

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

Dec 23, 2023 • 59min
Recovery Gems: Meeting Ego in the Steps
Fr. Bill’s guest is Andy C., a Canadian attorney in recovery since 1977. Andy is the author of “Gems” a collection of reflections and meditations on insights and practices that can lead to a more meaningful, satisfying, and purposeful recovery. In this third episode, Fr Bill and Andy explore the nature and depth of SELF WILL and how the Steps are used to overcome it.
Gems: Meditations on Alcoholism and Recovery by Andy C.
Visit Andy at his website: the Fourth Dimension https://the4thdimension.ca/

Dec 16, 2023 • 55min
Recovery Gems: Emotional Growth
Fr. Bill’s guest is Andy C., a Canadian attorney in recovery since 1977. Andy is the author of “Gems” a collection of reflections and meditations on insights and practices that can lead to a more meaningful, satisfying, and purposeful recovery. In this second episode, Fr Bill and Andy explore serenity and how it’s related to emotional sobriety.
Show Notes:
Gems: Meditations on Alcoholism and Recovery by Andy C.
Visit Andy at his website: the Fourth Dimension https://the4thdimension.ca/
Emotional Sobriety article by Bill Wilson

Dec 11, 2023 • 59min
Recovery Gems: Andy's Story and How to Keep Recovery Fresh
Fr. Bill’s guest is Andy C. an attorney in recovery since 1977 and living in Victoria, Canada. Andy is the author of “Gems” a collection of meditations on the various components and practices that can lead to meaningful, satisfying, and purposeful recovery. In this first episode, Andy shares his recovery story before he and Fr/ Bill dive into Andy’s first chapter distinguishing Long-termers from Old-timers. You’ll discover there’s a world of difference and find a few pitfalls to avoid along the way.
Show Notes:
Gems: Meditations on Alcoholism and Recovery by Andy C.
Visit Andy at his website: The Fourth Dimension
https://the4thdimension.ca/

Dec 3, 2023 • 30min
Spiritual or Religous? Meet Yisrael C. An Orthodox Jew in Recovery
In this classic episode, Fr. Bill visits with Yisrael C. to discuss the age-old question, "Are you spiritual or religous?" The discussion provides perspective and a deeper understanding of what it all means in relationship to recovery.
Yisrael C. has over 40 years in AA journeying from a Catholic kid in Philadelphia to an Orthodox Jew and stand-up comedian in Israel. Balancing tragedy and comedy, he works at the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem and takes great joy helping newcomers find both sobriety and fun in recovery. Here’s a link to his full AA story.

Nov 22, 2023 • 33min
Harry Tiebout AA's First Shrink: How it Really Works
Father Bill W. discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, the first psychiatrist to understand why AA worked. Tiebout treated Bill Wilson and emphasized the importance of anonymity as an ego reducer. The podcast explores surrender, ego reduction, spirituality, and discipline in recovery.

Nov 15, 2023 • 49min
Harry Tiebout AA's First Shrink: Surrender vs. Compliance
Father Bill discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, AA's first shrink, and his views on surrender vs compliance. They explore the importance of surrender in recovery, honest reflection in sobriety, spiritual growth, and the transformative nature of surrender. Delving into the nuances of compliance versus genuine surrender for personal growth.

Oct 30, 2023 • 49min
Harry Tiebout AA's First Shrink: Ego Factors in Surrender Pt.1
Father Bill discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, AA's first shrink, and explores ego factors in surrender. They delve into the psychology of addiction, ego dynamics in sobriety, and recognizing infantile traits in adults for personal growth. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and inner work in the recovery journey.

Oct 28, 2023 • 53min
Harry Tiebout AA's First Shrink: Ego Factors in Surrender Pt.2
Father Bill discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, AA's first psychiatrist, highlighting ego factors in surrender. They explore emotional immaturity, escapism through substances, battle of ego, embracing AA for growth, and spiritual development through surrender and recovery.

Oct 14, 2023 • 43min
Harry Tiebout AA's First Shrink: The Act of Surrender
Father Bill W. discusses Dr. Harry Tiebout, the first psychiatrist to understand AA's success. They delve into Tiebout's 1949 article on surrender in therapy, explore psychiatric case studies, stages of change in recovery, and the power of surrender in overcoming addiction struggles.

Oct 7, 2023 • 48min
Who Is Harry Tiebout and Why Should I Care?
Father Bill explores Dr. Harry Tiebout's impact on Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing ego reduction in recovery and the transformative shift towards hope. The podcast delves into spiritual growth, self-reflection, and the challenges faced by alcoholics seeking help from psychiatrists.