The AA Grapevine Half-Hour Variety Hour

Kevin tells Don and Sam about his home group called "One Paragraph at a Time." Kevin relates how his sponsor's loving acceptance gave him a feeling of spirit that he'd never had before. He also tells how his favorite recovery song made his first sober hockey game much easier. There's a report from Patrick on the upcoming 2025 AA International Convention in Vancouver, BC; and an Ask it Basket question from Anghelov.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information.

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 [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]

Don and Sam start this episode with a conversation about sponsorship. Laura joins and tells them how she got sober at a special school for troubled kids, and discovered AA by going to meetings off campus. After graduating, she remembers going to a young people's meeting and finding friends that helped her find fun in sobriety. Laura also talks about finding ways to balance AA and a full life with four children. There's a few #heardinameeting entries, and Tom and Linda sent in some funny "mis-heard" in a meeting quotes.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information.

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 [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]

DeEtte, whose article "Nursery Rhymes" appears in the May 2025 issue of Grapevine, tells Olis and Sam that she felt different in her early days of AA. Over time she saw more and more similarities with other alcoholics and learned to feel a part of the fellowship. Sponsorship brought depth and weight to the spiritual aspect of the program. DeEtte shares that now the principles keep the committee in her head at bay.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information.

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 [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]

James tells Olis and Don that while active he felt he didn't have a drinking problem, just occasional legal trouble. Now, sober many years, he's learned there's no situation so horrific  that a drink can't make it worse. James also shares about his service to his group, district and area. In A Blast From the Past there's a talk from Bill W. in 1945 where he describes the spread of AA and the formation of the General Service Office.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information.

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 [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]

Caitlin had false starts, but was told by a woman n AA "I'm here when you're ready." Those words stuck and when desperation hit Caitlin jumped into AA. Now she says she's seen too many miracles to have doubt. Stay tuned after Wit's End to hear Caitlin's "Friend of Bill" story. Patrick gives an update on the 2025 International AA Convention in Vancouver in July. Don, Sam and Caitlin answer A Newcomer Asks question from Pat. Check out the cartoon Don and Sam discuss on Grapevine's Instagram account: alcoholicsanonymous_gv

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information.

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 [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]

Mark tells Olis and Sam that finding a home group really made the difference for him in making sobriety enjoyable. The three also discuss working the Steps with a sponsor and Mark tells how his sponsor had him talk to three other people about each Step as he worked his way through. This week's special features include #heardinameeting with one from Jack, and Phyllis provides Listener Feedback.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information.

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 [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]

Polly, whose article appears in the April 2025 issue of Grapevine, talks with Olis and Don about getting sober just before the pandemic hit and meetings went online. She tells the story about being scooped up from a bar room floor, waking from a blackout and knowing that something had to change. Today she stands on her own two feet. Polly was pleasantly surprised that her letter of gratitude for the AA Grapevine podcast became an article in the magazine. 

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information and to register. To get the best rate, register by April 15, 2025.

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 [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 talks to Don and Sam about coming into AA while in high school, and some of the attitudes she learned to change. Only in AA, she says, did she find others who admitted that they too loved alcohol—until it turned on them. The three discuss using AA tools to get through challenging times sober. In a History Snippet, Mily reports on the early days of AA in Canada.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information and to register. Register by April 15, 2025 to beat the price increase.

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 [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]

Mack recalls being told early on that "you will never have to sober up again," and those words stuck with him and helped him commit to AA. Mack, Don and Olis discuss Ask it Basket questions from Madeline and Michael. Stay tuned after the closing music for Listener Feedback from Nadja and Gary.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information and to register.

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 [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]

Stephanie tells Olis and Sam about going to an AA website after a particularly bad binge and taking "The Quiz." Qualifying, she took it again just to be sure, then found her way into AA through a virtual meeting. Don and Olis share anecdotes about co-founder Dr. Bob. There's an update on the 2025 International AA Convention in Vancouver, BC July 3—6. This week's feature is #heardinameeting, and Stephanie, Olis and Sam discuss quotes found on social media.

You're Invited to the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please visit aa.org/international-convention for information and to register.

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 [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]