This episode features a panel of experienced members who share their approach to taking a sponsee through the Twelve Steps. The discussion will focus on the importance of sticking to the literature, setting clear expectations, and tailoring the process to the individual while staying true to the fundamental principles of the program. It's a workshop on the art of spiritual guidance.

The simple act of asking for help can be one of the biggest hurdles for a newcomer. This episode offers practical advice and encouragement on making that first call to a potential sponsor. We'll discuss what to say, what to expect from the initial conversations, and how to overcome the fear of rejection or vulnerability.

We do a deep dive into Chapter 7 of the Big Book, "Working With Others," treating it as the original and essential guide for how early members approached sponsorship. This episode breaks down the chapter's practical advice, from how to approach a suffering alcoholic to what to do when they are not yet ready. It's a masterclass in the principles of the Twelfth Step.

This back-to-basics episode clearly defines the role of a sponsor as outlined in AA literature like the "Working With Others" chapter. We'll distinguish this unique, peer-based relationship from that of a therapist, a priest, or a best friend, emphasizing the sponsor's primary purpose: to guide a newcomer through the Twelve Steps. It’s an essential primer for anyone new to the program.

This episode explores the profound psychological and spiritual necessity of the Fifth Step: admitting the exact nature of our wrongs to another human being. We discuss why this act of sharing our deepest secrets is a cornerstone of so many ancient wisdom traditions and modern therapeutic practices. It's about breaking the isolation that keeps us sick and stepping into the light of fellowship and self-acceptance.

Using the famous talks by recovery pioneer Chuck C. as our guide, we explore the Twelfth Step as the ultimate result of the program: a complete psychic change. This episode discusses how "carrying the message" isn't a chore, but the natural outcome of seeing the world, ourselves, and other people through "a new pair of glasses." It's about living a life of service because that is where we find our greatest joy.

This episode explores the Third Step decision—"Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him"—not as a religious conversion, but as a profound spiritual act of surrender. We'll reference the universal spiritual principles in Emmet Fox's "The Sermon on the Mount," a book highly influential to early AA members, to show how this step is about aligning with a power of love and guidance, no matter one's creed.

The Tenth Step asks us to continue to take personal inventory and promptly admit when we are wrong, but how do we do this without falling into shame? Drawing on the compassionate approach found in works like Patrick Carnes's "A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps," we discuss how to practice a daily inventory with self-compassion and a focus on progress, not perfection.