CAL Chat

I ask Susan a question in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 11) from page 23 of the booklet " When I Got Busy, I Got Better " (P-78).  She explains helping vs enabling, we discuss a quote from page 2, how we could use the second half of the book in a meeting, and the difference between being grateful and thankful.  A NOTE OF CAUTION: this is the first episode to include EXPLICIT language, so proceed accordi...

Am I the right kind of busy?  Where does self-worth come from?  Helping versus enabling?  Being a victim versus a participant?   Susan shares, in part 1 of 4 of Episode 11, about how the booklet " When I Got Busy, I Got Better " (P-78) impacted her life.  We discuss the different types of fear in Chapter One, how service keeps us from isolating, & that we're so glad there's no performance review i...

In part 4 of 4 (of Episode 10), Wendy shares what she is hoping for with a new change for the upcoming " 2017 World Service Conference Summary " (P-46) due in August and what sets this item apart from the rest of the literature in the   2017 CAL Catalog   (S-15).  She also reveals a unique location to leave the " Just For Today "  bookmark (M-12) that is too high of a risky spot for me.  Discover...

The bookmark, " Just For Today " (M-12), is Wendy's favorite piece of outreach literature in part 3 of 4 of Episode 10.  We talk about the current conversation at Al-Anon's World Service Conference regarding the recommendation to remove the PRAYER FOR TODAY section.  Using pages 57 – 60 of the " 2016 World Service Conference Summary " (P-46), we explore the CAL process to remove, edit, or replace...

The conversation with Wendy continues about slogans in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 10) from " How Al-Anon Works " (B-22 for hardcover, eA-22 for the   audiobook version ,   B-32 for softcover).  We focus on the slogan "Let Go and Let God" (especially the importance of faith in the 2nd half) and how a specific physical token can be used as a reminder to put this slogan into action!  I give recommendati...

What are good consequences?  Where does the fear of letting go come from?  What are literature discussions like at the World Service Conference?   Wendy shares, in part 1 of 4 of Episode 10, about using the slogans from Chapter 9 of " How Al-Anon Works " (B-22 for hardcover, eA-22 for the   audiobook version ,   B-32 for softcover) as stepping stones to serenity and how serenity can eventually bec...

Pat explains in Episode 9's last part, (#4), that of all the things she has tried, how Al-Anon is the only thing that truly helped.  We discuss ways to enhance the  " Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017 " magazine while using it for outreach purposes and she wraps up with a "Last Words" section about amends and Step Nine.  Lastly, at this podcast show's website,    www.calchatpodcast.com ,    I've attac...

In part 3 of 4 (of Episode 9), Pat highlights sections from her favorite outreach piece of literature, the new " Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017 " magazine.  Discover two things that were done on this edition that were a "first" in this magazine's history.  We remember back to how we felt coming into our very first Al-Anon meeting and how desperation can be a gift!  Lastly, at this podcast show's we...

The conversation continues in Episode 9's second part with Pat and her favorite page 199 (July 17th) from the daily reader " Courage To Change " (B-16).  We explore more components that contribute to making it in recovery, which slogans have helped us out along the way, and how reading the literature can show that we've changed.  Also find out a few fun facts about " Courage To Change. " QUOTABLE...

How can I get time back in my life?  Are appointments needed to attend an Al-Anon meeting?  How can I spot changes in myself?   In part 1 of 4 of Episode 9, Pat shares how one particular sentence from page 199 (July 17th) from the daily reader " Courage To Change " (B-16) impacted her life.  She breaks down some of the major components that are involved in her recovery, how this reading ties into...

In part 3 of 3 (of Episode 8), Alateen members share what they would like to say to Al-Anon members, and they directly address the teenager that is living with alcoholism that hasn't been to an Alateen meeting yet.  They explain how Alateen is like a family environment and that they don't bite!  The show wraps up with a unique "Last Words" section from a couple of Alateen group sponsors, where the...

The conversation continues in Episode 8's second part with three more Alateen members talking about their favorite parts from " Courage To Be Me " (B-23), page 8 from the booklet " Alateen Talks Back On: Detachment " (P-73), and pages 268-269 (September 24th and 25th) from the daily reader " Living Today in Alateen " (B-26).  They highlight a letter written to a parent, how they struggle with expe...

How can I keep things simple?  If my growth is like a tree, then what are my roots?  What Alateen book can I bring to an Al-Anon meeting?  In part 1 of 3 of this very special Episode 8, four Alateen members share what they like best about Alateen literature – specifically the   Alateen Talk   newsletter (no item #), " Courage To Be Me " (B-23), page 26 (January 26th) from the daily reader " Alatee...

In part 5 of 5 (of Episode 7), the conversation continues with Mark about Alateen outreach to Alcoholics Anonymous and how service has helped his program.  He shares what moved him emotionally at his first Area Assembly meeting and how it was similar to a Newcomer meeting!  You can click this link to find this book online: " The Best of Public Outreach " (P-90), and to watch Al-Anon's TV public se...

Mark's favorite piece of literature to use for outreach purposes is the service tool " The Best of Public Outreach " (P-90) in Episode 7's part 4 of 5.  He shares how public outreach is what first got him into service in Al-Anon and calls out a "Getting Started" section on page 7, as well as pages 12-19 for several lists of outreach ideas.  He also explains how the workbook helped with a big outre...

In part 3 of 5 (of Episode 7) find out what two words I discovered are inter-related after creating an index for " Reaching For Personal Freedom " (P-92).  (A printable PDF version of the index can be downloaded as *bonus content* for this episode at CAL Chat's official website:    www.calchatpodcast.com   or if you prefer an  interactive version of the index online where you can jump link to diff...

Freedom is specifically discussed with Mark in part 2 of 5 (of Episode 7) from the workbook " Reaching For Personal Freedom " (P-92).  He compares this book to other Al-Anon workbooks, explains how it differs, and I reveal a surprise …  I've created an index for this book!  A printable PDF version can be downloaded as *bonus content* for this episode at CAL Chat's official website:    www.calchatp...

What do I want to be free of?  What exactly are character defects?  Can Alateen outreach be done to AA members?   In part 1 of 5 of Episode 7, Mark shares how he used the workbook " Reaching For Personal Freedom " (P-92) in studying the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts horizontally.  He also highlights how a section on page 12 led to a spiritual awakening for him.   QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM MARK: "...t...

In part 4 of 4 (of Episode 6), the conversation continues with Nancy about her favorite Alateen literature and how being an AMIAS (Al-Anon Member Involved In Alateen Service) is her way of giving back.  She explains the requirements to become an Alateen Group Sponsor and shares an innovative way an Alateen Group Representative used the words in the index of " Alateen-a day at a time " (B-10).  At...

Nancy's pick of literature to use for outreach purposes is " How Al-Anon Works " (B-22 for hardcover, eA-22 for the   audiobook version ,   eB-22 for the electronic version, and B-32 for softcover) in Episode 6's part 3 of 4.  She highlights the slogan "Think" (page 71), "Lois' Story" (pages 152-155), and how interesting it is to get the Al-Anon founder's point of view on the Twelve Steps (pages 1...

Find out, in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 6), what " As We Understood " (B-11) was the first Conference Approved book to do in Al-Anon's history.  We talk about misconceptions about the book and the goal of learning something every day no matter how small.  Nancy shares how important choices are, dealing with change, and she answers one of the toughest questions I've asked so far! QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM...

Can I fire my Higher Power?  What is a "Meeting on Wheels?"  What is not allowed in recovery literature when bringing it into jails?   In part 1 of 4 of Episode 6, Nancy talks about her favorite book " As We Understood " (B-11) and shares how its positive uplifting take on our program has kept her using it.  In particular, we discuss two prayers on pages 213 and 214 and how this book is different...

In part 4 of 4 (of Episode 5), the conversation continues with Theresa about other Conference Approved Literature that is available for parents and how CAL is not like other self-help/recovery literature.  Lastly, find out why her favorite outreach piece, " Parents of Alcoholics " (R-18), may not be around much longer! QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM THERESA: "...I bought every self-help book… until I walked...

Theresa's favorite piece of literature to use for outreach purposes is the reprint " Parents of Alcoholics " (R-18) in Episode 5's part 3 of 4.  It's only 12 pages, but so powerful!  She shares the moment she hit her "bottom" and what brought her into the Al-Anon program.  We also talk about being able to differentiate between helping versus enabling and what is one thing a parent can definitely d...

Chapter 13 from the book  " Discovering Choices " (B-30) is the focus in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 5) where Theresa breaks down how service work (and especially the Concepts 4, 5, and 10) helped her grow in all areas of her life.  She explains the benefits of having a Service Sponsor, how we're never alone, and addresses the fear behind willingness.  The conversation moves into the importance of fai...