Sober Awkward

This week, I'm joined by Audrey, host of the Dry Humor podcast, for a very sensible and grown-up conversation about motherhood, college drinking and whether spending your life taking the piss out of yourself is a healthy coping mechanism or simply a way of avoiding your feelings?Audrey lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two children and two dogs. She has been sober since 11 July 2022 and is an active member of the sober community, including hosting peer-support calls for women. Her podcast, Dry Humor: Finding Levity in Sobriety, explores drinking culture and the messy business of building an alcohol-free life.We travel back to Audrey's college days, when drinking too much was considered a personality, then explore the strange shift from party girl to parent. What happens when those hilarious stories from your past begin to look as though they might deserve a tiny bit more investigation?There's mum guilt, embarrassing former selves, questionable memories, motherhood confessions and willy chat. We also ask when self-deprecation stops helping us connect and starts becoming another stick to beat ourselves with. Have we been saved by our ability to laugh at ourselves or should we just go to therapy?Probably both.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - My Sober Story - By Emma GEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

Vic is flying solo today, with no guest and a letter she hasn't been able to stop thinking about.You'll hear from Allison, a woman who started drinking to hide her shyness. She has relied on alcohol for so long that she no longer knows who she is without it.Loads of women have been sharing similar stories in the Sober Awkward Facebook group. They drink before parties, dates and dinners because socialising is fucking hard. Perhaps that's one of the biggest reasons any of us start drinking. A few glasses quieten the voice telling us we're boring, awkward or about to say something ridiculous.Unfortunately, that temporary confidence can become the only version of ourselves we trust.Vic looks at social anxiety, identity and the strange business of meeting your sober personality after years of hiding her. There's some science, plenty of honesty, a penis-shaped teabag holder and a deeply questionable vag spoon.You might never become brilliant at parties. Who cares? Stay for an hour, talk to one nice person, eat the crisps and go home.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - 500 Sunrises By Courtney KEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

Does your sobriety change with the seasons? Do sunny days suddenly make you think about beer gardens and cold wine, while dark winter evenings have you craving a bottle of red and a blanket?This week, Vic is joined by two guests to explore seasonal living, what it actually means, why humans have always lived according to the rhythms of the year and whether paying a little more attention to the seasons could actually be good for us.First, Vic chats to holistic counsellor Amy Doyle for a broader look at seasonal living. Amy explains why we're not really designed to operate like machines, doing and feeling exactly the same things all year round, and how noticing changes in our energy, moods, routines and needs can help us feel more connected to ourselves and the world around us.Then Vic chats to Kate Baily, founder of Love Sober, to bring it all back to booze. Kate explores the idea of seasonal sobriety, why different times of year can bring different triggers and drinking associations, and how understanding those patterns might help us prepare for them rather than being completely sideswiped by a sudden urge for a rosé the second the sun comes out.Don't worry, you don't need to start foraging or hugging trees. Sometimes seasonal living is simply about paying attention, slowing down when you need to and accepting that perhaps we're not supposed to feel exactly the same every bloody day of the year.Expect sobriety, sunshine, winter blues, ancient humans and Vic getting unnecessarily excited about a shiny plum.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - What is Moderation By April JEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

Listen to the Mama podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0341yjbBRIxVgWibnSR92D?si=e4a1b9094a3a40aaApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/introducing-mama-motherhood-alcohol-mental-health-and/id6798043028?i=1000779960427So… what is MAMA?If you've ever found yourself pouring a glass of wine before you've even finished unpacking the school bags, if you've joked about Wine O'Clock while secretly wondering why your anxiety feels worse the next day, or if you've started asking yourself whether alcohol has quietly become part of your parenting journey, then you've found the right podcast.MAMA stands for Motherhood, Alcohol, Mental Health and Anxiety. It's an honest six part podcast series hosted by Victoria Vanstone, mum of three, author and host of the award-winning Sober Awkward podcast.This teaser episode is a little introduction to why MAMA exists and why these conversations matter so much.The full series launches next week alongside the Healthy Mum Healthy Bub program. The two have been designed to work together, giving you both practical support and honest conversation as you explore your own relationship with alcohol. You can work through the Healthy Mum Healthy Bub program while listening to each episode of MAMA, or simply enjoy the podcast on its own. However you choose to listen, you'll find the same message running through both. You are not alone, you are not broken, and there are other ways to cope.Created in collaboration with the Healthy Mum Healthy Bub team and researchers from the University of Sydney, and funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, MAMA brings together something really powerful, lived experience and evidence based research. You'll hear real stories, practical tools, the latest science around alcohol, anxiety and motherhood, and plenty of laughs along the way.This isn't a podcast that tells you what to do. There are no labels, no judgement and no lectures. Instead, it's an invitation to get curious. To ask yourself whether alcohol is helping you become the mum, partner and person you want to be. To understand why alcohol can feel so closely tied to motherhood, and to discover that there might be another way.Whether you're sober curious, trying to cut back, questioning your drinking, or simply interested in understanding the connection between motherhood, mental health and alcohol, MAMA is here to walk alongside you, one conversation at a time.The teaser is here now, and the full six episode series, along with the Healthy Mum Healthy Bub program, launches next week. Pop the kettle on, settle in, and let's start this conversation together.@thisismamapodResources & LinksAbout MAMAMAMA (Motherhood. Alcohol. Mental Health. Anxiety.) is a special podcast series from Sober Awkward, created to complement the Healthy Mum Healthy Bub program.Developed in partnership with researchers from The University of Sydney and supported by funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), MAMA aims to help mums feel less alone, more informed and better supported as they navigate the challenges of early motherhood.If you're feeling overwhelmed, struggling with anxiety, or questioning the role alcohol plays in your life, you're in the right place.Healthy Mum Healthy Bubhealthymumhealthybub.org.auhttps://www.sydney.edu.au/matilda-centreSober AwkwardPodcast, books, courses, community, events and supportsoberawkward.comVictoria's BooksMumming - A Year of Trying (and Failing) to be a Better Parent - https://amzn.asia/d/08E0CLySA Thousand Wasted Sundays - https://amzn.asia/d/0eK3l8BdSober Awkward RetreatsJoin Victoria and the Sober Awkward community for alcohol-free retreats, workshops and unforgettable adventures in Australia and overseas.Find out more at:soberawkward.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hughesy!This was meant to be a chat about booze… but somehow Vic ended up being spiritually mentored by this legendary Aussie larrikin!Dave Hughes gave up alcohol at just 21 years old, after years of binge drinking, blackouts and waking up with no idea how he had got home. He had watched alcohol control his dad's life, and one Christmas Eve in 1992, he realised he didn't want it controlling his future too.Nearly 34 years later, Hughesy joins Vic to talk about growing up in Australia's deeply ingrained drinking culture, why accepting that he would never drink again made sobriety easier, and how giving up the grog gave him the stability and confidence to begin his comedy career.They also chat about coping with criticism, managing the addictive buzz of applause, and why getting sober dosnt always have to be about getting help - it can just be a really smart choice!But this conversation becomes about much more than booze. Dave shares what getting sacked from radio taught him about ego, why grudges disappear when you stay present, and how real freedom comes from remembering that most of the things we worry about do not matter nearly as much as we think they do.Can giving up alcohol teach you how to stop living in the past, worrying about the future and finally relax into the life happening right now?Listen to find out! - (but if you don't have time the answer is yes!)@dhughesyGo and see Dave in his Australia stand up tour - https://davehughes.com.au/

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - Three Years Clear By Amy GEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

How bad is alcohol, really? Is a weekend binge cancelled out by a few sober days and what exactly is happening in our brains during hangxiety?Vic is joined by world renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist Professor David Nutt, who has spent more than 40 years studying how alcohol and other drugs affect our brains, bodies and behaviour.They explore the moment an evening treat becomes something we need, why women may be affected differently, what changes when we stop drinking and whether science can create the relaxing, sociable effects of alcohol without the hangovers.Professor Nutt also shares his own relationship with alcohol, challenges some of our most comforting drinking myths and reveals the one fact he wishes every drinker understood before taking their first sip.Prepare to have happy hour thoroughly ruined, in the most fascinating way possible.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - A Drinking Career - By KimberleyEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

In this episode, Gorillaz bassist Seye Adelekan joins Vic for a wonderfully honest conversation about belonging, family, fame and finding his place in the music world.Seye talks about moving around the world as a child, the family who shaped him, his love of music, touring, the forgotten gigs and the long period he spent in rehab.Now over seven years sober, he shares how recovery changed his life, his relationships and the way he steps onto some of the world's biggest stages - stone cold sober.Seye wants people to leave his gigs, his online spaces and his everyday interactions with something more than they arrived with, and Vic genuinely felt that warmth by the end of their conversation.He shows sobriety does not have to make you smaller, quieter or less capable of performing in front of a crowd. Sometimes, it helps you stop hiding, own your space and finally understand why you are standing there.(Vic also tells Seye the story of her finger, which, between two former party animals familiar with two-day benders, earns her a surprising amount of respect. Some people bond over music and recovery, while others compare unexplained bodily damage from the old days!)Enjoy!

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - I didn't realise it was a funeral - By SarahA huge congratulations to Sarah who was one of this years winners!!Every Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

Yes, the World Cup is on, everyone is drinking to celebrate and commiserate, so welcome to your safe little corner of the internet, where Vic promises to mention the legend Jude Bellingham only once… and then get back to what really matters, talking about sobriety and not trying to explain the offside rule.So apart from the Spain win, the other news is....You don't have to wait until Day One to start building an alcohol-free life.In part two of my conversation with Jean McCarthy, author of UnPickled and creator of the pioneering sobriety podcast The Bubble Hour, we explore what comes next once you've decided alcohol might not be serving you anymore.How do you know what kind of support is right for you? Is there a place between the pub and AA? Should you consider therapy, a community, a treatment centre, or something completely different? Jean shares the wisdom she's gathered from years of helping thousands of people find their own path to sobriety.Together we talk about finding the support that fits you, learning to care for yourself with compassion, and beginning to imagine a future where alcohol no longer takes centre stage.Whether you're sober curious, preparing for your first alcohol-free day, or simply wondering what's possible, this episode is full of reassurance, practical ideas and hope.Put the kettle on and prepare to be UnPickled.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - I scream... and she lets go - By Lisa Every Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

Want to give up drinking but have no idea where to start? You're in the right place!Everyone tells you sobriety starts on day one. It doesn't. It actually starts before that, in the boring, unglamorous groundwork nobody really talks about. The stuff that happens quietly in the weeks before you ever have a proper "sober day."In this episode, I sit down with Jean McCarthy to talk about that exact groundwork, starting with the big one: choosing your why. It sounds simple. It isn't. Because a why like "I'm doing this for the kids," as noble and understandable as it sounds, can actually be one of the shakiest foundations you can build a sobriety on. It's a why that lives outside you, and when things get hard (and they will), a why that isn't fully your own can be the first thing to crack.We talk about what a sturdier why can look like instead, and the small, practical, almost boring shifts that quietly build a foundation strong enough to hold you when the cravings hit. Things like rearranging your furniture so the sofa doesn't automatically mean "wine o'clock." Creating yourself a proper sober nook, somewhere in the house that's just yours, with nothing to do with a bottle. Taking the wine glasses out of the house completely, so the decision isn't sitting there waiting to be made every single evening. And maybe the hardest shift of all, starting to like yourself again before you feel like you've "earned" it.Jean also gets really honest about her own fears going into this. Including the very real, very human worry that her husband might not want a sober wife. She talks about the moment that fear finally lifted, when she realised that a sober wife is so much better than a dead wife, because if she's honest, that's genuinely the direction things were heading.Oh, and they talk about how their mutual stumpy fingers actually represent their drinking stories quite well!!!So, get comfy and let's get prepared for sober life. Note - We chatted for way too long, so this is Part 1. (Part 2 in-coming with loads more juicy prep tips)

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - Bodies Change - By ErinEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

For many LGBTQ+ people, the pub wasn't just somewhere to grab a drink—it was one of the few places where they could safely be themselves. For decades, bars and clubs became places of acceptance, community and belonging. But when alcohol becomes woven into your identity and social life, what happens when you decide to stop drinking?For many people, giving up alcohol means changing what they drink. For many LGBTQ+ people, it can also mean changing where they belong.This week, Victoria sits down with Karl Considine, public speaker, advocate and Ambassador for Alcohol Change UK. Karl has become one of the leading voices in the UK's alcohol-free movement, using honesty, humour and lived experience to challenge old ideas about sobriety. Karl is helping a new generation build confidence, connection, and identity without alcohol. Through his work, he has helped show that a life without alcohol isn't about missing out—it's about creating more connection, joy and possibility.Together, they explore the powerful relationship between booze and queer culture. They discuss why LGBTQ+ communities experience higher rates of alcohol and substance misuse than the general population, the role discrimination and minority stress can play, and why creating alcohol-free spaces has never been more important.It's an honest conversation about identity, connection, loneliness, community and what it means to build a life where you don't need alcohol to feel like you belong. Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply curious about why our relationship with alcohol is shaped by so much more than willpower, this episode is full of compassion, insight and plenty of laughs along the way.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials -Finally Meeting Myself - By AllysonEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

This week on Sober Awkward, Vic chats to Ben Gibbs from The Sober Boozers Club about the rapidly changing world of alcohol-free beer and whether pub culture can survive a generation that's drinking less, drinking differently, or not drinking at all.Because let's face it, Vic used to be the kind of customer pubs loved. These days Vic walks into a pub, orders one alcohol-free beer, has a lovely chat, and leaves. Financially speaking, she's not exactly the customer she used to be.So what does this shift mean for the hospitality industry? Can pubs, breweries and bars survive if people are only ordering one or two drinks instead of six? Is the alcohol-free movement a genuine revolution or just a passing trend? And why are so many younger people choosing not to drink in the first place?Vic and Ben also tackle one of the most debated topics in sobriety: alcohol-free beer. Is it a useful tool or a dangerous game? Should people in early sobriety avoid it altogether? What if it triggers cravings? Why does it work brilliantly for some people and not for others?Most importantly, Ben shares his experience of trying to keep all the things he loved about his old social life, the pub chats, the mates, the laughs, and the sense of belonging, while quietly removing the alcohol from the equation.Turns out, getting sober doesn't always mean changing your entire personality. Sometimes it just means changing what's in your glass.A fascinating conversation about identity, friendship, changing drinking culture, and whether the future of the pub might be a lot less boozy than we ever imagined.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - Alcohol, Motherhood and Me - By EmilyEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

As a special treat to celebrate the final episode of Series 13, I'm delighted to welcome Hamish back to the podcast for a proper catch-up.Yes, he's still sober. Yes, he's still awkward. And yes, he's still as funny as ever.We chat about what life has looked like since leaving the show, how sobriety is going, and what he's learned along the way. Hamish is proof that you don't have to be a stereotypical “problem drinker” to experience the benefits of going alcohol-free. Sometimes life simply gets bigger, better and a whole lot more interesting without booze in the driver's seat.Expect laughs, awkward moments, a few reflections on the good old days, and a reminder of why so many of us fell in love with the lanky one in the first place.It's great to have him back.Be warned, as per usual, there is naughty talk about bodily functions.

The Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - No More Numbing Out - By Aliz, TexasEvery Thursday, we're handing the story telling over to you.Over the next few months, Vic will be reading some of the incredible entries from this year's Sober Awkward Writing Competition. Honest, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, awkward and beautifully human, these stories come from people all over the world who have experienced the ups and downs of changing their relationship with alcohol.Whether you're sober curious, newly alcohol-free, years into recovery, or simply wondering if life might feel better without booze, we hope these stories remind you that you're not alone.Writing has a powerful way of helping us make sense of our lives. It can shine a light on things we've hidden away, help us process difficult experiences, and remind us just how resilient we really are. Plus, it's considerably cheaper than therapy and doesn't require you to wear pants.So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and join us for this week's Share Shed as Vic tells another story from our amazing community.

This week on Sober Awkward, Vic steps away from alcohol to explore another addiction that is quietly growing across Australia: Nangs.Nitrous oxide, often sold legally and delivered to your door within minutes, is commonly seen as harmless party fun. But for Sam Bramman, what started as a few nangs at a house party quickly spiralled into a devastating addiction that led to psychosis, hospitalisation and a long road to recovery.Sam shares the shocking reality of what happened when nitrous oxide took over his life, including the psychotic episode that saw him drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast before ending up in a psychiatric ward. He talks openly about addiction, recovery and why he believes Australia needs stronger regulation around the sale and delivery of nitrous oxide.Now the founder of the No 2 Nangs campaign, Sam is using his experience to educate young people, support families and push for change. He is also preparing to run 350 kilometres from Sydney to Parliament House in Canberra to raise awareness of the issue and campaign for greater public education around a substance he describes as both legal and lethal.It's an eye-opening conversation about addiction, vulnerability, recovery and a drug many of us know very little about. Follow Sam's work: Instagram: @sambramman TikTok: @stepsforchange

This week in the Share Shed, one listener wakes up to discover he'd apparently spent 40 minutes running barefoot on a treadmill at 3am… after swimming in a stranger's pool and blacking out at a party.The only problem? He remembers none of it.A hilarious story with a surprisingly thoughtful twist about sobriety, fitness, and what happens when one obsession gets replaced by another.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.But sometimes, it's also a place for the harder stuff, the honest bits we don't always say out loud.If you've got a story you'd like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or something a bit more serious, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact, for legal reasons, probably preferable!!

This week on Sober Awkward, Vic sits down with TJ Power, a well-known neuroscientist, author of the Sunday Times bestseller The DOSE Effect, and the founder of the DOSE Lab. He is a leading voice in demystifying brain chemistry, focusing on helping people manage digital burnout, phone addiction, and overstimulation in the modern world.TJ shares his own story of changing his relationship with alcohol, including a powerful epiphany at a music festival that made him completely rethink what connection, fun and presence really mean. Together, they explore the surprising similarities between alcohol addiction and phone addiction, and why both are fuelled by the same dopamine-driven reward systems in the brain.The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Vic has a rather uncomfortable realisation of her own. Eight years sober and feeling quite smug about no longer disappearing into bottles of wine, she suddenly discovers she's been disappearing into something else instead… her phone.In a moment that feels a bit like being caught snogging behind the bike sheds, Vic realises she may be neglecting her children in exactly the same way she used to neglect them with alcohol. Not physically absent, but mentally elsewhere. Half listening. Half scrolling. Forever saying, “Just one second, darling…”It's a surprisingly emotional moment as TJ explains that the dopamine hits from our phones aren't a million miles away from the rewards we chase through alcohol, and Vic starts to wonder whether she's simply swapped one distraction for another.This episode isn't about throwing your phone in the sea or moving to a cave. It's about becoming curious about the habits that quietly shape our lives.And make sure you listen right to the end, because Vic returns with a surprising update after attempting her own digital detox weekend.A fascinating conversation that might just make you question your scrolling as much as your drinking.Find TJ here - @tjpower@doselab - Order the book now - https://a.co/d/0fghgGAcwww.thedoselab.com

Today on the Share Shed we have one confession and one question.First up, a listener wakes up in Las Vegas with more than just a hangover… let's just say Elvis may have been involved and somebody accidentally got married.Then we tackle a question many people quietly ask themselves: if your hands shake the morning after drinking, is that a sign you're an alcoholic?The answer might surprise you.Pour yourself a cuppa and join us for today's Share Shed.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.But sometimes, it's also a place for the harder stuff, the honest bits we don't always say out loud.If you've got a story you'd like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or something a bit more serious, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact, for legal reasons, probably preferable!!

This week on Sober Awkward, Vic chats to James Swanwick about high-functioning drinking, success, pressure and the growing movement of people choosing to live alcohol free — not because they've completely fallen apart, but because they simply feel better without it.James is an Australian stop drinking expert, author, investor, entrepreneur and former SportsCenter anchor on ESPN. He is the creator of stop drinking organisation, Alcohol Free Lifestyle, which helps business owners and executives finally break free from alcohol without AA, rehab or willpower. Together, Vic and James unpack the myth that alcohol problems only affect people at “rock bottom” and explore why high achievers often struggle silently for years. They chat about identity, pride, social pressure, parenting, masculinity, success and why being outwardly functional can actually make it harder to admit something isn't working.They also explore a really interesting question:Can giving up alcohol sometimes be less about “having a problem”… and more about choosing a different lifestyle entirely?Plus there's chat about celebrity alcohol brands, the rise of the alcohol-free movement, Gen Z turning away from booze and why many people are beginning to realise that alcohol may be taking far more than it gives.This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered:“Do I actually need to wait for things to get worse before I make a change?”Enjoy!Find James' work here - IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamesswanwick/FB: https://web.facebook.com/AlcoholFreeLifestylehttps://web.facebook.com/JamesSwanwickOfficialYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlcoholFreeLifestylehttps://www.youtube.com/@JamesSwanwickTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesswanwickSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5253hMZWPlEWj6AVodbkC7Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alcohol-free-lifestyle/id1518416850X: https://x.com/jamesswanwickAFL Website: https://alcoholfreelifestyle.com/

This week on the Share Shed we're talking drunk online shopping… you know, those slightly terrifying mystery parcels that arrive two days after a blackout.From sequinned capes and stuffed frogs in hats… to accidentally booking holidays to Spain you have absolutely no memory of organising.Basically: If you've ever opened your front door hungover and thought, “What in the name of Christ have I bought now?” …this one's for you.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.But sometimes, it's also a place for the harder stuff, the honest bits we don't always say out loud.If you've got a story you'd like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or something a bit more serious, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact, for legal reasons, probably preferable!!

This week on Sober Awkward, Vic chats to Hattie Underwood, the London-based mum of two behind Sober Happy Free, who has recently been speaking out across the UK media about the worrying rise of alcohol delivery services. After loads of Sober Awkward listeners tagged Vic in clips saying, “You HAVE to get her on the podcast!”… here she is.Now five years sober, Hattie openly shares the raw reality of addiction through lived experience, challenging stigma and reminding people that absolutely anyone can struggle with alcohol — and anyone deserves the chance to recover, one day at a time.Having appeared on Good Morning Britain, Channel 5 News and the BBC, Hattie is also using her voice to campaign with Alcohol Change UK and raise awareness around the dangers of modern drinking culture.Together they explore what happens when booze never really runs out. No awkward shuffle to the bottle shop. No eye contact with the cashier. No closing time. No moment to pause and think, “Hang on… maybe this is getting a bit much.” Just a bloke in a helmet arriving at your doorstep with another bottle and zero questions asked.Hattie explains how alcohol delivery services quietly escalated her drinking, why these apps can become so dangerous, and how the convenience and secrecy of “alcohol on demand” is creating growing concerns in both the UK and Australia.They chat about shame, loneliness, high-functioning drinking, dependency and the terrifying reality of alcohol being available in under thirty minutes, right at the exact moment someone is most vulnerable.Plus Vic asks herself a slightly uncomfortable question:What would her own drinking have looked like if the booze literally never ran out?Follow @soberhappyfree to join Hattie on her sobriety journey. https://www.instagram.com/soberhappyfreehttps://www.tiktok.com/@soberhappyfree?_r=1&_t=ZN-96MLDO3Z0oY

Not really a Share Shed today…But there was a story from this week's podcast that absolutely refused to be squeezed into a normal segment. It needed its own space. Its own moment. Its own… spotlight.We had the incredible Shanna Whan on Sober Awkward this week, founder of Sober in the Country and creator of the brilliant #OK2SAYNO campaign… and somewhere in the middle of talking about life in rural Australia, sobriety, and all things outback… she casually dropped this story.It involves an invitation to the Queen's funeral.Yes. THAT.I'm not going to say anything else, because honestly, you just need to hear it.All I will say is… Shanna and I have more in common than I could have ever imagined.And it involves hats.What a story. Enjoy!To find out more about Shanna and her incredible work head to https://www.soberinthecountry.org or follow them on socials @sober_in_the_country and to help raise awareness please add #OK2SAYNO to your socials.

It feels like this conversation has been a long time coming. Vic is genuinely honoured to have Shanna Whan on the podcast this week.Shanna is the founder and CEO of Sober in the Country, a national grassroots charity that's been driving radical social impact and real change across rural and remote Australia over the past decade. Through laser-focused bush advocacy, peer-to-peer support, and a refreshingly straightforward message, she's helping shift a deeply ingrained culture.And the message is one we can all get behind, whether we drink or not: it's always #OK2SAYNO to booze.Shanna was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2025 for her significant contributions to rural community health. She was named National Australian of the Year (Local Hero) in 2022, and also took out Marie Claire's national Advocate of the Year award that same year. So yes… she's not just talking about change, she's making it happen.In this episode, they chat about life in rural Australia, the pressure to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant in farming communities, the isolation of rural life, and how hard it can be to say no to alcohol when it's so deeply ingrained.They also explore how that's starting to shift, slowly, but meaningfully. And they establish very early on that Vic would absolutely not survive in the outback, (even if she did have a hat with corks hanging off it!)This one takes you beyond the front gate and into the reality of life in the outback, an honest, eye-opening conversation with a truly remarkable human.To find out more about Shanna and her incredible work head to https://www.soberinthecountry.org or follow them on socials @sober_in_the_country and to help raise awareness please add #OK2SAYNO to your socials.

This week on the Share Shed we're talking boundaries. Vic chats about caring from afar, therapy and emotional carnage with a side of bad decisions.Classic Share Shed.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.But sometimes, it's also a place for the harder stuff, the honest bits we don't always say out loud.If you've got a story you'd like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or something a bit more serious, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact, for legal reasons, probably preferable!!

This week Vic is joined by journalist and podcaster Katie Herzog to talk about the winding, messy road many of us take trying to figure out our relationship with alcohol.Katie shares what her drinking looked like during Covid, how it quietly ramped up behind closed doors, and the strange mental gymnastics of hiding drinking from partners and pretending your fine and dandy, when really... it's all falling apart.They talk about the moment when drinking stops feeling fun and starts feeling lonely, the awkward reality of not quite connecting with AA, and the long search for something — anything — that might actually help.Eventually that search led Katie to Naltrexone, a medication used to reduce the brain's reward response to alcohol. For Katie, discovering it changed everything. Over time it helped rewire the habit loop, take away the obsessive pull toward drinking, and slowly create something she hadn't felt in a long time… freedom from alcohol.The experience was so transformative that Katie went on to write a book about it, exploring the science, the stigma, and why conversations about medication and sobriety can be so surprisingly controversial.It's an honest chat about finding your own path, challenging recovery dogma, and the strange relief of realising there might be more than one way to get sober.Find out more about Katie and buy her book here -drinkyourwaysober.comhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/163774739Xhttps://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Drink-Your-Way-Sober/Katie-Herzog/9781637747391follow her on twitter here - @kittypurrzog

This week's Shame Shed is a more serious one.A parent writes in about the shame they carry from drinking while raising their kids, and the heavy weight of seeing it all clearly now they're sober.If you've ever felt that knot in your stomach about the past, this one will hit home.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.But sometimes, it's also a place for the harder stuff, the honest bits we don't always say out loud.If you've got a story you'd like to get off your chest, funny, awkward or something a bit more serious, you can send it to Vic at:vic@soberawkward.comAnonymous is absolutely fine. In fact, for legal reasons, probably preferable!!

This week on Sober Awkward, Vic chats with Social Media Educator and (National Association for Children of Addiction) NACOA Ambassador - Sarah Drage about the strange and sometimes complicated world of sobriety on the internet.When we stop drinking, many of us head straight online. Suddenly there are sober coaches, Instagram accounts, communities, podcasts, hashtags, and an entire digital world devoted to not drinking. For some people it becomes a lifeline. For others… it can start to feel like just another thing we're slightly addicted to.Vic gets honest about her own relationship with the online sober world, the pressure to keep creating content, and the strange reality of sharing your life with people you've never met. She often tells herself, “If it helps one person, it's worth it.” But what happens when helping strangers online starts competing with real life, family time, and your own wellbeing?And then there's the other side of the internet. The rabbit holes. You open Instagram looking for a sober quote and twenty minutes later you've somehow ended up on a page where people are putting very strange things in very strange places. How does that happen? What are they doing? And why can't we look away?You'll have to listen to find out… let's just say it involves bottoms.Find out more about Sarah here @sarah_drage Find The Children of Alcoholics Podcast here - https://hello9a.podbean.com/Ted Talk - https://tr.ee/x6tGO8cVc5

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!!

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!

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!!

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.

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 -

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

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!!

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

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!!

This week gets a little bit personal.We're talking ADHD, alcohol, and that slightly unsettling moment when you realise… maybe it wasn't just the drinking.After years of brushing it off, and being gently diagnosed by listeners in her DMs, Vic is thinking about getting assessed again. becuase last time she was tested for ADHD, it wasn't the result she expected. But now, hormones are doing their thing and perimenopause is turning the volume up on everything, and she's been feeling wired, overwhelmed, and honestly… a bit confused.So she's brought in someone who actually knows what they're talking about.Faye Laurence is an alcohol coach who specialises in ADHD, and this conversation really hits home.They get into the big questions… do people with ADHD use alcohol to self-medicate? What actually comes first, the ADHD or the drinking? And why do some traditional methods for addiction not always work for those with ADHD?They also go a bit deeper… can getting a diagnosis help you understand yourself better, and maybe even have a bit more empathy for your past and the role alcohol played in it?Vic shares openly, as always, because if she's feeling it, chances are someone else out there is too. It might make people cringe at times, putting it all out there like this, but those are the moments that get people thinking, connecting, and hopefully reaching out for help… just like she is.She'll keep you updated on how this all unfolds. She's nervous, yes… and if she's honest, a bit pissed off too. She really thought the sobriety piece was it, that she'd done the work and could just get on with life. But clearly, there's more bubbling up.And maybe that's the point.Find out more about Faye and her ADHD/Alcohol Courses and Coaching here - Links: Website: www.fayelawrence.com.au |Insta:https://www.instagram.com/_fayelawrence_ | FB: https://www.facebook.com/FayeLawrenceCoaching Kicking off 31 March - Breaking the Loop - An 8 week small group coaching program designed for ADHDers who want to change their relationship with alcohol www.fayelawrence.com.au/loop

This week in the Share Shed there is an important question - How do I start again?Today Vic opens a voicemail from a Sober Awkward listener who is in her 20's and is drinking again after a period of abstinence - she's still young, so it seems like a really hard choice - what can she do to get back on track?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!!

Vic is joined by Newspaper Editor, Journalist and Author, Carly Schwartz, to talk about her wild, honest new memoir I'll Try Anything Twice.Carly shares stories from her years chasing adventure around the world, from chaotic parties to a mysterious sustainable town in the Panamanian jungle. Some of the experiences were exhilarating, others risky, and along the way she began to realise that alcohol and drugs were quietly making her depression much worse.In this conversation, Carly talks openly about the moment she hit her real rock bottom, not a dramatic crash, but the quiet and confronting realisation that she might actually need help. Vic and Carly also chat about the process of turning such a complicated and vulnerable journey into a book, and what it's like to write honestly about the messy parts of your life.It's a thoughtful, funny, and very real conversation about adventure, mental health, and the long road to understanding yourself.

This week in the Share Shed, Vic opens the inbox to a story that starts like many nights used to… a few drinks with friends that quietly turns into an entire weekend you can't quite explain.Our anonymous listener describes being a full blown party animal in the late 90s, where alcohol often led to a cocktail of other substances and the kind of decisions that only make sense at the time. Let's just say this one involves chickens!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!!

Vic is joined by journalist and author Jenny Valentish for a warm, funny and honest conversation about introversion, overstimulation and knowing when it's time to quietly exit stage left.Jenny is the author of An Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House, a brilliant and reassuring book about navigating the world without pretending to be more extroverted than you are. It's not about becoming louder or more outgoing. It's about understanding your social limits, honouring your wiring and building a life that actually suits you.Both originally from Berkshire, Vic and Jenny bond over British roots and swap stories about “brownouts”, and no, it's not what you think. They chat about social batteries, the pressure to perform, and how to recognise when you've tipped from “coping fine” into “I need to go home immediately”.If you've ever stayed too long out of politeness, or wondered whether staying in is self-care or avoidance, this episode will help you work it out. And yes, sometimes the most emotionally intelligent thing you can do is leave early and go home to watch MAFS.Find out more about Jenny and her incredible books and more at instagram.com/jennyvalentish_publicAnd valentish.net because she loves nothing more than helping people write their addiction stories as a writing teacher.

This week in the Share Shed, Vic opens the inbox and shares one of those stories that perfectly sums up the chaos of drinking days.Listener James from Gloucester writes in with a tale from his travelling years that starts with a few innocent drinks on a river in Cambodia… and somehow ends with him accidentally buying more than he bargained for!It's funny, slightly unbelievable, and a perfect reminder of the kind of decisions that can happen when booze is involved and your brain has politely clocked off for the evening.Vic also talks about why sharing these stories matters. The Share Shed isn't about shaming ourselves for the past, it's about laughing, learning and realising we're not the only ones who've woken up thinking… “what on earth happened last night?”If you've got a story of your own, something funny, awkward, cringe-worthy, or even just a question about booze and sobriety, Vic would love to hear it.You can send your stories (anonymous is absolutely fine) to:vic@soberawkward.com