Grapevine: Tool, Money Pit or Both?Grapevine: Tool, Money Pit or Both?
Alcoholics Alive!
Shank and Wayne take a hard look at AA’s Grapevine magazine, questioning its finances, expansion plans, and reliance on the reserve fund. They balance service experience, humour, and tradition while also poking holes in popular AA slogans in their "Meeting Shrapnel" segment.
1:06:32•9 Apr 2026
Grapevine: Lifeline, Money Pit, or Something in Between?
Episode Overview
- AA’s primary purpose, carrying the message one-on-one, is placed above preserving any single publication or project.
- Grapevine is running persistent financial deficits, drawing from the AA reserve fund despite claims of being supported by subscriptions.
- Planned digital expansion, social media, and a "recovery-based" online meeting are questioned as costly and of limited value in actually reaching new Alcoholics.
- A proposal for Grapevine to accept direct contributions raises serious concerns about traditions, self-support, and potential confusion for groups and members.
- Common AA slogans like "seven days without a meeting makes one weak" are challenged as misleading or unhelpful when compared with the AA Big Book message.
“Whether you know it or not or like it or not, if you're putting money in the Seventh Tradition basket and that money ultimately goes to GSO or to GSB, it's going to help fund the Grapevine.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? Alcoholics Alive! taps into that question with a sharp look at AA’s Grapevine magazine and what it really costs the fellowship in time, money, and focus. Shank and Wayne, both long-time AA members, chat candidly about whether the Grapevine is a valuable tool, a financial drain, or a bit of both.
They share their own use of the magazine and app, from reading it in prison to hauling copies around in suitcases, while also questioning why an AA-related publication is, as they see it, “hemorrhaging cash” yet still expanding into podcasts, social media, and even an AI-assisted “recovery-based” online meeting. You’ll hear them walk through General Service Conference agenda items: five-year financial plans, bulk book discounts, subscription statistics, and a controversial proposal to let the Grapevine accept direct contributions.
They repeatedly return to AA’s core purpose: “Our obligation is to help the suffering alcoholic… mostly one-on-one by sharing our experience, strength, and hope in what Bill called the language of the heart.” The tone swings between serious concern and dry humour, especially as they question whether more tech and marketing actually help Alcoholics get sober, or simply protect an institution from facing hard financial truths.
They also finish with a fun but pointed “Meeting Shrapnel” segment, taking apart familiar AA sayings like “Seven days without a meeting makes one weak” and “It only takes 12 steps to get out,” asking if these clichés really match AA’s basic text. Anyone interested in AA service, finances, or the balance between tradition and modern media will find plenty to chew on here.
Where do you think the line should be drawn between preserving history and clinging to a money pit?
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