Over The Influence

Over The Influence: The Alcohol Free Podcast

Health EN ↓ 246 episodes

Welcome to Over the Influence , the podcast where sobriety isn't just a choice - it’s a celebration! Hosted by Sharon Hartley and Ben Anderson, both BBC professionals by day and passionate advocates for alcohol-free living by night, this is your go-to space for real, raw, and uplifting stories of what life looks like on the other side of alcohol. Each episode shines a light on inspiring, often hard-hitting journeys to sobriety. From personal struggles to incredible triumphs, we bring you heartfelt conversations with guests from all walks of life - whether they're celebrities, experts, or every...

Author

Over The Influence

Episodes

S3: Special Episode: Dry January in Lockdown 3 09.01.2021 47:16

So we weren't planning on coming back until the Spring... But after it was announced that the UK was going in to its third national lockdown, social media went mad with people dropping Dry January... And we thought we should release a special episode of Over The Influence to help you strengthen your resolve if you've decided to carry on going! If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey -...

S2 Ep10: The Series 2 Round Up: Experts, Extraordinary Stories & Spring Chickens 26.11.2020 45:58

In the final episode of Series 2 Shaz, Freddie and producer Background Ben reflect on what they've learned from the guests this series. In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Instag...

S2 Ep9: Lucy Spraggan: Sober 12.11.2020 44:23

In this episode, Shazza and Freddie talk to Lucy Spraggan, the fabulous alcohol-free singer-songwriter who shot to fame on the X Factor nearly ten years ago. In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors t...

S2 Ep8: Delroy Taylor: The Winner 05.11.2020 53:41

In this episode, Shazza and Freddie talk to Delroy Taylor, who is also known as Bunny Pacer on Instagram (@bunny_pacer). In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Instagrammers. Del fo...

S2 Ep7: Susan Laurie: From Rock Bottom to Sober Forever 30.10.2020 49:07

Over The Influence is back! And this series, it's all about you... In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Instagrammers. In this episode, Shazza and Freddie talk to Susan Laurie, th...

S2 Ep6: Dawn Comolly: The Sober Fish 22.10.2020 45:15

In this episode, Shazza and Freddie talk to Dawn Comolly who is better known as The Sober Fish! In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Instagrammers. Dawn talks about her own journe...

S2 Ep5: Lee Mengo: The Gay Sober 15.10.2020 41:31

In this episode, Shazza and Freddie talk to the person behind one of their all time favourite sober Instagram accounts, Lee Mengo, who is better known as The Gay Sober! In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from A...

S2 Ep4: Andy Ramage: The Legend 08.10.2020 49:01

In this episode, Shazza and Freddie talk to the author of Let's Do This, the massively inspirational positivity guru, Andy Ramage! In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Instagramme...

S2 Ep3: William Porter: Alcohol Explained 01.10.2020 47:45

In this episode, Alcohol Explained author William Porter tells us about the science behind alcohol and why we drink. In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Instagrammers. Alcohol Ex...

S2 Ep2: Craig Beck: The Stop Drinking Expert 24.09.2020 42:34

Craig Beck is the Stop Drinking Expert, the first of many AF experts who give us a fabulous insight in to the psychology behind alcohol. In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Insta...

S2 Ep1: Michael Brown: Showbiz, Ships & Speedos! 17.09.2020 39:40

Michael Brown is a young man who's decided to give up alcohol and live his life to his greatest potential. In every episode in Series 2, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett invite a different guest on to the podcast who have in some way inspired their own alcohol free journeys, from AF authors to inspirational Instagrammers. In this episode, Sha...

S1 Ep10: The Series 1 Round-Up 08.07.2020 28:27

In the final episode for this series of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett discuss what they've taken from Series 1... If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you're going completely alcohol free like Sharon or Fredd...

S1 Ep9: Sally Wilkinson: Over 1000 Days Alcohol Free! 18.06.2020 50:16

In this episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk to Sally Wilkinson about her alcohol free journey... She's now gone well over 1000 days without a drink! If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you're going...

S1 Ep8: Moderation 05.06.2020 36:55

In this episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk about alcohol moderation... Is it a myth? If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you're going completely alcohol free like Sharon or Freddie, or if you're j...

S1 Ep7: Drew Schapper: European Tours, Changing Routines & New AF Opportunities 18.05.2020 42:17

In the seventh episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk to Drew Schapper about how life in a band affected his health and how he's changed his life by going alcohol free. If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whe...

S1 Ep6: Locked Down AF 07.05.2020 32:28

In the sixth episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk about drinking in lockdown and how to stay alcohol free if that's what you want to do! If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you're going completely a...

S1 Ep5: The Lighthouse Effect 21.04.2020 33:57

In the fifth episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk about the lighthouse effect - the difference you giving up drinking has on others around you. If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you're going compl...

S1 Ep4: Quit Lit 09.04.2020 26:59

In the fourth episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk about the different books out there to support your alcohol free journey, both biographical and scientific. If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you...

S1 Ep3: The Shift 02.04.2020 32:34

In the third episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk about the shift in attitudes towards alcohol free lifestyles. If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you're going completely alcohol free like Sharon o...

S1 Ep2: Mind The Gap 26.03.2020 29:44

In the second episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk about the gap... And give their tips on how to make sure you don't fall in to it! If you're on an alcohol free or low alcohol journey - or thinking about starting one - this podcast is for you! Whether you're going completely alcoh...

S1 Ep1: Getting Started 19.03.2020 37:36

In the first episode of the new alcohol free podcast, Over The Influence, BBC broadcast journalist Sharon Hartley and Guinness World Record holder Freddie Bennett talk about... Well, firsts! Sometimes the hardest thing to do is get started on an alcohol free journey - the first social occasion, the first time you tell your friends, the first time you go to the pub - and in this episode Sharon and...