In this Catholic in Recovery podcast episode, Scott Weeman shares his personal recovery journey with Father Sean Kilcawley, detailing his struggles with addiction, the impact on his relationships, and his eventual path to sobriety through AA and the Catholic Church. He recounts significant moments, including a pivotal conversation with his ex-girlfriend and the guidance of his sponsor, Michael. The episode concludes with a discussion on the benefits of both in-person and virtual recovery meetings, and a blessing from Father Sean Kilcawley.

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I. Introduction

• Welcome and Topic Introduction: Scott Weeman and Father Sean Kilcawley welcome listeners to the Catholic in Recovery podcast, with Scott sharing that he will be sharing his recovery journey in this episode, and Father Sean will share his in the next.
• Music and Production Credits: Scott thanks I.B. Jacob (Bassanova) and Aisling Fuller for intro/outro music.
• Opening Question: Scott asks Father Sean, "What's really going on?"

II. Personal Check-ins

• Father Sean Kilcawley's Update: Father Sean shares about his recent travels for work, including a study day for clergy in Reno and a trip to Michigan where he attended a Lions-Browns game with his niece and celebrated his stepmom's birthday. He also spoke at Covenant Eyes' 25th-anniversary event in Grand Rapids, reflecting on how that relationship led him to his current work, including the podcast. He mentions an upcoming trip to Nebraska for a Lions-Chiefs game.
• Scott Weeman's Update: Scott gives a shout-out to Deacon Mark in Iowa and shares about getting into a routine with his family, enjoying the change of seasons, and navigating family struggles. He mentions reading "Litanies of the Heart" by Dr. Jerry Crete and exploring themes of inner child parts and IFS. He also discusses how hobbies like golf and watching football have become more enjoyable in sobriety.

III. Scott's Recovery Story

• Early Life and Family: Scott grew up in Northeast Wisconsin, his parents divorced when he was in fifth grade, which was a significant event. He describes a good childhood, active in sports and school, and nominally Catholic. He recalls an early sense of God's presence.
• High School and First Experiences with Addiction: He was active in baseball and policy debate. He took his first drink at 17, at the end of his junior year, and began using marijuana around the same time. He describes how drinking and drug use quickly escalated, leading to a blurring of his standards.
• College and Escalation of Addiction: He received a debate scholarship to Pace University in New York City but quickly lost focus, getting involved with a different crowd and prioritizing drinking, drugs, and women over his studies. He lost his scholarship after his third semester.
• Rock Bottom and First Treatment: He got two DUIs at 19 and 21, leading to a 15-day inpatient treatment program in Wisconsin, which he initially did to appease his parents. He stayed sober for about eight months, "white knuckling" it, without a spiritual alternative.
• Relationship Challenges and Geographic Cure: He fell in love with a girl from a Catholic family, but his addiction caused significant pain and dishonesty in their relationship. They moved to San Diego in 2010, hoping a change of scenery would solve their problems, but Scott realized "the problem was me."
• Continued Struggles and a Day of Destiny: He struggled with his job, battling hangovers, and his relationship continued to deteriorate due to his dishonesty. After another instance of deceit, his girlfriend told him he was "absolutely hopeless" and "never going to change," which he credits as a catalyst.
• Entering AA and Finding Faith: The next day, October 10, 2011, he called his closest friends and parents for help, then attended an early morning AA meeting. He describes feeling "at home" during the Lord's Prayer and meeting Michael, his sponsor, who guided him through the Big Book and the Bible. He also started attending a young adult Bible study at St. Brigid Parish.
• Amends and Continued Growth: His ex-girlfriend was not immediately impressed by his sobriety, and their relationship did not reconcile. He thoroughly worked the 12 steps, including making amends, which was a painful but rigorous process. He describes a particularly difficult amends with his ex-girlfriend where he initially couldn't be fully honest, leading to a second attempt and her ultimate rejection. He credits God and supportive people for helping him remain sober through this heartbreak.
• Service and New Relationships: He became involved in the church, initially as an usher with mixed intentions. He met Dorothy, a woman 43 years sober, at AA and church, who became a wise mentor. He named his first child Dorothy after her. He met his wife in the young adult group at St. Brigid, and they married in 2016.
• Founding Catholic in Recovery: Around the time he started dating his wife, he launched catholicinrecovery.com, writing articles about the overlap of 12-step recovery and Catholic faith. He received a book deal from Ave Maria Press for "The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments."
• Catholic in Recovery Meetings and Growth: He started a speaking series on the 12 steps and sacraments, which led to the first Catholic in Recovery meeting on his birthday, January 10, 2017. The ministry has grown to over 200 active meetings and various resources.
• Current Life and Gratitude: Scott and his family now live in Nashville, Tennessee, and have three children. He emphasizes prioritizing recovery as the "plate upon which everything in your life rests." He expresses gratitude for his connection with Father Sean and the transformations he witnesses in others.

IV. Listener Question and Discussion

• Question: Attending AA for SA Recovery (Brandon W. from Wisconsin): Brandon asks if it's okay to attend an AA meeting if there are no local SA meetings, especially in rural areas.
• Father Sean's Response: He affirms that it's acceptable, noting that early SA members attended AA. He also advocates for regular phone and Zoom meetings, highlighting their accessibility and the connections that can be formed virtually.
• Scott's Response: Scott agrees, discussing the benefits of both virtual and in-person meetings, including convenience, diversity of experience, and anonymity. He emphasizes that the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking, and that principles can be applied to other addictions. He also suggests starting a local meeting if there's a need.

V. Conclusion

• Final Thoughts: Scott expresses gratitude for Father Sean's questions and for listeners engaging with his recovery journey.
• Call to Action: Scott encourages listeners to send questions to podcast@catholicinrecovery.com.
• Closing Blessing: Father Sean offers a blessing for the listeners, thanking God for intervening in Scott's life and for placing them in one another's lives.
• Farewell: Scott and Father Sean say goodbye.