The AA Grapevine Half-Hour Variety Hour

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 not accept direct 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected].

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.

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 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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. Grapevine is the only AA entity that does not accept direct 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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."

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 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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 General Service Office.

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 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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 only AA entity that does not accept direct 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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 from John, Sharron and Polly on Tradition Two.

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 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]

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 entity that does not accept direct 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 [email protected]. To record an Ask-It-Basket question or a recovery-related joke, call 212-870-3418 or email a voice recording to [email protected]