Father Bill W.
by Father Bill W.
I’m an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in recovery from alcoholism since 1972. I've spent my career in addiction treatment focused on 12-Step spirituality and exploring the pioneer history of AA. In discovering the lost 11th Step practice of Two Way Prayer, my program underwent a life-changing transformation. As Bill Wilson said, “ something was lost from AA when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation." My mission now is helping people in 12-Step Fellowships explore a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and how it connects us to the "Great Reality" within. -Fr. Bill W.
Episodes
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Relationships in Recovery: Watch for Warning Signs ep3
Like everyone, alcoholics and addicts have a deep desire toform meaningful and intimate relationships - and yet many of us in recovery face real difficulties in this area of our lives. Bill Wilson wrote about our having formed “twisted and broken relationships” and noted sadly, “We are people who...
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Relationships in Recovery: How to Begin ep2
Like everyone, alcoholics and addicts have a deep desire to form meaningful and intimate relationships - and yet many of us in recovery face real difficulties in this area of our lives. Bill Wilson wrote about our having formed “twisted and broken relationships” and noted sadly, “We are people…
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Relationships in Recovery: Why So Hard? ep1
Like everyone else, alcoholics and addicts have a deepdesire to form meaningful and intimate relationships - and yet many of us in recovery face real difficulties in this area of our lives. Bill Wilson wrote about our having formed “twisted and broken relationships” and noted sadly, “We are…
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Distilled Spirits: An Interview with Matt D. ep2
Bill Wilson credits his 1934 “white light experience” in Towns Hospital as the start of his psychic change and spiritual transformation. Bill experienced nothing short of a taste of the divine. It also began Bill’s search for ways other alcoholics might experience similar altered states of...
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Distilled Spirits: An Interview with Author Don Lattin ep1
Bill Wilson credits his 1934 “white light experience” in Towns Hospital as the start of his psychic change and spiritual transformation. Bill experienced nothing short of a taste of the divine. It also began Bill’s search for ways other alcoholics might experience similar altered states of...
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A Stein Full of Jung: Interview w. Murray Stein ep4
Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in the...
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A Stein Full of Jung ep3
Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in…
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A Stein Full of Jung ep.2
Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in…
more -
A Stein Full of Jung ep.1
Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson corresponded with Jung thanking him for his contribution to AA and many in…
more -
Journey from Boy to Man in Recovery ep4
Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it. This series explores the book “HE”...
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Journey from Boy to Man in Recovery ep3
Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it. This series explores the book “HE”...
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Journey from Boy to Man in Recovery ep2
Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it. This series explores the book “HE”...
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Journey From Boy to Man in Recovery ep1
Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound and delay it. Sadly, some never make it. This series explores the book “HE”...
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Willing to Be Willing pt.2
Steps 3 and 11 frame the vision for a wholly new way of life. It’s one lived, not under the direction of the ego but under the guidance and direction of a Power greater than ourselves. But the ego still has a role to play and that’s through the right use of the will. The purpose of the will is…
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Willing to be Willing
Steps 3 and 11 frame the vision for a wholly new way of life. It’s one lived, not under the direction of the ego but under the guidance and direction of a Power greater than ourselves. But the ego has a role to play and that’s through the right use of the will. The purpose of the will is: TO BE...
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The Last Three Steps: When the Juice Runs Dry
In the episode Fr. Bill shares some experience and advice for keeping the 12-Step program simple and alive. If you’re a long-term listener, you probably won’t find much new here, but hopefully hearing the simple recovery message in simple language can start the recovery juices flowing again. Show...
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How to Start a Two Way Prayer Group
We all know the saying, “You have to give it away to keep it.” That idea may be especially true of the practice of Two Way Prayer. Listening for God’s guidance was at the center of the transformative practices of the Oxford Group, and those of us who have been fortunate enough to rediscover it…
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Henrietta Seiberling - The Woman Behind the AA Curtain
Most in recovery know that Henrietta was the woman who answered a phone call from Bill Wilson and put him in touch with Dr. Bob; but there’s a whole lot more to her story than that. In this episode Fr. Bill interviews Julie Frye who served for ten years as curator of the Seiberling mansion and...
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A Footnote on Experience vs Awakening
In this short episode, Fr. Bill reflects on a brief recording of Bill Wilson’s unsuccessful attempts to return to the original 12 Step wording of “spiritual experience” over “spiritual awakening.” He also comments on Fr. Dowling’s words to the 20th Anniversary Gathering of AA in St. Louis where…
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Father Ed Dowling: Bill W's Spiritual Sponsor
Throughout his life, Father Ed was attracted to those who suffered - and since AA describes itself as “a program of attraction,” there’s little wonder this Jesuit priest was drawn to 12-Step members from the Program’s earliest days. In 1940, Dowling saw a troubled man recover from the depths of...
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Love Leads Us Home
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for…
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What in God's Name?
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for…
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Let Go Absolutely - For Real???
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for…
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God Is Ohhh So Close
This series addresses what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but…
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Pantheism & Prayer
This series addresses what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but…
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Let Go... Then Hang on Tight
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as we’ve been on this earth but for…
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Let Go of God to Find God
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as human beings have been on this earth but...
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Start With The Big Book
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these questions for as long as human beings have been on this earth but...
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God As We Don't Understand God
This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” In episode 1 "Bill Wilson's Spiritual Experiences" we explore: Does God exist? Does God really care about us – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have been asking these...
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Quiet Time & Two Way Prayer
Two Way Prayer is part of a longer morning prayer practice. In this episode Fr. Bill details what that time might involve and how Two Way Prayer fits into it. Show notes: Good Morning by Dick B. https://www.amazon.com/Good-Morning-Quiet-Watch-Meditation/dp/1885803222 A Book of Psalms by Stephen...
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Twelve Step in Three Words
Dr. Bob begged Bill Wilson to “keep it simple.” In that same spirit, the Oxford Group often compacted their program of change down to three short words: CONNECTION – CORRECTION – DIRECTION. In this bonus episode Fr. Bill reviews the 12-Steps in light of these, giving listeners a simpler...
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The Addicted Brain
Why do alcoholics and drug addicts find it so hard to quit and stay quit? Is addiction really a disease? And if it is, how’s it best treated? It’s been over a hundred years since Dr. William Silkworth formulated his “allergy theory” that appeared in the Big Book. Since then, science has learned a...
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What's a Spiritual Experience?
When setting off on any journey, it’s best to know your intended destination in advance. On the 12th Step journey, to use the Big Book’s original wording, that means following the 12 Steps to arrive at a transformational spiritual experience - one powerful enough to overcome addiction. Of course,...
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A Rebel in the Oxford Group: Coming Home & Knowing It for the First Time
David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But while “carrying the message” in Africa, his life took an unexpected turn that led...
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A Rebel in the Oxford Group: 12 Steps & the OG
David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But while “carrying the message” in Africa, his life took an unexpected turn that led...
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A Rebel in the Oxford Group: Getting In and Getting Out
David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But while “carrying the message” in Africa, his life took an unexpected turn that led...
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A Rebel in the Oxford Group: Life of a Founder
David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But while “carrying the message” in Africa, his life took an unexpected turn that led...
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Psychic Change in Addiction Recovery
Prof. Miller's book Quantum Change: When Epiphanies and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary Lives has been described as the most definitive work on the subject of religious experiences since William James' Varieties of Religious Experience. The latter has had a profound influence on AA and Bill...
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Building Hope in Recovery: Part 2
The word HOPE appears no fewer than 34 times in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. In recovery, it’s vital for getting us started and for keeping us going. In this two-part series, Dr. Denise Ernst, PhD joins Fr. Bill in exploring the role HOPE plays in fostering meaningful change, especially…
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Building Hope in Recovery: What is Hope?
The word HOPE appears no fewer than 34 times in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. In recovery, it’s vital for getting us started and for keeping us going. In this two-part series, Dr. Denise Ernst, PhD joins Fr. Bill in exploring the role HOPE plays in fostering meaningful change, especially…
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Awakened Life of Service: Step 12
Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction with a...
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Stress: What to Do with It
Tom Lavin is a therapist, an educator, and a close friend for over fifty years. He’s dedicated both his life and his career to helping people find effective solutions to the problems that come with being human. Tom recently delivered this talk on “stress” to a group of public-service attorneys in...
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Meditation 101: Step 11
Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction...
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Amends & Watchfulness: Steps 8,9 & 10
Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction...
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Letting Go: Steps 6 & 7
Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction...
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Cleaning Up My Cosmic Mess: Steps 4 & 5
Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction...
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Finding & Following a Higher Power: Steps 2&3
Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction with a...
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Sobriety & Enlightenment: Step One
Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and musician, Kevin is also a man in long-term recovery from addiction with a...
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The Oxford Group: An Inside View
Bill Wilson wrote: “Where did we learn about moral inventory, amends for harms done, turning our will and our lives over to the care of God? Where did we learn about prayer and meditation and all the rest? The spiritual substance of our remaining ten Steps (Steps 2 through 11) came straight from...
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Oklahoma Bill and His Inner Poet
A beautiful man in long term recovery whose life blended 12-Step recovery with Native American ceremony, and a resurrected Roman Catholicism. For many years, Bill hasbeen practicing a form of Two Way Prayer that has included listening to the Inner Voice speak to him and heal his inner wounds…
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About this show
I’m an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in recovery from alcoholism since 1972. I've spent my career in addiction treatment focused on 12-Step spirituality and exploring the pioneer history of AA. In discovering the lost 11th Step practice of Two Way Prayer, my program underwent a life-changing transformation. As Bill Wilson said, “ something was lost from AA when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation." My mission now is helping people in 12-Step Fellowships explore a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and how it connects us to the "Great Reality" within. -Fr. Bill W.
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