Sober Cast: An (unofficial) Alcoholics Anonymous Podcast AA

Cliff W: Co-founder first AA group on West Coast. Sober in 1941

Cliff W got sober in 1941 and was sober 26 years at the time of this recording in Feb. of 1967. Cliff was the co-founder first AA group on West Coast. The quality of this recording is really excellent for 1967

 

Bill W. speaking about the history of AA (Part 2 of 2)

Let me say up front, the quality of this recording is poor and because of that this recording is not for everyone, it is for the AA history buffs among you willing to listen through the quality issues.  

This is Bill W. speaking about the history of AA in St.Louis MO. July of 1955.

I was able to get most of the (very bad) background hissing out, there is still some hollowness and a slight echo at times. Considering the starting quality it is listenable, at parts it is difficult to hear what is being said. 

Part 2 of 2

Bill W. speaking about the history of AA (Part 1 of 2)

Let me say up front, the quality of this recording is poor and because of that this recording is not for everyone, it is for the AA history buffs among you willing to listen through the quality issues.  

This is Bill W. speaking about the history of AA in St.Louis MO. July of 1955.

I was able to get most of the (very bad) background hissing out, there is still some hollowness and a slight echo at times. Considering the starting quality it is listenable, at parts it is difficult to hear what is being said. 

Part 1 of 2

Gerry M telling her story at 49 years sober

Gerry M got sober in 1958 and she is speaking in 2007 at an unknown meeting at 49 years sober

 

Barry L sober in 1945 speaking about the origin of the 3rd tradition (LGBTQ)

Barry L sober in 1945, speaking about the origin of the 3rd tradition at the 50th World Conference in Montreal in July 1985. He was the first openly gay member of AA. 

Tradition 3 - The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Barry passed away 3 weeks after this speak.

Barry is the author of the book Living Sober and was a great friend of Bill W and his wife Lois.

In 1978 Lois gave the original manuscript of the big book to Barry, and in 1979 Barry signed a notarized letter gifting the manuscript to A.A. World Services. In exchange, he asked only to be able to keep it in his possession until his death.

Somewhere between 1979 and Barry's death in 1985, everyone at A.A. World Services apparently forgot about this arrangement. The whereabouts of the manuscript remained unknown until it reappeared at an auction house in 2004, sold by a “Joseph B.” for $1.5 million. It was auctioned again in 2007 to Alabama resident Ken Roberts for $992,000.  A few months later, according to court documents, A.A. World Services rediscovered Barry's notarized letter.  

Last month (3/18) the manuscript was once again auctioned off, this time for $2.4 million.

Email: sobercast@gmail.com

ESH: Lou M speaking at 46 years sober

Lou M from Kingston TN got sober in 1941 and was 46 years sober at the time of this speak at an unknown event

 

Bill W and his wife Lois speaking in 1960

Bill W one of the founders of AA speaking in California in Jan. 1960 this includes a brief speak by his wife Lois W.

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

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.