Sober Cast: An (unofficial) Alcoholics Anonymous Podcast AA

Joe and Charlie Big Book Workshop Part 1 of 8 (Repost)

Joe McQ and Charlie P met in 1973, they instantly discovered their mutual fascinations with AA's basic textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous commonly called "The Big Book". They would frequently meet to discuss The Big Book, often driving 225 miles to meet in each other's homes.

In 1977, some AA members met in a Tulsa, Oklahoma hotel room for a discussion on The Big Book. One member asked Joe and Charlie to come to his home group to present a program on The Big Book. A taping of that presentation was made and called "The Big Book Study". Through the circulation of these audio tapes throughout the Fellowship, Joe and Charlie received invitations to present the Study at AA conventions, roundups and special events.

At the AA International Convention in New Orleans in 1980, Wesley P, organized a lunch for 1,500 AA members from all over the world and gave away 100 Joe & Charlie tape sets as door prizes. Invitations exploded, and within a couple of years Joe & Charlie were presenting about 36 seminars a year worldwide. These seminars struck a deep chord within the AA members. This is a later recording from around 1999 and the audio quality is quite good.

AA History: How We Got the Big Book (repost)

David A sober in 1967 speaking on the topic of - How We Got the Big Book - in Sanford FL in 1997.

Repost from 11/6... I have reposted this previously and Im doing it again, this is one of my favorite speaks about the creation of the big book & you will most likely see it posted again in a few months :)

Ebby: The man Bill W referred to as his sponsor

Ebby T was an old drinking friend of Bill W and later his sponsor in AA. He is credited with introducing Bill to the initial principles that AA would soon develop, such as one alcoholic talking to another.

If you would like to learn more about Ebby there is a very good book about him "Ebby: The Man Who Sponsored Bill W."

He sparked the creation of AA but was unable to maintain long term sobriety. Bill always called Ebby his "sponsor," and even though he had returned to drinking, Bill looked after his friend's welfare for the rest of his life. Ebby struggled on and off with sobriety over the years, and ultimately died sober in 1966.

This is the best quality recording I have found of Ebby, he is speaking in 1958 in Memphis TN.  http://amzn.to/2FDjK9r

AA archivist Gail LaC of Akron Ohio speaking about AA history

Gail LaC of Akron Ohio is an AA archivist and historian, her speak is about AA History. She became sober in May of 1978, her presentation at the 2011 Stateline Retreat contained photos but not having them does not detract from the speak.

 

Multiple Speakers: At the 75th Anniversary of The Big Book in Tarrytown NY

Two speakers at the 75th Anniversary of The Big Book in Tarrytown NY in 2014. First up is an Al Anon Speaker Joan L (Suffolk) and AA Speaker Steve S from the AA General Service Office.

Geraldine D: 42 years sober at the time of this speak.

Geraldine D speaking at the 14th Rogue Round-up in 1989 she was 42 years sober at the time of this speak and became sober in 1947.

Dr. Earl M: He is the author of the "Physician Heal Thyself" story in the big book

Dr. Earl M from Seattle he got sober June 15, 1953 he is the author of "Physician Heal Thyself" in AA's Big Book, he is speaking in 1986 and was 33 years sober at the time of this speak.

Two Talks by Bill W at the 1965 Founders Day Celebration (Excellent Audio)

Bill W. speaking twice at Founders Day in Akron OH in 1965. This is the best quality recording of Bill I have ever heard.

In the first half of this speak Bill talks about how AA began and about the earliest days of AA

The second speak, at the Mayflower Hotel in Akron Ohio is about how the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous was written, the project and the actual writing and then how the Big Book was first printed and published.

 

Topic: The History of AA

Mitchell K speaking on the topic of The History of AA  at 9th. FOTS Queens NY. Aug.2007. This speak ends abruptly.  Email us: sobercast@gmail.com

 

Chuck C: A New Pair of Glasses, Part 6 (Repost)

The second episode of Sober Cast was the start of this 6 part series, I thought it was time for a repost.

Chuck C. was born in 1902, and got sober in A.A. in January 1946.

In these 1975 original recordings of Chuck C. at the Pala Mesa Men's Retreat, Chuck shares his experience, strength and hope about recovering from alcoholism. He tells how he recovered from a "tongue-chewing, babbling idiot drunk".

The Pala Mesa Men's Retreat had 64 AA men attending, these recording were made by one of these men on a small tape recorder, and the recording quality is pretty good considering that.

This series of talks was eventually transcribed into the book "A New Pair Of Glasses".