AA Grapevine's Podcast

Maggie P. shares with Don and Sam about her struggles to surrender to her alcoholism and to AA. She says she had to be brought to her knees, and that when she finally surrendered she was hanging on by a thread. Now she's a meeting maker with over 17 years of sobriety, enjoying the "Grace of Drunks." We also hear Listener Feedback from Tori, and her gratitude for the phrase "your own conception of...

Gary, the Intergroup Manager from Austin, TX, talks to Don and Sam about his recovery. He started out with periodic relapses and describes the misery that goes with that. He had a moment of clarity after reaching a final bottom. In sobriety, Gary's Ninth Step work led to him helping a person from his past. There's a call on our Listener Feedback Line from Richard too. While we provide the podcast...

Lonnie from Washington, DC, whose story appears in the June issue of Grapevine, shares with Don and Sam about growing up on the streets, landing on the skid row of his own couch and crying out for Divine help. Now he sits up front at meetings to pay attention and hear, because he must deal with sobriety every day. Caller Spencer requests hearing Bill W.'s talk from the 1950 Convention, and we play...

Val M. from Vancouver, BC, talks about her sober date of July 2, the day after a Canada Day party. She learned early to go to lots of meetings and to include a Step meeting and a Big Book meeting each week. Val tells an inspiring story about God's intervention as she headed to a liquor store. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the onlyAA entity that does n...

John T. from the Bronx, NY talks to Don and Sam about his struggles to come back to AA, and the differences between his original first year and his second first year of sobriety. John shares about using the "Set Aside Prayer," in which he asks God to help him put aside everything he thinks he knows, and to be open minded to new experiences. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have exp...

Chase talks to Don and Sam about the mental obsession and physical reaction of alcohol, how AA commitments keep the obsession at bay, and about doing the right thing regardless of how you feel. In an "Ask it Basket" feature, Paul asks about the 5th Edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Jen a Delegate from the Conference Literature Committee gives an update. While we provide the podcas...

Jeff C. shares with Don and Sam about his early struggles to stay sober. Jeff also talks about being in the final stage of his life, entering hospice, and still learning as he takes sobriety one day at a time to the last day. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, pl...

After Don and Sam give a preview of the May '23 issue of Grapevine, Taylor the Sailor shares his experience, strength and hope as a frequent traveler in AA. He found that with willingness the hoops he had to go through proved large. He shares about using the "Loners International Directory" and about re-learning to breathe. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine...

Tana describes how AA gave her life back—she finished her education and now works in a helping profession. She also talks to Don and Sam about stopping the cycle of generational trauma. There's an Ask it Basket question from J.K., and listener feedback from Paula and Nathan. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept contrib...

Monica and Jeff talk to Don and Sam about their experience with virtual AA meetings—how to find them, how to participate, etiquette, doing service, connecting with the group and individuals, safety and anonymity. They provide many suggestions for making the most of the experience. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept c...

Big Book historian Bill joins Don and Sam for discussions about the different types of AA meetings, working to enlarge our spiritual lives, and the AA Word Police. Bill also takes on a challenging game of "Stump the Thumper." While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, pl...

Diane, whose story appears in the April 2023 issue of Grapevine, shares with Don and Sam about how her group helped her not only stay sober, but also make a difficult decision. There's an Ask-it-Basket question about the Forewords to the Big Book, and a couple listener comments too. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept...

Sam visits the Pacific Region Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly and interviews five participants about their sobriety and service to AA. In a Listener Feedback feature we hear from Rebecca, Trevor, Jimmy and Taylor. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please s...

Michaelene talks to Sam and Don about her life drinking and how she would lie, cheat, steal, con or manipulate others to get what she needed to drink; how she finally surrendered; and how AA members helped her through tragic situations. In an "Ask it Basket" segment, the three discuss the difference between open and closed meetings. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. G...

Don and Sam get help from Cindy as she visits the International Women's Conference in Dallas, TX recently. Cindy interviews numerous women about their sobriety and their experience at the conference. On the Listener Line, Peyton calls in from Illinois and we hear from Brian in North Carolina. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does...

Christina S., whose story appears in the March issue of Grapevine magazine, shares with Don and Sam about finding her niche in AA service. She shares about watching the miracle of recover happen in her family and about her own spiritual awakening while working the 9th Step. Don and Sam discuss helping a newcomer, and the importance of being open and connected to other AA members and to God. While...

Rev. Ward Ewing, a Class A Trustee Emeritus (non-alcoholic), talks with Don and Sam about how his work with Alcoholics Anonymous changed him and changed his ministry. Peter from Long Island, NY submits an "Ask it Basket" question and a joke; and Jerry from British Columbia gives feedback on the AA Grapevine Podcast. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the o...

Allie C. talks to Don and Sam about how a forced drying out period during a court program helped the fog lift, which helped her denial to lift too. In AA, Allie met a group of people who just wanted to help her, but didn't want anything in return. Allie also talks about the value of having a sponsor and the rewards of being a sponsor. There's a bonus segment at the end of this podcast where proble...

Lauren shares with Don and Sam about searching out live meetings again, and her gratitude for the tools to summon Steps 1, 2 and 3 when necessary. Lauren also shares info about the upcoming Pacific Region Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly. In a "Blast From the Past" Teddy R. shares from a talk in 1956. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. To support the AA Grapevine...

Laura S., whose article appears in the February 2023 issue of Grapevine magazine, shares with Don and Sam about learning about AA in high school, the freedom to be who she is, and using the whole AA toolkit to lead a good life. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at aa...

Don and San talk to Geoff S., the Southern Regional Trustee for the General Service Board of Australia. Geoff talks about carrying the message in a proactive way, and how service helps him to stay sober and happy. Australia AA is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the mag...

Bobby and Charlene share about getting sober in AA as young people, obstacles they faced and finding fun and laughter. They discuss service at the group level, getting active in Young People in AA, and involvement in general service. Don and Sam share letters from the mailbag. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to t...

Greg T. talks to Don and Sam about how alcohol stopped working for him and how AA made his life worth living again. Greg relates how the Steps helped him find his authentic self. "Stump the Thumper" is this week's special feature. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at...

General Service Board Trustee-at-Large Trish L. and GSO Staff Member Racy J. share with Don and Sam about their personal recoveries and their recent participation in the AA World Service Meeting. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store

Reem, whose story appears in the January 2023 issue of Grapevine magazine, talks with Don and Sam about breaking through 10 years of denial by learning the 24-hour plan and "fake it till you make it." While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at aagrapevine.org/store