The websupport9r's Podcast

Speaker: Dave F.From: MinnesotaDate: 1994Event: Together We CanAA Member: YesGender: MaleSobriety at Recording: 10 yearsExplicit: YesPrimary Topic: Recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction while healing from trauma and abuseThemes: Alcoholism, drug addiction, childhood trauma, domestic abuse, suicide attempt, military service, gay identity, relationships, nursing, treatment, AA recovery, internalized homophobia, therapy, healing, self-worth, and moving from victim to survivor.
Dave F. — From Secrets to Healing | Together We Can, 1994
In this deeply personal recording from the 1994 Together We Can conference, Dave F. of Minnesota shares ten years of recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction and reflects on the long process of healing from trauma, shame, and isolation.
Dave describes growing up in Iowa and experiencing serious trauma during childhood and later in adult relationships. Alcohol and drugs became a way to numb painful emotions and escape experiences he did not know how to process.
His story follows him through California, Oregon, military service, relationships, nursing school, and years of increasingly destructive drinking and drug use. Despite periods of professional success, addiction continued to affect his relationships, health, judgment, and ability to live honestly.
A major turning point came in 1983, when a severe blackout and medical emergency led to hospitalization and treatment. Dave entered a professional monitoring program that allowed him to continue working as a nurse while beginning a life in recovery.
Sobriety stopped the alcohol and drugs, but Dave gradually discovered that recovery required more than abstinence. Through Alcoholics Anonymous, therapy, his work at Pride Institute, and support from other gay men in recovery, he began confronting the fear, shame, and painful memories he had carried for years.
Dave speaks about learning to accept himself as a gay man, allowing himself to experience emotions rather than numb them, and understanding that healing can continue many years into sobriety.
His message is ultimately one of identity, recovery, and hope. By the time of this recording, Dave no longer describes himself as a victim. He identifies as a survivor, a recovering alcoholic and addict, and most imp
 
 
 
 

Speaker: Chuck W.From: Detroit, MichiganDate: 1994 — exact date not statedEvent: UnknownLocation: Traverse City, MichiganAA Member: YesGender: MaleSobriety Date: January 14, 1980Sobriety at Recording: About 14 yearsExplicit: YesPrimary Topic: Alcoholism, gay identity, spirituality, service, and staying sober through major life challengesThemes: Gay AA, alcoholism, DUI arrests, prescription drug abuse, suicide attempt, sponsorship, the Steps, service work, finding a Higher Power, serious illness, bankruptcy, relationships, AIDS-related loss, grief, self-acceptance, gratitude, and giving back through AA.
Podbean Summary
Chuck W. — The Double Whammy: Gay, Sober & Grateful | Traverse City, 1994
In this 1994 talk from Traverse City, Chuck W. shares more than fourteen years of sobriety and his experience of what he calls the “double whammy” of being both alcoholic and gay.
Chuck describes growing up in Detroit, serving in the Air Force, and a drinking problem that progressed through heavy alcohol use, prescription drugs, repeated DUI arrests, health problems, and eventually the realization that he was sick and tired of being sick and tired. In January 1980, a recovering coworker drove through a snowstorm to take him to his first AA meeting.
That first meeting did little for him, but shortly afterward Chuck attended a Gay Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Detroit. For the first time, he felt that he had found a place where he belonged. He has remained sober since January 14, 1980.
Chuck reflects on sponsorship, service work, taking inventory, learning to accept himself as a gay man, and developing a relationship with a Higher Power. He shares how serious illness, unemployment, bankruptcy, and the loss of friends and sponsees during the AIDS crisis challenged his recovery but ultimately deepened his reliance on the AA program.
A major theme of Chuck's story is service. From making coffee and chairing meetings to helping organize conferences and working with other alcoholics, he came to believe that sobriety is strengthened by giving away what has been freely given.
Chuck also speaks about separating his alcoholism from his sexuality. For years he believed he drank because he was gay; in recovery, he came to understand that he drank because he was alcoholic—and that being gay was simply part of who he was.
His message is one of gratitude, acceptance, and action: go to meetings, work the Steps, find a sponsor, develop a spiritual life, and give the program away to others.
Historical recording from approximately 1994. Contains adult language and discussions of alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, suicide, sexuality, serious illness, AIDS, death, and grief.

Speaker: Christopher B.From: Bowling Green, OhioDate: August 24, 1991Event: 9th Ohio RoundupLocation: OhioAA Member: YesGender: MaleSobriety Date: Memorial Day weekend, 1983Sobriety at Recording: About 8 yearsExplicit: YesPrimary Topic: Recovery, self-acceptance, fear, complacency, and finding a life in sobrietyThemes: Gay identity, alcoholism, loneliness, sexual assault, suicide attempt, psychiatric hospitalization, New York gay life, AA sponsorship, service, spirituality, moving from New York to Ohio, coming out in recovery, fear, perfectionism, gratitude, and avoiding complacency.
Podbean Summary
Christopher B. — Fear, Acceptance & the Road of Happy Destiny | 9th Ohio Roundup, 1991
In this recording from the 9th Ohio Roundup, Christopher B. shares his experience of alcoholism, recovery, and learning to accept himself as a gay man. Eight years sober at the time of this talk, Christopher reflects on how fear, loneliness, grandiosity, and the need to appear successful shaped much of his life before Alcoholics Anonymous.
Christopher describes growing up feeling different, a traumatic experience during his teenage years, psychiatric hospitalization, and years of drinking while moving through college, Denver, New York City, relationships, nightlife, and professional life. Despite appearing successful on the outside, alcohol gradually narrowed his world until he reached the point where he could no longer continue living the way he had been.
After finally admitting that he could not stop drinking, Christopher found his way to an AA meeting near his New York apartment. On Memorial Day weekend in 1983, after another night of drinking, he returned to that meeting and became willing to do what was suggested. He has not had a drink since.
Christopher shares how sponsorship, meetings, service, spirituality, and the Fellowship helped him rebuild his life. He also discusses leaving New York to attend graduate school in Bowling Green, Ohio, and the experience of learning that he could be openly gay, sober, and accepted without apologizing for who he was.
His closing message focuses on two dangers he continues to guard against in recovery: fear and complacency. Christopher reminds newcomers to look around, listen to the laughter, and recognize that recovery truly can get better as we travel together on what the Big Book calls the “road of happy destiny.”
Historical recording from August 24, 1991. Contains adult language and discussions of sexuality, sexual assault, suicide, mental health treatment, and alcoholism.

Bobby A @ Feeling Good San Diego CA 9/11/1988
Speaker: Bobby B.
Gender: Male
AA member: Yes — identifies as an alcoholic and addict
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Recording date: September 11, 1988
Event: Feeling Good ’88 / Feeling Good Conference
Location: San Diego, California
Sobriety at recording: Approximately 3 years after returning to AA
Primary topic: Experience, strength and hope after relapse — addiction, surrender, mental health, HIV, and rebuilding a life through AA.
Additional themes: Growing up gay; performing and drag; alcoholism and drug addiction; heroin; incarceration; relapse after years without alcohol; suicide attempts; depression; medication in sobriety; HIV-positive diagnosis; family amends; spirituality; gay AA; and living one day at a time.
Explicit: Yes
Historical/adult-content advisory: Yes
Transcript reviewed: Yes

Yes — #106 is the right match. The IAC catalog identifies it as Bobby Abrami, August 12, 1988, but leaves his location, event, and topic blank. The transcript lets us fill in quite a bit more.
Tracking information — Catalog #106
Speaker: Bobby A. — catalog lists Bobby Abrami
Gender: Male
AA member: Yes
From: New York City, NY — specifically Brooklyn. Bobby says he lives in Brooklyn Heights and repeatedly identifies himself with New York and Brooklyn.
Recording date: August 12, 1988
Recording location: Los Angeles, California
Event: Unknown. The transcript clearly establishes that he was invited to speak in Los Angeles, but I don't see an event or conference name supported by the recording.
Sobriety date: March 17, 1975
Sobriety at recording: Approximately 13 years
Age at recording: 45
Primary topic: Bobby's AA recovery story, particularly his journey as a gay alcoholic from fear, addiction, and destructive relationships to service, connection, and genuinely loving sobriety.
Additional themes: Growing up gay in an Italian Catholic family; alcoholism and drug use; New York gay life; Fire Island; relationships and domestic violence; psychiatric hospitalization; suicide attempt; AA special-interest/gay meetings; Al-Anon; sponsorship; grief; AIDS-era losses; service; the Steps and Traditions.
Explicit-content setting: Definitely Explicit – Yes. This is one of the clearest ones so far. Bobby uses frequent strong profanity and discusses sex, drugs, poppers, physical violence, suicide, and other adult experiences quite directly.
Historical-language advisory: Yes. Bobby frequently uses LGBTQ+ terms for himself and others that were common within gay communities at the time but can sound offensive outside their historical context.
Transcript reviewed: Yes
AA speaker: Yes
Gender: Male

Speaker: Bill K / Bill K.
Gender: Male
AA member: Yes
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Recording year: 1992
Exact date: Not stated in the transcript or current catalog information
Event: Together We Can ’92
Event location: Detroit, Michigan
AA history: Bill describes an unsuccessful first attempt at AA followed by a rapid return to severe drinking and drug use. After detox and a 28-day treatment program, he established the sobriety he describes in this recording.
Primary topic: Recovery from alcoholism and addiction; moving from image and external validation toward acceptance, self-esteem, and a meaningful life.
Additional themes: Growing up gay, coming out, gay bar culture, alcohol and drug addiction, relapse, detox and treatment, acceptance, intolerance and expectations, relationships, service, conferences, spirituality, and pursuing dreams in sobriety.
Explicit-content setting: Explicit – Yes. It isn't sexually graphic, but there is some profanity, discussion of sex and gay bar culture, drunk driving, heavy alcohol use, amphetamines and sedatives. I would use the Explicit designation to be safe.
Historical-language advisory: Probably not necessary. This is a historical recording and contains period references, but unlike some of the earlier tapes, I don't think a specific language warning is needed.
Transcript reviewed: Yes
AA speaker: Yes
Gender: Male

Speaker: Bill J.
Gender: Male
AA member: Yes
From: San Antonio, TX — this is what the original tape catalog lists. The talk itself does not clearly establish that San Antonio was his home at the time.
Recording date: September 4, 1988
Event: The Texas Roundup
Location: San Antonio, Texas
AA history: First attended AA in 1957 in Boston. He later returned to drinking for an extended period before establishing continuous sobriety approximately 12 years before this recording, or around 1976.
Primary topic: Personal recovery story; accepting alcoholism and being gay; finding belonging and emotional connection through gay AA.
Additional themes: Early gay life in the 1940s–50s, alcoholism, relapse, workaholism, family relationships, mental health treatment, sponsorship, gay AA groups, relationships, cancer, and finding a life in sobriety.
Explicit-content setting: Explicit – Yes. This one contains profanity, direct discussion of sexual experiences and sexual abuse, historical descriptions of homosexuality and arrests, suicidal thoughts, and some strong language. I would definitely mark this Explicit in Podbean.
Historical-language advisory: Yes. Some terminology and descriptions reflect attitudes toward homosexuality during the 1940s–1980s.
Transcript reviewed: Yes
AA speaker: Yes
Gender field: Male

peaker: Barry L.
From: New York
Gender: Male
AA member: Yes
Recording date: June 29, 1985
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Event: Not identified in the tape library or transcript
Primary topic: Tradition Three; LGBTQ+ history and inclusion in AA
Additional themes: Early AA history, Bill W., Lois W., development of the Traditions, gay AA meetings, the 1973–74 General Service Conference debate over listing gay/lesbian groups, anonymity, spirituality, and unconditional acceptance
Adult/explicit: I would probably mark this one Explicit rather than Clean. It isn't graphic, but Barry uses several stronger period terms and profanity and discusses sexuality fairly directly. That is safer for podcast distribution than under-labeling it.
Historical-language advisory: Yes. Some terminology reflects common language and attitudes of the era.

Speaker: Barry L.
Gender: Male
AA member: Yes. He identifies himself as an alcoholic and says he joined AA in 1945. He also describes extensive AA service work, including General Service Conference work and writing Living Sober.
From: New York
Original recording: July 1985
Location: Montreal, Canada
Event: Alcoholics Anonymous 50th Anniversary Convention
Topic: The origin and meaning of Tradition Three, particularly as it relates to LGBTQ+ alcoholics and inclusion in AA.
Explicit/adult content: No — I would mark this Clean/False. There is discussion of homosexuality, addiction, and historical terms such as “sex deviant,” but there is no graphic sexual content or significant profanity. Podbean defines Clean/False as content that does not contain explicit material.
Language: English, apart from a very brief humorous introduction in French.
Historical-language note: Worth considering. Some terminology reflects how LGBTQ+ people were described in AA and society in the 1940s–1980s. I wouldn't call it offensive content, but a short historical-context note could be useful.
Additional historical note: The recording introduction states that Barry died three weeks after giving this talk.

Hotlanta Roundup, LGBTQ+ Alcoholics Anonymous Roundup Event.  Atlanta, Georgia.  Aug 29 - Sept 1, 2002.  1 of 4 speakers, Joe D from Miami FL.  1 hour long