Sober Awkward

🎙️ Throwback Thursdays on Sober Awkward! Every Thursday, we’re serving up a little slice of Sober Awkward history – a powerful clip from one of our most-loved past episodes. Why? Because sometimes, the right words hit differently the second time around. Whether you’re new here or a long-time listener, these throwback moments are here to keep you company, remind you you’re not alone, and offer that...

Did we inherit our drinking habit and have our years of over doing it been passed onto our own kids? In short, is Alcoholism genetic? It's a question that we get asked by worried ex-drinkers and many struggling with their sobriety about 3 times a week! Just like many of the questions we get asked - we don't feel as if we have the knowledge or experience to offer any kind of accurate answer...which...

In this week's retrospective episode, Hame and Vic look at the excuses that come up over and over again for why we don't think can go sober? 'I've got a party coming up.' 'Drinking is my identity.' 'Sober me is boring.' Ringing any bells? You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4c0chOrhwlSASDGXyCmvU0?si=DoUKd5sPS7u-JDKyqu14hg Show Notes: Sign up to our 30 Day Sobe...

The conversation continues, and this time, it gets emotional . Vic opens up about the real pain of body dissatisfaction, how it affects her self-worth, and the heartbreaking realisation of what message that might be sending her kids . Meanwhile, Hamish reflects on whether men really experience body image struggles in the same way—and if they do, why don’t they talk about it? But don’t worry, we do...

In part two of our deep dive into communicating with teens, Hamish and Vic tackle the big question—should we tell them about our own messy drinking days? Will honesty help them make better choices, or will it just give them ideas? We explore the pros and cons of sharing our past, the fear of hypocrisy, and how to approach these conversations in a way that actually connects rather than backfires. I...

So, we got sober… but guess what? We still don’t like what we see in the mirror. In this brutally honest episode, Vic and Hamish dive into body image, self-criticism, and why, even without booze, they still struggle with how they look. Turns out, sobriety doesn’t automatically fix self-esteem , and for many of us (especially women), body dissatisfaction runs deep—so deep that 98% of women aren’t h...

In this retrospective episode, Hamish and Vic revisit one of the most important (and awkward) topics—how to communicate with teenagers about alcohol, boundaries, and life in general. Why do so many parents struggle to talk to their teens? How can we create open, honest conversations without pushing them away? And what role does our own relationship with alcohol play in shaping theirs? We explore t...

Ever wondered how alcohol brands make booze look like the ultimate ticket to happiness, success, and social belonging? This week on Sober Awkward , we’re lifting the lid on the world of alcohol advertising with Anna Donaghey, a former London-based ad exec who spent years working on big-brand alcohol campaigns. Anna shares insider knowledge on how the industry uses behavioural science to lure peopl...

In this week's retrospective episode, Hame and Vic offer some tips on how you can approach staying sober during the ups and downs of parenting. What tools can you put in place to best prepare you? You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05gOJ3Ae8XHZQMxiIySEVu?si=8VJadZniTGmGHbFbTVWQBg Show Notes: Sign up to our 30 Day Sober Tour Guide at www.soberawkward.com Vic's...

It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for…again! In this very special instalment of Sober Awkward , we sit down with none other than superstar DJ Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim. Recorded backstage at his Brisbane gig, just before he stepped out in front of thousands of fans, Norman opens up about his 14-year sobriety journey, the early days of The Big Beat Boutique, and that pivotal moment—when b...

In this episode, Vic and Hamish take a hilariously honest look at whether drinking stunts your emotional growth—and what happens when you finally put down the glass. Vic reveals how she only really started maturing when she quit alcohol at 40. Gone are the days of pretending to be an adult while actually behaving like a teenager in a pub. Now, her idea of a wild night involves a cup of tea, a cosy...

In this week's retrospective episode, Hame and Vic look at the effect becoming parents had on their drinking? Did it force you to ramp up or cut back? Why does this crossroad so often lead to over drinking? You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05gOJ3Ae8XHZQMxiIySEVu?si=8VJadZniTGmGHbFbTVWQBg Show Notes: Sign up to our 30 Day Sober Tour Guide at www.soberawkward...

Why do so many of those that over-drink have some kind of underlying trauma? Today's guest is Kelly Andrews - a trauma therapist with over 20 years of experience. She has worked with countless clients, battling with addictions in the search for sobriety or moderation. Kelly and Hame delve into why alcohol is often not the problem but a solution (an unhealthy and toxic one at that) to dealing with...

In part two of our deep dive into labels, Hamish and Vic explore the names and identities you might encounter when you go sober. From “alcoholic" to to "boring twat" - getting sober often means facing a whole new set of labels—whether you like them or not. Why do people feel the need to define your sobriety? How do these labels impact the way we see ourselves? And most importantly, how can we recl...

Today is Vic's 7 Year Soberversary so we decided to take this opportunity to reflect. Sadly, a mistake that too many of us make in sobriety, is to expect the very act of giving up alcohol to solve all of life's problems. This it cannot do...but it's a damn good place to start! In today's episode, we aim to do something important. Something that no other podcast is doing. We want to shine a light o...

In this retrospective episode, Hamish and Vic dive into the world of labels in sobriety. From “alcoholic” to “sober curious,” these words can carry a lot of weight—but what do they really mean? And more importantly, do we even need them? We explore how labels can empower some people while feeling restrictive or unnecessary to others. Are they a helpful tool for understanding and connection, or do...

In this very (ahem) serious and unexpectedly heartfelt episode, Hamish and Vic tackle the awkward-but-essential topic of human connection in sobriety—and why keeping your booze-free life a secret is about as effective as trying to whisper in a nightclub. Hamish reveals how fatherhood gave him the ultimate reason to stay sober (because let’s be honest, nothing tests your patience like a newborn who...

It's Sydney Mardi Gras weekend and what better way to celebrate love...than with the re-release of this fascinating chat with Andrew Addie. Yes, today Vic and Hamish had a chat about alcohol in the gay community and how young LGBTQ+ people often turn to booze when isolated, experiencing low- self esteem or feelings unloved when family don't support their decision to come out. Vic delves into the h...

This week on Sober Awkward , we step outside the world of alcohol to explore another taboo topic—porn addiction. Hamish has a chat with one of the world's top Porn Addiction Recovery Experts - Jeremy Lipkowitz. Jeremy is an ex-porn addict who spends his life helping others. In this open and honest conversation, Jeremy shares stories from his struggles and shame, and offers an insight into the reco...

In this week's retrospective episode, Hamish and Vic talk hangovers! Hangovers are bloody awful and not getting them EVER again is one of the best things about being sober. But can any good come from hangovers? What if their extreme nature becomes the precise reason you go sober in the first place? You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4c0chOrhwlSASDGXyCmvU0?si=...

In this eye-opening episode, Hamish and Vic dive into the terrifying reality of drink spiking. After receiving a shocking email from a listener who had experienced this firsthand, they knew it was time to dig deeper into this disturbingly common but often overlooked crime. With alarming statistics revealing just how widespread drink spiking really is, they explore why it remains so misunderstood a...

This week on Sober Awkward , things get really uncomfortable. Hamish opens up about the recent - worst day of his sober life—a moment so tough, so shame-filled, he can hardly bare to talk about it. Today, he shares what happened, how it affected his mental health, and the raw reality of facing a crisis without the numbing escape of alcohol. Vic also reflects on her own lowest point in sobriety, re...

In today's retrospective episode, Vic and Hame explore the bizarre social acceptance of binge drinking in airports and on flights. They share some of their own experiences of hugging airplane loos (you can guess which of them has done this more than once!) and they hope to prepare you for the triggers that often await before your holiday even begins! You can listen to the full episode here: https:...

This week, Hamish sits down with the fabulous Maz Compton—radio host, author, and sober advocate—to dive into her ten-year journey of sobriety. Maz opens up about the early fears of being “boring” without booze, the surprising discovery that she’s actually an introvert, and the empowering process of finding boundaries in her sober life. It’s been a long time coming, but what a pleasure it was to c...

In today's retrospective episode, you will hear Vic perform the speech she delivered as her first live show in Byron. It details her drinking story and how at the root of her sobriety is love. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wX4hUfaI3ygSTWRWKwD1w?si=80064fe692f441de Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.boo...