Two home group members, one lost meeting space, and Twelve Traditions put to the test. This immersive A.A. radio play brings us along on one group’s search for a new location while teaching the spiritual principles that keep Alcoholics Anonymous unified and alive.

- The views and opinions expressed

during this podcast are

those of our guests.

No one person speaks for A.A. as a whole.

- Get In The Car: An A.A.

Traditions Radio Comedy (In Stereo),

produced by Our Primary

Purpose, the official podcast

of the General Service

Office in the US and Canada.

- My name is Kate, and I'm an alcoholic.

My home group is Mixed

Nuts, and true to our name,

we are a diverse mix, and we're all nuts.

Fortunately, we're not

all nuts on the same day.

Except the day the

church told us we'd need

to find a new meeting place.

Everyone was crazy that day

* Background conversation *

- Oh Mon Dieu! Our home

group will be homeless.

- I can't believe they're throwing us out.

- Yeah, well, I've been throwing out

of better places than this.

- But how could they do this to us?

- No one is doing it to us, Helen.

- It's against the Traditions.

- Which Tradition, Jake?

- It's gotta be against one of them.

- Let's all calm down

and sit down so we can

start the business meeting.

- I just love this old

basement. The musty smell.

The stained linoleum.

The beige folding chairs.

- It's a dump,

- But it's our dump.

- Not anymore.

- Kate? Do

we know why we must leave?

- Because the church doesn't

like how it looks with all

of us smoking out front.

- That must be why the

pastor's always yelling,

"Get your butts off the lawn."

- What if we just refuse to leave?

Make them drag us out of the basement.

I could see the headlines:

The church versus A.A.,

Who does God love more?

- It has nothing to do with us.

The church is selling the building.

- But why does the church

need to sell the building?

Huh? Let's talk about that.

- Do I have to read Tradition ten?

- No, you don't. Rebel

- Too late already got

the Service Manual out.

"No A.A. group or member should ever

and such a way as to implicate A.A.,"

- Oh no. It's the long form.

- "Express any opinion on

outside controversial issues,

particularly those of

politics, alcohol reform

or sectarian religion."

- Yeah. Well, each group is autonomous,

so we could do whatever we want.

- Tradition four is in a past

to ignore the rest of the Traditions.

Read the long form. It's mostly about

consulting with others.

- Traditions are just peer

pressure from dead people.

- Traditions ensure our survival.

Did you ever hear of the Washingtonians?

- No.

- Yeah, no one has.

They were a huge movement, just like A.A.

They helped thousands of

hopeless drunks get sober,

but instead of sticking

to the one thing they

did best, helping drunks,

they also got involved

in political affiliation

and alcohol reform.

This caused so much division

and disunity among them

that they disappeared.

- Good reminder. Rebel.

We have twelve Traditions to guide us

through all our group problems,

including finding a new place to meet.

- Oh!

- Someone is actually raising their hand

to speak, as if this is a

meeting and not a free for all.

Go ahead, Selena.

- I'd like to volunteer

to get the search started,

see what's out there and bring

information back to the group.

- For those of you who don't

know Selena, she is organized,

energetic, and grounded in our traditions.

I know because I'm her sponsor.

All those in favor?

- Aye.

- Opposed?

- Well

- Yes, Rebel?

- For those of you who don't

know me, I'm disorganized,

lazy, and grounded in the Traditions,

and I'd like to help with the search.

- All those in favor?

- Aye.

- Who else wants to be

on the committee? Dave?

- No, I'm raising my hand

because they got a spare room at the pool

hall you should look at.

Then we can shoot a few

games after the meeting.

- I also have an extra

room at my patisserie.

- I'm writing that down.

I love your coffee.

- The courthouse is free at night.

We could sit on those

benches in the gallery.

- I wanna sit in the jury box,

decide who's innocent and who's guilty.

- Laughter

- No one wanted to serve on the committee,

but everyone wanted to

tell them what to do.

Selena noted it all while Rebel scowled.

I wasn't sure how it would

go with the two of them,

but I got a clue when Selena

called the next morning.

- I've been sitting

outside Rebel's apartment

for 10 minutes.

No sign of him.

- Yes, I got the feeling he

marches to his own drummer.

- We're going to be late

for a first appointment.

Ugh. Here he comes. Finally.

- Well love and tolerance of others.

- He's stopping to light

up a cigarette. Ugh.

I'll call you later, Kate.

You can't smoke in my car.

- Good morning to you too.

- We're going to be late

for our first appointment.

- Sorry, I'm not a morning person.

- Whoa!

*Tires screeching*

- We need to show we'll

be reliable tenants,

- So maybe we don't get a ticket on the

way. Where are we going?

- The civic center.

- R 8 3 4.

At counter number 12.

- You're late and you

didn't fill out the RT form.

- RT? does that stand for red tape?

- Could we possibly fill

it out with you? Now?

- Ugh, I suppose. Group renting the room?

- Mixed nuts.

- Excuse me?

- It's an A.A. group.

- Hmm. Number of members?

- We don't keep membership lists.

- But it's about 2 million.

- The room only fits 60.

- That's perfect for our group.

- I'll need your mission statement.

- To help the alcoholic who still suffers.

- A written statement.

- Fine. I'll write it out for you.

- Ugh

- To help the

- Really?

- Alcoholic,

- Here's a copy of A.A. Twelve Traditions.

It should suffice.

- So you're employed by A.A.?

- No. We're volunteers.

- I'd rather talk to

the professionals.

- It's right there on that page.

Tradition eight. A.A. should

remain forever non-professional.

- Well, you certainly are unprofessional.

What kind of entrance

fee will you charge?

- A.A. has no dues or fees and

no membership requirements.

Everyone is welcome.

- Hopefully not everyone.

- Yes, everyone. Beggars,

tramps, asylum inmates.

- What?

- I'm quoting the Tradition Three essay.

- I know, but

- Prisoners, queers, plain crackpots,

- Ugh

- And fallen women.

- Also, doctors, lawyers, teachers.

Every kind of person you can imagine.

- The Mayor won't like it if

we end up with a bunch

of drunks downtown.

- You already have a

bunch of drunks downtown.

At least our drunks are

trying to get sober.

- We don't wanna take any

more of your valuable time.

I'll finish filling out the

RT form and send it to you.

Just call me if you have any questions.

- One more thing.

- No more things.

We'll see ourselves out. Thank you.

- Slow down. You walk

as fast as you drive.

I had more to say in there.

- I think you said more than enough.

- They need to know everyone

is welcome at an A.A. meeting.

Any age, race, social status.

- Right, but you know the

expression "Leading with the chin" ?

- They're not gonna rent us space anyway.

Or if they do, it'll take months.

- Fine. You stand here smoking in

front of the no smoking sign.

I'm going to make a call in my car.

* Walking on gravel noises *

* Car door opening and closing *

* Phone ringing *

- Hi Selena. How'd it go?

- * Spanish cursing under breath *

- That good, huh?

- Rebel should be called rubble.

He leaves everything in ruins

and he thinks he wrote the

Traditions.

- He is very passionate about them

and about helping alcoholics.

- Well, he's not helping this alcoholic.

- You are reminding me of a

line in Tradition Three essay that -

- Please don't

say beggars, tramps and

Fallen women.

- No. The line about troublesome people.

How they can be our best teachers

of patience and tolerance.

- Hmm. Well, here comes my

teacher. I'll talk to you later.

- Did you call your sponsor

to complain about me?

- Ugh. Get in the car.

- So what's next?

- A beautiful loft space.

It's where I practice yoga.

- Yeah, I've seen you at

the meeting in your outfit.

- My outfit?

- The fancy yoga pants

and carrying the mat so

everyone knows you're spiritual.

- That's it. You're going home.

- Whoa. Wait. I think yoga's

great. I've read all about it.

- Well, you have to actually do it.

- I know. My sponsor thinks

it would help me to not be

so much up in my head.

My brain has always run the show.

My body was just a transport device.

My brain used to get

to the liquor store.

What's this place called?

- Willow Yoga. She's a huge fan of A.A.

- Who is?

- Willow.

- That's her name?

- Yes.

- Does she do the tree pose a lot?

- You really think you

should be making fun

of people's names,

Rebel?

* Banging of gong *

- Selena. Namaste.

- Namaste. This is Rebel.

- No. Namaste for me.

I'm not into the whole

Sanskrit appropriation thing.

Ow you stomped on my foot.

- It would've hurt more if

you weren't wearing shoes.

- Why wouldn't I be wearing shoes?

- Because the sign says

"Please remove your shoes" ?

- Footwear tracks in all sorts

of bacteria and chemicals.

And since we are so close

to the floor on our mats.

- Yeah. What about the seating?

I'm not sitting on some sweaty yoga mat.

- I could get us folding chairs.

- Anything we can do to clarify.

This is not a yoga class

for people in A.A.,

it's an A.A. group that happens

to meet in a yoga studio.

See, Willow. We have these

Traditions that were born out

of A.A. experience in the early 1940s.

- Which we do not expect non-

alcoholics to know about.

- Which is why I'm explaining them.

- You both need to breathe.

Together, breathe in peace,

* Inhale *

- Breathe out tension.

- I like tension. So our Traditions urge

that we not let anything distract us from

our primary purpose.

- To carry the A.A. message

to the alcoholic who's still suffering.

- And I'm looking at all the tapestries

and the posters of chakras.

The place screams yoga.

- I like to think that it whispers yoga,

but let me ask you this.

In the churches where

you meet, do the crosses

or stain glass distract you?

- We've had decades to get used to them.

- But don't you think

the wider the variety

of places we meet,

the more it says everyone is welcome, no

matter where we meet?

- Hmm. Maybe? What kind of

rent are we talking about?

- Whatever you can afford.

I didn't start a yoga studio to get rich.

- We have another Tradition

that we pay our own way.

The irresponsible need to be responsible.

And we don't look for

any special A.A. discounts.

- That's the first time

anyone's negotiated with me

to make their rent higher.

- I'm going to take some

photos to show the group.

- Make sure you get a

picture of this sign.

- "Please remove your shoes" ?

- Tradition Three says, we

must never compel anyone

to pay anything, believe

anything or conform to anything.

- We have this nice bench

where people can sit while

they take off their shoes,

and cubbies to store them in.

- But what about the newcomer

who sees that sign and is ashamed

of the holes in his socks and leaves?

Or doesn't see the sign

and just sits down?

Do we need a sergeant at arms

or feet to go make her take her shoes off?

- You're going to make this about feet?

- They're important in

A.A. There's that quote.

"Our heads can be in the clouds,

but our feet need to be on the ground."

- Don't.

- And where does this simple kit

of spiritual tools get laid?

Huh? At our feet.

- Stop.

- The only requirement

for A.A. membership is a

desire to stop drinking.

There's nothing about removing your

shoes in Tradition Three.

- Well, Tradition Two says our leaders are

but trusted servants.

The final authority is

the group conscience.

So the group gets to decide, not you.

- That's good, Selena,

- But will he leave the group

if we move to the yoga studio?

- Not your problem.

- Can you pray the

Serenity Prayer at someone?

You know God, grant

Rebel the serenity to...

- No. You need to come with

me to some Al-Anon meetings.

- Not now. We have to go to the library.

- Okay, go tell him

the four most spiritual

words in A.A.

Get in the car.

- I did, but it wasn't very spiritual.

I think she's the librarian

I talked to on the phone.

- The woman with the tats.

She's a librarian?

- Hi. I called about renting

a room for A.A. meeting.

- It was Selena, right? I'm Jasmine.

- Hey Jasmine,

I'm Rebel. This place is nice.

- Wait, you've lived here years?

You've never been to the library?

- Well, no,

but if we had a meeting

here, I'd come all the time.

- We'll need you to fill out this form.

- Oh, Rebel hates forms.

- No, I don't.

- Well, I may be able

to save you the trouble

of filling it out.

We don't accept groups charging admission.

- We'd never do that.

- You have to be nonpolitical.

- We run screaming from politics.

- Also, any event at

the library has to be open

to everyone.

- We are an open meeting.

- Is A.A. religious?

- No.

A lot of people think so, but.

- The only reason we ask is

the library can't be seen

as favoring any one religion over another.

- That's how it is with

us. This is amazing.

- And the library likes to make it clear

that we do not endorse any organization.

- Perfect. We don't accept endorsements

or give them. I can't

believe how much the two

of us have in common.

- You and Jasmine, - What? *

Shushing Sounds* - I meant,

the library and A.A.

- Would we be able to serve refreshments?

- Yes. What night of the

week are you looking for?

- We were actually hoping

for three nights a week.

- I'm sorry,

the board won't approve more

than one night per week.

- Oh no.

- We just have so

many groups holding events.

The book club, the garden

club. Senior nights.

- Senior nights!

You can come here all the time, Rebel.

- Not senior nights.

Maybe we can meet online

the other two nights.

- Maybe we're putting our

personal desires ahead

of the common welfare, but

let's fill out the form

and we'll see what the group says.

- That night Selena called

and was asking what else she

could read on the Traditions.

- I'm sure there's more

than just the Twelve and Twelve?

- Oh yes. I love the essays.

Introducing each of the Traditions

that appeared in our magazine,

Grapevine, back in the mid forties.

They're collected in the

book Language of the Heart

and on the Grapevine app.

Is there something specific?

- To be honest, I'm

looking for ammunition.

- To use against Rebel?

Hmm. Our Traditions are not

only about relationships

with the outside world,

they're also about

relationships with each other.

You should probably look at

the Traditions Checklist.

- What's that? - It's a list

of questions on each Tradition

that members can ask themselves.

I keep a copy on my desk.

So for example, under

Tradition One it asks

"Am I, in my group, a healing, mending,

integrating person?

Am I sometimes divisive?"

- Obviously Rebel has

not read the checklist.

- "Am I as considerate of

A.A. members as I want them

to be of me?"

- Hmm. - "Am I gentle with

those who rub me the wrong way?

Or am I sometimes abrasive?"

- That's on the checklist?

- Yes.

I know Rebel is one of

those sandpaper people,

but sometimes they come into our lives

to help us smooth out our sharp edges.

- Well, I need to get to bed.

We're back at it tomorrow.

10 minutes late again.

- I strive for consistency. Whoa.

* Engine Revving *

I never eat anything before

going on a rollercoaster

or getting in your car.

- Then you're in for a treat.

Our first stop is on Henri's Patisserie on

- Awn-REE?

You mean Henri from our group?

- Yes. He's an amazing pastry chef.

- Hmm. We'll see.

* Bell over door rings *

- Selena! Bonjour!

* Kiss noises *

And who are you again?

- Very funny. You gonna

lay a kiss on me too?

- It is two little ones.

Follow me down this hall.

It is full of dusty tables and chairs,

but I hope you can see what it could be.

- Oh yes, this is lovely.

All the windows and light.

- Except we meet at

night, so it'll be dark.

- I do need to talk with you about that.

I live right upstairs

and I must wake up at 4:00 AM

every morning to start baking.

So, it would be better

for me if we met earlier.

- No, we're not doing that.

- Well, it would be up to the group.

- Changing the time we meet

to fit one member's sleep schedule?

Tradition Twelve says we

need to put principles

before personalities.

- I know, but

- Then there's Tradition Six

that says we should avoid

affiliation or endorsement,

actual or implied.

So should we be sitting in

a meeting drinking from cups

with the name of your business on them?

- We can use different cups.

- Why don't we just make

it a morning meeting

so you can get your sleep

and we can all buy your

pastries and coffees?

- I'm not doing this to make money.

The place will be rent free.

- No, the group needs to pay rent.

- I know we can't accept

outside contributions,

but Henri is a member.

- So then it becomes Henri's meeting?

- No it doesn't.

- We're getting the room for free.

We should do what Henry says.

- Shh.

I have customers

- See, it's happening already.

So do we even bother passing the basket?

Tradition Seven? Forget the money

and forget that spiritual aspect

of self support, that sense

of belonging we get when

we contribute to our group.

- Okay. Okay.

- We should give all that up for free rent

and some croissants?

- Kwah-SAHN!

- We're disturbing Henry's customers.

- Oh, let's not disturb

anyone over some silly

little principles.

- Just forget it. I'm

sorry I even brought it up.

You cannot use my patisserie.

- Hmm, probably for the best

because what if we're meeting

here three times a week

and you decide to start drinking

again? That'd be awkward.

- Rebel? How could you say that?

- Was that insensitive? Oh,

I'm sorry. Come on Henri.

Let's hug it out. Or should we kiss?

- Just go. - But Selena says

the pastries are so good.

Let me just get a coffee

and a... kwah-SAHN?

- Out the door.

Now!

- Rebel! Henri is a member of our group.

How could you attack him like that?

- I was defending our Traditions.

Without them the group dies

and without the group I die.

- Yeah, or I kill you.

You accused Henri of putting his personal

interest before the group.

- Yep. Tradition Twelve.

- Meanwhile, you personally

don't want the group

to meet at Henri's place.

So, you bloviate about the Traditions

until he withdraws his offer.

Now the group has one less option.

- You're right. If there's any

way you can patch things up

with Henri, let's include it as an option.

I bloviate. Really?

- Now and then. Next up is that

new apartment complex on Oak.

They have a common room and,

don't worry, it's not free.

Hi, I spoke with Madison about

renting this common room?

- I've had so many

calls. Who are you with?

- Alcoholics Anonymous.

- Right? Well guys, guys,

this would be a perfect

room for your meetings.

Not that I've ever been to one,

but they're in so many shows,

and you should pick a fun room like this

so A.A. doesn't look like

it's some leper colony.

- We'd get this whole

area, plus the kitchen?

- Yes. So you can make coffee.

I know you people live for coffee!

And I can give you a code

for 10% off matcha lattes.

- Could you reduce the

rent? It seems high.

- What I can do is

arrange some sponsorships.

I know you're big into sponsorship.

- Not the kind you're talking about.

- Okay? Okay. You see

that window? A bus stop is

that close, for all your

people who have DUIs

and can't drive!

- Good, but back to the rent.

- Okay, like, what if a lot more

people came to the meeting?

- You're saying we'd collect more cash

so we could pay more rent?

- OMG! Who still takes cash?

But yes, because I have

like 80K followers

and most of them drink too much.

So I can promote your hot new meeting.

- We believe in attraction, not promotion.

- Eleventh Tradition.

- You know what I could do?

My cousin started going to meetings

and he's on this sitcom

that is just blowing up.

I can put it out on the socials

that he'll be at your meeting.

- Your cousin would let you do that?

- I'm sure he would.

- Then I need to talk to

him about the traditions.

- Okay, let me show you guys

how many people I can get in

the room in like 10 minutes.

'Sup chat! I'm here live with my friends.

- Don't do that.

- Shh! We are live at the Uncommonly Cool

Common Room on Oak,

and I have a couple of

spokespeople from A.A.

- We're not spokespeople.

A.A. doesn't have spokespeople.

- That's Rebel. What's your

last name, boo? Wait, wait.

What are you doing with my

phone? Gimme back my phone!

* Drops phone into drink *

- What did you do? Rebel.

- He dropped my phone in my Americano.

That phone cost two thousand dollars!

- I bet you got it free.

* Police sirens *

- Selena called me from

the Sheriff's office.

Surprisingly calm,

actually, amused about the whole thing.

It turns out Rebel knew the Sheriff

for bringing meetings into

the jail, so it all went away

once Rebel offered Madison

some cash, which she took.

He and Selena even made it

to their last appointment.

* Car pulling up into driveway *

* Car doors closing *

- This is a funeral parlor.

- Yes. Riley and Son's funeral home.

- We can't have A.A.

meetings at a funeral home!

- Contempt prior to investigation, anyone?

- Newcomers already feel like their life

is over when they come into A.A.

This would just confirm it.

- What happened to Let's

let the group decide.

* Knocking on door*

* Door creaking *

- Hello? Are you here for the viewing?

- We are here to view

a room. Are you Mr. Riley?

- Oh no. I am his apprentice, Adrian.

I got my degree in embalming.

But to become a funeral

director, I need to work

with living people, too.

The bereaved.

- How interesting.

- I'll get Mr. Riley.

* Door slowly closes *

- I am Damien. I work with the dead.

- It's Adrian.

- You think they teach them to talk like

that in mortuary school?

The "I'm dead, too" voice?

- Let's just see the room, okay?

- But how can we say we're not a glum lot

and then meet at a mortuary?

We'll have to change our name

to the "Bunch of Stiffs" group.

- Well just listen the address.

No one will know it's a funeral parlor.

- Until they get here and they're greeted

by the Four Horsemen.

- Mr. Riley said there'd

be a side entrance

that would be just for us.

- I see it, with a hearse parked outside.

* Door creaks open *

- Welcome. You must be Selena.

- It's the same voice.

- Kate has told me so much about you.

Excuse my cold hands.

I was working in the

freezer. And, uh, you are?

- Rebel.

No need to shake hands.

- I know Kate from Al-Anon

and she was telling me your A.A.

group needs a place to meet.

We have a room we rarely use

that might be just right.

It's at the end of the hall.

I'll get the keys and meet you.

- Thank you.

- I get it now. He's an Al-Anon

and his revenge is making

alcoholics meet in a crypt.

- Stop it. - I wouldn't want

to be an old timer coming here

to celebrate my anniversary.

We have lots of flowers for you, Joe.

- My father was an A.A.

and do you see the placard above the door?

He named this "The Serenity Room".

- How about that?

- I'm sure he's smiling

in his grave right now.

* Unlocks door *

* Door creaks open *

This is our cheeriest room.

- I love the warm colors

and all the plants.

- It would come with 60 of these

chairs. Try sitting in one.

- Ooh, that's comfy.

- It's the same cushioning

we use in the caskets.

- Just sink right in.

- You can keep your supplies

in these two closets

and the kitchen has a

high-end coffee machine.

- Isn't this wonderful, Rebel?

- Uh, we can get pretty

loud with the laughter

and cheering at anniversaries.

Won't that conflict with the graveness?

- All the celebrations

of life we hold can get

lively too. It's not a problem

- Now and then

we'll get someone

who's drunk and disruptive.

- Now and then we hold an Irish wake.

- I am not sure we could

afford such a nice room.

- We can make the rent. What

you paid at your last place.

- Is there a bathroom?

- There are several.

- I meant, I've gotta go.

- Oh, down the stairs and to the right.

* Footsteps *

So what do you think, Selena?

- Very nice, but it

will be up to the group.

- Of course.

You know, if you've got

someone who's in denial,

we could always bring them

downstairs where the bodies are

and show them what

cirrhosis really looks like.

- I don't think we'll do that, but

- Ahhh!!!!

- It's okay.

Your friend just walked

into the restoration room.

* Footsteps on gravel *

- You're white as a sheet.

- I'm fine?

Just saw more than I needed

to see. What places are left?

- The courthouse.

- So people can feel sentenced to A.A. ?

I've seen enough of that courthouse

to last my lifetime. What else?

- Dave said the

pool hall had a spare room.

- Right? Let's check

it out. Get in the car.

* Closet door opening *

- This isn't a spare room. It's a closet.

- Yeah. Too bad as long as we're here,

you want to play a game of pool?

- Sure. We also need

to talk about the

business meeting tomorrow.

I'm putting together a

spreadsheet to go with the photos.

- A spreadsheet?

- But my question is,

do we, the committee,

make a recommendation? If

we can agree on one.

- Let's play first, then we'll talk.

- Okay, I'll pick a table and

sticks. You get some balls.

- I don't like the sound of

that. Mind if I break?

- Go ahead. I'm sure you

love busting up that nice,

neat triangle and sending everything

flying in different directions.

- Yep. That's me.

* Pool balls scatter *

Looks like I'm stripes.

* Pool cue hits ball *

- You're quick on the trigger.

- Yep.

- So, no pausing to plan where you want

to leave yourself for the next shot?

- Nope, that's boring.

* Pool cue hits ball *

Ugh your turn.

- I like to plan ahead because

then I get easier shots.

* Pool cue hits ball *

There's a reason we have the slogan

"Easy does it," because easy

is what gets it done.

* Ball goes into hole *

- Where'd you learn to play?

- Where do you think in bars?

* Pool cue hits ball *

- Okay, you were on a roll,

but what are you gonna do now?

- Bang. Shot six in the side pocket.

* Ball goes into hole *

All part of the plan.

Yoga's helped my game. Better

balance and focus. Combination.

Four ball corner pocket.

* Balls goes into hole *

- Wait, you can't sink two

of your balls with one shot?

- I just did.

- Well then you lose your turn.

- No, I called the four. It

went in. I get to keep shooting.

- I think I'm getting hustled.

- It was your idea to play

pool. Eight ball corner pocket.

- Don't scratch.

- I won't

* Ball goes into hole *

Another game?

- No.

- Okay, let's talk.

- I've gotta go.

- But we need a plan for tomorrow?

- No, we don't.

- But then you'll be pushing

for the library and I'll be

pushing for the yoga studio.

What the group needs now is unity.

- Yes. Unity, not uniformity.

Passionate debate and

clashing opinions are

signs of a strong group.

What we don't want is mindless

conformity. I gotta go.

- I had no idea Selena was a pool shark!

We had a good talk that night.

- And Tradition Twelve

says to put principles

before personalities.

- That doesn't

mean no personalities.

Concept Three

empowers trusted servants

to use their own judgment.

Concepts Four and Five ensure

diverse voices are heard.

- Don't be throwing Concepts at me.

I'm barely getting the Traditions.

- How about some Al-Anon?

It's okay to disagree.

Just don't be disagreeable.

And it's okay to make mistakes.

Our Traditions weren't

based on what we did right?

They're based on what we

learned from our mistakes.

Even the group conscience can be wrong,

but, we usually fix it.

A.A. is like a self-cleaning oven.

So. don't worry about

the meeting tomorrow.

We'll work through it all together.

- And for that, I am

- Responsible! Yay!

* Group chatter *

- Photos of the sites are up here along

with copies of the spreadsheet.

- A spreadsheet? Doesn't Tradition

Nine say A.A. ought never be organized?

- Yes. But then it says

we may create committees

responsible to those they serve.

And this spreadsheet

is our committee being

responsible to us.

- For the record, I had nothing

to do with the spreadsheet.

Selena did it all.

And it's really helpful for

comparing the different places.

- I don't know how to

read this freaking thing.

Just tell us what to do, Selena.

- Well, Tradition One says to

put the common welfare first,

that we're each just a

small part of a great whole.

But it's like when you buy

that furniture you have

to put together, you need to

use every single part of it

or it won't come out right?

Every screw.

- Every nut.

- Yes. We need participation

of all our mixed nuts!

And Tradition Two says

somehow a business meeting run

by a bunch of drunks

will come to a decision

through an informed group conscience.

- If we trust our Trusted

Servants in the process.

- Here's something you can trust.

Rebel looked at every place we visited

with Tradition Three in mind.

There can't be any barriers for newcomers.

Everyone needs to feel welcome.

- We also had Tradition Five in mind.

Picking a place where we can

focus on our primary purpose:

helping the alcoholic who still suffers.

- Because that's how we stay

sober, by helping someone else

- And how we stay unified.

Our common solution binds us together.

- Traditional Six,

- Right.

We don't want to be distracted by money,

property, or prestige.

- I found this a hard way.

- And Tradition Seven,

we should pick a place we can afford

because we need to be self-supporting.

- If it's too expensive,

we'll get distracted

by money.

- But if

it's too cheap, it will be unattractive.

Whatever Tradition that is.

- Eleven.

- And it shouldn't feel

like a professional office

because we're amateurs doing

this for free and for fun.

- Tradition Eight and Tradition Nine.

It should feel relaxed

and casual, the least

possible organization,

the fewest spreadsheets.

- And we leave our politics at the door.

Our bumper stickers

stay in the parking lot.

Our political t-shirts stay at home.

- Now I get what you've

been saying to me, Kate,

about the spirit of anonymity.

I'm feeling it in this room.

- And let's remember A.A.

is about one alcoholic

talking to another.

We can do that on a curb,

in a parking lot, anywhere.

It's the message

and the people, not the place.

We talked about it all at that meeting.

The photos, the feet, the pastries.

And should I tell you where we ended up?

Where we're meeting now?

* Door creaking open *

- Welcome. The meeting is

at the end of the hall.

You don't want to go downstairs.

- And who did I run into

at Henri's the other day?

Selena and Rebel, having coffee

after yoga class.

- But why do they have

to name all the poses

after farm animals?

The cow? The horse? The chicken?

- There's no chicken pose.

There's a warrior pose.

- Yeah, I call that the "worrier" pose.

I'm always worried I'm doing it wrong.

- Well, good for you. Giving yoga a try.

- I'm hoping it helps my pool game.

Hey, when are we playing again?

- Any day of the week.

- Uhm, yeah maybe we will

try miniature golf though,

one time? Do something a little different?

- What, are you scared?

- Darts? I don't know, uh? Bowling?

Maybe we'll take a walk?

- And that's a wrap on season

two of Our Primary Purpose,

the official podcast of

the General Service Office

of the US and Canada,

made possible thanks

to your Seventh Tradition contributions.

We hope you've had as much fun

as we have on this journey, from

our International Convention

in Vancouver, to the virtual

spaces in which some members

meet and, everywhere in between.

While you wait on news about season three,

come see some folks from

GSO in person at a Regional

Forum near you.

These events are a great

avenue to have your voice heard

by the General Service

Board, AAWS, AA Grapevine,

and the General Service Office.

The four regional forums taking

place this year will be in

the Western Canada,

Eastern Canada, Southeast,

and Pacific regions.

To see the schedule of

upcoming regional forums,

visit AA.org.