CAL Chat

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 still stays with me.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM TERRY ANNE:

• "...we're loved more for who we really are than anyone ever did for who we thought they wanted us to be!" 💗

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships" – Episode 11: part 4 of 4
• "The Forum" (magazine) – Episode 5: part 4 of 4, Episode 6: part 1 of 4, Episode 6: part 2 of 4, & Episode 7: part 4 of 5
• "Reaching For Personal Freedom" – Episode 7: part 1 of 5, Episode 7: part 2 of 5, & Episode 7: part 3 of 5

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 moving through old behaviors. We also discuss how labels and biases can hinder intimacy and that this book is an example of our evolving Al-Anon program.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM TERRY ANNE:

• "...it didn't seem to matter if you were male or female, ideas that were traditionally masculine were sometimes held by women just as much as a female perspective could be held by a man and I really enjoyed that!"

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships" – Episode 11: part 4 of 4
• "How Al-Anon Works" – Episode 1: part 1 of 2, Episode 6: part 3 of 4, Episode 10: part 1 of 4, Episode 10: part 2 of 4, Episode 11: part 2 of 4, & Episode 13: parts 5 - 11
• "Sexual Intimacy and the Alcoholic Relationship"

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 new book "Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships" (B-33) that came out in 2018 at Al-Anon's 6th International Convention. We discuss the workshop she once gave on the topic of sex, the different types of intimacy covered, and my strange experience with this book.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM TERRY ANNE:

• "...many of those relationships have absolutely nothing to do with sex, but they're still so very intimate, they're very personal."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships" – Episode 11: part 4 of 4
• "Sexual Intimacy and the Alcoholic Relationship"

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 than putting money in the Seventh Tradition basket. She singles out the section "Steps to the Future" from page 255 (or 257 depending on the book's edition) and we remember what it was like growing up in an alcoholic home. Lastly, we look forward to the brand new book that will be debuting at the international convention in 2018!

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM SUSAN:

• "I've never met an Al-Anon book I didn't love." 💖

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "From Survival To Recovery" – Episode 4: part 1 of 2, Episode 4: part 2 of 2, & Episode 13: parts 1 - 4
• "Many Voices, One Journey" – Episode 10: part 4 of 4
• "Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships" – Episode 12: part 1 of 5, Episode 12: part 2 of 5, Episode 12: part 3 of 5, & Episode 12: part 5 of 5

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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" on page 107. We also talk about why 1994 was a good year for Conference Approved Literature (CAL) and how this book marked a turning point for Al-Anon Family Groups.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM SUSAN:

• "I was an adult before I was the child."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "From Survival To Recovery" – Episode 4: part 1 of 2, Episode 4: part 2 of 2, & Episode 13: parts 1 - 4
• "Many Voices, One Journey" – Episode 10: part 4 of 4
• "When I Got Busy, I Got Better"
• "Al-Anon Sharings from Adult Children" – Episode 4: part 1 of 2

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 could use the second half of the book in a meeting, and the difference between being grateful and thankful. A NOTE OF CAUTION: this is the first episode to include EXPLICIT language, so proceed accordingly!

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM SUSAN:

• "My worth is who I am – not what I do, not what I give you. I'm worthy just because I'm me."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "When I Got Busy, I Got Better"
• "How Al-Anon Works" – Episode 1: part 1 of 2, Episode 6: part 3 of 4, Episode 10: part 1 of 4, Episode 10: part 2 of 4, Episode 12: part 2 of 5, & Episode 13: parts 5 - 11

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 Better" (P-78) impacted her life. We discuss the different types of fear in Chapter One, how service keeps us from isolating, & that we're so glad there's no performance review in service work!

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM SUSAN:

• "I used to say I was born angry!"

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "When I Got Busy, I Got Better"
• "From Survival To Recovery" – Episode 4: part 1 of 2, Episode 4: part 2 of 2, & Episode 13: parts 1 - 4
• "Alcoholism, A Merry-Go-Round Named Denial" – Episode 9: part 1 of 4

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 of the literature in the 2017 CAL Catalog (S-15). She also reveals a unique location to leave the "Just For Today" bookmark (M-12) that is too high of a risky spot for me. Discover what is on the second "Just For Today" bookmark (M-13) and what one word on the wallet card version (M-11) is hidden in our literature! Lastly, if you have an answer to the question posed at the end of this episode, please visit this podcast show's blog website, www.calchatblog.com, to leave your comment at the very bottom of the blog post.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM WENDY:

• "I hope everyone raises their hand and gets involved in service because it will just springboard your recovery."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Just For Today" (bookmark) – Episode 1: part 2 of 2 & Episode 12: part 4 of 5
• "Just For Today" (wallet card)
• 2017 CAL Catalog
• "2003 World Service Conference Summary"
• "2017 World Service Conference Summary"
• "Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses" – Episode 5: part 3 of 4
• "Many Voices, One Journey" – Episode 11: part 3 of 4
• "Just For Today" (Alateen bookmark)
• "Just For Today" (Alateen wallet card)

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 TODAY section. Using pages 57 – 60 of the "2016 World Service Conference Summary" (P-46), we explore the CAL process to remove, edit, or replace the prayer. Wendy shares about the interaction between the Literature Committee and the World Service Conference and how it's important to not be afraid to have uncomfortable discussions that affect literature decisions.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM WENDY:

• "I was always trying to change things... to adjust them to how I wanted them to be and it's very exhausting to do that!"

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Just For Today" (bookmark) – Episode 1: part 2 of 2 & Episode 12: part 4 of 5
• "Just For Today" (wallet card)
• Al-Anon Newcomer Packet – Episode 1: part 2 of 2, Episode 4: part 2 of 2, & Episode 12: part 4 of 5,
• "2016 World Service Conference Summary"

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com

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 importance of faith in the 2nd half) and how a specific physical token can be used as a reminder to put this slogan into action! I give recommendations on other CAL pieces to reference for a deeper dive into the slogans and lastly, find out why I consider slogans are similar to jewels.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM WENDY:

• "It was an illusion that I was controlling the outcomes, but I guess the illusion made me safe for a little while… but it never really lasted."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "How Al-Anon Works" – Episode 1: part 1 of 2, Episode 6: part 3 of 4, Episode 11: part 2 of 4, Episode 12: part 2 of 5, & Episode 13: parts 5 - 11
• "The Forum" (magazine) – Episode 5: part 4 of 4, Episode 6: part 1 of 4, Episode 6: part 2 of 4, Episode 7: part 4 of 5, Episode 12: part 4 of 5, & Episode 12: part 5 of 5
• "The Forum Book" (working title) – Episode 12: part 5 of 5
• "The Al-Anon Family Groups - Classic Edition"
• "Alateen – Hope for Children of Alcoholics" – Episode 6: part 4 of 4
• "Courage To Be Me" – Episode 6: part 4 of 4, Episode 8: part 1 of 3, & Episode 8: part 2 of 3
• "Alcoholism, The Family Disease"
• "As We Understood" – Episode 6: part 1 of 4 & Episode 6: part 2 of 4
• "Alateen Talks Back On: Slogans" – Episode 6: part 4 of 4

OTHER WAYS TO EXPLORE & CELEBRATE AL-ANON / ALATEEN LITERATURE:

• Visit my CAL Chat blog - www.calchatblog.com

• YouTube - www.youtube.com/​@CALChatPodcast

• Instagram - www.instagram.com/​CALChatFan1

• Threads - www.threads.net/​@CALChatFan1

• Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/​CALChatFan

• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/​CALChatFan.bsky.social

• CAL Chat website - www.calchatpodcast.com