Cross Talk

Like a boulder blocking a pathway, it's often in program we find we have had or may currently still have, obstacles preventing us from moving forward. For this episode's guest, her journey has recently been bringing up a few. And believe it or believe it, Corey and Claire can relate to this deeply. So lace up your hiking boots and join us on this episode's journey to explore the group's boulders, how they've obstructed their trails of life and how the Al-Anon program can be used to roll those rocks right out of the way.

It's said in Al-Anon that you can find relief in the rooms and recovery in the steps. In this episode, Claire and Corey get cross-talk-tastic with their guest Dean to find out what kind of recovery he has found in the steps and why he most certainly will "keep coming back". 

Relieve me of the bondage of self?! Yes please! In this episode Corey and Claire get to take a look at what it might mean to build a life with higher power instead of trying to do it alone. Nina, this episodes guest, shares her insights into how having everything isn't really anything if you don't have yourself. And the three of them discuss vulnerability and sensitivity as an intuition instead of a weakness. Thank you for listening, and keep coming back!

Step 7: We humbly asked god (Higher Power (you name it)) to remove our shortcomings.  WOWZA For an Al-Anon, asking for help in any way can be daunting. In this episode Corey and Claire get down on their knees, metaphorically peaking, to interview their guest Siena and humbly ask for her insights on...well, being humble. We find out it's not always that easy to know if our shortcomings have been lifted. And we learn a little bit about where our program came from and who started this whole 12 step thing. 

Season Two's episode Four couldn't be more exciting! Gedina, this episode's guest, brings a humdinger of a conversation to the CrossTalk pod. What could happen if we looked at Feminine and Masculine Energy in the rooms of Al-Anon recovery, identified it within ourselves and went forth honoring the areas that need more love and attention? We might be very surprised by what we find. This episode broadens CrossTalk's usual topic of conversation and Claire and Corey couldn't be more delighted. And, to honor Pride Month, Claire reads an excerpt from the LGBTQ Al-Anon Pamphlet.

Brad joins the duo this week with a real thinker of a topic, how our unrecovered selves can sometimes be our most recovered. Claire and Corey get real, real with their guest with some serious ponderings. What if relapsing is not a failure? What does Al-Anon relapsing look like? Is our SHAME (Should Have Already Mastered Everything) the one in control? And there's some serious cross-talk about bagels. 

What's a spiritual awakening? How do you know if you've had one? How do we carry the message to others? It's all about to be discussed and the rest of Step 12 for that matter, in this episode of Crosstalk. On this beautiful blooming spring day, Corey and Claire have so much fun with their guest Dino whose jovial attitude, optimistic perspective, and compassionate self-love is totally contagious.   

After a few months, away Claire and Corey are officially back with a fresh season and hot guests with ninja recovery! Andy joins the zany duo this week to talk about mistakes, how we make them, why we're afraid of them, and hey! what is a mistake anyway? Something everyone seems to agree on is that we want to keep trying when we fail and The Program is a welcoming place for "mistakes" of all shapes and sizes. 

Hello listeners! Claire and Corey are back! And of course, they brought a wonderful guest along on this episode to talk about OBSESSION! Aaron has a lot of insight on what obsession can look like and how it can sneak in even when we think "the problem is gone for good". But fear not, this episode is full of wonderful solutions and deep conversation around how these three manage their own obsession, practice to make progress, and let HP deliver that bigger better life. 

Our 7th tradition states that "Every group ought to be fully self‑supporting, declining outside contributions." In this way, we are able to support the group without any conflict of interest or obligation to an outside cause or influence. Corey, Claire, and this episode's guest Davonna explore the vast concept of being self-supporting, how this can affect our self-esteem, and the beauty of showing up for ourselves.    

We've all heard about it and many of us do it. It comes in all shapes and sizes from reading literature at a meeting to taking an outreach call, being the secretary, or setting up chairs. It's not about what you do they say, it's just about doing it! So....what is it about being of service that is soooo important to the program? Aside from it being in our steps, traditions, and literature of course. In this episode of CrossTalk, hosts Corey and Claire and their guest Russell humbly raise their hands and accept the offer to be of service by speaking on the topic of service and what service means to them. Phew, that's a lot of...well, service. 

At times, the grief in the rooms can be daunting. For so many of us, we come to Al-Anon in a state of grief without knowing what to do with it, how to let it go, or even how to work it out. Join Corey, Claire, and their beloved guest, Betty, for this vulnerable hour on living in and with grief, finding acceptance, and allowing it to flow without expectations.  

"I tried Al-Anon one time...it wasn't really my vibe." We won't deny that Al-Anon might not be for everyone, but how can you know if you only go to one meeting? In program, there are so many different rooms to explore with so many different vibes and experiences and this is why it is suggested to the newcomer to try at least 6 different meetings. Join Claire, Corey, and their guest Ashanti to find out where they found their group of people, how to create the meeting you're looking for, and when it's time to revisit the rooms you might have overlooked in the past.        

Have you ever held onto something (or someone) so tightly that you lost yourself? Yeah, we can relate, and so can Julia! Thank HP she's here to offer her wisdom and experience around detachment. Detaching isn't always easy but it's always worth it. Even though letting go around the alcoholic (or any person, place or thing) seems like the exact opposite thing to do, it is -- in our experience -- the path to serenity. Don't believe us yet? Well, maybe Julia can help with that, too.

"The Al-Anon Welcome" reads "The family situation is bound to improve as we apply the Al-Anon ideas." Is this really true? What about keeping the focus on ourselves? In this episode of CrossTalk, guest David shares all about the family disease from his perspective as both the Alcoholic and the Al-Anon in all aspects of his family affairs. We get a full spectrum of experiences as a child of an alcoholic, a husband suffering from addiction, a parent of an addict, and David's life as a son, husband, and parent on the other side in full active joyful recovery. This one has a little something for everyone, after all it is a family disease. 

There's a phrase used in Al-Anon: "Self-esteem is built through esteemable acts." Claire and Corey needed some tips so they brought in their superstar guest, Tory! On this episode of CrossTalk, it's all about what self-esteem is, and how to find it within ourselves.

Have you ever experienced G.O.D.? Ya know, the Gift Of Desperation? Claire and Corey sure have! On this episode of CrossTalk, they explore the ins and outs of desperation with their guest, Cathrine. We thought Claire knew the slogans and acronyms of Al-Anon but wow, Catherine takes it to the next level! We always knew there was a lot to be found at rock bottom, who knew hope would be a part of the mix? 

Outside issues, we all have 'em...am I right?! In this episode Corey and Claire CrossTalk all over outside issues with their guest Charley. What is an outside issue? Is there any literature about them? What happens when I talk about outside issues in the rooms? Some of these questions might be answered but what we know for sure is there's plenty of outside issue talk in this episode and gosh we may all be better for it. 

It's not easy to live with an alcoholic, says the Al-Anon. Well...try being one. On this episode of CrossTalk Corey and Claire get real with double winner Brin about what it's like to come into Al-Anon after years in AA. Sometimes a different perspective can bring about wild amounts of growth, change, and awakening. 

In this crazy world we live in, who wants to listen to a podcast without knowing about the hosts???! Maybe someone, but we're giving you the low down anyway. This is the second of two unique episodes of CrossTalk where your hosts dig deep to tell you all about themselves. What it was like, what happened, and what it's like now. In this episode, Corey gets real with Claire about living and breathing in the dysfunction of Alcoholism from the day he popped out, what abandonment was for him, and how things got to changing for real once program life was a part of the picture. 

Nothing says Happy Holidays like a warm steaming mug of judgment! Corey and Claire have never been judgmental in their lives (wink wink) so they decided it would be best to bring in an expert on the topic. Diane serves up a full buffet with all our favorite Al-Anon fixings. Growing up in a chaotic home sprinkled with addiction and unpredictability, bringing the family disease of alcoholism with you into adulthood, how self-awareness can lead to change and acceptance, and finally, the true joy and serenity of life when forgiveness replaces judgment. But seriously, put on your cozy sweater and snuggle up by the fire with Diane, Corey, and Claire for this special episode of CrossTalk. 

This is the first of two unique episodes of Cross Talk where your hosts dig deep to tell you all about themselves. What it was like, what happened, and what it's like now. In this episode, Claire gets real with Corey about growing up in alcoholism and chaos, the patterns that they found themselves repeating, and how they found serenity and happiness through the program of Al-Anon. 

“Figure it out”… not a slogan. But “Easy Does It” sure is! Tired of living a hard life? Take a big gulp of “Easy Does It” and find yourself refreshed and revitalized. This episode's guest, Kait, joins Claire and Corey for some program master class discussion all around the concept of “Easy Does It” and the massive changes it can have to a perspective, attitude, and ultimately someone's life.

Corey and Claire sit down with this episode's guest, Alex, to discuss why Al Anon is a "We" program. Many members come to the program with the idea that they need to do everything alone -- why would they trust anyone when they could do it better themselves, right? Besides, asking for help can be such a bother. Well, these three fellows sit down to debunk the idea that doing things alone is the better, safer way and explore all the richness that can come from working a program in community with others. We really don't have to work Al Anon all alone.

Corey and Claire explore all the possibilities of God with this week's guest, Joh. As a spiritual program, Al-Anon emphasizes the concept of adopting a Higher Power or a "god of our own understanding". Joh takes us on an honest and heartfelt journey of what God meant to them before program, what obstacles they faced growing up in a religious home, and how they found their way to what is now the god of their understanding. Corey, of course, gets in there with all the crosstalking questions anyone could ever want, and Claire can't help talking about their "Farting Dust God". 

Corey and Claire dig down deep with this week's guest, John. Al-Anon's literature offers the idea that "We can be okay whether the Alcoholic is drinking or not." These three lively fellows explore this concept and share the different ways they have been "okay" no matter who is or isn't drinking, whether their day went as planned, and no matter who spills the coffee. This episode is all about the joy of minding our own business!   

Corey and Claire Cross Talk the heck out of Bryson! Okay, really they just ask him a bunch of questions. We find out all about what brought Bryson to the program of Al-Anon and what has kept him coming back for 19+ years! Hint, it isn't what brought him in. 

Corey and Claire kick it off with their first guest Rachel! After Rachel's lead, they dive right in with questions pulling back the layers of the proverbial onion that is recovery. We learn what it was like for Rachel as a newcomer to program, what brought her to program, what it was like then and what it's like now.