Alcoholics Alive
- Episodes
- 212
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 10, 2026
About the podcast
Alcoholics Anonymous members sharing real-life experiences, insights, and a little humor about living AA as a way of life. Listen on your favorite podcast platform. New episodes every Tuesday.
Episodes 212
Back to What Works
What really works in Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne wrap up Season 16 by reflecting on the principles and practices that have helped alcoholics get sober and stay …
Show notes
What really works in Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne wrap up Season 16 by reflecting on the principles and practices that have helped alcoholics get sober and stay sober. They share their experience with keeping the AA program simple, staying focused on what works, and continuing to live AA as a way of life.
In Meeting Shrapnel, they discuss three familiar sayings:
"Come all the way in and sit all the way down."
"We're just two liars sorting out the truth."
"ODAT – One Day at a Time."
Have a comment, suggestion, or question? Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected].
Visit us at alcoholicsalive.com.
What Keeps People Sober For Decades?
What keeps people sober for decades in Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience and discuss what it takes to maintain long-term sobriety, the importance …
Show notes
What keeps people sober for decades in Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience and discuss what it takes to maintain long-term sobriety, the importance of continuing to practice the AA program, and why the principles that helped us get sober remain just as important years later.
In Meeting Shrapnel, they discuss three familiar sayings:
"Take my advice, I'm not using it anyway."
"Some are sicker than others."
"The farther I get from my last drink, the closer I get to my next drunk."
Have a comment, suggestion, or question? Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected].
Visit us at alcoholicsalive.com.
Why People Leave AA
Why do people leave Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience and discuss some of the reasons people walk away from AA, the challenges of staying …
Show notes
Why do people leave Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience and discuss some of the reasons people walk away from AA, the challenges of staying involved, and the importance of continuing to practice the AA program.
In Meeting Shrapnel, they discuss three familiar sayings:
- "People leave AA when they get what they want."
- "Coming back is a gift, not a given."
- "Don't give up before the miracle happens."
Have a comment, suggestion, or question? Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected].
Visit us at alcoholicsalive.com.
Service That Actually Helps
What does effective service look like in Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience with AA service, discuss the importance of carrying the message, and …
Show notes
What does effective service look like in Alcoholics Anonymous? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience with AA service, discuss the importance of carrying the message, and explore how service can help both the alcoholic giving it and those receiving it.
In Meeting Shrapnel, they discuss three familiar sayings:
"You didn't get sick overnight, and you won't get well overnight."
"There's no problem too big that a drink won't make worse."
"You're not responsible for your first thought, but you are responsible for your first action."
Have a comment, suggestion, or question? Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected].
Visit us at alcoholicsalive.com.
The AA Home Group: Why Does It Matter?
What makes an AA Home Group important? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience with being members of an Alcoholics Anonymous Home Group and discuss the role the Home Group …
Show notes
What makes an AA Home Group important? In this episode of Alcoholics Alive, Shank and Wayne share their experience with being members of an Alcoholics Anonymous Home Group and discuss the role the Home Group plays in their sobriety and the AA Fellowship.
In Meeting Shrapnel, they discuss three familiar sayings:
- "Let your past be a lesson, not a life sentence."
- "There is no growth in the comfort zone."
- "You can start your day over at any time."
Have a comment, suggestion, or question? Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected].
Visit us at www.alcoholicsalive.com
What is a Spiritual Experience?
Shank and Wayne discuss Spiritual Experience. Meeting Shrapnel dives into "If God seems far away, who moved?", "It's not fake it till you make it, it's act as if" and "We can be positive that are drinking was …
Show notes
Shank and Wayne discuss Spiritual Experience. Meeting Shrapnel dives into "If God seems far away, who moved?", "It's not fake it till you make it, it's act as if" and "We can be positive that are drinking was negative". Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Ten, Eleven, Twelve: The Daily Program
Shank and Wayne share their experience with steps 10, 11 and 12. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "You can do any step with a 1 in front of it everyday", "I work the steps to keep my spiritual lights on" and " …
Show notes
Shank and Wayne share their experience with steps 10, 11 and 12. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "You can do any step with a 1 in front of it everyday", "I work the steps to keep my spiritual lights on" and " I need to continue to continue". If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Amends: More Than Saying Sorry
Shank and Wayne discuss making direct amends. In Meeting Shrapnel they reveiw "Keep it short, sweet and don't re-break their nose", "Make amends, not a reenactment" and "Don't start a new tab while your paying …
Show notes
Shank and Wayne discuss making direct amends. In Meeting Shrapnel they reveiw "Keep it short, sweet and don't re-break their nose", "Make amends, not a reenactment" and "Don't start a new tab while your paying of the old bar". You can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
Self Examination and Confession: Steps 4 & 5
Shank and Wayne discuss Steps 4 and 5. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "When you are going through hell, don't stop to set up camp", "Out of the head and into the open" and "Defects are like accessories, I …
Show notes
Shank and Wayne discuss Steps 4 and 5. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "When you are going through hell, don't stop to set up camp", "Out of the head and into the open" and "Defects are like accessories, I lose one and I find another". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Why The Steps Work
Shank and Wayne discuss why the steps work. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "Willingness without action is futile", "P.I.G.S - Person Interested in Growing Spiritually" and "H.O.G.S - Helping Others Grow …
Show notes
Shank and Wayne discuss why the steps work. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "Willingness without action is futile", "P.I.G.S - Person Interested in Growing Spiritually" and "H.O.G.S - Helping Others Grow Spiritually". Email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
The First Drink
Shank and Wayne talk about The First Drink. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Stinking thinking precedes the drinking", "The man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, the drink takes the man" and "I get a …
Show notes
Shank and Wayne talk about The First Drink. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Stinking thinking precedes the drinking", "The man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, the drink takes the man" and "I get a daily reprieve from the thinking that precedes the drinking". Email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
One Alcoholic Talking to Another
Shank and Wayne explore the importance of one alcoholic talking to another alcoholic. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "If they're ready you can't say anything wrong, If they're not you can't say anything …
Show notes
Shank and Wayne explore the importance of one alcoholic talking to another alcoholic. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "If they're ready you can't say anything wrong, If they're not you can't say anything right", "You are helping me more than I'm helping you" and "My selfishness gets treated by helping others". You can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Does AA Work
In the Season 16 Kick Off Shank and Wayne discuss how AA has worked for them. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "AA is a simple program of complicated people", "Simple but not easy" and "Come all the way in and …
Show notes
In the Season 16 Kick Off Shank and Wayne discuss how AA has worked for them. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "AA is a simple program of complicated people", "Simple but not easy" and "Come all the way in and sit all the way down". You can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
Whats AA, Whats Not and Why it Matters
S15E13 In the Season Wrap Up, Shank and Wayne review what works and what doesn't and why it matters. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Willingess without action is just fantasy", "There's nothing worse than a …
Show notes
S15E13 In the Season Wrap Up, Shank and Wayne review what works and what doesn't and why it matters. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Willingess without action is just fantasy", "There's nothing worse than a belly full of alcohol and a head full of AA" and "If the cure is working, why question the diagnosis"? Have a suggestion or comment? Email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
Who Gets To Speak For AA?
S15E12 Shank and Wayne discuss who gets to speak for Alcoholics Anonymous. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "Religion is for people that don't want to go to hell, Spirituality is for those that have been to …
Show notes
S15E12 Shank and Wayne discuss who gets to speak for Alcoholics Anonymous. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "Religion is for people that don't want to go to hell, Spirituality is for those that have been to hell", "A good speaker ends on time and a great speaker ends 5 minutes early" and "What makes a good AA talk? About 40 minutes." If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Should AA Modernize?
S15E11 Shank and Wayne discuss modernization in AA. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "They don't call them spirits for nothing, they're evil spirits", "The message never changes, only the methods" and "We need …
Show notes
S15E11 Shank and Wayne discuss modernization in AA. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "They don't call them spirits for nothing, they're evil spirits", "The message never changes, only the methods" and "We need to meet people where they are". If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
The Old-Timer Problem
S15E10 Shank and Wayne discuss Old-Timers in AA. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "I'm still here because of the ISM, Incredibly Short Memory", "What other people think of me is none of my business" and "This …
Show notes
S15E10 Shank and Wayne discuss Old-Timers in AA. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "I'm still here because of the ISM, Incredibly Short Memory", "What other people think of me is none of my business" and "This is how we've always done it". If you have a question, suggestion or comment you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Safety in AA: Help, Hype or Something Else?
S15E9 Shank and Wayne discuss Safety in AA. In Meeting Shrapnel they dive into "I was so sick I thought I was alright when I got here", "I need the program a lot more than it needs me" and "This is about …
Show notes
S15E9 Shank and Wayne discuss Safety in AA. In Meeting Shrapnel they dive into "I was so sick I thought I was alright when I got here", "I need the program a lot more than it needs me" and "This is about protecting the fellowship". If you have question, comment or suggestion you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
AA and Outside Issues
S15E8 Shank and Wayne discuss the popular AA term from Tradition 10, "Outside Issues". Meeting Shrapnel looks at "Do or Do Not, there is no Try", "That's an Outside Issue" and "We need to be relevant". If you …
Show notes
S15E8 Shank and Wayne discuss the popular AA term from Tradition 10, "Outside Issues". Meeting Shrapnel looks at "Do or Do Not, there is no Try", "That's an Outside Issue" and "We need to be relevant". If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
The Big Book and Everything Built Around It
S15E7 Shank and Wayne discuss all the alternative material surrounding the book Alcoholics Anonymous. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "Read the black part, not the white part", "Just do what the book says" and …
Show notes
S15E7 Shank and Wayne discuss all the alternative material surrounding the book Alcoholics Anonymous. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "Read the black part, not the white part", "Just do what the book says" and "There's a worksheet for that". If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Alcoholic Alive at [email protected]
Do Meetings Still Point To The Program?
S15E6 Shank and Wayne discuss whether meetings point alcoholics to the program or something else? In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "The second mouse gets the cheese", "If you spot it, you got it" and "Normal is …
Show notes
S15E6 Shank and Wayne discuss whether meetings point alcoholics to the program or something else? In Meeting Shrapnel they look at "The second mouse gets the cheese", "If you spot it, you got it" and "Normal is a setting on a washing machine". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Group Conscience or Group Politics?
S15E5 Shank and Wayne discuss the sacred Group Conscience. In Meeting Shrapnel they explore "The Group Conscience has spoken", "That's not how we do it here" and "Trust the Process". If you have a question …
Show notes
S15E5 Shank and Wayne discuss the sacred Group Conscience. In Meeting Shrapnel they explore "The Group Conscience has spoken", "That's not how we do it here" and "Trust the Process". If you have a question, comment or suggestion you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
The Sponsor Problem
S15E4 Shank and Wayne discuss myths about Sponsorship in AA. Meeting Shrapnel dives into "Call your sponsor everyday", "I have a sponsor who has a sponsor who has a sponsor" and "Get a sponsor, a home group and …
Show notes
S15E4 Shank and Wayne discuss myths about Sponsorship in AA. Meeting Shrapnel dives into "Call your sponsor everyday", "I have a sponsor who has a sponsor who has a sponsor" and "Get a sponsor, a home group and a service committment". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Fellowship Myths That Won't Die
S15E3 Shank and Wayne discuss many of the myths heard and believed in AA. Meeting Shrapnel takes a look at "I didn't want to modify my drinking, I wanted to modify my consequences", "I came for my drinking but …
Show notes
S15E3 Shank and Wayne discuss many of the myths heard and believed in AA. Meeting Shrapnel takes a look at "I didn't want to modify my drinking, I wanted to modify my consequences", "I came for my drinking but stayed for my thinking" and "The person who discovered water wasn't a fish." If you have a comment, question or suggestion you can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
Conference Approved...So Now What?
S15E2 What does Conference Approved really mean and does it have Spiritual Authority in AA? Meeting Shrapnel includes "I'd rather sit here thinking about having a drink than being drunk thinking about being …
Show notes
S15E2 What does Conference Approved really mean and does it have Spiritual Authority in AA? Meeting Shrapnel includes "I'd rather sit here thinking about having a drink than being drunk thinking about being sober", "Stick with the winners" and "KCB (keep coming back)". Send questions, comments or suggestions to [email protected]
AA or Recovery Culture?
S15E1 Is it Alcoholics Anonymous or Recovery Culture? Shank and Wayne discuss the difference in the Season 15 opener. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at some AA favorites "Meeting Makers Make It", "Take What You …
Show notes
S15E1 Is it Alcoholics Anonymous or Recovery Culture? Shank and Wayne discuss the difference in the Season 15 opener. In Meeting Shrapnel they look at some AA favorites "Meeting Makers Make It", "Take What You Want And Leave The Rest" and "Feelings Aren't Facts". If you have a comment, suggestion or question you can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Special Episode: What Came Out of the 76th General Service Conference
Before kicking off Season 15, we wanted to release this special episode on the results of the 76th General Service Conference. In this episode, we review what happened, what became Advisory Actions, and a few …
Show notes
Before kicking off Season 15, we wanted to release this special episode on the results of the 76th General Service Conference. In this episode, we review what happened, what became Advisory Actions, and a few of the decisions and themes that stood out to us. This is not a full conference report, but a short look at the some outcomes and what they may mean going forward. Its concluded by a rapid fire Meeting Shrapnel round. Send suggestions, comments and questions to [email protected]
Too Much Business - Not Enough Message
S14E13 Shank and Wayne reflect on Season 14 and the items on the 76th GSC Agenda. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "T.R.U.S.T - Try really using Step 3", "W.A.I.T. - Why am I talking" and "AA is a lifeboat, not …
Show notes
S14E13 Shank and Wayne reflect on Season 14 and the items on the 76th GSC Agenda. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "T.R.U.S.T - Try really using Step 3", "W.A.I.T. - Why am I talking" and "AA is a lifeboat, not a houseboat". You can email Alcoholics Alive at [email protected]
Inventory Aftermath
S14E12 Shank and Wayne discuss Archives, International Conventions/Regional Forums, and Inventory Implementation. In Meeting Shrapnel they review "I didn't come into AA to learn how to be happy, I came into AA …
Show notes
S14E12 Shank and Wayne discuss Archives, International Conventions/Regional Forums, and Inventory Implementation. In Meeting Shrapnel they review "I didn't come into AA to learn how to be happy, I came into AA to learn how to be unhappy", "P.A.U.S.E. Prolong Action Until Serenity Comes" and "If I don't change my sobriety date will". Email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
Who Leads, Who Decides, Who Gets Trusted?
S14E11 Shank and Wayne review some of the Trustees agends items for the GSC in New York. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Your higher power will move mountains for you...but don't be surprised if you wake up …
Show notes
S14E11 Shank and Wayne review some of the Trustees agends items for the GSC in New York. In Meeting Shrapnel they discuss "Your higher power will move mountains for you...but don't be surprised if you wake up next to a shovel", "We are not a glum lot" and "Bumper sticker AA is not a substitute for working the steps". You can email Shank and Wayne at [email protected]
These are the latest 40 of 212 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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