The Alcohol Debate

Relationships can be hard. When the spark fades and every conversation feels like walking on eggshells, it's easy to drift apart. That's where today's guest,  Dr. Dan Sneider , comes in. He's a licensed couples therapist, educator, and creator of  The Intimacy Shift: A Blueprint for Moving From Conflict to Lasting Connection , a 12-week program that transforms couples' relationships by rebuilding...

In this episode of The Alcohol Debate, our host, Tabbin Almond, engages in a heartfelt discussion with Anna Donaghy about her newly released book, "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and the Life You Want." Drawing from their decade-long friendship in the advertising industry and their shared mission to help others navigate their relationship with alcohol, Anna shares the inspiration beh...

As we transition into a new year, this episode of The Alcohol Debate offers insightful tips for navigating a drier January. Recorded from a cozy setting, our host shares practical advice for anyone looking to reduce their alcohol consumption, whether it's a complete break or simply cutting back. With a focus on kindness to oneself, the episode emphasizes the importance of gradual changes rather th...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, we delve into the transformative potential of an alcohol-free Christmas. This two-part series continues with a deep dive into the letters N through Z, offering practical strategies and insights to help you navigate the festive season with clarity, joy, and a renewed sense of self. We explore the importance of nourishment, the normalcy of nerves,...

In this episode of The Alcohol Debate, Tabbin Almond takes us on a journey through the A to Z of having an alcohol-free Christmas, offering insightful strategies to navigate the festive season without the influence of alcohol. Drawing from her experience in advertising, Tabin emphasizes the importance of creative thinking and reframing our relationship with alcohol during this time of year. The co...

This conversation with Nick McMurray was such a refreshing shift from the usual workplace narrative around drugs and alcohol.  Nick is a Director of Positive Matters, an organisation that helps businesses build strategies that meet safety requirements for substance misuse through a culture of trust and support. Their focus is on the health and mental well being of employees, which is a world away...

Office parties can be brilliant for bringing people together, but they also have a habit of going off the rails when alcohol takes the lead.  In this episode, I talk through how employers and employees can shape a celebration that's warm, fun, and genuinely memorable, without waking up to HR headaches the next morning.  It's not about banning booze, it's about taking back control of the evening so...

This conversation with Dr Susanne Evans opened up the side of workplace drinking culture that often hides in plain sight.  Susanne brings 25 years of organisational change experience, spanning Big 4 consultancy, academia and boardrooms in multiple sectors.  She is the author of the bestselling book ChangeStories, host of a Top 40 Apple UK Business and Management podcast and a specialist in using s...

This week I'm joined by the brilliant and brave Jelan Agnew, Keynote and TEDx Speaker, Life Coach, Wellness Consultant, and Mindfulness Facilitator. Jelan opens up about the moment her life changed forever - waking up in ICU in the same hospital she once worked at. What followed was an incredible journey from silence and shame to freedom and fulfilment. We talk about the dangers of hiding behind "...

In this episode, I'm joined by NLP practitioner Tina LeAnn, founder of The Sovereign Soul, NLP Master Practitioner & Trainer, Human Design & Gene Keys expert, transformational coach, and host of The Sovereign Soul Podcast. Tina's work sits at the intersection of deep energetics and practical structure.  We'll explore how our early coping mechanisms quietly shape our adult behaviour, especially whe...

In this episode, I'm talking about something that's often brushed aside but really needs our attention - the link between alcohol and cancer.  I'll share what the science actually says, how alcohol became recognised as a carcinogen by the World Health Organisation, and why even light or "middle lane" drinking increases risk. This isn't about shame or blame. Having faced breast cancer myself, I kno...

In this episode, I sit down with trailblazer Toni Will, General Manager of the Kalamazoo Wings and the first woman to hold that role in the team's 50-year history.  Toni shares her journey from banking to professional sports, the gender bias she's faced, and how she's changing the culture of leadership - on and off the ice. We also talk about the drinking culture in sports, what it means to lead a...

This week, I share a deeply personal story about loss, love, and the courage to stay alcohol-free through grief.  After saying goodbye to my beloved dog of sixteen years, I found myself reflecting on how differently I face pain now compared to my drinking days.  In this episode, I explore the emotional landscape of grief, from denial to acceptance, and how tools like the Serenity Prayer, connectio...

In this episode, I'm joined by executive coach Jason Matthews for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership, trust, and how company culture shapes our relationship with alcohol.  Jason is a leadership consultant with a background in Psychology, specialising in CBT, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed care. Through his work with Relatem, he helps leaders overcome limiting patterns and...

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Kathryn Eipl, an Emotional Strategist, Reiki Master, Sound Therapist, and creator of the Neuro-Resonance Method - a trauma-informed, integrative healing approach that helps release stored emotional energy and create lasting change through embodied transformation.  Kathryn once worked as a Project Manager in corporate entertainment, but after burnout and...

What happens when the wild culture of the 80s advertising world collides with addiction, loss, and eventually recovery?  In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Durden, co-founder of PHD (the "D"), the global media group that grew into a $12 billion business with over 8,000 people in 100 countries.  With more than 40 years in the industry, Jonathan's path has been anything but ordinary. From sha...

This episode feels extra special - it marks a whole year since I published Bottling Up Trouble . What started as a hesitant idea shared with my coach turned into an Amazon bestseller and a finalist for Business Book of the Year.  Today I reflect on that journey, the imposter syndrome I had to push through, and why the book became such a personal mission. I also share some of the research and stori...

In this episode, I share one of my favourite truths about alcohol cravings: your thoughts are not instructions. Just because your brain says "I want a drink" doesn't mean you need to follow through.  Together we explore how the subconscious mind creates automatic reward loops, why cognitive dissonance makes alcohol thoughts feel urgent, and how your prefrontal cortex can step in to give you back c...

This conversation with Philippa White left me genuinely inspired.  Philippa is a bestselling author, social innovator, and the Founder and CEO of TIE Leadership. For over 20 years she has been dedicated to unlocking the potential of corporate leaders and their companies by igniting the power of a people-first approach to business. We explored how these so-called soft skills are actually power skil...

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and author Ian Fee, whose story of excess, loss, and powerful transformation will stay with you long after you listen.  Ian built a thriving business while drinking heavily, believing booze was his "superpower." But behind the success was a world of broken relationships, health problems, and emotional chaos. Ian opens up about the rock bottoms he stack...

What happens when a "work hard, play hard" culture collides with real life?  In this episode, Helene Poole joins me to talk about her decades-long relationship with alcohol - from corporate bonding over cocktails to quiet evenings on the terrace - and what finally helped her quit for good.  We talk candidly about infertility, motherhood, and how a cancer diagnosis became an unexpected turning poin...

In this episode, I sat down with James Parkes, former professional rugby player, strength and conditioning coach, and founder of MyDay Health.  We talked about alcohol's complicated role in sport, from team bonding to the risks it carries for health and performance.  James shared candid insights on rugby culture, leadership, and the importance of support systems, and we explored how these lessons...

Frequent flying doesn't just make you tired. It can affect your brain, heart and long-term health in ways most travellers never consider.  In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Stephen Jasper, a pharmacist and chronobiology expert known as The Jet Lag Guy, to explore the surprising connections between alcohol, disrupted body clocks and the risks every traveller should understand. We discuss what jet l...

This week, I'm joined by the brilliant Jem Roberts, head of the Institute of Alcohol Studies. Jem brings a ton of insight into the messy world of alcohol policy, and we unpack what's really going on behind the headlines. We talk about why certain policies, like minimum unit pricing and better labelling, could save lives, and why they're still not being properly implemented. Jem also sheds light on...

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Thomas Morgan, Senior People Partner for Y TREE and 7 years sober. Passionate about shining a light on ways that the HR profession can do more to support and understand those with a drinking problem and those worried about their drinking.  We explore how alcohol culture still runs deep in workplaces - and why it's time for change. Michael shares his powerfu...