Father Bill W.

In this classic episode, Fr. Bill visits with Yisrael C. to discuss the age-old question, "Are you spiritual or religous?" The discussion provides perspective and a deeper understanding of what it all means in relationship to recovery. Yisrael C. has over 40 years in AA journeying from a Catholic kid in Philadelphia to an Orthodox Jew and stand-up comedian in Israel. Balancing tragedy and comedy, he works at the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem and takes great joy helping newcomers find both sobriety and fun in recovery. Here’s a ⁠link⁠ to his full AA story.

Father Bill W. discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, the first psychiatrist to understand why AA worked. Tiebout treated Bill Wilson and emphasized the importance of anonymity as an ego reducer. The podcast explores surrender, ego reduction, spirituality, and discipline in recovery.

Father Bill discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, AA's first shrink, and his views on surrender vs compliance. They explore the importance of surrender in recovery, honest reflection in sobriety, spiritual growth, and the transformative nature of surrender. Delving into the nuances of compliance versus genuine surrender for personal growth.

Father Bill discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, AA's first shrink, and explores ego factors in surrender. They delve into the psychology of addiction, ego dynamics in sobriety, and recognizing infantile traits in adults for personal growth. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and inner work in the recovery journey.

Father Bill discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, AA's first psychiatrist, highlighting ego factors in surrender. They explore emotional immaturity, escapism through substances, battle of ego, embracing AA for growth, and spiritual development through surrender and recovery.

Father Bill W. discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, the first psychiatrist to understand AA's success. They delve into Tiebout's 1949 article on surrender in therapy, explore psychiatric case studies, stages of change in recovery, and the power of surrender in overcoming addiction struggles.

Father Bill explores Dr. Harry Tiebout's impact on Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing ego reduction in recovery and the transformative shift towards hope. The podcast delves into spiritual growth, self-reflection, and the challenges faced by alcoholics seeking help from psychiatrists.

Fr. Bill continues a series highlighting the history and practice of Two Way Prayer as contained in his book expected to be published in the spring of 2024. In this episode he explores meaning of a “psychic change,” a “conversion experience or awakening,” as well as “the fourth dimension of existence.” The episode uses the works of Bill Wilson, William James, and Jungian analyst and author Robert Johnson. If you’ve ever wanted to explore “ego deflation at depth” this episode is for you. Show Notes:  Quotes from Wilson, James, Edinger and Johnson William James Podcast Series Book by Paul S. We Agnostics: How William James, Father of American Psychology, Advanced A Spiritual Solution to Addiction: How a Venerated Harvard Doctor Inspired the 12 Step Movement Transformation by Robert A. Johnson

Fr. Bill continues a series highlighting the history and practice of Two Way Prayer. In this episode he focuses on the Four Absolutes: Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, and Love. These principles were foundational for Dr. Bob and to many of the AA Pioneers. They’re still emphasized in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio but in few other places. This episode focuses on how they relate to Two Way Prayer. Show Notes: Fr. Bill continues a series highlighting the history and practice of Two Way Prayer. In this episode he focuses on the Four Absolutes: Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, and Love. These principles were foundational for Dr. Bob and to many of the AA Pioneers. They’re still emphasized in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio but in few other places. This episode focuses on how they relate to Two Way Prayer. Show Notes: Not God, a History of Alcoholics Anonymous by Ernest Kurt. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions The Four Absolutes  A.J. Russell: For Sinner’s Only Ivory Soap Commercial: Just want to see if anyone is really reading these things!

Fr. Bill continues a series highlighting the history and practice of Two Way Prayer. In this episode he shares step by step suggestions for a daily practice.  Show Notes: A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly / Kelly’s first essay: The Light Within makes excellent Quiet Time reading. Here’s a pdf version of this contemplative classic. Here’s a one-page guide with suggestions for doing the daily practice: chrome- Thomas Merton’s Prayer: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”   Big Book quote from page 87: “What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.