The Recovery Show » Finding serenity through 12 step recovery in Al-Anon – a podcast

Tom grew up in a loving, chaotic family. As an adult, he found recovery for his alcoholism, but didn't know how to cope with the alcoholics around him. It wasn't until he decided that his sister needed Al-Anon, that he started attending regularly, and carrying the message back to her. Eventually, he started to see... The post Tom – His sister needed Al-Anon – Episode 256 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

This week, I'm sharing a talk by Ann Marie R. I really enjoyed her humor, but also her ability to find gifts in troubles. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.   The post Speaker: Ann Marie R – Episode 255 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How can you detach from your teen alcoholic? What is your real responsibility when your child is an addict? How can Al-Anon help? Mary and Ellen talk about their experiences as parents of teenage alcoholics and addicts. They share what they learned, and how they navigated their difficulties, fears, and hopes. Our discussion was grounded... The post Parents of teen alcoholics and addicts – Episode 254 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Did you admit to yourself or others the presence of alcoholism in your life? Why not? What happened when you broke through your denial into acceptance? What is it? Do we have to be somehow aware of a problem to be in denial? Definition from Merriam-Webster: psychology : a defense mechanism in which confrontation with... The post Denial and Acceptance – Episode 253 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Spencer was recently a guest on the podcast Sober Speak. At Sober Speak, you will find podcasts of people sharing their story of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous, much like a speaker meeting. These men and women tell us about their experience, strength, and hope centered around the 12 steps of AA. Of course, he was... The post Spencer on Sober Speak – Episode 252 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Spencer was recently interviewed on the Spirit in Action radio show and podcast. Spirit in Action brings you stories of people living lives of fruitful service, of peace, community, compassion, creative action and progressive efforts. We will trace the spiritual roots that support and nourish them in their service. Above all, we will seek out Light,... The post Spirit in Action Interview – Episode 251 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

This talk by Tom W, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous had so much recovery wisdom, I felt compelled to share it with you. I've heard it a few times already and every time, I get new insights. I was astounded to hear that a priest had trouble with Steps 2 and 3. And, his description... The post Tom W talk – Episode 250 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Read a transcript of this episode. How have you given away your power? Did you lose power over your life when you tried to force solutions? How can you recover your personal power? Definitions Force: make a way through or into by physical strength, make (someone) do something against their will Power: the capacity or... The post Force and Power – Episode 249 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What do love, relationships, and Step 6 have to do with each other? Maybe everything? Sometimes events come together in my life and form a message about a new step in my recovery. That happened for me this weekend. In order to tell this story, I’m going to have to talk about some books and... The post Love, Relationships, and Step 6 – Episode 248 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Nancy S speaks on “Negative into Positive” in this talk from 1987. A listener asked about the story with the repeating phrase “maybe so, maybe not.” There are many versions of this on the internet. Here is one. What have been your experience when what you thought was a negative became a positive? Or vice-versa?... The post Negative into Positive– Episode 247 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Why do we take inventory in Al-Anon? And what is a “moral inventory” anyway? Spencer shares his answers to some questions about Step 4 from our book Paths to Recovery about the purpose of taking our own moral inventory. His answers were written in 2002, 2011, and 2018. How have they changed (or not)? The questions... The post Why do a Moral Inventory? – Episode 246 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you try to reduce the consequences of your loved one’s choices and actions? Do you have trouble enforcing consequences on undesirable behavior by others? con·se·quence ˈkänsikwəns noun a result or effect of an action or condition. synonyms: result, upshot, outcome, effect, repercussion, ramification, corollary, concomitant, aftermath, after effect; Setting Consequences I have to be... The post Consequences – Episode 245 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Thanks to Denise, who recommended this talk. She wrote, When I heard you speak about violence in the non-alcoholic as a possible topic, I immediately thought of an Al-Anon talk I heard on the XA speakers website. It was by Carl H. from Hollywood, CA given in Calgary, Canada in 2010. He is an excellent... The post Carl H Open Talk – Episode 244 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How do you talk to your children about recovery? What have they asked you? Spencer talks with Megan about how she talks to her children about recovery. We are joined by shares from several listeners. Our conversation was wide-ranging, touching on topics from the list below. What questions have your children asked you about Alcoholism/addiction?... The post Recovery with Young Children – Episode 243 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you find yourself reacting without thinking? Does anxiety impel you to action? How can you pause and not react? A listener wrote in with these questions. How do I not act (or react) on the first impulsive thought or feeling? How do others sit with uncomfortable feelings? How do I act on God's will... The post Don’t React – Episode 242 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What does freedom mean to you? What freedom have you found in recovery? Eric suggested this topic, and we were loosely guided in our conversation by this outline. Definition of freedom? Many definitions… Do I believe that freedom only comes from being in control of my life? What does it mean to me (now) that... The post Freedom – Episode 241 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

I'm on vacation this week, visiting my brother in southern California. I'm sharing with you the talk given by Linda L at the March Roundup 2018 in Dearborn, MI. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here. The post Linda L Open Talk – Episode 240 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Have you been to an AA or Al-Anon convention or round up? What did you find there? This week, I attended “March Roundup 2018”, an AA convention with Al-Anon participation in Dearborn, Michigan. My wife and I both went and attended sessions together, with a mix of AA and Al-Anon topics and speakers. From Friday... The post March Roundup 2018 – Episode 239 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Myrtle A speaking in Lusk, WY in 1996. Myrtle says she is her own worst problem. And that she has kicked “poor me” out of the house. But she is also a thief: she will “steal your responsibility faster than you knew you had it.” I hope you enjoy and get as much from her talk... The post Myrtle A. Open Talk – Episode 238 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What trauma has alcoholism brought into your life? How are you healing from it? I didn’t realize it, but by the time I came to Al-Anon, I had been traumatized by the disease of alcoholism. Al-Anon is helping me to heal from this trauma. I recognized recently that it’s not over, even almost 16 years... The post Healing the Trauma of Alcoholism – Episode 237 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you dread mail from your bank? Are you anxious about paying the bills? Can you see a “way out” of your financial situation? What is my experience? Ignoring the problem We’re just fine. Just use the credit card. Cash advances Balance transfer Borrow from parents. Take money from retirement (is this amends?) Can I... The post Fear of Financial Insecurity – Episode 236 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How do you use slogans? Do you “let it begin with me”? When do you ask yourself “Is it worth my serenity?” How do you “Live and let live”? 3 slogans for today. Let it begin with me. Is it worth my serenity? First things first. For each slogan: How do I understand the slogan?... The post Slogans part 2 – Episode 235 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Eric and I had planned a discussion about slogans, to follow up on our first one in episode 131. But life intervened, so we had to ask “how important is it?” and to put “first things first.” Thus, I'm sharing an open talk by Carol S of Omaha, Nebraska. Upcoming topics include some slogans. What... The post Carol S open talk – Episode 234 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Step 3 asks us to “make a decision” to turn our will to the care of a higher power. Why is this so hard for many of us? I looked back over 15 years at the 3 times I have worked step 3, and found the answers I wrote in 2002, 2011, and 2017 for... The post Making a Decision – Episode 233 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Are you the sober parent in an alcoholic family? What challenges have you faced? How has recovery helped you? What challenges do you face as the sober parent? Keeping your children safe Making decisions about how to parent. What happens when you disagree? Taking everything on. Anger, rage and anxiety. “Parenting” your spouse? Jealousy/resentment of... The post The Sober Parent – Episode 232 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Begin the new year in stillness, in contemplation of the year past and the year to come. What do you want to let go of from the last year? Write it down. Destroy what you have written (burn it, dissolve it in water, or crumple it up and throw it in the trash.) You don’t... The post Begin in Stillness – Episode 231 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

In this recording from the 2010 AA Woodstock of the South, Bob B, Polly P, Ralph W, Michael E, Bill R, and Linda B share their experiences of family recovery in Al-Anon and AA. Upcoming topics include parenting. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your experience, strength and hope. Our contact page has more... The post The Family in Recovery – Episode 230 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

As we enter into a season where many of us are celebrating an end of the year holiday — Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Year — what expectations do we have? What anxieties does this season provoke? Do you look forward to spending time with family, or dread it? Or are you spending this time alone?... The post Holiday Expectations – Episode 229 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you have trouble trusting other people? Do you have people you trust? How do you know they are trustworthy? What is trust? firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. (Dictionary.com) Do you have or have had trouble trusting other people? Do you have people you trust? How do you... The post Trust and Trustworthy – Episode 228 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

The first episode of The Recovery Show was posted to the internet on Dec 10, 2012. It’s hard to believe that we are now 5 years and 227 episodes in. What has 5 years of podcasting meant to me? What has it meant to you? How did it happen? 6 years ago — the only... The post Five Years of Recovery – Episode 227 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

I asked you to share your gratitude with me. Many of you did so, and this episode highlights your voices and your gratitudes. I also put together a playlist on Spotify, included below, that doesn't even scratch the surface of the songs about gratitude and thankfulness. I'm sure I missed your favorite, so please email... The post Your Gratitude 2017 – Episode 226 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What challenges have you found, as an adult child of an alcoholic, in parenting your own children? What program tools have you used, and how have they helped? What is your biggest challenge now? Several listeners shared their experience around these and similar questions. Some challenges were Not controlling. Anger Impatience “Hurt people hurt people”... The post Parenting as an Adult Child of Alcoholics – Episode 225 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

As we approach the US holiday of Thanksgiving, I naturally think about the things I am grateful for. What are you grateful for? Here are some things I am grateful for That I have a program of recovery. Our dog is a sweetheart, so loving. That my adult children choose to spend time with me... The post Gratitude – Episode 224 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

I got a lot from this open talk by Sally C, speaking in 1984. A couple highlights from her talk: She found exactly what she was looking for in her first meeting… But what was it? What we think and what is real are two far different things … this is why maybe they shouldn't... The post Sally C. open talk appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How has the alcoholic situation affected my sanity and my life? Have I allowed the alcoholic situation to become my Higher Power? How? How has my thinking become distorted trying to handle the alcoholic behavior? Spencer reflects on these questions. How would you answer these questions? Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with... The post (In)sanity and (Un)manageability – Episode 222 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

We present for you an open talk by Fran G., speaking in 1991. The post Fran G Open Talk – Episode 221 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How have you experienced courage in your recovery? Which steps required courage of you? How has recovery given you courage to change the things you can? Upcoming topics include parenting. As an adult child of an alcoholic, how can you not pass that on to your own children? What have you learned in recovery about... The post Courage – Episode 220 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you find yourself seeking perfection? Do you procrastinate because you can't achieve it? Or, maybe, you are paralyzed because of it. We explore the 3 P's, guided by the questions below and with shares from listeners. How do Perfection, Procrastination, and Paralysis connect to each other? How have I experienced perfection(ism) in my life?... The post 3 P’s: Perfection, Procrastination, Paralysis – Episode 219 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

I really enjoyed and connected with this open talk by Charlotte I. I hope you do, too. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here. The post Charlotte I Open Talk – Episode 218 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

An Al-Anon open talk presented by Spencer T, host of The Recovery Show, in September, 2017. The talk has the “traditional” structure: What was it like? What happened? What is it like now? It includes reflections on: Learning at a young age that it was my responsibility to “fix” everyone's problems. Learning codependent behavior —... The post Spencer T Open Talk – Episode 217 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

A member asked another member to be their sponsor. The response was, “Are you willing to do what I did for as long as I did it to get what I have?” What would your answer be? Where does that willingness come from? Definition What does this word mean to me today? How is that... The post Willingness – Episode 216 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How were you made welcome to recovery? How are we welcoming to others? This episode was inspired by hearing the poem In Sweet Company by Margaret Wolff. Listen to the podcast to hear the poem, which spoke to me of the way I was welcomed and accepted in the Al-Anon program. I reflect on the poem... The post Welcome – Episode 215 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How were you lonely and sad? Is there a difference between loneliness and being alone? How has recovery helped to relieve these feelings? Eric and Spencer explore loneliness, sadness, and recovery guided in part by these questions. Definitions. Sad, despair, isolated, grief, loss, How did you deal with (or not deal with) sadness before recovery?... The post Sadness and Loneliness – Episode 214 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

An open talk by Cynthia C, speaking in 1986. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here. The post Cynthia C Open Talk – Episode 213 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

What are you discarding from your life in your recovery? What are you keeping? And what do you want to add? I recently found a blog post titled “I didn't get sober for this shit.“ I related to it in so many ways, and I'll share a few with you in this episode. I'd love... The post I didn’t get sober for this shit – Episode 212 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

How do kindness and courtesy help us live live more serenely and happily? Can we be kind to our alcoholic or addicted loved ones? Eric and Spencer share their experiences of how kindness and courtesy work in their lives. What is kindness? What is courtesy? Ways of being kind and courteous: Smiling and saying “hi”... The post Kindness and Courtesy – Episode 211 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you fear your loved one will die? How can recovery help us live with death of those we love? What if that death was long in the past? This show is sort of a story in 3 parts. First, Spencer talks about fearing the death of his loved one. Next, D shares her experience... The post Living with death – Episode 210 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Mary Pearl is open and honest, with a wonderful sense of humor. This is part of a longer talk, so it starts in the middle of an anecdote. She talks here about Steps 6, “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character”, 7, “Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings”, 8, “Made... The post Mary Pearl T on Steps 6-9 – Episode 209 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Is humility the same thing as humiliation? How does humility help me change? Definition from Merriam-Webster: freedom from pride or arrogance : the quality or state of being humble What is the difference between humility and humiliation? Some have compared humility to teachability. How do you understand this statement? How does humility help keep me... The post Humility – Episode 208 appeared first on The Recovery Show.

Do you believe you can control another person’s drinking? Or maybe all of their behavior? What consequences have your attempts to control led to? I recently started working the steps with an AWOL group (A Way Of Life). In our first meeting, we agreed to address the first 5 questions about Step 1 in the... The post Controlling Behavior – Episode 207 appeared first on The Recovery Show.