is it harmful to my recovery? Spencer and Laurel discuss gossip and how it can hinder our path to recovery. We share our personal experiences, elaborating on how we used to perceive gossip and how this perception has changed. We lay emphasis on the power of silence, restraining oneself from engaging in gossip, and talk about relevant situations from our work lives. We conclude by acknowledging that refraining from gossip can be a lifelong struggle but a resultant...

At a recent meeting, the topic was Step 11. I most often share about my difficulties in creating a regular program of prayer and meditation. But at this meeting, I picked the second part of the step “Praying only for knowledge of God’s will…” The question that I face when I consider that phrase is, “how do I know if something is God’s will or just mine?” Apparently, I last talked about this question in Episode 61 “Intuition or God’s Will?” One tool that I try to remember to use...

Reaching and recognizing significant milestones is an integral part of the recovery process. Celebrating these moments of progress might include acknowledging the ability to set personal boundaries, letting go of blame, or embracing presence in the current moment. These victories, regardless of how small, contribute significantly to personal growth and healing, reinforcing the transformative power of recovery. What is a milestone? One dictionary definition says “A point in a...

I noticed how different people in the story respond to the drinking in different ways. It leapt off the page to me, not only because I recognized stories that I could have heard in the rooms, but also my own perception of their reactions. – Frances Step into the pages of classic literature and discover a hidden world of connection and understanding. In this podcast episode, we explore the what Frances uncovers as she dives into the timeless tales of ‘Adam Bede' and ‘A Tree Grows in...

What valuable lesson did you learn in 2022? Our answers include: * Don't rush in at try to fix it! * How practicing these principles at work can lead to unexpected, great outcomes. * It begins with me! * Understanding my limitations and living within them. Upcoming topics Coming up is our 400th episode. Eric suggested the topic of milestones for that “milestone” episode. What can you identify as significant events or turning points...

Misti's journey of self-discovery and forgiveness takes her through the depths of her family's addiction and abuse. Just as she begins to find inner peace, a shocking revelation forces her to confront the past and leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew. Will she find the courage to continue her journey towards healing and forgiveness? In order to keep the fire for justice burning, we need to keep burning our wounds open as perpetual evidence. Living like this, it is...