Advertise on podcast: Here's Tom with the weather...

Today, we’re very privileged to have a presentation about the fascinating Life & Times of a true AA Pioneer –Marty Mann…and the presentation will be conducted by Mily. Margaret Marty Mann (October 15, 1904 – July 22, 1980) is considered by some to be the first woman with long term sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous.[1] There were several remarkable women in the early days of AA including but not limited to: Florence R. of New York, Sylvia K. of Chicago, Ethel M. of Akron, Ohio. AA co-founder Bill Wilson was Marty's sponsor. Marty wrote the chapter "Women Suffer Too" in the second through fourth editions of the Big Book of AA. Mann organized the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism (NCEA) in 1944, which later became the National Council on Alcoholism (NCA), and then the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), to address concern with other drugs.[2] She traveled across the U.S. educating medical professionals legislators, businessmen and the public to the importance of treatment and education of the fatal disease of alcoholism.[1] In 1976 the NCA organized Operation Understanding where 50 celebrities and professionals gathered to address the social stigma surrounding alcoholism. Actors, politicians, sports legends, physicians, lawyers, clergy and more stood up in the hotel ballroom and said "I am an alcoholic." The NCA hoped to reduce the social stigma surrounding alcoholism and encourage individuals and their family to get treatment. Marty hoped to raise social awareness that alcoholism is not a moral weakness but a deadly disease. See us every Monday  at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348   Help us Keep Tom going – please donate a few bucks/quid/sheckels here at Paypal: Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk       Zoom ID 882 1549 348 password Tom   Our website is at www.HTWTW.com Join our Facebook Page ‘Here’s Tom with the weather’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/314088509589654   To see past episodes, join the ‘Here’s Tom with the Weather’ Youtube Channel here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdW7K07ZZUPZZ-t0s7XmURQ  

Today we’re talking about the Well Community – a recovery community in the North of England – it’s an urban conurbation populated by people in recovery, that offers a range of high-quality services which are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Support is free to members and is provided by staff and volunteers with 'lived experience' of addiction. The team also specialises in providing support to people with mental health issues, offending behaviour, childhood trauma, learning difficulties, domestic abuse and homelessness. They’ve become a well-known and highly respected service provider in Cumbria and north Lancashire. Of those who've used our services, 69% have recovered after 6 months. THEIR MISSION To build a movement that supports sustainable recovery for people facing severe and complex social exclusion by valuing and harnessing the strengths, skills, partnerships and other assets present in every community. THEIR VISION For people facing severe and complex social exclusion to have the opportunity to live healthy and fulfilling lives through involvement in a community that supports their recovery, encourages (stigma-free) social integration, builds their abstinence and wellbeing, and is led and organised by their peers and families. Representing the Well Community is Ged Pickersgill…who was for 30 years, an active class A substance misuser, Street homeless, ex offender, repeated hospitalizations, got clean with 12 step program  in June 2015 and now run 62 bed supported Housing project in the community.  See us every Monday  at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348 Help us Keep Tom going – please donate a few bucks/quid/sheckels here at Paypal: Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk   Zoom ID 882 1549 348 password Tom Our website is at www.HTWTW.com Join our Facebook Page ‘Here’s Tom with the weather’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/314088509589654 To see past episodes, join the ‘Here’s Tom with the Weather’ Youtube Channel here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdW7K07ZZUPZZ-t0s7XmURQ

Today we’re discussing the leaflet, ‘A newcomer asks’ - and how it's tone perhaps doesn't reflect the AA of today. This British Pamphlet was brought to the USA by a member who passed it around. In 1980, USA/Canada General Service adopted and adapted it, making it available in English, French, Spanish. The spirit of the pamphlet shows a tolerant and liberal approach to AA…an approach that some may argue has given way to a certain amount of authoritativeness and rigidity... Find it it here : https://www.aa.org/sites/default/files/literature/assets/p-24_anewcomerask.pdf or read it here:https://www.aa.org/newcomer-asks See us every Monday  at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348  Help us Keep Tom going – please donate a few bucks/quid/sheckels here at Paypal: Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk  Join our Facebook Page ‘Here’s Tom with the weather’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/314088509589654  This leaflet is intended for people approaching Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) for the first time. In it we have tried to answer the questions most frequently in the minds of newcomers — the questions which were in our minds when we first approached the Fellowship.   Am I an alcoholic?  If you repeatedly drink more than you intend or want to, if you get into trouble, or if you have memory lapses when you drink, you may be an alcoholic. Only you can decide. No one in A.A. will tell you whether you are or are not. 

Today we’re talking with David Best - DAVID BEST has worked in the addictions field for 20 years, predominantly in England in a range of university and policy posts, including work at the Maudsley Hospital and the Institute of Psych eye atry at Birmingham University and with the National Addiction Centre. His main research interests are around treatment effectiveness and the recovery agenda. In the latter capacity, he was the first chair of the Scottish Drugs Recovery Consortium and of the UK Recovery Academy. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and is attempting to develop models to understand recovery peer networks and the growth of recovery capital. His Book, Pathways to Recovery and Desistance: The Role of the Social Contagion of Hope, has been described by Shadd Maruna, Queen's University Belfast as thus: ''In this remarkable new book, David Best turns his considerable gifts toward developing a full-fledged sociology of "hope" - surely the most important and misunderstood concept in the fields of criminology and addiction studies. My hope is that it starts a revolution of hope studies in recovery work." See us every Monday  at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348 Help us Keep Tom going – please donate a few bucks/quid/sheckels here at Paypal: Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk Zoom ID 882 1549 348 password Tom  Our website is at www.HTWTW.com Join our Facebook Page ‘Here’s Tom with the weather’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/314088509589654   To see past episodes, join the ‘Here’s Tom with the Weather’ Youtube Channel here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdW7K07ZZUPZZ-t0s7XmURQ    

A wonderful episode in discussion with Emiliano L from BIPOC  (Black & Indigenous People of Color) in Sacramento, California... Describes his journey into AA. How he loves AA but felt he needed a safe space to share his story, outside of Traditional meetings. He is joined by several others who describe their own sober journeys as Black, Indigenous People of Color in 12 Step recovery. Here’s Tom with the Weather is now on a Monday - the podcast that examines Recovery from every angle…a safe space for open-minded discussion about those issues or perhaps even taboos that affect recovery. These are the topics, often whispered about in church basements, or grumbled over - by the bleeding deacons and Big Book Thumpers - that are verboten or scoffed at. We want to give free voice to those subjects that get Alkie witches and warlocks burned at the stake or at the very least, hounded out of their home group. And a quick aside…we run this account for free so we welcome any contributions via paypal at Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk   See us every Monday  at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348   Help us Keep Tom going – please donate a few bucks/quid/sheckels here at Paypal: Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk       Zoom ID 882 1549 348 password Tom   Our website is at www.HTWTW.com Join our Facebook Page ‘Here’s Tom with the weather’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/314088509589654   To see past episodes, join the ‘Here’s Tom with the Weather’ Youtube Channel here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdW7K07ZZUPZZ-t0s7XmURQ  

Here it is...controversial, or what? A select few of Tom contributors (those who showed up!) discuss a new direction for Here's Tom with the Weather...leave comments here or email me at Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk. We will be discussing issues as they relate to AA and 12 step fellowships...the last 2 years (2020-22) has seen a revolution via zoom...what's next? Lets hear your thoughts! See you every Monday on Zoom at 8pm UK, 3pm EST, 12pm PST at zoom number 882 1549 8348 passcode Tom

We're back! This week, we interview  Dr Allen Berger.  Also Joe and David read an excerpt from BILL W article about Emotional Sobriety. Dr. Berger is an internationally recognized expert in family and couples therapy, and in the science of addiction and recovery. He is best known for his work on integrating modern psychotherapy with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and for his insights into emotional sobriety. He is also recognized for his outstanding work as a psychotherapist and trainer. He is the author of several journal articles as well as two books: Love Secrets - Revealed (HCI Books, 2006) and the Best Seller, 12 Stupid Things that Mess up Recovery (Hazelden, 2008)). His pamphlet How to Get the Most out of Group Therapy (Hazelden, 2007) helps new admissions understand the process of group therapy and how to use the group to optimize their experience in treatment. His office is located in Southern California where he divides his time amongst private practice, teaching, writing and playing tennis. Help us Keep Tom going – please donate a few bucks/quid/sheckels here at Paypal: Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk   See us every Monday at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348 8pm UK/3pm EST/12pm PST Zoom ID 882 1549 348 password Tom  Our website is at www.HTWTW.com Join our Facebook Page ‘Here’s Tom with the weather’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/314088509589654   To see past episodes, join the ‘Here’s Tom with the Weather’ Youtube Channel here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdW7K07ZZUPZZ-t0s7XmURQ

Jay Stinnett is a researcher and historian, a co-founder of AA History Symposium, the author of Loving Sober and is currently writing a book about Bill W from 1950 until his death in 1971. Jay reflects: “What I think AA needs today, is not more parrots, but more philosophers. I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of letters written by Bill to fellow AA members. Never once did he say, ‘Your problem is X and your answer is in Chapter so-and-so, read page blah, blah, blah, in Alcoholics Anonymous; that’s where you’ll find your answer.’ What Bill - who wrote the book we quote - did, was to draw upon on his own personal struggles, and relate to the other member’s problem. He never sent his fellow sufferer to the book for answers; he related to them with his own personal experience. through storytelling” Since finding sobriety in 1979, Jay continues to thirst for the opportunity to explore and share the transformative experience of 12-Step recovery. He shares with us on Here’s Tom both his remarkable sudden and spectacular spiritual experience and some of the adventures of his continuing educational variety of AA experience.   More Jay Stinnett https://lovingsober.com/  Confronted with the one-book-until-the-end-of-time dilemma Jay Stinnett offers up a book that was the recommended reading material of AA co-founder Bill W, The Imprisoned Splendour by Raynor C. Johnson  or Fingerprints of God: What Science Is Learning About the Brain and Spiritual Experience by Barbara Bradley Hagerty  More Here’s Tom With the Weather https://htwtw.com/  Complaint’s, concerns, grievances, blame Canada: contact our guest-host Joe C Rebellion Dogs Radio Contribute to Here’s Tom With the Weather podcast: PayPal Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk  Participate in our live Zoom Here’s Tom recording: every Friday Noon Pacific, 4 PM East, 8 PM IE/UK, 7 AM Saturday AEDT

While The Headless Way is described as a means of finding one’s “true nature” with childlike simplicity. Richard Lang says, “What I don’t like about the term ‘true’ nature is that is assumes our ‘human’ nature is false; I quite like my ‘human’ nature.” Richard continues, “I prefer looking at this process as finding both our ‘peripheral’ and our ‘central’ nature. Why disparages our human nature?”  The Headless Way is as established as the 12-Step movement. Richard directs us to The Hierarchy of Heaven and Earth, the greatest book on philosophy penned in 1943 by Douglas Harding, and the origins of the Headless Way. CE Lewis in reviewing the manuscript and said, “I have never been so drunk on a book in all my life. This is the highest genius, and it must be published.” CE Lewis would write the Foreword to the condensed version in 1952.  On a somber note, David G’s memorializes Paul Muff, his co-founder of Here’s Tom With the Weather podcast, who died suddenly and unexpectedly last week.  Show Notes:  Get to know Richard better: https://headless.org  Reach guest-host Joe C of Rebellion Dogs Radio @ https://rebelliondogspublishing.com/  Visit our show for a live taping of Here’s Tom With The Weather any Friday at Noon Pacific, 3 PM East, 8 PM Ireland/UK, 7 AM (Saturday) AEDT on Zoom: Meeting ID: 882 1549 8348, passcode Tom Here’s Tom With the Weather Podcast Page: https://www.buzzsprout.com/901954/9621451  Or visit, https://htwtw.org  

Did you hear the one about the atheist and the theologian talking about the wording of AA's Twelve Step?  Here’s Tom With the Weather podcast, November 19th, 2021, features theologian, bereavement counselor, former Director of Spiritual Care at Hazelden Betty Ford, poet, musician, and Californian in long-term recovery, John McAndrew talking shop with Here's Tom guest-host Joe C of Rebellion Dogs Radio, holding court with the Here's Tom With The Weather Zoom audience. This episode covers grief, grieving and the viability of AA's 12-Step language in the third decade of the 21st century. Enjoy this live Zoom podcast.   More Here’s Tom With the Weather: https://www.HTWTW.com  Join us live  every Friday at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348 Zoom ID 882 1549 348 password Tom More John McAndrew: http://www.sensiblespirituality.org  Rent-a-host, Joe C: https://rebelliondogspublishing.com/ 

Where's David? Author of Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life and Rebellion Dogs Radio host is our alternative-host as David was in Boston, at the time of recording, as part of several-week-long journey. All will be explained on the show. But the big news is we have Helen Hamilton, "I was always searching for something in my life and for many years I did not know what it was. I always felt very different even as a child and could see energy and auras unlike people around me. I desperately tried to fit in and find peace but it never came." But that was seven books ago. In the gentlest language and the most inviting way, we are introduced to Helen's approach to Satsang, for, "those committed to Self-discovery and who feel a deep urge to find lasting peace and freedom." For more Helen (and why not): https://helenhamilton.org Here's Tom With the Weather is Live on Zoom every Friday Noon Pacific, 3 PM East, 8 PM Ireland/UK, 7 AM Saturday Australia. ZOOM ID: 882 1549 8348 Passcode: Tom http://htwtw.com/  

Today we are speaking with ….Noah Levine.   NOAH LEVINE is the author of Dharma Punx, Against The Stream, The Heart of the Revolution and Refuge Recovery, is a Buddhist teacher, author and counselor. He has created a Buddhist approach to addiction recovery called Refuge Recovery. He is also the founding teacher of Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, with a meditation center in Venice beach CA. He teaches meditation classes, workshops and retreats internationally. Noah holds a Masters degree in counseling psychology and lives in Los Angeles. https://www.againstthestream.com/   Help us Keep Tom going – please donate a few bucks/quid/sheckels here at Paypal: Gilwriter@hotmail.co.uk   See us every Friday at zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88215498348     Zoom ID 882 1549 348 password Tom   Our website is at www.HTWTW.com Join our Facebook Page ‘Here’s Tom with the weather’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/314088509589654   To see past episodes, join the ‘Here’s Tom with the Weather’ Youtube Channel here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdW7K07ZZUPZZ-t0s7XmURQ