🎙️ Throwback Thursdays on Sober Awkward! Every Thursday, we’re serving up a little slice of Sober Awkward history – a short, 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 little nudge of insight or encouragement just when you need it. Think of it as a midweek ch...
May 21, 2025•26 min
This week, Hamish sits down with the incredible Davinia Taylor—former Hollyoaks actress turned sober hero and health warrior. In this eye-opening conversation, Davinia shares her journey from alcohol-fuelled chaos to reclaiming her health through sobriety and metabolic science. She opens up about battling postnatal depression, understanding dopamine-driven alcohol-seeking behaviours, and why peri-menopause can make quitting booze even trickier. Davinia also reveals the power of tracking your cyc...
May 18, 2025•51 min•Season 11Ep. 3
🎙️ Throwback Thursdays on Sober Awkward! Every Thursday, we’re serving up a little slice of Sober Awkward history – a short, 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 little nudge of insight or encouragement just when you need it. Think of it as a midweek ch...
May 14, 2025•17 min
WARNING: Please do not listen to this episode whilst eating! Gut Health is something that we hear a lot about but understand very little of (well we don't anyway!). How does are drinking affect our guts and how important is to our overall health? More importantly, can we undo all the harm we have done to our bodies during decades of boozing?! AND, how good is sobriety for our guts? We are looking at this week's episode as the perfect introduction to next week's MEGA guest Davinia Taylor. She kno...
May 12, 2025•49 min•Season 11Ep. 2
🎙️ Throwback Thursdays on Sober Awkward! Every Thursday, we’re serving up a little slice of Sober Awkward history – a short, 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 little nudge of insight or encouragement just when you need it. Think of it as a midweek ch...
May 07, 2025•20 min
In this special episode of Sober Awkward , the tables are turned as Hamish interviews Vic about her brand new book Mumming: A Year of Trying (and Failing) to be a Better Parent . They dive into the chaotic reality of parenting without booze, why Vic felt compelled to write about her loud, messy, very human experience of motherhood, and how the pressure to ‘get it right’ can leave mums feeling like they’re the only ones stuffing it up. They chat about why talking honestly about failur...
May 04, 2025•38 min•Season 11Ep. 1
🎙️ Throwback Thursdays on Sober Awkward! Every Thursday, we’re serving up a little slice of Sober Awkward history – a short, 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 little nudge of insight or encouragement just when you need it. Think of it as a midweek ch...
Apr 30, 2025•12 min
April 29th is National Fentanyl Awareness Day and the importance of this cannot be underestimated. We don't mean to frighten you but here are the facts... Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45 with one death occurring every 7 minutes because of it. If you think that this doesn't affect you, then you might be shocked to hear that 7 out of 10 powders and pills sold on the streets today contain fentanyl. It is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin and 50 to 100 times m...
Apr 27, 2025•27 min•Season 10Ep. 20
🎙️ 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 little nudge of insight or encouragement just when you need it. Think of it as a midweek check-in....
Apr 23, 2025•8 min
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 is why we invited Arabella Byrne onto the podcast. Arabella is the co-author (alongside her mother ...
Apr 20, 2025•48 min•Season 10Ep. 19
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 Sober Tour Guide at www.soberawkward.com Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can......
Apr 16, 2025•14 min
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 don’t leave you in a puddle of sadness. By the end, we’re flipping the script and giving you tools to ...
Apr 13, 2025•32 min•Season 10Ep. 18
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. Is it possible to be open without glorifying our own wild years? And does telling the truth make us m...
Apr 09, 2025•31 min
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 happy with their appearance . But where does this self-loathing come from? Is it society, our upbring...
Apr 06, 2025•40 min•Season 10Ep. 17
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 the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the importance of keeping the lines of communication open—beca...
Apr 02, 2025•20 min
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 people in—crafting campaigns that convince us alcohol is our friend, our reward, and even our identity. W...
Mar 30, 2025•47 min•Season 10Ep. 16
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 book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... Buy Here on Audible and Ebook and please ...
Mar 26, 2025•11 min
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 bringing Fatboy Slim home after a night out made him realise it was time to get help. Vic was lucky e...
Mar 24, 2025•34 min
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 blanket, and her latest passion project: an un-gratitude diary . Yep, you heard that right—while ev...
Mar 23, 2025•40 min•Season 10Ep. 15
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.com Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... Buy Here on Audible and Ebook a...
Mar 19, 2025•12 min
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 trauma. Why therapy and looking inwardly should be at the root of all sobriety and why it's importan...
Mar 16, 2025•39 min•Season 10Ep. 14
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 reclaim the words that actually empower us? Join us as we break down the good, the bad, and the downrigh...
Mar 12, 2025•24 min
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 on some of the disappointments that many of us still face in spite of our sobriety. We are doing this...
Mar 09, 2025•50 min•Season 10Ep. 13
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 they create more pressure and division? Join us as we unravel the complexities of labels in the sobe...
Mar 05, 2025•20 min
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 thinks sleep is optional). Meanwhile, Vic spills on how moving to a new state meant she could final...
Mar 02, 2025•41 min•Season 10Ep. 12
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 history of the gay bar and find out why bars can feel like a safe haven for the community, sometimes ...
Feb 26, 2025•40 min
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 recovery involved in breaking free from this all-too-common but rarely discussed addiction. We dive into...
Feb 23, 2025•42 min•Season 10Ep. 11
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=DoUKd5sPS7u-JDKyqu14hg Show Notes: Sign up to our 30 Day Sober Tour Guide at www.soberawkward.com Vi...
Feb 19, 2025•9 min
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 and underreported. Why do so many victims blame themselves? Is it because of how much they drank, or ...
Feb 16, 2025•38 min•Season 10Ep. 10
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, revealing how hitting emotional rock bottom (without booze) actually made her stronger in the long run...
Feb 09, 2025•40 min•Season 10Ep. 9
