SLAYINGSOBERPOD

When addiction enters a family, it doesn’t just affect one person—it changes everyone. In this powerful episode of Slaying Sober, James Date sits down with Nicole, who shares her story from the often-unspoken side of addiction: the partner who stays, survives, and heals. Nicole opens up about supporting her husband through gambling addiction, a suicide attempt, and recovery—while carrying her own...

🎄 Sober at Christmas? This Conversation Might Change Everything. What really happens when you walk into a Christmas party and don’t drink? The looks. The questions. The confidence. The triggers. The quiet wins. In this special festive edition of Slaying Sober, James Date and Sammy sit down for an honest, funny, and deeply real conversation about navigating the Christmas season alcohol-free — with...

From homelessness, violence, addiction, overdoses, prison sentences and a house fire… to hope, healing and helping at-risk youth. In this raw and deeply human episode, Ashley Smith opens up about the darkest chapters of his life and how he finally broke the cycle. We talk about: • Growing up in Tasmania in housing commission • Alcohol addiction starting at 14 • Drinking 6–7 litres of goon a day •...

What happens when blackout drinking, shame, trauma, and cultural pressure finally lead you to say, “Enough is enough”? In this raw and deeply human conversation, Faye Louise Hughes opens up about her 1,000-day alcohol-free journey — the blackouts, family patterns, ADHD, regret, lost memories, and the moment she chose self-love over self-destruction. Together, Faye and James dive into the reality o...

What happens when two men in recovery sit down and tell the raw truth? In this episode of Slaying Sober, James sits with Jared Threlfall, a man who went from surf-loving teenager… to chaotic binge drinker… to a father fighting to rebuild his life—and is now celebrating 9 years completely alcohol-free. From the infamous NAAA football game (“the bag snatchers vs the bedwetters”) to the darkest night...

Join host James Date for a special Bonus Episode as he reconnects with his old drinking buddy, Sammy (Levvo) , for a hilarious and candid chat! Dive deep into their wildest war stories from working and living in a massive Walkabout "Super Pub" in Bristol in the mid-2000s. From legendary snakebites to naked bacon runs, they reminisce on the good, the bad, and the sheer madness of a life fully immer...

After years trapped in addiction, crime, and chaos — James Date was given one last chance. A magistrate’s words changed everything: “You can either become institutionalised… or picture a new life.” What followed was a raw, emotional journey through prison, trauma, recovery, and rebirth. From facing childhood pain in rehab to rediscovering vulnerability, James shares his story of redemption, healin...

Gary’s Journey: From Addiction to Fatherhood | The Recovery Tapes x Slaying Sober Podcast In this emotional and raw episode, Gary sits down with James Date to share his powerful story of transformation — from drug addiction, prison, and street life in Wanneroo, Perth, to eight years of sobriety, fatherhood, and purpose. Gary opens up about: 💥 His teenage years chasing the “gangster life” and losi...

After years of struggle, self-doubt, and toxic cycles, Nicki found the courage to take back her life. In this powerful episode of Slaying Sober , she opens up to James Date about her journey from teenage drinking and anxiety to discovering hope, healing, and self-love through sobriety. Nicki shares how motherhood, loss, and the pressures of daily life led her deeper into addiction — and how one de...

🎙️ Slaying Sober | Season 3, Episode 4 — “Beyond the Views: The Hidden Cost of the Bikie Life” In this raw and unfiltered episode of Slaying Sober , Sam Unbreakable opens up about the dark reality behind the glamorized bikie lifestyle — the truth social media never shows. “ Fu*k the views. All I care about is touching the right person. ” That’s how Sam begins — a powerful statement that sets the t...

In this episode of Slaying Sober (Season 3, Episode 3), Sam Unbreakable shares his raw and powerful journey — from addiction and pain to purpose, healing, and peace. “Fu*k the views. All I care about is touching the right person.” That’s how Sam begins his story — a reminder that helping even one person makes the fight worth it. Sam opens up about childhood struggles, addiction, violence, and the...

Emma’s powerful journey takes us from a childhood filled with trauma and abuse, through years of addiction and devastating loss — to finally finding hope, faith, and recovery. In this episode of Slaying Sober, Emma shares how addiction cost her a marriage, her career, and even her children. But with community, faith, and resilience, she found her way to sobriety and healing. ✨ This story is a rem...

Emma’s powerful journey takes us from a childhood filled with trauma and abuse, through years of addiction and devastating loss — to finally finding hope, faith, and recovery. In this episode of Slaying Sober, Emma shares how addiction cost her a marriage, her career, and even her children. But with community, faith, and resilience, she found her way to sobriety and healing. ✨ This story is a rem...

In this episode of Slaying Sober , host James sits down with former AFL star Tom Rockliff to dive deep into his powerful journey of sobriety. Tom opens up about the drinking culture in professional football, the struggles of life after retirement, and the turning point that led him to embrace a sober lifestyle. He shares how giving up alcohol has brought him mental clarity, resilience, and persona...

In this powerful episode, Macarena opens up about her journey of recovery, healing her inner child, and discovering strength through the 12 steps. She shares how nurturing her wounded inner child transformed her life, gave her the tools to articulate emotions, and helped her break free from destructive generational cycles. From learning to pray and meditate in her own way, to embracing spiritualit...

In this episode, Macarena opens up about her deeply personal journey through addiction, motherhood, domestic violence, and ultimately—recovery. After years of struggle, relapses, and painful losses, she found strength in the 12-step fellowship and a community that showed her unconditional love when she needed it most. Now, with nearly six years of sobriety, Macarena reflects on: Staying clean duri...

In this powerful first episode of Slaying Sober , James sits down with Macarena , who courageously opens up about her childhood in Melbourne, growing up in a household filled with violence, addiction, and trauma. By the age of nine, Macarena was already experimenting with alcohol and marijuana, and by fourteen, she was addicted to heroin. Her story takes us through the painful realities of domesti...