Be of Service [Season 10, Episode 13]Be of Service [Season 10, Episode 13]
AA Grapevine's Podcast
Julie from British Columbia shares how her drinking escalated after her mother’s suicide, how her children and a close friend pushed her towards AA, and how service and spirituality now shape her sober life. The hosts also chat about newcomers meetings, the Plain Language Big Book, and light-hearted AA fellowship moments.
31:11•30 Mar 2026
Living Easy, Thinking First: Julie’s Story and the Power of Service
Episode Overview
- Service, whether in AA or with family, can lessen self-centredness and support lasting sobriety.
- Unmanageability is less about a messy house and more about the inability to stop once drinking starts.
- Trusting a sponsor and "the process" one day or even one hour at a time can carry someone through early sobriety.
- Relationships with children may heal over time as consistent sobriety and spiritual growth take root.
- Connection with a higher power can change how difficult life events, such as caring for a parent with dementia, are experienced.
“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This half-hour from AA Grapevine puts service, community, and plain language recovery front and centre. Hosted by Don from Greensboro and Sam from Palm Springs, the show keeps things light and chatty while getting into some very real experiences. The main share comes from Julie G in White Rock, BC, whose drinking began after her mum’s suicide at 16.
She describes going straight to blackout territory, building her life around boxed wine, and hiding bottles behind coffee pots so she could drink through dinner parties without anyone catching on. Her turning point? A holiday where she drove her children home drunk and terrified them. Her son went to a family friend for help, which led to an ultimatum and then to AA.
Julie talks honestly about those early days: trying to fix her life by cleaning her hoarder-level garage, thinking that was “unmanageability”, and slowly learning that the real problem was the compulsion to drink once she started. The episode will resonate with anyone questioning their drinking, especially parents. Julie shares how AA, sponsorship, and being of service changed her from a fearful, self-centred people-pleaser into someone who feels “peaceful and content”.
She now helps run a busy newcomers meeting and cares daily for her dad with dementia, describing it as an act of service and alignment with her higher power rather than a burden. Around her story, you’ll hear a fun slogan contest, a listener letter about using the Plain Language Big Book, a moving mini-share from Chip in Tucson, and a joke from Victor E.
It’s warm, honest, sometimes funny, and very much about what happens after the bottle is put down. If you’re wondering whether AA could offer you more than just not drinking, this episode might be a gentle nudge to find out.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.