AA Grapevine's Podcast

Ann tells Olis and Don that fear drove her, and that she tried to control her drinking — often unsuccessfully. A marriage counselor told her to look at her own drinking, and she shared that with her mother. Ann's mother in turn invited Ann to join her at a meeting. Ann instead tried on her own, again unsuccessfully. When she finally went to her first meeting, Ann felt her life was over. She did not want to be an alcoholic. But, women helped her at that first meeting and ever since, and now she helps others. In the Ask it Ba...

David tells Don and Sam that he was very shy, but with booze in him he would offer to sing to women. David was a full blown alcoholic at 24—when hung over he learned to drink and would pass out and wake up hungover — and repeat. David talks at length about his 9th Step work and living free of shame. Vicky tells us about her love for Grapevine. Kenneth shares a joke.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to s...

Heidi tells Olis and Sam that she thought she'd found the solution early on, and didn't need all the tools found in the twelve steps. She learned later that alcoholism is a tricky disease. Sober in AA, Heidi helped her group get online during the pandemic, and that led her down a new path of service. She talks about the upcoming National AA Technology Workshop that is coming up the weekend of September 11. In the Ask it Basket Drew asks about the twelve steps. Marcheta shares about Grapevine in her life. In Using the Traditions in Our Lives we...

Ronnie, whose article appears in the August 2026 issue of Grapevine magazine, tells Don and Sam how drinking was a solution for him to hide away from his emotions. He stopped drinking on his own periodically when life became unmanageable, but always returned to it when things straightened out. When he finally found the gift of desperation, his neighbor said, "I got a friend." Olis reports in from the Western Roundup Living Sober and talks to Ronny, Pam and David.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity...

Marissa sits down with Don and Sam on her 13th sober anniversary. Lots of troubles followed Marissa into sobriety, and she says she learned slowly in AA that by taking actions, never alone, that she can walk through anything. Some great advice she got from a sponsor about a broken relationship: treat it as a service commitment until it doesn't feel that way. In the Ask It Basket we hear questions from Rudy and Alex. Johnny shares about using the Grapevine.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only...

Scott started drinking at 11, and says that alcohol was at the foundation of all he did. He chose to attend college in a party town, and it took seven years to get a bachelor degree. He is grateful that the rehab he attended brought him to AA meetings because the counselors talked about Scott and he put up his defenses, while the AA members talked about themselves, and Scott couldn't help but identify. Scott also talks about his work trying to make AA meetings more accessible for more alcoholics. In the feature Language of the Heart we hear from...

In his drinking years Leonard felt like life was punishment. He tells Olis and Don how a woman kindly asked him if he thought his drinking was a problem, and he soon found his way to an AA meeting. He walked through the door, got a sponsor and his life changed. In Listener Feedback we hear from Angela and Emily. We also hear back about favorite non-alcoholic beverages from Pat, Chad and Sunny. Pat shares a photo that you can see on Grapevine's Instagram. Gerry and Cynthia write in about the Get the App Rap. In Using The Traditions...

Nina, a self-described raging alcoholic, tells Don and Sam that she did not understand that she could not stop and had no conception of the obsession or allergy of the body. She thought everyone drank like she did. In her drinking years Nina missed exams, lost jobs, and got arrested. The last arrest led to her getting sober in jail. There she learned about the disease and the value of service. Giving back, a big part of Nina's recovery today involves corrections work where she gets to witness others recovering from alcoholism. In Listener Feedback Trevor asks a question...

Even though Dana experienced anxiety, perfectionism, self hate, depression, loneliness and no hope with drinking, taking the suggestion of a therapist to try AA did not hit, because that would mean no drinking. Eventually Dana did try AA and felt it was "alright", but did come back. Putting alcohol down and learning other coping skills led to a whole new freedom and life. In the Ask it Basket C.A. asks about being a trans woman in meetings. Chevonne, Maeve and Dana share their experience, strength and hope. April answers a question from an earlier episode about how to...

Trevon was born into alcoholism and suffered through a chaotic childhood. He tells Don and Sam that when he first drank he felt like he could breathe for the first time. Trevon's alcoholism brought troubles including prison time. His amends to his son gave him a profound experience. Trevon also talks about his service work with Young People in AA and Black and Indigenous People of Color in AA. Elaine tells us how Grapevine benefits her sobriety.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does...

Jenna tells Olis and Sam that after a trauma at the age of 16 she tried drinking and that fixed it for her. But as an alcoholic she wanted to feel that way all the time. In AA she learned how to have fun sober, especially in young people's groups. Jenna learned how to be of service in all parts of life. In Stump the Thumper, the questions compare phrases from the Big Book and the Plain Language Big Book. Jack A. shares about the benefit of Grapevine in his sobriety.

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Pedro from Portugal tells Olis and Sam about drinking in the discos of Long Island on weekends — that could last 2 or 3 or 4 days. He didn't know that binging qualified him, but in AA he learned there are many types of alcoholics. Now he lives a life of service and serenity. Pedro tells others that what happened to him will happen to them too. He says to go with the flow of love. Rick tells us why Grapevine is the best piece of mail he gets each month.

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Bill, whose article appears in the June 2026 issue of Grapevine, tells Olis and Don that he had to learn to do what AA asks you to do. In the beginning he did not get the ideas of alcoholism as an allergy, or the phenomenon of craving, but his sponsor helped him understand these things about himself. He came in thinking his life was over, but now thinks of sober times when his face hurt from smiling and laughing so much. Leslie shares about the benefits of Grapevine. In Using the Traditions in Our Lives we hear thoughts on Tradition...

Tammy tells Don and Sam that she came into AA following a tragic car accident and felony conviction. She attended meetings long enough, for fear of consequences if she didn't, that she began to hear what AA members were saying. Tammy realized she too should be working the AA program of recovery. Tammy threw herself into service, for her group, district, local office and in corrections. She tells a story of a profound experience she had when bringing a meeting into a prison. In Listener Feedback we hear from Eric and Josh. Nevada shares in Language of the Heart.<...

Melody and Eric join Don and Sam to share their experience, strength and hope in recovery from alcoholism, and their recent experience with the Plain Language Big Book. Melody says even as an atheist she cried out to whatever alien to please stop her drinking, and she then accidentally ended up in an AA meeting. Eric says he came in wanting to stand out rather than fit in, and that he's been reading Grapevine since he stole his first issue. In the Ask it Basket Sam M. (no relation) has a question about the Plain Language Big Book. Don...

Leslie recalls being hospitalized and a doctor giving her a meeting book. She tells Olis and Don that people smiled at her at the first meeting and remembered her name at the second meeting and she kept coming back. In the Ask it Basket Danny asks about Tradition Two and Bee inquires about struggles in sobriety. Stay tuned after the closing for extra Ask it Basket questions from Joe and Yaser. Alex tells us about his love for Grapevine.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity...

It's a new Month and Don and Sam welcome Tracy to share about her recovery and her article, The Best Day of My Life, in the May issue of Grapevine magazine. Tracy's boss brought her to her first meeting. Though she had no idea there was help, coming upon a sign at the meeting that said "You Are No Longer Alone" she got choked up and decided to stay. Sam travels to the San Diego Spring Roundup and talks to Teddy, Jennie, Matt and Renea.

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Josh, the creator of the Get the App Rap joins Olis and Sam on this week's episode. Despite 22 visits to detox, Josh had lost family and jobs and was living under a bridge, bringing him to his breaking point. Random kindness from a woman, giving him a place to stay, led to Josh reentering AA. Now he's been sober over eight years and devotes his life to helping others. We hear an email from Chris, and A Newcomer Asks question from Ravi. Jeffrey shares in Language of the Heart. Stay tuned after the close to hear Josh's other song...

Carol and Alex join Don and Sam to discuss their understanding of a power greater than themselves, and the process of surrender. Carol was viewed as too sick to help at one treatment center; Alex's drinking was manageable for years, but then a switch went off and he was drinking in the morning and at work. Both found different paths to AA, but both have enjoyed sobriety by working the 12 Steps. All four share on letters about surrendering from Ian, Buddy and Gerry. Clay shares about Grapevine in his group, and in hospitals and institutions work.

While...

Allan got sober while in the military, three days before his 39th birthday. He tells Don and Sam that he was free from alcohol after a profound spiritual experience, but had to work the spiritual probram to be free of other baggage. You can hear more from Allan on the Military Audio Project — aa.org/military — under Veteran, Allan W., Royal Canadian Navy Veteran. Allan, Don and Sam answer an Ask it Basket question from Luke on sponsorship. In Using the Traditions in our Lives Kaitlin, David and Nora share on Tradition Four, "Each group should be autonomous except in m...

Mike, whose article appears in the April issue of Grapevine Magazine, describes his first drink to Olis and Sam. He felt a radiant warmth inside and a feeling of connection to the group. But drinking caused problems too: a lost scholarship, a court martial in the military. Mike also describes a period of quitting drinking on a non-spiritual basis and resulting troubles. He found his way to AA, where others talked to him about their experience and the solution they found. Mike reluctantly got active at first and through many service positions eventually found himself on the General Service...

Julie tells Don and Sam about a tragedy she experienced as a teen that kicked off her drinking. Though drinking did much damage, Jule now feels that with the help of AA her relationships have healed, especially with her children. She's learned the benefits of being of service, and not just in AA. Julie shared a photo with us and we'll share it on our Instagram: alcoholicsanonymous_gv. In Language of the Heart we hear from Chip.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does...

Lois talks to Olis and Don about getting sober at the age of 70. She thought she had it hidden (she would toss her bottles in other's garbage cans) but her family caught up to her. Her daughter confronted her and Lois admitted that she hated what she'd become. In AA she realized "these people are me." Lois also now knows that she can't change the past, but can change the future. The three discuss an excerpt from the AA pamphlet AA For the Older Alcoholic. We hear Listener Feedback from Jay, Cary and Mike.

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Emily describes to Olis and Sam the terrible consequences of her drinking and the repeated promise to "never do that again." It took Emily a while to admit to herself "maybe I do have this problem," and in AA her quiet desperation led to an alternate way to fix her problem besides alcohol. Emily talks about her love for the podcast too. The three discuss a Daily Quote about growth in AA. Don catches up with "Bleepity Bleep" Carissa who we first met in season 5.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses...

Tina tells Olis and Don that she was living in a sports car and had to drink whether she wanted to or not. Alcohol was like a magic elixir and made her willing to give up everything in her life that mattered. Tina learned in AA that if she focused on suggestions and working the steps, all her big concerns would melt away. In the feature Using the Traditions in Our Lives we hear from Mark, Suzy, Deb and Rick on Tradition 3: "The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking."

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Geoff, whose article appears in the March 2026 issue of Grapevine Magazine, shares with Don and Sam about starting drinking early, and though this behavior got him in trouble, he was always eager for the next time he could drink. Geoff says that college didn't work because he was always at the bar. He describes how his alcoholism talked to him, and how sponsorship saved him when he was going down the wrong road. Geoff's life today is filled with love and fellowship. There's also a preview of the new season of Our Primary Purpose, the official podcast of the...

Courtney joins Olis and Sam and tells them about shying away from drinking as a teen, but then taking to it around her graduation from high school. With the progression, it got to the point where she couldn't function without alcohol. As a member of AA she values her sponsor because she does not always trust what she thinks. We hear Listener Feedback from Charlie. In a new feature, Language of the Heart, Gary talks about pages 86 to 88 in the Big Book.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the...

Sean tells Don and Sam about getting sober at 15, never having had a legal drink. Sean's early exposure to AA was through a rehab. He remembers going to a meeting which was just the leader and the other folks from his rehab. He was impressed when the leader said he was serving in the role because he didn't want to drink. There's a History Snippet with Mily, and Martina shares her love for Grapevine.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct...

Deb tells Don and Sam about being a blackout drinker at an early age. Over the years she became hopeless, not knowing about a way out. A suicide attempt brought Deb to a hospital and that brought her to AA. In AA she found a modicum of hope that kept her coming. After many years of sobriety, Deb's life now is filled with service to alcoholics in many forms. Check out Grapevine's Instagram for a photo of Deb's overstuffed Big Book. In Listener Feedback we hear from Scott; in a new feature, Using Traditions in Our Lives, we hear...

Susie tells Olis and Don about coming into AA as a young person. She was a tough girl in the back of the room, fighting the program, until someone asked, "how is your way working? After several years of sobriety and building a life, she hit a difficult depression. Now she's learned to take good care of herself and not try to do too much. Gary shares about his affinity for Grapevine.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so...

Martha joins Olis and Don and shares about getting sober at the height of party season. Martha's home group recently shut down, and she describes what she's looking for in home group as she visits many different meetings. Martha shares her gratitude that her husband and daughter give her support in her service work. In the Ask it Basket Jay asks about getting sober in later years. Mike shares in Language of the Heart, and Leina shares love for Grapevine.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA...

Nora tells Olis and Don about the insane thinking that started the second she picked up a drink. It got so bad that Nora would bring a water bottle filled with vodka to the bar so she wouldn't have to wait as long to get drunk. Her bottom came when Nora could no longer get drunk. She came to AA through a side window, but stuck around even though she couldn't figure out what making coffee had to do with staying sober. Let's see how Nora does in this week's feature, Stump the Thumper.

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Rick first came to AA supporting a friend mandated to attend. He didn't think himself an alcoholic, but read some literature and heard from some members and eventually understood his own problem. The Second and Third Steps came easy, but the Fourth presented a problem until he heard "it's just a list." Don and Sam introduce a new podcast feature, Using the Traditions in Our Lives, and Suzy and Angela share about Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.

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Greg, whose article "A Well-Made Bed" appears in the January 2025 issue of Grapevine magazine, tells Don and Olis about getting to AA with the help of a patient twelfth stepper. Greg shares a bit of history about the beginnings of his home group — the Princeton Alternative Group in New Jersey. We learn Greg's take on the secret to being "cool," and one difference between alcoholics and non-alcoholics. Terry talks about the benefits of Grapevine both in print and digital formats, and Don shares about Grapevine's Carry the Message project.

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Felicia tells Olis and Sam that when she was in legal trouble her attorney recommended AA. He wasn't the first to say she needed help, but he was the first one she heard. Felicia says she came into AA comparing herself to others, but with the help of experienced members she learned how to identify and not compare. Her service life began on a hospitals and institutions committee and she found happiness working with others. A Newcomer Asks: How do I know if I am really an alcoholic? Anthony shares about his love for the Grapevine.

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Mike says that having "just one more" not only brought him to a place he never thought he'd be, but also opened his mind for getting help. Mike tells Olis and Sam how his first meeting had smoking, gross couches and uncomfortable folding chairs — just what he needed. He's grateful for the gift of desperation. We hear Listener Feedback from Nevada about her love for the Grapevine podcast.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Gr...

Danica talks to Olis and Sam about when she was an active drinker how easy it was to forget the consequences of alcohol. Early on as a sober AA member she recalls noticing how others took their service commitments very seriously, and she decided to do the same thing. When faced with a dilemma, she got a suggestion from her sponsor to seek out the experience of other AA members and that helped her make a key decision. In the Ask-it-Basket a newcomer asks about sponsorship. We hear Listener Feedback from Emily and Lana. Jim shares about how he...

Antonio shares with Olis and Sam that alcohol worked for him — until it worked against him. In sobriety Antonio learned to really show up as a father-figure for his niece. He's also learned to remember that his core thoughts about himself are not real. In #Heardinameeting Aaron shares from his collection he keeps in a journal. Darlene shares about her support for Grapevine.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct contributions, so to support the AA Grapevine Podcast, please subscribe to Gra...

Steve, whose letter "Happy New Year" appears in the December 2025 issue of Grapevine, tells Don and Sam about detoxing in the rooms of AA. Steve used AA principles to not drink while he survived a serious illness. Now he uses that experience to help others, offering hope. We play the article "Remedy for a Lonely Holiday," also from the December issue. The audio for all magazine stories is available with a subscription to the apps or online.

While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does...

In a special "Corrections" episode, podcast editor Bob joins Don as a host. Olis, Bob and Don hold a quiz about the top 5 ways to stay sober during the holidays. This week's guest, Suzy, tells Bob and Don about going to prison as a sober member of AA. She learned from members of her group that she had an opportunity to help others while incarcerated. Suzy tells of her experience with service in prison, both as an inmate and now as a free AA member taking meetings into prison.

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