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 fulfilling. But how does feeling regret effect sobriety? Does if push us forward ...
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 – Ther...
Dec 25, 2024•8 min
It's Christmas Eve! That special time of year in which we share gifts, gather together to eat a wonderful meal, share love and appreciation for one another........and get totally shit-faced! Yes it's time for the biggest bender of the year. The day where (apparently) it's ok to start drinking in the morning. So how an earth are you going to make it through? Today Vic and Hamish will share their ghosts of Christmas past and give you some brilliant tips on how to get through this day. They are app...
Dec 24, 2024•44 min•Season 10Ep. 3
In today's retrospective episode, Vic and Hame take a deeper look into how setting up some boundaries in your sobriety can make your life so much easier! Even if a few of them are a little awkward... You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/797sTdVbTpRz2PjSHqVdm4?si=8ac64455070d4a07 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 ...
Dec 18, 2024•14 min
On the surface of it, Paul Sculfor was living the dream. He fell into modelling (his Mum signed him up to a competition without him knowing) and soon became Britain’s first supermodel when he was still in his early 20s. He travelled the world, earnt a huge income and was seemingly ‘living the dream’. But underneath it all, Paul’s partying was covering up some deep rooted trauma. As you will hear, Paul’s childhood was far from straightforward. Although he only discovered drinks and drugs relative...
Dec 15, 2024•45 min•Season 10Ep. 2
In today's retrospective episode, Hame looks back over the trip that he was dreading the most in his sobriety. A long awaited return home to his old haunts and drinking friends and no less than 3 weddings and dancefloors. You'll hear how, despite being sober, he still managed to throw up! This episode was cut together from Parts 1 and 2 of our earlier episode on 'Friendships. You can listen to part one here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PrNlOm80WE5lU2umEK0qz?si=08e85989fa394350 And part two...
Dec 11, 2024•16 min
This was the day that Hamish took Vic to the Cricket. Vic doesn't like cricket - as you can tell, but she went along with Hamish and followed through with all the ridiculous traditions - which (unfortunately for her) included dressing up as a frog. But, these two rebellious little green amphibians did break one major cricketing tradition that day - They did not drink. Not a Pimms and Lemonade in sight! Did the world stop and point accusatory fingers? No - in fact it was very liberating! So, is i...
Dec 08, 2024•40 min•Season 10Ep. 1
In today's retrospective episode, Hame looks back over the trip that he was dreading the most in his sobriety. A long awaited return home to his old haunts and drinking friends and no less than 3 weddings and dancefloors. You'll hear how, despite being sober, he still managed to throw up! You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PrNlOm80WE5lU2umEK0qz?si=95ec23e118c44d3a Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.bookto...
Dec 04, 2024•9 min
Like many people around the world we were hugely shocked and saddened by the recent news of the 6 tourists who lost their lives to suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. As sensitive and raw as this seems, we felt compelled to use our platform to try and educate and warn others about the risks of methanol and how best to avoid it. This episode is a tribute to all of the friends and family who are grieving at the moment. We sincerely hope that their lives were not given in vain and that they becom...
Dec 01, 2024•36 min•Season 9Ep. 20
In today's retrospective episode, Vic and Hame take a look back at how alcohol was integral to every piece of good, ordinary or bad news they ever received. The explore why re-wiring your brain away from this habit is the foundation of a long lasting sobriety. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4j3uwTcxXFmUHTFoL1Krd8?si=b83227c28aae484c Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-thousand-wasted-...
Nov 27, 2024•19 min
With schoolies fast approaching, you might be thinking about what you should say to your teenager about alcohol. NOBODY in Australia is more experienced on this topic than Paul Dillon. For the last three decades he has travelled around Australia (and the world!) visiting schools to teach them about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. Many of us dread this conversation...for years...particularly if we were heavy drinkers ourselves. But Paul's approach is similar to ours on the podcast. He is not tr...
Nov 24, 2024•42 min•Season 9Ep. 19
In today's retrospective episode, we want to help those of you who are living with the long term effects of your shameful drinking stories?! Don't worry we have plenty to! We hope that by promoting communal shame (!), we can help alleviate you of some of yours! You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0MBks4svwCd1P3SAxktz98?si=7809164b594140be Show Notes Vic's book is out! Go and get yourself a copy whilst you can... https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-thousand-wasted...
Nov 20, 2024•20 min
In Australia, over 100,000 FIFO (Fly In, Fly Out) workers deal with the pressures of extended time away from home and countless others, partners, friends and kids also have to deal with the fallout that runs alongside someone they love being away for long periods of time. So, does working away from home Increase your own or your partners drinking? The stats seem to suggest that people who work away tend to over drink more than most and party harder on their days off. It could be caused by the se...
Nov 17, 2024•57 min•Season 9Ep. 18
In today's retrospective episode Vic and Hamish discover why lots more people are choosing af options. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iN6iR6m2x0N9bMIIgRrQX?si=9991a0fbe1f540cf 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!...
Nov 13, 2024•14 min
Sausage Warning - In today's episode there are far too much pork talk - May be disturbing to some listeners. It's an email that Vic and Hamish receive all the time - Is it a lapse or a relapse when you drink after a period of abstinence? and do you have to re-set your sober days counter if you have one day of drinking? If you just completed Sober October...well done! Didn't those sober days tick over nicely? - It would be shame to go back to day one. But, what happens if the need comes creeping ...
Nov 10, 2024•45 min•Season 9Ep. 17
In today's retrospective episode Vic and Hamish discover why for some people Af options work and for others they are a trigger. You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dUeTDbT3rkHBWBtXsINXi?si=5885e0b67cb047ab You can listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iN6iR6m2x0N9bMIIgRrQX?si=9991a0fbe1f540cf 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...
Nov 06, 2024•17 min
Whether you are newly sober or 10 years in, chances are you have had a drinking dream. For Vic and Hame these usually involve a highlight reel of being off their faces in a nightclub or at a music festival. These can be both troubling and an incredible relief. For some, the dream of being drunk can act as a trigger to wanting to experience that again. Whereas for others, just waking up and realising that you do not have a hangover or come down can further strengthen their sobriety. Is there anyt...
Nov 03, 2024•48 min•Season 9Ep. 16
