Podcasts · Religion & Spirituality

Father Bill W.

Father Bill W.

300 episodes

I’m an Episcopal (Anglican) priest in recovery from alcoholism since 1972. I've spent my career in addiction treatment focused on 12-Step spirituality and exploring the pioneer history of AA. In discovering the lost 11th Step practice of Two Way Prayer, my program underwent a life-changing transformation. As Bill Wilson said, “ something was lost from AA when we stopped emphasizing the morning meditation." My mission now is helping people in 12-Step Fellowships explore a deeper understanding of spiritual practice and how it connects us to the "Great Reality" within. -Fr. Bill W.

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Relationships in Recovery: How to Begin ep2

    · 54 min · S57 E2

    Like everyone, alcoholics and addicts have a deep desire to form meaningful and intimate relationships - and yet many of us in recovery face real difficulties in this area of our lives. Bill Wilson wrote about our…

  2. Relationships in Recovery: Why So Hard? ep1

    · 48 min · S58 E1

    Like everyone else, alcoholics and addicts have a deepdesire to form meaningful and intimate relationships - and yet many of us in recovery face real difficulties in this area of our lives. Bill Wilson wrote about our…

  3. Distilled Spirits: An Interview with Matt D. ep2

    · 1 h 02 min · S57 E2

    Bill Wilson credits his 1934 “white light experience” in Towns Hospital as the start of his psychic change and spiritual transformation. Bill experienced nothing short of a taste of the divine. It also began Bill’s…

  4. Distilled Spirits: An Interview with Author Don Lattin ep1

    · 49 min · S57 E1

    Bill Wilson credits his 1934 “white light experience” in Towns Hospital as the start of his psychic change and spiritual transformation. Bill experienced nothing short of a taste of the divine. It also began Bill’s…

  5. A Stein Full of Jung: Interview w. Murray Stein ep4

    · 41 min · S57 E4

    Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions have followed in his footsteps. Bill Wilson…

  6. A Stein Full of Jung ep3

    · 38 min · S57 E3

    Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill…

  7. A Stein Full of Jung ep.2

    · 46 min · S57 E2

    Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill…

  8. A Stein Full of Jung ep.1

    · 50 min · S57 E1

    Years before AA existed, Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist, sent his patient Rowland H. in search of a spiritual solution for his alcoholism. Since then, millions of us have followed in his footsteps. Bill…

  9. Journey from Boy to Man in Recovery ep4

    · 59 min · S58 E4

    Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound…

  10. Journey from Boy to Man in Recovery ep3

    · 55 min · S58 E3

    Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound…

  11. Journey from Boy to Man in Recovery ep2

    · 1 h 08 min · S58 E2

    Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound…

  12. Journey From Boy to Man in Recovery ep1

    · 56 min · S58 E1

    Many cultures develop rites of passage specifically designed to help a boy transition into manhood. It’s a difficult and dangerous journey, many get lost along the way, and a detour into alcohol and drugs only compound…

  13. Willing to Be Willing pt.2

    · 23 min · S58 E2

    Steps 3 and 11 frame the vision for a wholly new way of life. It’s one lived, not under the direction of the ego but under the guidance and direction of a Power greater than ourselves. But the ego still has a role to…

  14. Willing to be Willing

    · 27 min · S58 E1

    Steps 3 and 11 frame the vision for a wholly new way of life. It’s one lived, not under the direction of the ego but under the guidance and direction of a Power greater than ourselves. But the ego has a role to play…

  15. The Last Three Steps: When the Juice Runs Dry

    · 20 min · Bonus

    In the episode Fr. Bill shares some experience and advice for keeping the 12-Step program simple and alive. If you’re a long-term listener, you probably won’t find much new here, but hopefully hearing the simple…

  16. How to Start a Two Way Prayer Group

    · 28 min · S56 E2

    We all know the saying, “You have to give it away to keep it.” That idea may be especially true of the practice of Two Way Prayer. Listening for God’s guidance was at the center of the transformative practices of the…

  17. Henrietta Seiberling - The Woman Behind the AA Curtain

    · 48 min · S57 E1

    Most in recovery know that Henrietta was the woman who answered a phone call from Bill Wilson and put him in touch with Dr. Bob; but there’s a whole lot more to her story than that. In this episode Fr. Bill interviews…

  18. A Footnote on Experience vs Awakening

    · 9:44 · S55 E2

    In this short episode, Fr. Bill reflects on a brief recording of Bill Wilson’s unsuccessful attempts to return to the original 12 Step wording of “spiritual experience” over “spiritual awakening.” He also comments on…

  19. Father Ed Dowling: Bill W's Spiritual Sponsor

    · 53 min · S55 E1 · Bonus

    Throughout his life, Father Ed was attracted to those who suffered - and since AA describes itself as “a program of attraction,” there’s little wonder this Jesuit priest was drawn to 12-Step members from the Program’s…

  20. Love Leads Us Home

    · 43 min · S54 E9

    This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People…

  21. What in God's Name?

    · 46 min · S54 E8

    This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People…

  22. Let Go Absolutely - For Real???

    · 50 min · S54 E7

    This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People…

  23. God Is Ohhh So Close

    · 46 min · S54 E6

    This series addresses what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People…

  24. Pantheism & Prayer

    · 46 min · S54 E5

    This series addresses what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People…

  25. Let Go... Then Hang on Tight

    · 51 min · S54 E4

    This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us humans – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People…

  26. Let Go of God to Find God

    · 32 min · S54 E3

    This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have…

  27. Start With The Big Book

    · 32 min · S54 E2

    This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” Does God exist? Does God really care about us – and maybe more honestly and specifically, does God care about me and mine? People have…

  28. God As We Don't Understand God

    · 30 min · S54 E1

    This series address what some of us in recovery refer to as “the God problem.” In episode 1 "Bill Wilson's Spiritual Experiences" we explore: Does God exist? Does God really care about us – and maybe more honestly and…

  29. Quiet Time & Two Way Prayer

    · 28 min · S53 E1

    Two Way Prayer is part of a longer morning prayer practice. In this episode Fr. Bill details what that time might involve and how Two Way Prayer fits into it. Show notes: Good Morning by Dick B.…

  30. Twelve Step in Three Words

    · 27 min · S52 E1

    Dr. Bob begged Bill Wilson to “keep it simple.” In that same spirit, the Oxford Group often compacted their program of change down to three short words: CONNECTION – CORRECTION – DIRECTION. In this bonus episode Fr.…

  31. The Addicted Brain

    · 55 min · S51 E1

    Why do alcoholics and drug addicts find it so hard to quit and stay quit? Is addiction really a disease? And if it is, how’s it best treated? It’s been over a hundred years since Dr. William Silkworth formulated his…

  32. What's a Spiritual Experience?

    · 39 min · S50 E1

    When setting off on any journey, it’s best to know your intended destination in advance. On the 12th Step journey, to use the Big Book’s original wording, that means following the 12 Steps to arrive at a…

  33. A Rebel in the Oxford Group: Coming Home & Knowing It for the First Time

    · 54 min · S49 E4

    David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But…

  34. A Rebel in the Oxford Group: 12 Steps & the OG

    · 1 h 07 min · S49 E3

    David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But…

  35. A Rebel in the Oxford Group: Getting In and Getting Out

    · 1 h 03 min · S49 E2

    David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But…

  36. A Rebel in the Oxford Group: Life of a Founder

    · 1 h 08 min · S50 E1

    David Belden was born into a family of Oxford Group leaders and committed activists. The Group set out “to change the world” and throughout his early years David devoted himself wholeheartedly to this challenge. But…

  37. Psychic Change in Addiction Recovery

    · 23 min · S49 E1

    Prof. Miller's book Quantum Change: When Epiphanies and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary Lives has been described as the most definitive work on the subject of religious experiences since William James' Varieties of…

  38. Building Hope in Recovery: Part 2

    · 49 min · S48 E2

    The word HOPE appears no fewer than 34 times in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. In recovery, it’s vital for getting us started and for keeping us going. In this two-part series, Dr. Denise Ernst, PhD joins Fr.…

  39. Building Hope in Recovery: What is Hope?

    · 51 min · S48 E1

    The word HOPE appears no fewer than 34 times in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. In recovery, it’s vital for getting us started and for keeping us going. In this two-part series, Dr. Denise Ernst, PhD joins Fr.…

  40. Awakened Life of Service: Step 12

    · 1 h 04 min · S47 E6

    Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and…

  41. Stress: What to Do with It

    · 50 min · S48 E1

    Tom Lavin is a therapist, an educator, and a close friend for over fifty years. He’s dedicated both his life and his career to helping people find effective solutions to the problems that come with being human. Tom…

  42. Meditation 101: Step 11

    · 57 min · S47 E6

    Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an…

  43. Amends & Watchfulness: Steps 8,9 & 10

    · 50 min · S47 E5

    Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an…

  44. Letting Go: Steps 6 & 7

    · 58 min · S47 E4

    Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an…

  45. Cleaning Up My Cosmic Mess: Steps 4 & 5

    · 46 min · S47 E3

    Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A student and teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an…

  46. Finding & Following a Higher Power: Steps 2&3

    · 57 min · S47 E2

    Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and…

  47. Sobriety & Enlightenment: Step One

    · 56 min · S47 E1

    Few people blend the Buddhist spiritual path with the 12-Step journey as seamlessly and as helpfully as Fr. Bill’s guest Kevin Griffin. A teacher of Buddhist meditation for many years as well as an excellent writer and…

  48. The Oxford Group: An Inside View

    · 1 h 00 min · S47 E1

    Bill Wilson wrote: “Where did we learn about moral inventory, amends for harms done, turning our will and our lives over to the care of God? Where did we learn about prayer and meditation and all the rest? The…

  49. Oklahoma Bill and His Inner Poet

    · 1 h 16 min · S47 E1

    A beautiful man in long term recovery whose life blended 12-Step recovery with Native American ceremony, and a resurrected Roman Catholicism. For many years, Bill hasbeen practicing a form of Two Way Prayer that has…

  50. Living Between Worlds in Recovery: Final Episode

    · 33 min · S46 E8

    When most of us addicts wash up on the shores of recovery to say we’ve lost our way seems a gross understatement. The bottom has usually fallen out from under our lives. We feel utterly lost and painfully alone. The…

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