Victim or Victorious? [Season 11, Episode 18]Victim or Victorious? [Season 11, Episode 18]
AA Grapevine's Podcast
Beth shares her shift from years of blame and impending doom to a life shaped by sponsorship, daily spiritual practice and a new way of thinking. Alice, Sam and Steve add humour, AA history and practical tools that some people might relate to in their own recovery journeys.
27:31•2 Nov 2026
Victim or Victorious? Beth’s Candid Journey from Doom to Daily Discipline
Episode Overview
- Viewing oneself as a victim blocks recovery; choosing a victorious mindset starts with personal responsibility.
- Sponsorship and consistent contact can be crucial, especially in early sobriety, to prevent picking up the first drink.
- Daily practices such as prayer, meditation and spiritual reading help challenge negative thoughts and reduce anxiety.
- Examining thoughts instead of automatically believing them allows a person to become an observer rather than an absorber of fear.
- Reflecting on past survival and support can soften fear that a higher power will "drop" you, even in difficult times like job loss.
“I can be a victim or I can be victorious, but I can't be both.”
Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of sobriety, spiritual growth, and a surprising amount of belly laughs. This episode of AA Grapevine's Podcast, "Victim or Victorious?", focuses on the messy, honest reality of alcoholism and recovery, with Beth from Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey sharing her journey. Beth talks about years of "impending doom" where jail became routine and blame was her default setting.
She recalls walking into AA back in 2009, judging the room from the relapse section and deciding, "I don't belong here." It took another eight years of suffering before a desperate, drunk visit to a meeting in 2017 led to the simple, life-changing request, "Can you help me find sponsorship?" Someone took her by the hand and said she had a desire not to drink, and that was the start of something new.
Her core message centres on shifting from victimhood to responsibility: "I can be a victim or I can be victorious, but I can't be both." Beth explains how AA taught her not to believe everything she thinks, to watch her mind, and to build daily disciplines of prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading. She jokes that her ego loves starring in its own scary movie, but now she questions those anxious thoughts instead of treating them as truth.
Hosts Alice and Sam bring their usual mix of warmth and humour, chatting about rising costs, contributions in meetings, and AA's history, including Bill W.'s famous "corridor of doom" at the old 24th Street clubhouse. They highlight Grapevine's focus on mental health stories and gratitude, keeping things relatable for anyone who feels like their thinking is out to get them.
Steve from Wisconsin pops in to share how the daily quote supports him through tough days, reminding him he only has to make it till midnight. If you've ever wondered whether your thinking is lying to you, this episode might give you something new to consider.
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