Explore every episode of the podcast AA Grapevine's Podcast

Andrew, whose article appears in the September issue of Grapevine, talks to Don and Sam about getting sober at the age of 20 and how he enjoys working with other young members of AA. Andrew talks about getting help from AA, and also needing professional help for issues other than alcoholism. The three have a robust talk about sponsorship, working the Steps, helping others, being honest and AA's cooperation with the medical profession.

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, 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

Tina shares with Olis and Sam about alcoholism as a horrific, unpredictable, wild, come-back-at-you disease. She came into AA 40 years ago with a wide open network of nerve endings, but found how to use that energy to help others. Sara sends in a question for the Ask-it-Basket, and there's Listener Feedback from Joe, Patty and Steve.

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, 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

Sam and Olis host Don and Chris to answer listener questions about the podcast following AA's Twelve Traditions. The questions include: "Who gets to say what constitutes a good AA program?" "Is sharing an online AA meeting's login credentials Grapevine promoting a particular meeting?" and "Is it wrong for the AA Grapevine podcast to have AA celebrities as guests?" There's also a newcomer question called in by Robin: "What is a sponsor and what is the role of a sponsor in my recovery?"

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, 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

The AA Grapevine Half-Hour Variety Hour turns one-year-old this month. To celebrate we created this special anniversary episode. First Don and Sam talk with the gang at Grapevine about the creation of the podcast. Later you'll enjoy listening to some hilarious bloopers that didn’t make it onto the weekly podcast. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Lynne W. from Billings, MT, whose article appears in the October issue of Grapevine magazine, shares about reaching out instead of closing up, and that while the pursuit of oblivion never worked, being open to a spiritual solution does work in her life. Note: please listen to our Grapevine podcast one-year anniversary special, to be released on Tuesday, October 4 at 9 AM Eastern. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Olivia from North Carolina talks to Don and Sam about living sober through many changes in life. She shares that after many years of sobriety she can finally be the person she always wanted to be. The three then field an "Ask the Oldtimer" question from Joe in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Grapevine visited ICYPAA in New Orleans on September 2 to 4, 2022 and through a series of interviews captured the spirit, love and enthusiasm of young AA members celebrating their sobriety. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Kenneth talks about how following the recipe brings sweet rewards, putting AA front and center, and learning to listen as if you have no opinion. He matches up with Don and Sam in a game of Stump the Thumpers too. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Leah B., whose article "Open For Business" appears in the September issue of Grapevine, shares with Don and Sam about being a young person in AA, starting a young persons' group, and the benefits of life in sobriety. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Elsa A. talks with Don and Sam about how the Steps helped her clear away the garbage in her head so she could move on. The three then discuss social media postings with #heardinameeting. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Don and Sam talk to Grapevine Senior Editor, Jon W., and story contributor Brian S. about the new Grapevine book Fun in Sobriety. Christopher and Meg call in their fun anecdotes too. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Jennifer D., who got sober as a teen, talks to Don and Sam about how before recovery the pain of life was crushing her soul. When she surrendered and turned to service, she found new purpose. "Still Bill" has a question for "Ask the Old-timer." While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Michael J., Don and Sam share laughs about handling criticism, anger, and dealing with life's hardships in sobriety. In a "Blast from the Past" Bill W. speaks about AA and criticism, from a talk from 1965. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Tracy describes to Don and Olis how she came to AA by way of the Al-Anon Family Groups and how she could see alcoholism in everyone but herself. Tracy says she only had to change one thing—everything. Now she strives to live a sober life of service. In a Blast from the Past, we hear a recording that Ernest M. gave to the Tudor Group in 1952. Alan contributes a joke to Wits End.

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, online, or on the new 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

Tom C., who serves as a tour guide at the home of Dr. Bob, talks with Don and Sam about getting sober in AA, and shares some of what he's learned about Bill and Bob in Akron. Spoiler alert—Tom's a ringer at Stump the Thumper. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Pat C. talks to Don and Sam about acceptance, and how helping others helps him stick to the program — to keep up with how they are doing. "My life is a whole galaxy better than when I first got here." #Heardinameeting is the special feature this week. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Amy S. discusses the cleansing power of working the steps with a sponsor. A "Stump the Thumper" quiz too. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Don visits with a variety of trusted servants and AA members at a recent Area 51 Assembly—all Earthlings, we think. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

John D. shares his experience of being an old-timer who got sober very young. He discusses with Don and Sam the powerful strength he received from other AA members during a difficult time, and how his group teamed up to provide hope to an incarcerated alcoholic through correspondence. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Scott talks about the importance of his home group in helping him surrender to his powerlessness over alcohol. A discussion about the difference between an AA group and an AA meeting. Corin asks the old timer when new members are ready to help other alcoholics. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Single mother Dani talks with Don and Sam about finding help inside and outside of AA. The three then discuss #heardinameeting posts from social media. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Bay talks to Don and Sam about his struggle to get sober, and the miracles he found after taking on a sponsor and working the Steps. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

50-Year member Nancy K., who is featured in the June issue of Grapevine, discusses getting sober in AA in the early 1970's, and continuing the search for balance even after many years of sobriety. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

In an extended "Ask the Oldtimer" segment, newcomer Hayden asks long-term member Chris about what he should expect at an AA meeting, what he'll have to do, what he might get out of the meeting. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase books or other items at store.aagrapevine.org.

Scotty, who got sober before he was old enough to drink, talks to Don and Sam about hitting his bottom while dry and learning the value of working AA's 12-Step program. He started to listen, and the Steps brought him closer to God in many areas of his life. There's also an Ask it Basket question about chips and medallions.

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, online, or on the new 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

Lois talks to Don and Sam about the many wonderful ways technology helps connect AA members with one another. This episode contains information about the National AA Technology Workshop in Seattle coming up in September 2022. #HeardinaMeeting is our special feature this week. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase one of our books at store.aagrapevine.org

Vicki C. talks to Don and Sam about finding AA through the Courts when she lost custody of her child. Vicki discusses the importance of honest sharing and how she found others going through similar circumstances yet staying sober. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase one of our books at store.aagrapevine.org

Sammy shares about learning the hard way the value of an honest and thorough Fourth Step. Don and Sam share information about the AA Armed Services Interview Project. In a "Blast from the Past" Sister Ignatia shares fondly about working with Dr. Bob in Akron. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase one of our books at store.aagrapevine.org

Roxanne from Bismarck, ND shares about her story in the May issue of Grapevine magazine. Roxanne, Don and Sam discuss a gift from her sponsor, Russian nesting dolls, which symbolize the layers of recovery. An ensemble "Wit's End" finishes this week's episode. While we provide the podcast at no charge, it is not free to produce. To support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to the magazine or purchase one of our books at store.aagrapevine.org

Amy B. describes finding a comfortable place in the world with help from the AA fellowship and working the Steps. Michael asks a question in "Ask the Oldtimer."

Sober married couple Kelly and Greg discuss waiting a year to date, being sober together in a marriage, and keeping boundaries around their individual recovery. Sam challenges Don's "Stump the Thumper" quiz as too difficult in a discussion with Professor Chris.

Graylin discusses with Don and Sam the advantage of total defeat leading to surrender, leading to a strong willingness to work each of the Twelve Steps, leading to a new life in AA.

Don and Sam talk about the pros and cons of tallying years, days and even minutes; and Gail V. discusses getting sober young.

Frank, a 44-year member of AA, describes how the last place he wanted to look was within. Will asks the old-timer about AA and other 12-Step programs.

Jackie and Chess discuss arguments for and against changing the language in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. In a special segment Deb K., Chair of the Trustees Literature Committee, reports on the upcoming 5th Edition of the Big Book, the 4th Edition of the Spanish-language Big Book, and the development of a plain-language translation of the Big Book.

AA Grapevine Magazine celebrates 80 years of member-to-member sharing of experience, strength and hope this month. Grapevine has helped alcoholics each month since that first issue in June of 1944 and in recent years has grown into a multi-media outlet reaching members and potential members on a weekly and even daily basis through our apps, podcast, Instagram account, e-publications and our YouTube channel. You'll hear about all of this and more in this special episode: Grapevine staff and board members share their thoughts about Grapevine; Miley shares about Grapevine history; Steve, who's article appears in the June 2024 issue, shares about his alcoholism and recovery; and Cara and Matt share about the 2024 International Conference of Young People in AA (ICYPAA), which is coming up in July in Austin, TX. As a special treat, Steve performs his song, "The Rooms."

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, online, or on the new 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 R. discusses the changes he made in sobriety and how they effected his relationships. In a Blast From the Past, Bill W. discusses the origins of Rule 62.

Peter A. shares with Don and Sam about the changes in his attitudes and actions as a sober member of AA. Peter's story, "In the Right Place" appears in the March 2022 issue of Grapevine.

Susan Ida B. from Toronto shares with Don and Sam about the early days of getting sober and the rewards of sobriety. "Ask the Oldtimer" is this weeks special feature.

Becca discusses overcoming shame in AA with Don and Sam. In a special feature, #Heardinameeting, the three discuss "AA meetings filling members' tanks," "funny individual solutions," and that "everything can look like a failure in the middle."

Billy N. talks with Don and Sam about General Service, helping newcomers understand alcoholism, and the importance of a home group.

Jules V. talks to Don and Sam about his article in the February 2022 issue of Grapevine magazine.

Georgi F. talks to Don and Sam about staying sober during an extended serious illness.

Chris B. discusses his 45 years of sobriety with Don and Sam and answers an "Ask the Old-Timer" question from a listener. In a "Blast from the Past" Father Martin talks amusingly about how you might know if you're an alcoholic.

Dorothy shares with Don and Sam about coming back to AA with a new-found enthusiasm for recovery. A new feature, #heardinameeting, premiers.

Elliott B. talks to Don and Sam about wisdom, action, and the power of fellowship.

Dawn from Port Coquilam, BC and Patrick from Vancouver, WA share with Don and Olis about coming into AA and finding general service to be a great way to enhance their lives in sobriety. Both serve as District Committee members and they share how they participated in helping bring more people into service in their districts. This discussion resulted from a listener suggestion from Carolyn.

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, online, or on the new 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

Don and Sam talk to Peggy, whose story is featured in the January 2022 issue of Grapevine.

Members discuss group chant traditions they like and dislike. A head-to-head stump-the-thumper contest.

Alison talks to Don and Sam about getting sober as a young person, and navigating common stumbling blocks. Charlie asks the old-timer "how do I handle friends who don't believe I am an alcoholic?"