Preserving the Voices of Recovery
Recovery Speakers exists today because of the vision, dedication, and service of countless individuals who understood that one recovered person sharing their experience could help change another person’s life.
The Midwest Tape Library
Bill and Arbutus O’Neal
Our story begins in the early 1950s with Bill and Arbutus O’Neal of Texas, founders of what became known as the Midwest Tape Library. Long before the internet, streaming media, podcasts, or digital archives, Bill carefully recorded the voices of recovery pioneers. Bill and Arbutus recognized the importance of preserving the spoken history of recovery.
Traveling to conventions, conferences, workshops, and special events throughout the United States — particularly across Texas and the Southwest — Bill carefully recorded the voices of recovery pioneers. These recordings captured the experience, strength, and hope of men and women whose stories might otherwise have been lost to time.
Bill and Arbutus O’Neal, founders of the Midwest Tape Library
Inside the Midwest Tape Library — thousands of recordings carefully catalogued and duplicated
Carrying the Message
Back at home, Bill and Arbutus would duplicate and mail these recordings to members and non-members throughout the world. Hundreds upon hundreds of tapes were sent to military servicemen stationed overseas, isolated groups in remote communities, hospitals, treatment centers, and individuals seeking recovery.
These recordings became far more than audio tapes. They became meeting topics, educational tools, and inspiration for new groups. In many cases, a single recording would be shared among several people, then another group would form, and another, helping carry the message of recovery to places where few resources existed.
Passing the Baton
Mike Fitzpatrick
By 2005, Bill O’Neal had passed away, and Arbutus O’Neal, together with members of the O’Neal family, faced an important decision regarding the future of The Collection they had spent decades building.
Determined that Bill and Arbutus’s life’s work would continue, the family entrusted stewardship of the collection to Mike Fitzpatrick, who accepted the responsibility of carrying forward their vision: preserving and making available the audio history of the recovery movement for future generations.
Building upon the foundation established by Bill and Arbutus, Mike began expanding The Collection while remaining true to the mission. Mike expanded The Collection beyond its original scope to preserve recordings from a broad range of recovery fellowships, conferences, workshops, and historical presentations.
The Midwest Tape Library — the original physical home of The Collection
Weekly History Workshops
Bringing together voices from across the country and around the world, creating a living community dedicated to understanding and honoring the roots of recovery.
Expanding Through Technology
Beginning in 2020, Recovery Speakers launched a weekly online history workshop series. Every Tuesday evening, historians, archivists, researchers, and longtime members of the recovery community gathered to share presentations exploring the rich history of recovery movements.
These workshops brought together voices from across the country and around the world, creating a living community dedicated to understanding and honoring the roots of recovery. Hundreds of hours of workshop recordings were preserved, adding a new dimension to The Collection’s mission.
A New Beginning
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Rebirth
In May 2026, Recovery Speakers experienced a devastating technical loss that affected years of development work and thousands of digital resources. More than 30,000 recordings, blogs, research materials, and supporting content assembled over many years were impacted.
While the loss represented a significant setback, it did not diminish the mission. As a newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, Recovery Speakers began developing a modern platform designed for the future. The new home for this mission is RecoverySpeakers.org.
Official 501(c)(3) Status
Transitioning into an official, registered nonprofit charitable organization to secure the future of recovery preservation forever.
The Work Continues
Every recording preserved is a voice that might otherwise have been lost. Every transcript created makes these voices accessible to those who cannot hear. Every archive entry added extends the reach of recovery history to someone, somewhere, who needs it.
Recovery Speakers is committed to preserving and sharing these voices for as long as they are needed — which is to say, for as long as people seek recovery.
“Preserve the voices of recovery and make them available to those who need them.”
— The Mission of the Midwest Tape Library, Carried Forward