CAL Chat

SEE the full trailer video about the CAL Chat podcast at: https://youtube.com/@CALChatPodcast . For any questions about the show, contact me by using the form at: https://CALChatBlog.com/about .  LOOK MOM!  I'M BEING SOCIAL... 😜  Visit my CAL Chat blog -    www.calchatblog.com   YouTube -    www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast   Instagram -    www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1   Threads -    www.thread...

In Part 6 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), Evelyn and I talk about the next "field trip" for the Delegates to the World Service Office in 2023.  To wrap up this episode, she offers some parting words to anyone that isn't quite sure about standing for service. Show-referenced links from Al-Anon's website: Al-Anon's mobile app:   https://al-anon.org/mobileapp   Archive of all the Wor...

In Part 5 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), we focus on the Delegates' "field trip" to Stepping Stones, the home of Al-Anon's co-founder Lois W.  Evelyn describes how the World Service Office was involved and how it felt to go back to the 2022 World Service Conference the very same day. Show-referenced links from the Stepping Stones' website: "Homecoming" video:     https://stepping...

Continuing the discussion about the   " 1961 World Service Conference Summary " (P-46)  in Part 4 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), I explain how I time traveled as research for this particular show.  Evelyn talks about what moved her spiritually and reveals a surprise about the 2022 Conference. QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM EVELYN: "...the whole Conference is a spiritual meeting!" LITERATUR...

In Part 3 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), we begin to explore the   " 1961 World Service Conference Summary " (P-46) and what Evelyn identified with from back then that is still happening in 2022.  We discuss why the 2021 and 2022 Conferences were historic and what may lie in Al-Anon's future 60 years from now. Show-referenced links from Al-Anon's website: Online version of the  "...

In Part 2 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), Evelyn describes what she discovered about her Area Delegate position that she didn't know about before she stood for it, how humor can be a spiritual principle when breaking down expectations, and what she would like Al-Anon and Alateen members to know about her position as a Delegate.  We also cover how the WSC (World Service Conference)...

What really goes on at an Al-Anon World Service Conference (WSC)?  How is the WSC different than the WSO (World Service Office)?  What's it like for a Delegate to visit Stepping Stones, the house of Al-Anon's co-founder?  Welcome to the very first "CAL Chat - Deep Dive" episode!  This spin-off show is where we take a closer look at Al-Anon and Alateen C onference A pproved L iterature.  This episo...

Diane wraps up the conversation in Episode 13's last part (#11), about the beauty that springs from the book  " How Al-Anon Works " (B-32), community-building, and doing outreach /   Twelfth Step   work.  She delivers an emotional "Last Words'' section which leads to an exchange of heartfelt gratitude and I reveal the reason why I'll keep doing this podcast for the rest of my life. 🤗 QUOTABLE MOM...

Diane mentions (in part 10 of 11 from Episode 13), how this podcast inspires her to try something new (like the audiobook version of " How Al-Anon Works " (eA-22)) and always reminds her that she has choices.  She explains how the vision motto "Dream Big" applies to the long-term outreach project she's working on,  more virtual recovery avenues we want to explore (especially for outreach purposes)...

I compare the audiobook of  " How Al-Anon Works " (eA-22) to the print version (B-32) in Episode 13's part 9 of 11.  A moving story about suicide, Chapter 27's "Finding Reasons To Live," is highlighted because of what it taught me about expectations when listening to the audiobook version.  The show wraps with an update given on all Al-Anon audiobooks available.  Lastly, for the " 2009 World Servi...

In Episode 13's part 8 of 11, Diane and I  discuss the importance of libraries and how doing outreach is not a duty but a privilege.  And she reminds me why I need to go back and listen to my own podcast!    Click here for a video   of the hardcover version of   " How Al-Anon Works " (B-22) that was accepted into a local library.  Also, at this podcast show's website,    www.calchatpodcast.com ,  ...

In part 7 of 11 (of Episode 13), Diane lists all the Spanish versions of books (such as  " How Al-Anon Works " (SB-32)) that she has also included in the public outreach project.  We talk about cross-germination and unintended ripples outreach can sometimes have.  Lastly, at this podcast show's website,    www.calchatpodcast.com ,    I've attached *bonus content*  so you can see the final complete...

Diane details (in part 6 of 11 from Episode 13), how she uses   " How Al-Anon Works " (B-32) for outreach in a broader sense - especially in an extensive relationship-building project that just started.  Find out how outreach is like mining gold!   QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM DIANE: "...having this book available makes a big difference because anybody can pick it up... It's not too deep and it's not too...

In Episode 13's part 5 of 11, Diane's favorite book to use for outreach is the softcover version of   " How Al-Anon Works " (B-32) and she points out how intimate individual outreach can still be done in an electronic (telephone/chat) or virtual (video) meeting.  We reminisce about the days when we hauled Al-Anon books around in our cars. QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM DIANE: "Somewhere in these pages, folk...

In part 4 of 11 (of Episode 13), Diane and I keep the discussion going about the book   " From Survival To Recovery " (B-21) focusing primarily on the chapter "Untangling Confusion" from page 269 (or 270 depending on the book's edition),  the infamous "Promises" section from page 267 (or 269 in the first edition) and the book's very last chapter on page 287 which leads to an idea for a possible wo...

The conversation continues with Diane (in part 3 of 11 from Episode 13), about    " From Survival To Recovery " (B-21) which she feels is one of the most relevant books during the Covid-19 pandemic.  She talks about what she does after climbing a high recovery mountain and we discuss one of the benefits of the pandemic with regards to literature.  To find a virtual Al-Anon book study group, visit ...

In Episode 13's part 2 of 11, Diane describes how cycles of violence and "predictable darkness" affected her while growing up in an alcoholic home.  We touch on the story "Authorities Frightened Me" from page 253 (or 255 depending on the book's edition) in   " From Survival To Recovery " (B-21) and Chapter 5 ("Becoming Aware" on page 21) from  " How Al-Anon Works " (B-32).  Lastly, I learn how a b...

How is a pandemic similar to recovery?  What audiobooks are available from Al-Anon?  Can a book also be a picture frame?  In part 1 of 11 (of Episode 13), Diane explains why the title of the book   " From Survival To Recovery " (B-21) is so appropriate, how it helped her tell her own personal story and experience authentic joyfulness in her life.  Also, find out why we can't use highlighters when...

Terry Anne highlights new upcoming Al-Anon literature in part 5 of 5 of Episode 12 and explains how the motto chosen for the " 2018 World Service Conference Summary " (P-46) applies to her own personal life.  To submit your suggestion for your favorite " Forum " article that you'd like to see in the new upcoming book, email it to:   wso@al-anon.org   – be sure to use the working title " The Forum...

In part 4 of 5 (of Episode 12), Terry Anne's pick for her favorite outreach piece of literature is the bookmark " Just For Today " (M-12) and we talk about how it helps puts the focus on ourselves, not the alcoholic.  Then we pull out our " 2018 World Service Conference Summary " (P-46) to dive into page 51 regarding the new upcoming bookmark " Just For Tonight " (M-81) that originally came from t...

Terry Anne (in part 3 of 5 of Episode 12) sums up the new book " Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships " (B-33) in 3 words!  I reveal my favorite sections from pages 18-19 and the story of loss on page 118 that still stays with me. QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM TERRY ANNE: "...we're loved more for who we really are than anyone ever did for who we thought they wanted us to be!" 💗 LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELAT...

In part 2 of 5 (of Episode 12), Terry Anne elaborates on communication from Chapter 3 of the brand new book " Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships " (B-33).  She explains how she has used this book in her personal life in recognizing and moving through old behaviors.  We also discuss how labels and biases can hinder intimacy and that this book is an example of our evolving Al-Anon program. QUOTABLE...

How can it be easier to share about sex?  How can spiritual solutions be brought into intimate situations?  What new upcoming Al-Anon literature is on the horizon?  Terry Anne shares, in part 1 of 5 of Episode 12, about the brand new book " Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships " (B-33) that came out in 2018 at Al-Anon's 6th International Convention.  We discuss the workshop she once gave on the top...

Susan and I talk about different ways (in part 4 of 4 of Episode 11) to use the book " From Survival To Recovery " (B-21) for outreach purposes – including raffle baskets!  We also explore how one can contribute to Al-Anon other than putting money in the Seventh Tradition basket.  She singles out the section "Steps to the Future" from page 255 (or 257 depending on the book's edition) and we rememb...

In part 3 of 4 (of Episode 11), Susan's pick for her favorite outreach piece of literature is the book " From Survival To Recovery " (B-21) because she grew up in an alcoholic home.  She highlights the chapter "Picking Up The Tools" on page 107.  We also talk about why 1994 was a good year for Conference Approved Literature (CAL) and how this book marked a turning point for Al-Anon Family Groups....