Slaying Sober

A six‑month “break” from drinking on a Valentine’s Day flight from Dubai to Sydney became the biggest act of self‑love of Faye Louise Hughes’ life – and the start of her sobriety glow up. In this mini replay from Season 3, Episode 8, Faye shares why 30 days alcohol‑free rarely tells you the truth, and what really shifts when you commit to 100 days. You’ll hear: The Valentine’s Day decision that ch...

Kerry grew up in a morgue, survived alcoholism, abuse and domestic violence, and found recovery, compassion and purpose. A raw, hopeful story for anyone who feels broken. Kerry grew up surrounded by death in rural South Africa, with parents who were morticians and a home marked by alcoholism, witch doctors and chaos no child should ever see. At her worst, she was drinking up to six litres of wine...

Losing It All to Finding Hope – Part 2 with Kate Seselja dives into the day Kate fed $12,000 into a single pokie machine and almost ended her life. This raw conversation follows the shame, the suicidal thoughts, and the tiny moments – her kids, her husband, one counsellor – that pulled her back from the edge and toward recovery. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve gone too far to come back, this episo...

What happens when a “bit of fun on the pokies” quietly turns into a fifteen‑year battle that almost costs you your life? In this powerful episode, mum of six and gambling‑harm advocate  Kate Seselja  shares how an ordinary visit to a club spiralled into years of dark, clockless rooms, mounting debts and crushing shame – including the day she fed  $12,000 into a single pokie machine  and walked out...

When Chrissoula walked along the beach in rehab, she could barely put one foot in front of the other. After 20 years of heroin use, multiple overdoses, prison and parole, even a simple walk on the sand felt impossible. But those early morning walks – and a tiny rehab gym – lit a fire she didn’t see coming. Movement became medicine, and strength training gave her something she’d never had before: r...

At 16, Mark thought he was heading to the footy with a trusted “big brother” figure. Instead, he was groomed and sexually assaulted in a Flinders Street Station toilet by Jeff “Joffa” Corfe, the man who would later become one of Collingwood’s most famous supporters. For 25 years, Mark buried the secret, numbing the pain with ecstasy, marijuana and GP-prescribed Valium until a near-fatal overdose a...

In this powerful episode of Slaying Sober, James sits down with magician, illusionist and radio host Ben Murphy — a self‑confessed “man about town” who’s spent his life chasing the spotlight. From sick kid obsessed with clown doctors in a Brisbane hospital to world‑touring illusionist breaking Houdini records in the US, Ben built a dream career on limelight, applause and escape acts. But behind th...

Caitlin spent 17 years in active addiction, dealing to survive, living a life of crime, and convinced she would die an addict or in jail. After being stabbed in a premeditated attack that nearly took her arm and her life, she experienced awhite‑light near‑death moment that changed everything. In this episode, Caitlin shares how Crohn’s disease, chronic pain, and grief over losing her dad collided...

On today’s episode of Slaying Sober, we’re going way past “just stop drinking” and into the messy, real psychology of addiction with therapist and YouTube weapon Amber Hollingsworth from Put the Shovel Down. You asked for it – this one is for the normies and the addicts. Think of it as a no‑bullshit therapy session for the partners, parents, and friends who are desperate to help but keep getting b...

Shaun “Big Red” McDonough thought a quick punt on a sure thing would make life easier – instead it cost him over $220,000, his self‑respect and almost his life. In this raw conversation, he shares how childhood poverty and violence, a “harmless” betting habit and online gambling led him to the train tracks, and how counselling, self‑exclusion tools and his daughter’s courage helped him start again...

From Meth, Jail and Losing His Kids to One Year Clean – Warren’s Story of Starting Again at 42 Former registered nurse and father of four, Warren Clarke, opens up about how recreational meth use in his late 20s spiralled into addiction, homelessness, crime, and four months in jail — and how he’s now one year clean, rebuilding trust with his family and learning to like himself again. This brutally...

From daily ice and heroin use, ram raids and guns, to walking his kids into school and working in rehab – Jordan’s story is a slow, gritty rebuild from the ground up. He grew up in domestic violence, started drinking and using in high school, and by 20 was a daily ice user whose life revolved around crime, jail, and chasing the next hit. In this episode we unpack: How losing his dad during COVID s...

Husband, father, business owner and Slaying Sober podcast host James Date joins Ash Butterss on Behind the Smile to share his journey from blackout drinking, drugs and party culture to rehab, 12‑step recovery and a life grounded in service, spirituality and genuine contentment on the Mornington Peninsula. A former “life of the party”, James opens up about high‑functioning addiction, suicidal ideat...

PART 2 - More nuggets of wisdom from Ty Ty goes from bullied kid in Ferntree Gully to 450 charges, homelessness, psych wards, and multiple stints in jail – and is now rebuilding his life with six months clean, off all meds, and deeply connected to NA and spirituality.​ From 450 Charges to Spiritual Awakening: Ty’s Story In this raw and unfiltered episode of Slaying Sober, Ty shares how early bully...

Ty goes from bullied kid in Ferntree Gully to 450 charges,homelessness, psych wards, and multiple stints in jail – and is now rebuilding his life with six months clean, off all meds, and deeply connected to NA and spirituality.​ From 450 Charges to Spiritual Awakening: Ty’s Story In this raw and unfiltered episode of Slaying Sober, Ty shares how early bullying, weed at 12 and party drugs as a teen...

From £10 Pom to heroin haze in 1970s Bali — speed psychosis, queer activism, jail time, and 48 years sober. Kate Rowe’s raw memoir  How the Fck Would I Know?  proves recovery miracles happen — but only with brutal honesty and hard work. 🎧  Listen if you want hope  that “geographical cures” fail, fragments can reform, and life past 75 sober can feel like the fourth dimension. Raw recovery talk for...

PART 2: The Power of Change and The Power of Forgiveness From Rage to Redemption: Addiction Recovery Story Melbourne dad Joe shares his raw journey from childhood sexual abuse, bullying, and bikie violence to sobriety. Hiding trauma as a teen, he turned to booze, drugs, and bouncing—until a rage-filled night destroying his home terrified his daughter. Discover AA, monastery rehab in Italy, martial...

From Rage to Redemption: Addiction Recovery Story Melbourne dad Joe shares his raw journey from childhood sexual abuse, bullying, and bikie violence to sobriety. Hiding trauma as a teen, he turned to booze, drugs, and bouncing—until a rage-filled night destroying his home terrified his daughter. Discover AA, monastery rehab in Italy, martial arts mastery, and forgiving his abuser. Now an AOD teach...

Ep. 28 - John - A Professional Drug Addict for 33 years. And 4 Golden Rules for Recovery John – A Professional Drug Addict for 33 Years A 33-Year Addiction, Rock Bottom & Real Recovery What does rock bottom really look like after three decades of addiction? In this unfiltered episode of Slaying Sober , host James Date sits down with John , a recovering addict who tells it exactly as it was — n...

Suzie Browne — From Chaos to Clarity. Sober at 63. She drank for 45 years. She got sober at 63. And she’s telling the kind of truth most people spend a lifetime avoiding. In this raw, no‑filters chat, Suzie opens up about hermemoir  The Hole in the Soul: From Chaos to Clarity  — a storybuilt on addiction, jail time, broken relationships, spiritual bankruptcy… and the long road to redemption. We ta...

This is not just a sobriety story — it’s a fatherhood, identity, and transformation story . In this deeply honest episode of Slaying Sober , James sits down with Dale , a husband, father, musician, powerlifter, and recovering alcoholic, to unpack how casual drinking quietly turned into isolation, shame, and dependency — and how choosing sobriety gave him the life he never thought possible. From hi...

She was using ice through needles, selling her body at 17, and disappearing from herself—until one moment of surrender changed everything Amber’s story on the Slaying Sober podcast is raw, confronting, and deeply hopeful. From growing up in Australia’s heavy drinking culture to teenage substance use, sex work, and intravenous ice addiction, Amber takes us through the unfiltered reality of addictio...

She was using ice through needles, selling her body at 17, and disappearing from herself—until one moment of surrender changed everything   Amber’s story on the Slaying Sober podcast is raw, confronting, and deeply hopeful. From growing up in Australia’s heavy drinking culture to teenage substance use, sex work, and intravenous ice addiction, Amber takes us through the unfiltered reality of addict...

Jasmine shares her raw journey from childhood trauma and weekend partying in Melbourne to a devastating Mother's Day crisis that sparked her path to recovery on Slaying Sober. Her story challenges addiction stereotypes, proving anyone can get clean—no matter the mold. Discover tools like NA meetings, boundaries, andsober love that fueled her transformation. Childhood Roots: Single mum's sa...

Summary In this conversation, Nicole shares her journey of healing alongside her husband's battle with addiction. She discusses the challenges faced by families of addicts, the importance of self-care, and the need for open communication. Nicole emphasizes the significance of understanding co-dependency and the impact of trauma on relationships. The discussion also highlights the process of re...