Podcast appearances and mentions of Bill W Wrote

With few changes from the First Edition, Chapter 4's main objective is to enable readers to find a Power greater than themselves that would solve their problem. Though Chapter 4 was originally written to describe that Power in spiritual and moral terms, without hesitancy to talk about God, it also steered AA's discussion of spirituality away from specific religious or theological doctrines. Agnostics and atheists among AA members at that time were consulted during the writing of the Big Book and their influence was reflected in Chapter 4. Bill W. wrote of the importance of that influence in the book Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age published in 1957. He wrote, “Our group conscience was at work to construct the most acceptable and effective book possible. Every voice was playing its appointed part. Our atheists and agnostics widened our gateway so that all who suffer might pass through, regardless of their belief or lack of belief.” Chapter 4 in the Second Edition also referenced the newly added Appendix 2 entitled "Spiritual Experience" that clarified the nature and variety of spiritual experiences, as well as when and how they can occur. Appendix 2 will be read in a later episode.     Howard L, sober since January 1988, presents an inspired reading of the Big Book and encourages listeners to revisit earlier podcast episodes that feature the main chapters and stories in the First Edition of the Big Book. Enjoy listening on our website, BigBookPodcast.com, or download and subscribe to the podcast for free at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And, if you have a minute, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

In 1958, Bill W. wrote a letter that was published in the Grapevine about Emotional Sobriety! (Capital letters 'cause it's a pretty big deal). In this episode I read the first four paragraphs and talk about the attempt "to translate a right mental conviction into a right mental result." (Spoiler, it's hella difficult).

In this episode, Angela and John talk about emotional sobriety while taking calls from listeners, and responding to comments in the YouTube chatroom. The term emotional sobriety originated from a letter that Bill W. wrote to a friend in 1953. Bill, sober for twenty years, was suffering from depression and was frustrated that the AA program didn't seem to help him with depression as it did for his drinking. Giving it some thought, he concluded that he needed emotional sobriety, which he defined as freedom from unhealthy dependencies on people and circumstances. 

This week we're examining a rarely explored and often overlooked aspect of a whole and complete recovery. Vulnerability, and our ability to embrace this in our own lives, is at the foundation of our ability to be willing to do the necessary work, take the necessary steps, in order to truly recover from our disease of addiction and/or alcoholism. To the extent we can recognize, acknowledge, and indeed embrace the most broken parts of ourselves and then show them to the world so that we may tap into a until then untapped resources of community and spirituality, is the extent that we will recover completely. When we walk through the fear, backed by our newly found community and spiritual power, we come to know a new freedom and a new happiness as Bill W. wrote. So we invite you to talk a walk with us, right now, as we examine and explore how embracing vulnerability could very well be the key that unlocks your recovery. Plus we share feedback from the Sober and Serious community and take your calls. Listen up. Click here for the documentary on Co-host Jason! https://youtu.be/wwvHh-5AmYI --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message