Sober Awkward

A work Christmas party that escalated quickly… involving a Christmas tree, a taxi ride that didn’t go to plan, and a very unfortunate encounter with a dog flap.This week’s Shame Shed is a reminder that some people don’t “just have a few”… they fully commit.The Share Shed is where listeners send in their funniest, cringiest and most unbelievable drinking stories. It’s not about judgement, it’s about recognising how wild things could get when alcohol was in charge, and laughing about it now we’re on the other side.If you’ve got a story you’d like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or slightly ridiculous, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact, for legal reasons, probably preferable!!📞 SUPPORT & RESOURCESIf anything in today’s Shame Shed felt familiar, or you’re worried about your drinking, there is support out there. You don’t have to do this on your own.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline📞 1800 250 015 (24/7)🌐 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/alcohol-and-drug-information-serviceLifeline📞 13 11 14 (24/7)🌐 https://www.lifeline.org.auHello Sunday Morning / Daybreak🌐 https://hellosundaymorning.org🌐 https://daybreakapp.com.auClean Slate Clinic🌐 https://www.cleanslateclinic.com🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline📞 0300 123 1110🌐 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/Alcohol Change UK🌐 https://alcoholchange.org.ukWe Are With You🌐 https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk🌍 InternationalAlcoholics Anonymous🌐 https://www.aa.orgSMART Recovery🌐 https://www.smartrecovery.org💬 A gentle reminderIf you’re drinking in the morning to cope, especially with anxiety or withdrawal symptoms, it’s really important to speak to a doctor or medical professional. Stopping suddenly can be unsafe for some people, and support can make a huge difference.

Vic had to properly brace herself for this one… sitting down with Catherine Gray, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober.This is the book that completely changed the course of Vic’s sobriety. The one that, for the first time, made an alcohol-free life feel exciting rather than something to endure. So yes… she tried not to gush. No promises.As expected, Vic and Catherine had plenty to share. Catherine’s latest book Little Addictions dives into all the little things we lean on, the scrolling, the snacking, the busy distractions, the habits that don’t look like a problem… but might quietly be running the show.From favourite reality TV to chewing gum habits and even watching traffic on the M25, nothing is off limits.Together they unpack what “little addictions” really are, and why, as sober people, we might find it easier to quit the big things… but struggle to moderate the small ones.Confused? Don’t worry, it all makes sense.And if you fancy listening to two grown, sober women who have both been arrested in the past… you’re in luck. (Brixton 1, Brighton 1)No shame here, but lots of laughs and honesty! 💛 Resources & Links📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted SundaysA brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.👉 Buy the book here🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes👉 www.soberawkward.com🫖 Join The Cuppa CommunityOur private, supportive online space for sober folk👉 www.cuppa.community📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideOur downloadable toolkit for ditching booze the awkward way.👉 The Sober Awkward Guide📱 Follow us for daily sober fun:Instagram: @soberawkwardTikTok: @soberawkwardFacebook: Sober Awkward Community for Women

One man, one very confident walk home… and one slight issue with the fact he no longer lived there.The Share Shed is where listeners send in their funniest, cringiest and most unbelievable drinking stories. It’s not about judgement, it’s about recognising how wild things could get when alcohol was in charge, and laughing about it now we’re on the other side.If you’ve got a story you’d like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or slightly ridiculous, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact, for legal reasons, probably preferable!!📞 SUPPORT & RESOURCESIf anything in today’s Shame Shed felt familiar, or you’re worried about your drinking, there is support out there. You don’t have to do this on your own.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline📞 1800 250 015 (24/7)🌐 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/alcohol-and-drug-information-serviceLifeline📞 13 11 14 (24/7)🌐 https://www.lifeline.org.auHello Sunday Morning / Daybreak🌐 https://hellosundaymorning.org🌐 https://daybreakapp.com.auClean Slate Clinic🌐 https://www.cleanslateclinic.com🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline📞 0300 123 1110🌐 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/Alcohol Change UK🌐 https://alcoholchange.org.ukWe Are With You🌐 https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk🌍 InternationalAlcoholics Anonymous🌐 https://www.aa.orgSMART Recovery🌐 https://www.smartrecovery.org💬 A gentle reminderIf you’re drinking in the morning to cope, especially with anxiety or withdrawal symptoms, it’s really important to speak to a doctor or medical professional. Stopping suddenly can be unsafe for some people, and support can make a huge difference.

Vic sits down with William Porter to unpack one of the biggest traps in drinking culture, how alcohol became so normal we stopped questioning it.From cracking a Red Stripe on a train at 7.30am in London to planning entire nights around that first drink, this episode explores the quiet, creeping ways alcohol becomes the main event without us even noticing.They dive into where cravings really come from, why our brains keep sending us back for more even when it makes us feel awful, and how growing up surrounded by booze can make drinking feel less like a choice and more like something we were always going to do.There’s also a moment so many of us will recognise, that slow realisation that feeling anxious, flat, and exhausted all the time might not just be “life”, it might be alcohol.This is the episode where things start to click, where the fog lifts a little, and where you begin to see the bigger picture.If you’ve ever woken up and thought “why am I doing this again?”, this one’s for you.💛 Resources & LinksWilliam Porter - Alcohol Explained - https://amzn.asia/d/0j9Q896E📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted SundaysA brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.👉 Buy the book here🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes👉 www.soberawkward.com🫖 Join The Cuppa CommunityOur private, supportive online space for sober folk👉 www.cuppa.community📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideOur downloadable toolkit for ditching booze the awkward way.👉 The Sober Awkward Guide📱 Follow us for daily sober fun:Instagram: @soberawkwardTikTok: @soberawkwardFacebook: Sober Awkward Community for Women

This week in the Share Shed there is a message from someone who feels properly stuck.It’s whisky, and it’s creeping earlier. What used to be evenings has slowly shifted… to afternoons… and now sometimes mornings. Just a quick swig out of the bottle to steady the nerves.They’ve been listening to the podcast, quietly questioning things, knowing deep down something isn’t right… but still lying to themselves and everyone around them.And this is the first time they’ve ever said it out loud. If this resonates maybe the best thing you can do is just tell one person?The Share Shed is where listeners send in their funniest, cringiest and most unbelievable drinking stories. It’s not about judgement, it’s about recognising how wild things could get when alcohol was in charge, and laughing about it now we’re on the other side.If you’ve got a story you’d like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or slightly ridiculous, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact - for legal reasons - probably preferable!!and if you feel like you are in need of some extra support and you live in Australia - here are some people you can call - 📞 SUPPORT & RESOURCESIf anything in today’s Shame Shed felt familiar, or you’re worried about your drinking, there is support out there. You don’t have to do this on your own.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline📞 1800 250 015 (24/7)Free, confidential advice and support🌐 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/alcohol-and-drug-information-serviceLifeline (if you’re feeling overwhelmed or in crisis)📞 13 11 14 (24/7)🌐 https://www.lifeline.org.auHello Sunday Morning / Daybreak AppOnline support programme and community🌐 https://hellosundaymorning.org🌐 https://daybreakapp.com.auClean Slate ClinicTelehealth support for detox and recovery from home🌐 https://www.cleanslateclinic.com🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline (NHS Alcohol Helpline)📞 0300 123 1110🌐 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/Alcohol Change UKAdvice, tools, and support🌐 https://alcoholchange.org.ukWe Are With YouFree, local and online support🌐 https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk🌍 InternationalAlcoholics Anonymous (AA)Find local meetings worldwide🌐 https://www.aa.orgSMART RecoveryScience-based support groups (online and in person)🌐 https://www.smartrecovery.org💬 A gentle reminderIf you’re drinking in the morning to cope, especially with anxiety or withdrawal symptoms, it’s really important to speak to a doctor or medical professional. Stopping suddenly can be unsafe for some people, and support can make a huge difference.You don’t have to have it all figured out.You just have to start somewhere.💛 Other Resources & Links📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted SundaysA brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.👉 Buy the book here🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes👉 www.soberawkward.com🫖 Join The Cuppa CommunityOur private, supportive online space for sober folk👉 www.cuppa.community📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideOur downloadable toolkit for ditching booze the awkward way.👉 The Sober Awkward Guide📱 Follow us for daily sober fun:Instagram: @soberawkwardTikTok: @soberawkwardFacebook: Sober Awkward Community for Women

This week… we’re going there.Dating sober. Regretful one-night stands. The murky truth about consent. Letting go of shame. First sober sexual encounters… and yes, even prison date nights. It’s all on the table.I’m joined by the brilliant Anna Wolfe, host of How To Get Wet When You’re Dry, who brings both lived experience and serious journalistic insight into what actually happens after we get sober, especially when it comes to relationships and sex.We talk about the things most of us have done… but rarely unpack properly. The choices we made when alcohol was involved, the lines that got blurred, and what it looks like to navigate intimacy without it.It’s honest, uncomfortable at times, and properly eye-opening.And yes… I do cringe my way through parts of it.But that’s kind of the point. Because sobriety doesn’t just change what we drink, it changes how we connect, how we choose, and how we show up in the most vulnerable parts of our lives.Enjoy! and you can listen to Annas podcast here - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-get-wet-when-youre-dry/id1833243242or follow her here - @imannawolfe💛 Resources & Links📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted SundaysA brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.👉 Buy the book here🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes👉 www.soberawkward.com🫖 Join The Cuppa CommunityOur private, supportive online space for sober folk👉 www.cuppa.community📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideOur downloadable toolkit for ditching booze the awkward way.👉 The Sober Awkward Guide📱 Follow us for daily sober fun:Instagram: @soberawkwardTikTok: @soberawkwardFacebook: Sober Awkward Community for Women

This week in the Share Shed there is a very common story about what happns when you have too many shots at a Hen Night. A big thank you to Clare who sent it in and another question from an anonymous listener - What do you say when your friends ask why you're not drinking?The Share Shed is where listeners send in their funniest, cringiest and most unbelievable drinking stories. It’s not about judgement, it’s about recognising how wild things could get when alcohol was in charge, and laughing about it now we’re on the other side.If you’ve got a story you’d like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or slightly ridiculous, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact - for legal reasons - probably preferable!!💛 Resources & Links📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted SundaysA brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.👉 Buy the book here🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes👉 www.soberawkward.com🫖 Join The Cuppa CommunityOur private, supportive online space for sober folk👉 www.cuppa.community📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideOur downloadable toolkit for ditching booze the awkward way.👉 The Sober Awkward Guide📱 Follow us for daily sober fun:Instagram: @soberawkwardTikTok: @soberawkwardFacebook: Sober Awkward Community for Women

This week on Sober Awkward, Vic chats with one of her favourite sober buddies, sobriety coach - Sarah Rusbatch about something many of us completely ignored while we were drinking… our nervous systems.For years we thought alcohol was helping us relax. Turns out it was often doing the exact opposite, keeping our bodies stuck in stress mode.Sarah breaks down what’s really going on in our nervous systems, why so many of us feel wired, anxious or exhausted, and what we can actually do to regulate ourselves without reaching for a drink.Vic admits she learned loads in this chat and had a few lightbulb moments along the way. Make sure you listen right to the end for a simple breathing exercise you can try with us. And in true Sober Awkward style, Vic pops back in 24 hours later with a little update after trying a couple of the things Sarah suggested. It’s amazing what a difference a day can make when you start paying attention to your nervous system.Listen wherever you get your podcasts.Find Sarah's courses, retreats, challenges and more here - https://sarahrusbatch.com@sarahrusbatchand join her amazing April alcohol reset challenge here - https://sarahrusbatch.com/30day-af-program💛 Resources & Links📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted SundaysA brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.👉 Buy the book here🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes👉 www.soberawkward.com🫖 Join The Cuppa CommunityOur private, supportive online space for sober folk👉 www.cuppa.community📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideOur downloadable toolkit for ditching booze the awkward way.👉 The Sober Awkward Guide📱 Follow us for daily sober fun:Instagram: @soberawkwardTikTok: @soberawkwardFacebook: Sober Awkward Community for Women

This week in the Share Shed there is a story that some people may relate to - involving bodily functions. Vic opens the inbox to a story that starts like many girls trips do - a night out in Greece, one too many, a nice younger man, a shag and then..... Well, Vic will let you find out the next bit!The Share Shed is where listeners send in their funniest, cringiest and most unbelievable drinking stories. It’s not about judgement, it’s about recognising how wild things could get when alcohol was in charge, and laughing about it now we’re on the other side.If you’ve got a story you’d like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or slightly ridiculous, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact - for legal reasons - probably preferable!!💛 Resources & Links📘 Victoria’s memoir – A Thousand Wasted SundaysA brutally honest and hilarious look at motherhood, anxiety, and ditching the booze.👉 Buy the book here🎧 Listen to more Sober Awkward episodes👉 www.soberawkward.com🫖 Join The Cuppa CommunityOur private, supportive online space for sober folk👉 www.cuppa.community📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideOur downloadable toolkit for ditching booze the awkward way.👉 The Sober Awkward Guide📱 Follow us for daily sober fun:Instagram: @soberawkwardTikTok: @soberawkwardFacebook: Sober Awkward Community for Women