How deep do the patterns that drive our drinking really go? In this transformative episode, Anna talks to Dr. Evette Rose, internationally renowned holistic counselor, trauma recovery expert, and author of Metaphysical Anatomy to reveal how trauma, inherited stress, and family conditioning can hardwire us for coping mechanisms like alcohol, long before we ever pick up a drink. You’ll discover addiction is not just about willpower or habits. It’s about healing the imprints left by childhood, fami...
Nov 13, 2025•54 min•Ep. 94
Is quitting alcohol just about the drink itself, or is there something deeper at play? Anna Donaghey sits down with trauma-informed healer Emma Lyons, founder of The Trauma Matrix , to explore how shame hides beneath so many of our habits, including drinking, and keeps us stuck in self-judgment, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. If you’ve ever felt that gnawing ‘not enough’ feeling, or wondered why cutting back on booze feels so hard, this episode will help you see what’s really fueling the ur...
Nov 06, 2025•53 min•Ep. 93
Is change really something to fear or the doorway to a brighter, more intentional life? What if the moments when everything feels uncertain are precisely when new possibilities emerge? In this uplifting episode of The Big Drink Rethink , host Anna Donaghey welcomes author and coach Eleanor Tweddell, whose book Another Door Opens explores the messy, hopeful, and deeply human process of navigating personal transformation. Together, Anna and Eleanor unpack what it means to face closed doors whether...
Oct 30, 2025•54 min•Ep. 92
Is drinking stopping you from becoming the parent (and person) you want to be? Why is alcohol so deeply woven into fatherhood and what does it take for men to resist those powerful cultural norms and rewrite their story for good? In this honest and inspiring episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Luke Jones, sober transformation coach and NLP master practitioner, to explore identity, masculinity, and the “aha” moments that spark lasting change. Luke shares how alcoho...
Oct 23, 2025•53 min•Ep. 91
Is resistance stopping you from making the changes you crave around alcohol? Why does it feel so hard to step into the unknown even when you know old habits aren’t serving you? In this solo episode, host Anna Donaghey unpacks the hidden force of resistance that keeps us stuck and reveals why letting go, not fighting harder, is often the key to real transformation. Anna explores the very real brain science behind resistance, how our identities get fused with drinking, and why fear of loss can ove...
Oct 16, 2025•23 min•Ep. 90
What does it really mean to become “emotionally sober” and why is this concept the key to freedom and fulfillment beyond simply quitting drinking? In this deeply insightful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Natalie Bedard (aka NatNat), founder of Lift OneSelf and host of the Lift OneSelf podcast, to demystify emotional sobriety and the nervous system’s role in how we cope, connect, and heal. NatNat shares her powerful personal journey through childhood trauma, s...
Oct 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 89
When alcohol enters a family system, disconnection, secrecy, and resentment can quietly take root. But what if real, lasting change doesn’t start with confronting the drinker but by shifting the family dynamic itself? In this powerful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Amber Hollingsworth, counselor and family recovery expert, to unpack how families can navigate the pain of alcohol-related disconnection and take practical steps toward reconnection even when their...
Oct 02, 2025•47 min•Ep. 88
What if the real craving behind your evening glass of wine isn’t alcohol, but connection? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores the science and psychology of human connection, why disconnection hurts so much, and the small, practical steps you can use to build both belonging and self-connection without reaching for a drink. Anna outlines why we’re wired for relationships, how modern life leaves us more isolated than we think, and how alcohol often becomes a stand-...
Sep 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 87
What does it mean to reconnect to yourself after you stop drinking? This episode of The Big Drink Rethink dives deep into the journey from escapism and numbing through alcohol to living with “radical integrity” and honouring your true values, even when it’s uncomfortable. Host Anna Donaghey welcomes Lauren Burnison, founder of pioneering sober travel company, We Love Lucid and a compelling, raw writer who has built a vibrant community around honest conversations about sobriety, travel, and mothe...
Sep 18, 2025•55 min•Ep. 86
What if feeling lost or disconnected isn’t a flaw, but a gentle nudge toward what you really need? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey invites you to explore how reconnection (to yourself, your values, your body, your relationships, and the world) is at the heart of waking up to a richer, fuller life, especially if you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol. Anna shares why this transitional time is a perfect opportunity to reflect, reset, and gently peel back the ...
Sep 11, 2025•23 min•Ep. 85
What if your drinking isn’t the real issue but just a signal pointing toward something deeper? Host Anna Donaghey returns for a refreshed season of The Big Drink Rethink, inviting listeners to widen the lens on alcohol, identity, and what we truly crave beyond the glass. Anna shares her own recalibration after a break, offering a new perspective on presence, self-compassion, and how pressing pause can change everything. With honesty and warmth, Anna explores why we reach for alcohol (hint: it’s ...
Sep 04, 2025•21 min•Ep. 84
What does it look like to totally reimagine your relationship with alcohol and your own definition of success? In this special summer rewind, host Anna Donaghey revisits her conversation with Laura Bartlett, who has scaled and exited a luxury travel brand. She is a bold advocate for living life on your own terms and shares how she went from being tagged in champagne memes to embracing sobriety, and the radical clarity and self-trust that followed. This episode explores how alcohol can mask burno...
Aug 14, 2025•34 min•Ep. 83
What really happens when we drink, and why does alcohol so often sabotage our intention to relax, connect, or recharge, especially on holiday? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey revisits her powerful conversation with William Porter, author of "Alcohol Explained," to discuss the science and psychology behind alcohol and why it’s become the UK’s favourite coping mechanism, and how a little knowledge can spark profound change. This is an invitation to get curious, notice how alcohol actually make...
Aug 07, 2025•45 min•Ep. 82
Why is it so hard to rethink our drinking and what does it actually look like to drink less without going “all or nothing”? In this special summer mini-series of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey revisits her most downloaded conversation with broadcaster and writer Adrian Chiles. Adrian shares his personal, honest journey from heavy to moderate drinking, not by swearing off alcohol, but by noticing when “enough is enough” and finding what works for him. Adrian’s story brings clarity and ...
Jul 31, 2025•37 min•Ep. 81
If you’ve ever wondered why alcohol cravings can feel so powerful or why breaking habits is so tough, this episode is for you. In this special summer mini-series of the Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey recaps essential brain science insights from past episodes and breaks down how simple psychology can empower your sober-curious journey through the summer. Anna revisits some of the podcast’s most powerful, brain-based insights from understanding why our cravings aren’t a sign of weakness, to simp...
Jul 24, 2025•29 min•Ep. 80
Do sunny holidays, BBQs, and lazy afternoons have you reaching for another drink almost on autopilot? Summer can bring all sorts of triggers for drinking, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this practical, supportive episode, Anna Donaghey shares five brilliant, totally free tools to help you stay in control of your drinking this summer whether you’re sober-curious, moderating, or just want to be more intentional. This episode will help you to enjoy the long summer days without ‘beer fear’ a...
Jul 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 79
Is the British drinking culture changing and what does that mean for sober summer socialising? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Chris Cardone: US World Class Bartender, award-winning mixologist, and ten years sober. Chris lifts the lid on a radical rethink in hospitality and what it means to create proper, delicious, inclusive drinks experiences whether or not alcohol is involved. Listen to learn more about the world of mixology, making bars inclusive spaces for everyone and to...
Jul 10, 2025•54 min•Ep. 78
Do holidays and the summer break leave you feeling less refreshed and more exhausted? Does ‘holiday mode’ mean you default straight to drinks even when you’d love to come back energised, present, and rested? If you’re tired of summer routines that always revolve around alcohol, make sure you listen in Join Anna as she kicks off The Big Drink Rethink’s summer series, our six-week companion to navigating July and August on your terms. She unpacks why summer holidays are a breeding ground for booze...
Jul 03, 2025•50 min•Ep. 77
Ever wondered why alcohol can feel like "liquid confidence," or if there’s a better way to build self-belief without a drink in hand? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey is joined by Sue Reid, certified confidence and self-belief coach, NLP master practitioner, hypnotherapist, and author of Building Confidence: How to Thrive as a Shy Person . Anna and Sue take a deep dive into the real root causes of low self-esteem and how these hidden stories about our worth can shape ...
Jun 26, 2025•49 min•Ep. 76
Does a sunny day spark a craving for a cold alcoholic drink? Do pub gardens, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings feel like booze is suddenly everywhere, making it harder to stick to your goals? If the sun is your biggest trigger, this episode can help. Join Anna as she unpacks why sunshine is such a powerful cue for drinking, especially in UK culture, and how our brains build deep associations between warm weather and alcohol. She explores the neuroscience of habit (hello, Pavlov!), the biology of...
Jun 19, 2025•38 min•Ep. 75
What if parents could truly change the future just by having more open conversations about alcohol? In this episode host Anna Donaghey is joined by Jessica Lahey, educator and author of The Addiction Inoculation . Together, they explore the factors that influence substance use in young people, the power of prevention, and how honest dialogue can break cycles of dependence. This episode guides listeners through what they can do, no matter their own history with alcohol, to build resilience in the...
Jun 12, 2025•54 min•Ep. 74
Have you ever felt like the person you trust least is yourself? On this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores one of the most tender and universal challenges for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol: how to rebuild self-trust after countless broken promises to yourself and to others. Drawing from deeply personal experiences and the honest struggles of her listeners, Anna unpacks the lonely cycle of making resolutions, letting yourself down, and feeling the be...
Jun 05, 2025•33 min•Ep. 73
Have you ever wondered why so many mothers today feel overwhelmed, isolated, or pressured to present a picture-perfect life especially when it comes to drinking culture? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey talks to Anna Cusack, a postnatal doula, motherhood studies practitioner, and author of the powerful book "Mama, You’re Not Broken" . Together, they explore the emotional realities behind the “perfect mother” myth, the pressures that lead many mums to reach for a glass...
May 29, 2025•53 min•Ep. 72
In this special Q&A episode, Anna tackles a powerful listener question about what happens after the buzz fades from going alcohol-free. You've made it past those first few transformative months, and maybe you don't miss drinking, but the excitement has levelled out, and you're wondering how to stay motivated for the long haul. Anna explores the “middle” of the alcohol-free journey when things become routine and life feels a little flat, but also wide open with new possibilities. She reframes...
May 22, 2025•32 min•Ep. 71
Are functional drinks the future of socialising, or just another wellness fad? On this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Zoey Henderson, an entrepreneur, mindful drinking consultant, and early functional drinks pioneer, to unravel the hype, science, and shifting culture around functional drinks. With drinking habits changing across the UK and a booming market for mushroom-powered beers and botanical blends, they explore whether these innovative drinks can delive...
May 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 70
So many mums reach for a glass of wine at the end of a long day. How else can we cope with the chaos of motherhood? How else can we navigate this emotional tsunami for which we receive no training? In this deeply personal episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey opens up about her own journey through early motherhood, where drinking evolved from a social habit into an emotional crutch. Drawing from the candid messages she's received from listeners, Anna spotlights the realities facin...
May 08, 2025•28 min•Ep. 69
If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for a glass of wine after a tough day, but wish you had an easier, healthier alternative - this episode is for you. Today, Anna dives into practical, 5-minute resets: simple, research-backed tools that can help you navigate cravings, manage stress, and regulate your nervous system. Drawing inspiration from global traditions, think mindfulness, breathwork, journaling, movement, and creating your own rituals. It genuinely does just take only a few minutes to ...
May 01, 2025•34 min•Ep. 68
Have you ever rolled your eyes at the idea that breathing could actually help with stress or cravings? You’re not the only one. That’s exactly what we’re getting into today on the Big Drink Rethink. In this episode, Anna Donaghey sits down with Zoë Ewart, a trauma-informed life coach and breathwork facilitator, to challenge the skepticism around breathwork - especially for those rethinking their relationship with alcohol. Together, Anna and Zoë unpack how breathwork isn’t just “woo-woo” - it’s r...
Apr 24, 2025•52 min•Ep. 67
Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions, outwardly successful but inwardly exhausted? Welcome to The Big Drink Rethink podcast with your host, Anna Donaghey. In today's episode, we're diving into the theme of strategic recovery, with Chloe Stephens, a Flow Coach with thirty years of experience in fitness and well-being. Chloe's exploration into sleep, recovery, and nervous system regulation, empowers her to support her clients holistically, adopting a 360-degree approach to...
Apr 17, 2025•51 min•Ep. 66
Do other people’s behaviour trigger you to drink? Today on the Big Drink Rethink, we're exploring a topic that affects many of us: how to manage those moments when other people’s behaviour triggers our urge to drink. This episode is inspired by a question from one of my coaching clients, who finds herself frequently wound up by others, and is wondering how to stop being triggered by them. Join me, Anna Donaghey as we look at ways to face these challenges head-on, especially in our busy and unpre...
Apr 10, 2025•28 min•Ep. 65
