CAL Chat

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 of "How Al-Anon Works" (B-22 for hardcover, eA-22 for the audiobook version, B-32 for softcover) as stepping stones to serenity and how serenity can eventually become a guiding force in our lives for making decisions. We also look closer at the slogan "Let it Begin With Me" as not just something that we say at the end of an Al-Anon meeting or having to do with outreach.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM WENDY:

• "...I grew up thinking there were a lot of things you wanted in life… good relationships, and you wanted money, and you wanted a good job… but serenity wasn't on my list really."

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

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

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 purposes and she wraps up with a "Last Words" section about amends and Step Nine. Lastly, at this podcast show's website, www.calchatpodcast.com, I've attached a PDF of the 2017 magazine as *bonus content* so you can download it and see all the pages mentioned on this episode.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM PAT:

• "Al-Anon is something we can use just in daily living."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017" – Episode 5: part 4 of 4 & Episode 7: part 4 of 5
• Outreach Bookmark – Episode 7: part 4 of 5
• "Are You Troubled By Someone's Drinking?"
• "Courage to Change" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 5: part 3 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 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 magazine's history. We remember back to how we felt coming into our very first Al-Anon meeting and how desperation can be a gift! Lastly, at this podcast show's website, www.calchatpodcast.com, I've attached a PDF of the 2017 magazine as *bonus content* so you can download it and see all the pages mentioned on this episode.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM PAT:

• "I understood from that first meeting that these people had been in my situation..."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017" – Episode 5: part 4 of 4 & Episode 7: part 4 of 5
• Outreach Bookmark – Episode 7: part 4 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

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 us out along the way, and how reading the literature can show that we've changed. Also find out a few fun facts about "Courage To Change."

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM PAT:

• "I forget how my life became unmanageable and I think it's easy to fall back into that just with daily living."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Courage to Change" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 5: part 3 of 4
• "Courage to Change" (audiobook) – Episode 3: part 4 of 4
• "Courage to Change" (electronic book) – Episode 3: part 4 of 4
• "One Day At A Time" – Episode 2: part 1 of 2
• "Hope For Today"

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 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 199 (July 17th) from the daily reader "Courage To Change" (B-16) impacted her life. She breaks down some of the major components that are involved in her recovery, how this reading ties into the second part of Step One, and which roles she identifies with from the pamphlet "Alcoholism, A-Merry-Go-Round Named Denial" (P-3).

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM PAT:

• "My life was miserable because I was making it miserable."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Courage to Change" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 5: part 3 of 4
• "Alcoholism, A Merry-Go-Round Named Denial" – Episode 11: 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 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 explain how Alateen is like a family environment and that they don't bite! The show wraps up with a unique "Last Words" section from a couple of Alateen group sponsors, where they cover the importance of hearing from Alateen members, how the Seventh Tradition is practiced from an Alateen perspective, the unexpected benefits of doing Alateen service, and how participating in this podcast is similar to doing a gratitude list!

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM AN ALATEEN MEMBER:

• "One thing that Alateen has really taught me is how to manage friendships and it's given me a really great place to develop healthy relationships with people and also with other adults."

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 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 and 25th) from the daily reader "Living Today in Alateen" (B-26). They highlight a letter written to a parent, how they struggle with expectations of love, and how a member can eventually resemble the image on page 269 from "Living Today in Alateen." Also find out what message is repeated several times in "Courage To Be Me" and how it's like a warm reminder!

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM AN ALATEEN MEMBER:

• "...I've learned through Alateen that it's a disease... not myself or who I am that's causing anything."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "Courage To Be Me" – Episode 6: part 4 of 4 & Episode 10: part 2 of 4
• "Alateen Talks Back On: Detachment" – Episode 6: part 4 of 4
• "Alateen-a day at a time" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 6: part 4 of 4
• "Living Today in Alateen" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 6: part 4 of 4
• "Alateen's 4th Step Inventory" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 6: part 4 of 4
• "Alateen Do's & Don'ts"

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 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 Alateen members share what they like best about Alateen literature – specifically the Alateen Talk newsletter (no item #), "Courage To Be Me" (B-23), page 26 (January 26th) from the daily reader "Alateen-a day at a time" (B-10), and pages 25-26 from the "Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017" (P-24/27). They talk about a favorite Step, what Tradition One means, and some powerful characteristics that can define someone affected by alcoholism.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM AN ALATEEN MEMBER:

• "My favorite Step is really the first Step. ...it was hard, but I was up for the challenge."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• Alateen Talk (newsletter)
• "Courage To Be Me" – Episode 6: part 4 of 4 & Episode 10: part 2 of 4
• "Alateen-a day at a time" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 6: part 4 of 4
• "Living Today in Alateen" – Episode 3: part 4 of 4 & Episode 6: part 4 of 4
• "Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2010-2013"
• "Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017" – Episode 1: part 1 of 2, Episode 3: part 1 of 4, Episode 3: part 2 of 4, Episode 3: part 3 of 4, & Episode 3: 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

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 it was similar to a Newcomer meeting! You can click this link to find this book online: "The Best of Public Outreach" (P-90), and to watch Al-Anon's TV public service announcements, visit: www.al-anon.org/media-kit/public-service-announcements. Lastly, a printable PDF version of the index I created for "Reaching For Personal Freedom" (P-92) can be downloaded as *bonus content* for this episode at CAL Chat's official website: www.calchatpodcast.com or if you prefer an interactive version of the index online where you can jump link to different sub-indexed words, visit my CAL Chat blog at: https://calchatblog.com/reaching-index.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM MARK:

• "...there is a difference between being hopeless and being powerless."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "The Best of Public Outreach" (booklet)
• "The Best of Public Outreach" (2012/2017 online version)
• "Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017" – Episode 5: part 4 of 4, Episode 6: part 3 of 4, Episode 9: part 3 of 4, & Episode 9: 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

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 Al-Anon and calls out a "Getting Started" section on page 7, as well as pages 12-19 for several lists of outreach ideas. He also explains how the workbook helped with a big outreach project he was involved with that was done in honor of Al-Anon's founder, Lois W., and how projects don't need to be big to be effective. Lastly, we discuss what it's like to talk to people that are not familiar with the Al-Anon program.

QUOTABLE MOMENT FROM MARK:

• "...any Al-Anon member is a great candidate to get involved in public outreach."

LITERATURE MENTIONED & RELATED EPISODES:

• "The Best of Public Outreach" (2012/2017 online version)
• "The Forum" (magazine) – Episode 5: part 4 of 4, Episode 6: part 1 of 4, Episode 6: part 2 of 4, Episode 10: part 2 of 4, Episode 12: part 3 of 5, Episode 12: part 4 of 5, & Episode 12: part 5 of 5
• "Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017" – Episode 5: part 4 of 4, Episode 6: part 3 of 4, Episode 9: part 3 of 4, & Episode 9: 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