Alcoholics Alive

Before kicking off Season 15, we wanted to release this special episode on the results of the 76th General Service Conference. In this episode, we review what happened, what became Advisory Actions, and a few of the decisions and themes that stood out to us. This is not a full conference report, but a short look at the some outcomes and what they may mean going forward.  Its concluded by a rapid fire Meeting Shrapnel round.  Send suggestions, comments and questions to [email protected] 

S14E13 Shank and Wayne reflect on Season 14 and the items on the 76th GSC Agenda.  In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "T.R.U.S.T - Try really using Step 3", "W.A.I.T. - Why am I talking" and "AA is a lifeboat, not a houseboat".  You can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E12 Shank and Wayne discuss Archives, International Conventions/Regional Forums, and Inventory Implementation.  In Meeting Shrapnel they review "I didn't come into AA to learn how to be happy, I came into AA to learn how to be unhappy", "P.A.U.S.E. Prolong Action Until Serenity Comes" and "If I don't change my sobriety date will". Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E11 Shank and Wayne review some of the Trustees agends items for the GSC in New York.  In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Your higher power will move mountains for you...but don't be surprised if you wake up next to a shovel", "We are not a glum lot" and "Bumper sticker AA is not a substitute for working the steps".  You can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E10 Shank and Wayne reveiw the Treatment and Accessibilities agenda items for the upcoming General Service Conference in New York.  In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Alcoholics are bad at math. We try to solve all our problems at one time, instead of one at a time", Non-alcoholic beer is for non-alcoholics" and "If I'm not the problem, then I'm not the solution". Send comments, questions or suggestion to [email protected] 

S14E9 Shank and Wayne review the Policy and Admission and Report and Charter items for the upcoming GSC. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Alcoholic Addict", "Maybe you need to do some more research" and "I have a sponsor who has a sponsor who has a sponsor". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E8 Shank and Wayne discuss the Public Information items for the upcoming General Service Conference.  In Meeting Shrapnel they look at P.R.I.D.E "Primary Reason I Die Early", "Meetings are my medicine" and "Just because your in a garage doesn't mean you're a car" If you have a suggestion, comment or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E7 Shank and Wayne discuss the Literature Agenda Items for the upcoming GSC. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "You can only coast downhill", "I woke up this morning with a clear head, in a dry bed" and "You can't be hateful and grateful at the same time". If you have a suggestion, comment or question you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S14E6 Shank and Wayne look at the Grapevine agenda items for the upcoming General Service Conference. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Seven days without a meeting makes one WEAK", "There's one thing your going to have to change. Everything" and "No matter how deep of a hole you've dug for yourself, it only takes 12 steps to get out". If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E5 Shank and Wayne discuss the Finance Items for the upcoming General Service Conference. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "I've got good news and bad news. The good news is our steps are suggestive only, the bad news is we have no other suggestions", "If'n yer lookin' to get laid in AA, the odds are good... but then again the goods are odd." and "If you got one foot in yesterday and one in foot in tomorrow, you're peeing on today". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E4 Shank and Wayne review the Corrections Agenda Items for the 76th General Service Conference.  In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Treat em and Street em", "Unless you have screwed a moose on the moon, you are not as unique as you think you are!" and "I don't know about you but I'm here to stay sober". You can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E3 Shank and Wayne discuss the Cooperation with the Professional Community Agenda items.  In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "GIFT - God Is Forever There", "I don't always take inventory but when i do its yours" and “Is he/she one of us?”. If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E2 Shank and Wayne discuss the Agenda Committee items for the upcoming General Service Conference.  In meeting shrapnel they look at "You can't think of someone else and yourself at the same time", "You can start your day over at any time" and "YAY GOD".  If you have a question, comment of suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S14E1 Shank and Wayne discuss some financial and grapevine issues from the recent GS Board Meeting.  In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Change is a process and an event", "Progress not Perfection" and "Sobriety isn't owned its rented". If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E13 In the Season 13 wrap up Shank and Wayne discuss the orgin and history of giving out chips at AA meetings. They also look at if there helpful, harmful, necessary or a waste of time. Is there Chip Culture in AA? If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E12 John C. tells his story.  In Chip Shrapnel they discuss "This is the most important chip - because without this one, you never get another one", "The banana chip for six months, you're in the right bunch" and "Silver token- Made from recycled beer cans". If you have a suggestion, comment or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E11 Eric B. tells his story.  In Chip Shrapnel, Shank and Wayne discuss "The grass is starting to grow between your house and the liquor store", "Got a green light to continue on" and "Starting to get a little green in your pocket".  If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E10 Lori L. tells her story.  In Chip Shrapnel they discuss classics like "If you were out there nipping while we were in here chipping, come get a clean white chip", "Yellow chip, this is called the urine chip, cause your in the right place" and "The judge said 90 days".  If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E9 Lisa S. tells her story.  In Chip Shrapnel they discuss "If your tired of the high cost of low living", "The butterscotch chip for 60 days, life's getting pretty sweet" and "Anyone got 18 months? (That's 1.5 years for the drug addicts) If you have a suggestion, question or comment you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E8 Tate W. tells his story.  In Chip Shrapnel Shank and Wayne discuss "Chips aren't rewards or awards but they'll keep you out of the psych ward", "Now its time for the heavy metal" and "The garnet chip for 30 days and what feels like 3000 nights.  If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E7 Vikki D. tells her story. In Chip Shrapnel they discuss "If you slip, don't slide. Just come back and get another chip", "If you're feeling too high or too shy, you can come get one from me after the meetig", "The brown chip for a shi**y attitude". If you have a suggestion, question or comment you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S13E6 Alex P. tells his story.  In Chip Shrapnel, Shank and Wayne discuss "We're not rewarding you for being good, we're celebrating that you didn't die", "Red chip for 90 days blood and guts", and "Green chip for 9 months you're pregnant with the program". If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S13E5 Nancy H. tells her story. Chip Shrapnel dives into "We don't stay sober from chip to chip, we stay sober day to day - but it's fun to celebrate", "Gold chip - your future's already brighter than your past" and "Purple chip - royalty now; we knight you a trusted servant". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E4 Ravi S. tells his story. In Chip Shrapnel they discuss "You've gone from "I'm not sure" to "maybe this thing does work", "Ninety days - now we stop clapping and start handing you service positions" and "Six months - congratulations, you've survived the pink cloud, the gray funk, and a few holidays".  Contact Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S13E3 Mike B. tells his story.  In Chip Shrapnel they discuss "This chip is heavy - its full of all our hope for you", "Thirty days - welcome to the miracle club", and "Nine months - long enough to grow a baby, you've been growing a new life".  If you have a suggestion, comment or question you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S13E2 Christmas letter to the AA membership from Bill Wilson in 1944. Bob S. from Charlotte NC tells his story.  Chip Shrapnel dives into "I am your Chipmunk tonight", "Give up the fight pick up a white" and Chips aren't rewards or awards but they will keep you out of the psych ward".  If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S13E1 John M. tells his story. In Chip Shrapnel they discuss "My name is...I'm your Alcoholic Chip Concierge", "If you want to join AA for the first time we offer the white chip" and "Silver Chip for 24 hours, made out of melted down handcuffs so we won't forget where we came from".  If you have a comment, question or suggetion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S12E13 Shank and Wayne discuss what stuck and what didn't from Season 12 slogans.  The author of Living Sober, Barry L., shares his experience on Tradition 3 at the AA International Convention in 1985 held in Montreal Canada.  If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S12E12 Another AA classic slogan, "You can't keep it unless you give it away", is discussed. In Living Sober Shrapnel, Shank and Wayne look at "a clear head and a steady heart", "alcoholism is an extremely serious human condition" and "on the path of a happy, healthy destiny".   Email all comments, suggestions or question to [email protected] 

S12E11 Shank and Wayne discuss the classic AA statement "Stick With The Winners".  In Living Sober Shrapnel they review "living sober", "sick problem drinkers", "wrenches the bones" and "hope that makes the heart sing".  If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Alcholics Alive at [email protected] 

S12E10 Shank and Wayne discuss the old time saying "Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth." In Living Sober Shrapnel they discuss "the unvarnished facts", "an ailment characterized especially by egocentricity" and "an insincere gesture." If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S12E9 One of the most popular statements in AA jargon is discussed by Shank and Wayne: "It works if you work it".  Living Sober Shrapnel includes "more misinformation than truth", "all your teeth wearing tiny sweaters" and "explore recovery ideas at great depth".

S12E8 Shank and Wayne discuss the very popular AA statement: "Take what you want and leave the rest."  Living Sober Shrapnel includes "pathway to recovery", "booze-fighters" and "all comers".  Contact Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S12E7 Listen as Shank and Wayne discuss if "There Best Thinking Got Them Here".  In Living Sober Shrapnel they look at "When all else fails, Follow Directions", "hopless drunkards" and "the would be helper".  You can contact Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S12E6 Shank and Wayne discuss the very popular saying "Keep Coming Back". In Living Sober Shrapnel they take another look at the Investment Counsel Poem from page 81.  If you have a suggestion, comment or question email them to [email protected] 

S12E5 Shank and Wayne discuss the popular statement "My Sponsor Said...." In Living Sober Shrapnel they look at "online meetings available on the internet", "alcoholism is expensive" and "climb out of the hole". If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Alcholics Alive at [email protected] 

S12 E4 The popular statement "Sit down, shut up and listen" is examined by Shank and Wayne.  In Living Soberr Shrapnel they discuss "the sober years go by", "distance, or weather, or illness, or business, or guests, or being broke, or the hour, or anything else" and "canoe, camel, helicopter, jeep, truck, bicycle or sleigh". If you have a comment, suggestion or quetion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S12E3 Shank and Wayne discuss the popular statement "Fake it till you make it".  Living Sober Shrapnel discusses "AA Slogans", "applications of the AA program" and "king-size AA gatherings".  If you have a suggestion, comment or question you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S12E2 Don't drink no matter what.  Shank and Wayne disuss this popular AA saying and if an alcoholic and actually do this.  In Living Sober Sharpnel they discuss "alcoholic or not", "Diversity of opinion" and "some contentment, peace of mind, solutions to problems, zest for living". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S12E1 Do meeting makers really make it?  Shank and Wayne discuss this classic AA saying while comparing it to what the AA literature says.  In Living Sober Shrapnel they discuss "eyeball-to-eyeball sharing", "stay away from a swamp full of mosquitoes" and "recovered, happy, nondrinking alchoholics".  If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S11E13 Shank and Wayne wrap up Season 11 with an overview of the 12 Concepts for World Service.  Living Sober Shrapnel discusses "addressed to special interest groups", "drunkards, bums, or fanatic, dried-up teetotalers" and "A.A is a reflection of the larger society around us." If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]. 

S11E12 Shank and Wayne discuss Concept 12 of World Services.  Living Sober Shrapnel takes a look at the "Big Book", "The Twelve Steps, guides to individual growth" and "courageous, once-hopeless former drunkards."  If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]  

S11E11 Great discussion on Concept 11 of World Services.  In Living Sober Shrapnel, Shank and Wayne discuss "Getting wasted", "Alcohol is a drug" and "Wine, Women  and Song".  If you have a suggestion, comment or question you can contact Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S11 E10 Shank and Wayne discuss Concept X.  In Living Sober Shrapnel they ponder "face-to-face, confidential revelation", "leave, no matter what" and "days of wine and “Sweet Adeline”. If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Shank and Wanye at [email protected]

S11 E9 Shank and Wayne discuss the importance of good leadership in Alcoholics Anonymous.  Living Sober Shrapnel explores "it is futile to bemoan that fact", "swilling a cola" and "necessary lubrication for the smooth operation of society". If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S11E8 Shank and Wayne discuss Concept 8 of World Services.  Living Sober Shrapnel explore "if it rains in Spain or the stars fall on Alabama", "the whispered reservation", "to please a boss or doctor or judge or creditor". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected] 

S11E7 Shank and Wayne discuss Concept VII and the difference between spiritual influence and legal power.  Living Sober Shrapnel looks at "The giddy rapture", "an emotional entaglement", and "premature liasions are crippling recovery".  If you have a question, commment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S11E6 Shank and Wayne discuss Concept VI and the distribution of responsibilites within Alcoholics Anonymous.  Living Sober Shrapnel discusses "orgy of self-pity", "a good meal a-coming" and "morass of self pity".  If you have a question, suggestion or comment you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S11E5 Shank and Wayne discuss Concept V and the importance of listening to the Minority Opinion. Living Sober Shrapnel discusses "Self-pity is an inticing swamp", "a great ticket to a barroom" and "a weird flair".  If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected] 

S11E4 - Shank and Wayne have a great Plain Language discussion about AA's Concept 4. Living Sober Shrapnel disects "all those assorted smokes", "skip such risky brushes" and "chemically triggered urge for immediate satisfaction".  If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]