It's Sydney Mardi Gras weekend and what better way to celebrate love...than with a bonus episode of Sober Awkward! 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 the only place to feel ac...
Mar 01, 2024•40 min
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy take a look at making better choices when it comes to booze and being honest about their behaviours. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qXlSc9lDGStYLeYIjrWPH?si=d5d0186db8b64b04 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 28, 2024•12 min
Anxiety is a very common problem. In fact, 30% of people will suffer from a bout of anxiety at some point in their lives.... and Vic is one of them In todays episode Vic tries to work out if past feelings of panic were 100% caused by drinking or was it her body crying out for help? And Hamish reflects on hangovers, the feeling of humiliation after black outs and (for some weird reason) a fear of buttons. It might sound like a load of old rubbish, and it's certainly no Huberman, but somehow they ...
Feb 25, 2024•47 min•Season 7Ep. 20
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy take a look at the functional drinker. Are you really getting away with those big nights out? You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qXlSc9lDGStYLeYIjrWPH?si=d5d0186db8b64b04 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 21, 2024•10 min
We are all too familiar with the scenario...you are feeling a little nervous going into a social event so you pre-drink or get so drunk at the party that you end up topless dancing on one of the tables with your mate's auntie. Alcohol it appears gave us confidence. It turned introverts into extroverts, and extroverts into the life and soul of the party. Is this actually true though?! Too many of us struggle to find our confidence in our sobriety. As a result, we go out and less and less, become ...
Feb 18, 2024•56 min•Season 7Ep. 19
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy share the visualisations they used which helped them get and stay sober. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/55USJMcQTq9UNaLxg76qBI?si=dddab30c71a340b4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 14, 2024•5 min
What an honour to have the legendary and wonderful Jean McCarthy for our first ever interview episode recorded in front of a live audience. Jean is a writer and recovery advocate from Alberta in Canada. She has covered all of the bases of in the sober world. Sober since 2011, Jean shared her story in her blog Unpickled , she has listened to the sobriety stories of hundreds of others in her Bubble Hour podcast which stretched over a fantastic 10 series and has over 5 milli...
Feb 11, 2024•52 min•Season 7Ep. 18
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy recount the story of what brought them together and the intrinsic role it played in Lucy's sobriety. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/55USJMcQTq9UNaLxg76qBI?si=dddab30c71a340b4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 07, 2024•8 min
It's not something that people want to talk about. We choose to ignore the science and stats as we top up our glasses with Prosecco or head to the bar for another round. We never stop to take in the truth. The actual facts about Alcohol and Cancer. Today, Vic and Hamish find out how alcohol causes cancer, whether or not it's just extreme drinkers that get it (spoiler alert - light and moderate drinkers can too!) their own experiences of family and friends diagnosis and how, as a society, we choo...
Feb 04, 2024•45 min•Season 7Ep. 17
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy lower the tone once again by researching some of the lesser known (and totally unimportant) topics in sobriety. Allow us to introduce you to 'Grog Bog'. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ncmv6t4l5oVnZof3vdzik?si=bb8cd6868fb84980 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 31, 2024•3 min
A Thousand Wasted is out!! The day is finally here! Vic's book is out! So we thought that we would celebrate by doing something a little different! We got rid of the scripts and Hamish interviewed Vic about all things writing. We begin by looking at the some of the thoughts processes behind her putting her drunken stories on paper in the first place before tackling some of the key themes of the book like friendships, parenting and feeling enough. Hame hopes he has found the balance between readi...
Jan 29, 2024•50 min•Season 7Ep. 16
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy take a look at some red flags. Moments that they wish they had taken notice of when those they were surrounding themselves with were enabling their behaviour. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ncmv6t4l5oVnZof3vdzik?si=bb8cd6868fb84980 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 24, 2024•9 min
You know the feeling, your mates are all getting ready for a big night out and you're not going because you've made this weird decision to give up booze. Why can they do it and you can't? It's so unfair! Instead of staying in and enjoying the time alone, you sit, worrying about what you're missing out on, will you miss something funny, a new connection, the feeling of togetherness that benders with mates bring? Today Vic and Hamish discuss FOMO - …. anxiety that an exciting or interest...
Jan 21, 2024•45 min•Season 7Ep. 15
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic looks back at the moment that ALMOST changed everything for her. It didn't. But it did give her quite a funny story... You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ncmv6t4l5oVnZof3vdzik?si=bb8cd6868fb84980 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 17, 2024•2 min
Cravings – what they really are and how to not have them 22nd jan In this week's episode, Hame and Vic simplify what a long-lasting healthy sobriety really boils down to. Can you replace a bad habit with a good one and can you deal with cravings without caving in. (Of course its not quite as simple as that but its a good place to start!) In this week's episode you will be walked through what a craving truly is, why they have nothing to do with the alcohol itself and what you need to do co...
Jan 14, 2024•45 min•Season 7Ep. 14
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy reflect on and their lockdown experiences. Vic was (of course) sober whereas Lucy has the unique view of someone who did completed one whilst drunk and one sober. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/528O6reyBcGiNbhTi7n7DG?si=gg-MC0dHTG-o1DwKXhZ8jg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 10, 2024•6 min
Everybody does it but does that make it ok? That's the question Vic and Hamish will ry to answer, in their own 'unique' way, in todays episode of Sober Awkward. You've heard the line before... 'I might be bad but I'm not an alcoholic.' 'Didn't I read somewhere that drinking a little red wine is good for you?' 'Everything in moderation!' The messages that we receive in today's society about what is considered 'normal' drinking, directly opposes those that we are receiving from our doctors. This c...
Jan 07, 2024•33 min•Season 7Ep. 13
In this weeks retrospective episode we unpack the term 'alcoholic'. Most of us never think of ourselves as alcoholics,, no matter how bad our drinking habits get. But for others, the harshness of the word is enough to shock us into going sober. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6aAyrfpSLLEGnOoE8rtcvw?si=44dc84be101e481e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 03, 2024•6 min
Hungover? Thinking about giving up drinking, but it feels too hard and too boring? Are you an alcoholic? If these questions are banging around inside your head today then this is the episode for you. Questioning you alcohol intake means it could be time to say goodbye anxiety, farewell shame, vomit and one night stands - Hello Scrabble! It's New Years day - officially the biggest day to consider going sober. But don't hide in bed all day, get up and put the kettle on. Vic and Hamish are here to ...
Dec 31, 2023•50 min•Season 7Ep. 12
In this weeks retrospective episode we take to the Oxford English Dictionary to better unpack some of the language of sobriety and how you can use it to your advnantage. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6aAyrfpSLLEGnOoE8rtcvw?si=44dc84be101e481e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 27, 2023•12 min
A poem about sobriety. Sober Awkward is here to support you on what can be the most stressful day in the sober calendar. An elf is on hand to cheer you up and cheer you on. So, take a 5 minute break from cooking, eating and Uncle Steve's story about the time he met Cliff Richard, find a cosy spot and stick your headphones on. Merry Christmas Everyone! Show Notes www.soberawkward.com JOIN PATREON! and buy us a Cuppa so we can keep being awkward! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=81897291 www.cuppa.c...
Dec 24, 2023•8 min
The day is nearly upon us! For some of you it will be the most rewarding day of your sober calendar - for others it is the most challenging. Either way, in this episode we will share our best and worst Christmas experience and share some of our best tips on how to not only survive but thrive during a sober Christmas. Jam packed with lots of helpful tools shared by the listeners too. We have a little surprise Christmas Day gift being released tomorrow but otherwise this is our final episode of 20...
Dec 23, 2023•43 min•Season 7Ep. 11
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy try and help (bless them!). Their Christmases used to be wild - now they sound plain weird! Here are some of their suggestions for anyone taking on their first sober Christmas. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2soz958NqqtXfMh9MF66UK?si=219fe5cd2b004530 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 20, 2023•5 min
The sun is out, (or if it's snowing where you are) the change of season seems to be a good excuse to get pissed. The sky is blue, there's not a cloud to spoil the view and it boozy.... Don't worry, Vic and Hamish haven't caved in to a coldie quite yet, but there is a whiff in the air, and it smells like someones got a stubby and a sausage sizzle on the go. Yes it's that time of year here down under - Summer. Could the very triggery months ahead break your sober snap? Let's face it when summer co...
Dec 17, 2023•53 min•Season 7Ep. 10
In this weeks retrospective episode Vic and Lucy look back at some of their thought processes prior to making the decision to reach out for help. Feeling unworthy of help is something that a lot of drinkers sadly live with which can delay making the call to go sober. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ZnBMaPWc4rLPY7muZDrjq?si=4fb4cd4260b34b13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
Dec 13, 2023•10 min
The secret is finally out of the bag! Lee Mack kindly agreed to this interview back in June and we have been practically bursting with excitement to tell you all! That excitement did slightly spill over and we got the name of both his podcast and TV show wrong in the recording of this podcast! Awkward by name, awkward by nature... For those of you living in the UK, you will already be familiar with Lee's work as he has been gracing your TV screens and theatres with his comedy since the mid 90s. ...
Dec 10, 2023•54 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In this weeks retrospective we talk about triggers, why we get them and how they feel out of our control. You can listen to the full episode here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/07zjbMxfdHdrqvwsw6LTzE?si=f0167123a45f493b Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 06, 2023•12 min
We have spent many an episode looking into WHY we over drank in the first place. We have also discussed at length WHAT tools might help you get and stay sober. But in today's episode we want to teach you exactly HOW you should approach giving up booze. (Basically...Hame read a book and he is pretty proud of himself!) In all seriousness it is an absolute gem that was full of so many 'Ah-ha!' moments that he wanted to share what he learnt! The book is Atomic Habits by James Clear and it offers a f...
Dec 03, 2023•40 min•Season 7Ep. 8
In this weeks retrospective we talk about the trauma that is left over from years of over doing it. You can listen to the full episode here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/07zjbMxfdHdrqvwsw6LTzE?si=6fd78f39644147ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 29, 2023•12 min
Trigger Warning - In todays episode we mention Domestic Violence. In this emotional episode of Sober Awkward Vic and Hamish talk in detail about long term repercussions form short term lifestyles. Vic tells Hamish about a very toxic relationship she found herself in many years ago, how her drinking made her vulnerable to being mistreated and how she used booze to numb out the fact her relationship wasn’t working. Would his situation have happened if alcohol was out of the picture? So, aside from...
Nov 26, 2023•51 min•Season 7Ep. 7
