Upper Bottom

For the second instalment of work drinking, Cess and Ollie speak with Liam McNulty – aka Whiskey Richard – who is based in Tokyo. He explains all about nomikai , basically Japanese work parties. There are several layers and dos and don'ts to navigate. Notably, the sober curious movement doesn't seem to have travelled that far east – if people aren't drinking, it's probably because they can't affor...

Boozing on the job is certainly not advised, but what if drinking is ingrained in work – or at least after-work - culture? To help answer this puzzler, Ollie and Cess welcome Tabbin Almond to the pod to discuss her forthcoming book, Bottling Up Trouble. The statistics are shocking: up to 5% of work absenteeism is due to alcohol; and presenteeism due to alcohol costs the UK economy upwards of £1.4...

A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis. Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to th...

It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something.  On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help...

On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini. Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – o...

Now for something a little different ... In this thought-provoking episode, unveiled on the eve of the summer solstice, Cess and Ollie are joined by guest Becky Burchell as they delve into the complex relationship between alcohol and accessing our primal selves.  The conversation explores the notion that while alcohol has become a societal shortcut for tapping into our wild nature, there are alter...

This week, Cess and Ollie discuss the relationship between alcohol and Father's Day.  After attending a low- and no-alcohol event facilitated by KAM Insight and Lucky Saint, the duo, armed with stats, explore the growing trend of moderating alcohol intake and the need for more grown-up options. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting and normalising non-alcoholic choices and the p...

Navigating sobriety at a football match can be extremely challenging for people seeking to take back control of their alcohol consumption. For gritty stories and expert advice, Ollie and Cess welcome Jack Stirling (aka Kicking the Cans on Instagram), who is almost nine months sober, and Crystal Palace season-ticket holder Nick Houghton, who is just beginning his sobriety journey. Blackouts, hangov...

A bumper episode! In booze news Cess and Ollie discuss mocktails, partying in Ibiza without alcohol, and sober parties. That's followed by two fascinating interviews. The first is with US-based lawyer Kris Butler, whose lovely book Drink Maps in Victorian Britain was recently published. She offers an expert perspective on the history of pubs in the last two centuries and the temperance movement, a...

Ollie and Cess debate what elements make the perfect pub. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell's classic essay on his ideal boozer, the Moon Under Water, the hosts share their preferences for what makes a great pub atmosphere.  They cover everything, from impressive toilets and bar chat-friendly seating to pub games, animals, and the perfect music. The conversation also delves into the importanc...

Is a smelly, sweltering tent the worst place in the world to have a hangover?  What is it about camping that brings out people’s wildness?  How did a particularly catastrophic drinking session during a camping holiday bring a premature end to one of Ollie’s romantic relationships?  And what happened when Cess accidentally sipped REAL booze after almost a year and a half without an alcoholic drink?...

In a podcast first, Ollie and Cess record out and about. They visit Laura Willoughby, MBE, founder of Club Soda UK, at Club Soda's HQ in Covent Garden. After some booze news involving England rugby star Billy Vunipola, and Taylor Swift's "functioning alcoholic" lyric, the CDB-drink-guzzling trio discusses the rise of sober venues and the importance of mindful drinking. Laura emphasizes the need fo...

In the afterglow of the London Marathon, Ollie and Cess discuss the relationship between running and giving up drinking. They explore how running can serve as a substitute for boozing, and socialising, and how it can help individuals get on track with sobriety. The conversation touches on the impact of running on mental health – just ask Russ Cook (aka Hardest Geezer). Charlie Allen, the Founder o...

Time to slay some dragons! Ollie and Cess discuss St George's Day celebrations – have you had your "dragon's blood" cocktail yet? – with beer aficionado Rupert Ponsonby, who provides brilliant stories and details about boozing in England over the years. Before that interview, the hosts reflect upon their experiences with alcohol-free dancing (awkward!), their favourite boozers, and the nation's mo...

Friend of the pod Paul Walker, a digital engagement practitioner at the charity Change Grow Live, discusses his experience working in online support for individuals with substance misuse issues. He explains how the charity created a web chat platform to provide digital access to its services and the benefits of this approach. Paul emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support before hittin...

The hosts interview Chrissie Parkinson and Chris Losh, who established the World Alcohol Free Awards to address the lack of recognition and understanding of alcohol-free drinks. According to the competition founders, innovation and creativity in alcohol-free drinks are rapidly evolving, with a focus on artisanal and experimental approaches. Good news for the sober curious, then! In booze news, Ces...

In this episode, Ollie – who now boasts a year without booze – and Cess discuss various topics related to alcohol consumption and abstinence. They explore the perception of alcohol as a poison among younger generations and the growing view that boozing is bad. The hosts also reflect on their own experiences of sobriety and the positive changes it has brought to their lives. With Cess screwing on h...

Pour away the sickly grape juice! Amanda Thomson made it her mission to create a range of great-tasting non-alcoholic wines, including a sparkling Chardonnay – which co-hosts Ollie and Cess can confirm is exquisitely good. It took a long time, as Amanda tells Ollie, to create the "perfect liquid", but now you will find NOUGHTY, the AF range of wines of her company Thomson & Scott, in Michelin-...

Taking a break from interviewing guests, Ollie and Cess discuss their experiences with alcohol and the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in while under the influence. The hosts share personal stories of risky behaviour and regrets, highlighting the need for self-reflection and growth. Are boys / men more reckless with (and without) alcohol? They also explore the human desire f...

Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Ollie and Cess speak to three Irish people to better understand what it's all about. Catherine Doogan offers some historical context, Melissa Kelly discusses going sober in Ireland, and Terry – a barman in the Blythe Hill Tavern – provides some words of wisdom to complete the unholy trinity. Whether you decide to drink a pint of Guinness or not, know that, on average, it...

Ollie and Cess speak with Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, an alternative – and delicious – grown-up "switchel" drink, and the trio discuss society's expectations of women and drinking habits.  Bethan offers some advice to sober curious listeners, and Cess offers a brief history lesson on Mothering Sunday, while Ollie has a confession his own mother might not like ... https://upperbottompodc...

Ollie and Cess ask two friends of the pod, Natalie and Ryan, who have been sober for two months, to discuss their experiences with extending Dry January and their motivations.  The guests explore the effects of sobriety on sleep, physical health, and mental well-being. They also discuss the challenges of social situations, the reactions of friends and family (for Nat, everyone wrongly assumes she...

Stuart Elkington, Founder of drydrinker.com , the UK’s top-rated independent low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drink specialist, joins Ollie and Cess for a deep dive into being a “dry drinker”. He discusses industry trends and – praise be! – serves up some passable 0-ish% wine recommendations. In booze news, the hosts consider some of the 546 words Britons have for drunkenness, and – put those beer go...

Julia Linehan*, Founder and CEO of B2B adtech PR agency The Digital Voice, joins Ollie and Cess to talk about SPILL – Sober Party Industry Lads and Ladies – and (almost) five years of sobriety. *Not Jane, as a muddled Ollie mentions at c 5.39 minutes – SORRY Julia. The hosts also discuss their first taste of alcohol, and also how attending weddings and funerals, and going on holiday, for the first...

Hosts Ollie and Cess reveal their early challenges with going sober – and offer a useful analogy of pals being lifted away on a hot air balloon – before realising the obvious and unforeseen benefits of not boozing. Mindset is everything, and not drinking – rather than moderating drinking – could be the game-changer for you, too. The pair also tackle listeners' questions, salute Sir Billy Connolly,...