Step 10 — Daily Inventory – Kathleen B. – Wilson House Big Book Workshop Retreat – 2026

About This Speaker Tape

Andy and Kathleen break down the maintenance of sobriety through the lens of Steps 10 and 11. Andy recounts the visceral insanity of early sobriety—the 'shake, rattle, and roll' phase—and the frustration of being told by a 'head drunk' in treatment that drinking is simply a choice. He uses the metaphor of a skyscraper's safety nets to describe the layered process of daily and nightly inventory.

Kathleen discusses the practicalities of being a 'good person' while parenting young children, the role of a sponsor in challenging unreasonable expectations, and the use of Metta prayer to navigate resentment. The conversation shifts from the rigid application of the Big Book to the fluid 'seasons of life,' acknowledging that while the tools remain the same, the way they are applied must evolve to fit the reality of raising kids and working in public schools.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Opening: Rick reads the Step 10 passage
• 4:15 Andy introduces himself and discusses the Big Book and highlighting notes
• 12:30 Andy discusses the 'insanity of the first drink' and the guarantee of sanity
• 18:45 Andy explains the skyscraper net metaphor for Step 10 and Step 11
• 24:10 Kathleen discusses the 'secret code' of love and tolerance [LAUGHTER]
• 28:20 Kathleen discusses sponsorship and managing expectations with her partner
• 32:15 Kathleen talks about parenting and maintaining a fit spiritual condition
• 36:40 Kathleen shares a story about unintentional harm, the ego, and Step 11 inventory
• 40:10 Andy discusses the necessity of continuing Step 4 tools for the rest of one's life
• 44:30 Andy discusses the Oxford Group and the practice of intuitive meditation
• 47:15 Andy shares the 800 pound gorilla metaphor for forcing will versus pausing
• 49:30 Closing: Discussion on being lifelong students and teachers in recovery