Position of Neutrality

Join Joe McDonald as he expands on the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, diving into the principles of love and tolerance in Steps 10 & 11 AA. In this session, Joe explores the importance of loving people and tolerating the symptoms of their malady, encouraging us to separate human behavior from the person. “Love the people, tolerate the symptoms of their malady. Just as I hope you will do the...

Join us as Wayne Giles shares a powerful, transformative moment in his recovery during Step 2. In this episode, Wayne describes an intense, solitary experience within the confines of his treatment room, where he faced his struggles head-on. Overcome with deep, healing sobs, Wayne reached a pivotal turning point, feeling a significant weight lift from his shoulders—a moment of profound emotional re...

Join Joe McDonald as he expands on the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, diving into the essential practice of prayer and meditation in Steps 10 & 11 AA. Joe discusses how these steps are vital for maintaining spiritual fitness and navigating life’s struggles with serenity and clarity. “If you’re seeing people go through life seemingly without struggle, you’re seeing them use prayer and medita...

Join Joe McDonald as he delves into the importance of claiming promises during times of difficulty in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Joe emphasizes that the promises in the Big Book, and in that other book he often references, are there because the power guiding us knows we will face challenges. In the storm, when no one else can see the way forward, we claim the promis...

Join us as Wayne Giles courageously shares his struggles and setbacks in the ‘Step 1 Wayne Lived Experience Series.’ After achieving a year and a half of sobriety, a significant milestone by any measure, Wayne faced a daunting relapse. This episode delves deep into the moments that led to him living out of his car, struggling to reconnect with the principles he learned in recovery. This part of hi...

Join Joe McDonald as he explores the challenges of relying on internal inspiration in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Joe emphasizes that it’s not probable to be inspired at all times, and there will be moments when you feel ignored or punished. However, by staying the course and claiming the promises, your thinking will gradually align more with spiritual inspiration ra...

Join Joe McDonald as he dives into the complexities of accepting praise with humility and the reality of growing spiritually in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Joe emphasizes the need for genuine humility, acknowledging that while showing up is important, it’s crucial to remain grounded and resist the urge to react negatively when faced with challenges. “You’re gonna hav...

Join Joe McDonald as he dives into the importance of maintaining a fit spiritual condition in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Joe addresses the common struggles of slipping into old habits and how quickly we can fall “asleep” spiritually when faced with daily disturbances. “And I’ll show you how. Does it make sense? All right. So that’s how we react so long as we keep in...

Join Joe McDonald as he delves into Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, offering a unique perspective on the spiritual journey. In this session, Joe discusses the concept of “spiritual inebriation” that comes from service and how it contrasts with the temporary escapes many of us once sought. “Seldom interested, but even when people bring it up, you’re like, ‘yeah.’ How many...

Join us as Wayne Giles delves into the emotional depths of his recovery journey in this poignant segment of our ‘Step 1 Wayne Lived Experience Series.’ Drawing on Joe’s wisdom, Wayne discusses how the act of considering others—family, friends, and loved ones—during the initial steps of recovery can profoundly open our consciousness and pave the way for healing. He shares his reflections on the tra...

Join Joe McDonald as he delves into the profound truths found in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. In this session, Joe highlights the importance of embracing our past as a powerful tool for healing and redemption. “Through prayer and meditation, it starts to make sense why I learned the practices I did up to this point. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the doo...

Join Joe McDonald as he explores the powerful transformation described in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. In this session, Joe talks about embracing the victory already won and recognizing that there’s no longer a fight—just an acknowledgment of the one who won it. “There’s only victory. And I already know who I am and whose I am, so I got nothing to fight. It’s already...

Join us as Wayne Giles vividly recounts a critical moment in his recovery journey, where he confronted the truth of his addiction. In this enlightening segment of the ‘Step 1 Wayne Lived Experience Series,’ Wayne describes reaching a breaking point—overwhelmed by the burden of his circumstances and the relentless pressure of his addictions, he makes a courageous decision to seek help. He picks up...

Join Joe McDonald as he delves into the deeper spiritual aspects of Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Joe challenges the common phrase, “better than I deserve,” emphasizing that our calling has nothing to do with what we deserve—it’s about embracing the purpose we were chosen for. “Deserves got nothing to do with it. I hear people all the time say, ‘better than I deserve.’...

Join Joe McDonald as he shares a powerful, humbling experience while reflecting on the importance of walking consciously in the world, a key focus of Steps 10 and 11 of Alcoholics Anonymous . During a trip to visit his 93-year-old father, Joe encounters an unexpected situation that reminds him of the ever-present guidance of the Holy Spirit. What began as an ordinary detour turned into a moment of...

Join Joe McDonald as he breaks down the importance of acting with purpose in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Joe emphasizes the need to take actionable steps to improve our self-esteem and mindset, highlighting that true change comes from engaging in esteemable acts rather than simply “faking it.” “So we don’t want to go there because the only way I’m going to get to fee...

Join Joe McDonald as he shares his personal experience of redemption in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing that belief in a higher power isn’t a requirement for recovery—just a willingness to be restored. Joe speaks candidly about his journey as an addict of the hopeless variety and the profound impact of being yanked from the brink. “I’m not telling you about s...

Join Joe McDonald as he explores the promises found in Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, focusing on how our most difficult experiences can become powerful tools for helping others. Joe discusses the profound transformation that occurs when we shift from self-pity to service. “No matter how far down the scale we’ve gone, we’ll see how our experience can benefit others. If...

Explore the depths of self-awareness with Wayne Giles in this crucial segment of our ‘Step 1 Wayne Lived Experience Series.’ Wayne shares his harrowing yet enlightening journey through the slow realization of his complete unmanageability and the grip of his addiction. Despite his resistance, he comes face-to-face with the harsh truth of his powerlessness, echoing the principles outlined in the Big...

Join Joe McDonald as he delves into Steps 10 & 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, exploring the profound impact of accepting a calling greater than oneself. Joe reflects on the sense of purpose that comes with surrendering to a power greater than our own, and how this realization transforms our lives. “You accept the calling or you don’t, but you didn’t choose it. Long before I had aw...

Join Joe McDonald as he provides practical guidance on prayer and meditation in Steps 10 and 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Many people discuss these practices vaguely, but Joe aims to be more specific, offering definite and valuable suggestions. “We believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions,” he says, aligning the discussion with the Big Book’s promises and providing...

Join us as Wayne Giles shares his profound journey of self-realization and acceptance of addiction in this insightful part of our ‘Step 1 Wayne Lived Experience Series.’ Wayne recounts the years spent in incarceration where he faced the harsh truth of his addiction. Despite his intentions to remain sober post-release, the reality of his addiction challenges his resolve. This video explores how Way...

Join Joe McDonald as he explores the profound transformation that occurs in Steps 10 and 11 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. In this session, Joe reflects on how awakening to a new life in spiritual recovery brings heightened awareness—colors become brighter, sounds more vivid, and life itself takes on a deeper meaning. He candidly shares, “Now I’m alive, but I’m only alive in Him. I’m not...

Join Joe McDonald as he explores the transformative power of Steps 10 and 11 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, focusing on the subtle yet profound shifts in attitude and outlook that occur through continued spiritual growth. Joe reflects on how self-seeking behaviors slip away as we begin to realize that our external world is a reflection of our internal state. He challenges us to confron...

Join Joe McDonald as he dives deep into Steps 10 and 11 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, focusing on the importance of daily meditation and prayer for guidance. Reflecting on the principle of seeking freedom from self-will, Joe emphasizes the practice of asking for direction throughout the day and the importance of making no requests for personal gain unless it benefits others. He revisi...