Overeaters Anonymous Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, host Meg M introduces Susan, an OA member from Australia who has been in recovery since 1988 and has served as region chair and trustee. Together, they discuss the differences and benefits offered by face-to-face and online OA meetings. If you are new to OA or if you only attend one type of meeting, we invite you to listen to the extensive experience of these two OA members.

OA members will generally recommend that newcomers attending six different OA meetings to find a meeting that works for you. Go to oa.org/find-a-meeting to search our database of 5,800 meetings worldwide or start your own meeting by looking up "How to Start a New Meeting" on oa.org.

In this episode, host Meg M. talks with BJ, an abstinent food addict and bulimic who has most recently served as an OA trustee and liaison to Region Two. Together they discuss their personal perspectives and practices of Tradition Seven and Step Twelve.

BJ cites her favorite quote from the OA Twelve and Twelve book, "Change begins with honesty" (p. 30), and relates how honestly looking at her varied charitable contributions led her to focus her contributions on OA. "You just do all you can for the nonprofits that you believe in and this is the nonprofit that I believe in," she says.

When it comes to Step Twelve, BJ also made a decision to commit more broadly and deeply to OA service, including carrying the message in her community. "It's really about stepping into the world again, among the living," says Meg. Listen in as Meg and BJ share effective and practical ways to get the word out about OA.

In this episode of Inside OA, host Meg M. interviews Bob, an OA trustee who joined the Fellowship in 2003 and found his first sponsor at an intergroup meeting. Bob has an accounting background, so serving as treasurer is a natural fit, but as he says, "I don't always look for treasurer positions . . . . I like to have fun with service. I do different things that are out of my reach."

Speaking as board treasurer, Bob gives an inside view on what it takes to build and maintain our world service budget. And while the thought of serving as treasurer can be intimidating, Bob reminds us, "When you think about it, everyone has a checking account, everyone has a home budget that they deal with, so it's nothing more than that. . . . there's not really much of a difference." One important difference, however, is that OA treasurers help each other, and the same is true for all other service positions. "It's so wonderful to see that we support each other and we get better, and things get better because of that," says Bob.

If you are curious about stepping up to service, lessons learned by giving service, or if just want to understand better the level of consideration given to your Seventh Tradition contribution, then press the play button!

A vicious cycle of eating and exercising coupled with low self-esteem were her life before coming to OA. Now everything gets better when she works her program with the help of her Higher Power.

This podcast is a recording of a Saturday afternoon OA meeting held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information on Overeaters Anonymous, please go to www.oa.org or call the World Service Office at 505-891-2664.

Bariatric Surgery: Identify don't compare She had surgery after a ten-year relapse. She never stopped going to meetings but kept quiet about the surgery to avoid judgments. Surgery is not the easier softer way. In reaching out she helps herself and possibly someone else. 100 lb. weight loss After a certain point she stopped weighing: "If I'm going to die I can eat and die happy". Literature from a co-worker led her to finding hope at her first meeting. Willing to let go of the food she followed her sponsor's directions to call three people a day. Step work addresses the emotions underneath cravings. There is no one way to work the program.

This 5-minute inspiring collection of interviews depicts the journeys of several OA members from despair to recovery and serenity. Helpful for newcomers, returning members and long-timers alike. For more information on Overeaters Anonymous, please go to www.oa.org or call the World Service Office at 505-891-2664.

Listen to this compelling and moving story from OA member Matt S., who was the banquet keynote speaker at the 2015 World Service Business Conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 27 – May 2, 2015.

Health Issues: This speaker was able to see how handling her health issue and working her program had similarities. LGBTQ: Coming out in OA in the late 1970s and starting an LGBTQ meeting focused on the Steps and Traditions was the start of years in recovery.