The Alcohol Debate

What does it really mean to feel stuck in your relationship with alcohol? In this special episode of The Alcohol Debate , Alcohol Mindset Coach, Anna Donaghey joins me to share our personal journeys through addiction and how we broke free from the cycle of self-loathing, secrecy, and shame.  Together, we explore why willpower isn't the answer and how real change comes from understanding addiction,...

What happens when alcohol is deeply embedded in both professional and personal cultures?  In this episode, retired Chief Superintendent and alcohol freedom coach Maria Fox shares her journey from heavy drinking as a coping mechanism in the police force to finding freedom and transforming her life. We explore the societal normalisation of alcohol, its staggering impact on public services, and the r...

Have you ever wished for a sophisticated alternative to alcohol that doesn't feel like a compromise? In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Thompon, founder and CEO of Noughty Wines, to discuss how her premium non-alcoholic wines are reshaping the beverage industry.  We explore the art of crafting wines that start as fine vintages and undergo a meticulous de-alcoholising process to retain their r...

In this episode, I'm joined by Josh Wood, is a TEDx speaker, health educator, and online coach based in Tasmania, dedicated to helping busy professionals achieve lifelong strength and wellness. With over 15 years of experience as a competitive powerlifter, combat sports athlete, and wilderness guide, Josh brings a unique and practical perspective to health and fitness.  Josh shares practical strat...

In this episode, we explore how small, intentional steps can make a massive difference in changing habits around alcohol.  From tackling habitual drinking to understanding the role of curiosity and celebrating small wins, I share practical strategies inspired by the wisdom of "Atomic Habits" by James Clear and "Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg.  We'll look at how to design your environment for success, sta...

In this episode, I explore the idea of Dry January—why it's more than just skipping a drink and how it can genuinely impact your health, mindset, and habits. We look at the benefits, from better sleep and mental clarity to improving physical health and even shedding a few pounds.  But it's not all straightforward. I also dig into the potential downsides, like the pressure of all-or-nothing thinkin...

Let's face it—Christmas isn't always the picture-perfect day the ads promise. Between family dynamics, financial strain, and the temptation to overindulge, this season can feel more overwhelming than merry.  In this episode, I share 10 practical tips to help you set boundaries, protect your wellbeing, and handle the festive chaos without reaching for the bottle.  From creating a budget that doesn'...

This episode dives into the deeply ingrained culture of alcohol in our workplaces and society. I'm joined by Kathryn Elliott, an alcohol-free coach from Melbourne, as we unpack how normalised drinking impacts health, productivity, and personal relationships. Kathryn shares her own powerful story, including her journey to sobriety and the eye-opening link between alcohol and breast cancer—something...

This episode takes a deep dive into the role of leadership in transforming workplace culture around alcohol. I sit down with Chris Howe, a coach with years of experience in the recruitment industry, to explore how leaders can influence positive change by addressing alcohol's impact on business productivity and employee wellbeing. Chris shares his personal journey with alcohol, offering insights on...

In this episode, we tackle the complex relationship between alcohol and long-term health, exploring how it impacts everything from liver function to mental well-being. I'm joined by Dr. Lou Mitchell, who works on the frontlines in emergency medicine, where she sees the harsh realities of alcohol misuse. From gastrointestinal issues to the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help, we unp...

What happens when "just one more drink" goes too far? In this episode we welcome Dr. Lou Mitchell, an emergency medicine consultant, to uncover the harsh realities of alcohol's impact beyond the glamour of advertisements. From head injuries to life-changing accidents, Dr. Mitchell shares sobering insights into the A&E cases caused by excessive drinking. With a mix of compelling stories and expert...

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Gimpel, a corporate recovery advocate who's here to share his powerful journey with alcohol. From casual after-work drinks that felt like the norm to a dependency that crept up over years, Chris opens up about his experience in a drinking culture that blurred the lines between socialising and coping. Together, we explore how alcohol impacts not just the indiv...

Today, I'm tackling the chaos and questionable decisions that can happen at office Christmas parties. We're talking excessive drinking, "hilarious" mishaps that aren't actually funny, and those infamous next-day regrets. More importantly, I'm here to explore how we can plan safer, more inclusive celebrations without taking away the fun. We'll look at ways to create memorable parties that don't rev...

In today's episode I'm talking with Alli, founder of the vibrant non-alcoholic brand, Drinks Kitchen, to explore her journey from a career in the alcohol industry to crafting unique, grown-up alternatives. Alli shares her personal story of shifting from daily drinking habits to rethinking her relationship with alcohol—particularly how becoming a mother and seeing the effects of alcohol on her life...

In this episode, we're tackling a topic that many people struggle with—relapses, or as I prefer to call them, "data points." We'll explore what happens when you set out to stay alcohol-free, but end up drinking anyway. Instead of seeing it as a failure, I'll share why I think of these moments as learning opportunities. This shift in mindset can help you move forward with compassion and growth, ins...

In this week's episode, I sit down with Keith Austin, who shares his personal journey of reevaluating his relationship with alcohol. Keith openly talks about his early drinking habits, how alcohol became a part of his identity, and the gradual process of falling out of love with it. What makes Keith's story so powerful is that he hasn't hit rock bottom, but recognised that alcohol wasn't serving h...

In this episode, I'm talking to Alex Clapp, an incredible individual who faced unimaginable challenges that turned his world upside down. Alex was living the life many of us know well — working hard, playing hard — with what seemed like a "normal" relationship with alcohol. Then, five years ago, his life took a dramatic turn. In the midst of battling sight loss, Alex turned to alcohol as a way to...

Today, I'm joined by the incredible Marc Caulfield, someone who knows firsthand how alcohol can affect mental health, especially in the workplace. Marc spent 28 years in the advertising world, where alcohol was often at the heart of business culture, but his own struggles with mental health led him to create a new mission: helping organisations foster healthier, more supportive work environments....

Welcome to this week's episode. Today, I'm thrilled to chat with Rachel Philpotts, author of the award-winning The Burnout Bible and clinical director of Renew Functional Medicine Clinic. Rachel's work helps high-achieving women recover from burnout and rediscover their energy, using cutting-edge functional medicine techniques. We'll be talking about the overlap between burnout and alcohol, and ho...

In this episode, I'm chatting with Tom Kennard, an entrepreneur who made the life-changing decision to quit drinking—and believes it was key to selling his successful business. Tom shares his journey from using alcohol as a way to manage stress to realising it was holding him back, both personally and professionally. We talk about the pressures of running a company, the moment he knew it was time...

In this episode, I'm joined by Natalie Bell, the CEO at MG OMD, for a heartfelt conversation about the intersection of alcohol, mental health, and the advertising industry. Natalie, known for her candid discussions about her mother's battle with alcoholism, brings a powerful perspective on how alcohol impacts both personal lives and professional environments. As my new book, Bottling Up Trouble ,...

This week, we're exploring the impact of alcohol in the workplace and how it shapes our professional lives, often in ways we might not realise. I'll be sharing insights from my new book, Bottling Up Trouble: How Alcohol Is Harming Your Business and What to Do About It , and digging into the complex relationship between work culture and drinking habits. From the 'client entertaining' pressure to af...

In this week's episode, we're tackling a topic that hits close to home for many - men, masculinity, and booze. While I've never had my femininity questioned for not drinking, men often face intense pressure to "man up" and have a drink. To explore why, I'm joined by Pete Hunt, the mind behind The Privileged Man podcast and community. Together, we'll unpack why men find it hard to talk about their...

Welcome to this episode, where I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Peter Rice, a true heavyweight in the world of alcohol policy. Today, we're tackling the crucial question: can government policies actually reduce the harm caused by alcohol? Spoiler alert: yes, they can, and Peter is here to explain how. As an addiction psychiatrist with decades of experience, Peter's insights are invaluable. We discuss e...

Hi everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Alcohol Debate Podcast!  Today, we're tackling a topic that many of us have grappled with - sleep. Or should I say, are you truly falling asleep or just passing out?  We're joined by the fantastic William Porter, author of the highly acclaimed Alcohol Explained series.  William is here to shed light on the complicated relationship between alcohol...