Rito tells Don and Sam that he played the blame game in prison — everyone else was at fault for him being locked up. He did go to AA meetings while doing time because they had coffee and donuts, and that's where the seeds of recovery were planted. Now 34 years sober, Rito tries to plant the seeds of recovery in others, in prison and outside the walls. Even if the seeds don't take root, Rito stays sober. In A Newcomer Asks there's an anonymous question about downloading the apps from AA: Grapevine, Everything AA and Meeting Guide. In Using the Traditions in Our Lives Jeffrey, Antonio and Andrew share about Tradition 10: "Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Stay tuned after sign off for bonus Listener Feedback from Bee, Carl and Roger.

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.

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.