Our stories
Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. Thanks to Bill A. for providing these.
Founders Day 2019
Chad S – Akron, OH
Jennifer K – Plano, TX
Denny S – Woodlands, CA
Dain and Rhonda – Rocky Hill, CT Part 1
Dain and Rhonda J – Rocky Hill, CT Part 2
Chris S
Tim H
Don L
Other Founders Day and Big Book speakers:
Angie P. (Cincinnati) Founders Day 2008
This is the story of Angie P, a young-in-spirit black woman who spoke Saturday afternoon at Founders Day in 2008. After seven years, and without even hearing these CDs again, I must say that her voice still rings in my memory. She was not even the keynote speaker, although she could have been. She spoke in the J.A.R. Arena, which holds six or seven thousand people and, while it might not have been full to the rafters, the place really came alive.
She told her story, adding many voices and some song, all to paint a vivid picture of her life, which seemed like enough living to fill two lifetimes, and with enough heavy burdens to fill ten lifetimes. And yet she told a remarkably positive story. It is loud, exuberant and sometimes almost overwhelming, but most people’s reaction was to run up on the stage and give her a hug. Those familiar with the Big Book will understand her Baptist minister routine where she calls out “Rarely, I say rarely…(etc.)”.
For those not as familiar with the big book, this comes from the opening words of Chapter 5, which reads “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” And she really does a number on her preacher routine. She also has a remarkably beautiful singing voice that she shares with us at the end.
Bill A.
May 1, 2015
Dr. Paul O. – San Diego 1986
This is the story of Dr. Paul O. and always present in the story, his wife, Max. Both Dr. Paul and Max grew up in Alliance, OH. Dr. Paul first graduated from Pharmacy school so he could help run the family drug store in Alliance. Following that, he decided to go to medical school, and then to take a residency in Internal Medicine, which he practiced primarily in Southern California.
I do believe you will enjoy his story and the fun he pokes at himself and his wife Max. His story appears in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous, entitled, “Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict” in the third edition, Page 439. The story was retitled, “Acceptance was the Answer” for the fourth edition, and is found at page 407. It was retitled in part to recogize the concept of Acceptance to the AA Program.
Dr. Paul died at the age of 83 following open heart surgery in 2000, and Max departed this earth in 2003. I do believe he had continued to be an AA speaker around the country until nearly the time of his death. As they had been childhood friends and neighbors, their relationship spanned nearly eighty years, and they had been married over sixty years.
Bill A. October 1, 2015
Lyle P. (Conyers, GA)
Ocsoberfest 2003
See “Grounded” in the Big Book, 4th Ed. page 522
It is 64 minutes long, and filled with the miracles that keep coming in the AA program. It is an incredible story of hope and the pure joy discovered by so many in the program, and their families. Please consider sharing it with the alcoholic/addict in your life.
Lyle also shared his story as the main speaker at Founder’s Day a couple of years ago. This particular version from 2003 is the same, of course, but includes a few additional thoughts that I particularly liked.
Bill A.
March 1, 2015
Scott L
Founders Day 2009
This is our third military pilot: Lyle P (Marines,) Sandy B (Marines,) and Scott L, who was an Air Force Pilot. Lyle P was the only one who became a civilian Air Transport pilot after the service. There is something about military pilots and alcohol, or at least these three leads would lead one to think that way. I have known three military pilots personally, and only one had an alcohol problem, so maybe it’s not as bad as it sounds (only one third.)
Some of Scott’s story is a bit earthy as he calls on the Saturday night crows to own up to some of their less than pretty behaviour (the porcelain altar, etc.) but he has a good message, and he tells it with great enthusiasm and gratitude. For those of you who know Mary Pat K, who has a son who is a pilot in the Air Force – she reached out to Scott around the time of this lead, and they exchanged letters and phone calls. She can’t say enough good things about him.
Perhaps the main thing that I like about this lead is his good humor and enthusiasm, and he has plenty of both. Hope you enjoy the lead, and the enthusiasm of 14 thousand people or so, on Saturday night at Founders Day in 2009.
Bill A.
January 1, 2016
Tom I. (Southern Pines, NC)
@2nd New Year of Acceptance
Jan. 21-23 2005
This is the story of Tom I. Tom was convicted of Vehicular Homicide while under the influence of alcohol, and sent to prison. This starts his journey in AA, his eventual release from prison, and then his path to become a Prison Warden and eventually State Head of the Prison System in North Carolina, his home state.
“Opening” is the opening of the AA meeting, somewhere in Ohio, where Tom was invited to tell his story. They read “How It Works” (Chapter 5) from the original draft of the Big Book, and some of the language strikes them as funny (and it is, if you are only familiar with the present version.)
Bill A.
April 1, 2015
Founder’s Day 2016:
The “Big Book”
Here is the entire 3rd Edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous,” read aloud. (Personal stories not included.) (5 hours, 25 minutes)
Listen now: