The Big Drink Rethink

Why is it so hard to rethink our drinking and what does it actually look like to drink less without going “all or nothing”? In this special summer mini-series of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey revisits her most downloaded conversation with broadcaster and writer Adrian Chiles. Adrian shares his personal, honest journey from heavy to moderate drinking, not by swearing off alcohol, but by...

If you’ve ever wondered why alcohol cravings can feel so powerful or why breaking habits is so tough, this episode is for you. In this special summer mini-series of the Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey recaps essential brain science insights from past episodes and breaks down how simple psychology can empower your sober-curious journey through the summer. Anna revisits some of the podcast’s most p...

Do sunny holidays, BBQs, and lazy afternoons have you reaching for another drink almost on autopilot? Summer can bring all sorts of triggers for drinking, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this practical, supportive episode, Anna Donaghey shares five brilliant, totally free tools to help you stay in control of your drinking this summer whether you’re sober-curious, moderating, or just want to...

Is the British drinking culture changing and what does that mean for sober summer socialising? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Chris Cardone: US World Class Bartender, award-winning mixologist, and ten years sober. Chris lifts the lid on a radical rethink in hospitality and what it means to create proper, delicious, inclusive drinks experiences whether or not alcohol is involved...

Do holidays and the summer break leave you feeling less refreshed and more exhausted? Does ‘holiday mode’ mean you default straight to drinks even when you’d love to come back energised, present, and rested? If you’re tired of summer routines that always revolve around alcohol, make sure you listen in Join Anna as she kicks off The Big Drink Rethink’s summer series, our six-week companion to navig...

Ever wondered why alcohol can feel like "liquid confidence," or if there’s a better way to build self-belief without a drink in hand? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey is joined by Sue Reid, certified confidence and self-belief coach, NLP master practitioner, hypnotherapist, and author of Building Confidence: How to Thrive as a Shy Person . Anna and Sue take a deep dive...

Does a sunny day spark a craving for a cold alcoholic drink? Do pub gardens, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings feel like booze is suddenly everywhere, making it harder to stick to your goals? If the sun is your biggest trigger, this episode can help. Join Anna as she unpacks why sunshine is such a powerful cue for drinking, especially in UK culture, and how our brains build deep associations betwe...

What if parents could truly change the future just by having more open conversations about alcohol? In this episode host Anna Donaghey is joined by Jessica Lahey, educator and author of The Addiction Inoculation . Together, they explore the factors that influence substance use in young people, the power of prevention, and how honest dialogue can break cycles of dependence. This episode guides list...

Have you ever felt like the person you trust least is yourself? On this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores one of the most tender and universal challenges for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol: how to rebuild self-trust after countless broken promises to yourself and to others. Drawing from deeply personal experiences and the honest struggles of her liste...

Have you ever wondered why so many mothers today feel overwhelmed, isolated, or pressured to present a picture-perfect life especially when it comes to drinking culture? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey talks to Anna Cusack, a postnatal doula, motherhood studies practitioner, and author of the powerful book "Mama, You’re Not Broken" . Together, they explore the emotiona...

In this special Q&A episode, Anna tackles a powerful listener question about what happens after the buzz fades from going alcohol-free. You've made it past those first few transformative months, and maybe you don't miss drinking, but the excitement has levelled out, and you're wondering how to stay motivated for the long haul. Anna explores the “middle” of the alcohol-free journey when things...

Are functional drinks the future of socialising, or just another wellness fad? On this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Zoey Henderson, an entrepreneur, mindful drinking consultant, and early functional drinks pioneer, to unravel the hype, science, and shifting culture around functional drinks. With drinking habits changing across the UK and a booming market for...

So many mums reach for a glass of wine at the end of a long day. How else can we cope with the chaos of motherhood? How else can we navigate this emotional tsunami for which we receive no training? In this deeply personal episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey opens up about her own journey through early motherhood, where drinking evolved from a social habit into an emotional crutch....

If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for a glass of wine after a tough day, but wish you had an easier, healthier alternative - this episode is for you. Today, Anna dives into practical, 5-minute resets: simple, research-backed tools that can help you navigate cravings, manage stress, and regulate your nervous system. Drawing inspiration from global traditions, think mindfulness, breathwork, jou...

Have you ever rolled your eyes at the idea that breathing could actually help with stress or cravings? You’re not the only one. That’s exactly what we’re getting into today on the Big Drink Rethink. In this episode, Anna Donaghey sits down with Zoë Ewart, a trauma-informed life coach and breathwork facilitator, to challenge the skepticism around breathwork - especially for those rethinking their r...

Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions, outwardly successful but inwardly exhausted? Welcome to The Big Drink Rethink podcast with your host, Anna Donaghey. In today's episode, we're diving into the theme of strategic recovery, with Chloe Stephens, a Flow Coach with thirty years of experience in fitness and well-being. Chloe's exploration into sleep, recovery, and nervous sy...

Do other people’s behaviour trigger you to drink? Today on the Big Drink Rethink, we're exploring a topic that affects many of us: how to manage those moments when other people’s behaviour triggers our urge to drink. This episode is inspired by a question from one of my coaching clients, who finds herself frequently wound up by others, and is wondering how to stop being triggered by them. Join me,...

What if everything you thought you knew about menopause and weight loss was wrong? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey dives deep with guest Ailsa Hichens, a BANT registered nutritionist and author. Ailsa shatters common myths about menopause and unveils the truth behind metabolism, lifestyle changes, and the role of alcohol during this crucial life stage. From dietary ins...

The stories we tell ourselves about alcohol shape our reality and our ability to change, but how exactly can we first identify them, then go about changing them? Listen to this action-orientated episode of The Big Drink Rethink, with host Anna Donaghey, as she offers up practical tools and insights on how to identify and shift these narratives to rewrite your relationship with alcohol. Plus, learn...

What if the stories we tell ourselves about alcohol are the very chains that bind us? A journey into the power of words awaits you on this episode of The Big Drink Rethink. Join host Anna Donaghey and guest Helen Packham as they unravel the narratives that shape our drinking culture and explore how changing our language can liberate us from old habits. In this engaging conversation discover how He...

Why do we often sabotage our own sobriety despite our best intentions? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, your host Anna explores the perplexing nature of self-sabotage, a challenge faced by many seeking to reshape their relationship with alcohol. Anna offers a thoughtful exploration of what drives these destructive patterns and provides actionable strategies to break free from the cycle. L...

Have you ever considered how deeply ingrained the culture of alcohol marketing is in your life? Today your host, Anna explores the fascinating world of gendered alcohol marketing, alongside guest expert, Professor Carol Emslie, the co-director of the Research Centre for Health at Glasgow Caledonian University and co-chair of the Scottish Alcohol Research Network. They discuss the intriguing and of...

Ready to break the drinking cycle? In this toolkit episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey shares the science of habit formation and why relying on willpower alone often fails when trying to change drinking behaviours. She breaks down James Clear's habit loop concept and provides practical, actionable strategies for creating lasting change through small, intentional adjustments rather...

Is a sense of unworthiness and shame keeping you stuck? In this powerful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Chris Janssen, a leading Performance and Mindset Coach with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, to explore how shame and unworthiness can keep people trapped in addiction. Chris, who has been sober for 18 years and is the bestselling author of "Grace Yoursel...

How does one deal with shame and embarrassment around their drinking behaviour? In this Q&A episode, host Anna Donaghey tackles this deeply personal question from a listener who struggles with past actions and memory gaps related to their drinking. Drawing from Brené Brown's research, Anna breaks down the differences between shame, guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment, offering practical jour...