Meg and Leslie join Don and Sam and describe their recovery from alcoholism. The four then discuss different approaches to sponsorship — from giving 1000 chances to practicing tough love. James shares about subscribing to Grapevine because he reads an article to start every day.

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.

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also 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.

Christina, whose story appears in the October 2026 issue of Grapevine, tells Olis and Don that when drinking she saw everyone else living these normal lives, but it never occurred to her that alcohol was messing with her life. Christine tells the story that after judges, psych wards, losing relationships, she mysteriously found herself in the Vancouver Intergroup Office and talked to a woman who did not berate her but instead told Christina about her life as an alcoholic. Terrance tells of his love for Grapevine audio, and about his service bringing the magazines to prisons. Kenneth shares a joke in Wit's End.

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.

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also 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.

Rachel tells Don and Sam that drinking was a big part of her family life and she too followed that path. While friends were starting families, going to college, getting full-time jobs Rachel was going to jail, moving closer to bars so she didn't have to drive, and watching TV shows about interventions while drinking. She tried for years to avoid herself. Now in AA, Rachel is facing life on life's terms. Sometimes that brings pain, but it also brings joy and freedom, she says. In the feature Language of the Heart we hear from Jack and Janice. Steve shares a joke in Wit's End.

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.

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite platform, rate us and leave a comment. You can also 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.