AA members Don, Olis and Sam interview other AA members about their experience, strength, and hope in recovering from alcoholism. Expect both humor and inspiration as these AA members share their stories.
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Sep 28, 2026 · 32:05
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…
Sep 21, 2026 · 32:18
Matt tells Don and Sam that he came to his first AA meeting at 17, but needed several more years of drinking before the internal bankruptcy and demoralization brought him to…
Sep 14, 2026 · 32:20
Tiombe found sobriety at a young age and was blessed to find a group of caring young people who helped her. They were the type who if you couldn't read the Big Book, they'd read…
Sep 7, 2026 · 32:47
Allison felt like a late bloomer starting drinking at 14, her friends were already at it. She tells Don and Sam that her first drinks were part of her people pleasing tendencies,…
Aug 31, 2026 · 35:09
Father Bill tells Olis and Sam about hitting a botttom and intentionally living in a shelter for a year. He stresses the importance of prayer and meditation in his sober journey…
Aug 24, 2026 · 30:20
Ann tells Olis and Don that fear drove her, and that she tried to control her drinking — often unsuccessfully. A marriage counselor told her to look at her own drinking, and she…
Aug 17, 2026 · 34:40
David tells Don and Sam that he was very shy, but with booze in him he would offer to sing to women. David was a full blown alcoholic at 24—when hung over he learned to drink and…
Aug 10, 2026 · 34:52
Heidi tells Olis and Sam that she thought she'd found the solution early on, and didn't need all the tools found in the twelve steps. She learned later that alcoholism is a…
Aug 3, 2026 · 31:56
Ronnie, whose article appears in the August 2026 issue of Grapevine magazine, tells Don and Sam how drinking was a solution for him to hide away from his emotions. He stopped…
Jul 27, 2026 · 31:51
Marissa sits down with Don and Sam on her 13th sober anniversary. Lots of troubles followed Marissa into sobriety, and she says she learned slowly in AA that by taking actions,…
Jul 20, 2026 · 27:37
Scott started drinking at 11, and says that alcohol was at the foundation of all he did. He chose to attend college in a party town, and it took seven years to get a bachelor…
Jul 13, 2026 · 37:10
In his drinking years Leonard felt like life was punishment. He tells Olis and Don how a woman kindly asked him if he thought his drinking was a problem, and he soon found his…
Jul 6, 2026 · 31:48
Nina, a self-described raging alcoholic, tells Don and Sam that she did not understand that she could not stop and had no conception of the obsession or allergy of the body. She…
Jun 29, 2026 · 32:30
Even though Dana experienced anxiety, perfectionism, self hate, depression, loneliness and no hope with drinking, taking the suggestion of a therapist to try AA did not hit,…
Jun 22, 2026 · 28:42
Trevon was born into alcoholism and suffered through a chaotic childhood. He tells Don and Sam that when he first drank he felt like he could breathe for the first time. Trevon's…
Jun 15, 2026 · 27:12
Jenna tells Olis and Sam that after a trauma at the age of 16 she tried drinking and that fixed it for her. But as an alcoholic she wanted to feel that way all the time. In AA…
Jun 8, 2026 · 27:10
Pedro from Portugal tells Olis and Sam about drinking in the discos of Long Island on weekends — that could last 2 or 3 or 4 days. He didn't know that binging qualified him, but…
Jun 1, 2026 · 32:43
Bill, whose article appears in the June 2026 issue of Grapevine, tells Olis and Don that he had to learn to do what AA asks you to do. In the beginning he did not get the ideas…
May 25, 2026 · 31:37
Tammy tells Don and Sam that she came into AA following a tragic car accident and felony conviction. She attended meetings long enough, for fear of consequences if she didn't,…
May 18, 2026 · 28:31
Melody and Eric join Don and Sam to share their experience, strength and hope in recovery from alcoholism, and their recent experience with the Plain Language Big Book. Melody…
May 11, 2026 · 30:51
Leslie recalls being hospitalized and a doctor giving her a meeting book. She tells Olis and Don that people smiled at her at the first meeting and remembered her name at the…
May 4, 2026 · 36:49
It's a new Month and Don and Sam welcome Tracy to share about her recovery and her article, The Best Day of My Life , in the May issue of Grapevine magazine. Tracy's boss brought…
Apr 27, 2026 · 34:19
Josh, the creator of the Get the App Rap joins Olis and Sam on this week's episode. Despite 22 visits to detox, Josh had lost family and jobs and was living under a bridge,…
Apr 20, 2026 · 30:23
Carol and Alex join Don and Sam to discuss their understanding of a power greater than themselves, and the process of surrender. Carol was viewed as too sick to help at one…
Apr 13, 2026 · 29:10
Allan got sober while in the military, three days before his 39th birthday. He tells Don and Sam that he was free from alcohol after a profound spiritual experience, but had to…
Apr 6, 2026 · 33:16
Mike, whose article appears in the April issue of Grapevine Magazine, describes his first drink to Olis and Sam. He felt a radiant warmth inside and a feeling of connection to…
Mar 30, 2026 · 31:11
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…
Mar 23, 2026 · 33:04
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…
Mar 16, 2026 · 33:52
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…
Mar 9, 2026 · 37:42
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…
Mar 2, 2026 · 32:37
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…
Feb 23, 2026 · 30:00
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…
Feb 16, 2026 · 33:37
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…
Feb 9, 2026 · 38:18
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…
Feb 2, 2026 · 29:54
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…
Jan 26, 2026 · 34:23
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…
Jan 19, 2026 · 29:46
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…
Jan 12, 2026 · 35:59
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…
Jan 5, 2026 · 28:16
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.…
Dec 29, 2025 · 30:00
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…
Dec 22, 2025 · 25:38
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…
Dec 15, 2025 · 30:08
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…
Dec 8, 2025 · 25:49
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…
Dec 1, 2025 · 27:42
Steve, whose letter "Happy New Year" appears in the December 2025 issue of Grapevine, tells Don and Sam about detoxing in the rooms of AA. Steve used AA principles to not drink…
Nov 24, 2025 · 28:47
In a special "Corrections" episode, podcast editor Bob joins Don as a host. Olis, Bob and Don hold a quiz about the top 5 ways to stay sober during the holidays. This week's…
Nov 17, 2025 · 26:15
David tells Don and Sam about coming into AA in 1986. He was struck by being told to keep coming back — no one had invited him back anywhere for years. The men in the group took…
Nov 10, 2025 · 31:56
Lizz talks to Olis and Sam about coming in to AA at an early age and sticking around even though she did not always feel welcome. Lizz also talks about getting through a…
Nov 3, 2025 · 23:18
Sarah, whose article appears in the November 2025 issue of Grapevine Magazine, tells Olis and Don about being a daily blackout drinker. She tried to control her drinking but…
Oct 27, 2025 · 27:52
Marcheta joins Olis and Sam and tells them how her bottom included driving the wrong way on a one-way street and the fire department knocking on her door because of a burning pot…
Oct 20, 2025 · 32:25
Jacob, Katie and Q talk to Don and Olis about how each of them came into Alcoholics Anonymous, and then all five share their experience of going on 12-Step calls to help…
Oct 13, 2025 · 30:17
Angela tells Olis and Sam about getting sober while working as a stripper. She learned from her sponsor that self-esteem comes from esteemable actions. Angela also talks about…
Oct 6, 2025 · 27:02
Jonny, whose article appears in the October "Technology in AA" issue of Grapevine, tells Don and Sam about his work as district web master, Grapevine chair, and group General…
Sep 29, 2025 · 30:23
Josh talks to Olis and Don about his service experience from the top to bottom of AA's inverted triangle. They discuss how many of AA's technology advances came to the fellowship…
Sep 22, 2025 · 28:17
Anthony joins Don and Sam and tells them about his introduction to AA. While Anthony wasn't welcome at many bars, he felt welcome at AA from the beginning. Anthony talks about…
Sep 15, 2025 · 38:32
Penny was drinking in dive bars and alone at home mostly, but after being pulled off the field at a softball game, she called AA "for a friend." She tells Don and Sam how she was…
Sep 8, 2025 · 35:24
Andrew tells Sam and Don that he doesn't do anything half way, true when he was drinking and true now in his recovery and service to AA. The three also discuss a few of the many…
Sep 1, 2025 · 26:44
Snow, whose article appears in the September 2025 issue of Grapevine magazine, tells Don and Olis that her bottom came with little drama, just alone in her kitchen. Now she's…
Aug 25, 2025 · 31:23
Mary tells Don and Sam that she was a real closet drinking, scrunched up in there with a warm beer. Mary describes her moment of clarity and the opportunity it gave her to act.…
Aug 18, 2025 · 37:31
Don, Olis and Sam report on their wonderful experiences at the 2025 International Convention in Vancouver. Don took in the convention and described the scenes, and with…
Aug 11, 2025 · 35:17
Leslie joins Olis and Don and tells them about her early reluctance with AA. It was at ICYPAA that she first felt the spirit and saw the benefit that drew her in. She was also…
Aug 4, 2025 · 28:20
Karen, whose article appears in the August 2025 issue of Grapevine, tells Don and Sam that her feeling of despondence and knowing that drinking was not good for her brought her…
Jul 28, 2025 · 56:13
Celebrating 90 Years of Alcoholics Anonymous at the International Convention in Vancouver, BC, our podcast team Don, Olis and Sam welcomed a live audience to participate in the…
Jul 21, 2025 · 30:12
Elizabeth shares with Olis and Don about her early struggles with sobriety and AA. She graduated herself from AA after 30 days and brought her chip to show off at the bar. She…
Jul 14, 2025 · 30:24
David, who once got a DUI driving a horse and buggy, talks to Don and Sam about his direct service to alcoholics. He brings meetings to a local detox, and works with alcoholics…
Jul 7, 2025 · 38:28
The July Grapevine is here. Michal, who's story "Lighting Candles in Poland" appears in this month's issue, sends in his experience strength and hope. Sam and Olis then talk to a…
Jun 30, 2025 · 27:24
Sharron tells Olis and Don that helping others through the Big Book, and then seeing these same folks helping others through the book gives her a great feeling and keeps her…
Jun 23, 2025 · 25:12
Jamie tells Don and Sam that learning to accept his anxiety was enough to begin to step away from it. Jamie talks about helping newcomers work the first three Steps, and he…
Jun 16, 2025 · 32:27
Annita tells Olis and Sam about the chaos in her life while drinking and finding AA. She found the laughter and smiles kept her coming at first, and she then got active by…
Jun 9, 2025 · 29:21
Andrew from Australia tells Olis and Don how the Doctor's Opinion and Bill's Story in the Big Book opened his mind to being useful rather than correct. Andrew recalls asking his…
Jun 2, 2025 · 31:02
Jeffrey tells Don and Sam about his experience in prison and how he picked up a Grapevine magazine by mistake, and then later the Big Book found him and wouldn't let go. These…
May 26, 2025 · 34:56
Kelsey and Julie both talk to Don and Sam about their recovery from alcoholism and then all four discuss the Hot Topic of Anonymity. You're Invited to the 2025 International…
May 19, 2025 · 37:20
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…
May 12, 2025 · 31:30
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…
May 5, 2025 · 32:15
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…
Apr 28, 2025 · 34:35
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…
Apr 21, 2025 · 37:41
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…
Apr 14, 2025 · 30:30
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…
Apr 7, 2025 · 30:28
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…
Mar 31, 2025 · 35:08
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…
Mar 24, 2025 · 33:17
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…
Mar 17, 2025 · 38:09
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…
Mar 10, 2025 · 32:35
Chris joins Olis and Sam and says that when he accepted help, little by little his life got better. Chris carries the message by going with other members to detox and treatment…
Mar 3, 2025 · 35:10
Mary, whose story appears in the March issue of Grapevine Magazine, shares that she got serious about AA when alcohol stopped working for her. She tells Don and Sam that once she…
Feb 24, 2025 · 33:33
Cindy spent a long time dry in AA meetings while not working the Steps, and it wasn't always pleasant. She wonders now how she did not go out. Eventually, she tells Don and Sam,…
Feb 17, 2025 · 31:04
Don and Sam start us off with a conversation about the difference between "rigorous honesty" and "brutal honesty." Jeff joins the discussion saying that his first exposure to AA…
Feb 10, 2025 · 30:13
Theresa began AA with gratitude for the Traditions, finding she could be herself in the fellowship without concern. An early AA friend helped her see that she belonged. Theresa…
Feb 3, 2025 · 30:05
Michelle, whose article appears in the February 2025 issue of Grapevine, talks to Olis and Don about her awakening of not wanting to drink anymore. Among other things, Michelle…
Jan 27, 2025 · 40:03
Our roving reporter Don visits the Southeast Regional Forum and interviews several trusted servants at the event, including past delegate Kenneth, the Regional Forum Coordinator…
Jan 20, 2025 · 34:58
Wilson talks to Sam and Olis about a financial windfall that did not fill the hole in his soul. It wasn't until he found AA that he found himself through the Steps. Wilson tells…
Jan 13, 2025 · 37:21
Donna talks to Olis and Don about getting sober in a therapeutic community, and doing service now bringing Big Book workshops to AA members. In a Blast From the Past , Bill W.…
Jan 6, 2025 · 29:23
Happy New Year and welcome to Season 8 of the AA Grapevine Half Hour Variety Hour. Shirley, whose article appears in the January issue of Grapevine magazine, shares with Don and…
Dec 30, 2024 · 35:23
Kelley tells Olis and Sam that she first came to AA when the alcohol no longer made her feel better. She struggled at first and had to admit that she'd not been completely sober.…
Dec 23, 2024 · 34:02
Growing up in traumatic circumstances, Anthony would see TV shows and wonder — where is that world? He tells Don and Olis how he found a new and better world through AA members,…
Dec 16, 2024 · 35:47
Susan talks to Don and Sam about her recovery and her service work with the Online Intergoup of Alcoholics Anonymous. Patrick from the International Convention Desk at the…
Dec 9, 2024 · 34:47
Luke tells Don and Sam that he found AA because he saw the light — in his empty refrigerator. Even though he was a man of God, the first step for Luke was a portal into the world…
Dec 2, 2024 · 31:34
Lisa, whose article appears in the December 2024 issue of Grapevine, talks to Don and Olis about starting AA in early December and staying sober through the holidays. As a wife,…
Nov 25, 2024 · 42:27
This week our roving reporter, Bob, travels to the National Corrections Conference in North Carolina. Bob interviews Angel, Morris, Tammy, Ronald, Jessica and James about their…
Nov 18, 2024 · 38:02
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…
Nov 11, 2024 · 41:44
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…
Nov 4, 2024 · 36:01
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,…
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