No More Booze - The Podcast

This weeks guest is Alison Calder @alisoncalderalcoholcoach whose story absolutely intrigues me. She worked in the alcohol industry for all of her career, even owning her own wine company, until she gave up drinking at 39. Alison shares her journey into sobriety. For 15 years she grappled with her drinking, ignoring her intuition and desperately clinging to the hope that one day she would manage t...

In this episode of No More Booze, I welcome Kelly Cooney, founder of Alcohol Uncensored @alcohol_uncensored to discuss, among other things Dry January. Alcohol Uncensored is a warm and inclusive space for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol borne out of Kelly’s experience of community in various stages of her sobriety journey. Kelly shares her personal recovery journey, including rel...

Nicki Maye @inspiredbynicki in her 40s from Dublin who spent years in the grey area of drinking, never out of control but always felt awful the next day. She gave up alcohol on November 30th, 2024, and is now proudly one year alcohol-free. Nicki is passionate about sharing what life looks like with zero booze: clearer mornings, calmer days, and a sense of confidence she didn’t expect. Through hone...

This week I welcome my gorgeous friend and Manifestie Bestie Yvonne Tchrakian @yvonnetchrakian_manifest. Yvonne is a lawyer, founder of Pause. Penny and host of The Manifest Movement Podcast. Yvonne is one of the brightest, most positive people I know. Her vibrant energy and unapologetic authenticity are absolutely contagious. We talk about the transformative power of using manifestation technique...

Another Christmas special episode today with our gorgeous friend Siobhan O'Connor @reelmammy. Siobhán unveils her 10 Sober Commandments of Christmas! We share our personal experiences of a combined 13 sober Christmases and give tips on navigating the festive season alcohol-free. These tips range from the importance of self-preservation, dressing to impress, setting boundaries and creating new trad...

In this festive special episode of No More Booze, join me and my wonderful friend Lisa as we dive into the challenges and joys of staying alcohol-free over Christmas. We reflect on our personal journeys, discussing the allure of Christmas parties and the importance of planning how to manage social pressures. The key is to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Together, we share tips for navigating family gatherings,...

Welcome to a landmark 100th episode of No More Booze! Join me as I reflect on the incredible journey of this podcast, celebrating the wealth of inspiring conversations and stories shared over the past two years. In this milestone episode, I take a moment to honour the transformative power of alcohol-free living, highlighting the personal growth and community connections I've made along the way. I...

In this episode of No More Booze, I’m thrilled to welcome Jennifer Salzman @rebelwithoutadrink a mindfulness coach from upstate New York, who has been alcohol-free for five years. Jennifer shares her unique journey with alcohol, revealing how it initially helped her cope with the challenges of ADHD and social anxiety, transforming over time into a crutch she relied on. We discuss the struggles of...

In this episode of No More Booze, I chat with Niall Davison from County Down, who has been living an alcohol-free life for two and a half years. Niall shares his journey of self-discovery, the challenges he faced while breaking free from alcohol and the profound difference it has made in his life. We chat Niall's past relationship with alcohol and how it provided temporary comfort but masked deepe...

*** This episode contains references to and conversation around suicide*** Today, I chat with Sharon Ledwith from Galway about her incredibly transformative journey to living an alcohol free life. Sharon shares her thoughts on 927-days without alcohol, remembering the ups and downs that led to her decision. Turns out that myself and Sharon actually met 21 years ago at a house party in Bondi Beach,...

In this episode, Gail Richardson from Dublin shares her powerful journey of giving up alcohol, driven by her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Gail, who is now cancer free guided us through her diagnosis, treatment and recover and reflects on how this has completely transformed her perspective on life and her relationship with alcohol. She discusses the impact of an incredibly supportive partne...

In this episode of No More Booze,I welcome Lily Shanks from Dallas, Texas. Lily opens up about her journey from heavy drinking to sobriety, sharing details that led her to seek help on September 3, 2018. Lily talks about her early relationship with alcohol, how it initially seemed like an escape from her insecurities and the pivotal moments that made her realise alcohol wasn’t the solution, leadin...

In this episode of No More Booze, I’m joined by my incredible friend John Waters, who shares his candid journey through the different phases of his drinking life and the profound realisation that ultimately led him to sobriety. We dive deep into the societal pressures surrounding alcohol and how it has shaped John's identity over the years. John reflects on his drinking experiences, from carefree...

This weeks guest is my good friend and fellow alcohol-free advocate, Jamie Burke @sober_in_south_mayo Jamie shares his experiences from intermittent drinking to owning a pub, revealing how his relationship with alcohol evolved and the challenges he faced along the way. We chat about the life-changing realisation that led Jamie to sobriety after years of on-and-off stints. The conversation centres...

In this episode of No More Booze, we welcome back psychotherapist Orlagh Reid to tackle the topic of 'mommy wine culture'. We explore how societal norms around alcohol can influence mothers' perceptions of parenting and coping, often promoting the idea that wine is essential for survival in motherhood. Orlagh shares insights from her extensive experience working with women who drink to manage stre...

In this solo episode of No More Booze, Olivia chats about the potentially transformative journey of Sober October, just in time for the month that encourages many to take a break from alcohol. She shares insights on the origins of the movement and how it started as a fundraising effort back in 2014. Olivia explores the immense benefits of going alcohol-free for 30 days, from improved sleep and ene...

In this episode of No More Booze, join me as I chat with Tracy Ollerenshaw @soberglimmers who has been alcohol-free for two and a half years. Tracy shares her journey through the challenges of drinking, especially during the pandemic and how it led her to reassess her relationship with alcohol. We dive deep into her experiences with trying to moderate her intake, the social pressures that kept her...

In this episode of No More Booze, I chat with Betty Guadagno, a fierce advocate for recovery hailing from Brooklyn, New York. Betty shares he journey through addiction, trauma and a transformative near-death experience that changed the course of her life. With raw honesty, she delves into her family’s generational struggles with addiction and the profound impact of her near-death encounter. She su...

This week I sit down with Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, an influential voice in alcohol policy advocacy. We chat about the profound implications of alcohol consumption on both individual health and societal well-being. Dr. Gilheany shares startling statistics on alcohol-related harm, including the staggering number of children affected by parental drinking. We discuss how mar...

This week on No More Booze, I welcome the renowned Professor David Nutt, psychiatrist and psychoneuropharmacologist and author of the ground breaking book, "Drink: The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health." In this incredible conversation, Professor Nutt dives into the complexities of alcohol, exploring its profound effects on the brain and body. He discusses societal views on alcohol, the emerg...

This weeks guest is Caroline Donoghue @lovemuddoglasy who shares her inspiring journey to sobriety, which she embraced two years ago after grappling with the challenges of grief and motherhood. Throughout this candid conversation, Caroline reflects on her tumultuous relationship with alcohol, how it impacted her life and parenting and the unexpected joys that have come with sobriety. She highlight...

This weeks guest is the beautiful Jen Crawford @jen_crawford_coaching, who gave up alcohol for the health of it. Jen, has spent her adult life supporting families. From working with a charity supporting premature and sick babies, to founding Irelands only ever Doula Agency @doulacare_academy, her path has lead her to becoming a Life and Business Coach for people seeking balance in their lives. Jen...

In this episode of No More Booze our guest is Mary Alice Stephens @maryalicewrites who is the author of the powerful memoir *Uncorked* which was released on Friday. With 14 years of sobriety under her belt, Mary shares her inspiring journey from a life consumed by alcohol to one filled with authenticity and self-discovery. Mary candidly discusses the pivotal moments that led her to quit drinking,...

This weeks guest is the incredible Counsellor and Coach Faye Lawrence @_fayelawrence_ Having been a heavy but high functioning drinker since her teens, Faye wound up in inpatient detox in 2017 after realising the party wasn’t any fun anymore. Determined not to let her sobriety ruin her social life she founded Untoxicated, which went on to become Australia’s largest alcohol-free social community wi...

This week's guest is my beautiful pal Siobhan O'Connor @arewenearlythereyet_ @reelmammy. Siobhan is a Journalist and broadcaster who worked at the Irish Mirror for 10 years having previously been at 98FM (Dermot, Dave and Siobhan Show). Siobhan has been alcohol free for the past 3 years, since the 4th of July 2022. We share the same stop date! We chat about realising when it's time to stop, t...