Sober Cast: An (unofficial) Alcoholics Anonymous Podcast AA

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

 

Multiple Speakers: Oldtimers 30+years (Part 2 of 2)

This is an oldtimers meeting on Labor Day 2011 at an unknown group event. The oldtimers start at 30 years sober and work thier way up to 56 years sober each speaking for 5 min. There is an occasional popping on this recording, I was unable to remove, it's at the begining of some speaks, it is a bit annoying but infrequent.

Part 2 of 2

Multiple Speakers: Oldtimers 30+years (Part 1 of 2)

This is an oldtimers meeting on Labor Day 2011 at an unknown group event. The oldtimers start at 30 years sober and work thier way up to 56 years sober each speaking for 5 min.

Part 1 of 2

Workshop: AA History (2.5hrs)

Bob S, sober in 1975 conducts a 2.5 hour workshop on AA History in July of 2014  Bob S. 

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

 

Multiple Speakers: Mary D (39y) Charlie B (38y)

Mary D sober in 1974 followed by Charlie B sober in 1975 speaking at the 55th Conneticut State Conv in Sept 2013

Carla R at Founders Day in 2013

Carla R (sober in 1987) the Saturday night speaker at Founders Day in 2013 for AA's 78th birthday

Bob B sober 46 years at the time of this speak

Bob B sober in 1967 and speaking in 2013 at the Woodstock of the South in Lake Lanier GA