AA Grapevine's Podcast

Based on a letter from Roxanne, Helen, Sam and Olis discuss the importance of service in AA and the equally important practice of maintaining balance between family, work and AA. 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 subscribe to Grapevine Magazine in print,...

Mike L., the Interim Chair of the General Service Board, shares about his service role and about his recovery from alcoholism. A print interview with Mike also appears in the December issue of Grapevine magazine. In "Listener Feedback" Spencer has a question about the Big Book, and Tim shares gratitude for the sharing of one of our podcast guests. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do h...

Olis joins the rotation as a host of Grapevine's weekly podcast. Don and Olis speak with Julia from Berlin, Germany about International AA and translating the spiritual message. Julia also talks about her search for God, Spirit versus spirits, and creating the fellowship she craved. Stay tuned after sign off for a brief song. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevin...

Sam talks about learning to refocus in different types of meetings. Will joins Don and Sam for a discussion about connecting to AA, reaching out to others, and building a sober community. In an Ask it Basket segment, Felix asks about the phrase "Take it Easy" in the Twelve and Twelve. In Listener Feedback Madeline calls in on her fourth anniversary to express gratitude, and Steve wants to know how...

Reilly from Oregon talks about getting sober as a young woman in AA, going from riding motorcycles to quilting, and her current service as a Regional Trustee. Reilly, Don and Sam discuss the advantages of no longer fighting anyone or anything and staying out of controversy. Don describes his visit to the GSO Archives, and there's a feature on the Grapevine Daily Quote. While we provide the podcast...

"Liz the Lawyer," whose article appears in the November issue of Grapevine magazine, shares with Don and Sam about her struggles to admit her alcoholism, but then finding support and love from the "finest people on the planet." The three then talk through Grapevine's 12 Tips for a Joyous Holiday Season. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity...

El shares about being given the gift of freedom through AA, her young people's home group, and turning over both the good and the bad parts of herself. In a "Stump the Thumper" feature, El cleans Don's clock. 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 subscribe to...

Mark shares with Don and Sam how a voice of intervention let him know that alcohol no longer worked. AA helped Mark admit defeat. In an Ask it Basket segment, Rebecca has questions about the slogan Think, Think, Think and another about relapse. Brad calls in on the Listener Feedback Line. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not...

Olis talks to Don and Sam about how alcohol was love at first sip at a very young age, but then it stopped working. There's Ask-it-Basket questions from Lou about the terms "Recovered" and "Recovering" and one about Anonymity. Spencer has a history question about the Responsibility Statement, and we get to hear Bill W. lead the 1965 International Convention in Toronto in reciting. While we provide...

Annie C., whose article appears in the October issue of Grapevine Magazine, shares with Don and Sam her journey in Alcoholics Anonymous. She recalls crying when she realized that she was OK, and the three talk about the gift of laughter in AA. Annie also helps answer an Ask it Basket question from Rebecca. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA ent...

Jon W., Grapevine's Senior Editor, joins Don and Sam for a discussion of how the magazine is put together each month for AA Members and potential members. Jon also talks about his own recovery from alcoholism, and how a solid program is important even when you're exposed to AA all day at work. There's a hilarious bonus of bloopers from year two at the end. While we provide the podcast at no charge...

Kayla talks to Don and Sam about building a connection with her higher power — rather than her ego. She realized that while she was learning the steps, it was more important to work the steps, and that she found the ability to be more honest as the layers peeled. In "Listener Feedback" Kyle shares how the podcast has helped him through a rough time. In a bonus section of listener feedback at the e...

Sam visits ICYPAA, the International Conference of Young People in AA, and interviews numerous participants about the event and about their recovery from alcoholism. There's a bonus 10 minutes of interviews after the sign-off. 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, p...

Jake B., an American now living in Spain talks about going to meetings in a new country, struggling with the first step, learning to take suggestions, and about rigorous honesty with his sponsor. In "Listener Feedback" Sam and Don read emails received from Wayne, Sam, Monica, Vivian, and Wake. You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-relat...

Grapevine Publisher, Chris C., joins Don and Sam to discuss the new Grapevine and La Viña apps that launched on September 1. Steve H. joins later to talk about his article "The Junkyard," which appears in the September issue of Grapevine. We close with some thoughts from Bill W. about the importance of communication in AA. You can email us at podcast@aagrapevine.org. To record an Ask-It-Baske...

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...