Father Tom Weston, SJ
Alcohol & Drug Recovery Audio CDs

The Flexible, Practical, Useful Twelve Steps
Are we willing to get well someone else’s way? Are we willing to have a beginner’s mind as a basis for daily living? Can we turn
things over to God’s good care as a way to get out of the argument and stop fighting? While going through the 12 Steps, Fr. Tom
W. tackles hard issues such as intolerance, bigotry, isolation, and feeling disconnected. Tom shares his understanding of God and
what to do when you don’t have enough hope. And what do we do about anger – in ourselves and from others? Tom discusses
what healthy looks and feels like, what makes a good share at a meeting and what restored to sanity means. It’s not enough just
being in recovery – it’s finding the joy in recovery. (8/18)

$43.00 #D0174 5 CD Album

Waking Up To The Here and Now
In these wonderful talks, Father Tom W. shares with us how to focus on the present, where we are continually restored to sanity.
Living in the present is where we find serenity, our truth, and our HP. Do we have a willingness to respond? Recovery is an
ongoing process. We don’t get fixed, we get to wake up. And if we are willing, we keep waking up. Fr. Tom reminds us to pay
attention and not get discouraged. Do what works. Keep growing. Keep learning new things. Whether you are a newcomer or
have been in the program for a long time, these talks expand our awareness, recovery, and gratitude. (1/18)
$51.00 #D0172 6 CD Album

Recovery Is An Inside Job
Father Tom poses some very important questions: Why do I choose? What am I feeling? What are my motives?
What is the role of resentments in my life? Do I know what my fears are? He shares with us why these are key to our growth and
how we are influenced by them. He discusses guilt, powerlessness, grief, and healing. We need tools to help us change how we
think. These talks help us to have a better awareness of ourselves and to continue growing in recovery. Liturgy and the 11th Step:
Sharing Scripture and the Eucharist, Lent 2017 is disc 5 in this album. (04/17)
$43.00 #D0170 5 CD album

Gratitude – A Surprising Gift Of Recovery
There are many surprises in recovery. A big one is that we discover that we become grateful. Father Tom takes us on a journey of
looking at all we have been given. He speaks with us about love, open-hearted expressions of a Higher Power, the gifts of our
disease, and the gratitude for recovery and freedom. He discusses how to live life – not merely survive it. Father Tom talks with us
about what to do when things get really difficult – and it will. In recovery, we all end up back at Step 1 at one point or another, and
he shows us what to do; how to turn it over, discusses self-centered fear, and developing the muscle to identify with others.
Father Tom leads us in a truly wonderful Gratitude meditation that will expand our gratitude for all we have been given. (1/17)
$43.00 #D0169 5 CD Album

Experience, Strength, And Hope With
Fr. Tom W. and Fr. Jim H.
Tom and Jim share their thoughts on a variety of topics such as humility, compassion, the qualities of mature people, resistance to
change, perfectionism and relationships. Tom and Jim use the language of AA and Al-Anon focusing on the transformation from
self-will to God’s will. (1/16)
$51.00 #D0167 6 CD Album

Experience, Strength, And Hope With
Fr. Tom W. and Fr. Terry R.
In this very special retreat, Tom and his sponsor Terry share their thoughts on a variety of topics such as sanity, self-centered fear,
our capacity to receive God’s love, judgments, defects of character, and the role of sponsorship. Tom and Terry focus on the
transformation that occurs with recovering people. (8/15)
$43.00 #D0166 5 CD Album

I Should Be Much Better By Now!
Tom talks about how trying harder can kill us. We have spent too long throwing energy into the things we cannot change. He talks
about self-deception, before and after recovery. Being alive, we get to experience lots of ups and downs. And when we go back to
step one, we start over again. It doesn’t mean we are doing something wrong….it means we are rebuilding. He shares with us how
being hurt shows up as disappointment, anger, fear, and sorrow. Going into those empty places brings up different feelings for each
of us. Tom reminds us that grief is part of recovery and sorrow is useful. He speaks of love and how loving others doesn’t change
them...but rather how it changes us. Tom shares with us how to pray with a more generous heart. And he shows us some ways to
tell when you are growing spiritually. (05/15)
$51.00 #D0165 6 CD Album

Becoming Useful Members Of The Community Through The Steps and Traditions
When we come to the rooms we are very immature. Nothing is our fault and we have secrets. We have trouble with personal
relationships and have no idea what to do with our emotions. Father Tom discusses the practical and spiritual aspects of the 12
Steps and 12 Traditions that help us grow up. Wait!…..you think you might not want to learn more about the traditions – think again.
Our steps and our traditions help us with our recovery, our relationships, and our connection with a Higher Power. And Tom shares
new and humorous stories illustrating the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions working in our lives. There is a long period of rebuilding after
we enter these rooms. We need new skills to notice what is at work in our lives. These wonderful talks show us, with a little
recovery and maturity, how to be in dialogue with others in recovery, with our families and our community. (Recorded 01/15)
$51.00 #D0164 6 CD Album

Don’t Try Harder, Resist Less
What do we do when we can’t do much about something, and we want to anyway? Or we want something to happen right now!
Tom talks about surrender...about throwing our burdens down. He reminds us to resistless. It is not a matter of trying harder. And
we don’t have to fight so hard. In recovery, we experience a shifting of inner equilibrium. This does not come about from doing, but
by relaxing and letting go. Tom talks to us about resisting less—in our own recovery, in trusting our feelings, in experiencing a
Higher Power, and even during times of grief. We talk about this being a spiritual program, but what does spiritual mean? Is it
vague and theoretical….does it have anything to do with me? How do we know when something real is going on? Tom discusses
these topics and guides us on an excellent meditation. There is much we cannot change, but there is much we can. And we get to
do it in a very new way. (Recorded 09/14)
$51.00 #D0163 6 CD Album

Keeping It Practical & Simple:
Living In The World of Recovery
Fr. Tom has just returned from the Middle East and brings with him many stories and insights from his travel to Abu Dhabi. Tom
takes a deeper look at the Serenity Prayer and provides new meaning as to what we can and cannot change. Powerless and
unmanageability, we learn to talk about this in recovery. The second step offers us a way out…Step 2 offers hope. Tom discusses
the fantasy of recovery that every day we get better. We all understand God differently. Tom suggests looking for God in all things,
and ways to “notice God”. How to meditate? What works, what does not work. Try some of Tom’s approaches to meditation. The
retreat concludes with a review of the tenth step using the Examen developed by Ignatius of Loyola as a way to find God in all
things. (06/14)
#D0162 6 CD Album $51.00

Remember to Remember
Whether we are a newcomer or a cranky old timer, we need to remember. Father Tom reminds us that almost all we need to know
to stay sober was told to us in the first 90 days of recovery. We come into the rooms with very bad attitudes and the Steps meet us
right where we are. And we get well. Remember to remember this. Our stories are important for us to remember, and important for
others to hear. We need to remember that God works directly with each one of us and that we do not need to define a higher
power to tap into the source. Remember to ask for help throughout the day. Father Tom reminds us to get out of our head and our
comfort zone. Ours is a program of action. Be aware of what we are remembering – is it gratitude or past hurts? Remember to
embrace change and be willing to be uncomfortable. Remember that comfort will return. Remember that we are not alone. And
remember to pass it on. (01/13)
#D0159 6 CD Album $51.00

Desperate Enough? Thank God!
Fr. Tom says that you have to have the gift of desperation to want to come to AA and you have to double that for Al-Anon. This
program is our last option available which is good because we need to be desperate enough to ask for help and willing enough to
receive it. Fr. Tom talks about needing to learn new skills, like detachment, letting go of old ideas and the importance of listening.
He discusses how to be awake and reflect on our own behavior, how to act in loving ways, and how to show love. We are given
tools to stop blaming others, and we discover what a huge relief it is to admit when we are wrong—which is one of the great signs of
adulthood. Tom reminds us that we have been let out of slavery into freedom and that we didn’t do it alone. A power greater than
ourselves has been at work in our lives. (01/12)
#D0157 6 CD Album $51.00

Observations About Our Journey
Fr. Tom brings us stories, and insights, sprinkled with humor about our spiritual journey in recovery. Tom explores how we recover
what we once thought was lost. He asks how well do we pay attention to the gifts we have been given? Do we take for granted the
riches we have found in recovery? How can we open our hearts to the fullness of life? He explores the “...satisfaction of right
living…” from the “12 & 12”. He talks about recognizing feelings and reminds us that being uncomfortable is not necessarily bad.
Tom shares practical techniques for prayer and meditation using our own daily reader as another way to improve our conscious
contact with God. (01/11)
#D0155 6 CD Album $51.00

You Start With Hello
When we get here, we are completely out of our comfort zone. And we say hello and an entirely new way of life opens up to us. Fr.
Tom shares many stories about our new relationships with friends, companions, allies, and sponsors. He talks about the things we
can change, and those we cannot. He talks about guilt and shame, self-loathing and self-acceptance. He discusses defects of
character and the daily reprieve we receive through the steps. He talks about the “Rules of the World” and how we need to break
them when we come into recovery. In recovery, we learn skills on how to develop loving relationships. We learn how to identify
safe people, and we learn how to be a safe person. We make the connections with others through the things we share. Go to
meetings and say hello to people and develop wonderful friendships. Say hello to a Higher Power and receive grace. We learn
these new behaviors and go from existing to living. (09/10)
#D0154 6 CD Album $51.00

The Principles Of The Program
“….and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” Understanding the principles of the 12 Steps can be very difficult, abstract or
very simple. Father Tom talks about incorporating these principles into our daily lives. He makes abstract ideas very simple and
practical. Honesty, Hope, Faith, Courage, Integrity, Willingness, Humility, Love, Justice, Perseverance, Spirituality and Service.
These twelve principles are the spiritual basis behind each of the Twelve Steps. Fr. Tom shows how employing these behaviors in
our daily lives can be an enriching experience. (05/10)
#D0152 4 CD Album $34.00

Living In The World of Recovery
In these warm and delightful talks, Fr. Tom Weston shares with us that ours is not a self-help program. If it were, we would have
fixed ourselves long ago. Instead, living in the world of recovery, we learn to ask for help in the Program. And Fr. Tom shares with
us that it is a great spiritual accomplishment to ask for help when we need it. And when something spiritual happens, change
occurs for us. Fr. Tom talks with us about learning how to trust again. And about the many aspects of willingness in living in the
world of recovery. And he shows us how to keep sane when those around us are going crazy. And Fr. Tom gives a wonderful
guided meditation using The AA Promises. (09/09)
#D0150 6 CD Album $51.00

One Day At A Time - But are the days too long?
These new talks focus on the transformative power of the 12 steps. Fr. Tom emphasizes practical, day to day applications of the
spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps. Simple formulas are explored for “turning it over”, “let go and let God” plus spiritual activities
for prayer and meditation. We are often told recovery is a “program of action”, but where do we start or in some cases restart?
These new talks are Tom Weston at his best. A humorous and enriching experience. (06/08)
#D0148 6 CD Album $51.00

Are We Willing To Be Willing?
In these series of talks Fr.Tom shares how to live through difficult times using the tools of the program. Do we sometimes feel
disconnected from our Higher Power? How to make that conscious contact with your Higher Power easier with the “switch”. He
talks of connecting with people rather than “using” people….sharing our experience, strength, and hope. Are we willing to let change
happen? Are we willing to be willing? What can we expect if we willingly surrender ourselves to the spiritual discipline of the 12
Steps? These and many other questions about recovery are explored in this series of talks. 01/08
#D0147 6 CD Album $51.00

Let Go Of The Old and Welcome The New
In recovery, we learn many new tools, such as letting go of what no longer works and embracing a new way of life. Tom shares how
God is present in our daily lives and how we can now recognize God acting in our lives and the lives of others. When we have a
relationship with a Higher Power we are more alive, human, peaceful and useful. We make a connection with God through other
people. Tom talks about spiritual experiences. He talks about God’s will for us, which is simpler than we sometimes think. Fr. Tom
explains that prayer and meditation can be a confusing or a simple process and offers suggestions to make that connection with
God easier. (01/07)
#D0145 6 CD Album $51.00

Freedom through Self Acceptance
Just what is a spiritual awakening? If someone has been touched by the Spirit what changes can be expected? How do we
progress from Step One to Step Two? Fr. Tom talks about God as you understand God and the many different points of view and
experiences. He talks about the original Six Steps initially used in Akron, Ohio which later became the Twelve Steps. Fr. Tom
explores Steps Six and Seven and the underlying concept of self-acceptance. Character defects might always be there. But the
program gives us new tools to accept them and experience freedom. (01/06)
#D0144 6 CD Album $51.00

Taking Time For Reflection
“...Progress, not perfection…” Fr. Tom Weston explores with us the spiritual journey those of us in recovery have embarked on.
Part of recovery and having a healthy spiritual practice is learning how to slow down and take time for reflection. These talks offer
an opportunity to explore how we work the Steps in our lives. Fr. Tom shares with us some of his reflections on love and ways of
knowing God’s will for us. He explores with us how to look at our own behavior, feelings, and defects of character as a way to see
how God works with each one of us. Excellent for newcomers...inspirational for old-timers...Tom Weston at his best. (1/03)
#D0139 6 CD Album $51.00

We Don’t Have to Do This Alone
In these wonderful talks, Father Tom Weston reminds us that we aren’t alone. With a power greater than ourselves, Step 2, and
reaching out to others in the program, Step 12, we continue to get better. And we get to do things differently, with altered attitudes.
Through his many stories, insights, and a lot of humor, Fr. Tom reminds us that we don’t have to live alone with our conflicts. And
we can even look forward to a daily reprieve from our craziness when we remember to ask for God’s help. Fr. Tom talks with us
about learning how to tell our stories and also learning how to listen to the stories of others. And Fr. Tom shares new stories with us.
As Fr. Tom reminds us when someone who has been there talks to someone who is there – grace flows. We really do need God’s
help and each other. In recovery everything changes, if we let it. (8/02)
#D0138 6 CD Album $51.00

Our Footwork, God’s Grace
In recovery, we continue to grow emotionally and spiritually. Father Tom helps us to look at our own behavior and the ways we may
be more available to our Higher Power working in our lives. Are we cooperating with God? Fr. Tom offers many suggestions of
practical footwork on recovery, from praying and meditation, self-acceptance, and what to do when we are stuck, angry or
discouraged with our own progress. Father Tom discusses what about our behavior may get us into trouble and lead us to despair.
And he helps us to understand what may be going on when we are running low on faith and hope, discusses what it means to be in
consolation and desolation, and suggests ways of dealing with this. Father Tom enlightens us with how introverts and extraverts
communicate and shows us how this worked with Bill W. and Dr. Bob in the beginning days of AA. And Fr. Tom shares his personal
experience in dealing with the events of September 11th. These wonderful tapes offer insight, inspiration, and hope for all of us.
(11/01)
#D0135 6 CD Album $51.00

A Fresh Look At Recovery
Father Tom takes a fresh look at recovery for people whose lives are on the line. In this inspiring retreat held near the birthplace of
Alcoholics Anonymous, Father Tom describes how Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson built the practical and spiritual tools that continue to save
our lives every day. He demystifies the steps by describing how they were developed and offers a number of practical techniques to
do them. How do we move from despair to hope, from loneliness and isolation to a rich, new life with service to others? Father Tom
talks about depression and other things that can get in our way, and he discusses the roles of therapy and medication. There are
many rich stories of the early days, but mostly these talks are about how we can work our program today and live our lives with
richness, with hope, and in community with others. (6/99)
#D0133 6 CD Album $51.00

Rebuilding Our Lives One Day at a Time
Father Tom leads us on an inspired odyssey from the depths of our despair while drinking and using, to the heights of the spiritual
awakenings available for all of us in recovery. How can the tools of the Program help us open our hearts to embrace the fullness of
life? How can we learn to love and accept others and ourselves? He offers practical suggestions for doing an inventory, making
amends, and becoming aware of the choices and power we have in our lives. And he shows how we can develop a spiritual
practice, which will nurture us, guide us and help us find serenity and peace. (1/97)
#D0130 6 CD Album $51.00

Journeys and Encounters
According to Father Tom, recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous is a journey. We move from a world of illusion to a world of real life.
These talks focus on the transformation that happens to recovering people when they let the program work. He explores the
changes that happen in our hearts, in our families, in our relationships, in our lives. He relates some wonderful stories and poems
from writers and singers who have made a difference to him. And he talks about the importance of having allies, companions, and
friends so that we don't have to be isolated, alone and desperate anymore. In these talks, Father Tom offers a gift of recovery in
real life. (11/95)
#D0127 6 CD Album $51.00

Living Life Fully Using The Traditions
Father Tom electrifies the Traditions of AA by demonstrating the profound insight and vitality they can bring to all our relationships.
He shows through the history of the Program and the Traditions how these principles can guide our interactions, not just with the
group, but with everyone we encounter in our daily lives. His stories, poetry, scripture and Program literature are filled with wisdom,
humor, and inspiration. One of the best retreats we have taped. (5/94)
#D0124 6 CD Album $51.00

Creating Balance in Our Lives
As we learn to walk the path of the sober life in AA, we find that we make choices with every step. In these talks, Father Tom shares
his experiences with these choices and talks about how we can find the balance between hope and despair, sanity and craziness,
feeling our feelings and compulsive behavior. He shows how we can learn to identify and value our unique natures, and then to build
upon them. And he shares a simple and effective formula for doing the Tenth Step every day. (6/93)
#D0121 6 CD Album $51.00

A Weekend of Sobriety for Women and Men
Father Tom's fast, funny and insightful approach to living in sobriety focuses on moving from the problem to the solution. He
emphasizes the practical day-to-day applications of the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps of AA. And he reinforces the urgency
of our commitment to this way of life. (12/86)
#D0102 6 CD Album $51.00

What Program? God Who?
These thought-provoking questions set the tone for a wide-ranging discussion of recovery at this women's retreat. The focus is on
the concrete steps to recovery from alcoholism as a process of learning how to share feelings and participate in the community.
"What program? God who?" might be a cry of despair from a person alone. But within a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, it's a
hilarious comment on life. (10/88)
#D0111 6 CD Album $51.00

Principles of Recovery from Addiction
Father Tom applies the Twelve Steps to recovery from cocaine and other drugs. He talks about how to nurture spirituality, break the
addictive cycle, and let go of old patterns. How to show up, pay attention and tell the truth, and how to know God's will. (3/87)
#D0104 6 CD Album $51.00

Is There Life After Bourbon?
This is the original, brilliant, fast-paced, funny, moving, Father Tom from the early days. He tells fascinating stories about getting
sober, staying sober, and finding a rich and meaningful life by working the steps. Recorded at an AA men's retreat in 1986, his
delivery and insights have continued to delight and inspire both men and women (11/86)
#D0103 6 CD Album $51.00

A Commentary on The Twelve Steps and The Twelve Traditions
Father Tom's stories and commentary bring the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous right into your life and your heart. In four talks he
describes the Steps and Traditions not as rigid dogma, but as the actual, living experience of "how it works" for recovering people
from the earliest days of the program to the present. There's a practical section on how to do the Fourth Step. A great introduction to
the program for newcomers, and a deepening of insight and commitment for everyone else. (2/88)
#D0109 4 CD Album $34.00

Keeping It Simple
When we're drinking and using, our lives are incredibly complex as we protect our habits, try to keep our stories straight and
struggle to hold our world together. But our first act of recovery is profoundly simple: total surrender. Maintaining that simplicity is our
real challenge if we are to grow spiritually in sobriety, according to Father Tom. He offers dozens of stories and practical techniques
to help us open our hearts, rejoin the human race, and share our freedom, joy, and light with the world around us. (12/92)
#D0120 6 CD Album $51.00

Getting Back to Basics
It's easy to forget the most important things. Father Tom shows how the basic tools of the AA program can help us to stay sober and
ensure our continued growth and happiness. He talks about going to meetings, using the telephone, and using the tool of writing. He
really gets into sponsorship: how to choose one, how to use one, and how to be one. And he describes the profound nature of the
slogans, including "Turn It Over," "Easy Does It," and "Live and Let Live." An inspiration for newcomers and old-timers alike. (9/91)
#D0115 6 CD Album $51.00

“… Willing to Grow Along Spiritual Lines…”
Throughout all situations, God is at work. “AA is not a personal success story. It is a story of our colossal human failures now
transformed into the happiest usefulness by the living grace of God.” A day at a time we ask for God’s help. Fr. Tom explores
questions such as what is God’s will for us. Tom explores the important self-knowledge we gain from the 4th Step. Every person
has the opportunity to develop a spiritual life. Through time and experience, trial and error, we get better at the 11th Step. Fr. Tom
explores, in detail, the different methods of prayer. He goes on to suggest various ways of meditation as a way of putting ourselves
in God’s presence. And he explores ways we can invite our Higher Power into our meditation. (5/04)
#D0141 5 CD Album $43.00

Gratitude and Service
Father Tom takes us on a journey through Steps 10, 11 and 12. Using AA’s “12 and 12” as a guide, he explores Step 10. He shares
his ongoing personal experiences with Step 10 and the role of character defects. The Big Book tells us with Step 10 our sanity has
returned. The process of looking at our character defects and our wrongs, that we began examining with the 4th Step, continues
with Step 10. Just how do we maintain the new state of serenity and freedom we have achieved? As recovering people, God’s will
for us includes the removal of character defects. The 12th Step speaks to a “spiritual awakening”...what happens when we “wake
up”? How do you spot the real stuff when it comes to spiritual experiences along the spiritual path? The results can be dramatic
but can take place over a long period of time. (11/04)
#D0142 6 CD Album $51.00