CHUCK CHAMBERLAIN – NEW YORK , NY 4-26-53 (First Known Recording)

As far as we know, this is the first recording of an Alcoholics Anonymous talk by the great speaker, Chuck Chamberlain. It was recorded at the Tudor Group in New York City on April 26^th, 1953. Even way back then, Chuck had a great way of delivering a message. On this recording, Chuck says that he enjoys stating that he’s an alcoholic because it reminds him of how he failed in the Business of Living. He talks about the fact that he knew he had a problem in the last ten years of his drinking; his solution was to correct it on his own. Chuck talks about crossing that invisible line. He was so impressed at his very first AA meeting that he immediately began going to a meeting every night. Chuck says that he came to AA strictly to find sobriety but realized that he acquired much, much more than that. He’s an excellent “salesman” for the AA program.

Contents – 5 Tracks

Length – 25 Minutes

Added: 8-2-11

This item can be found in our "AA HISTORY RELATED & PRE 1970 RECORDINGS" category

JOE PHELAN – JACKSON, MS 8-29-92

We feel that this is one of the better AA talks we’ve heard in quite a while. Long time member, Joe Phelan from Atlanta , Georgia recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the Old Timers Round-up in Jackson , Mississippi on August 29^th, 1992. Joe has been sober since March the 1^st, 1949. He’s very enthusiastic about AA as a whole; he believes it to be in magnificent shape. Joes says that he was the oldest of six children and his family was very well-off financially. Unfortunately his mother spent many, many years in mental hospitals. Joe had his first taste of alcohol at age 15 while on a camping trip with some friends. He fell in love with it and became a morning drinker the very next day. Joe talks about how drinking screwed up his military career and his marriage. He eventually was reduced to living on the streets of South Boston . That’s when he hit his bottom. His younger brother rescued him and took him to a hospital. Joe tells how he came into contact with AA, worked through he first five steps, and got back on his feet in the financial business. Joe eventually got very involved in AA service work and became the first trustee from the state of Georgia . He tells of much pain he endured in sobriety and the deaths of several family members. Joe says, “One of the most important parts in my life and in recovery is learning how to forgive and how to accept forgiveness.”  

Contents – 12 Tracks

Length - 61 Minutes

Added: 8-1-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY MEN SPEAKERS J - M" category

DR JOHN MOONEY – ST SIMONS ISLAND , GA – 1983

We understand that this was Dr Mooney’s last recorded Alcoholics Anonymous talk. At the time this recording was made, he’d been sober for about 24 years. John says that he is an alcoholic as well as an abuser of pills. His first drink while in college turned his whole world around. After that, his life began to revolve around alcohol but he never realized it. John talks about being in and out of psychiatric hospitals. He tells about a spiritual experience that began way back in 1959. For many years his ego got in the way of his recovery. John finally made contact with AA and received some words of wisdom from its members. He says that AA seemed to have all the answers he’d been searching for. An underlying message throughout John’s talk is the importance of spirituality.

Contents – 11 Tracks

Length – 55 Minutes

Added: 7-24-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY MEN SPEAKERS D - H" category

KIP COLLINS - JACKSON MS - 1998

Kip Collins, from Vista , California delivered this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the 12th Annual Mississippi Old Timers Roundup in Jackson , Mississippi in 1998. Kip’s date of sobriety is May 12^th, 1984. He has such a dark story before entering the rooms of AA that it’s rough listening to for a while. But what a change his recovery has made in his life! There is some great humor in his tale also. His first job in recovery was on a fishing boat. It’s hilarious how he thought a local pelican was his Higher Power watching over him – a real laugh out loud moment. All in all, it’s one of the best talks we’ve ever heard. Review written by Michael C of Charlotte, NC.  

Contents – 16 Tracks

Length – 78 Minutes

Added: 7-21-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY MEN SPEAKERS J - M" category

FORGIVENESS – ED MUTEM

Ed Mutem from Davenport , Iowa delivers a great workshop on the topic of Forgiveness. He talks about his own struggles with forgiveness and how it was tied to his peace of mind. If you’re familiar with Ed's story, then you will know how his dad died and how Ed struggled and finally befriended his dad's murderer. A very touching story. Review written by Michael C of Charlotte, NC.

Contents – 16 Tracks

Length – 79 Minutes

Added: 7-20-11

This item can be found in our "AA WORKSHOPS" category

THE TOMBSTONES TALK – GENE DUFFY

This is a very interesting and unusual recording. Alcoholics Anonymous Oldtimer, Gene Duffy recorded this way back on May 1^st, 1984. Throughout this recording, Gene refers to pictures he has posted of AA members who once attended this meeting. They are now all dead. Gene fantasizes that these deceased people are in attendance again today. He imagines what these people would say today. Gene knew these people very well so he “speaks for them.” He pulls no punches here; he gives the names of all these people, how their relapse came about and how they died. Gene also challenges the crowd to come back to this meeting one year from today. He tells them that at least one of them will have died from alcoholism.  

Contents – 11 Tracks

Length – 54 Minutes

Added: 7-9-11

This item can be found in our "AA WORKSHOPS" category

CREIGHTON PENDARVIS – WASHINGTON REDSKINS LINEBACKER – HUNTSVILLE , AL - 1997

This guy is a real hoot. Creighton from Tulsa , Oklahoma is definitely 'old-school' AA and his humor is unmatched by anyone. He has a biting wit as well, talking to a certain segment of the audience as, "All you Clancy clones out there," (referring to followers of the Old Silver Fox himself, Clancy Imislund.) You’ll laugh out loud many times, especially when he is saying things like, “You might be a drunk from Oklahoma if your mama has a spit cup mounted on her ironing board.” But on a serious note, anyone who likes the old school giants like Norm Alpi will surely want to listen to Creighton. He’s funny and deadly serious at the same time. Description written by Michael C of Charlotte , NC .  

Contents – 11 Tracks

Length – 56 Minutes

Added: 7-5-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY FAMOUS PEOPLE" category

JOE’S STORY 5-16-10 (DVD)

Joe M was born in a “wee” Scottish town. On this DVD, Joe briefly talks about some trauma he experienced early in life which caused some trust issues for him. He began drinking at age 15. That first experience with alcohol was a bad one for Joe and he swore he’d never drink again. As the years went on, he became highly aggressive. Several suicide attempts followed. Joe vividly describes his first experience with Alcoholics Anonymous. Several arrests followed. A man from AA told him that, “When you come into AA you may not see the pearly gates open up, but you will hear the gates of hell slam behind you.” Back in AA, Joe learned that he was not evil, just sick. When he finally felt the love of others in the rooms of AA, Joe finally began believing in a higher power. He briefly covers each of the twelve steps. Joe believes that “ego” is the arch enemy of sobriety.

Length – 59 Minutes

Added: 6-18-11

This item can be found in our "AA STORIES FROM THE UK" category

MICHELLE’S STORY 4-4-09 (DVD)

Michelle says she had a few problems growing up – nothing serious. She began drinking at around age 13 and always wanted more. She left school at age 16 which is when she also began going into the pubs. She’d always stay until closing time. At age 24, she got pregnant and drank all the way through the pregnancy. Michelle tried a small geographical cure but around that same time she began drinking in the mornings. She began neglecting her young daughter. She finally went to an AA meeting but “compared” herself right out of the room. The last two years of her drinking were a living hell. Michelle was living on the streets and begging for money so she could drink. A friend of hers who was in AA, took her to many, many meetings over a two month period. Michelle was amazed at the amount of love that people in the fellowship showed her. At the very end Michelle says that the great life she lives today is a direct result of Alcoholics Anonymous and the people in it.  

Length – 43 Minutes

Added: 6-14-11

This item can be found in our "AA STORIES FROM THE UK" category

JOHN JONES’ STORY 5-21-10 (DVD)

John tells a great story of recovery from alcoholism. John was sober for 24 years when he recorded this message. On this DVD, recorded on May 21^st, 2010 he relates a few short stories of drinking at a very early age but does not go into a drunkalog. Very early on in his drinking career, for economic reasons John began making his own wine. This turned into a full time hobby for him. He actually added on to his house to accommodate his winemaking. In 1986 John had hit his bottom and contacted Alcoholics Anonymous. He goes into detail about what happened on that twelfth step call. The man from AA left him a Big Book which John loved but hated the idea of going to meetings. Turns out that at John’s very first meeting he fell in love with AA. John describes having resentment problems after he was sober for about five years. He learned from a long time AA member that he must continue to make amends as well as taking a daily inventory. This advice corrected John’s resentment issues. At the end, John makes it clear that he’s very grateful to AA for turning his life around.

Length – 57 Minutes

Added: 5-10-11

This item can be found in our "AA STORIES FROM THE UK" category

GOD AS WE UNDERSTAND HIM – GENE DUFFY (DVD)

On this DVD, long time Alcoholics Anonymous member, Gene Duffy talks on the topic of, “God As We Understand Him.” Gene was born and raised during the Depression years in the Italian section of New York City . His father was a bootlegger and a racketeer. From the podium he tells several stories about having spiritual events as a child but failed to recognize them at the time. Gene tells about when he was at his bottom an AA member encouraged him to look back into his past and see if he could remember any times when God played a part in his life. Sure enough, he found several. He goes on to relate those early experiences and then realized that a Higher Power was looking out for him the whole time. Near the end, Gene offers proof not only of the existence of God, but proof that he exists.  

Length – 48 Minutes

Added: 5-9-11

This item can be found in our "DVDs" category

PETER MARINELLI – WEST ORANGE , NJ 4-27-02

Peter gives a great talk on this CD as he usually does. He shares the story of his first drink and where that drink lead him. Peter talks at length about how the bottle brought damage to his family. It’s an inspiring talk. He ends with the story of how, during meditation, he saw a vision of his dead mother and how God used that vision to keep him sober…..even today. This is a great message from one of God's messengers.  (Review written by Michael C of Charlotte, NC)

Contents – 9 Tracks

Length – 44 Minutes

Added: 5-8-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY MEN SPEAKERS N - Z" category

BILL O’NEAL 2-27-69

Bill recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk on February 27^th, 1969. At the time of this recording, Bill had been sober for 17 years. He tells about growing up and always looking for the Genie in the Lamp.  Bill talks about getting drunk for the first time and finally finding his Genie. Beginning at that point, Bill often relied on his “Genie in the Bottle” to get him through some tough times. In two separate drunk driving accidents, Bill lost and eye and his left arm. He kept blaming other people, never himself. He was full of hate and resentment. His Genie eventually told him that HE was now the master and that Bill is his slave. At his lowest point, Bill said a prayer to God asking for help. He finally got the message when someone gave him a copy of Emmet Fox’s Sermon on the Mount. Toward the end, Bill says that when he finally found God, he had found a power greater than his, “Genie in the Bottle.”  

Contents – 11 Tracks

Length – 53 Minutes

Added: 4-21-11

This item can be found in our "AA HISTORY RELATED & PRE 1970 AA RECORDINGS" category

DON MADDEN – BRENTWOOD , CA 3-10-87

Don, from Los Angeles , California delivered this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the Pacific Group in Brentwood , California on March 10^th, 1987. Don is the late sponsor of popular AA circuit speaker, Earl Hightower. He’s got a great message of recovery on this recording.  

Contents – 8 Tracks

Length – 36 Minutes

Added: 4-20-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY MEN SPEAKERS D - H" category

MARTY MANN – MIAMI , FL 1970

Marty is the author of the 2^nd, 3^rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.” Marty delivered this Alcoholics Anonymous talk in Miami , Florida in 1970. She begins by sharing the fact that she broke her hip a few months ago and has been out of commission for a while. She was concerned about having too much free time on her hands but the thought of returning to drinking never entered he mind because of the AA program. Marty says that early on in her drinking career, she didn’t think she had a problem, only that she was insane. She talks about how Dr Harry Tiebout gave her a Big Book manuscript. After she got past the “God” aspect she really though the program could help her. She tells of her first AA meeting and how Lois Wilson invited her to join the rest of the group. Marty says she will always have a fondness in her heart for Lois because of that.  

Contents - 7 Tracks

Length - 33 Minutes

Added: 4-9-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY BIG BOOK STORY AUTHORS" category

LYLE PROUSE – EATONTON , GA

Lyle, from Conyers , Georgia is the author of the 4th Edition Big Book Story, “GROUNDED.”

This recording was made at the 42^nd Atlanta Men’s Workshop in Eatontown , Georgia . Lyle’s sobriety date is March 7^th, 1990. Right off the bat, Lyle tells the story of his highly publicized arrest for flying a Northwest Airline jet while drunk. He goes into great detail about this time in his life. Lyle describes it as the most humiliating, disgraceful and shameful event in his entire life. After sharing this time in his life, Lyle flashes back into his drinking career. Both of Lyle’s parents died from alcoholism. He always suspected that he may have a drinking problem but never confirmed it in his own mind. After much hesitation, Lyle finally accepted his doctor’s advice and went into treatment immediately. At that point he was totally destroyed; mentally, physically and spiritually. Shortly after entering the treatment center, he found out that he had been indicted for his drunken flying incident. He ended up spending 14 months in federal prison. Lyle eventually received a presidential pardon. He was also rehired by Northwest airlines. Near the end, Lyle talks about writing his story for the AA Big Book. A truly great story of recovery and gratitude.

Contents - 15 Tracks

Length - 74 Minutes

Added: 4-7-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY BIG BOOK STORY AUTHORS" category

BOB PEARSON – JACKSON ’S MILL, WV 1981

Bob from Greenwich , Connecticut is the author of the 3^rd Edition Big Book story, “AA TAUGHT HIM TO HANDLE SOBRIETY.” Bob, from Riverside , CA recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the Fall Roundup in Jackson ’s Mill, WV in 1981. At the time, Bob was the manager of the AA General Service office in New York City . He tells some pretty rough stories about what alcohol did to him physically. He was passing out and blacking out and lying when he didn’t have to. Bob’s doctor finally gave up on him but in a weird twist, sent him to see Dr Harry Tiebout. He spent a lot of time in High Watch Farms. Bob eventually experienced a complete release from his compulsion to drink. He tells a story about when he was an early AA member. He heard a speaker in Houston state that “AA doesn’t help us control our drinking, AA teaches us to handle sobriety.” This was later to become the title of Bob’s story in the Big Book. It’s very obvious when you hear this recording that you’re listening to a very grateful man.  

Contents - 16 Tracks

Length - 78 Minutes

Added: 4-5-11

This item can be found in our "AA TALKS BY BIG BOOK STORY AUTHORS" category

FATHER LEO BOOTH – OVERCOMING RELIGIOUS ADDICTION & RELIGIOUS ABUSE (DVD)

If you’re a member of Alcoholics Anonymous you may have run into another member who goes overboard with their new-found sobriety. Going overboard in terms of being completely enthralled with their higher power. This is the subject of this very interesting DVD by Father Leo Booth. Father Leo introduces himself as a recovering alcoholic. He lists and discusses twenty different Symptoms of Religious Obsessiveness and then goes on to list and discuss the twenty symptoms of recovery from this condition. At the very end Father Leo puts all of the above information into graphic format making it easy to see the problem versus the action. He wants all viewers to remember that, “Religion is Man-Made, but Spirituality is God-Given.”

Length – 54 Minutes

Added: 3-15-11

This item can be found in our "DVDs" category

BREATHING UNDER WATER – SPIRITUALITY AND THE TWELVE STEPS (2 CDs)

On this presentation in front of a live audience, speaker Richard Rohr wraps the Twelve Steps in the cloak of Christianity and talks about the role the Gospel can play in addressing a society that he sees as deteriorating from social addictions, as well as individual ones. Rohr speaks with fervor about the politics and myths of our culture that condemn those who differ from us and that have convinced many Americans that the United States stands above all others. Rohr's passion for turning back to what he sees as the basic teachings of Jesus is strong.  

Contents – 18 Total Tracks

Total Length – 1 Hour 43 Minutes

Added: 3-4-11

This item can be found in our "MISC RECORDINGS" category

FATHER LEO BOOTH – INTERVENTION (DVD)

The actual title of this DVD is: AN EVENING WITH FATHER LEO, but the topic is definitely INTERVENTION. Recorded in front of a live audience, Father Leo introduces himself as a recovering alcoholic. He discusses the many types of intervention. He says that religion is NOT the answer, spirituality is. Father Leo talks about: What is an intervention, How do you do an intervention and what are the results of an intervention. He says that the idea that you cannot help an alcoholic is nothing but a myth. He pulls three different people out of the audience and demonstrates how to conduct an intervention – with love. The addicted person has to believe in their ability to change. He says that you need to stop and smell the roses because those roses are your life. Father Leo firmly believes that intervention can sometimes come from unexpected sources. Near the end of this DVD, he demonstrates this by relating a story of a young man that made a change in his life after hearing the words to a Beatles song. Father Leo looks right into the camera and emotionally recites these words:

When I was younger, so much younger than today,

I never needed anybody's help in any way.

But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,

Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the door.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being around.

Help me get my feet back on the ground,

Won't you please, please help me?

Length – 37 Minutes

Added: 3-3-11

This item can be found in our "DVDs" category

STOP – STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME DRINKING PROBLEMS (2 CDs)

This 2 CD set teaches clients techniques for maintaining motivation, controlling cravings, managing anxiety & stress, preventing relapses, & building confidence.

On CD One:

Keeping Your Motivation Strong

How to Control Your Alcohol Cravings

Managing Stress through Relaxation

On CD Two:

Stress Management through Thought Control

A Word to Family and Friends

Preventing Relapse

Contents – 24 Total Tracks

Total Length – 2 Hours 18 Minutes

Added: 3-3-11

This item can be found in our "MISC RECORDINGS" category

THE LITTLE RED BOOK (3 CDs)

This 3 CD set is one of the most-used and best-loved study companions to the AA Big Book. The Little Red Book has yielded a huge following; having helped millions put the Twelve Steps to work in their daily lives. It offers those new to recovery and those seeking a deeper meaning in the Twelve Steps, advice on program work, sponsorship, spirituality, and much more. The Little Red Book offers support, encouragement, and wisdom in the search for peace and contented sobriety. Each section is on its own track for easy navigation.

Length – 2 Hours 44 Minutes

Added: 2-13-11

This item can be found in our "AA BOOKS & GRAPEVINE ON CD" category

COCAINE BLUES

The full title of this DVD is: COCAINE BLUES – THE MYTH AND REALITY OF COCAINE. On this in-depth, hard-hitting film about cocaine addiction, many users give short comments and share stories about their experiences with the substance. Some celebrities such as Frank Zappa, Mercury Morris, Paul Krassner and Jim Abrahams also share their feelings. This is a look at the problems associated with cocaine use, including the toll it takes, not only on the users themselves but on society in general.  

Length -52 Minutes

Added: 2-8-11

This item can be found in our "DVDs" category

TOMA

David Toma is an ex-cop, ex-drug addict, an authority on drug and alcohol abuse and an excellent motivational speaker as you’ll witness on this DVD. There were two TV series based on David’s life; TOMA and BARETTA. David has changed the lives of millions. This living legend's no-nonsense approach has helped alcohol and drug addicts worldwide. For over 30 years, he has been a full-time crusader who is demanding that America wake up to the substance abuse epidemic that is tearing at the very fiber of the nation. On this DVD, David speaks very candidly, sharing his experiences with an audience of young people. His solution to the alcohol and drug problem is proper nutrition, vitamin supplements and getting a new set of friends. This tough-talk and though-love is style is very refreshing.

Length – 37 Minutes

Added: 2-6-11

This item can be found in our "DVDs" category

THE ALCOHOL YEARS

This documentary style DVD is quite unique. It’s about a woman by the name of Carol Morley. Back in the mid 1980s while living in Manchester , England , she consumed a lot of alcohol. She lived quite a bit of that time in a blackout. In an attempt to come to terms with her demons she placed an ad in the newspaper asking that anyone who knew her during that time to please contact her. The result is this DVD. She has filmed many different acquaintances filling her in on her drunken behavior. Most of the stories these people tell are about her promiscuity. It’s a very gutsy way for her to uncover her past during, “THE ALCOHOL YEARS.”  

Length – 50 Minutes

This item can be found in our "DVDs" category