I can’t really listen to this podcast anymore because of Don. He always bothered me because of how over the top he is. Nothing he says has ever felt genuine. But recently met a couple of people who are in the same sober community as Don and they said that he has become a destructive influence. They said he talks a good game but stopped doing the work and living these principles years ago, that he has caused a lot harm to newcomers by judging, playing god, and flat out breaking AA traditions. And refuses to take and refuses to responsibility for his actions. In fact, they said that his growing lack of integrity has become almost pathological! To be honest, Im really start to doubt the integrity of AA as whole. I mean, the synanon cult was started by a celebrated AA guy and at first embraced by AA, the Midtown group in Maryland, while still calling themselves an AA meeting was really operating as a cult that preyed on young newcomers. I know a girl who is permanently, horrifically traumatized by the sexual abuse she endured when she was a Midtown homegroup member. The worst part is that the deceased guy in charge of that group and his deceased sponsor Clancy I are heralded as AA saints while my friend is shunned. And then there’s this guy Don who has also caused harm with effects that continue to ripple get his own official AA podcast. I dunno, we, AA have to start doing better man.

Thanks Grapevine for a great podcast! I loved getting to hear stories from so many people about what their life was like before they found AA, and after. So many different perspectives.

Listening to my first full podcast I loved it And will continue to grow listening to these helpful podcasts Debbie

A great Monday check in for people who want to stay sober or have questions about the role of alcohol in their lives.

I found a podcast (a District 4 of Sara-Mana)that appears to be titled “discussing the language in the big book,” but I can’t find it on the grapevine podcast episode list. Can you help? Thanks!

Thank you Sam and Don. Your podcast is one more great tool in my sobriety toolbox. Your range of diverse guests, the respect for our traditions, and the insights into AA from far and wide, are all great aspects of your podcast. Keep going guys.

Would have been nice to see AA move into the future and not have two male hosts of its first podcast.

Don and Sam do a wonderful job at running this podcast. Keep up the great work! Faith, Hope and Love. John H. From Lake County Illinois.

Having lunch hour, half hour with Grapevine Variety hour half hour! It’s a joy! Thanks 🙏🏼

Loving Sam and Don. Can’t wait for Monday so I can listen to a new show and then share it with my sober tribe. I have listened to podcasts in the past, but subscribed to nothing. That has changed. I’m now a subscriber, at least to this one. Happy to find this on my Apple Podcast App last week. It’s funny, but always has a moment of clarity.

Where’s the voice of alcoholic women?

I’m really enjoying this! Very uplifting!!

Really appreciate this podcast. Definitely feels like the meeting after the meeting. Its both informative and fun. Thanks for being of service guys and please keep it up!

Totally not impressed with ‘The Boiled Owl’ and when I saw this, I was even more saddened to see AAGRAPEVINE take on the same people and format. Having created SOBERPOD.COM to get away from this ‘variety hour, yuck yuck, awe shuck, charm’ - I am with MMckenzie - It’s unlistenable and does not carry the depth or weight needed. I am personally not “attracted” to this style or approach. Glad to see the podcast, but may need to rethink the approach.

I loved Don and Sam's old podcast and I was surprised and excited to see they'd gone "official"! Great to listen to when I need some experience, strength and hope at work!

I’m a District treasurer, in service to AA. Our Area delegate told us AA was getting in the podcast game. I was concerned because I have not found AA’s digital strategy to have connected with its audience. AA can be very focused on book, physical literature and pamphlets but not real apps. Then I head this podcast. YIKES! Who is this for? The corn pone comedy at the beginning of episode 1 made me cringe. No one under 40 is going to listen to this. What message are you looking to share? Experience, strength and hope? Or lame comedy? What’s worse, is that AA acquired an existing podcast and of the thousands out there, they picked the Boiled Owl. Come on AA. It’s not too soon to do a do over. When you put your name on something, you own it.