CAL Chat

What is failure really about?  How can I be ok with not being in control?  What can help with delegating?   In part 1 of 4 of Episode 5, Theresa focuses on chapters 1 and 9 from one of her favorite books " Discovering Choices " (B-30) and shares how, after coming in the Al-Anon program, reading the literature can start the recovery process.  We also talk about the benefits of belonging to a CAL st...

The conversation with Jan continues in part 2 of 2 (of Episode 4) with her favorite piece of outreach literature, the leaflet/questionnaire: " Did You Grow Up With A Problem Drinker? " (S-25).  This can be an eye-opening piece for people that realize they experienced the effects of alcoholism in their family, rather than just in their current relationship.  We discuss ways it can be used for outre...

How is alcoholism a disease of extremes?  What does the term "Adult Child" mean?  Am I trapped in a compulsive need?   In Episode 4 (part 1 of 2), Jan talks about her favorite section, pages 14-15, from the book " From Survival to Recovery: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Home " (B-21).  She shares which qualities of an Adult Child of an alcoholic that she identifies with, what a literature study group...

Outreach literature is the focus of this part 4 of 4 of Episode 3 where Cindy describes how she has creatively used the daily reader " Courage To Change " (B-16, B-17 for large print, eB-16 for the electronic version, and eA-16 for the audiobook version).  We eventually move into talking about Alateen literature and how those pieces can flow into Al-Anon and vice-versa because it's all one program...

Part 3 of 4 (of Episode 3) on the " Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017 " (P-24/27) moves into discussion with Cindy about how childhood experiences can influence how we see perfection, the Warranties (especially nonresistance from page 224), and punitive actions.  She also relates how Concepts 6 and 7 (from pages 193-194) have applied to her relationship with her children. QUOTABLE MOMENT FR...

The conversation continues (in part 2 of 4 of Episode 3) with Cindy and her favorite book, the " Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017 " (P-24/27).  We explore pages 68-69 about moving forward, what progress realistically looks like, and how disagreements can actually be a good thing!  Pages 229 and 235 are also highlighted from the Concepts Amendments section and how it reminded me of a ring b...

How can I give the gift of dignity to the alcoholic?  What page is possibly read the least in each daily reader?  How can my inner child voice be heard in a different way?   Episode 3 features a talk with Cindy about how the " Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017 " (P-24/27) has improved her life.  In this part 1 of 4, we discuss the spiritual principle of anonymity (from pages 91-94), how it...

Part 2 of 2 (of Episode 2) continues the conversation with BJ and her favorite piece of outreach literature, the " Detachment " (S-19) leaflet.  We discuss detaching with love, being able to separate the disease from the alcoholic, and how Al-Anon is not a self -help program, but a we program! QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM BJ: "I actually have this [Detachment] piece tattooed on the back of my eyelids!" LI...

Why is Al-Anon not considered a self-help recovery program?  How is detaching different than separating?  Am I making my spirit sick?   In part 1 of 2 (of Episode 2), BJ talks about her favorite reading, June 14th (pg 166), from the daily reader " One Day At A Time In Al-Anon " (B-6).  She shares her definition of serenity and mentions other possible side effects from taking the medicine of recove...

This is part 2 of 2 of Episode 1.  The interview with Michael continues as he highlights his favorite parts from the   Al-Anon Newcomer Packet   (K-10) as outreach literature.  He also shares his experience coming to his first Al-Anon meeting!  We discuss the tendency to close ourselves off to literature that we think doesn't apply to us and in the "Last Words" section, find out what Michael has i...

Welcome to the CAL Chat podcast where we discuss our favorite Al-Anon and Alateen  C onference A pproved L iterature.  How many different types of Newcomer Packets are available?  Which one pamphlet does Michael find helpful to read before his second Al-Anon meeting?  How can forgiveness be considered another tool in our recovery?   Episode 1 of this podcast is in 2 parts.  Part 1 of 2 features an...