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Episode 96: Shift Happens

Margot Genger author of Shift Happens: Breakdowns During LIfe’s Long Hauls discusses recovery from alcoholism and mental illness while recounting her adventures as an over-the-road trucker in the early 1980s. Transcript 00:00 John S.: This is AA Beyond Belief the Podcast, episode 96. [music] 00:24 John S.: Today, I’ll be speaking with Margot Genger, author of Shift Happens, A Memoir:...

Episode 95: Bruce H. from Seattle’s Many Paths Group

In today’s episode, I’ll be speaking with Bruce H from the Many Paths group in Seattle, Washington. Bruce has been sober for over 40 years and recently was a keynote speaker at the Widening the Gateway conference in Tacoma. In this episode, we’ll talk about what it was like when he was getting sober in the 1970s, and the changes he’s seen in AA since that time. We’ll...

Episode 94: Tomas L.

Today, I’ll be speaking with Tomas L., from Gothenburg, Sweden. I met Tomas in the secret Facebook group for AA Beyond Belief. One day, we were all posting comments about the use of the Lord’s Prayer in AA meetings and Tomas posted something that I found really funny and clever, so I thought that I would have him on a podcast. That interaction from several months ago resulted in this...

Episode 93: Dr. Ray Baker-The Science of Addiction and Recovery

In today’s episode, I’ll be speaking with Dr. Ray Baker, an expert in the field of Addiction Medicine. Recently, Dr. Baker served on a national expert committee for the Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse, where he helped design and analyze Canada’s National Life in Recovery Survey. Dr. Baker was the opening speaker at the “Widening The Gateway” conference in Tacoma...

International Conference of Secular AA: An Update from Carol M.

In today’s episode, I’ll be speaking with Carol M., the Host City Chair for the International Conference of Secular AA. Carol will update us about the conference to take place in Toronto, Ontario from August 24th through August 26th at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel. Podcast Transcript 00:26 John S: In today’s episode, I’ll be speaking with Carol M., the...

Episode 92: The God Word

Today’s episode features a conversation with our friend, Joe C. from Rebellion Dogs Radio, and author of Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life. We’ll be airing a conversation that Joe had with his area delegate, Kim S. From area 83. Joe and Kim talk about the recent general service conference about alcoholic anonymous. Kim has a fascinating account of what occurred when the...

Episode 91: Recovery 2.0

Tommy Rosen is the author of Recovery 2.0: Move Beyond Addiction and Upgrade Your Life. He is a yoga teacher with over two decades of experience with yoga, recovery and wellness. He is the founder and host of the Recovery 2.0: Beyond Addiction online conference series and the hashtag Move Beyond Group Coaching Program. Tommy is a pioneer in the field of yoga and recovery who has helped thousands...

Episode 90: Core of Recovery

Today’s podcast features a recording of a panel discussion at the Widening the Gateway Secular AA Conference held at Tacoma, Washington on March 31, 2018. The moderator of the panel was John H. from the We Agnostics Group in Washington DC. John was kind enough to allow us to share this recording with you. John was joined by Mary G. who attends a secular AA women’s meeting in Tucson...

Episode 89: The Sinclair Method

In today’s episode, I will be speaking with Gary Bell from Hartlepool, England. Gary and I will be discussing a promising treatment for alcohol use disorder, known as The Sinclair Method. The Sinclair Method utilizes the prescription naltrexone to eliminate addiction to alcohol, through the process of pharmacological extinction. Gary, who participated in the documentary film One Little...

Episode 88: Life-J

life-j is a friend of both AA Beyond Belief and AA Agnostica. He has written several articles for both sites and was also published in the AA Grapevine. In this podcast, life-j shares his story, and we’ll talk about his article on the Sinclair Method, his thoughts on recovery, his thoughts about AA, present and future, what he thinks about secular AA, the use and limitation of technology...

Episode 87: Is God A Requirement For AA Membership

This podcast features a conversation with Ernie P, who spoke at the 2018 Northeast Regional AA Service Assembly on the topic “Is God a Requirement for AA Membership?” Ernie will talk about his experience preparing for and delivering the talk, as well as the reaction he received from the audience. Transcript John S: This is episode 87 of AA Beyond Belief, the Podcast and I’m your...

Episode 86: Godless Recovery in Overeaters Anonymous

In this episode, I'll be speaking with Lee from London, England, a member of Overeaters Anonymous. We'll talk about her experience with binge eating and drinking, as well as her perspective on recovery. Welcome, Lee. It's nice to have you here. Transcript 00:00 John: This is episode 87 of AA Beyond Belief the Podcast, and I’m your host, John S. [music] 00:26 John: In this...

We Agnostics KC Sobriety Anniversary: Marty K. and Julie K.

This podcast is a recording of the monthly anniversary meeting at We Agnostics Kansas City. Marty K. celebrated three years of sobriety and Julie K. celebrated thirty years. The group’s sense of humor is quite evident in the recording as is the seriousness with which we approach recovery and the care and concern we have for one another.
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Episode 85: An Atheist AA in London

In today’s episode, we’ll meet Dan from London, England. Dan helped found the first agnostic AA meeting in London. He’ll share his story and give us his thoughts on AA, secular, and otherwise. Transcript 00:00 John S: This is Episode 85 of AA Beyond Belief the podcast, and I’m your host, John S. [music] 00:27 John: In today’s episode, we’ll meet Dan from...

Episode 84: Safety in AA

Three women share their stories on the topic of safety in AA. Sarah J. from Johannesburg, South Africa talks about her experience with emotional exploitation. Lisa X. from Rochester, New York recalls a relationship that could have driven her from AA altogether, and Jennifer W. from Toronto, Ontario shares a story about how the men in her AA group helped to make the meeting a safe space...

Episode 83: Sexual Harassment and Predation in AA

Today’s episode is the first of two episodes addressing the topic of sexual predation and harassment in Alcoholics Anonymous and features a conversation with Heather B. from Indianapolis, Indiana, and Bethany B. From Jacksonville, Florida. We’ll talk about the problem from their perspective and possible solutions. Podcast Transcript 00:00 John: This is Episode 83 of AA Beyond Belief...

Episode 82: Parallel Universes

Parallel Universes: The Story of Rebirth is a new book, a recovery memoir written by David B. Bohl. Today, AA Agnostica published a review of the book written by Thomas B. while here at AA Beyond Belief, we are posting a podcast featuring a conversation with David. I won’t go into a lot of detail here about the book, you can read about that at AA Agnostica. Instead, I will introduce the...

Episode 81: Secular AA in the Buckle of the Bible Belt

In today’s podcast, we meet Andrew A. from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma who discusses his experience with starting a secular AA meeting in the very buckle of America’s Bible Belt. What follows is an essay that Andrew was kind enough to write and submit for inclusion with this podcast.  Secular AA In the Buckle of the Bible Belt By Andrew A. I had over 3 years of sobriety in 2010 when I...

Widening The Gateway Secular AA Conference

This is a special edition podcast about the Widening the Gateway Conference. A conference of secular AA members from the Pacific Northwest and Beyond. This is a special edition podcast about the Widening the Gateway Conference that will take place on March 31, 2018, in Tacoma, Washington. Widening the Gateway is a conference of secular AA members from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Willow F...

Episode 80: That’s What Friends Are For

That’s What Friends Are For, by Kenneth Sean Campbell is a novel set in San Francisco during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. It’s a book that will inspire you, and cause you to think and it will also make you cry. Kenneth based the book on actual events from his life as a recovering alcoholic and a gay man during this painful time in our history.  Alcoholics Anonymous plays a central...

Episode 79: Daily Reprieve AA for Atheists & Agnostics, by Alex M.

In this podcast, Alex M. discusses his new book, Daily Reprieve: AA for Atheists & Agnostics, a secular daily meditations book based on quotes taken from the first 164 pages of the Big Book. Each quote is followed by Alex’s thoughts on the topic and a question for the reader to contemplate. A life-long atheist who found sobriety in AA, Alex values the Big Book as a guide to the...

Episode 78: We Agnostics Kansas City at the Paseo Group’s Alcathon

For the past 37 years, Kansas City’s Paseo group hosts an alcathon during the Christmas Holiday. Groups from around the city fill one-hour slots for ’round the clock AA meetings. I always look forward to participating, and this year it was especially nice to be joined by Gregg O. and Julie K. from my home group, We Agnostics. The Paseo group has a rich history dating back to 1947 when...

Episode 77: International Conference of Secular AA

Carol M., the Host City Chair for the International Conference of Secular AA was my guest for this week’s podcast. Our conversation included such topics as the history of the conference, how the planning is coming along, what to expect, information about the cost, and when and how to register. All of these details can also be found on the conference website, secularaa.com.  A little history...

Episode 76: AA Ends Lawsuit Over Big Book Manuscript

This podcast was recorded before AA World Services dropped its lawsuit to gain possession of the original 1939 working draft manuscript” of the Big Book.  On November 27, 2017, Gregory Tobin, the General Manager of the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court of the State of New York that officially ended the lawsuit that was first filed on...

Episode 75: Addictus: A Nonbeliever’s Path to Recovery

This podcast features an interview with Derreck Bennett, author of Addictus: A Nonbeliever’s Path to Recovery. In this newly published book, Derreck provides an honest account of his transformation from theistic belief to atheism, and from chronic alcoholism to sobriety. It’s an inspiring story that shows recovery is available to everyone and possible to anyone. Derreck grew up in a...

Episode 74: Justin M. from Quad-A Canberra

In this episode, we meet Justin M. from Canberra, Australia. Justin started drinking late in life as a way to cope with an unhappy marriage, and over a nine-year period, alcohol began to completely take over. Eventually, he was in such bad shape that he had to be medically detoxed. After detoxing and on his third day out of the hospital, he was taken to an AA meeting that suddenly changed the...

Episode 73: The Proactive Twelve Steps for Mindful Recovery

In this episode of AA Beyond Belief the Podcast, we meet Serge Prengel, author of The Proactive Twelve Steps for Mindful Recovery. Serge is a therapist and life coach with a practice in New York City who became interested in the 12 Steps as a process for change and personal growth. His website proactive12steps.com features a new beta version of the 4th edition of the Proactive 12 Steps, a free...

Episode 72: Dr. Nicole Labor and the Science of Addiction

Dr. Nicole Labor practices addiction medicine at Summa Healthcare in Akron, Ohio. This is the old St. Thomas Hospital where Sister Ignatia opened the first alcoholic ward in the United States, and who with Dr. Bob Smith treated and cared for hundreds of suffering alcoholics.  I first learned about Dr. Labor several months ago when a visitor to AA Beyond Belief recommended that we link to a video...

Episode 71: Drunks: An American History

This week’s podcast features an interview with Christopher M. Finan, author of Drunks: An American History. The book provides a fascinating history of alcoholism and its treatment from the beginning of American History to the present day. I enjoyed the experience of learning about my fellow drunks, what they endured and how they learned to help each other and in so doing, change the way...

Episode 70: Refuge Recovery

In this week’s episode, I speak with Dave Owens from Refuge Recovery in Kansas City, Missouri. Dave is an atheist who wasn’t comfortable with most of the AA meetings around here, and he was never able to put a lot of sober time together until he learned about the We Agnostics Group in Kansas City and our sister group Freethinkers in AA Kansas City.  Earlier this year, Dave discovered...

Episode 69: Petrina S.

In today’s episode, we meet Petrina S., who helped found the Curl Curl Secular ID meeting located about 18 kilometers from the central business district in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and about 10 kilometers from the other secular AA meeting in metropolitan Sydney—the Brookvale Secular ID meeting. Petrina is focused on her sobriety and committed to her group. She wants to do her...

Episode 68: Jennifer C.

Jennifer grew up in an alcoholic home and had all the characteristics of an alcoholic before she even had her first drink. An Alateen at 13 and a member of Alcoholics Anonymous at 15, it was the 1980’s when she first got sober. This was a time when young people’s groups were flourishing and she felt right at home in AA. During the next 16 years, she went to meetings and was active in...

Episode 67: Smashed

In this episode, Benn and I discuss the 2012 film Smashed, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kate, a young woman coming to terms with her addiction to alcohol. Kate recognizes that “sober Kate” is a much different woman than “drunk Kate.” The movie centers on Kate’s relationship with her husband and her fear that she can’t stay married to him and stay sober...

Episode 66: Paul A.

Paul started drinking excessively while in his teens and lost control early on. He tried various ways to get his life and drinking under control, but nothing worked. He was feeling hopeless and had no self-esteem. After getting arrested for driving under the influence and violating probation, he finally had enough. He decided that he would go to the railroad tracks and wait for the train to come...

Episode 65: Garth R. and the We Agnostics Group in South Africa

In today’s episode of AA Beyond Belief the Podcast, we meet Garth R., a co-founder of the We Agnostics Group in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group started up in March of this year and meets every Wednesday night at 7:30. Our conversation for this podcast centers on what led Garth to help start a new secular AA meeting, and how things are progressing. Garth says his story isn’t...

Episode 64: We Agnostics and Freethinkers at the 2017 Florida State AA Convention

Glenn G. a co-founder of the Beaches Agnostics AA group in Jacksonville, Florida hosted a workshop at the Florida State AA convention held in Jacksonville from July 27-30, 2017. The speakers included Ashley, who attends meetings at Beaches Agnostics and myself. Ashley and I shared a little of our stories and then spoke of experiences as an agnostic and atheist in Alcoholics Anonymous. : Play in...

Episode 63: Don M. Seeking (the definition of) Spirituality

Just before leaving for our two-week summer break, I recorded this podcast with Don M. from The Broader Path Group in Odessa, Ontario. Don and I talked a little about his journey in AA, and his experience with helping to start a secular AA group. We also had an interesting conversation about the concept of spirituality, and as an added bonus Don provided this marvelous essay that goes further...

Episode 62: Carmen X.

I met Carmen at my home group, and have always enjoyed her thoughtful comments, intelligence, and her honest, open, and warm personality. This podcast features a portion of her story followed by an interesting conversation based on her experience as a transgender woman and a freethinker in Alcoholics Anonymous.  Carmen has the utmost respect for AA and credits it for her sobriety, but she says...

Episode 61: PJ and Sydney’s Brookvale Quad A Group

In this episode of AA Beyond Belief-The Podcast, we meet PJ, a co-founder of the Brookvale Quad-A Meeting in Sydney, Australia. PJ started drinking as a teenager in his native Ireland, and to this day, he can remember the effect of that first drink. He was 19 years old, at a pub in Dublin and nervous about approaching a young woman. After drinking a beer, it seemed everything that was once...

Episode 60: Secular Ontario AA Roundup

This week’s podcast features a conversation with Jack V., one of the organizers of the Secular Ontario AA Roundup or SOAAR. The event will take place on September 16, 2017 at the United Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T1N1.   Previous to this podcast, Steven V. wrote an article that was posted at AA Agnostica on May 8, 2017, which we are posting here with permission. ...

Episode 59: Thanks for Sharing

In this week’s podcast, Benn and I have a conversation inspired by the movie, Thanks for Sharing, a film that describes 12 Step culture through the experiences and relationships of recovering sex addicts. The film was directed by Stuart Bloomberg who also co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Winston and features performances by Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gweneth Paltrow, Josh Gad, Joely...

Episode 58: The 12 Step Philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous: An Interpretation by Steve K.

This week’s podcast features an interview with Steve K. who discusses his book The 12 Step Philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous: An Interpretation by Steve K. Inspired by Aristotle’s “Virtue Ethics,” Stoic philosophy and the liberal principles embedded in AA history; Steve interprets the Steps from a humanistic perspective. It is an approach that will be welcomed by many of...

Episode 57: Alcohol Explained

This episode of AA Beyond Belief the Podcast features an interview with William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained. William lives in London, England with his wife and two young children. He is currently a lawyer and previously served with the 4th (Volunteer) Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. Alcohol Explained is a compelling examination of alcohol addiction, helpful to anyone who is coming to...

Episode 54: The Five Keys: 12 Step Recovery Without A God, by Archer Voxx

Our podcast this week is an interesting interview I conducted with Archer Voxx, author of the book The Five Keys – Twelve Step Recovery Without A God. This short book is getting attention in the agnostic, atheist, and freethinker communities because of its fresh approach to introducing the newcomer to AA. The content of the book would also be eye-opening to many veterans of the fellowship. As the...

Episode 53: Secular AA

In this week’s episode of AA Beyond Belief the Podcast, I speak with Courtney S., the webmaster for Secular AA, a new service organization created by the Board of Directors of ICSAA that consolidates the functions previously performed by WAAFT Central, Agnostic AA NYC, and WAAFT IAAC.  Secular AA now maintains the worldwide agnostic AA meeting directory that was previously managed for the...

Episode 52: Dale K. Studying the Big Book from a Secular Perspective

In this episode of AA Beyond Belief the Podcast, I speak with a new friend Dale K. Dale recently wrote a book that will help people understand the AA program of recovery as outlined in the Big Book, but from a secular perspective. I’m looking forward to this being published, which will hopefully be sometime next month. Presently, the manuscript is with Dale’s editor. What follows is...

Episode 51: Kayleigh P. and Freethinkers of Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland

This week’s podcast features a conversation with Kayleigh P., founder of Freethinkers of Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland. I think you will enjoy this conversation and be inspired by Kayleigh’s enthusiasm and love for AA. After speaking with her, I became interested in learning more about AA in Ireland, which led me to the story of Conor Flynn, the man who first brought AA to the country...

Episode 50: Benn B.

By Benn B. Telling one’s story can be daunting. While sharing at meetings, I have felt pressure to make my life sound completely awful so there could be a wonderful chance to praise AA and the steps at the end. Others times I found myself denying certain facts about my drinking out of embarrassment. Telling one’s story can be daunting. While sharing at meetings, I have felt pressure to make my...

Episode 49: John S. from We Agnostics Kansas City

For this episode of AA Beyond Belief the Podcast, I was interviewed by my co-host, Benn B., and thanks to his excellent interviewing skills; I shared my story in perhaps more detail than ever before. This was a valuable exercise that left me with a renewed sense of gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous and particularly thankful for my involvement with the agnostic, atheist, and freethinking...

Episode 48: Larry K. and the Settlement with Toronto Intergroup

When I first heard the news of the Toronto Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous removing the agnostic groups from the Greater Toronto Area meeting directory and preventing them from having a voice at intergroup meetings, I couldn’t help but ask myself how I would feel if I were faced with these circumstances. I would feel, in a word “rejected,” and it would be one of the more...

Episode 47: Step 12 with Benn and John

“Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” It’s been a while since I’ve recorded a podcast and it’s been way too long since I’ve had a chat with Benn. Life got in the way, and I had to spend a little more time at work, getting things squared...

Episode 46: Len’s Story

In this episode, I speak with Len R., from Jasper, Georgia. I first became acquainted with Len shortly before the International Secular AA Convention that was held in Austin last November. Len wrote to ask if he could help out at AA Beyond Belief by recording audio versions of the stories that have been published on the site. He told me that he has a good radio voice and the skills needed to do...

Episode 45: Step 11 with Benn and John

By John S. Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t a program, it’s a fellowship. This is made quite clear in the AA preamble, which states that “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” It’s the Fellowship that does it...

Episode 44: Love and Service

For the second year in a row, I had the opportunity to speak at the Paseo Group’s annual holiday Alkathon, which is a time during the Holiday’s when the group hosts AA meetings around the clock. They invite people from groups all over the city to participate, and this week’s podcast is a recording of the talk I gave on Christmas morning. The Paseo Group has played a significant...

Episode 43: Joe C. Talks AA Service

This week, we speak with Joe C., author of Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life, a co-founder of Canada’s first agnostic AA group, Beyond Belief, and host of the podcast Rebellion Dogs Radio. Joe writes articles for various publications, presents a seminar on AA history at the Sedona Mago Retreat, and much, much more. I have to say, I was a bit nervous about this podcast, only...

Episode 42: Willow

Willow F. got sober just before her 16th birthday and on December 26, 2016, she will celebrate 28 years of sobriety. Her story confirms what AA experience over the past 80 years has shown— one does not necessarily need to drink for very many years to become an alcoholic. Thousands of us started young and fell fast and hard, and thousands like Willow have found lasting sobriety in AA. Drugs and...

Episode 41: Bob K. on AA’s Past, Present and Future

When they suggested he pray, Bob K. responded, “what else you got?” He wasn’t buying the God business and he wasn’t shy about letting anyone know; and though he sat through plenty of meetings with readings from the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, he says in those early days, he wasn’t much interested in any of that “program stuff.” About a month into...

Episode 40: Richard H. from We Agnostics Calgary

This week’s podcast features Richard H. from the We Agnostics group in Calgary. By the time that Richard made it to his first AA meeting, he was ready, he was done, finished. He knew he needed to stop, but he wanted to learn how to stay stopped, so he went to Alcoholics Anonymous. At that time, there were not any agnostic groups in Calgary, but he felt welcomed at traditional AA. There he...

Episode 39: Reflections on WAAFT IAAC

This podcast episode was recorded shortly after returning from the We Agnostics, Atheists and Freethinkers International AA Convention that was held in Austin, Texas from November 11-13th. Included in the discussion is Benn B., from Lincoln, Nebraska and my co-host on AA Beyond Belief, Vic L., from New York, New York and a past board member of WAAFT IAAC, and Willow F. from Seattle, Washington...

Episode 38: Yvonne H. Mainely Agnostic

In today’s podcast we meet Yvonne H. from the Mainely Agnostics Group in Portland, Maine. The group celebrated its first anniversary in June of this year, which pleased Yvonne a great deal. It was here where she learned to become comfortable with following her own path in the program, and as a result she is sober and passionate about AA, especially Agnostic AA. Yvonne exercises the great...

Episode 37: Step 10 with Benn and John

It was nice to catch up with Benn and talk about Step Ten, the first of the three maintenance steps. This step calls for us to continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong, to promptly admit it. It can be done as a review at the end of the day, or as a spot check inventory during the day. It might also, according to the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, include a semiannual or...

Episode 36: Jeb B., Freethinkers in AA Denver and the Process of Recovery

Jeb B. is a founding member of the Freethinkers in AA Group in Denver, Colorado. The group meets Monday nights from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, and Saturday morning from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. Both are open meetings and held at the Secular Hub located at 3100 Downing Street in Denver. However, you won’t find the meetings listed in the meeting directory of the Denver Central Committee of Alcoholics...

Episode 35: Coffee with Cope

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure to start my day with a cup of coffee and a chat with an AA friend, Cope C. from the Many Paths group in Urbana, Illinois. Cope does a lot of work here at AA Beyond Belief, helping with design and many of the images that we use in the articles that have been published here. Currently, she is working on a project that we call “Beyond Words”, a...

Episode 34: Ed W. Talking WAAFT

Ed grew up in New York in a typical New York family with the typical New York dysfunction. As a teenager, he somehow avoided the rite of passage of  getting drunk at keggers in the park, and it wasn’t until after he had been in college for six months that he began to experience heavy drinking. By the time he was 25, he thought he had it under control, but before long he found himself...

Episode 33: Steps 8 and 9 with Benn and John

There were exactly three occasions when I saw my father cry; the night he learned that his grandmother died, the night his wife (my mother) died, and the day I told him that I was an alcoholic. I was in my 20’s and living on my own, and though my father knew in a general way that I had problems, and that I would from time to time have strange run-ins with the law; I guess I did a pretty...

Episode 32: Mark C: Recovery, Holy Wars and Doubling Down on Honesty and Tolerance

Last week we published Mark C.’s story in which he described from his own experience, the insidious progression of alcoholism and the challenge he faced as an atheist in AA. Today, we are posting a podcast that goes into more detail with what Mark describes as a “holy war” at his home group, and how he learned to fight it by doubling down on honesty and tolerance. There’s...

Episode 31: On the Road to Austin with Pat N.

Pat N. will be a keynote speaker at the We Agnostics, Atheists and Freethinkers International AA Convention that will be held in Austin, Texas from November 11th through the 13th of this year, and he was kind enough to visit with me for a podcast to share a little of his story, and to talk about starting a secular AA convention in Olympia, and some of the happenings going on in Austin this Fall...

Episode 30: AA Freethinkers Secular Recovery in Japan | A Talk with Chris R.

Chris grew up the son of an Anglican priest in a city in Saskatchewan originally founded as a temperance colony. At the time he started drinking as a teenager, there were a lot of legal restrictions with respect to alcohol—a legacy of the temperance movement. When he went to Japan in 1985 as an exchange student, he found a society that was much more permissive about drinking than was Canada at...

Episode 29: Erica K. Fitting in with Traditional AA

When I first met Erica in March of 2015, her confidence was shaken, her sobriety was fragile, and she was facing a life or death situation. She needed to stop drinking, and having experienced past success in AA, she felt it was still her best hope. Yet, something was different this time, and it frightened her. She no longer felt that the AA program could work for her. You see, when Erica came...

Episode 28: Roger C. Speaking at Kansas City Secular AA Celebration

Roger C. from the We Agnostics group in Hamilton, Ontario gave a talk in Kansas City, Missouri on August 6, 2016, to commemorate the anniversaries of two secular AA groups. Freethinkers in AA celebrated their first anniversary, and We Agnostics celebrated their second anniversary. The entire AA community in the Kansas City area was invited, and it was nice to see a number of groups represented. A...

Episode 27: Steps 6 and 7 with Benn and John

 A few days ago, Benn and I recorded this podcast on Steps Six and Seven. We never know where these conversations will lead, and we are often surprised at the interesting twists and turns we take as we talk about the Steps. I always learn something from Benn, and our conversations inevitably inspire me and leave me feeling a renewed sense of respect and admiration for the Twelve Steps of...

Episode 26: John C. An Atheist AA in Paris

John C. grew up in Amarillo, Texas where he says, “God was good, and if you’re going to be good, you’re going to follow God, and the people who love God are the really good people”. Today, John resides in Paris, France. He’s been sober in AA for over thirty years, and he’s an atheist. He is the person who suggested the second “A” in WAAFT...

Episode 25: Changes to the Big Book an Interview with Jerry F.

This November at WAAFT IAAC, Jerry F. from Gilbert, Arizona will give a presentation about ongoing changes that have been made to the Big Book, and how he was able to get the General Service Conference to take up the issue with AA World Services, ultimately resulting in a revision to the fourth edition. This is a story with a little bit of everything. It’s an AA history story, it’s a...

Episode 24: Not Alone Anymore

June of 1989 was my original sobriety date. I was what is described in our literature as a classic “two-stepper.” You could have never convinced me I would ever forget that horrible bottom . . . but I did! In 2006, my primary doctor of fifteen years prescribed me some cough syrup for walking pneumonia. I filled the prescription, took a dose and went back to work without realizing it was a...

Episode 23: Step Five and Sponsorship

Admitted to God, to Ourselves and to Another Human Being the Exact Nature of Our Wrongs. I was transformed by the Twelve Steps, but there wasn’t anything supernatural or magical about it. The change I experienced was the result of what I learned from the process. I simply adopted new behaviors that made it easier for me to live a sober life. In Step Four, I made a searching and fearless...

Episode 22: Pam W. and the Story of WAAFT IAAC

In a development without precedent in the world of 12-step organizations, hundreds of recovering alcoholics and addicts from around the world who describe themselves as atheists or agnostics will gather in Santa Monica this November for the first-ever We Agnostics and Freethinkers International Alcoholics Anonymous Convention (WAFT IAAC)”.  — The Santa Monica Mirror,  August 2, 2014 In...

Episode 21: Roger C. and AA Agnostica

After Roger’s first year in AA, he learned that his home group “Beyond Belief”, had been disenfranchised by the Greater Toronto Area Intergroup. Without warning, the group’s webpage was removed from the Intergroup’s website and their meeting was removed from the local meeting directory. It seems a vote was taken to delist the Beyond Belief and We Agnostics groups...

Episode 20: Vic L. and Secular AA

My name is Vic L. and I am definitely an alcoholic. I first went to AA on February 11, 1979, when I was 35 years old. I do not distinguish between alcohol or any other drugs (i.e. pot, cocaine, opiates) or any other “dry goods.” I speak only for myself, not for AA, nor for the WAAFT Board of Directors of which I am a  member. I was pleased and surprised when John S. invited me to write this post...

Episode 19: Step Four: A Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory

A few weeks ago, I had another interesting conversation with my friend Benn B. as we continue to record podcast episodes examining the Twelve Steps. Today, we are posting the podcast about Step Four and with it, the following essay about my experience with the step. Thank you Benn for providing me with the inspiration to write this. Over the years, I’ve frequently heard in meetings that...

Episode 18: Mike M Sobriety and Serenity without God

Mike started drinking early in life, and by the age of 18 he had already been to jail and treatment. Though he loved alcohol, he drank for the effect and quickly lost all control. Married with children, Mike was motivated to stop drinking, but in spite of his best efforts, he could never put together more than thirty or sixty days. He said it was as if he had an “eraser in his mind”...

Episode 17: We Agnostics, Atheists and Freethinkers International AA Convention

It was very nice to sit down and visit with Dianne P., who is the Chair of the We Agnostics, Atheists and Freethinkers International AA Convention that will be taking place in Austin, Texas from November 11 through November 13 of this year. This is an AA convention that you don’t want to miss. If you can possibly find a way to get to Austin, you should do it, and I am speaking from...

Episode 16: Spiritual John

When John H. attended his first A.A. meeting in 1957, he  was the youngest person in the room, and the speaker that night was a man in a  suit, talking about the business he lost. John’s drinking got bad fast and he was never able to put much together, let alone a business. He just couldn’t relate, so he left that meeting and drank for another eight years. Finally, hitting bottom...

Episode 15: Step Three with Benn and John

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. At first glance, this step may seem impossible for a nonbeliever. God and the capital “H” in “Him”, make it pretty clear that we will be dealing with the supernatural here. The problem of course, is that we are leaving out the most important part — we made a decision. We are making...

Episode 14: A Freethinker in Alcoholics Anonymous

In this episode John L., the author of A Freethinker in Alcoholics Anonymous joins Kevin P and myself for a conversation about John’s early experiences in A.A., and his thoughts on the fellowship today. John’s sobriety dates back to February of 1968 when he started attending AA meetings at the Perry Street Workshop where he learned to stay sober through the twenty-four hour plan...

Episode 13: Steps One and Two with Benn B.

These podcasts are a great deal of fun and I am fortunate to have such an opportunity to speak with so many people in the program and to benefit from the wide variety of experiences that exists among us. In this episode, I had an engaging conversation with Benn B. from Lincoln, Nebraska about the first two steps in our program of recovery. We examined these two steps from a secular perspective...

Episode 12: Four Elements

When Jerry V submitted this beautiful essay adapted from an Italian opera, I found it very moving and I thought it would make for a great podcast. Lucky for us, Jerry was gracious enough to join me one Sunday morning for a discussion based on his work. I think you will enjoy this piece of creativity and the resulting conversation.  By Jerry V.  Four Elements of a Wretched Drunkeness Envy of the...

Episode 11: Bob K on Rebellion Dogs Radio

This podcast was produced by Joe C from Rebellion Dogs Radio and we are honored to republish it here. In this episode of Rebellion Dogs Radio, Joe interviews our friend Bob K, author of Key Players in AA History and numerous articles on AA Agnostica and AA Beyond Belief. I think you will enjoy their conversation about AA history, Ernie Kurtz and the role we could play in making AA history. Joe...

Episode 10: Roger C. – A History of Secularism in AA

This speech delivered by Roger C. at the Widening the Gateway AA Conference earlier this month will go down as a classic. I believe this will be referenced and talked about and listened to for many decades to come. Roger, a lover of history has found himself in the midst of it, an active participant in events that are helping shape AA’s future. When just a year sober, Roger witnessed the...

Episode 9: Talking SMART with Steve Bergier

Steve Bergier, a certified SMART Recovery Facilitator in Orange County, California was kind enough to not only submit a story to AA Beyond Belief, but also to spend his Sunday morning having a conversation with me about his experience with SMART Recovery. Steve isn’t an official spokesperson for SMART Recovery, so his comments during the podcast and his essay are solely his opinions, and...

Episode 8: A Talk with Holly

Perhaps our greatest asset for helping others is our past, our stories of recovery, and in this episode Holly D. from Orlando, Florida shares her story with us. Like many of us, Holly’s drinking and life was out of control before she could even get it off the ground. While some recount what they lost through drinking, Holly was never able to make a start atf attaining those things. There...

Episode 7: Westin from Indianapolis Talks Recovery

In this episode we meet Westin W. from Indianapolis, who shares his experience, strength and hope as an atheist in Alcoholics Anonymous. As his drinking and life became increasingly unmanageable, Westin searched for AA on the Internet, but as a life-long atheist, he was disappointed with what he found in what seemed like large flashing letters…GOD. Then the day came when he realized that he...

Episode 6: Podcast Interview with Jon Stewart | Leaving AA and Staying Sober

Jon Stewart from Brighton, England was kind enough to join me for a conversation which I found immensely interesting, and I hope you do as well. Unlike guests from past episodes, Jon is not a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. In fact, he left AA after fourteen years in the program, and his blog Leaving AA, Staying Sober: New Perspectives on Recovery tells the story. Jon’s experience certainly...

Episode 5: A Conversation with Mikey J from Our Mostly Agnostic Group of Drunks

What a pleasure it was to spend a Sunday morning speaking with Mikey J. from Orlando, Florida. Mikey is a founding member of Our Mostly Agnostic Group of Drunks (OMAGOD).  The  group, founded by members of various fellowships, has been meeting for some three years, and reaches far beyond it’s own meeting room with an online meeting at InTheRooms.com every Tuesday night at 9:00 PM EST...

Episode 4: A Conversation with Thomas B.

In Episode Four of AA Beyond Belief-The Podcast, we will speak with Thomas B. from Seaside Oregon. We’ll talk about his experience getting sober in New York during the 1970’s, an interesting conversation he had with Bill W.’s secretary Nell Wing, and the history of the Back to Basics movement in AA. We will also get an update on the long-standing request for a Grapevine Book of...

Episode 3: Myth of the Angry Atheist

In episode three, I interview John H. from the We Agnostics AA Group in Washington DC. We talk about his story, the beginnings of the DC We Agnostics Group, and his views on atheism and AA. During the interview I reference a book, The History of Gay People in Alcoholics Anonymous, by Audrey Borden. This is an interesting book that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in AA history. From...

Episode 2: A Conversation with Kevin P. | Freethinkers in AA Kansas City

Many years ago, maybe twenty or more, I would occasionally attend a speaker meeting on Friday nights and at those meetings I would see Kevin P. I never got to know him, but as long as I’ve been in AA, he’s been around. We went to different groups and our paths rarely crossed. Fortunately for me that changed sometime in July when Kevin came to a meeting at my home group, We Agnostics...

Episode 1: Arizona WAAFT AA Conference

On this week’s podcast, we speak with Jerry F. from Phoenix, Arizona about the upcoming regional conference for agnostic, atheist and freethinking AA members in Arizona. The conference to be held on November 7, 2015 at the Burton Barr Central Library will feature speakers, panels, a skit and more. Jerry is an energetic and positive person, and he was a lot of fun to interview. We hope you...