Welcome to Rebellion Dogs Publishing: home to Rebellion Dogs Radio, Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life, and a community for freethinkers in recovery.
THE MORE YOU BUY THE MORE YOU SAVE :-P
Resolutions and fresh starts. Rebellion Dogs says “Happy 2023” with some breaks on book prices. The book, Beyond Belief available in eBook or paperback has some breaks for you, you and a friend, you and your group. Also, check out what we're reading and books we're talking about.
BEYOND BELIEF CLICK the Book PIC above
We SOBER Agnostics (2023) A new book about a favorite topic. Meet Michael, maybe a more typical non-theist AA than I am. I belong to a secular AA group, Michael is in mainstream AA. If what we are learning about AA (according to the 2020 Great Britain membership survey, 65% of members have an atheist interpretation of ‘higher power’ and not most of the meetings in Great Britain AA are not agnostic/atheist meetings. Michael and I have a great talk about music, book writing, AA culture, all kinds of things, the time flies. Episode 71's musical guest is YXNI (Your eX aNd I) with some synth-pop 2023 music. Both the music and the one-alcoholic-talking-to-another are new this year, but familiar sounding.
Get in on the conversation. CLICK here for We Sober Agnostics (Episode 71 Rebellion Dogs Radio)
Okay, so (some of) you asked for it! “Rebellion Dogs our every sip at first” ha, ha, ha. (Some of) you asked for merch. T-shirts and hoodies coming but more asked for something to sip from while musing on daily reflections.
CLICK the PIC to get your own (oR cLiCk HERE)
Pictured below:
These researchers, pictured below are talking between sessions at the Recovery Capital Conference of Canada in Calgary (April 2022). Both of these men have been involved in recovery research for decades. We all have anecdotal lived experience so we have something to say when people ask, “What are the chances of getting and staying sober?” “Is relapse to be expected?” “How sober is sober, exactly?”
If you are long-term sober, so dry you're a fire hazard, here's a blog that can put your know-how up against scientific evidence about outcome rates and what influences recovery success. If you're new, we have some idea what's on your mind and while every journey is unique, this will give you a sense of what it takes, and what works best. READ IT, SHARE IT, HAVE YOUR SAY HERE
BRO-BRIETY…. Joe C joins Dr. Allen Berger, Thom Rutledge, Patrick Newman of EMOTIONAL SOBRIETY Podcast. What are we on about December 2022? We are talking about the phases of recovery over addiction and how Emotional Sobriety looks when you're counting days vs. counting decades of recovery. Allen's sponsor TOM was 54 YRS sober at the time of recording. CLICK Here for Emotional Sobriety Pod
who, who, who are you? In the early days of 2023 visitors from 244 cities are visiting us; topping the list are: New York, Dublin, Toronto, London, Chicago, Edinburgh, Cologne, Columbus, Antwerp, Vilonia, Winnipeg and Washington DC ... thanks everyone, by the way
What do we know about the beliefs of Alcoholics Anonymous members? How have AA's adjusted to the gains and pains of online (ZOOM) AA; what bridges and barriers has this brought? Well, we know the answer to these questions, at least for a meaningful sample size. Meet Mani Mehdikhani, psychologist and non-alcoholic trustee for the General Service Board of AA Great Britain. Mani is the architect of the 2020 membership survey which asked members in Gret Britain and Central Europe Region English-speaking members these questions and more; who is religious, who is secular, who loves the new virtual recovery, who feels left behind?
PODCAST PIT-STOPS with JOE C. - we stopped by three fellow recovery podcasters (click to listen)
How many podcasts do you listen to? Is it like a meeting-on-demand, you can tune into for free anytime, any place? Maybe every home group should have a podcast, sharing member's unique stories or your group's meeting-after-the-meeting coffee talk.
Available on YOUTUBE on Herb K's site from our co-hosting 1/2 day workshop Saturday April 23, 2022. Our topic is Step Two and Three. An atheist and a Big Book-literalist discuss the secular, practical path to AA sobriety's legitimate equivalency to the spiritual/religious version.
INFO HERE Watch or Listen here on YOUTUBE
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Hear the talk (audio only) CLICK View the presentation slide deck seen at the meeting Atheist and Agnostics by Joe C. Note: it's hard to say every interesting fact about the troubles and triumphs of secular AA members. This is a work in progress; if you can add anything or correct anything, email us. |
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The Urge: Our History of Addiction - new Rebellion Dogs Radio Episode
Join in on a discussion with Columbia University's Carl Erik Fisher, podcast host, teacher, psychiatrist and someone who's been on both sides of the person with addiction meets with psychiatrist dynamic. Yeah, it's quite a story. And his search for answers were not satisfied by science and medicine alone. Come along on Carl's trip that visits history, art and philosophy of Episode 68 CLICK HERE
Rev. Ward B Ewing has been engaged with AA since 1975. As a class A trustee (non-alcoholic), he was voted to the AA General Service Board chair from 2009 - 2013. He has been a champion of inclusivity in AA. Ward's efforts to make AA a more welcoming place for atheists and agnostics got him invited to be one of our speakers at the International gathering of secular AA members in Santa Monica in 2014. He has a new book. Based on lessons learned in AA and the changing demographic of creed in America, Ward has written Twelve Steps to Religionless Spirituality: The Power of Spirituality with or without God (2021). Ward is our guest on Rebellion Dogs Radio. Rebellion Dogs Radio.
I suppose turn around is fair play, Allen Berger was a guest on Rebellion Dogs Radio and now Joe C visits Thom, Patrick and Allen as a fourth musketeer on Emotional Sobriety Podcast #22. iTunes - Spotify - Amazon Podcast or click the pic for Stitcher Pod page
Do you want a 40% change at sustained, engaging recovery? Or would you prefer an 80% chance? Some of that will be informed by decision you make in the first days, months and year of sobriety.
Joe Nowinski is back on Rebellion Dogs Radio. Recovery After Rehab: A Guide for the Newly Sober and their Loved Ones is like the owners manual to your new sober life. "So, I'm finished my stint in rehab; what do I do now? What do I do first?" For all the $$$ you spent and/or your health provider spent on your in (or out) patient care to treat alcohol use (or other drug) disorder, the $28 for this book will help improve outcome rates. Listen now or download from your favorite podcast sites
SECULAR AA Meetings on Demand: Listen to International Conference of Secular AA speakers and panels any time, anywhere CLICK HERE
We kicked off 2021 with... would y,ou call it "a bang"? This was January 1st to kick off the year with an explosive topic on Here's Tom With the Weather click to hear the January 1 show
Click the pic for audio of Our June 19th, EURO ICSAA meetings + more or follow this link for audio + commentary from the first virtual event of its kind International Conference of Secular AA December 5, 2020
For the one-on-one interview CLICK HERE for Rebellion Dogs Radio
CLICK THE PIC or HERE to hear the show:
Joe C as a guest on other podcasts:
CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK to STREAM or DOWNLOAD episode 325 of Humanize Me - Bart Campolo of Humanize Me Podcast and Joe yackin' it up.
Share The Shair Podcast 138 to your heart's content. http://theshairpodcast.com/shair-138-atheists-agnostics-and-addiction-recovery-with-joe-c/
The quasi-official hang out online for freethinkers in 12-Step recovery is AABeyondBelief.com & AASECULAR.org Please join up and lurk to your delight or join the conversation.
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AA History: Growing in Understanding Group, Zoom ID 838 6045 3157 passcode TOGROWIN, Worldwide
From 1968 to the 2022 (soon to be released) AA Membership Survey in the USA we check our demographics for outreach to healthcare professionals and the general public. We also use the survey to take inventory of how we are doing: who is getting the help they need; who's being left behind. Looking at them collectively we can measure trends.
The Great Britain 2020 Membership Survey reveals two new talking points: How are AA members doing with the proliferation of Zoom (and other online) AA meetings? What do AA's really believe? Members answer if they believe in a higher power and how religious or secular they are.
This event is part of a series from the Growing in Understanding group.
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Free ZOOM event; help yourself to a program in several different time-zones ICSAA 2022 Program Oct 29 & 30 @ https://www.omagod.org/announcements
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this is "some of" the history of atheists and agnostics in AA. Secular AA has "widened AA's gateway" according to founders and "isn't REAL AA" according to fundamentalists. In this meeting we will take a historical look at gatherings: secular AA meetings, conferences and literature in AA.
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updated and revised history of secular AA: meetings and other gathering, the impact of Zoom, barriers and bridges, Secular AA: is it a different program or a different language?
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The Spirituality Series is sponsored by Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Herb K & Joe C will discuss their respective approaches: Traditional VS Non-Traditional and dialogue about their understanding and experience then open the workshop to participant questions. Herb K will unpack his understanding and experience with the Big Book from the “spiritual” perspective – helping participants clarify the practical meanings of: FAITH; CHOICE; DECISION. Joe C will share his approach from the “secular” viewpoint – addressing the % of people coming from or drawn toward atheism or agnosticism, modeling how to have an effective personal experience.
From Joe C.: “Step Two and Three are a process for a freethinker like me--not an event. My unaided will was insufficient to sustain sobriety. What resources would suffice; where would I go or what/whom would I turn to for the care that I needed? None of these are original ideas, but I heard them at AA meetings and applied them to my life: a) the power of example, b) a Group of Drunks, c) a higher purpose. As ideas and practical tools, these three touchstones have all been instrumental throughout my AA recovery. I see in these principles the same practices and hope of Steps Two and Three that others find who ‘call it God-consciousness’."
Herb K’s journey ~ 7 years in Claretian seminary, a graduate education in psychology, 40 years in human resources consulting, certification as a Spiritual Director, active participation in 12 Step Fellowship since 1984 and the publication of 3 books on spiritual awakening. www.herbk.com
Joe C’s search for a secular daily reflection book for people in recovery came up empty, leading to his writing “Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life” (2013). Joe is a broadcaster & author, clean and sober since Disco music. His writing, research and reporting efforts have been directed towards music, finance, travel, mental health and addiction/recovery. Joe hosts a syndicated show on IndieCan Radio, devoted to the emerging music scene and Rebellion Dogs Radio, a contemporary look at 12-step life. Contact Joe at https://rebelliondogspublishing.com/
Cost: $25 - Zoom information and links will be emailed to you a few days before each event. info: https://maryjoseph.org/event/steps-2-3-we-agnostics-a-choice-a-decision/ register: https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Form/ca432038-394c-4a06-992f-f6485beca71e
$25
Feb 2 2023
Oh Canada! Less people do spiritual stuff, like praying or turning to AA for help.
Read/print this February 2023 Blog in PDF
The 2021 Canada census data shows a transitioning diversity in our neighborhood (culturally/racially diverse Canada) and…
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Dec 24 2022
Can we end of pessimism in 2023?
Expectations lag behind outcome rates of recovery from addiction
Shake any family tree and one or two drunks fall out of it; that…
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Nov 29 2022
Read/download the PDF version of this blog, Remembering John Lauritsen: A Freethinker in AA
Professionals, and hopefully more people in recovery from substance use disorder, are discovering or re-discovering the practical lived experience offered in AA’s “little book,” Living…
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Nov 5 2022
There are a lot of fellowships where mutual-aid is available for almost every conceivable problem. Alcohol and other drug use disorders not a yes/no diagnosis anymore (eg: moderate, severe, chronic alcohol use disorder). Some people identify as having an alcohol…
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Aug 6 2022
The next era of 12-Step Recovery will see AA confronting our long period of—what I will call—being stuck. Predictably, what will follow will be to embrace innovation and the next generation of creative ways to express ourselves and to get…
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Jul 30 2022
Here are the slides and here is the audio for a talk by Joe C for the Recovery Speakers workshop on AA History
This 2022 presentation looks at atheist…
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The Little Book: A Collection of Alternative 12 Steps by Roger C.
Two great ways to start the day, Beyond Belief & The Little Book
