AA Grapevine's Podcast

Sarah, whose article appears in the November 2025 issue of Grapevine Magazine, tells Olis and Don about being a daily blackout drinker. She tried to control her drinking but learned that if you need to control, you're out of control. Sarah felt a special welcome in AA, and now tries to make the next new person feel welcomed as well. Mike shares his love for Grapevine. While we provide the podcast...

Marcheta joins Olis and Sam and tells them how her bottom included driving the wrong way on a one-way street and the fire department knocking on her door because of a burning pot on the stove. They discuss the flimsy reed of AA actually being the hand of a higher power, and Marcheta relates how today she goes to any length to stay sober. In the feature #heardinameeting Kirsten and Michael share fr...

Jacob, Katie and Q talk to Don and Olis about how each of them came into Alcoholics Anonymous, and then all five share their experience of going on 12-Step calls to help still-suffering alcoholics. They talk about using the guidelines found in "How it Works" in the Big Book, and about what they've each learned from doing this vital service. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have exp...

Angela tells Olis and Sam about getting sober while working as a stripper. She learned from her sponsor that self-esteem comes from esteemable actions. Angela also talks about benefitting from keeping a daily gratitude list, and how focusing on what she can give rather than what she can get has strengthened her sobriety. Jack sends a question to the Ask it Basket, and Chris shares about his love f...

Jonny, whose article appears in the October "Technology in AA" issue of Grapevine, tells Don and Sam about his work as district web master, Grapevine chair, and group General Service Representative. Jonny describes how at 11 days sober he lost his brother, but he had already learned to pick up the phone, and that kept him sober through his grief. Penny describes her love for Grapevine and how her...

Josh talks to Olis and Don about his service experience from the top to bottom of AA's inverted triangle. They discuss how many of AA's technology advances came to the fellowship from the grass roots of groups and members. Josh also discusses a model for the use of artificial intelligence in his AA life — conducting AI searches that are restricted to direct quotes from AA Conference Approved liter...

Anthony joins Don and Sam and tells them about his introduction to AA. While Anthony wasn't welcome at many bars, he felt welcome at AA from the beginning. Anthony talks about mini miracles and his journey through the Steps. Mily T. is back with a History Snippet , and we hear Listener Feedback from Mary. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA enti...

Penny was drinking in dive bars and alone at home mostly, but after being pulled off the field at a softball game, she called AA "for a friend." She tells Don and Sam how she was told to approach the first woman she saw at the meeting and tell her she's a newcomer. Instead, she approached a woman crying, and woman said, "oh, you're a newcomer." The three also talk about the early days of online me...

Andrew tells Sam and Don that he doesn't do anything half way, true when he was drinking and true now in his recovery and service to AA. The three also discuss a few of the many ways AA seems counterintuitive. In the Ask It Basket , Madeline asks about the suggestion of "no new relationships in the first year," and Ed wants to hear more about Grapevine's Carry the Message program. While we provide...

Snow, whose article appears in the September 2025 issue of Grapevine magazine, tells Don and Olis that her bottom came with little drama, just alone in her kitchen. Now she's determined not to hoard her gift. Snow's grandson learned that Nana cries when she's happy. We also hear from Celia and Chip on using Grapevine as a service and recovery tool. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do...

Mary tells Don and Sam that she was a real closet drinking, scrunched up in there with a warm beer. Mary describes her moment of clarity and the opportunity it gave her to act. She says that the hardest three words for an alcoholic are I-NEED-HELP, but she discovered that two alcoholics talking together creates a power greater than self. In this weeks feature Don tries to Stump the Thumper — let's...

Don, Olis and Sam report on their wonderful experiences at the 2025 International Convention in Vancouver. Don took in the convention and described the scenes, and with microphone in hand interviewed over a dozen participants: April, Bob, Callie, Catherine, Chris, Evan, Galrous, Kenneth, Marty, Melinda, Michelle, Miles, and Nick. We finish with Sam reading an excerpt from the closing talk by Scott...

Leslie joins Olis and Don and tells them about her early reluctance with AA. It was at ICYPAA that she first felt the spirit and saw the benefit that drew her in. She was also reluctant with her first sponsor because they had so many differences, but the sponsor's emphasis on the First Step eventually won Leslie's heart. We hear Listener Feedback from Victor, Joe, Kelly and Matt. While we provide...

Karen, whose article appears in the August 2025 issue of Grapevine, tells Don and Sam that her feeling of despondence and knowing that drinking was not good for her brought her to AA. It was out in nature that Karen first felt connected to something larger than herself. Now she has a regular practice of letting go and trying to do the next right thing. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we...

Celebrating 90 Years of Alcoholics Anonymous at the International Convention in Vancouver, BC, our podcast team Don, Olis and Sam welcomed a live audience to participate in the recording of the 200th episode of our "audio oddity" The AA Grapevine Half Hour Variety Hour. This week we use a full hour. Guests this episode include: Nathan, the host of the GSO's podcast Our Primary Purpose ; David, a G...

Elizabeth shares with Olis and Don about her early struggles with sobriety and AA. She graduated herself from AA after 30 days and brought her chip to show off at the bar. She thought there must be a better plan, but soon learned that there's no workable "Plan B" for her, and she surrendered. Joe sends in a letter for Listener Feedback . While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expens...

David, who once got a DUI driving a horse and buggy, talks to Don and Sam about his direct service to alcoholics. He brings meetings to a local detox, and works with alcoholics who live in a nearby half-way house. The three also discuss a Daily Quote from Grapevine. Don describes a recent visit to Dr. Bob's house in Akron, OH. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevi...

The July Grapevine is here. Michal, who's story "Lighting Candles in Poland" appears in this month's issue, sends in his experience strength and hope. Sam and Olis then talk to a panel of AA members: Alex from Hong Kong, Julia from Germany, and Monica from Ghana. They all discuss the similarities and differences of AA in their countries. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expens...

Sharron tells Olis and Don that helping others through the Big Book, and then seeing these same folks helping others through the book gives her a great feeling and keeps her sober. Sharron drank to get drunk and always succeeded, but she knew she was in trouble when she did not want to drink, but had to drink nonetheless. You're Invited  to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anon...

Jamie tells Don and Sam that learning to accept his anxiety was enough to begin to step away from it. Jamie talks about helping newcomers work the first three Steps, and he discusses the power of the Third Step Prayer. Julia calls in to the Listener Feedback line. You're Invited  to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit  aa.org/international-convention &...

Annita tells Olis and Sam about the chaos in her life while drinking and finding AA. She found the laughter and smiles kept her coming at first, and she then got active by joining a home group and making coffee. Annita found it hard at first to take on a sponsor, but once she did they jumped right into Step work. Annita shares on her experience with Tradition 12 as well. David and Gerry write in w...

Andrew from Australia tells Olis and Don how the Doctor's Opinion and Bill's Story in the Big Book opened his mind to being useful rather than correct. Andrew recalls asking his sponsor when he should start on the Steps, and the sponsor answered, "how long do you want the suffering to last?" Patrick sends in a question for A Newcomer Asks. You're Invited  to the 2025 International Convention...

Jeffrey tells Don and Sam about his experience in prison and how he picked up a Grapevine magazine by mistake, and then later the Big Book found him and wouldn't let go. These publications opened his eyes, and he jumped at the first chance to attend an AA meeting. Jeffrey wrote a story that appears in the June 2025 prison issue of Grapevine. On this episode, Jeffrey relates his drinking story incl...

Kelsey and Julie both talk to Don and Sam about their recovery from alcoholism and then all four discuss the Hot Topic of Anonymity. You're Invited  to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit  aa.org/international-convention  for information. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not...

Kevin tells Don and Sam about his home group called "One Paragraph at a Time." Kevin relates how his sponsor's loving acceptance gave him a feeling of spirit that he'd never had before. He also tells how his favorite recovery song made his first sober hockey game much easier. There's a report from Patrick on the upcoming 2025 AA International Convention in Vancouver, BC; and an Ask it Basket quest...