In this 1995 talk, Fr Jim talks about his experience of being sober in AA and living with chronic physical pain. He ties how his relationship to pain is similar to his relationship to alcohol. 

I really enjoyed this conversation with Matt, who has decades of sobriety in AA and less than 5 months in OA. I pitched doing the podcast while he was fresh in the experience (and disorientation) of the slogan "Those AA credits don't transfer". He was immediately on board, and our hope is to help anyone else who may be celebrating their AA sobriety while feeling so beat up by the food. You are not alone.

Seconds and Inches

This is the unedited episode of Krista Tippet's On Being podcast with Franciscan Friar, Richard Rohr. I pray she forgives posting this conversation. For those who don't know, Richard Rohr is the author of Breathing Underwater: Spirituality and the 12 Steps.

Here is a link to the produced version of this episode.

During my purifying-flames-of-hell years, every night I would fall asleep listening to this pitch by Bob Olson from Denver, Colorado. Bob is like the men in my family—stoic, old-school, very John Wayne. When I was with my dad, I felt safe from everyone but him. Listening to Bob would not only calm my nervous system but also give me hope for the healing power of 12 Step.

I’m honored to introduce Selah to my recovery community. Selah carried light through the darkest period of my adult life, and I’m not sure I would have made it through without her. So when the topic of “victim identity” arose, I knew she was the shaman to ask. As always, I hope this conversation with her, Stevi and myself carry light into any dark places that need it.

My “Light Into Dark Places” series is to pay tribute to the speakers who carried light into my very, very dark years. Many don't resonate with me today, which is fine. I don't need them today like I did 13 years ago. In gratitude, I want to share their stories with you. 

I am grateful to Anya for her willingness to record our talk about sponsorship and share it with our fellowship. I hope we can talk again to follow up on the many threads we started and didn't finish!

My “Light Into Dark Places” series pays tribute to speakers who carried light into my very dark days. Dr Paul is the author of big book story "Acceptance is the Answer" and I still enjoy listening to any of his talks. 

My “Light Into Dark Places” series is to pay tribute to the speakers who carried light into my very, very dark years. Many don't resonate with me today, which is fine. I don't need them today like I did 13 years ago. In gratitude, I want to share their stories with you. 

My “Light Into Dark Places” series is to pay tribute to the speakers who carried light into my very, very dark years. Many don't resonate with me today, which is fine. I don't need them today like I did 13 years ago. In gratitude, I want to share their stories with you.