AA Grapevine's Podcast

Allison felt like a late bloomer starting drinking at 14, her friends were already at it. She tells Don and Sam that her first drinks were part of her people pleasing tendencies, but she stayed lonely nonetheless. Later, friends told Allison she needed to get help, and recommended AA. At her first meeting Allison felt welcomed — the group made it a First Step meeting and asked her to come back tomorrow. Bill shares about his love for Grapevine. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Father Bill tells Olis and Sam about hitting a botttom and intentionally living in a shelter for a year. He stresses the importance of prayer and meditation in his sober journey and explains "two way prayer" as he understands it. Father Bill talks about hearing the AA program boiled down to three words: connection, correction and direction. He says that in his guided life part of his job is too look for contamination—finding disturbances. In Language of the Heart we hear from Terry, Matt and Jen. Alan shares his love for Grapevine. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Ann tells Olis and Don that fear drove her, and that she tried to control her drinking — often unsuccessfully. A marriage counselor told her to look at her own drinking, and she shared that with her mother. Ann's mother in turn invited Ann to join her at a meeting. Ann instead tried on her own, again unsuccessfully. When she finally went to her first meeting, Ann felt her life was over. She did not want to be an alcoholic. But, women helped her at that first meeting and ever since, and now she helps others. In the Ask it Basket Scott has a question about self hatred. Jeff shares his love for Grapevine. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

David tells Don and Sam that he was very shy, but with booze in him he would offer to sing to women. David was a full blown alcoholic at 24—when hung over he learned to drink and would pass out and wake up hungover — and repeat. David talks at length about his 9th Step work and living free of shame. Vicky tells us about her love for Grapevine. Kenneth shares a joke. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Heidi tells Olis and Sam that she thought she'd found the solution early on, and didn't need all the tools found in the twelve steps. She learned later that alcoholism is a tricky disease. Sober in AA, Heidi helped her group get online during the pandemic, and that led her down a new path of service. She talks about the upcoming National AA Technology Workshop that is coming up the weekend of September 11. In the Ask it Basket Drew asks about the twelve steps. Marcheta shares about Grapevine in her life. In Using the Traditions in Our Lives we hear from Kevin, Mary and David. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Ronnie, whose article appears in the August 2026 issue of Grapevine magazine, tells Don and Sam how drinking was a solution for him to hide away from his emotions. He stopped drinking on his own periodically when life became unmanageable, but always returned to it when things straightened out. When he finally found the gift of desperation, his neighbor said, "I got a friend." Olis reports in from the Western Roundup Living Sober and talks to Ronny, Pam and David. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Marissa sits down with Don and Sam on her 13th sober anniversary. Lots of troubles followed Marissa into sobriety, and she says she learned slowly in AA that by taking actions, never alone, that she can walk through anything. Some great advice she got from a sponsor about a broken relationship: treat it as a service commitment until it doesn't feel that way. In the Ask It Basket we hear questions from Rudy and Alex. Johnny shares about using the Grapevine. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Scott started drinking at 11, and says that alcohol was at the foundation of all he did. He chose to attend college in a party town, and it took seven years to get a bachelor degree. He is grateful that the rehab he attended brought him to AA meetings because the counselors talked about Scott and he put up his defenses, while the AA members talked about themselves, and Scott couldn't help but identify. Scott also talks about his work trying to make AA meetings more accessible for more alcoholics. In the feature Language of the Heart we hear from Mandy, Chris and Darlene. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

In his drinking years Leonard felt like life was punishment. He tells Olis and Don how a woman kindly asked him if he thought his drinking was a problem, and he soon found his way to an AA meeting. He walked through the door, got a sponsor and his life changed. In Listener Feedback we hear from Angela and Emily. We also hear back about favorite non-alcoholic beverages from Pat, Chad and Sunny. Pat shares a photo that you can see on Grapevine's Instagram. Gerry and Cynthia write in about the Get the App Rap . In Using The Traditions in Our Lives we hear from Laura, Leslie and Liz about Tradition Seven. In Wits End we hear a joke from Jack. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Nina, a self-described raging alcoholic, tells Don and Sam that she did not understand that she could not stop and had no conception of the obsession or allergy of the body. She thought everyone drank like she did. In her drinking years Nina missed exams, lost jobs, and got arrested. The last arrest led to her getting sober in jail. There she learned about the disease and the value of service. Giving back, a big part of Nina's recovery today involves corrections work where she gets to witness others recovering from alcoholism. In Listener Feedback Trevor asks a question about the Doctor's Opinion in the Big Book. Mily shares a History Snippet about early women in AA. Susie shares about the benefits of Grapevine. Don and Sam announce the winner of the New-Slogan Contest. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Even though Dana experienced anxiety, perfectionism, self hate, depression, loneliness and no hope with drinking, taking the suggestion of a therapist to try AA did not hit, because that would mean no drinking. Eventually Dana did try AA and felt it was "alright", but did come back. Putting alcohol down and learning other coping skills led to a whole new freedom and life. In the Ask it Basket C.A. asks about being a trans woman in meetings. Chevonne, Maeve and Dana share their experience, strength and hope. April answers a question from an earlier episode about how to make friends in AA. Courtney shares about Grapevine's place in her sobriety. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Trevon was born into alcoholism and suffered through a chaotic childhood. He tells Don and Sam that when he first drank he felt like he could breathe for the first time. Trevon's alcoholism brought troubles including prison time. His amends to his son gave him a profound experience. Trevon also talks about his service work with Young People in AA and Black and Indigenous People of Color in AA. Elaine tells us how Grapevine benefits her sobriety. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Jenna tells Olis and Sam that after a trauma at the age of 16 she tried drinking and that fixed it for her. But as an alcoholic she wanted to feel that way all the time. In AA she learned how to have fun sober, especially in young people's groups. Jenna learned how to be of service in all parts of life. In Stump the Thumper, the questions compare phrases from the Big Book and the Plain Language Big Book. Jack A. shares about the benefit of Grapevine in his sobriety. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our "Carry the Message" program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Pedro from Portugal tells Olis and Sam about drinking in the discos of Long Island on weekends — that could last 2 or 3 or 4 days. He didn't know that binging qualified him, but in AA he learned there are many types of alcoholics. Now he lives a life of service and serenity. Pedro tells others that what happened to him will happen to them too. He says to go with the flow of love. Rick tells us why Grapevine is the best piece of mail he gets each month. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Bill, whose article appears in the June 2026 issue of Grapevine, tells Olis and Don that he had to learn to do what AA asks you to do. In the beginning he did not get the ideas of alcoholism as an allergy, or the phenomenon of craving, but his sponsor helped him understand these things about himself. He came in thinking his life was over, but now thinks of sober times when his face hurt from smiling and laughing so much. Leslie shares about the benefits of Grapevine. In Using the Traditions in Our Lives we hear thoughts on Tradition Six from DeEtte, Courtney and Sarah. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Tammy tells Don and Sam that she came into AA following a tragic car accident and felony conviction. She attended meetings long enough, for fear of consequences if she didn't, that she began to hear what AA members were saying. Tammy realized she too should be working the AA program of recovery. Tammy threw herself into service, for her group, district, local office and in corrections. She tells a story of a profound experience she had when bringing a meeting into a prison. In Listener Feedback we hear from Eric and Josh. Nevada shares in Language of the Heart. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org . To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Melody and Eric join Don and Sam to share their experience, strength and hope in recovery from alcoholism, and their recent experience with the Plain Language Big Book. Melody says even as an atheist she cried out to whatever alien to please stop her drinking, and she then accidentally ended up in an AA meeting. Eric says he came in wanting to stand out rather than fit in, and that he's been reading Grapevine since he stole his first issue. In the Ask it Basket Sam M. (no relation) has a question about the Plain Language Big Book. Don, Sam, Melody and Eric discuss the new book, and we also hear from Phillip, Kenneth, Chelsea and Stephanie. Julie shares about her role as Grapevine Chair in her district. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Leslie recalls being hospitalized and a doctor giving her a meeting book. She tells Olis and Don that people smiled at her at the first meeting and remembered her name at the second meeting and she kept coming back. In the Ask it Basket Danny asks about Tradition Two and Bee inquires about struggles in sobriety. Stay tuned after the closing for extra Ask it Basket questions from Joe and Yaser. Alex tells us about his love for Grapevine. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

It's a new Month and Don and Sam welcome Tracy to share about her recovery and her article, The Best Day of My Life , in the May issue of Grapevine magazine. Tracy's boss brought her to her first meeting. Though she had no idea there was help, coming upon a sign at the meeting that said "You Are No Longer Alone" she got choked up and decided to stay. Sam travels to the San Diego Spring Roundup and talks to Teddy, Jennie, Matt and Renea. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .

Josh, the creator of the Get the App Rap joins Olis and Sam on this week's episode. Despite 22 visits to detox, Josh had lost family and jobs and was living under a bridge, bringing him to his breaking point. Random kindness from a woman, giving him a place to stay, led to Josh reentering AA. Now he's been sober over eight years and devotes his life to helping others. We hear an email from Chris, and A Newcomer Asks question from Ravi. Jeffrey shares in Language of the Heart. Stay tuned after the close to hear Josh's other song, Service Junkies . While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print, online, or on the Grapevine app. You can also provide a subscription to someone in need through our " Carry the Message " program or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store . You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to podcast@aagrapevine.org .