Father Bill W.

We live in an age when the meaning and purpose of life are often less clear than ever before. An age when we’re asking questions of doctors we should be asking priests - but few priests seem able to provide meaningful answers to today’s spiritual seekers. Enter Viktor Frankl. Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist whose pioneering work known as Logotherapy has helped millions of suffering men and women begin asking the right questions of life and finding answers that satisfy their souls. In this series, we explore Frankl’s book The Doctor and the Soul. Father Bill’s guest and tour guide is Tom Lavin, a therapist, teacher, and friend who has studied Frankl’s work for years and helped many addicts and alcoholics find new or renewed meaning and purpose in recovery. This episode continues to explore how Logotherapy can shed new light on the path to overcome addiction. Show Notes: Tom Lavin is a Psychotherapist, Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He’s served for many years as Adjunct Faculty, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Tom’s website and newsletter can be accessed at: www.easeap.com/ The Doctor and the Soul --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

We live in an age when the meaning and purpose of life are often less clear than ever before. An age when we’re asking questions of doctors we should be asking priests - but fewer priests seem able to provide meaningful answers to today’s spiritual seekers. Enter Viktor Frankl. Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist whose pioneering work known as Logotherapy has helped millions of suffering men and women begin asking the right questions of life and finding answers that satisfy their souls. In this series, we’ll explore Frankl’s book The Doctor and the Soul. Father Bill’s guest and tour guide is Tom Lavin, a therapist, teacher, and friend who has studied Frankl’s work for many years and helped many addicts and alcoholics find new or renewed meaning and purpose in their recovery. This episode introduces Viktor Frankl and his work. It explores how Logotherapy can shed new light on the path to overcome addiction. Show Notes: Tom Lavin is a Psychotherapist, Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He’s served for many years as Adjunct Faculty, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Tom’s website and newsletter: www.easeap.com/ The Doctor and the Soul ⁠https://www.abebooks.com/9780385500364/When-Life-Calls-Out-Love-038550036X/plp⁠ Tom recommended this as a good biography of Frankl’s life: When Life Calls Out to Us: The Love and Lifework of Viktor and Elly Frankl – by Haddon Klinberg, Jr. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Tom will be my guest for an upcoming series focused on the work of psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. Serving both as a therapist and university instructor practicing in Reno, Nevada, Tom’s interest in Frankl’s Logotherapy extends back many years and he has a special gift for making Frankl’s work accessible to people in recovery. This recording was an interview we did several years ago when I appeared on Tom’s long-running TV series. In the upcoming series we’ll be exploring Frankl’s book: The Doctor and the Soul. Enjoy this and be sure to come back for more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality can be a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in our lives This episode concludes the series focusing on how AA brings about spiritual transformation. It concentrates on the difference between religion and spirituality and how AA tries to protect itself from becoming a cult. Show Notes: ⁠Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant⁠ ⁠HARVARD STUDY HIGHLIGHTS⁠: ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Study --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality can be a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in our lives This episode focuses on Awe and Mystical Illumination –the goal of the 12-Step Journey. Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant We Agnostics: How William James, Father of American Psychology, Advanced A Spiritual Solution to Addiction: How a Venerated Harvard Doctor Inspired the 12 Step Movement Paperback – Mr Paul L Schulte Father Bill W. podcast w guest Paul Schulte AA & William James Quantum Change: When Epiphanies and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary Lives 1st Editionby William R. Miller Father Bill W. podcast w guest William Miller --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality can be a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in our lives This episode focuses on COMPASSION and the role it plays in the spiritual life of a recovering addict. Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality can be a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in our lives This episode focuses on FORGIVENESS and the role it plays in the spiritual life of a recovering addict. Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant If this information has been helpful to you, Like, Subscribe, and consider making a donation to help spread the good news. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality can be a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in our lives This episode focuses on the quality of JOY in the spiritual life of a recovering addict. If you want to locate and feel JOY in your soul, be sure to watch and listen to the 5-minute YouTube video “Ode to Joy” linked below. “If you can spot it, you got it!” Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant Video: Ode to Joy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJcQYVtZMo --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality can be a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in our lives This episode focuses on the importance of HOPE in the spiritual life of a recovering addict. Show Notes: SpiritualEvolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant Harvard Study Hightlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Study Anthem by Leonard Cohen: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=anthem+leonard+cohen --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality can be a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in our lives This episode focuses on the meaning and transforming power of LOVE. Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant Used Copy Available HARVARD STUDY HIGHLIGHTS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Study References to LOVE in Key AA Literature (Courtesy 164andMore.com):https://www.164andmore.com/words/love.htm Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians For more on this topic, check out the Father Bill W. podcast series Inner Gold https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/episodes/Inner-Gold-God-Is-Out-of-the-Box-e1h26f3 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION written by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a research psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality is often a hard concept to grasp and his book helps make it understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey. We’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” towards realizing them in ourselves. This episode focuses on the important difference between faith and belief. Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant HARVARD STUDY HIGHLIGHTS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Study References to “Faith” in Key AA Literature: https://www.164andmore.com/words/faith.htm Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=%27man%27s+search+for+meaning%27&i=stripbooks&hvadid=580696318078&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028223&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1501299473015564863 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

The series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION written by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a research psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality is a hard concept to grasp, and his book helps make it more understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues we are evolving physically, culturally, and individually. This episode is focused on the geography of the brain and how it sets the stage for the spiritual journey. Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George E, Valliant Harvard Study Highlights https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Study Bill Wilson article Emotion Sobriety “The Next Frontier: Emotional Sobriety” by Bill Wilson (aainthedesert.org) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

This series explores the book SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION written by Dr. George E. Vaillant. The author was a research psychiatrist at Harvard and served as a non-alcoholic Trustee for Alcoholics Anonymous. Spirituality is a hard concept to grasp and his book helps make it more understandable. He defines spirituality as the realization of positive emotions such as love, hope, faith, joy, forgiveness, and compassion – along with awe and mystical illumination. The author argues our brains are hard wired for these and through the 12 Step journey, we’re evolving – “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly” to realizing them in ourselves. This should be a powerful series you won’t want to miss. Show Notes: Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith by George Vaillant HARVARD STUDY HIGHLIGHTS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Study --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

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 final episode, Fr. Bill and Andy explore the practice and benefits of frequent and meaningful inventories using Steps 4 and 10. Show Notes: Gems: Meditations on Alcoholism and Recovery by Andy C. Visit Andy at his website: the Fourth Dimension https://the4thdimension.ca/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

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/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

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/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Father Bill continues a series centered on Dr. Harry Tiebout, the first psychiatrist to recognize why AA worked while so many other methods (including his own) had failed. Tiebout also treated Bill Wilson for his depression and later served as an AA Trustee. The series uses Hazelden’s book: Harry Tiebout: The Collected Writings as a source and, where available, adds pdf articles in the Show Notes. In this episode Fr. Bill explores Tiebout’s article: Anonymity, the Ego Reducer. This was a talk he delivered in 1955 at the AA World Convention in St. Louis. A free pdf link to Tiebout’s article is available below. Show Notes: ⁠Tiebout’s Collected Writings⁠ ⁠Anonymity: The Ego Reducer⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support

Father Bill continues a series centered on Dr. Harry Tiebout, the first psychiatrist to recognize why AA worked while so many other methods (including his own) had failed. Tiebout also treated Bill Wilson for his depression and later served as an AA Trustee. The series uses Hazelden’s book: Harry Tiebout: The Collected Writings as a source and, where available, adds pdf articles in the Show Notes. In this episode Fr. Bill explores Tiebout’s classic article: Surrender vs Compliance. Tiebout believes compliance gets in the way of surrender but Fr. Bill isn’t so sure. See what you think. A free pdf version of Tiebout’s article is available in the show notes. Show Notes: Tiebout’s Collected Writings Surrender vs Compliance article --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fatherbillw/support