This week, Mike and Bill bring on Father Bill W, a chaplain and AA veteran with over 50 years of recovery. The title—Two Way Prayer & Three Way FOs—hints at spiritual practice (two-way prayer, connected to AA’s 11th step) and personal accountability (three-way family/fellowshipping mechanisms?). The episode dives deep:
- Real, practical tips on using prayer in daily recovery, and what to do with Three-Way FOs—a frank, colorful framework unique to this episode.
- The spiritual discipline of two‑way prayer, rooted in early AA and the Oxford Group, helps build a living relationship with a Higher Power.
- What Father Bill learned from Oxford Group “absolutes” and how they blend with AA Steps Six and Seven.
✨ Episode Highlights
- Father Bill’s story: He’s been sober since December 27, 1972, living near Austin, and this episode is like a cozy fireside debrief from a 50‑year AA elder. His journey—from hitchhiking “pilgrimage” to deep commitment with Oxford Group & early AA—gives serious gravitas.
- Two‑Way Prayer explained: Not just “pray and walk away.” It’s a pause + listen + respond cycle—part of a classic morning Quiet Time. It’s so central, Bill notes, that “no amount of meetings… can compensate for neglect of the still hour.” It’s a core tool for spiritual connection and decision-making in sobriety.
- Oxford Group’s 4 Absolutes influence: Bill traces how historical spiritual practices feed today’s 12 Steps, especially Steps 6 and 7. He’s crystal clear that this isn’t airy metaphysics—it’s actionable. You ask, you listen, you act. It’s clear enough for Mike and honest enough for Bill.
- Three‑Way FOs – and why it matters: This part is deliciously real. “FO” likely means “f*ck-off,” but framed as “family, fellows, first‑things-first,” it becomes a playful yet powerful reminder to sort priorities: self, service, spirit. It’s classic Sober Not Mature: hilariously uncensored while dropping hard truths.
- Practical takeaways: How to build a Quiet Time routine: read, reflect, two‑way pray. Use the 5Ms or the 4‑absolutes to guide that quiet time. Use “Three‑Way FOs” to audit how you spend your energy—before, during, and after prayer.
🤔 Tone & Style
These guys dropped profanity bombs, so expect humor peppered with profound spiritual depth. Mike and Bill keep it raw, but they let Father Bill bring the sincerity. It’s not a god-sesh, it’s a sober-guy chat next to the altar and the bar stool. But it nudges spiritual practice without preaching. Blessedly frank, gently irreverent, radically authentic.
🧭 Who Should Listen?
- Anyone curious about how veteran AA spirituality applies today.
- Sobriety newcomers, seeking structure behind prayer.
- Long‑time AA folk who miss the Quiet Hour—Father Bill gives practical guidance to reclaim it.
- Fans of Sober Not Mature: raw talk, spiritual meat, and yes—plenty of swearing.
Final Take
Sober Not Mature Episode 174 is one of those rare gems that blends drunken hilarity with sober accountability. Father Bill W anchors the show with decades of recovery wisdom—especially about two‑way prayer—while Mike and Bill toss in their signature banter and “Three‑Way FOs.” It’s for anyone who wants recovery that’s fun, real, and spiritually grounded.
If you’ve been cruising the AA circuit without stopping for that quiet moment—this one might just snap you awake.
Another damn fine hour with Sober Not Mature, giving us laughter, life tools, and a little divine direction. If this episode doesn’t inspire your morning quiet time today—well, maybe you should stick to cereal and cable.
About Father Bill W.
Fr. Bill has worked in the addiction treatment field for over 50 years, serving as a counselor, clinical director, and administrator at several nationally recognized treatment centers in the Southwest.
A New York City native, he received his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Dayton and did post-graduate work at Columbia University. He served in the Peace Corps, ran a group home for orphaned children in the Bronx, studied and worked on a kibbutz in Israel, and was active in the Catholic Worker Movement in Wisconsin. Bill began his addiction work when he was a member of the Jesuit Order in Detroit, studying for the priesthood. It was then that he identified his alcoholism and has had uninterrupted sobriety since December 1972.
In 2008, Bill received the Wheelock Whitney Award, given to “the man or woman who has advanced the understanding of faith and science in addiction prevention and recovery.” The award is presented annually by the Johnson Institute of Washington, D.C. He is a priest in the Episcopal Church with a specialized ministry to alcoholics and addicts. His focus is on the study and practice of Two Way Prayer. He hosts a weekly podcast, a bi-monthly newsletter, and maintains a website: TwoWayPrayer.org. His new book, titled The Power of Two Way Prayer, will be released on July 1, 2025.
SOBER NOT MATURE: Imagine two regular guys, living life to the fullest while navigating the challenges of sobriety. The Sober Not Mature Podcast offers a unique, unfiltered glimpse into their world, filled with real-life sobriety stories, genuine thoughts, and raw emotions. Hosts share their journey with a blend of humor and authenticity, making sobriety relatable and fun. Whether they’re sharing personal anecdotes or discussing their favorite recovery-themed songs like Velvet Revolver’s “Fall to Pieces,” Seether’s “Rise Above This,” and The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love,” they keep it real and engaging. Tune in for an experience that’s as heartfelt as it is entertaining, and join a community that’s redefining the path to sobriety with laughter and honesty.
SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: at The Sober Curator is a haven for those embracing sobriety with a healthy dose of spiritual sass. This space invites you to dive into meditation, astrology, intentional living, philosophy, and personal reflection—all while keeping your feet (and your sobriety) firmly on the ground. Whether you’re exploring new spiritual practices or deepening an existing one, Spiritual Gangster offers inspiration, insight, and a community that blends mindful living with alcohol-free fun.
Spiritual Gangster Line-up:
Stoicism & Sobriety – Ancient Philosophy for Modern Recovery with Sober Curator Contributors Derek Castleman and Tony Harte
The Card Divo – Quick & Sober Tarot Readings with Sober Curator Contributor Senior Daniel G. Garza
Classy Problems – Clarity, Restraint & Mindful Decision-Making with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Dan T. Rogers
SoberCast with Six – Astrology & Tarot for the Sober Life with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Analisa Six
Sobriety in Flow – Yoga Beyond the Poses with Senior Travel Sober Curator Contributor Teresa Bergen
Thirsty for Wonder – Recovery Coaching & Spiritual Companionship with Sober Curator Contributor Anne Marie Cribben
Spiritual Substance – Mindfulness, Science & Soul with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Lane Kennedy
TSC LIBRARY: Welcome to The Sober Curator Library! We don’t just read books; we immerse ourselves in literary journeys, tune in on Audible, and craft insightful reviews. Our digital shelves are organized into four genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and NA Recipe Books.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
