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 Sam about being in a place where either suicide, murder or a mental institution were coming soon. Instead, she found an AA meeting and a new life. In the News we learn about a new podcast from the General Service Office called "Our Primary Purpose." It will premier on Tuesday, January 14, 2024 and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

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. When Kelley got honest with her sponsor and group, she was welcomed with open arms. There's an Ask it Basket question from Joe, and Listener Feedback from Brian, Jack, Jerimiah, and Pat.

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

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, sponsorship and working the steps.

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

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 General Service Office gives an update on the 2025 International Convention happening in Vancouver, BC in July. There's two Ask it Basket Questions from Madeline, and Jack sent in a joke for 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 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

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 of spirit. This weeks feature is #heardinameeting, and our Wit's End joke came from Jack.

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

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