The Secular Overeaters Podcast

013022 | Secular Sponsor Panel #2 | 93 min Features four secular OA sponsors describing their approaches including how they knew they were ready to sponsor, what they expect from sponsees, where they start with new sponsees, and how they work the Steps with secular sponsees. Check the meeting schedule on http://www.secularovereaters.org for more meetings.

011622 | Freethinker Alternative Step Study | Step 1 | 33 min The third Sunday of the month Freethinker Alternative Step Study meeting discusses eight versions of Step 1. Check the meeting schedule on http://www.secularovereaters.org if you’d like to attend. Alternative 12 Step Discussion Guide for Secular Overeaters: https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/FT_AltStepDiscussionGui...

The Freethinker Alternative Step Study Meeting (third Sunday of the month) discusses six versions of Step 12. Check the meeting schedule on secularovereaters.org if you’d like to attend.

Author Jeffrey Munn talks about his recovery, his book “Staying Sober Without God,” and takes questions from the gathering.

Features four secular OA sponsors describing their approaches including how they knew they were ready to sponsor, what they expect from sponsees, where they start with new sponsees, and how they work the Steps with secular sponsees. There’s also an overview of the OA brochure “A Guide for Sponsors,” and a Q&A with the panelists (starts at 58 minutes). Future and current secular sponsors will get a...

This recording is from Secular Overeaters third Community Gathering. Guest speaker John Sheldon started his podcast, Beyond Belief Sobriety, in 2015. He shares his involvement in the secular AA community and history of agnostics in AA, and takes questions from the gathering.

In this look at Step 11, Allie describes her own quick meditation practices.

Alan leads the group through a Trigger Inventory Management Exercise (TIME) to identify triggers that lead to compulsive food behaviors and to learn ways to manage them. Includes Q&A. Form: https://bit.ly/TIME_Sheet-PDF (4 pages, pdf)

Sponsor Allie talks about her own Step 4 and 5 experience, Standout quote: “If I don’t share it, I wear it.” Includes Q&A. Handout: Allie's Notes (https://bit.ly/3xifcwY)

New sponsor Lisa shares her own story and then resources that helped her as she began working with her first sponsee. Q&A and a long discussion about whether people of a different gender or same sexual orientation should pair up!

Sponsor Alan talks through four warning signs of relapse (OA Program, Physical, Emotional/Spiritual, and Life Triggers) and offers suggestions for recovery. Link: Relapse Prevention Support Group Workshop (https://docs.google.com/document/d/10WDMdIqqm5OAd97Oes7oQnILfqjIZ7FHzboMpjSb8P0/edit?usp=sharing )

Sponsor Rachel is back again and she shares favorite slogans and role models with a sponsee how to apply one to everyday problems. Handout: Slogans that have helped - https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Workshop17_Slogans-That-Have-Helped-Us_trifold-v9-112419.pdf

Sponsor Rachel leads us through available resources that can help us form Step Study groups. Resources: 12 Step Workshop and Study Guide (https://bookstore.oa.org/pc_product_detail.asp?key=D7B6AEEA18764C6F9C7CF1CDDAF80866 ), OA 12 Step Workbook (https://bookstore.oa.org/pc_product_detail.asp?key=A8844F63049045A09067A421AFB3D33C ), and Exploring Abstinence through Writing (https://oanova.org/manage...

Sponsor Paula shares the importance of service in recovery which can include simple acts such as putting away shopping carts and volunteering to reading at meetings or taking on a weekly service commitment. Handout: Forms of Service (PDF) - https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Workshop15_Service-guidance_030821.pdf

Sponsor Arlene is back to talk about Steps 2 and 3 from the OA 12&12. Her post-it notes: Steps 2 and 3 (pdf) https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Workshop14_Steps23_ArleneO.pdf

Sponsor Alan shares his former and current food behaviors, including his mindful eating practices. Includes Q&A and tips from others.

Sponsor Alan talks about secular “prayer” or directed intention to use thinking and visualizing to create shifts in recovery. Includes role plays and Q&A.

Sponsor Rachel shares how she personally completed the 8th and 9th Steps and provides a framework for how to make amends to yourself. Includes Q&A with other sponsors and members.

Sponsor Alan shares how to include exercise as part of your action plan, demonstrates a model sponsor session, then Q&A leads to a discussion about extra skin.

Sponsor Alan shares how positivity can change behavior. Ways to implement positivity can include mindful eating, exercise, laughter, social connection, positive media, music, affirmations, and pet therapy. Suggested positive affirmation app (ThinkUp - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thinkup-positive-affirmations/id906660772 ) and positive music (Empty Hands Music - https://www.emptyhandsmusic.org/ )...

Sponsors Laura and Kimberly share various ways to practice 10th step daily inventories. Includes Q&A with other sponsors and members. Handout: Vowel Inventory (https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Workshop9_10thStep_Vowels.pdf)

Sponsor Jenne talks about the role of writing in recovery and shares Tenth Step/Daily Inventory formats. Handout: 5 Inventory Formats (https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/so-daily-inventories.pdf)

Sponsor Allie S shares how to use the phone, texting, email, or WhatsaApp to stay connected. Includes role plays and Q&A with other sponsors and members. Handout: Outreach (https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Workshop7_OutreachHandout.pdf)

Sponsor Jim shares several good listening practices to use as a sponsor or listening buddy. Includes Q&A with other sponsors and members. Handout: Listening Skills (https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Workshop6_ListeningSkills_JimD_122920.pdf)

Sponsor Rachel talks about how to create and use action plans, role plays with a fellow, and answers audience questions. Handouts: Action Plans (https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Workshop4_ActionPlans_Rachel_122820.pdf) and Slogans (https://secularovereaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Workshop4_Rachel_Slogans-v9-112419.pdf)