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 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

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.

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 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

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.

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 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

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.

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 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

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.

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 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

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 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 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

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 benefits from the Grapevine Archives.

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 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

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 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 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