CAL Chat

CAL Chat episodes:

• 03.21.2024

  CAL Chat Podcast Trailer

  SEE the full trailer video about the CAL Chat podcast at: https://youtube.com/@CALChatPodcast. For any questions about the show, contact me by using the form at:  https://CALChatBlog.com/about.  LOOK MOM!  I'M BEING SOCIAL...

  
• 08.14.2022

  Deep Dive - Ep. 1_Part 6 of 6_1961 World Service Conference Summary

  In Part 6 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), Evelyn and I talk about the next “field trip” for the Delegates to the World Service Office in 2023.  To wrap up this episode, she offers...

  
• 08.14.2022

  Deep Dive - Ep. 1_Part 5 of 6_1961 World Service Conference Summary

  In Part 5 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), we focus on the Delegates’ “field trip” to Stepping Stones, the home of Al-Anon’s co-founder Lois W.  Evelyn describes how the World Service Office was involved and...

  
• 08.14.2022

  Deep Dive - Ep. 1_Part 4 of 6_1961 World Service Conference Summary

  Continuing the discussion about the "1961 World Service Conference Summary" (P-46) in Part 4 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), I explain how I time traveled as research for this particular show.  Evelyn talks about what moved...

  
• 08.14.2022

  Deep Dive - Ep. 1_Part 3 of 6_1961 World Service Conference Summary

  In Part 3 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), we begin to explore the "1961 World Service Conference Summary" (P-46) and what Evelyn identified with from back then that is still happening in 2022.  We discuss...

  
• 08.14.2022

  Deep Dive - Ep. 1_Part 2 of 6_1961 World Service Conference Summary

  In Part 2 of 6 (of Episode 1 from "CAL Chat - Deep Dive"), Evelyn describes what she discovered about her Area Delegate position that she didn’t know about before she stood for it, how humor can be a spiritual...

  
• 08.14.2022

  Deep Dive - Ep. 1_Part 1 of 6_1961 World Service Conference Summary

  What really goes on at an Al-Anon World Service Conference (WSC)?  How is the WSC different than the WSO?  What’s it like for a Delegate to visit Stepping Stones, the house of Al-Anon’s co-founder?  Welcome to the very first "CAL...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 11 of 11_How Al-Anon Works

  Diane wraps up the conversation in Episode 13's last part (#11), about the beauty that springs from the book "How Al-Anon Works" (B-32), community-building, and doing outreach/Twelfth Step work.  She delivers an emotional "Last Words'' section which leads to an exchange...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 10 of 11_How Al-Anon Works Audiobook

  Diane mentions (in part 10 of 11 from Episode 13), how this podcast inspires her to try something new (like the audiobook version of "How Al-Anon Works" (eA-22)) and always reminds her that she has choices.  She explains how the vision...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 9 of 11_How Al-Anon Works Audiobook

  I compare the audiobook of "How Al-Anon Works" (eA-22) to the print version (B-32) in Episode 13's part 9 of 11.  A moving story about suicide, Chapter 27's "Finding Reasons To Live," is highlighted because of what it taught me about expectations...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 8 of 11_How Al-Anon Works

  In Episode 13's part 8 of 11, Diane and I discuss the importance of libraries and how doing outreach is not a duty but a privilege.  And she reminds me why I need to go back and listen to my own...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 7 of 11_How Al-Anon Works

  In part 7 of 11 (of Episode 13), Diane lists all the Spanish versions of books (such as "How Al-Anon Works" (SB-32)) that she has also included in the public outreach project.  We talk about cross-germination and unintended ripples outreach can...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 6 of 11_How Al-Anon Works

  Diane details (in part 6 of 11 from Episode 13), how she uses "How Al-Anon Works" (B-32) for outreach in a broader sense - especially in an extensive relationship-building project that just started.  Find out how outreach is like mining gold!  ...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 5 of 11_How Al-Anon Works

  In Episode 13's part 5 of 11, Diane's favorite book to use for outreach is the softcover version of "How Al-Anon Works" (B-32) and she points out how intimate individual outreach can still be done in an electronic (telephone/chat) or virtual...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 4 of 11_From Survival To Recovery

  In part 4 of 11 (of Episode 13), Diane and I keep the discussion going about the book "From Survival To Recovery" (B-21) focusing primarily on the chapter "Untangling Confusion" from page 269 (or 270 depending on the book's edition), the infamous "Promises"...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 3 of 11_From Survival To Recovery

  The conversation continues with Diane (in part 3 of 11 from Episode 13), about  "From Survival To Recovery" (B-21) which she feels is one of the most relevant books during the Covid-19 pandemic.  She talks about what she does after climbing...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 2 of 11_From Survival To Recovery

  In Episode 13's part 2 of 11, Diane describes how cycles of violence and "predictable darkness" affected her while growing up in an alcoholic home.  We touch on the story "Authorities Frightened Me" from page 253 (or 255 depending on the book's...

  
• 01.09.2022

  Ep. 13_Part 1 of 11_From Survival To Recovery

  How is a pandemic similar to recovery?  What audiobooks are available from Al-Anon?  Can a book also be a picture frame?  In part 1 of 11 (of Episode 13), Diane explains why the title of the book "From Survival To Recovery"...

  
• 12.27.2018

  Ep. 12_Part 5 of 5_Just For Today

  Terry Anne highlights new upcoming Al-Anon literature in part 5 of 5 of Episode 12 and explains how the motto chosen for the "2018 World Service Conference Summary" (P-46) applies to her own personal life.  To submit your suggestion for...

  
• 12.27.2018

  Ep. 12_Part 4 of 5_Just For Today

  In part 4 of 5 (of Episode 12), Terry Anne’s pick for her favorite outreach piece of literature is the bookmark "Just For Today" (M-12) and we talk about how it helps puts the focus on ourselves, not the alcoholic. ...

  
• 12.27.2018

  Ep. 12_Part 3 of 5_Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships

  Terry Anne (in part 3 of 5 of Episode 12) sums up the new book "Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships" (B-33) in 3 words!  I reveal my favorite sections from pages 18-19 and the story of loss on page 118 that...

  
• 12.27.2018

  Ep. 12_Part 2 of 5_Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships

  In part 2 of 5 (of Episode 12), Terry Anne elaborates on communication from Chapter 3 of the brand new book "Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships" (B-33).  She explains how she has used this book in her personal life in recognizing and...

  
• 12.27.2018

  Ep. 12_Part 1 of 5_Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships

  How can it be easier to share about sex?  How can spiritual solutions be brought into intimate situations?  What new upcoming Al-Anon literature is on the horizon?  Terry Anne shares, in part 1 of 5 of Episode 12, about the brand...

  
• 08.15.2017

  Ep. 11_Part 4 of 4_From Survival To Recovery

  Susan and I talk about different ways (in part 4 of 4 of Episode 11) to use the book "From Survival To Recovery" (B-21) for outreach purposes – including raffle baskets!  We also explore how one can contribute to Al-Anon other...

  
• 08.15.2017

  Ep. 11_Part 3 of 4_From Survival To Recovery

  In part 3 of 4 (of Episode 11), Susan's pick for her favorite outreach piece of literature is the book "From Survival To Recovery" (B-21) because she grew up in an alcoholic home.  She highlights the chapter "Picking Up The Tools"...

  
• 08.15.2017

  Ep. 11_Part 2 of 4_When I Got Busy, I Got Better

  I ask Susan a question in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 11) from page 23 of the booklet "When I Got Busy, I Got Better" (P-78).  She explains helping vs enabling, we discuss a quote from page 2, how we...

  
• 08.15.2017

  Ep. 11_Part 1 of 4_When I Got Busy, I Got Better

  Am I the right kind of busy?  Where does self-worth come from?  Helping versus enabling?  Being a victim versus a participant?  Susan shares, in part 1 of 4 of Episode 11, about how the booklet "When I Got Busy, I Got...

  
• 04.18.2017

  Ep. 10_Part 4 of 4_Just For Today

  In part 4 of 4 (of Episode 10), Wendy shares what she is hoping for with a new change for the upcoming "2017 World Service Conference Summary" (P-46) due in August and what sets this item apart from the rest...

  
• 04.18.2017

  Ep. 10_Part 3 of 4_Just For Today

  The bookmark, "Just For Today" (M-12), is Wendy’s favorite piece of outreach literature in part 3 of 4 of Episode 10.  We talk about the current conversation at Al-Anon’s World Service Conference regarding the recommendation to remove the PRAYER FOR...

  
• 04.18.2017

  Ep. 10_Part 2 of 4_How Al-Anon Works

  The conversation with Wendy continues about slogans in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 10) from "How Al-Anon Works" (B-22 for hardcover, eA-22 for the audiobook version, B-32 for softcover).  We focus on the slogan “Let Go and Let God” (especially the...

  
• 04.18.2017

  Ep. 10_Part 1 of 4_How Al-Anon Works

  What are good consequences?  Where does the fear of letting go come from?  What are literature discussions like at the World Service Conference?  Wendy shares, in part 1 of 4 of Episode 10, about using the slogans from Chapter 9...

  
• 03.13.2017

  Ep. 9_Part 4 of 4_Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017

  Pat explains in Episode 9's last part, (#4), that of all the things she has tried, how Al-Anon is the only thing that truly helped.  We discuss ways to enhance the "Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017" magazine while using it for outreach...

  
• 03.13.2017

  Ep. 9_Part 3 of 4_Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017

  In part 3 of 4 (of Episode 9), Pat highlights sections from her favorite outreach piece of literature, the new "Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017" magazine.  Discover two things that were done on this edition that were a “first” in this...

  
• 03.13.2017

  Ep. 9_Part 2 of 4_Courage To Change

  The conversation continues in Episode 9’s second part with Pat and her favorite page 199 (July 17th) from the daily reader "Courage To Change" (B-16).  We explore more components that contribute to making it in recovery, which slogans have helped...

  
• 03.13.2017

  Ep. 9_Part 1 of 4_Courage To Change

  How can I get time back in my life?  Are appointments needed to attend an Al-Anon meeting?  How can I spot changes in myself?  In part 1 of 4 of Episode 9, Pat shares how one particular sentence from page...

  
• 02.01.2017

  Ep. 8_Part 3 of 3_Alateen Members Share

  In part 3 of 3 (of Episode 8), Alateen members share what they would like to say to Al-Anon members, and they directly address the teenager that is living with alcoholism that hasn’t been to an Alateen meeting yet.  They...

  
• 02.01.2017

  Ep. 8_Part 2 of 3_ Alateen Literature - Various

  The conversation continues in Episode 8’s second part with three more Alateen members talking about their favorite parts from "Courage To Be Me" (B-23), page 8 from the booklet "Alateen Talks Back On: Detachment" (P-73), and pages 268-269 (September 24th...

  
• 02.01.2017

  Ep. 8_Part 1 of 3_Alateen Literature - Various

  How can I keep things simple?  If my growth is like a tree, then what are my roots?  What Alateen book can I bring to an Al-Anon meeting?  In part 1 of 3 of this very special Episode 8, four...

  
• 01.18.2017

  Ep. 7_Part 5 of 5_Best of Public Outreach

  In part 5 of 5 (of Episode 7), the conversation continues with Mark about Alateen outreach to Alcoholics Anonymous and how service has helped his program.  He shares what moved him emotionally at his first Area Assembly meeting and how...

  
• 01.18.2017

  Ep. 7_Part 4 of 5_Best of Public Outreach

  Mark’s favorite piece of literature to use for outreach purposes is the service tool "The Best of Public Outreach" (P-90) in Episode 7’s part 4 of 5.  He shares how public outreach is what first got him into service in...

  
• 01.18.2017

  Ep. 7_Part 3 of 5_Reaching For Personal Freedom

  In part 3 of 5 (of Episode 7) find out what two words I discovered are inter-related after creating an index for "Reaching For Personal Freedom" (P-92).  (The index can be downloaded as *bonus content* at this podcast show's website,  www.calchatpodcast.com.) ...

  
• 01.18.2017

  Ep. 7_Part 2 of 5_Reaching For Personal Freedom

  Freedom is specifically discussed with Mark in part 2 of 5 (of Episode 7) from the workbook "Reaching For Personal Freedom" (P-92).  He compares this book to other Al-Anon workbooks, explains how it differs, and I reveal a surprise…  I’ve created...

  
• 01.18.2017

  Ep. 7_Part 1 of 5_Reaching For Personal Freedom

  What do I want to be free of?  What exactly are character defects?  Can Alateen outreach be done to AA members?  In part 1 of 5 of Episode 7, Mark shares how he used the workbook "Reaching For Personal Freedom"...

  
• 12.14.2016

  Ep. 6_Part 4 of 4_Alateen—A Day At A Time

  In part 4 of 4 (of Episode 6), the conversation continues with Nancy about her favorite Alateen literature and how being an AMIAS (Al-Anon Member Involved In Alateen Service) is her way of giving back.  She explains the requirements to...

  
• 12.14.2016

  Ep. 6_Part 3 of 4_How Al-Anon Works

  Nancy’s pick of literature to use for outreach purposes is "How Al-Anon Works" (B-22 for hardcover, eA-22 for the audiobook version, eB-22 for the electronic version, and B-32 for softcover) in Episode 6’s part 3 of 4.  She highlights the slogan “Think”...

  
• 12.14.2016

  Ep. 6_Part 2 of 4_ As We Understood

  Find out, in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 6), what "As We Understood" (B-11) was the first Conference Approved book to do in Al-Anon’s history.  We talk about misconceptions about the book and the goal of learning something every...

  
• 12.14.2016

  Ep. 6_Part 1 of 4_As We Understood

  Can I fire my Higher Power?  What is a "Meeting on Wheels?"  What is not allowed in recovery literature when bringing it into jails?  In part 1 of 4 of Episode 6, Nancy talks about her favorite book "As We...

  
• 11.11.2016

  Ep. 5_Part 4 of 4_Parents of Alcoholics

  In part 4 of 4 (of Episode 5), the conversation continues with Theresa about other Conference Approved Literature that is available for parents and how CAL is not like other self-help/recovery literature.  Lastly, find out why her favorite outreach piece,...

  
• 11.11.2016

  Ep. 5_Part 3 of 4_Parents of Alcoholics

  Theresa’s favorite piece of literature to use for outreach purposes is the reprint "Parents of Alcoholics" (R-18) in Episode 5’s part 3 of 4.  It’s only 12 pages, but so powerful!  She shares the moment she hit her “bottom” and...

  
• 11.11.2016

  Ep. 5_Part 2 of 4_Discovering Choices

  Chapter 13 from the book "Discovering Choices" (B-30) is the focus in part 2 of 4 (of Episode 5) where Theresa breaks down how service work (and especially the Concepts 4, 5, and 10) helped her grow in all areas of...