The Alcohol Debate

In this next episode of a short series detailing Tabbin's hike along the Camino de Santiago, she reflects on a striking moment at a unique fountain in the Basque region of Spain, where pilgrims were queuing to fill their water bottles with free red wine instead of the nearby drinking water. This scene serves as a powerful metaphor for our cultural relationship with alcohol, highlighting how societ...

In the first of a short series of episodes covering Tabbin's recent walking holiday along the Camino de Santiago, she shares her  insights, flashes of inspiration and opinions. After walking 180 miles, she returns with a wealth of thoughts that delve into the intersection of personal experience and alcohol consumption. Tabbin begins by recounting a poignant moment when she encountered a stark cont...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond welcomes back Dr. James Morris, a visiting scholar from London South Bank University, to delve into the complexities of moderation in alcohol consumption. With over 20 years of experience in public health policy and research, Dr. Morris shares his insights on how drinker identity, social norms, and stigma influence both consump...

In this insightful episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond sits down with Catherine Lambert, managing director of Lemon Cherry, a company dedicated to providing confidential drug and alcohol screening services for businesses. Catherine brings her expertise to the forefront as they discuss the often-overlooked connection between workplace stress and substance use, particularly alcohol.  C...

TRIGGER WARNING - This episode contains discussions around suicide In this heartfelt episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond welcomes Robb Gilbear, a former music producer turned coach, who shares his transformative journey from a life of addiction and despair to one of empowerment and purpose. Robb opens up about his struggles with alcohol, the pressures of societal expectations, and th...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond engages in a deep conversation with Hannah Dalby, a former professional fighter and entrepreneur, who candidly shares her journey through addiction and the complexities that come with it. Hannah challenges the conventional view of addiction as a clear-cut problem, arguing instead that it is often a symptom of deeper emotio...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond engages in a profound discussion with clinical psychologist and executive coach Dr. Nick Early. They delve into the underlying factors that drive alcohol consumption, challenging the common belief that drinking is merely a matter of habit or lack of willpower. Dr. Early shares insights on how our brain and nervous system play p...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond sits down with Dr. Erin Hobin, a senior scientist at Public Health Ontario and an esteemed expert in alcohol-related health research. Dr. Hobin shares her extensive work on the Yukon Alcohol Labeling Study, which aimed to assess the impact of health warning labels on alcohol containers, particularly regarding the link between a...

In this powerful episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond engages in a candid discussion with Frank King, a stand-up comedian and mental health advocate, who bravely shares his personal journey with suicide and depression. Frank's unique perspective combines humor with a serious message, shedding light on the often-taboo subject of suicide and its connection to mental health and alcohol u...

In this compelling episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond tackles the controversial topic of alcohol consumption in the workplace, specifically within the halls of power in Westminster. Drawing from her own book, Tabbin reflects on the implications of MPs drinking while making crucial decisions during the COVID pandemic, highlighting how such behaviour can impair performance and judgmen...

💬 Show Notes In this thought-provoking episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Andreaa Pausan, who shares her personal journey through the challenges of stress and burnout. Drawing from her childhood experiences in Romania, Andreaa discusses how her upbringing shaped her coping mechanisms and ultimately led to a significant burnout that required a...

In this insightful episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond welcomes Karl Considine from Alcohol Change UK, an expert in workplace alcohol awareness. Together, they dive into the startling statistic that nearly two-thirds of UK workers consume alcohol for work-related reasons, exploring the implications of this trend on mental health and workplace culture.   As the conversation unfolds, K...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond sits down with siblings Ellie and Will Womersley, the innovative founders of OOM drinks. As the conversation unfolds, the duo shares their inspiring journey of creating functional, alcohol-free beverages during the challenges of lockdown, driven by their personal experiences with stress and ADHD.   Ellie and Will delve into the...

In this compelling episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond engages in a candid conversation with Julian Tittershill, author of the eye-opening book "Booze." Julian shares his personal journey, detailing how his relationship with alcohol evolved from a youthful social activity into a complex struggle that impacted his health and happiness.     Julian recounts his early experiences with al...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond explores the concept of being "active" in our relationship with alcohol, contrasting it with a passive mindset that often leads to stagnation. Tabbin delves into the struggle many face when desiring change but feeling stuck, emphasizing that awareness and understanding are crucial in overcoming this hurdle.  Throughout the...

In this captivating episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond welcomes coach and resilience expert Lorna Wilson, who shares her profound journey from personal loss to professional transformation. Hailing from British Columbia, she recounts her life experiences, including the heart-wrenching loss of her husband at a young age and the challenges that shaped her relationship with alcohol over...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond delves into the intricate relationship between confidence and alcohol consumption. Tabbin discusses the common feelings of being "stuck" and the hesitation many experience when considering a shift to an alcohol-free lifestyle. Drawing on the insightful four Cs framework by Dan Sullivan—commitment, courage, capability, and confi...

In this powerful episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond engages in a candid conversation with domestic abuse specialist Cheryl Sharp, who shares her personal journey as a survivor and her mission to raise awareness about the parallels between domestic abuse and alcohol use. Cheryl, who trains employers on how to implement policies addressing domestic abuse in the workplace, emphasizes t...

In this insightful episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond engages in a critical discussion about the complexities surrounding drink driving with legal expert Shazia Ali. As a lawyer specializing in motoring offences, who is the founder of   Scarsdale Solicitors   who represent clients around the country who face potentially losing their driving licence, Shazia sheds light on the legal n...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond welcomes two insightful guests, Professor Charles Knowles and Annie Knowles, who share their unique experiences with alcohol and the journey to sobriety. Professor Knowles, a medical doctor and author of the book "Why We Drink Too Much," discusses the complexities surrounding alcohol use, addressing the shame and stigma th...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond presents a practical Toolkit episode that is designed to assist listeners in transforming their relationship with alcohol. Tabbin introduces the concept of mantras as powerful tools to navigate the internal struggle between the subconscious desire to drink and the conscious decision to abstain. She emphasizes the importance of...

In this compelling episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond shares a deeply personal narrative about her journey with alcohol and the hidden struggles that often accompany it in the workplace. Reflecting on her past experiences as a strategic planner in an advertising agency, Tabbin reveals how she and her colleague, Anna Donaghy, both battled significant alcohol-related challenges, despi...

In this insightful episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond delves into the intricate relationship between our emotions and alcohol consumption. Tabbin emphasizes that many individuals turn to drinking not because of the allure of alcohol itself, but as a coping mechanism to manage uncomfortable feelings such as stress, anxiety, and even joy. This episode challenges the notion that we fee...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond reflects on the end of January, a month often associated with the popular initiative known as Dry January. Tabbin emphasizes that whether you participated fully, partially, or not at all, there is value in this conversation for everyone. The focus is not on perfection or strict metrics, but rather on using this time as an...

In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond welcomes psychologist and author Laura Haycock, who shares her insights on the intersection of menopause and alcohol use. With her extensive background in coaching senior leaders and her best-selling book, M Power, Laura sheds light on the often-taboo subjects of menopause and problematic drinking, exploring how they impact wom...