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, mother, daughter and sister she's learned to put sobriety first. There's listener feedback from Ryan and Shari too.

The AA Grapevine Podcast reached a milestone this week—exceeding one million downloads. Thank you listeners!

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 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

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 work in corrections and their experience, strength and hope as AA members. Bob and Don talk about the experience of the conference and let listeners know how they can help members behind the walls—including how to contribute to Grapevine and La Viña's Carry the Message program. Patrick from the International Convention Desk at the General Service Office shares an update on the Vancouver, BC AA International Convention happening in July 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 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

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 we surveyed answers from Area Grapevine Chairs and Alternate Chairs. There's a report in from Alan, whose area was devastated by a recent hurricane, on how AA is continuing to help alcoholics. Olis and Sam interview Laslo about getting sober in the Canadian Military, and how he now works to help others. Carl calls in an Ask it Basket question, and Mily has a History Snippet from August 1960.

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 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

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 the new Plain Language Big Book and the Grapevine and La Viña apps.

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 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

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, the GSO staff member on the Literature Desk also talks to Don and Sam about the just-published Plain Language Big Book A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous. Check out Don's first-step artwork on Grapevine's Instagam account: alcoholicsanonymous_gv

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 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

Aaron shares with Olis and Sam about his struggles to find sobriety in AA. For a time he had a head full of AA and a belly full of beer. After a couple years he learned to stop lying to himself and to God. Olis interviews Vera, a member of the Trustees Literature Committee, about the new pamphlet Black in AA: Experience, Strength and Hope. In the Ask it Basket, Rebecca has a question about sponsorship, and in Wit's End J.D. shares a joke.

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 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

Whitney joins Olis and Don to talk about recovery from alcoholism. Whitney never had the skill of moderation and realized that a bleak future lay in store. The three also discuss accessibility to AA meetings. Patrick C. joins to give an update on the 2025 AA International Convention in Vancouver in July. You can find information about the convention and register at aa.org/international-convention

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 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

Yosi starts his conversation with Don and Sam by describing how he could smell himself rotting on the inside and that when he came to AA he just wanted to stop drinking—but what he got was so much more. There's a Halloween unsolved mystery. We have a backlog of Listener Feedback, so at the end of our regular episode stay tuned to hear more from your fellow listeners.

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 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