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
In today's retrospective episode, Vic and Hame explore the bizarre social acceptance of binge drinking in airports and on flights. They share some of their own experiences of hugging airplane loos (you can guess which of them has done this more than once!) and they hope to prepare you for the triggers that often await before your holiday even begins! You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4r0Yuy83Wwp1xl7ygOTWJN?si=6b0513e4e9d748c0 Show Notes Vic's book is out! ...
Feb 05, 2025•23 min
This week, Hamish sits down with the fabulous Maz Compton—radio host, author, and sober advocate—to dive into her ten-year journey of sobriety. Maz opens up about the early fears of being “boring” without booze, the surprising discovery that she’s actually an introvert, and the empowering process of finding boundaries in her sober life. It’s been a long time coming, but what a pleasure it was to chat with Maz, a huge supporter of everything awkward. Join us for an honest, heartfelt, and hilariou...
Feb 02, 2025•58 min•Season 10Ep. 8
In today's retrospective episode, you will hear Vic perform the speech she delivered as her first live show in Byron. It details her drinking story and how at the root of her sobriety is love. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wX4hUfaI3ygSTWRWKwD1w?si=80064fe692f441de Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-thousand-wasted-sundays-victoria-vanstone/book/9780645757941.html and please give a ...
Jan 29, 2025•16 min
So, you made it through Dry January—congrats! But now what? The hype has fizzled, the social media high-fives are over, and those sneaky little excuses to start drinking again are creeping in. Don’t panic; we’ve got your back. In this episode of Sober Awkward , Vic and Hamish dig into life beyond the January booze-free bubble. They’ll share practical tips, clever hacks, and a healthy dose of awkward humour to help you keep the sober momentum going, no matter what temptations pop up. Whether it’s...
Jan 26, 2025•48 min•Season 10Ep. 7
In today's retrospective episode, Vic and Hame discuss the importance of sharing your sobriety story. No matter how dramatic or ordinary it might seem to you...it might just help inspire those around you! You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wX4hUfaI3ygSTWRWKwD1w?si=80064fe692f441de Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-thousand-wasted-sundays-victoria-vanstone/book/9780645757941.html and pl...
Jan 22, 2025•9 min
Sober Awkward was lucky enough to pin down one of British TV's most recognisable faces - the incredible Ulrika Jonsson - for an honest and heartfelt chat about her first seven months of sober life. In this inspiring episode, Ulrika spills the sober beans with Hamish, sharing everything from the pivotal day she decided to quit drinking to the profound changes she’s experienced since. She opens up about using alcohol to mask trauma, the surprising freedom she’s discovered in sobriety, and the awkw...
Jan 19, 2025•54 min•Season 10Ep. 7
In today's retrospective episode, Vic and Hame are rejoicing! The stigma that sober is boring has died off and been replaced with a more positive one. Sobriety is being seen as cool and is growing in popularity. The world is finally catching on! You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ea9k4u5bMx0hAuge3iJWL?si=0b3dde596b8a4df5 Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-thousand-wasted-sundays-victori...
Jan 15, 2025•13 min
So, Dry January’s going great…Your plodding along like a right trooper, enjoying not being hungover and feeling a little bit proud of yourself... then someone says, “C'mon! One won’t hurt,” Spoiler alert: It will! In this awkward (and surprisingly funny) episode, we explore why that one drink can derail your whole month and ruin your chance at a lovely, shiny sober life. So, today we are going backwards, for old times sake, This episode will help you rethink that question that is tapping at your...
Jan 12, 2025•51 min•Season 10Ep. 6
In today's retrospective episode, Vic and Hame make the pitch there is a sober revolution going on! What you are doing (or attempting to do!) might actually be far more punkish than first expected! Here's how... You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ea9k4u5bMx0hAuge3iJWL?si=0b3dde596b8a4df5 Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-thousand-wasted-sundays-victoria-vanstone/book/9780645757941.html...
Jan 08, 2025•17 min
No Regrets! They don't work! Regret is a feeling of sadness about something sad or wrong or about a mistake that you have made, and a wish that it could have been different and better: Some sober people might say that this is how they feel about their drinking career. They might look back at it as a mistake, a time where they were not living life to the fullest or wish it could have been better, less messy and more fulfillin...
Jan 05, 2025•41 min•Season 10Ep. 5
In today's retrospective episode, we look at some of the confusingly boozy traditions within the sporting world. From initiations to drinking games. If you are a sports fan of keen sports person yourself it can feel a little confronting being the only sober one in the room! Here's how we can help... You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6oASpITgtilOWqktxJcZqe?si=7e8973d9d08a4617 Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https:/...
Jan 02, 2025•22 min
Good morning 2025? Have you woken up full of regret and anxiety? Are you peeling your face off the pillow trying to avoid the lingering smell of last nights garlicky kebab? Do you have have one eye brow missing, twigs in your hair and no memory of where you ended up last night? Yes? Well, you're in the right place! Welcome to the most popular day of the year to give sobriety a go! Whether you are looking to cut down on your drinking, go totally sober or just rethink your relationship with alcoho...
Dec 31, 2024•47 min•Season 10Ep. 4
An elf has come for dinner! Merry Christmas to all the sober people out there x Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-thousand-wasted-sundays-victoria-vanstone/book/9780645757941.html and please give a review at www.goodreads.com JOIN PATREON! and buy us a Cuppa so we can keep being awkward! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=81897291 www.cuppa.community – The Free Social Network for the Sober and Sober Curious - Sober Events –...
Dec 25, 2024•8 min
