

Father Bill W.
Father Bill W.
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
Mentioned books

Jan 29, 2025 • 28min
AA's Spiritual Roots: Restitution Revolution
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that
changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you. The book is available free through a link in the show notes.
This episode explores RESTITUTION as it was understood and practiced by the AA pioneers. Making amends for our past wrongs affects others as much as ourselves and requires guidance and courage in knowing how best to proceed.
Show Notes:
Pdf copy of What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
Link to the hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kimLXNhzZMA

Jan 22, 2025 • 33min
AA's Spiritual Roots: Surrender to Win
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you. The book is available free through a link in the show notes.
This episode explores SURRENDER as it was understood and
practiced by the AA pioneers. Interestingly, it’s a word that’s never used in the first 164 pages of the Big Book.
Show Notes:
What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf

Jan 15, 2025 • 55min
AA's Spiritual Roots: Sharing the S Bomb
This episode tackles a subject that’s pretty much taboo in
12-Step meetings: SIN. It was a key concept in the Group and Bill Wilson called it by different names in the Big Book. Don’t let prejudice or negative past experiences keep you from listening. You may find a “life-changing” key to your Program.
Show Notes:
What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf

Jan 8, 2025 • 40min
AA's Spiritual Roots: House Parties & Frank Buchman
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that
changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you. This episode completes chapter one and is focused on the Group’s unique use of house-parties and on the Group’s founder Frank Buchman. It’s focused on what AA took forward and what it left behind.
Show Notes:
Pdf copy of What is the Oxford Group? https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
Picture of Caux

Jan 2, 2025 • 39min
AA's Spiritual Roots: Digging into the Oxford Group
Over thirty years ago an AA archivist gave me a book that changed my life. It’s one of the best descriptions of the Oxford Group program out of which AA would later blossom and grow. Published in 1933 and titled WHAT IS THE OXFORD GROUP? the anonymous author lays out many of the principles and practices that Bill Wilson drew from in writing the Big Book. If you’re ready for a life-changing shift to your program, this series may be for you.
The book is available free here:
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf
Pdf copy of What is the Oxford Group?
https://stepstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/what_is.pdf

Dec 26, 2024 • 1h 10min
Science Fiction - Spirit Fact: The Key of Willingness
Michael T. recovered young and has been sober in AA for many years. But when he discovered AA’s original Pioneer Program things inside him started to change. The Four Absolutes took hold and doing God’s will became the driving force. Art was Michael’s means of expression and science fiction began blending with his 12-Step recovery. In this second episode Michael shares a modern recovery myth titled THE KEY OF WILLINGNESS. It’s an old truth set in modern form. Be sure to watch this episode on YouTube to get the full effect.
Show notes:
The Key of Willingness “Comic Book Myth”
Contact Michael: mct756@gmail.com

Dec 18, 2024 • 53min
Science Fiction - Spirit Fact: A Modern Recovery Myth
Michael T. recovered young and has stayed sober in AA for many years. But when he discovered AA’s original Pioneer Program things inside him began to change. The Four Absolutes took hold and doing God’s will in the world became a driving force. Art became Michael’s means of expression and science fiction began blending with his 12-Step recovery. In this first episode Michael shares his recovery story. He explains how a modern myth found expression in what the Big Book terms, “the fourth dimension of existence.” Buckle your seat belts and come along for the ride!
Show Notes:
Silently Seduced by Dr. Kenneth Adams
When He’s Married to Mom by Dr. Kenneth Adams
Contact Michael: mct756@gmail.com

Dec 11, 2024 • 58min
Men & Emotions: Men Share their Emotions
In modern society it appears that many men – and not a few women – are seriously and dangerously out of touch with their emotions. Opportunities abound to isolate and to self-medicate. When we begin recovery many of us find ourselves emotionally vulnerable and often immature. This series focuses on why this is and offers methods and exercises for connecting with and caring for our emotional selves.
Father Bill continues interviewing therapist Laura Jones Swann, author of Men and Emotions … It’s a Thing. Laura’s worked extensively in the recovery field teaching at several Texas universities. She serves as the guide to a topic that’s relevant both to men and women alike. In this final episode men who’ve found emotional recovery share their powerful stories.
Show Notes:
Men and Emotions: It’s a Thing by Laura Swann, MEd. LCDC
You can contact Laura at menandemotionsbook@gmail.com

Dec 4, 2024 • 59min
Men & Emotions: Emotional Health Strategies pt.2
In modern society it appears that many men – and not a few women – are seriously and dangerously out of touch with their emotions. Opportunities abound to isolate and to self-medicate. When we addicts and alcoholics begin recovery many of us find ourselves emotionally vulnerable and often immature. This series focuses on why this is and offers methods and exercises for connecting with and caring for our emotional selves.
Father Bill continues interviewing therapist Laura Jones Swann, author of Men and Emotions … It’s a Thing. Laura’s worked extensively in the recovery field teaching at several Texas universities. She serves as the guide to a topic that’s relevant both to men and women alike.
In this second-to-last episode, Laura reviews the second half of her strategy list to help support a healthy emotional life.
Show Notes:
Men and Emotions: It’s a Thing by Laura Swann, MEd. LCDC
https://www.amazon.com/Emotions-Thing-Laura-Jones-Swann/dp/B0CW3T4JMT
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=daniel+goleman+emotional&hvadid=692815657814&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028223&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15016485746960485602&hvtargid=kwd-314849247096&hydadcr=15524_13558553&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_28uy2uf8ah_e
Other Book Recommendations:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._GDfd8RInPzGpyGqcpefe-0u81RUNAoCRYN-Rfmme_wMCM9TpPxxTivWEPib2tbwvGHGgfhkYatH7Pjgxq8a070KsMS44ycnM_eB3I8n_iOSShcPCFM0cvRFXFhSdPWI_8gky1SpuBDeU5RcCjmnwBmrY4R0e8Q9F_lxoL0UaHrRYHTjLkOLN8tPVEghzR3aMtVLJlOdnghsbmClHzC6nA55eW7hZTFcOW_2_n-k3v0.blzBeyMeWOkwILqgJP-ay-baeYa49V9eaaoEUdY2M3M&dib_tag=se&hvadid=580689605212&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028223&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6257331460669020339&hvtargid=kwd-1410515536440&hydadcr=16287_13419214&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score.&qid=1733164914&sr=8-1
A New Pair of Glasses by Chuck C.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=a+new+pair+of+glasses&hvadid=598729310159&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028223&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1228835370073832348&hvtargid=kwd-577700975&hydadcr=22561_13531225&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_1eimpz2ddj_e
You can contact Laura at:
menandemotionsbook@gmail.com
Website:
www.twowayprayer.org

Nov 27, 2024 • 1h 1min
Men & Emotions: Emotional Health Strategies pt.1
In modern society many men – and not a few women – are seriously and dangerously out of touch with their emotions. Opportunities abound to isolate and to self-medicate. When we addicts and alcoholics begin recovery many of us find ourselves emotionally vulnerable and immature. This series focuses on why this is and offers methods and exercises for connecting with and caring for our emotional selves.
Father Bill continues interviewing therapist Laura Jones Swann, author of Men and Emotions: It’s a Thing. Laura’s worked extensively in the recovery field teaching at several Texas universities. She serves as the guide to a topic that’s relevant to men and women alike.
In this third episode Laura reviews strategies that can help both men and women support a healthy emotional life. It’s divided into a two-parts.
Show Notes:
Men and Emotions: It’s a Thing by Laura Swann, MEd. LCDC
You can contact Laura at menandemotionsbook@gmail.com