The Club Soda podcast

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Whether you’re just beginning to explore the Western United States or you’ve been living here since the day you were born, the Via Podcast will introduce you to new and unique adventures that will change your perspective. Hosts Mitti Hicks and Michelle Donati bring their travel expertise to interviews with some of the West’s most fascinating experts, residents, and adventurers. In each episode, you will discover deep conversations in the hopes of igniting a new interest—foraging anyone?—or planting the seeds of a new-to-you road trip. You might even learn something about a place you’ve explored dozens of times before.

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Club Soda helps you live well by being more mindful about drinking. Our podcast brings you news, drinks recommendations, advice and interviews to support your changing drinking habits.Our new series, Beyond Booze, explores the world of alcohol-free drinks.

176 episoder

#Fitness #Club Soda #Sobriety #Moderate #Lifestyle #Mindful About Drinking #Sober #Alcohol Free #Drink

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176 episoder

#Fitness #Club Soda #Sobriety #Moderate #Lifestyle #Mindful About Drinking #Sober #Alcohol Free #Drink

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The Next Round: Sean turned recovery into theatre 32:41

for 12 dager siden32:41

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When Sean Daniels decided to change his relationship with alcohol, he turned to what he knew best: theatre. His play, The White Chip , shares his story - and the community that helped him find his way to recovery. Welcome to The Next Round, the podcast that explores what people did next. While some keep their post-booze lives quiet, others shout them loud and proud, helping themselves - and inspiring you. Like Sean, his play The White Chip is moving on too: transferring from Off-Broadway to the Off-West End this summer. Could he have written a play while still drinking? Well, yes - until he couldn’t. As a professional artist and director, Sean found healing by translating the chaos of his recovery into something tangible and transformative – a play. Today, Sean’s autobiographical show, The White Chip , is not just another production. It’s a raw, hilarious, and hopeful exploration of addiction and recovery, set to debut at London’s Southwark Playhouse. But it’s also a testament to what happens when you take your darkest moments and create a light for others to follow. “The art form did help to save me, because it was a way to try to process what happened.” For Sean, getting sober didn’t mean leaving creativity behind – it meant reclaiming it. Early on in recovery, on just his third day of sobriety, he wrote a monologue trying to capture his confusion and pain. That piece remains almost untouched in the final version of the play. Writing gave him a lifeline, a way to understand a collapse that seemed impossible to explain at the time. He also poured his energy into community work, founding the Recovery Arts Project, an initiative using theatre to change the narrative around addiction. It’s part of Sean’s larger mission: not just to tell his story, but to reshape how society talks about addiction and creativity. “The opposite of addiction isn’t abstinence – it’s community.” Through his work, Sean challenges one of the most persistent myths: that great artists must suffer for their art, and that alcohol fuels creativity. “The idea that part of what it costs you to be a really great artist is that you have to destroy your life – that’s 100% not true.” Sean’s journey into addiction mirrored the glamorous chaos of the theatre world: late nights, endless parties, endless justification. At first, he says, drinking seemed to fuel his success, making him a more “fun” director, a better networker, someone who could juggle 4 a.m. drinks and 9 a.m. meetings with ease. Until it didn’t. “It worked for me until it didn’t, which is a pretty standard version of the story.” Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Sue found confidence through woodwork 21:43

for 19 dager siden21:43

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When Sue put down the bottle for good, she picked up something else entirely – scraps of Scottish oak, old skateboards, and a newfound passion for woodwork . What followed wasn’t just a hobby or a distraction. It was the beginning of a new life. Sue encourages you to find your own spark in the things you once set aside. Welcome to The Next Round , where we discover that the fleeting interests from our drinking days might actually hold the key to lasting joy in sobriety. For Sue Patten, woodwork became more than a craft. It became a way to rebuild, both inside and out. Her latest stint in rehab wasn’t her first attempt at an alcohol-free life, but this time, everything clicked. Art, creativity, and real friendships gave her the strength to not just stay sober – but to thrive – so much so she stepped well outside her comfort zone to share her story with us on this podcast. “You get this rough piece of wood and it turns into this smooth, shiny piece of wood, and I love it. I just love it.” After decades where drinking had become her identity, her routine, her reward, her confidence boost. Sue rediscovered her creativity in sobriety. And she didn’t just dabble. She built a new life. Her workshop near Warrington, Cheshire, became her sanctuary. “I go in there and I just lose track of time” What started with a ring and a skateboard became a series of bottle openers, chopping boards, and vases – each piece a quiet celebration of focus, beauty, and self-belief. “I wasn’t going to make bottle openers, because I don’t drink. But I liked seeing what I could create.” It wasn’t always this way. Sobriety in her 20s, Sue admits, was an angry, isolating thing. She didn’t go out. She didn’t engage. But now, in her 50s, things feel entirely different. “I’m a happy sober person now, partly because of the woodwork, partly because I can socialise again – confidently.” Confidence is a recurring theme in Sue’s story. It wasn’t something she started with. “I’ve only just gained confidence in my mid-50s now… I never had the confidence to say, ‘That’s quite good, that.’” But recovery gave her the tools. Literally. “If I’m a bit anxious, I can go into the workshop at whatever time. I release what I’m thinking.” Recovery, for Sue, wasn’t just abstaining from alcohol. It was connection, creativity, and rebuilding. She found her turning point at Delamere, a rehab centre that encouraged therapy through art, horses, and most importantly – people. “The staff said, connection is everything. And I didn’t believe it. But now I do.” Aftercare became another anchor. Most Sundays, she returns – not because she has to, but because it keeps her grounded and inspired. “Not everyone makes it, but they can see that you can get through it. That’s important.” You can find Sue’s work here. Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Ryan made a sober pact with his mum 33:21

for 26 dager siden33:21

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Not many people kick off their sobriety journey with a pact made with their mum - but for Ryan and his mum, it worked. And it’s transformed both of their lives. For Ryan, the energy he unlocked by quitting drinking didn’t just stay bottled up - it burst open a world of new opportunities. And he said yes to all of them. Welcome to The Next Round - the podcast that explores what happens after you change your drinking. Whether you’re wondering how to fill all that new free time or feeling supercharged with so many ideas you need help saying no, this show is your source of inspiration for whatever comes next. When Ryan gave up drinking, he didn't just close a door -he opened a portal. What followed wasn’t just sobriety, but a full-blown transformation that turned him into a festival-hopping, breathwork-leading, mushroom-coffee-brewing creative force. This is the story of what happens when you say no to booze and yes to everything else. When Ryan gave up drinking, he didn’t just close a door -he opened a portal. What followed wasn’t just sobriety, but a full-blown transformation that turned him into a festival-hopping, breathwork-leading, mushroom-coffee-brewing creative force. This is the story of what happens when you say no to booze and yes to everything else. Ryan didn’t just stop drinking. He and his mum made a pact, and it stuck. It became an anchor that kept him grounded when life threw him curveballs—grief, stress, pressure. And rather than slide back into old habits, he leaned into something new. Actually, many things new. “As soon as I closed that door, every opportunity just fell at my feet.” His first year of sobriety looked nothing like what you might expect. It began with a love story—he met his girlfriend at a sober-friendly community festival. She opened the door to a world of conscious living: breathwork, ice baths, and music-fueled self-exploration. “It was like, okay, here’s everything you’re going to do: this, this, and this. And you’ve just got to have the balls to do it.” What followed was a summer of sober festivals, including Medicine Festival and Boom in Portugal—seven days of breathwork, dancing, Kung Fu, and sound healing in the mountains. He wasn’t just attending these gatherings. He was performing, drumming with his girlfriend’s band, and even leading guided meditations at immersive sound healing events. At Hackney Round Chapel, he took the stage after a 20-year hiatus and led a meditation through the chakra system, paired with a cup of Blue Lotus tea and sacred geometry visuals on the ceiling. “It was the first time I was holding space in that kind of way.” Then came the deepening. He enrolled in an eight-month breathwork facilitator course, digging into trauma, PTSD, and shadow work. He’s now running free sessions as part of his training and sees this as part of his longer-term path: helping others—especially men—through sobriety and healing. But his creativity doesn’t stop there. “I used to drink quite a fair bit of coffee, but now I’ve had it with Reishi mushrooms… I’ve always had a passion for mushrooms.” So he’s building “Holy Mush,” a tree-slab-cart-powered mushroom coffee business with a side of kindness and storytelling. Think Lion’s Mane espresso served with a dose of human connection. He’s also cooking up plans to document his journey on social media using first-person glasses. You can find Ryan's podcast ' Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Jeff reversed fatty liver disease 26:30

for 29 dager siden26:30

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It was a health scare that pushed Jeff out of his comfort zone. He was diagnosed with a fatty liver at 29. Now he’s reversed fatty liver disease and gained an amazing and active personal life. Welcome to the Next Round, when things that scare you have the potential to improve your life in ways you never imagined. Your next round can be more than getting better physically, it can help you create a new point of difference. Meet Jeff Smith, he works in finance by day, a notoriously boozy industry, but in his spare time he now performs improv on stage, jumps into icy fjords, learnt his mother tongue Tagalog, and has even launched a podcast. Most importantly he has reversed a health condition that could have killed him. When Jeff changed his drinking habits, he didn’t just remove something from his life- he unlocked a more exciting life and imporved his health to boot! A health scare in his late twenties pushed him to re-evaluate how alcohol fit into his lifestyle. What followed wasn’t just abstinence – it was expansion. From improv stages to ecstatic dance and even launching his own podcast, Jeff’s life now pulses with more energy, creativity, and meaning than ever before. “It’s just such a lazy option to go down the route of the pub when there’s so many other things.” The catalyst was a diagnosis: fatty liver. At just 29, Jeff found himself dealing with elevated liver enzymes, fatigue, and unpleasant stomach issues. His drinking wasn’t daily, but it was intense – classic binge behavior. “I reached a point where I didn’t feel booze was doing anything anymore… I just didn’t like that hangover slash low-energy feeling.” The health wake-up call forced him to stop. Cold. But instead of spiraling, he got curious. “You end up having much more free time because I wasn’t low energy and didn’t feel hungover… and that just made me think, gosh, push yourself out your comfort zone.” His first discovery? A run club that served matcha instead of beer. That led to Club Soda events, then the Social Wellness Club, and eventually a plunge into activities he never imagined himself doing. Like ecstatic dance. “What an amazing way to just be free… you could be any sort of background. And I just thought, this is so damn cool.” Even more surprising for an introvert in the corporate finance world? Improv. “Try improv. That would have scared the living daylights out of me a year and a bit ago… but I’ve pushed myself out the comfort zone.” Jeff also co-created a podcast with a university friend, “ The English Footy Podcast .” With his evenings no longer lost to wine or recovery, he had time and clarity for passion projects. He even began learning Tagalog – his mother’s language – fulfilling a long-held desire to connect more deeply with his heritage. But perhaps the most meaningful change came from social confidence. “I just feel more confident in socialising alcohol free and not feeling embarrassed. Just feeling positive about that choice.” Navigating the finance world – a bastion of long-standing drinking culture – hasn’t been easy. Jeff still finds pressure in client meetings and among old university friends who knew him as a drinker. But with confidence and a kombucha in hand, he’s learned to draw his own line. “It’s been a bit of a re-education for some colleagues… but act Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Anneke draws strength and insight from Tarot cards 26:18

for 6 weeks siden26:18

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Anneka has a story many of us recognise — that moment where one drink turns into four, and suddenly you’ve lost the night again. Like so many, she used alcohol to take the edge off anxiety. It worked — until it didn’t. Now, she’s alcohol-free and in tune with a completely different kind of energy. She turns to her tarot cards — not just for guidance, but to help others explore their own stories too. Welcome to The Next Round — the podcast that asks what happens after we stop drinking. Maybe you’re wondering what’s next for you. Who knows — maybe it’s written in the cards. Like Anneka Davie , who’s turned her passion for tarot into a tool for self-discovery and connection. In this episode, she shares how ditching alcohol opened up a whole new path — and yes, she even pulls a few cards for me. When Anneke Davie stopped drinking, she didn’t just give up wine – she made space for something entirely new. A quiet force emerged. It started with crystals, then crept into her life with the pull of tarot cards and the clarity of a new routine that no longer centred around hangovers or hazy memories. She’d always been a binge drinker. “Friday was my big sort of day. But my problem was I couldn’t ever stop at one glass no matter how much I tried.” Like many, Anneke believed drinking gave her confidence, especially in social situations, but the next day was always brutal. “I’d be lying in bed crying, couldn’t look at my phone. I just felt like everyone I’d been out with probably now hated me.” Her final drink came after a day at the races. Drunk and disoriented, she lost the diamond out of her engagement ring and found herself on hands and knees, scrabbling through the grass. “The next day I just thought, I don’t want to do this anymore.” That was three years ago. What came next wasn’t just sobriety – it was a reconnection with a part of herself that had been long dormant. As a child, she’d been fascinated by dreams, superstitions and horoscopes. Lockdown gave her the pause she needed to revisit that part of herself. Crystals came first, and soon her house was filled with them – much to the despair of her husband. But then came tarot. She found a reader on Instagram, began training, and started doing readings for herself. The cards became mirrors, windows, and conversation starters. “I use tarot more as helping people get insight into something they’re struggling with. It doesn’t predict your future. It gives you a bit of a slap in the face about what you already know.” It wasn’t long before others began asking for readings, and what started as a hobby slowly began to evolve into something more purposeful. At a retreat, someone asked her for a reading and, despite feeling way out of her comfort zone. The more distance she put between herself and alcohol, the stronger her sense of direction became. “I think actually believing I could do it came once I’d fully stopped drinking.” Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: John opened Ghana's first alcohol-free bar 29:23

for 7 weeks siden29:23

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Alcohol affects everyone – no matter who you are or where you’re from. Take John from Ghana. Sound familiar? Today, he’s leading the charge for alcohol-free living in Africa – a true trailblazer. Welcome to the next round, where we dig into the stories that shape us. The journeys that brought people to where they are now. Like John Asogonnde – who swapped booze and weed in his for purpose, passion, and change. We recorded this live during John ’s visit to the UK last autumn — so please excuse the audio quality! When John stopped drinking and smoking weed at 24, he didn’t just walk away from substances -he walked into a mission. Five months after taking his last drink, John knew he had changed. He didn’t feel like he was missing out. Instead, he felt sharper, more alert, more present. And he wanted to create a space where others could feel that way too. That’s how Eden Bar was born -Ghana’s first alcohol-free nightlife experience. “I wanted to create an experience for people who wanted to go out and still have a good time, get some nice, sophisticated drinks, cocktails, beers and all of that, but not have to deal with the pressure of alcohol.” Launched on October 2nd, 2022 – World No Alcohol Day – Eden Bar started as a one-day pop-up. John raised money from friends and family after being roasted online for even suggesting the idea. But the launch was a success. Word spread fast, and John knew he was onto something bigger. “There were so many people that came through, the news spread across social media and everything. From there, we were able to do the actual Eden Bar later in December, and that’s what we’ve been building on till date.” John’s journey to sobriety was a long one. He started drinking at 13, not because he liked the taste – his first drink was a 40% spirit that gave him a hangover the next day – but because he liked the way it made him feel. “It gave me a false sense of confidence. I was able to move along smoothly in the party scene… It was like an elixir to make me feel more alive.” By the time he reached university, drinking and smoking weed had become daily habits. His grades collapsed. Once a first-class student, he failed every course in his second year. “My hostel became a party headquarters. We didn’t do anything apart from party.” Even after relocating to a different hostel, the habits stayed. And when he graduated, he went straight into Ghana’s nightlife industry, managing a nightclub for a popular musician. The access to substances was constant – and partaking was expected. “This was a job where even on a Monday morning, I could go to the office, roll up a joint and smoke.” But inside, he was miserable. The high never lasted. The low always deepened. He started to rebuild from the inside out – with faith, family, books, long walks, and intention. You can follow John on @ edenbargh but a hard copy of his book on https://joinclubsoda.com/product/john-asogonnde-unchained-book/ Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Angie discovered she needed to heal 32:17

for 8 weeks siden32:17

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Angie Thompson grew up in a turbulent home, where shouting, swearing, slammed doors, and harsh words were the norm. But when she quit drinking, she uncovered a truth that changed everything—her past wasn’t just something to escape from; it held the key to her transformation. Welcome to The Next Round , where we explore what happens after the last drink—because sometimes, understanding why you drank in the first place is the first step to discovering a new purpose. For Angie, that purpose became clear: by healing herself, she could help others do the same. When Angie Thomson decided to quit drinking, she had no idea it would lead to a complete transformation -not just in her own life, but in the lives of others. Nearly two years into her alcohol-free journey, she’s now a trauma-informed coach, guiding people through the deeper reasons behind their drinking. “Take that leap of faith and just go for it. You won’t regret it – you’ll never look back.” For Angie, sobriety wasn’t just about removing alcohol. It was about understanding why she drank in the first place. That realisation pushed her into a new career, one rooted in healing. Finding the ‘Why’ Behind the Drinking Angie describes herself as the life of the party -the first to arrive, the last to leave, always pushing others to drink just as much as she did. But behind the fun-loving image was something deeper. “Drinking was something to stop myself feeling all of that trauma people tend to suppress.” Like many, she didn’t initially connect her drinking to her past. She grew up in a volatile household, where shouting and name-calling were the norm. As a child, she internalised it. “We don’t think logically as kids. We think, ‘My parents are arguing because of me.’” Those feelings of unworthiness followed her into adulthood, shaping her drinking habits. It wasn’t until she stopped drinking that she recognised the underlying wounds that alcohol had been numbing. “Trauma isn’t what happens to you. It’s what happens inside of you because of what happened to you.” You can find out more about Angie at angiethompson.thementalwellbeingcompany.com/ and on instagram @AngieMWC Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Anna fell in love with podcasting 33:15

for 9 weeks siden33:15

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Looking back it is easy to see how alcohol drains your time, but for a long time Anna couldn’t quite admit what the problem was. But Anna is not looking back, and her positive attitude is helpful for us all. Welcome to the next round where we explore how you fill the space once occupied by wine, hangovers, and the mental weight of drinking culture. When Ex advertising exec Anna Donaghey stopped drinking, she found herself with a new problem – time. What do you do with it? For Anna, the answer lay in something she’d been drawn to for years but had never quite pursued – podcasting. “I had many obstacles in my mind—confidence, self-doubt, perfectionism. But just cracking on and doing it proved to be easier than I thought.” Anna launched The Big Drink Rethink , a podcast exploring our relationship with alcohol, the culture around it, and what life can look like without it. It was a creative outlet, a way to channel her curiosity, and, unexpectedly, an anchor that kept her steady in her alcohol-free life. “It keeps me very intact in this world of alcohol freedom, which is very important to me.” But her journey to this point wasn’t smooth. It was a long, slow unraveling of drinking habits that had once felt normal, even essential. Anna’s story isn’t one of dramatic rock bottoms, it’s one of creeping dissatisfaction, of realising that drinking wasn’t just stealing her time, but also her sense of self. Advertising, Drinking, and a Life on Repeat Anna spent over 25 years in advertising, an industry where drinking wasn’t just acceptable – it was expected. She remembers long lunches, late nights, and the endless socialising that blurred into work. “I sometimes think about whether I was attracted to the industry because there was permission within that space to drink.” She wasn’t an outlier. Alcohol was woven into the job – client meetings over wine, celebratory drinks, networking events. It was an industry where drinking was both professional and personal, making it even harder to see when it had crossed the line from social to habitual. When she got married, her drinking didn’t slow down. In fact, it ramped up. Parenthood brought a new challenge: identity loss. Motherhood was disorienting, and the reality of maternity leave was nothing like the glowing, fulfilling image sold to women. “I found maternity leave deadly dull. I found being a young mum incredibly boring. And I felt shameful that I wasn’t reveling in it the way I was ‘supposed’ to.” The loneliness, the shift in identity, the quiet grief for the life she had before, Anna managed it the way she had always managed difficult feelings: with wine. “I knew that life had changed forever. I was no longer the advertising girl, but I wasn’t quite an established mum. I worried I never would be.” You can find Anna on instagram at bigdrinkrethink and The Big Drink Rethink podcast on all platforms Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

The Club Soda podcast

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The Next Round: Cecilia is living the lifestyle she encourages others to follow 35:41

for 9 weeks siden35:41

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For years, Cecilia lived a life dedicated to health and fitness and encouraged others to prioritise their well-being. But one thing didn’t align with her values: alcohol. Cecilia didn’t drink often, but when she did, she didn’t like how it made her feel. It clashed with the lifestyle she professionally advocated. Welcome to the next round—where we explore what happens after people evaluate their relationship with alcohol. Whether you’re a daily drinker or an occasional binge drinker, alcohol can affect your life in both physical and psychological ways. Can quitting open up new perspectives? This week’s guest, Cecilia Shandeva , a Workplace Wellbeing Professional and Grief Recovery Specialist, proves that no matter where you start, social pressures remain the same—but cutting out alcohol can make a huge difference. While the physical benefits of quitting are clear, the biggest gains may come from the psychological transformation. “Everything about drinking isn’t fully aligned with me, who I really am as a person.” For years, Cecilia lived a life dedicated to health and fitness. She ran marathons, led group workouts, and encouraged others to prioritize their well-being. But one thing wasn’t aligning with her values: her drinking habits. “I considered myself a social drinker, I’d go out maybe once a month, and sometimes I’d take a break for a couple of months. But then there were times, like around birthdays or Christmas, when I’d drink more than I planned. Even when I thought I was controlling it, I wasn’t.” Despite drinking less frequently than some, the impact was undeniable. The hangovers, the anxiety, the lost days of recovery – Cecilia realised that alcohol was taking away from the life she wanted to live. “If I went out planning to have one or two drinks, it would usually end up being more. I was waking up feeling awful, regretting the night before, questioning my decisions – even if I hadn’t done anything particularly bad.” Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Seana found freedom in exploring her childhood 32:17

for 9 weeks siden32:17

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Seana spent most of her adult life in a love-hate tango with alcohol. But in writing her story, she unearthed the reasons she drank Welcome to The Next Round – where the things you do after booze can often lead to feelings you never expected and can help the adult you in ways you could never imagined. This week’s guest, Seana Smith , set out to document her first year alcohol-free, but in the process, she delved into her childhood- finding answers to questions she never even knew she had. A Life Entangled in Alcohol Seana spent much of her adult life in a push-pull battle with alcohol. On the surface, she was a high-functioning drinker—never the one causing scenes or spiraling visibly out of control. But behind closed doors, she was stuck in a vicious cycle of stopping, starting, berating herself, and repeating the pattern all over again. “I was driving myself absolutely mad – internally. My friends wouldn’t have thought I had a big drink problem, but in my own mind, I was trapped.” Her drinking wasn’t just about the present—it was rooted in a painful past. Seana grew up in a home overshadowed by addiction and domestic violence. Her father was an alcoholic, and his drinking shaped the way she saw herself, the world, and alcohol itself. “I had a great big push-pull because I didn’t want to be like that. But on the other hand, I did want to be like that.” A Legacy of Trauma The echoes of her father’s drinking didn’t just haunt her childhood—they followed her into adulthood. As she tried to make sense of her own drinking, she realized she was wrestling with something far bigger than just a bad habit. “I think I was berating myself because I didn’t want to behave like Dad had and cause trouble like he had. But it was all caught up in my mind, and I just didn’t believe I could ever actually stop permanently.” The turning point came when she lost her mother—a moment that unraveled a lifetime of emotions and unresolved pain. Her father’s drinking had defined so much of her childhood, but her mother’s silent endurance had shaped her just as much. “I waited until they both died to start writing my story. Growing up, we weren’t allowed to talk about what was going on. I didn’t feel free to put it down on paper until Mum had passed away.” You can find Seana’s book on Amazon and Audible America Australia UK Audible Spotify Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Tabbin decided to take on boozy workplace culture 27:36

for 12 weeks siden27:36

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Tabbin is on a mission to shake up booze-soaked workplace culture -but her own journey with alcohol was anything but smooth. After going alcohol-free for years, a cancer diagnosis sent her back to the bottle, even though drinking may have played a role in her illness. Like so many, her drinking started at work – where long lunches and late nights weren’t just accepted but expected. Now, she’s challenging the norms that make alcohol a workplace staple, so others don’t fall into the same trap. Welcome to The Next Round , where we dive into why we started drinking, how that history shapes our future, and what an alcohol-free life can really look like. From personal challenges to changing the world (or at least your office happy hour), there’s more on the other side than you ever imagined. Meet Tabbin Almond -an ex-advertising pro who knows firsthand how the industry’s macho, drink-fuelled culture can spiral out of control. She yo-yoed between sobriety and drinking for years, but now she’s free and fighting to create healthier, more inclusive workplaces. Let’s get stuck in! She believes that drinking should not be an expectation in corporate environments, nor should it be a measure of professional success or sociability. “It starts out as a perk of the job, but it becomes a requirement of the job.” For years, she worked in industries where drinking was not only normalised but encouraged. Client entertainment meant keeping up with drinking expectations, and refusing a drink could be seen as a lack of team spirit. “Do you check with somebody before you send a gift, whether or not they drink alcohol? The most common reply is, no, who doesn’t love a bottle of bubbly?” She challenges workplaces to rethink corporate gifting, expense policies, and the psychological safety of employees who may struggle with alcohol. She argues that alcohol should not be the default, nor should abstaining from it come with stigma. “If leaders don’t lead on this, there’s no psychological safety for people saying, ‘Do you think I could have a bit of help?'” You can buy Tabbin’s Book: Bottling Up Trouble: How alcohol is harming your business… and what to do about it UK USA Canada Australia Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Hattie Immersed herself in Cold Water 32:17

for 13 weeks siden32:17

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Hattie may be a clear-headed, cold-water queen these days, but getting here was harder than mastering butterfly stroke! Even pregnancy didn’t create the clean break from alcohol she had hoped for. And despite a few trials with moderation along the way, she now knows—this time, sobriety is for good. Welcome to The Next Round —the podcast about the bold, brilliant, and sometimes downright bonkers things people do after quitting booze. But remember, folks, you don’t have to freeze your bits off to get sober! Unlike this week’s guest, Hattie, who prefers being neck-deep in icy water rather than in booze. She kicked off her journey with the Dry January Challenge , and alongside a whole lot of learning and reflection, she’s now alcohol-free and bouyant . Finding Peace in the Water For Hattie Underwood , cold water swimming is more than just a pastime – it’s a sanctuary. The icy plunge slows everything down, giving her a rare sense of hyper-focus and clarity. “I just feel really hyper-focused. And, you know, afterwards, I just feel so energised by them.” Her love for swimming started young, training competitively for Southampton. But it was her mother, an avid swimmer in Hampshire’s rivers and along the South Coast, who instilled a love for wild swimming. As she embarked on her sobriety journey, this practice took on new meaning. “It quietens my mind in a way that nothing else does. I just feel so in the moment.” Living in London, Hattie became a member of an ice bath club, pushing her limits and embracing the mental resilience required to withstand freezing temperatures. “It’s a bit of mind over matter going into it. But I just love it.” A Relationship with Alcohol That Had to Change Despite a successful life on paper, Hattie’s relationship with alcohol had always been problematic. From sneaking drinks in school to drinking alone before socialising, she felt an intense need for alcohol to function socially. The dependency escalated over time, leading to morning drinking and a fear of being ‘found out.’ “I would drink before seeing anybody, even if they were a really close friend.” When she became pregnant, she assumed nine months of abstinence would change her relationship with alcohol. However, once her child was born, she quickly fell back into old patterns. “Even with nine months of not drinking, nothing had changed, and in fact, it had picked right back up where it had left off. And it just got so much worse.” Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Gavin became a Samaritan 36:05

for 15 weeks siden36:05

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When Gavin quit drinking, he didn’t expect to gain listening skills—but he’s embraced his new life with open arms! Now, you can’t stop him from filling his time with meaningful activities. Welcome to the next round: exploring life after quitting drinking and discovering the many ways to find purpose—like helping others. This week, meet Gavin Chase, care industry recruiter by day and Samaritan volunteer by night. Through volunteering, Gavin has honed new skills, found deep purpose, and even become a role model for others. Gavin Chase’s story is one of transformation and dedication—a journey marked by his decision to quit drinking, his commitment to volunteering, and his belief in living a life of purpose. Far from leaving his corporate job, Gavin’s spare time is dedicated to initiatives that complement his professional life and fulfill his personal aspirations. “Sobriety isn’t just about saying no; it’s about saying yes to a better life.” Gavin’s decision to quit drinking was a pivotal moment in his life. “It wasn’t just about giving up alcohol; it was about reclaiming my life” The journey to sobriety was not without its challenges, but it profoundly shaped who he is today. “You start to see the world differently. It’s like waking up from a fog.” This newfound clarity and energy have allowed him to focus on what truly matters, inspiring others to consider the transformative potential of a sober lifestyle. Volunteering with the Samaritans One of the most profound aspects of Gavin’s journey is his dedication to volunteering with the Samaritans, a charity that offers support to those in emotional distress. “Being there for someone in their darkest moments is humbling.” His work with the Samaritans has given him a deep sense of purpose and perspective. “While I’m there to help others, I’ve learned so much about empathy, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit.” This experience has reinforced his belief in the importance of listening and being present for others—lessons that resonate in every aspect of his life. “Service has a way of bringing out the best in you.” This candid insight highlights Gavin’s belief in the transformative power of giving. He describes volunteering as a grounding force, one that reminds him of what truly matters. Beyond his role with the Samaritans, Gavin is actively involved in other community initiatives. From mentoring young people to supporting local environmental projects, his volunteering efforts are diverse and impactful. “Helping others isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a privilege” Gavin’s volunteering not only enriches his life but also allows him to build meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life. Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose No personal transformation is without its hurdles, and Gavin’s was no exception. From self-doubt to navigating the complexities of balancing work and volunteering, he has faced his share of challenges. “What keeps you going is the belief that what you’re building matters.” For Gavin, purpose extends beyond personal achievements. Whether through mentoring, supporting community projects, or sharing his story of sobriety, his focus remains on leaving a lasting impact. “Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.” This powerful reminder underscores Gavin’s bel Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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The Next Round: Marie went from Climate to Climax 32:47

for 17 weeks siden32:47

32:47

For the past 25 years, Marie Morice has been at the forefront of global climate change, and with some big shifts in her life, including quitting drinking she has added gender initiatives and campaigning within organisations such as the UN to her passions. She has now retrained as a clinical sexologist and uses her skills to support individuals as well as wider systems change. Today, Marie helps women rediscover their sexual agency and pleasure. Her journey to this point has been anything but linear, but it was quitting alcohol that catalysed her transformation. Now post-menopause and living a life full of clarity and energy, Marie is a walking testament to the power of change. “There’s a Life Energy in Me That I’ve Never Had” Marie’s relationship with alcohol was intense. As she puts it: “It was part of my celebrations and my commiserations. Let’s have a drink—no matter what.” Over the years, however, her body began reacting less and less well to alcohol, something that became especially apparent as she went through hormonal changes during menopause. Despite several attempts to take breaks from drinking, she always found herself returning to it. But a heavy night a year and a half ago was the turning point. “I woke up and thought, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep waking up knowing I’ll feel hungover in two or three days. My life was being wasted.” For Marie, it wasn’t about hitting rock bottom but rather a constellation of factors—the end of a long-term relationship, a desire to invest in her work helping women, and a need to prioritise her health and energy. Giving up alcohol wasn’t easy, but the rewards have been profound. “There’s a life energy in me that I’ve never had, or maybe that I had but was tamed by alcohol, – I have a clarity now that I didn’t know I was missing. It’s incredible.” Reclaiming Pleasure and Agency Marie’s journey away from alcohol coincided with her decision to retrain as a coach. Originally inspired by friends and family who praised her listening skills, she realised her true passion lay in helping others on a deeply personal level. While her early coaching clients brought a range of issues to her, many women came to her seeking guidance on their sexuality. That’s when Marie decided to specialise as a sex coach and clinical sexologist. “Our relationship to pleasure is so important. For many women, it’s fraught with guilt, whether that’s related to drinking or societal expectations. The first thing I work on with my clients is understanding their relationship to pleasure—not just sexual pleasure, but pleasure in life.” Marie believes that for women, especially those in midlife, this work is vital. “As we go through menopause, there’s a natural reevaluation of who we are and what we want. It’s a chance to reconnect with our bodies and desires.” And she’s quick to emphasise that pleasure is a skill that can be relearned. “It’s about creating new pathways to joy. What gives you pleasure? It could be anything, from a quiet moment of doing nothing to an incredible orgasm. The point is to explore.” Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

The Club Soda podcast

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The Next Round: Narmeen champions alcohol-free at events 26:50

for 17 weeks siden26:50

26:50

Socialising and networking alcohol-free can be tough—even for the pros. But for Narmeen, it’s a choice she’s never looked back on. Now, she’s shaking up the events industry, challenging organisers and caterers to rethink how they cater to guests. Her mission? To make events more inclusive and ensure everyone feels part of the party, regardless of what’s in their glass. 🎧 Welcome to The Next Round Podcast , where we share inspiring stories of life after quitting drinking. From bold career shifts to embracing new hobbies, this series explores the many ways people thrive alcohol-free. Take Narmeen: She hasn’t changed what she does—she’s still a powerhouse event organiser. But she’s using her voice to demand better options for all of us who want to party and network without the booze. And honestly? We’re so glad she’s got our backs! Narmeen Kamran knows firsthand how the events industry thrives on social connection, but she’s also seen how heavily reliant it is on alcohol. As someone who stepped away from drinking, Narmeen has made it her mission to challenge the status quo and push for more inclusive, alcohol-free options at events. From Comic-Con Volunteer to Events Powerhouse Narmeen’s journey into events started in her teens, volunteering at Comic-Con conventions. What began as a passion for organisation grew into a successful career in event planning, where she thrived in high-pressure environments. “You have to be really organised in events, but it’s something you can learn. Over time, it becomes second nature,” However, as she climbed the ranks, she noticed how central alcohol was to the industry—and how few options existed for those who didn’t drink. Why Alcohol-Free Inclusion Matters When Narmeen decided to stop drinking, she experienced the industry’s blind spots from the other side. “I attended my first event as a non-drinker, and I was shocked. The best option was J2O—apple and watermelon, because it looked like rosé if you drank it from a flute. That was it,” Recognising the gap, Narmeen began advocating for change. She approached caterers, venues, and suppliers, challenging them to improve their offerings. “If you don’t have better options, that’s just being lazy – There’s so much more out there now. Venues and caterers need to think beyond the standard champagne reception or half-bottle of wine with dinner. We need more choice—and not just for sober guests, but for everyone.” Find Club Soda: The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR Find us on Instagram…

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