This episode starts out with "Sober Don" hosting Sobriety Squabble a game of guessing top answers to the question "what are the best ways to stay sober during the holidays?" — as we surveyed answers from Area Grapevine Chairs and Alternate Chairs. There's a report in from Alan, whose area was devastated by a recent hurricane, on how AA is continuin…

Lindsey and Kent talk about the AA Traditions with Don and Olis, and how applying the Traditions to their everyday lives makes everything better. We share more information about the new Plain Language Big Book and the Grapevine and La Viña apps. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that doe…

Mack, whose article appears in the November issue of Grapevine, tells Don and Sam about the important ways other AA's help him hear the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. Rainer, the GSO staff member on the Literature Desk also talks to Don and Sam about the just-published Plain Language Big Book A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous. Check out Don…

Aaron shares with Olis and Sam about his struggles to find sobriety in AA. For a time he had a head full of AA and a belly full of beer. After a couple years he learned to stop lying to himself and to God. Olis interviews Vera, a member of the Trustees Literature Committee, about the new pamphlet Black in AA: Experience, Strength and Hope. In the A…

Whitney joins Olis and Don to talk about recovery from alcoholism. Whitney never had the skill of moderation and realized that a bleak future lay in store. The three also discuss accessibility to AA meetings. Patrick C. joins to give an update on the 2025 AA International Convention in Vancouver in July. You can find information about the conventio…

Yosi starts his conversation with Don and Sam by describing how he could smell himself rotting on the inside and that when he came to AA he just wanted to stop drinking—but what he got was so much more. There's a Halloween unsolved mystery. We have a backlog of Listener Feedback, so at the end of our regular episode stay tuned to hear more from you…

General Service Board Class A Trustee Kerry Meyer joins Don and Sam for a discussion of how AA and courts can cooperate to help alcoholics and the community at large. In the October issue of Grapevine you'll find Kerry's article about the importance of CPC (Cooperation with the Professional Community) work. In this podcast Kerry describes the work …

Hosts Don, Olis and Sam, along with producer Chris, listen to some fun outtakes together and tell listeners about how the podcast is created each week. Chris shares some results of the podcast's reach and how many are helped by this service. The team expresses gratitude for one another, and for our guests and listeners. While we provide the podcast…

James talks to Don and Olis about connecting with a new home group after a move from New York to North Carolina. They discuss being able to share things in AA that you would not share at the PTA. James' first service commitment was "chairman" of the group, where his role was to set up the chairs. This week's special feature is "Stump the Thumper." …

Marie, a deaf member of AA, and Teddy, a Director on the AA Grapevine Board, talk to Don and Sam about the new American Sign Language playlist on the AA Grapevine and La Viña Channel on YouTube. They all discuss the challenges and advances of serving deaf alcoholics in AA, and the ongoing efforts to make AA accessible to all. There's a bonus segmen…

Heather joins Sam and Olis and describes her introduction to AA, and how it took her 13 years to be convinced about her alcoholism and the AA program of recovery. Heather says she complicated herself right out of the rooms at times, and that a super-strict sponsor helped her find her way. Heather, Olis and Sam discuss A Newcomer Asks question about…

The 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous is set for July 3—6, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Patrick, the GSO Staff member of the International Convention Desk, shares with Don and Olis all about registration, housing and the spiritual feeling of being with near 50,000 AA members from around the world. Registration fo…

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 t…

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 provi…

Daniel shares with Don and Olis about getting past his own prejudices and finding a home in AA. The three talk about reaching out and helping alcoholics from different backgrounds. There's also a "History Snippet" from Mily and Don, taken from a 1946 Grapevine article. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the…

Madeline, who found AA through another 12-Step program, talks with Don and Sam about her quirky home group that doesn't take itself too seriously, but does take sobriety very seriously. The three talk about getting through tough times sober by letting others know you with honesty and perseverance. In this week's feature, the three discuss a Daily Q…

Doug, whose story appears in the August issue of Grapevine magazine, talks to Sam and Olis about the events that brought him to AA. He also shares about a very different life that he has today, and how he balances work, family and the AA program. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that do…

Tomy, who serves as a Delegate to the General Service Conference, shares that all his life he wanted to be a part of something and in community with others, but he did not have those things until he found AA. Tomy also shares with Don and Sam his experience growing in service and his work chairing the Conference Literature Committee this year. Whil…

Nyla shares with Don and Sam about reading Bill's Story in the Big Book and thinking "hello me." Nyla grew up a little girl with grown up secrets, and trust was an issue when she came to AA; but she did feel a pull from the program, found long-term sobriety and now sees how important it is to keep her seat and help the next person. While we provide…

Reggie shares about coming into AA, getting sober, getting too busy and letting his program lapse. When tragedy struck, his foundation was shaky and he relapsed for 16 years. Now he's been back for seven years with a new commitment to the program and to helping others. Reggie joins Olis and Sam is discussion of some recent #heardinameeting posts. C…

Lynna talks to Olis and Don about jumping in to AA with both feet. She got a sponsor right away, a sponsor who spoke out of the Big Book, and she started on the Steps too. Lynna found a large group of young friends in AA and that helped her too. In A Newcomer Asks Jen asks when should one get a sponsor. Olis, Don and Sam discuss Listener Feedback f…

Andrea, who's story appears in the July Prison issue of Grapevine, talks to Don and Sam about getting sober while incarcerated. She recalls a women who brought a meeting into the facility saying to her "you don't ever have to feel this way again," and it made a huge impact on her. Andrea also tells about giving her Fifth Step to a guard. Andrea hel…

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 celebri…

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 c…

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 podc…

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…

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…

Nathan joins Sam and Don and talks about how in his early days in AA he found the laughter and fun to be annoying. In time though he too found joy in sobriety. Nathan describes starting a new young persons' group and finding that service is the path to long term sobriety. There's an Ask it Basket question from Craig too. While we provide the podcas…

Sam and Olis have a frank conversation with Debbie and Scott about sex in sobriety. They all discuss such topics as new relationships in the first year, different takes on the "3Ms," and thirteenth stepping. Olis sums it up well, "we came to have a conversation about sex and we ended up having a conversation about faith and about honesty and about …

Todd, whose story "New Guy in Town" appears in the May issue of Grapevine, talks to Olis and Don about becoming willing to go to any length to get sober. First, though, he experienced a last drunk that convinced him he was powerless over alcohol and that his life was unmanageable. Jon W., now the Editor-in-Chief of Grapevine, Inc., comes on to disc…

Mily talks with Don and Sam about trying to get sober on her own, but drinking every day. Some folks suggested she try AA, and her first meeting was a 4,000-person roundup. The three discuss the early history of women in AA, including two women who worked on the original Grapevine. You can find photos of the original Grapevine, and other items ment…

Jimmy D. talks to Don and Olis about the difference between going to AA and being in AA. Jimmy says the most profound AA job he has done was putting signs out for his group. The three then discuss the power of group commitments in AA. There's also an "Ask it Basket" question about June 10 as AA's anniversary date. While we provide the podcast at no…

In this episode Kristen talks to Olis and Sam about learning to socialize and some of the changes in the family after she stopped drinking. Over time, Kristen found a special man who is amazingly supportive of her AA program. The three then discuss some posts and emails from #heardinameeting. On the Listener Feedback Line we hear from Jerry and Jac…

Brothers Ralph W. and Ronald W. talk with Olis and Don about the combination of grace and surrender that brought them in to A.A. They talk about service people working in the hospitals and institutions committees that helped them, and discuss a Big Book study group they participate in. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses.…

Kathy, whose article appears in the April issue of Grapevine magazine, shares with Olis and Sam about her experience with reading the Big Book for the first time in two days and thinking to herself: "this is me, this is me" throughout the book. Her book today is marked up, torn and taped together. Kathy also discusses the uncommon honesty she found…

Ramon shares with Don and Olis his experience with the Twelve Steps and how he continues to work them, to the extent of putting an inventory on paper each week. Olis and Don inform listeners about the Grapevine's Traditions Checklist. At the end you'll hear excerpts from Grapevine's new audio book Prayer and Meditation. While we provide the podcast…

Mary shares with Don and Sam the good advice she got from a professional who recommended AA, that she not try to figure it out all at once. She talks about the benefits of her slow recovery. Mary shared a photograph with the podcast hosts of a note she scribbled at an early meeting, where she heard tips for avoiding the first drink. In "Listener Fe…

Chris talks with Sam and Olis about Bill W.'s early writings that defined self as the root of our troubles. They discuss the differences and the cohesion of the fellowship and the program, and there's a funny story about drunk dialing. In Listener Feedback we hear from Donna and Jeremiah. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expens…

Nadja, who's article appears in the March issue of Grapevine, discusses her journey to AA and her work in bringing Spanish-speaking and English-speaking members together. Paz, the Chair of the AA Grapevine Board, talks about La Viña magazine and connecting with the Spanish-speaking community. In a bonus section, Aaron talks about his Big-Book-quote…

Cindy tells Don and Sam that while early on she admitted powerlessness, deep inside she had the thought that some day, some how she could drink again. Eventually she did have a relapse. It took more, she needed to admit at her inner-most self that she was an alcoholic. The three also discuss honest and being useful even during hardship. "Stump the …

Sam and Don talk to Debbie, who serves as Secretary for Area 51. Debbie tells about coming to AA as the result of strong suggestions from her probation officer, her treatment counselor and various law enforcement officials. She feels that her service in jails and prisons keeps her out of jail. Also, Sam and Olis discuss the 2022 Membership survey. …

In this episode we get to learn a bit about how the podcast is put together as Don and Sam talk shop with Bob S., a Grapevine podcast editor. The three go on to talk about coming into AA, observing others' growth as they work the program, and the healing and strengthening of relationships as we make Ninth Step amends. There's a great question from …

Lisa, who's story appears in the February issue of Grapevine magazine, shares with Don and Sam about how not putting sobriety first led to a relapse. Lisa goes on to describe how God places people in her life when she needs them, or when they need her. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity t…

Joe talks to Sam and Olis about being secular in a spiritual program. There's listener feedback from Penny on the different types of AA meetings, and Aaron writes in about his favorite line from the Big Book, which is tattooed on his forearm. While we provide the podcast at no charge, we do have expenses. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does n…

Sloan discusses finally surrendering and being relieved of the exhausting efforts to control her drinking. On the "Listener Feedback Line" we hear from Gerry and Lisa. In a special added section at the end, Sloan discusses with Don and Olis how the Steps have helped her heal from sexual abuse (this section may be difficult for some listeners). Whil…

Ted joins Don and Sam and talks about finding AA very similar in the many areas he's visited and lived. Ted got good guidance from his first sponsor, suggesting he give AA 90 days before he made a decision to stay or go. The three also discuss the immense power of Step work. Ted talks about a meeting he attends where an AA Grapevine Podcast is play…

Crystal shares with Sam and Olis about the humbling experience of reading the Big Book outloud with her sponsor, and how learning humility led to good relationships, improved self esteem and a newfound ability to not hold others to unreasonable expectations. In a Blast From the Past we hear from pioneer AA member Sybil of Laguna Beach, CA, from a t…

Happy New Year to all. In this episode Bill the Shirt talks with Don and Olis about his article in the January 2024 issue of Grapevine magazine. We learn how during his first encounter with a member of AA he found the first person ever who felt like he did. Bill learned that every drink, every mistake, and every regret had to happen in order for hi…

Negini talks to Don and Sam about AA in different cultures and different languages, and how international online meetings have enhanced her sobriety. Tracy calls in with gratitude for the podcast. 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 …

Gerry, who serves on the Trustees Literature Committee, shares about the call for stories for various literature being revised. Gerry, Don and Sam also discuss feeling different coming into AA, and how they found a sense of belonging. The three also answer an Ask-it-Basket question from Stephanie, and talk about the different types of AA meetings. …