About Earnie

“If nothing changes, nothing changes.”
-Earnie Larsen

Earnie Larsen is a nationally known author and lecturer and a pioneer in the field of recovery. He has authored and produced more than 55 motivational self-help books. His most outstanding work is found in the creation of the Stage II™ Recovery process. He has a MRE degree in Theology and Education, a degree in Counseling and accreditation in Chemical Dependency and Family Counseling. Earnie has been a counselor for over 30 years and has spoken to sellout crowds all over the world. Earnie has been heard on hundreds of radio stations and appeared on TV shows such as the Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN and the Sally Jessie Raphael Show. His newest book is called The Healer's Way...Bringing Hands-On Compassion to a Love-Starved World.

- Raised in Omaha

1962
- BA degree in Philosophy from Immaculate Conception in Oconomowoc, WI

1965
- Ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in the Redemptorist Order

1966
- BA in Divinity from Immaculate Conception College in Oconomowoc, WI

1966 - 1970
- Taught religion to African American and Hispanic teenagers in St. Louis

1968
- Wrote his first book GOOD OLD PLASTIC JESUS which sold 250,000 copies
- Began his speaking career at this time
- During 12 years of priesthood, Earnie did extensive counseling and became involved with Alanon & Alateen for the first time

1973
- Masters of Religious Education from Loyola University in Chicago

1976
- Sought psychiatric help at North Memorial Medical Center for depression and exhaustion gaving Earnie personal experience with treatment and recovery

1977
- Resigned from the priesthood
- Received a degree in counseling with accreditation in chemical dependency and family counseling from the University of Minnesota.
- Joined the ministerial staff at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN

1978 to Present
- Began doing seminars and recording audiotapes. Earnie was speaking to crowds of 50 - 75 people. Now the crowds are 200 - 2000 per evening. Earnie has spoken to sellout crowds all over the world including many repeat performances.

- In 1979, Earnie married. His wife, Paula runs their business and usually travels with Earnie to his speaking engagements.

- Earnie has been heard on hundreds of radio stations and appeared on TV shows such as the Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN and the Sally Jessie Raphael

- In 1985, Earnie began making video series for treatment centers. His first series was Stage II Recovery and consisted of 4 videos. The primary uses of these tapes were and are in place of lectures with discussion questions at the end of each one. Earnie now has over 24 videos for treatment centers, prisons, hospitals, halfway houses etc.

- In 1987, Earnie created and wrote the initial structure and content of the "Life Management Program." Hundreds of Professionals have been trained to provide Life Management in the United States plus Life Management is now being operated in Australia, England and Ireland. Then forming a partnership with Reverend Paul Brunsberg has led to the Life Management Office, a Bush grant that trained 200 counselors from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota who run Life Management groups and work with Impaired Physicians and Lawyers.

- In 1991, Earnie became a Grandfather, which was a life-changing event for him.

- In 1993, he added a set of four more videos focused more for the prisons. Thus began much more involvement with Inmates and Parolees.

- In 1999, Earnie working with Hazelden made a 4-part Anger Life Skills Series for Inmates and Parolees plus a 12-part Relationships Life Skills.

- Then in 2000, he did a series on Domestic Violence with the sharing from those who were abused themselves. The sharing both challenges and encourages the abuser to pursue this course of recovery.

- In 2001, again Earnie and Hazelden continued their commitment to Inmates and Parolees with the Life Skills Series of Abused Boys, Wounded Men.

- As of 2004, Earnie has written approximately 60 plus books, produced 35 videos, made 15 audio tape albums and more than 20 single audio tapes. His newest book, the follow-up to his groundbreaking "Stage II Recovery" books, is called "Destination Joy" and came out in the fall of 2003.

- Presently, Earnie of course continues to write and speak but also considers his volunteering at the Salvation Army and the Union Gospel Mission in Minneapolis and St. Paul, an important part of his life's mission.