Charlie P. and Katie P. on Step 5 — Part 7 of 10 — Sandy B.

About This Speaker Tape

Charlie & Katie P: Step Workshop at the Wilson H. (9.5 Hours) (made With Podbean) Charlie P,Katie P Step Workshop at the Wilson H. 9.5 Hours - 2017

Katie and Charlie dismantle the mechanics of the Fifth Step and the amends process, treating the Big Book as a technical manual rather than a suggestion. Katie maps out the 'third column' of the inventory, digging into how old ideas and prejudices—like the belief that men are stronger than women—block a person's connection to a Higher Power. The conversation shifts to the high stakes of recovery, noting that for some, this is a life-or-death errand. They emphasize the necessity of moving quickly through the steps to avoid the risk of relapse. The narrative peaks with Katie's account of tracking down a former lover 35 years later to make a direct amends, breaking through his bravado to reach a place of shared grief. They argue that 'living amends' is a common misconception, insisting that stolen money must be paid back and wreckage must be actively repaired.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Katie explains the role of the listener in the Fifth Step and the importance of confidentiality.
• 4:15 Katie discusses the 'life or death errand' of the steps and the loss of her husband.
• 7:30 Detailed breakdown of the 'third column' and how old ideas/prejudices block the individual.
• 13:40 Discussion on 'illuminating every dark cranny' and the intuitive 'sixth sense' of a sponsor.
• 18:20 The 'Fifth Step promises' and the danger of turning the process into self-pity.
• 23:10 Laughter: Katie and Charlie debate the 'hour after the fifth step' and the importance of semantics.
• 28:45 Katie's rant on the lack of strong women in AA and her experience running sponsorship workshops.
• 33:10 Step 6 and 7: The danger of trying to fix defects of character through self-will.
• 38:00 Story: Katie as the 'spider monkey' in the airport fight.
• 45:10 The mechanics of the Eighth Step and the 'all' in making a list of all persons harmed.
• 52:30 Katie's story of making a direct amends to a man in Freeport 35 years later.
• 58:15 Charlie discusses the 'debris' of self-will and the difference between living amends and direct amends.