Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics Podcast

In this deeply moving episode of Children of Alcoholics, Sarah and Amy are joined by Sarah Fellows – a mum of three, physiotherapist, somatic therapist and adult child of an alcoholic mother. Sarah shares her story of growing up with a mum who struggled with alcohol addiction, the complex grief that followed her mum’s death, and what it’s like to grieve not just the parent you lost, but the parent...

Filmmaker Maleena Pone joins Sarah and Amy to discuss Saving Mum, her Channel 4 documentary airing Wednesday 10th at 1pm. Maleena shares her powerful story of growing up as the eldest daughter in a South Asian family, supporting a mother who struggled with alcoholism, and navigating loss, responsibility and resilience. Together they explore what it means to love a parent with addiction, the pressu...

Hi all! Sarah and Amy here, from the Children of Alcoholics Podcast. We’re back with a new series soon.  Promise!  But in the meantime, we wanted to share with you about a second new Nacoa podcast - a younger sibling to the Sarah and Amy you might say. It’s called COA Lives! It’s hosted by Nacoa patron and all round excellent guy, the Right Honourable Jonathan Ashworth! Since leaving Parliament af...

In this moving and honest episode, Sarah and Amy talk with Quint Boa, psychotherapist, filmmaker, and son of actor Bruce Boa (Fawlty Towers, Empire Strikes Back, Full Metal Jacket).   Quint opens up about his childhood growing up with an alcoholic parent, how that environment shaped his own drinking and recovery, and how he now uses animation and psychotherapy to help others understand mental heal...

In this episode, Sarah and Amy sit down with John Taylor – counsellor, accredited family therapist, filmmaker and author – to talk about growing up as the child of an alcoholic, his journey into recovery, and his mission to support families living with addiction. John shares the story behind his book and documentary 1 in 5, reflecting on the trauma he experienced as a child, the stigma and silence...

Being a child of an alcoholic (COA) is a thing. It's measurable. It impacts us physically and emotionally throughout our life.  Today we sit down with the amazing Nacoa patron Sophie K to discuss where she is at on her recovery journey. After a rough few months of health.  We explore how to speak to yourself, both in the present and in the past. Who is your inner child? What do they need? And why...

In this raw and moving episode, we sit down with George Billinge as he shares the emotional journey of growing up with a father lost to alcohol addiction. George speaks candidly about watching his dad’s decline — from a loving parent to a man consumed by addiction, now living homeless. George opens up about the heartbreak of witnessing that transformation and the difficult reality of maintaining h...

In this powerful episode of Children of Alcoholics, Amy and Sarah sit down with Maya Parker, MA – co-founder and trustee of Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics). Maya brings a lifetime of experience, both personal and professional, to the conversation. With deep empathy and expertise, she explores the emotional rollercoaster of growing up with a parent who struggles with add...

Mother’s Day Special: Breaking the Silence with Arabella Byrne & Jen Payne This Mother’s Day, the Children of Alcoholics Podcast opens up a heartfelt and honest conversation about the complex emotions that can surface for those who grew up with a parent battling addiction. We’re joined by Nacoa ambassadors Arabella Byrne and Jen Payne—two inspiring women who grew up with alcoholic mothers and...

It's Children of Alcoholics Week! So we're bringing you this bonus podcast featuring Josh Connolly and Chanita Stephenson. We’re Sarah and Amy, two friends who grew up with parents struggling with alcoholism. We know firsthand the challenges, confusion, and emotional toll that come with it—and we’re here to create a space where others like us can feel heard, validated, and empowered. Each episode,...

In this episode of the COA Podcast, we welcome Arabella Byrne, author of In the Blood, a powerful and deeply personal exploration of intergenerational alcoholism. Arabella shares her journey of uncovering the hidden impact of addiction within families, how it shapes identities, and the path toward healing. Arabella's memoir shared how her mother and she recovered from alcoholism within weeks of ea...

The Children of Alcoholics Podcast is back! In this episode, Sarah and Amy welcome Jen Payne, one of Nacoa's most prominent official ambassadors. Since joining as a  volunteer  of Nacoa, no one has taken our message closer to heart. As a adult child of an alcoholic going through traumatic experiences to this day, she has tirelessly shared experiences to help children and adult children of tomorrow...

In this powerful episode, Sarah and Amy sit down with their first international guest, Paul Summers from the USA - a recovering addict and author. Paul opens up about his journey as a child of an alcoholic (COA) and his own struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. He shares his inspiring story of hitting rock bottom, losing custody of his daughter, and ultimately finding the courage to get sober...

In this episode of Sarah and Amy: The Children of Alcoholics Podcast, Sarah and Amy delve into their trip to Parliament, where Sarah spoke on behalf of NACOA (the National Association for Children of Alcoholics). Amy takes the lead, asking Sarah questions about her experience speaking alongside inspiring guests like Hilary Henriques, CEO of NACOA, and the late iconic George Best's son, Calum Best....

Sisters Jess and Georgia join us for a candid conversation about growing up with an alcoholic parent and losing their father Jed to addiction in 2023. Though their childhoods were filled with instability and dysfunction, the sisters have emerged as successful businesswomen - Jess as the sales and marketing director at Hotel Football in Manchester, and Georgia as the owner of the hair and beauty sa...

Sarah and Amy reunite for a Christmas edition of their podcast “The Children of Alcoholics.” It’s been a few months since their last show as both stepped up into new roles with NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics). But they candidly catch up on how they each managed the festive season of dysfunctional family dynamics and complicated memories tied to their alcoholic fathers, coin...

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, hosts Sarah and Amy embark on a heartfelt conversation with special guest Victoria Glennie, Sarah's younger sister. Brace yourself for an emotionally charged journey as they delve into the untimely passing of their father, Steve, and the tragic circumstances surrounding his battle with alcohol addiction. With a mix of vulnerability and strength, the siste...

In this episode Sarah & Amy talk to Tod Harrison about his experience growing up as a child of an alcoholic. Tod talks candidly about how this has affected his adult life. This is a powerful episode and captures a story of resilience and determination like no other.  Tod and some friends have formed a team and have challenged themselves for June 2024 to row the pacific ocean (2800 miles in 40 days...

In this episode Sarah & Amy talk to TEDx speaker Sammy Kingston about her experience as a child of an alcoholic, and how she has channelled her experience into campaigning for change and awareness around alcohol use disorder. Sammy sadly lost her Mum to alcohol use disorder in 2018 and courageously shares how she chose to stop enabling her Mums addiction by moving out of her family home at age 18....

In this episode Sarah & Amy talk to Sobriety & Mindset Coach Harriet Strange aka "50 Shades Sober" about her experience as a child of an alcoholic and her own addiction to alcohol.  Harriet talks us through her childhood as a child of an alcoholic, and her own relationship with alcohol and how it has impacted her life now she is a parent. This really is an insightful episode where we get to hear b...

In this episode Sarah & Amy talk to Holistic Empowerment & Emotional Resilience Coach Jess Frost.  Jess talks openly to Sarah & Amy about her experience as a child of an alcoholic, and discusses the difficulties that came from identifying as a child of an alcoholic when the parent was is in denial of their addiction.  This episode is raw, powerful, unapologetically honest and is a beautiful story...

In this first episode Sarah & Amy introduce themselves and talk candidly about being adult children of alcoholics.  They talk openly and honestly about how their dads alcoholism was a family secret, and how they navigated through their childhood and adult life hiding it.  This podcast is unapologetically honest, raw, and "light hearted" in some places (thanks to Amy's dark humour).  Sarah & Amy pa...