Step 11 – FOTS Step 11 Workshop – Part 18 of 29 – 2025 – Robbie W.

About This Speaker Tape

FOTS Step 11 Workshop - 2025

A convicted felon and former resident of the Salvation Army Robbie W. arrives at Step 11 with a high-energy suit-and-tie delivery. He dismantles the idea of 'middle of the road' sobriety urging the room to move from the 'bridge of reason' to the 'shore of faith.' He maps out a daily routine of guided meditation and Christian music to avoid the 'bad energy' of the dealership where he works while warning against the trap of sarcasm and 'collecting ones'—the ego-driven need for constant validation. Through a story about a Cadillac left running in a 7-Eleven parking lot he illustrates the tests of early sobriety. He frames the pandemic-era Zoom meetings as 'sacred ground' and living history challenging the listener to stop 'blowing out people's candles' and instead embrace a zeal that is the only antidote to a life once spent robbing churches and lighting cars on fire.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Robbie W. opens with his sobriety date (October 31, 1983) and a shout-out to his home group in Wildwood, NJ.
• 4:15 Discussion of the 11th Step and the 'portal of brokenness' required for vulnerability.
• 11:30 Laughter: Robbie W. discusses the 'Higher Power within' and the Greek root of enthusiasm (entheos).
• 18:45 Robbie W. recounts his early days as a convicted felon and suicide attempt survivor living at the Salvation Army.
• 26:10 Analysis of the Big Book's directions on nightly review and the habit of admitting when one is wrong.
• 33:20 Robbie W. shares his morning routine of guided meditation and prayer before heading to the car dealership.
• 42:15 A story about the 'boxcars' of emotion and the importance of not 'jumping in' to negative feelings.
• 51:00 Q&A: Robbie W. discusses the 'principles' of the 4th Step, admitting to robbing churches and lighting cars on fire.
• 58:30 Applause/Support: Robbie W. addresses the 'abuse' of sarcasm in meetings and the need for brotherly harmony.