BIG BOOK STUDY RECORDINGS
FULL ARCHIVE
Below you will find all of the recordings made by Dr. Mike based on a "Experience the Big Book" study. Find the one(s) you want and click "Listen here" to hear them on your computer.
This is the full archive, listed by date of publication - in other words, the earliest ones appear first.
To help find a particular episode or episode topic, you can use this search box to the right, or the Tag Cloud located at the bottom of this page and on individual episode pages.
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Episode List
Dr. Mike tells some of his story and how the Experience the Big Book Meeting came into being. He explains his motives and goals for this in-depth study of the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous.
Listen HereWhat is the Dr’s Opinion? To recover, what does one have to experience? What is the phenomenon of craving? What is the solution? What does he advise every reader of the book? Doctor’s Opinion – The Problemstep1- Part 2 – Ps xi-xxii -recorded sun feb 12 2017
Listen HereOur co-founder tells his story. In these pages we can see the progression of his disease. How do you relate to how Bill thought, how he thought, and how he drank? Great description of the first step. bill’s story p 1-5 sunday feb 19 2017 STEP 1
Listen HereHere is where Bill W. gets completely defeated and takes his first step. What was not the answer for Bill? What was he going to be catapulted into? What happened in November 1934 in his kitchen? What did Ebby Thatcher tell Bill he had found? BILL’S STORY P6-9 SUNDAY FEB26 2017 STEP1
Listen HereWhat are the manifestations of self? See the handout on self. What is the purpose of Step 4? What are you trying to face and be rid of? What is the number 1 offender? What needs to be straightened out first? What are the instructions for the first three columns of the resentment inventory? HOW…
Listen HereWhat did Ebby come to pass to Bill? What old ideas did Bill have to let go of? What did Ebby declare to Bill? What about Ebby changed Bill’s mind about God? What was the novel idea Ebby gave to Bill? What is required to make a beginning? BILL’S STORY P 9-12 SUNDAY MARCH 5…
Listen HereDr. Mike goes over the five paragraphs that changed his life! What is the key to your future? What do resentments lead to? What is an alcoholic’s hope? What does resentment lead to? What is required if we are to live? How do we escape and master resentment? What are the prayers used to be…
Listen HereHere is where Bill W. surrenders, lets go of his old ideas, works the steps, and has a spiritual awakening. What does he choose and become willing to believe? What was promised to him by his friend Ebby? What is AA’s promise? What is required? What price has to be paid? BILL’S STORY P12-16 SUNDAY…
Listen HereThis was one of our first podcasts and we had a lot of newcomers, so Dr. Mike reviewed what we are trying to achieve and how does the Big Book help us do that? Excellent summary. Also finish resentment inventory Look at our mistakes HOW IT WORKS STEP 4 INVENTORY RESENTMENT P 64 WEDNESDAY MARCH…
Listen HereWhat is required to be restored to sanity? What will cause us trouble? How do I get a daily reprieve? What vision must I carry every day? How can I exercise my will power properly? INTO ACTION STEP 10 P 85 SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017
Listen HeresundayThe page that every newcomer needs to read and understand. What is our common peril? What is the cement that binds us? What are the two powers in Alcoholics Anonymous? Why do we need both? What is the great news? THERE IS A SOLUTION SUNDAY P17 MARCH 19 2017 STEPS 1- 12
Listen HereDr. Mike uses these pages to review what is the disease of alcoholism. How can an ex-problem drinker help the untreated alcoholic? How does a recovered alcoholic approach most effectively the untreated alcoholic? Problem and the disease. THERE IS A SOLUTION SUNDAY MARCH 26 2017 P 17-19 STEP 1
Listen HereWhy does someone have fear? On what basis is a better way of life? What are the requirements for a better way of life? What is my role in life? How can we match calamity with serenity? What do we let God demonstrate? How do we begin to outgrow fear? HOW IT WORKS STEP 4…
Listen HereWhat is the purpose of the Big Book? What defines the real alcoholic? What is the riddle that cannot be answered? Where does our problem center? Loss of choice in drink. THERE IS A SOLUTION SUNDAY P20-24 STEP 1 APRIL 2 2017
Listen HereThe second step proposition exercise looks at the proposition “Is God everything or nothing?” What is our choice to be? Discusses surrender, the ego, and how what I want doesn’t matter. It discusses what is involved in surrender in the third step. How does fear relate to our choice? See the handout in resources for…
Listen HereHow is the choice, described on 53 of the Big Book, related to fear? What is the origin of fear? How does it get removed? What is the prayer used regarding fear? What action can you take to have a quick resource to examine any fears that you would have during the day? HANDOUT ON…
Listen HereDr. Mike reviews the specific instructions and questions regarding our conduct in the past. What do each of us try to shape? What do we ask God in meditation? How is this inventory related to the exact nature of our wrongs? HOW IT WORKS STEP4 SEX INVENTORY P 69-70
Listen HeresWhat is the result of desperation? What do we get when we reach out? What has been given me? What have we learned? What should be described in our stories? What is the spiritual experience? What is necessary to have and what is a barrier against achieving this experience? SUNDAY THERE IS A SOLUTION P28-29…
Listen HereWhat do you begin to comprehend as a result of the Step 4 inventory? What have I begun to learn? What am I willing to straighten out? What am I convinced of? HOW IT WORKS STEP4 P70-1 WEDNESDAY APRIL 26 2017
Listen HereHere we review the first step in Recovery. What does an alcoholic lose control over? What is the point of the “Man of 30”? What has an alcoholic lost choice over? SUNDAY MORE ABOUT ALCOHOLISM STEP 1 AND 2 P30-33 APRIL 30 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike goes over the specific instructions to inventory resentments, fears, and conduct to make it simple to do. Handouts on the site aid in taking this important step. STEP 4 SUMMARY REVIEW OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 4TH STEP WEDNESDAY MAY 3 2017
Listen HereWhat makes our alcoholic problem hopeless? What have I lost power over? What is the crux of the problem? In Jim’s story, what did he fail to do? What is the insanity described in the Big Book? MORE ABOUT ALCOHOLISM STEP 1 AND 2 P34-37 SUNDAY MAY 14 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike begins the chapter which contains Steps 5 – 11. He reviews what has been accomplished to this point. How do Steps 4 and 5 relate in the Big Book? What does Step 5 actually say? INTO ACTION STEP 5 P 72
Listen HereDr. Mike examines the 12th Step in detail. What are the three parts to Step 12? Why is working with others critical and what part does it play in recovery? How do we approach someone on the first visit?
Listen HereDr. Mike examines the 12th Step in detail. What are the three parts to Step 12? Why is working with others critical and what part does it play in recovery? How do we approach someone on the first visit? WORKING WITH OTHERS STEP 12 P91- 92 SATURDAY MAY 20 2017
Listen HereWe read about the jaywalker and Fred. What is the similarity between the jaywalker and an alcoholic? What is alcoholic insanity? Why is Fred’s story so powerful? What was the solution given to Fred? What is the conclusion of the first 43 pages and Dr’s Opinion? MORE ABOUT ALCOHOLISM P 37-43 SUNDAY MAY 21 2027
Listen HereDr. Mike looks at the 5th Step and how it relates to the 4th Step as written in the Big Book. Why is Step 5 necessary? What is my life’s story? What causes failure to complete the program? What is required? INTO ACTION STEP 5 P72-74 WEDNESDAY MAY24 2017
Listen HereWe study the instructions to complete the first visit with the new person. What is the problem we present? What is the solution? How do we discuss spiritual terms? What are the spiritual principles? WORKING WITH OTHERS STEP 12 P92-96 SATURDAY MAY 27 2017
Listen HereWe begin the study of this powerful spiritual chapter. These two pages describe: what is an alcoholic and what are the choices as a result. What is needed to conquer alcoholism? What is your dilemma and what is the main objective of the book? WE AGNOSTICS P 44-45 SUNDAY MAY 28 2017
Listen HereWhat are the results of step 5? We look at the Step 5 promises. What do you consider after taking this step? What is the arch to freedom?step 5 INTO ACTION STEP 5 P74-5 WEDNESDAY MAY 31 2017
Listen HereHow do you use the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” in taking the 12th Step with someone? What is your recovery based on? What must be burned into everyone’s consciousness? What is the foundation stone of recovery? WORKING WITH OTHERS STEP 12 P 96 -98 SATURDAY JUNE 3 2017
Listen HereWhat do we have to believe in the 2nd Step? What do we have to change our mind about? What is required to be on the broad highway with God? What is an agnostic? SUNDAY WE AGNOSTICS P 45-47 STEP 2 JUNE 4 2017
Listen HereHow do we improve on the truth? What is truth? What is the design for living described in our program? Why do we admit to God and another human being? What is the result? What is the exact nature of our wrongs? Studying the steps we took by joe mcq who started the joe and…
Listen HereHow do we approach domestic problems with the new person? What are the spiritual principles involved? What is my recovery dependent upon? What must I do every day? We read Page 100, paragraph 1 and look at its powerful message. WORKING WITH OTHERS STEP 12 P98 – 100 SATURDAY JUNE 9 2017
Listen HereWe continue discussion of the 2nd step and how you come to believe, or are willing to believe, in a power greater than yourself. What are the arguments for believing in a such a power? WE AGNOSTICS P 47-52 SUNDAY JUNE 11 2017
Listen HereWhat is the design for life? How does it relate to Step 5? What do you discuss in Step 5? What is the origin of my wrongs? How is this knowledge used to produce a personality change? THE STEPS WE TOOK CHPTER 5 STEP 5 P76-81 WEDNESDAY JUNE 14 2017
Listen HereThe final three pages on directions emphasizes the spiritual status and purpose of our life. What is our role? What can we do? What attitudes should we carry to any situation? What do I have to do constantly? WORKING WITH OTHERS STEP 12 AND SPIRITUAL CONDITION P 100-103 SATURDAY P 100-103
Listen HerePowerful pages! What are the bedevilments? What idea works? What had we been worshipping? Did that work? What is our choice each day? When I became an alcoholic? How do we go from belief to faith? What is our choice to be? WE AGNOSTICS P52-54 SUNDAY JUNE 24 2017
Listen HereWhat is my problem? How do I get free of a problem? What happens if I suppress my resentments, fears, harms? What is the immediate result of step 5? THE STEPS WE TOOK CHAPTER 5 STEP 5 WEDNESDAY JUNE 24 2017
Listen HereHow does an alcoholic behavior look to the people closest to you? When they describe alcoholic destruction, you could ask yourself, did I behave like that? Did I cause those things? Can you see how you might have harmed people? What about the classification of the alcoholic? How does these pages tie into P. 82…
Listen HereWhere is god? How do we find god? What is required to establish the relationship? How do we stay close to god? How does he reveal himself to us? WE AGNOSTICS P54-58 SUNDAY JULY 1 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike ties the promises read at every meeting to the fellowship of the spirit. We review the instructions on how to be in conscious contact with God. What do we do each day? What is our vision? What is fit spiritual condition and how do we get there? INTO ACTION STEP 10 AND 11…
Listen HereDr mike in this podcast looks at p24-25. These two pages describe on one side the problem and the opposite page, the solution. What is my problem? What does it mean? What is involved in the solution? What is the great fact and the central fact for the people who wrote this book? What are…
Listen HereSaturdays – Year 1 – Ep. 6: Step 11 – Improving my conscious contact with God – Into Action – P 86-8
Dr. Mike reviews p 86-88 in this podcast. These three pages describe how we seek to improve our conscious contact with God and knowledge of his will for us. What do I review at night? How do I begin my day? What do I ask in meditation? What do I do when I am emotionally…
Listen HereHow do resentments relate to fear? How is fear described in the Big Book? How is it classified? Why do I have it? How is fear and the spiritual malady related? Step 4 and how it relates to fear. HOW IT WORKS STEP 4 FEAR P67-8 WEDNESDAY MARCH 22 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike reviews what the authors meant when they said they had recovered. What is required to be recovered from alcoholism? What are the recovered promises? These should be read at every meeting! How do you keep the promises going in your life? INTO ACTION STEP 10 P84-85 SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike reviews what are the specific directions in working with a newcomer. What are the spiritual principles? What is a spiritual awakening and how is it manifested? How can you tell you have had one? How do you keep it? WORKING WITH OTHERS STEP 12 P89-90 SATURDAY APRIL 29 2017
Listen HereWe look at who gave us the solution to our hopeless condition of mind and body. What is a chronic alcoholic mind? What did the Dr. say about the recovery from that condition? What is the vital spiritual experience described in Page 27? What happened to Roland Hazard and how does it relate to how…
Listen HereWhat is suggested in Step 11? What is required for prayer and meditation to be effective? When you retire at night, what do you review? How is this related to Step 4? What do we ask God every night? What is our primary purpose? INTO ACTION STEP 11 P85 – 86 SATURDAY MARCH 28 2017
Listen HereHow do we change? How do we become willing ? How are these the steps of change? What do we practice to change? INTO ACTION STEP 6 AND 7 P 75 WEDNESDAY JUNE 28 2017
Listen HereWhat was the Oxford Group? How did it influence Bill W. and Dr. Bob? Who were the players put together by god so we would have the program of recovery? History behind the big book. RECORDED JULY 23 2017
Listen HereJoe mcq who started the joe and charlie big book study shares his insight into how these steps are the pinnacle of the AA program. How with God’s help we change our personalities ? What do I practice? Refer to the spiritual checklist which is found in the resources for recovery. THE STEPS WE TOOK…
Listen HereDr. Mike in this podcast looks at the spiritual principles contained in these pages. How do you help the alcoholic? Twelve step principles? How as an alcoholic do i affect others? How should someone help the alcoholic? TO WIVES SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES P 108 – 116 SATURDAY JULY 29 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike looks at these pages and also looks at the original manuscript of how it works in this podcast. What do they say about honesty? What were the changes made to original manuscript prior to publication? What is the it? HOW IT WORKS P 58 JULY 30 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike in this podcasts looks at the steps that change us.How do we change? What do I have to do to change? What are my old ideas? How is letting go the key to change? Tremendous info in this reading THE STEPS WE CHANGE STEP 6 AND 7 CHAPTER 6 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2 2017
Listen HereIn this podcast Dr. Mike discusses relationships and the spiritual principles to make them work . Howto work or relate to the alcoholic. Some excellent 12th step principles as well as principles for spiritual living. TO WIVES STEP 12 PAGES 116 -121 SATURDAY AUGUST 5 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike in this podcast looks at old ideas and dropping the rock, how is alcohol powerful, how is god defined . What is the turning point? What is the suggestion of the authors? Where is God found? HOW IT WORKS THE HOW IT WORKS PREAMBLE 58-59 SUNDAY AUG 6 2017
Listen HereUpdate from Dr. Mike about the ETBB Podcast.
Listen HereDr. Mike in this podcast looks at steps 6 and 7. How do we use steps 6 and 7 every day to change our personalities? Excellent info on this pivotal step. W hat do I try to practice each day? How does this step produce emotional sobriety? THE STEPS WE TOOK STEP 6-7 WEDNESDAY AUGUST…
Listen HereDr. Mike in this podcast looks at this chapter on family reconstruction and recovery. How do the steps help us in our relationships with family and the world? How does this chapter look at step 1 and step 12? How do we practice principles at home? THE FAMILY AFTERWARD STEP 1 AND STEP 12 P…
Listen HereDr Mike outlines the steps and the powerful info read at every meeting in this podcast.The program of recovery. What is the turning point? How is alcohol powerful? What are old ideas? How does each step flow into the next step? Each step reviewed. HOW IT WORKS P59-60 AUGUST 13 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike in this podcast continues the review of Steps 6 and 7 using the info and suggestions from Joe Mcq . Why do i need to do these steps every day? What is the result of practicing these steps ? What is the result of not practicing these steps? What are character defects? How do…
Listen HereDr. Mike covers the 3rd Step from How it Works in this podcast. What is the first requirement for step 3? What makes up self will? How does it look to have a life run on self will? In resources of recovery on the site are handouts on self will, gods will, arch to freedom.…
Listen HereDr. Mike reviews Step 8 from How it Works in his latest podcast. What is required for step 8? How do we get a harms list? Why have a step 8 and 9? How do we get willing? INTO ACTION STEP 8 P76 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23 2017
Listen HereDr. Mike begins his step 4 study in this podcast. What is self will? What are its manifestations? How does self will run riot relate to the decision in Step 3? What do you decide? What do you do? How is the inventory process in the Big Book similar to a business inventory SEE HANDOUT…
Listen HereIn this podcast Dr. Mike looks at the problem of alcoholism described by Dr. Silkworth. What does the Dr. say is the problem? what is the allergy to alcohol? what happens sober that we take the first drink? what is the solution? sunday drs opinion step1 pxxv-xxix recorded at home aug 28 2017
Listen HereDr Mike reviews these pages on the 3rd step in this podcast . what is the decision in step 3? what is the result? what is the arch we are building? Foundation of the arch? Cornerstone? Who is our new employer? What is our contract with God? Handouts on arch to freedom, self will vs…
Listen HereIn this podcast Dr. Mike reviews this chapter written to help employers understand the alcoholic. Then they can deal in the best manner to provide support and help.. It also gives excellent tips on how to 12th step the alcoholic. There are also many spiritual principles discussed. What are the greatest enemies of the alcoholic?…
Listen HereDr. Mike in this podcasts looks at instructions for step 9. How do approach the person you hated? How did you harm them? What does amend mean? Do you have changed attitude when you get to step 9? How do you approach those whom you owe money? What about criminal offense? How do you use…
Listen HereDr. Mike looks at the first 3 pages of this chapter. The authors describe how alcohol affects you in the beginning of our disease then contrasts it with the destruction and despair as we full prey it’s power. There is so much information in these few pages . The end is then contrasted with what…
Listen HereWhat is the decision in step 3 ? why do I need to stop playing God? What is my new relationship with God? What are the 3rd step promises? What is my contract with God? What are the changes as a result of this decision? HOW IT WORKS STEP3 P62-3 SUNDAY AUGUST 27 2017
Listen HereWe look at the turning point for all alcoholics! What happened to Bill W in Akron Ohio in may 1935? It is an excellent description of the alcoholics thinking before the first drink. The hand of God reached out to all alcoholics in the lobby of the mayflower hotel. Every time I read these pages…
Listen HereSundays – Year 1 Ep. 27: Step 3 – The Third Step Prayer and Intro Step 4 – How it Works – Pages 63-4
What is the 3rd step prayer ? What are we asking from God? What is the result? What is the bondage of self? When do you do step4? What is the purpose of step 4? What happens if you don’t do step 4? HOW IT WORKS STEP 3 STEP4 P63-4 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10 2017
Listen HereThis step is how we lose fear of people. We become willing thru prayer in step 8. If you are not willing to make a specific amend I suggest you redo your inventory of that person or institution. The pages we study give specific instructions on different situations and type of amends. What isn’t directly…
Listen HereThese promises are read at almost all of the meetings in topeka usually off a card. There are promises throughout the big book. Why are they on page 83? What actions have been taken so these promises come true? They are spiritual promises.We will look at the wording and what they mean. How do we…
Listen Here:What is an inventory? How do they compare a business inventory to a moral inventory? What does moral inventory mean? Why do we do it? If self defeated me what are the manifestations of self? Please go to resources on site and find the handout on what makes up self and the handout on God’s…
Listen HereWe have entered the world of the spirit . How do we stay there? What are the instructions for daily inventory? This is how you live each day to stay connected to God. What does WADAT stand for? INTO ACTION STEP 10 P84 WEDNESDAY SEPT 20 2017
Listen HereThese powerful pages describe the meeting of our two founders. What happened at their meeting? Dr Bob has his last drink and finishes amends and AA is born. A VISION FOR YOU AA HISTORY P153-155 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16
Listen HereIn this episode the instructions on the resentment inventory are explained. The first three columns and the examples on p65 are reviewed in detail. In order to understand the third column the handout on what makes up self is reviewed. This handout can be found on the site under resources for recovery. How it works…
Listen HereFrom the 12 and 12 step 10 p 90 – 91. The problem is me whenever I am disturbed. Is anger ever justified? How do we get undisturbed? These pages have helped me so much. How do I practice spiritual exercises all day long?
Listen HereThe founders go to AA number 3. The account of the interaction is so powerful all newcomers should read those pages. Then the beginning of AA and the spiritual principles that were used is reviewed. How does AA that you participate in compare? Are you in the spirit of the fellowship or the fellowship of…
Listen HereHow do we get free of anger? They give us the specific directions on p66 – 67. We review them in detail .These pages are not emphasized enough in my opinion. They have changed my life! HOW IT WORKS P 66 – 67 SUNDAY OCT 1 2017
Listen HereHow is step 10 a daily practice of steps 1-9. What is the purpose of step 10? What does a spot check inventory accomplish? Why is it important to stay in the moment? Where is God? The steps we took chapter 10 step 10 recorded wed oct 11 2017
Listen HereWhat are the recovered promises? What is the result of a fit spiritual condition? What vision must I carry every day? What is the proper use of the will? How do you get a daily reprieve? INTO ACTION p 84 – 85
Listen HereThe authors end the first 164 pages with a powerful vision and hope for alcoholics . Who do we rely on? How do you find the fellowship you crave? God will disclose more to you provided you take what actions? What is the great fact for them? Is it true for you? Are you in…
Listen HereWe review the instructions for the first 3 columns. How we get free of anger. How we change our attitude towards those with whom we were angry. Practice of forgiveness. Then we look at the instructions for the fourth column on page 67. How we look at our mistakes and see the exact nature of…
Listen HereStep 10 is how we continue to inventory daily to maintain contact with our higher power. We look at the information in this book by Joe Mcq on the instructions in this step. How we use the tools we learned in steps 4 – 9 to grow in understanding and effectiveness of the world of…
Listen HereFear is the second manifestation of self that is inventoried in the fourth step on pages 66 – 67. These pages provide a powerful look at fear, it’s cause , and offer instructions on how to be free of fear. This information is reviewed in detail. These pages have changed my life .
Listen HereStep 10 is the one day at a time step. Do I continue to use the spiritual tools of steps 4 – 9 on a daily basis? I now have responsibility for how I react to life. Do I choose to continue to inventory with God every day? Conscious contact or conscious separation, what is…
Listen HereLook at pages 84 – 85 in into action that cover step 10. Review the importance of this step and how it relates to the other steps. Then look at p 85 and the powerful information presented. What must the alcoholic do each day? What must he carry into each day? I try to live…
Listen HereThe second step proposition exercise helps one look at fear and learn tools to be rid of fear. It is based on the question asked in chapter to the agnostic is God everything or nothing? What is your choice to be? If I choose God is nothing in any area of my life then I…
Listen HereThis meeting was the night before thanksgiving. Did something different . Hope you enjoy. Let me know at mhurwitz50@gmail.com.
Listen HereTonight we complete this spiritual exercise to enable us to be free of fear. There are specific instructions to recognize and use the fear prayer whenever fear crops up. These pages have given me tools to use that whenever fear crops up. I hope this will be helpful to you.
Listen HereWe look at the instructions for improving conscious contact with God. Suggestions for prayer and meditation are given. They talk about how one should look at prayer and meditation. Then they tell how we should do our nightly review and we look in detail at these suggestions. I have found this to be an essential…
Listen HereWe are finishing the 4th step inventory on fear. I was studying this section of the sermon on the mount and it deals with fear, forgiveness, judgement, first things first, and getting everything we need from God. I copied these 2 pages from the life application bible and looked at the commentary as well as…
Listen HereWe look at the instructions on prayer and meditation on pages 86-88. What do we do in the am? How do improve our thought life? How do we handle indecision? What do we ask for during the day? When agitated or doubtful what should we do? What is the proper use of the will?
Listen HereThe third part of step 4 is about Sex. There are 2 pages devoted to looking at our conduct in sex relationships and we can use this information to look at all of our relationships. This info is rarely read at any meetings or discussed . We want to change our behavior. We don’t want…
Listen HereWe are going to look at the material in this chapter. They follow the instructions in the big book but Joe Mcq has a way of making it come alive. This book compliments the big book and is an excellent way to sponsor someone. Joe Mcq met Charlie P in 1978 and they did the…
Listen HereThis episode covers the instructions for prayer in the morning. Then we look at the daily meditation on indecision. Finally we review the directions for day.
Listen Here