Some Theme Ideas for "TOPIC" Meetings

 

Nine Discussion Topics

Turning Points	Living with Uncertainty	Redefining Freedom
Letting Go	Connection with Others	What helps, “when nothing helps”
My old “normal” drinking	Small wins in recovery	Your story changes

  

I chair and Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that is mostly a sharing meeting. Traditionally, for years, we have not used a topic, that is, no one suggested topic, it is just open sharing. Although it’s a typical Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, it’s class as being of the secular type, so for example, we do not close with the Lord‘s prayer.    Could you give me 10 potential suggestions as topics for future meetings? Gratitude is an old reliable, but I’d like to think a little more originally than that over and over.  Topics can usually be expressed in one or a few words.  When that I have always liked, is, what did you think of AA the first time you were exposed to it?  Which I admit, cannot be expressed in a few words.

Here are 10 thoughtful and original topic suggestions that could resonate in a secular AA meeting, while still fostering meaningful sharing:

1. Turning Points – Moments when something shifted in your sobriety journey.
2. Living with Uncertainty – How you cope with the unknown without drinking.
3. Redefining Freedom – What freedom means now, compared to when drinking.
4. Letting Go – Experiences with releasing control or old beliefs.
5. Connection vs. Isolation – Navigating relationships in sobriety.
6. What Helps When Nothing Helps – Tools for tough days when nothing seems to work.
7. The Myth of "Normal" – Thoughts on what "normal drinking" used to mean to you.
8. Small Wins – The power of minor victories in recovery.
9. Changing the Story – How your narrative about yourself has evolved.
10. Sober Curiosity – How curiosity (about yourself, life, others) plays a role in recovery.

These topics invite reflection beyond the usual while still staying grounded in personal experience

That’s excellent. The format you used with one or two bolded words and then a phrase of explanation is a good format. People people can remember the two words, but as we start the sharing, the extra phrase clarifies what the one or two words mean.    Often in our sharing meeting, especially in the new world where it’s mostly on Zoom, often we have long silences where no one puts up his hand to share. On the other hand, maybe if we had a topic, the 15 people would just sit there and think they have nothing to share on that particular topic!

That’s a thoughtful observation. A well-chosen topic can spark sharing, but it can also feel limiting if people don’t connect with it. To keep the meeting open and dynamic, you might consider framing the topic in a flexible way. Here’s a revised approach with that in mind:

1. Turning Points – Moments when something shifted in your sobriety—or in life generally.
2. Living with Uncertainty – How you cope with the unknown, whether it’s about sobriety, relationships, or life changes.
3. Redefining Freedom – What freedom means to you now, whether related to drinking or not.
4. Letting Go – Experiences with releasing control, expectations, or even old habits—not just about alcohol.
5. Connection vs. Isolation – Times you’ve felt connected or isolated, and how that’s affected you.
6. What Helps When Nothing Helps – Strategies you’ve found for tough days—or even times when nothing worked and what you learned.
7. The Myth of "Normal" – What “normal” used to mean to you, and how your view of it has changed.
8. Small Wins – Little victories that mattered more than you expected, in sobriety or life in general.
9. Changing the Story – How your personal story—or how you tell it—has evolved over time.
10. Sober Curiosity – How curiosity has played a role in your life, whether about yourself, others, or the world.

You could introduce the topic like this: “Our topic today is ‘Turning Points.’ But as always, you’re welcome to share on anything that’s on your mind.” This keeps the door open for people who might feel stuck while giving others a jumping-off point

You're raising a great point. The ten topic ideas might be the same, but the problem is, getting an enthusiastic series of "shares" from the participants on Zoom (rather than stony silence). the phrase or question that is a tag to the keywords, could have a more or less favorable influence on behavior. Framing is everything! One could even do A/B testing with the same theme ("Small Wins") and different clarifying "tags".

xactly! Framing can be the spark that either ignites a room or leaves it in quiet reflection (or awkward silence on Zoom). The subtle shift in wording can tap into different emotional currents, making the same topic feel fresh or more personally relevant. Here’s an A/B approach for the same ten topics, designed to test which framing generates more engagement:

1. Turning Points

   • A: “What moment made you realize something had to change?”
   • B: “What’s a small shift that turned out to be a big deal?”

2. Living with Uncertainty

   • A: “How do you stay steady when life feels unpredictable?”
   • B: “What’s helped you get comfortable with not having all the answers?”

3. Redefining Freedom

   • A: “What does freedom mean to you today, compared to the past?”
   • B: “When have you felt the freest in sobriety—or even outside of it?”

4. Letting Go

   • A: “What’s something you’ve let go of that brought unexpected relief?”
   • B: “What’s been the hardest thing to let go of—and did you?”

5. Connection vs. Isolation

   • A: “When have you felt truly connected, and what did that feel like?”
   • B: “What helps you when you feel disconnected from others—or yourself?”

6. What Helps When Nothing Helps

   • A: “What do you do on days when nothing seems to work?”
   • B: “When have you surprised yourself by getting through a tough time?”

7. The Myth of "Normal"

   • A: “What did ‘normal’ mean to you before sobriety—and what does it mean now?”
   • B: “Have you ever chased the idea of ‘normal’—and did it work?”

8. Small Wins

   • A: “What’s a small victory you’re proud of—even if it seemed minor to others?”
   • B: “When did a little win matter more than you expected?”

9. Changing the Story

   • A: “How has the story you tell yourself about your life changed?”
   • B: “Is there a story about yourself you used to believe that no longer fits?”

10. Sober Curiosity

• A: “What are you curious about now that sobriety has cleared the fog?”
• B: “How has curiosity—not just about sobriety—helped you grow?”

You could even keep notes after meetings to see which frames lead to more hands going up quickly, more laughter, or deeper shares. Over time, you’d develop a kind of “greatest hits” of framing strategies that really resonate with your group.