AA Grapevine's Podcast

Cameron talks to Don and Sam about getting sober in a foreign land on a virtual platform during lockdown. Encouraged by other members, he then got connected with local AA. In a Listener Feedback segment Madeline emails the podcast about welcoming newcomers. An excerpt from Dr. Bob's last talk rounds out this week's program in a Blast From the Past. You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org....

Two military women, Dee and Niquie, share with Don and Sam about hiding their drinking and the spiritual hole in the soul that brought them into AA. There's also some great tips on preparing to attend drinking events. Tracy and Jeniffer call in to the podcast, and Gary sends in an email. There's also a bonus segment this week: #Heardinameeting. You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To...

Don visits the North Carolina State Convention, and describes the setting and full schedule of events taking place. He interviews convention volunteers and participants about the event and about their recovery from alcoholism. This eposode extends beyond the normal time frame to include bonus interviews. You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a rec...

Tom P., who along with Jerry C. leads the AA Armed Forces Interview Project, talks with Don and Sam about their work of sharing the audio stories of AA members in the military. This is an extension of an interview that appears in the August 2023 issue of Grapevine Magazine. There's also a sample interview from the audio project with military member Nicquie. You can email us at podcast@aagrape...

Steve L. remembers being told "you never have to feel this way again." He talks to Don and Sam about starting a new group, the importance of serving his group, and balancing AA with family and work. On the Listener Feedback Line we hear from Larry, Nancy and Joe. 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 e...

Jenn, a delegate to the General Service Conference, talks to Don and Sam about keeping an open mind and accepting the group conscience. Jenn also tells how she never thought drinking was the problem—until she read the big book. Cindy contributes an "Ask it Basket" question; and Brian calls in an old joke from the Ham-on-Wry days of Grapevine. You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To re...

Bill L., an AA member with 53 years of sobriety, shares how he found "Freedom Hall" in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill describes how the first time he sincerely asked for help he went from rage to peace of mind. In a Listener Feedback segment, Rachel calls in on her 7th Anniversary. You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke,...

Carissa joins Don and Sam and shares about the importance of giving newcomers the opportunity to grow with group commitments. In her experience esteemable acts helped her become trustworthy to others and to herself. In #heardinameeting Heather C., Chris C. and Spencer P. share some of the quirky and funny things they've heard or seen at AA meetings. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do...

Christopher M., whose article Safe & Loved appears in the July 2023 issue of Grapevine, shares with Don and Sam about finding a higher power that works for him. He also talks about writing for the Grapevine. In the Listener Feedback feature, Wake Q. raises the connection between powerlessness and anonymity; and Ed B. breaks the hosts' chops a bit. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we...

Mark talks about how external pressure from the legal system got him to AA, and how service work saved him physically and spiritually. He searched out and found groups that allow him to be his authentic self. Don and Sam get help from past-Trustee Billy N. on a question from Amanda about the circle and triangle symbol. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is th...

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...