Podcast appearances and mentions of anna anna

We've taught young people how to achieve but have we taught them how to feel, struggle, and grow? Host Anna Donaghey is joined by consultant Joanna Lilley, who works with young adults at the crossroads of high school, university, and early adulthood, to explore why so many high-achieving students feel anxious, overwhelmed, and unprepared for life.Together, they discuss the emotional blind spots shaping a generation, from overprotection and crisis-driven support, to the relentless pursuit of perfection and the lure of numbing out through tech, alcohol, and quick fixes. You'll also hear practical ideas for building genuine resilience, supporting emotional growth, and redefining success for both parents and teens.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome back & why helping kids handle stress matters02:08 Why record numbers of students are struggling04:09 Tech, overstimulation & the accountability gap after leaving home05:27 Why current university support often misses the mark10:22 Are parents unintentionally “fixing” too much?11:29 Why adversity and struggle are key to building grit and resilience15:22 Coping, numbing, and the pull toward quick-fix behaviors18:10 Alcohol, substances, and the hidden culture of self-medication21:00 The emotional blind spots that make numbing so tempting23:12 How parents and schools can nurture real emotional intelligence and self-awareness29:02 Why Gen Z are the anxious generation33:57 How to support your teen without being a human shield for difficulty35:09 Letting go, empty nests, and finding your own path45:54 Why recovery, reflection, and even a gap year matter more than ever47:43 How intuition, creativity, and downtime build long-term resilience.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn:

What if making one intentional, alcohol-free day didn't have to feel like a test of willpower or a white-knuckle challenge you had to survive? In this practical solo episode, your host Anna Donaghey shares a clear, step-by-step structure for what a supported, intentional day off drinking can look like in real life.Inspired by a listener who found Dry January a “white-knuckle ride,” Anna explores why sustainable change isn't about deprivation or strict rules, but about adding support, care, and intention into your day. She'll walk you through gentle but powerful tools you can use: from a simple morning check-in and choosing your mantra, to micro-habits that help transition from work mode to rest mode without defaulting to a drink.No matter if you're struggling to string one alcohol-free day together or just want to experiment with drinking less, this toolkit breaks it down into doable, kind steps so you can approach the question of drinking with more choice and less self-judgment.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome back and the listener question behind this episode00:55 Why lasting change is rarely about willpower01:39 “I struggle to put even one alcohol-free day together”03:02 Sustainable change is about adding support, not just removing alcohol04:07 What does one intentional alcohol-free day actually look like?05:26 Starting with a gentle morning check-in (and why it matters)07:27 Have a “coffee with yourself” and checking in on your needs09:25 Choosing a mantra to anchor your day15:29 Micro-rests and working with the day you really have17:36 Hydration as an act of self-care, not just another box to tick20:45 How being well-resourced softens evening cravings21:08 Dealing with the “witching hour”23:33 Finding new rituals to mark the threshold between work and rest26:20 The importance of identity cues, not just discipline27:31 Ending the day with a gentle reflection (not a journaling marathon)30:30 One intentional day is always worth coming back to33:30 How to get more support with the Thirsty For More Mindset Lab.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the...

This week's guest opens up about the shock of an emergency C-section at 25 weeks and 3 days, the fear of entering the NICU for the first time, and the powerful role Child Life Specialists played in supporting not only Vincent, but their entire family, including his older brother. She reflects on what helped her cope during long NICU days, how she advocated for herself using her healthcare background, and what she wishes she had known about the "medically complex" label sooner. This episode explores sibling bonding in the NICU, the impact of a truly integrated care team, the importance of addressing social determinants of health, and how resilience can grow in the smallest of patients. Anna's story is a beautiful reminder that families may not remember every name—but they will always remember how they were made to feel. Today's Episode is sponsored by Moog Medical. Moog Medical is a trusted leader in infusion and enteral feeding technology, designing reliable, easy-to-use pumps that support safe, precise care for patients with complex medical needs—at home and in healthcare settings. Resources Mentioned Today's Episode: Hand to Hold March of Dimes Ronald McDonald House Caringbridge Connect with Anna: Anna is open to connecting with other NICU families—please email us at podcast@childlifeoncall.com if you would like to connect with her! Connect & Support from Child Life On Call: Subscribe: Never miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Visit insidethechildrenshospital.com to search stories and episodes easily Follow us on Instagram for updates and opportunities to connect with other parents Download SupportSpot: receive Child Life tools at your fingertips. Leave a Review: It helps other families find us and access our resources! Medical information provided is not a substitute for professional advice—please consult your care team. Keywords: micro preemie, NICU journey, 25 week preemie, medically complex child, chronic lung disease in children, antepartum hospitalization, emergency C-section, sibling support in NICU, child life specialist, Ronald McDonald House, Hand to Hold, March of Dimes, NICU discharge, parenting after the NICU, medical motherhood, resilience in children, premature birth support, Midwest NICU mom

What if the limits we feel around age, change, and possibility aren't real but simply old, worn-out stories we've inherited? In this energising episode, Anna Donaghey is joined by Allison Davis, traditional naturopath and author of ‘Sixty is a Good Start: A Powerful Body, a Purposeful Life, and a Plan to Make it Happen', to bust wide open the myth that it's ever “too late” to rethink your life or your drinking.Together, Anna and Allison explore the deep-seated cultural scripts that tell us when we should want less, slow down, or shrink our dreams. Allison shares her own journey: becoming a new mom at fifty, reclaiming her health in her mid-fifties, writing a book at sixty, and refusing to let a single decade define what's possible. You'll hear how small, sustainable routines, what Allison calls the “self-perpetuating circle of purpose” can help us create vibrant lives at any age.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Rethinking the script on age and alcohol00:41 The “too late” myth and culturally inherited limitations02:15 Allison's story: parenting, fitness, writing, and starting new chapters08:30 How the narratives about age take root and how to question them13:02 Introducing the “circle of purpose”15:02 Why real longevity is about energy, not just living longer16:00 Learning to listen to your body (instead of just managing it)19:13 Alcohol, numbing, and re-awakening to what you really need25:00 The role of the inner critic32:40 The power of “threshold moments”34:02 Rethinking “world work”: purpose, connection, and creating a life worth living39:06 Loneliness and the vital importance of connection as we age42:08 Introducing the Sixty-Day Dare: baby steps toward a bigger, richer life43:00 Why sustainable change is always made up of doable, micro-shifts46:46 Simple places to begin: water, movement, and intentional choices48:13 “Is this enough?” The question that can start everything over, at any age.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and...

What if change doesn't start with a dramatic rock bottom or a grand decision, but with the tiniest flickers of awareness? In this reflective episode, Anna Donaghey shines a light on those often-overlooked “tiny clarity moments”, the split seconds when you see your drinking, and your habits, with fresh honesty.Anna shares personal stories and insights from her work as an alcohol mindset coach, exploring how real transformation rarely starts with ultimatums or huge declarations. Instead, it begins with small, honest realisations. Noticing when a drink isn't actually enjoyable, seeing the mismatch between the promise and reality of alcohol, or catching yourself pouring a glass before you've even decided if you want it.This episode is for anyone who's wondered even briefly about their drinking. If you've been waiting for a dramatic sign or a clear plan, this is your permission to start smaller. Sometimes all it takes is noticing what's already there.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome back to The Big Drink Rethink00:40 What are “Tiny Clarity Moments”?01:38 Why big changes often start with small, quiet recognitions02:16 How overlooked thoughts are actually the seeds of awareness03:12 Examples from Anna's own journey04:27 Catching the gap between self-stories and reality05:17 Let moments percolate, don't force change07:12 Understanding your drinking triggers10:06 Why you don't need rules, labels, or willpower11:19 The discomfort of awareness12:07 Prompts to gently explore your own tiny clarity moments13:35 Introducing the Thirsty Ffor More Mindset Lab14:32 Let small things be noticed, because that's where change begins.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn:

Is it possible that drinking isn't really the problem or at least, not the whole story? In this episode, Anna asks you to rethink your relationship with alcohol by shifting the focus away from simply how much or how often you drink, to what deeper needs might be driving the habit in the first place.Anna explores why we treat alcohol as the main issue, and how it's often just the “smoke, not the fire.” Instead of fixating on willpower or self-control, she dives into the real desires beneath drinking: rest, relief, connection, pleasure, escape.You'll learn how putting alcohol in context, and being gently curious about your own needs rather than harshly judging yourself can open up new possibilities for change.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome to The Big Drink Rethink01:13 What if drinking isn't actually the issue?01:41 Drinking is often the visible symptom, not the deeper cause02:18 Ask: “What am I actually thirsty for?”02:53 Meeting your real needs weakens drinking's grip03:39 Alcohol shows up inside busy, pressured, complex lives04:03 What role has alcohol been playing for you?04:15 Reframing drinking as a response, not a moral failing04:46 Calm, informed choices are possible when alcohol is explained05:11 A new question: “What would actually support me here?”06:01 Shifting from control to care, from shame to curiosity06:38 Change happens gradually, not with a dramatic declaration06:57 If something feels off, you don't need to have a plan yet07:36 Staying curious, not judgmental08:21 Your feedback drives future episodes!Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Have you ever wondered why even after a few alcohol-free weeks, life can feel flat or why it feels so hard to say “enough” in a world of endless overconsumption? In this transformative episode of The Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey sits down with Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist, author of Dopamine Nation, and Stanford Addiction Medicine Director, to explore how alcohol hijacks our reward system and what it really takes to rediscover joy and meaning, beyond the next drink.Dr. Lembke explains why life can feel “meh” after quitting drinking and how the brain slowly recalibrates, making real satisfaction possible again. This episode is a gentle yet powerful guide for anyone seeking answers about our brain's quest for ‘more'.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Looking at compulsive over consumption in a dopamine loaded world05:52 ‘The drug of choice' and dopamine08:34 Modern life pushes a ‘hijacked brain' to crave intense stimuli10:53 Addiction shifts the brain's balance14:41 After 4 weeks alcohol-free, 80% no longer had major depression.18:28 Micro stressors like cold exposure boost feel-good neurotransmitters21:12 Pleasure-pain balance drives homeostasis25:46 Modern boredom and addiction29:22 The lizard brain and modern pleasure31:59 Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and happiness36:38 Dopamine, exercise and brain ‘tricks'44:03 True joy comes from connection, curiosity, and enoughness.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Ever caught yourself wondering, “Why is alcohol so hard to control for me?” In this episode Anna Donaghey urges you to challenge the story that the struggle is all your fault. Drawing from her experience as an alcohol mindset coach, author, and strategist, Anna examines why shame and blame are baked into how we talk about drinking and offers a totally different perspective.Instead of focusing on willpower, Anna explores how social expectations, stress, and our culture's obsession with alcohol shapes your relationship with drinking. She invites you to shift from self-judgement to compassionate curiosity, uncovering what alcohol actually does for you, and how to move forward with genuine agency (not force).Listen now for fresh psychological insight, and actionable tools to gently reframe your habits and open new possibilities about rethinking the way you drink.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome to The Big Drink Rethink Podcast00:53 What if you're not the problem? 01:33 Our culture confuses responsibility with blame02:23 The dominant narrative comes from Alcoholics Anonymous05:41 Using alcohol to cope, switching off, easing anxiety, marking the end of the day doesn't make you weak; it makes you human.06:27 The real question isn't “what's wrong with me?” but “why is this the tool I've ended up relying on?”07:01 Curiosity about what alcohol is doing for you shifts the conversation 07:23 The goal isn't just to become a non-drinker, but someone who listens to themselves and designs a life they don't want to escape from08:23 Struggles with drinking aren't your fault09:50 Change begins with curiosity, and honesty10:09 Rethinking drinking is about being awake in your own life.Anna's book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna's ‘inner circle' - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn:

This week is a big one for The Big Drink Rethink, with host Anna Donaghey, celebrating publication day and introducing her brand new, first book. "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!In this special episode, Anna invites you to continue your reappraisal - not just of alcohol, but what it is you are really craving in life. Rather than pushing rules or labels, she offers practical, compassionate insights drawn from her own journey (and many honest stories from you, the listeners).At its heart, she invites you to ask a pivotal, different question. Not “Is my drinking bad enough?” but “Is my life good enough?” With warmth and zero preaching, Anna Donaghey welcomes anyone curious, cautious, or somewhere in the grey area, to explore what you really want from life, using gentle tools for awareness and self-discovery.Whether you're seeking new possibilities, or just looking to understand what truly drives your drinking, tune in for an uplifting, honest conversation and don't forget to grab the book, now available everywhere!Amazon: https://amzn.to/47agUn2Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-are-you-thirsty-for/anna-donaghey/9781915780607Here are the highlights:00:00 Intro: Anna's new book - What Are You Thirsty For? is here!01:07 If you're in the “grey area” around alcohol, you're not alone02:14 How cultural stories about alcohol shape our habits 03:43 The book is flipping the script from “is my drinking bad enough?” to “is my life good enough?” 05:01 The shift from self-judgement to self-inquiry, insights from podcast guests 07:01 Awareness, not rules why most people live in the vast in-between 08:23 The “jobs” we hand to alcohol (and why it never truly delivers) 11:11 What changed for Anna12:05 Who the book is really written for14:22 Designing your life by choice, not out of habit, find a pathway back to yourself 15:31 This isn't just about alcohol; it's about the life you want.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing...

Struggling to keep your momentum as the novelty of cutting back on drinking starts to wear off? You're not alone. In this third mini episode, Anna Donaghey returns with five practical, pressure-free ideas to support you through January, especially when willpower is fading and real-life challenges kick in.Building on previous mindset shifts, Anna sidesteps perfection and “shoulds,” guiding you to focus on what you actually want from life (not just what you're trying to avoid). She invites listeners to rethink their motivation, reframe inevitable wobbles as valuable learning moments, and gently plan supportive evenings that help you feel safe and soothed and not stressed.You'll learn the ultimate nervous system hack (intentional breathing), why small rituals matter more than big gestures, and why celebrating tiny gains is the most powerful way to stay on track.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome back to the mini series, for a new year kickstart01:09 The novelty wears off, how to get real momentum in sober curiosity01:31 Five simple, practical ideas, not willpower, but gentle support01:49 Swap “not allowed” thinking for “is my life good enough right now?”02:42 Motivation from desire, not discipline or fear03:18 The pull towards a better life is stronger than willpower04:39 Wobbles are normal, it takes time to learn new habits07:12 Treat setbacks with curiosity, not moral judgment07:34 Plan evenings lightly, enjoy tiny, soothing rituals10:12 The incredible power of intentional breathing (box breathing)13:39 Pay attention to what's getting better14:32 Pick one idea to shape your evening, even if it's gentle and small14:54 What if this month was about becoming someone you feel good being?15:04 The journey continues with more episodes and resources.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:...

If you're already feeling the challenge of cutting back on drinking this January, you're not alone and you don't have to rely on sheer willpower. In this second mini episode, Anna returns to share the essential (and surprisingly gentle) secret to handling cravings and breaking free from autopilot habits.Building on the previous episode's mindset shifts, Anna introduces the idea of noticing urges without judgment, explains why most cravings are signals about what you truly need, and guides listeners through the powerful practice of “urge surfing.”This is not about perfection or passing a test. It's about curiosity, self-kindness, and baby steps toward a better relationship with drinking. You'll walk away with a practical tool you can use tonight, and the knowledge that real change starts with tiny moments of awareness.Here are the Highlights:00:00 January is tough, and feeling mixed emotions is normal01:03 Mindset recap: why big declarations don't work01:20 Day two focus: Noticing urges, and why old patterns creep in02:20 Why drinking habits are automatic02:45 What's underneath the craving?03:37 The “magic” of noticing04:26 Tiny moments of awareness versus gritted teeth04:28 Zero-pressure reflection practice05:02 Change begins with curiosity, not control05:31 Your only job tonight: Just notice05:49 What if tonight was just something to observe?07:19 The reality: Most urges peak and fade within minutes08:07 The power of letting an urge pass and discovering what your mind/body really wants08:57 An urge is not an order; you do not have to act on it09:26 Free urge surfing resources available at https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/toolkit-optinTune in tomorrow for the next episode, and keep rethinking your relationship with drinking one gentle step at a time.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Is Dry January on your mind, but you're already feeling the weight of “new year, new me” expectations? In the first of this mini series, Anna welcomes the New Year with a gentle reality check for anyone considering a break from alcohol whether you're looking to quit, cut down, or just get curious about your drinking habits.With compassion and clarity, she unpacks why pressure, grand declarations, and all-or-nothing thinking so often sabotages our best intentions in January. Instead, she offers a different way to embrace curiosity and exploration as you rethink your relationship with drinking.Anna invites you to notice your patterns, get honest about your hopes, and see “wobbles” as part of real, lasting change, not failure. Start the year with self-kindness, realistic strategies, and a plan that supports you, rather than scares you.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Why taking a break from drinking is brilliant anytime00:40 The cultural pressure of New Year's resolutions02:14 “Challenge mode” and the trap of all-or-nothing thinking06:12 Why wobbles are proof of learning and progress07:45 How to make January an exploration, not a test08:11 The real question: What are you hoping to feel in your life this year?09:09 The first step: Start noticing your habits with kindness, not judgment09:20 Permission to be a beginner, and simple ways to support yourself10:01 Anna's Alcohol Experiment and how to get real, daily support.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukMentioned in this episode:To pre-order my book, What Are You Thirsty For on Amazon select here: https://amzn.eu/d/3v3T6Mq Or on Waterstones here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-are-you-thirsty-for/anna-donaghey/9781915780607

Are you showing up for Christmas wanting change, but feeling swallowed up by old patterns, pressure, or the ever-present invitation to pour a drink? In this uplifting milestone episode of The Big Drink Rethink (100 episodes!), your host Anna Donaghey offers a heart-to-heart Christmas Day pep talk for anyone questioning their drinking, or simply craving a more honest and intentional holiday experience.Through lived experience and a coach's insight, she gently unpacks why Christmas stirs up overwhelm, exhaustion, and even unexpected loneliness, alongside the pressure of old habits. She guides you back to your own intentions, with a practical, simple toolkit for resetting and choosing the version of you that feels truest even if you're the only one who sees it right now.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Anna's gratitude for every listener whether brand new or following since the beginning00:31 Why Christmas is such a complicated mix of comfort and challenge01:53 Today isn't about perfection02:17 You're not the sum of your past Decembers03:03 Experiment: What does Christmas feel like without alcohol?03:52 How to navigate triggers: Pause, Check In, Choose. 05:21 You're allowed to take up space in a different way06:13 Gentle encouragement to hold your ground with clarity06:39 Have a proud and present Christmas Day, plus where to find resources.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukMentioned in this episode:To pre-order my book, What Are You Thirsty For on Amazon select here: https://amzn.eu/d/3v3T6Mq Or on Waterstones here:...

Are your Christmas traditions serving you or just sabotaging your intentions for change? This time of year isn't just about parties and presents, it's a complex mix of family dynamics, old patterns, emotional triggers steeped in decades of drinking. In this powerful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey takes a gentle yet practical approach to surviving (and actually enjoying) Christmas and New Year, especially if you're rethinking your relationship with alcohol.Drawing on lived experience, psychology, and coaching tools, Anna unpacks why Christmas stirs up excitement, dread, and everything in between. She shares a step-by-step plan for protecting your peace, setting boundaries, dealing with triggers, and redefining who you want to be this season. Whether you're aiming for your first alcohol-free Christmas or just want it to feel more intentional (and less chaotic), this episode puts clarity, self-kindness, and genuine joy at the heart of the festive season.Here are the Highlights: 00:41 Why Christmas stirs up mixed emotions and challenges03:09 How old patterns and family roles shape festive drinking06:32 The power of identity: Who do you want to be this Christmas?09:46 Mel Robbins “let them” theory to deal with other people's behaviour11:10 Own your choices, and protect your peace13:54 How environments trigger old habits16:53 Staying rooted in your intentions19:11 Planning for emotional flashpoints over the Christmas period23:41 Visualisation worksheet: How to map out your big days27:34 Dealing with New Year's Eve hype and midnight pressure29:57 Why a “fresh” January is more important than a “perfect” December32:11 Regulate your nervous system with breathwork & micro-resets34:00 Moving through the season with clarity and pride35:00 Anna's Alcohol Experiment and extra support for Dry JanuaryAnna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn:...

What if the festive season could bring more connection, confidence, and genuine fun… without the dread (or the hangover)? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, your host Anna shares how to survive Christmas parties, whether you're alcohol free, moderating, or just rethinking your relationship with drinking. Drawing on personal stories and practical coaching insight, Anna covers how Christmas parties often trigger reflex drinking and cultural pressures, and shares simple, powerful strategies to help you stay true to what you want from the season. From pre-party mindset resets to mastering your exit plan (hello, Irish Goodbye!). This episode is packed with real-life tools, gentle encouragement, and tips for waking up clear-headed, proud, and totally FOMO-free.Here are the Highlights:00:41 Why Christmas parties stir up both excitement and anxiety 03:25 How cultural scripts and past habits hijack our choices 08:05 The three key questions to set your party intentions 11:25 Alcohol free versus moderation, how to pick your best path 12:50 Busting myths, you're not the only one cutting down! 16:23 Pre-party grounding and creating “joy drinks” 22:05 Social pressure, responses, and the power of changing the subject 24:22 Finding your wingman and safe spaces 26:42 Micro check-ins: Don't confuse boredom with wanting a drink 27:52 Planning your exit and mastering the Irish Goodbye 30:37 End of night rituals for real rewards Ready to rethink your Christmas party season? Tune in to get inspired, energised, and equipped for whatever December throws your way.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:...

What if your relationship with alcohol was more about nourishment than willpower? In this eye-opening toolkit episode of The Big Drink Rethink, Anna shares one of her most powerful tools yet, a framework to help you discover what truly fuels and sustains you, making it easier to outgrow alcohol for good. Drawing on personal experience and Tara Mohr's Core Nutrients Framework, Anna Donaghey guides you to uncover what you're genuinely “thirsty for,” and how meeting these deeper needs naturally eases your reliance on booze. Whether you're navigating the pressures of the holiday season or simply wanting to rethink your drinking habits, this episode is packed with practical exercises and gentle wisdom to help you feel more alive, grounded, and connected - no willpower required!Here are the Highlights:00:00 Habits stick not through willpower, but by feeling nourished 03:10 Christmas amplifies everything, joy, loneliness, and chaos 09:12 Alcohol offers temporary comfort and connection10:08 Reflect on your true cravings and emotional needs13:48 Creativity, belonging, and connection energise your inner life25:13 Prioritise self-nourishment, download the reflection sheet at thebigdrinkrethink.com/tools26:57 Identifying core needs brings clarity, immediate well-being, and builds lasting habits.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukMentioned in this episode:To pre-order my book, What Are You Thirsty For on Amazon select here: https://amzn.eu/d/3v3T6Mq Or on Waterstones here:...

Have you ever questioned whether alcohol might be quietly dimming the best parts of your life? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey chats to Dan D'Souza, co-founder of MUUSH to explore how quitting alcohol made room for more meaning, creativity, and connection. From high-flying networking in boozy city jobs to finding real nourishment in purpose and daily joy, Dan shares his journey through the “grey area” of drinking and the practical, inspiring steps he took to rethink his relationship with alcohol. Here are the Highlights:00:00 Intro: Dan D'Souza, co-founder of MUUSH, quit alcohol to prioritise purpose, and connection04:00 Missed grades led to studying marketing at Sussex09:54 Alcohol remains a social expectation and facilitator in business15:54 Drinking can still be a problem if it depletes or distracts you17:33 A turning point in 2023, after losing a bag with a phone and laptop21:08 Focus on what feels good and kind23:57 Removing alcohol creates space for reflection, opens new chapters, and fosters clarity for life's next steps27:44 Spending less on alcohol allows for more purposeful spending 35:24 Focus on identifying priorities37:07 Bridging taste and function in non-alcoholic drinks43:00 Balance values and small pleasures while maintaining clarity and energy46:02 Seeking professional help and finding inspiration from others49:14 Friendships can evolve to provide emotional supportAnna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Dan D'Souza:Dan D'Souza, co-founder...

When 19-year-old Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen walked into a bank hoping to secure a loan to buy a property, she was denied on the spot. That “no” pushed her into investing and ultimately led her to co-found Female Invest, a global platform empowering women to take control of their financial futures. In this episode, Anna joins Ilana for a raw, honest conversation about the reality of fundraising as a female founder, from enduring 107 rejections to breaking global crowdfunding records and facing the backlash that followed. She shares what it truly takes to scale a mission-driven company, rise above bias, and empower women financially on a global scale. Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen is an entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Female Invest, a financial education platform that has empowered women across more than 100 countries. She's a leading voice in closing the financial gender gap through education, representation, and access. In this episode, Ilana and Anna will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (02:51) Her Early Interest in Finance and Investing (05:15) Turning Down McKinsey to Build Female Invest (09:10) Challenges and Misconceptions in Entrepreneurship (11:07) Launching a Facebook Group That Grew Like Wildfire (13:35) Why Money for Women Is Deeply Political (15:29) Bootstrapping to Success After Near Bankruptcy (22:14) Anna's Y Combinator Experience (25:02) The Reality of Fundraising as a Female Founder (30:35) Raising $24M After 107 Rejections (34:01) Facing Backlash, Anxiety, and Hate (38:08) The Biggest Financial Mistakes Women Make (44:12) Lessons and Advice for Founders Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen is a Danish entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Female Invest, a financial education platform that has empowered women across more than 100 countries. A Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, she helped bootstrap Female Invest from a small Facebook group into one of the most engaged financial communities in the world. Anna is also the bestselling author of Girls Just Wanna Have Funds and a leading voice in closing the financial gender gap through education, representation, and access. Connect with Anna: Anna's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anna-hartvigsen-46352611a  Anna's Instagram: instagram.com/anna.hartvigsen  Resources Mentioned: Female Invest: https://www.femaleinvest.com  Anna's Book, Girls Just Wanna Have Funds: A Feminist's Guide to Investing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0744077303  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.  Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Letting go, relaxing, and releasing especially without alcohol can feel out of reach for many. In this insightful, toolbox-packed Q&A episode, Anna Donaghey tackles questions from listeners and coaching clients about why it can be so hard to relax or "let go," even after quitting drinking. This episode explores how patterns of control, nervous system wiring, shame, and old beliefs shape our inability to relax, and offers practical, compassionate tools for beginning to unlearn these habits and find true safety and release.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Listener questions about “letting go”01:57 Listener feels unable to soften and release03:18 The nervous system doesn't know how to release on its own04:24 It's not that you're broken, the body has learned holding on is safe05:33 Why we grip so tightly, and the link to safety and self-protection06:42 Fear of falling apart, feeling emotions, and losing control 07:38 What does your tightness think it's protecting?08:05 Why “trying hard” to release is counterproductive09:18 Create conditions where release can happen naturally12:05 The importance of permission in self-care and self-worth12:48 Seeking support, therapy, and accepting oneself14:06 Start with possibility17:19 Replace drinking rituals with calming alternatives18:04 Healing is slow, small acts accumulate and become safety signals19:09 Layers of trust: trust in self, trust in others, and (even) trust in life22:31 “I don't have to carry this anymore”; letting go doesn't mean giving up22:50 Release isn't a destination, it's a returning rhythm like breathing25:03 Micro-moments of softening as daily healing gestures26:16 Please submit your questions for future episodes.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

How deep do the patterns that drive our drinking really go? In this transformative episode, Anna talks to Dr. Evette Rose, internationally renowned holistic counselor, trauma recovery expert, and author of Metaphysical Anatomy to reveal how trauma, inherited stress, and family conditioning can hardwire us for coping mechanisms like alcohol, long before we ever pick up a drink. You'll discover addiction is not just about willpower or habits. It's about healing the imprints left by childhood, family history, and even foetal development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking not just sobriety, but true freedom from old emotional wiring.​Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Exploring trauma, nervous system wiring, and alcohol03:25 Growing up: alcoholism, violence, and longing for connection07:36 How childhood patterns of stress shape identity09:18 Repeating family patterns in relationships12:09 Intergenerational trauma and addiction predisposition15:10 The impact of maternal stress on addiction risk17:01 The placenta as a “memory bank” for trauma18:36 Not just nurture, trauma transfer at a cellular and biological level22:01 How generational trauma can be “programmed” into you28:38 Coping mechanisms beyond alcohol33:00 Why focusing only on “fixing” yourself keeps you stuck 35:37 Rapid regulation exercises for triggers and cravings 41:22 Practical body-based tools for rewiring safety48:00 What if you don't know your family history? 51:05 Healing not as correcting flaws, but updating old survival patterns.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by

Is quitting alcohol just about the drink itself, or is there something deeper at play? Anna Donaghey sits down with trauma-informed healer Emma Lyons, founder of The Trauma Matrix, to explore how shame hides beneath so many of our habits, including drinking, and keeps us stuck in self-judgment, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. If you've ever felt that gnawing ‘not enough' feeling, or wondered why cutting back on booze feels so hard, this episode will help you see what's really fueling the urge and give you powerful new tools for release.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Why releasing alcohol requires releasing shame02:08 Meet Emma Lyons04:49 Family scapegoat, inherited shame & the roots of addiction07:54 Why therapy doesn't work until you address shame09:00 Shame vs. guilt: The toxic cocktail that attacks our sense of self12:40 Manipulation, compliance, and the gaslighting of “for your own good”13:39 How shame hijacks the body and drives coping strategies17:16 Shame shuts down empathy19:37 Narcissists, repression, and the Velcro effect of internalised shame22:01 Scapegoats, golden children, and not being yourself25:54 Imposter syndrome, perfectionism and anxiety are all just shame with better PR28:43 Numbing shame with alcohol30:51 How not-enoughness fuels drinking32:01 Why shame is always toxic and why society says otherwise35:41 How children can pick up parental shame, accidentally and unconsciously38:39 Drinking to numb, feeling flawed, and repeating the pattern39:31 You can't bully shame into submission48:17 What happens when shame is released48:42 Why alcohol loses its job when shame no longer needs numbing49:28 Where to find Emma Lyons (+free gift for listeners)Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Is change really something to fear or the doorway to a brighter, more intentional life? What if the moments when everything feels uncertain are precisely when new possibilities emerge? In this uplifting episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey welcomes author and coach Eleanor Tweddell, whose book Another Door Opens explores the messy, hopeful, and deeply human process of navigating personal transformation.Together, Anna and Eleanor unpack what it means to face closed doors whether it's about drinking, work, relationships, or life itself and how to turn endings into powerful new beginnings. If you're grappling with resistance to change (or maybe just a nagging sense that something isn't right), this conversation is packed with understanding, psychological insight, and practical strategies to help you move forward.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Meet Eleanor Tweddell, author and change expert02:08 Why closed doors aren't the end—change as an opening03:04 Redundancy, discomfort, and listening to the inner voice04:38 The Do Lecture Bootcamp, risk, and growth05:48 Resistance vs. readiness: why “I'll do it tomorrow” feels safer08:33 The power and necessity of ownership when facing change12:40 Micro-change in daily life: choice, triggers, and how we respond14:55 The inevitability of change: we're already masters at adapting17:37 The importance of the pause: creating space and acknowledging what you need19:32 Why alcohol is often our default “pause” and what listening to our emotions can reveal22:14 Turning resistance into reflection: the first step to possibility24:45 The messy middle: limiting beliefs, discomfort, and the courage to stay and learn33:34 Support, connection, and the ripple effect of personal change34:56 Playfulness as a tool: experiments, brainstorming, and expanding your sense of what's possible.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn:...

Is drinking stopping you from becoming the parent (and person) you want to be? Why is alcohol so deeply woven into fatherhood and what does it take for men to resist those powerful cultural norms and rewrite their story for good? In this honest and inspiring episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Luke Jones, sober transformation coach and NLP master practitioner, to explore identity, masculinity, and the “aha” moments that spark lasting change.Luke shares how alcohol slowly shifted from social glue to coping crutch, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) self-justifications men use to keep drinking, and the moment his son's simple question forced him to confront the truth. Together, Anna and Luke shine a light on the unique pressures facing dads and offer powerful tools for mastering the discomfort of change and finding a new (genuinely fun) way forward.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Introduction: Meet Luke Jones, sober transformation coach for dads04:33 From backpacking party scene to family life06:00 Everyday drinking creeps in using alcohol as a “coping” tool08:30 When your own kid asks if you're an alcoholic12:06 The pressure to keep up and blokey culture,14:07 Why the fear of loss keeps us stuck18:05 Personal development vs. just quitting drinking22:08 Drinking as self-definition, who am I if not a drinker?23:03 From self-awareness to education26:31 Your WHY: Role modelling, fatherhood, motivation trumps fear30:39 Social anxiety and building the muscle of sober connection33:19 Why it's not all-or-nothing and every attempt counts36:27 Is this life enough? How growth and learning return after sobriety43:14 The most common challenges dads face44:50 Why men don't want to talk (but desperately need to)47:36 Luke's advice for men: find support, vulnerability is strength49:54 Resistance is natural, fear is overcomable… and your WHY is everything.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn:

Is resistance stopping you from making the changes you crave around alcohol? Why does it feel so hard to step into the unknown even when you know old habits aren't serving you? In this solo episode, host Anna Donaghey unpacks the hidden force of resistance that keeps us stuck and reveals why letting go, not fighting harder, is often the key to real transformation.Anna explores the very real brain science behind resistance, how our identities get fused with drinking, and why fear of loss can overshadow the possibilities of change. If you've ever felt trapped by familiar habits or doubted your ability to redefine yourself, this episode is a compassionate guide to understanding your inner tug-of-war and a powerful invitation to release what's weighing you down.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Exploring resistance and release01:39 Why change feels hard02:52 Resistance is the mind's reflex to protect the status quo04:45 Resistance isn't weakness; it's your safety system doing its job06:49 Why we stay stuck in patterns even when we hate them08:25 Not just habits, how drinking shapes identity and self-perception10:54 Reinvention is possible, you've changed before, you can do it again11:39 Loss aversion: why the brain fixates on what you're “giving up”13:00 The backpack analogy: holding on to old habits out of fear14:05 We forget we can grow, change is a muscle15:54 Change is hard because you're out of practice, not incapable16:36 Don't resign yourself to replaying the same year possibility awaits17:15 The path forward: don't fight resistance, practice release18:53 Release is loosening your grip, calming your nervous system19:34 Letting go of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and control20:31 Resistance is the edge of something new; release is how you cross it21:39 Where are you gripping tight, and what could you let go of?Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn:...

What does it really mean to become “emotionally sober” and why is this concept the key to freedom and fulfillment beyond simply quitting drinking? In this deeply insightful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Natalie Bedard (aka NatNat), founder of Lift OneSelf and host of the Lift OneSelf podcast, to demystify emotional sobriety and the nervous system's role in how we cope, connect, and heal.NatNat shares her powerful personal journey through childhood trauma, single parenthood, and a life-threatening illness, and reveals how these experiences led her to develop a trauma-informed, somatic approach to self-regulation and recovery. Together, Anna and NatNat unpack the language of emotional healing, translating concepts like “coming home to yourself” and “nervous system safety” into practical, real-life tools for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Meet NatNat and the concept of emotional sobriety02:14 NatNat's story, childhood trauma, single motherhood, life-threatening illness, and deep transformation08:45 Finding regulation in real life (not just on a cushion)16:14 Why we drink to feel safe and how coping patterns are born19:04 What “dysregulated” really means and how alcohol hijacks emotions24:38 The vicious cycle of numbing and why our pain keeps bubbling up27:41 Trauma as a split from self and how we heal from the divide29:09 How to feel emotions without drowning in them32:17 What is emotional sobriety?35:08 Can you be emotionally sober even if you drink? (Spoiler: Yes)38:32 The mindful moment, a guided exercise44:21 Accepting all our parts to build trust and a life we don't want to escape from52:49 Be kind to yourself, your breath is your doorway home.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

When alcohol enters a family system, disconnection, secrecy, and resentment can quietly take root. But what if real, lasting change doesn't start with confronting the drinker but by shifting the family dynamic itself? In this powerful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Amber Hollingsworth, counselor and family recovery expert, to unpack how families can navigate the pain of alcohol-related disconnection and take practical steps toward reconnection even when their loved one isn't ready to get help.Anna and Amber explore the hidden ways alcohol damages connection at home, why the "bad guy" role traps families in unhealthy dynamics, and how boundaries can become bridges (not battlegrounds) for trust and healing. Amber shares her unique approach to working with families even in the absence of the drinker and offers actionable advice for getting out of the villain role, setting real boundaries, and fostering a climate where change is possible.Whether you're worried about a partner, a child, or yourself, this episode is full of hard-won wisdom and reassurance: You are not powerless, and there is a way through this.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Why alcohol disconnection is also a family issue02:34 Amber's story: 20+ years working with families, reluctant clients, and the “bad guy” trap05:44 Influencing change even when your loved one isn't ready08:00 High-functioning alcohol use, resentment, and the power struggle dynamic11:20 Why confrontation can backfire and actually prolong change14:01 Cat-and-mouse dynamics, trust issues, and “drinking police”16:22 Early work with addicted teens, and the power of being seen20:29 Listening, curiosity, and the importance of genuine empathy24:26 Setting clear personal limits (not rules for others)29:05 Bringing everything above board before real change begins35:08 How shifting your role (and your boundaries) changes everything38:27 Stepping back, and letting others connect their own dots40:55 Progress is messy, and the value of patience41:58 What you can start doing today44:49 You are not powerless; with strategy and understanding, things can changeAnna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the

What if the real craving behind your evening glass of wine isn't alcohol, but connection? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores the science and psychology of human connection, why disconnection hurts so much, and the small, practical steps you can use to build both belonging and self-connection without reaching for a drink. Anna outlines why we're wired for relationships, how modern life leaves us more isolated than we think, and how alcohol often becomes a stand-in for real connection. In this episode you'll discover practical, actionable tools that won't just boost your mood, they'll rewire your brain for connection, resilience, and real happiness. Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction - why connection matters00:51 The modern disconnection epidemic02:27 Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day05:29 Why rejection literally hurts07:10 Using alcohol as a substitute for connection08:46 Why being a stranger to yourself can hurt just as much13:28 Craving connection vs. craving alcohol14:02 The science behind connection22:29 Difference between loneliness and being alone23:47 The physical toll of loneliness25:01 Our amazing neuroplasticity to rewire for belonging26:17 Micro moments of connection: Daily “sparks” that retrain your brain29:35 Mindfulness, the foundation of real presence and belonging30:28 Practical Experiments to try39:51 Loneliness is a biological signal, respond to it, don't shame it41:38 Connection comes from presence and authenticity.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by

What does it mean to reconnect to yourself after you stop drinking? This episode of The Big Drink Rethink dives deep into the journey from escapism and numbing through alcohol to living with “radical integrity” and honouring your true values, even when it's uncomfortable. Host Anna Donaghey welcomes Lauren Burnison, founder of pioneering sober travel company, We Love Lucid and a compelling, raw writer who has built a vibrant community around honest conversations about sobriety, travel, and motherhood.Lauren shares her rollercoaster story, from early drinking and navigating mean-girl school culture, through wild adventures and substance-fuelled escapes in South America and Asia, to the turning point that led her to choose sobriety for good. Together, they explore why so many of us turn to drinking to self-abandon, how to find meaning beyond alcohol, and what it really looks like to live in alignment with your values even if you don't always have all the answers.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Meet Lauren Burnison founder of the sober travel company, We Love Lucid04:40 Teenage anxiety and self-doubt often lead Lauren to drink alcohol09:50 Travel, drugs, and alcohol often intertwine12:03 Alcohol and drugs often create a false sense of connection 16:48 Turbulent travel experiences led to teaching in safer South Korea.18:32 Hit rock bottom in South Korea22:19 A mix of grace and meeting a sober friend helped sustain the decision not to drink.25:49 Reflecting on nine years of sobriety28:25 Practicing radical integrity by listening to gut feelings and pausing on desires without clear reasons.30:54 Tuning into emotions and body helps identify what you need39:07 Quitting alcohol empowers you to feel capable of anything41:40 Recognise and fulfill your current needs, to nourish and support personal growth47:36 Anna highly recommends Lauren's newsletter.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn:...

What if feeling lost or disconnected isn't a flaw, but a gentle nudge toward what you really need? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey invites you to explore how reconnection (to yourself, your values, your body, your relationships, and the world) is at the heart of waking up to a richer, fuller life, especially if you're rethinking your relationship with alcohol.Anna shares why this transitional time is a perfect opportunity to reflect, reset, and gently peel back the layers between you and your true self. Blending her lived experience, coaching insights, and practical tools, she explains how years of coping and performing often with alcohol as a buffer can dull our instincts, but also how small acts of honesty and presence can help us come home to ourselves.Highlights from the episode:00:00 Introduction: Reflect on the year to reconnect with your true self.04:47 Rediscover your true self beneath coping mechanisms08:49 Suppressing emotions through drinking dulls clarity12:09 Check in with yourself daily by asking, "What do I need today?"13:17 Reconnecting with our bodies involves recognising and responding to internal signals.19:28 Find grounding and self-awareness by nurturing a relationship with yourself. 21:30 Listen, share, and follow the Big Drink Rethink podcast Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

What if your drinking isn't the real issue but just a signal pointing toward something deeper? Host Anna Donaghey returns for a refreshed season of The Big Drink Rethink, inviting listeners to widen the lens on alcohol, identity, and what we truly crave beyond the glass. Anna shares her own recalibration after a break, offering a new perspective on presence, self-compassion, and how pressing pause can change everything.With honesty and warmth, Anna explores why we reach for alcohol (hint: it's not about the booze), how presence and alignment unlock bigger possibilities, and why the “messy middle” is where so many find themselves stuck. She teases the upcoming shift for the podcast: expect deeper dives, new guest experts, more practical tools, and room for the big, human questions that drinking sometimes masks.Highlights from the episode:00:00 Introduction03:17 Recognise alcohol's role in emotions and seek awareness to live consciously and joyfully, not on autopilot.07:07 Most drinkers are in the 'messy middle,' struggling internally without external signs of distress. 11:50 Embrace self-awareness and compassion; you're not alone in your struggles.15:40 Alcohol issues stem from deeper problems like fatigue, loneliness, and societal stories, not the substance itself.18:08 Please review and rate the podcast to help it grow and reach more people.Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.If you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukMentioned in this episode:https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/experiment

What does it look like to totally reimagine your relationship with alcohol and your own definition of success? In this special summer rewind, host Anna Donaghey revisits her conversation with Laura Bartlett, who has scaled and exited a luxury travel brand. She is a bold advocate for living life on your own terms and shares how she went from being tagged in champagne memes to embracing sobriety, and the radical clarity and self-trust that followed. This episode explores how alcohol can mask burnout and insecurity, why setting boundaries is an act of self-respect, and how choosing not to drink (especially at PR and media events) can feel revolutionary but also deeply empowering. Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction & why this episode matters right now04:11 Drinking as identity: From champagne memes to a wake-up call06:00 The power of an absolute decision and what Laura gained by quitting08:23 How alcohol lowered her energy and “kept her stuck”14:04 Are you in or out? The energy of decision and consistency16:22 People-pleasing, boundaries, and caring what you think of yourself20:57 Reframing sobriety as a positive, expansive choice21:35 Fear vs. excitement: Seeing sobriety as the start of something bigger30:40 Laura's advice for anyone sober-curious: Start small and get curious

What really happens when we drink, and why does alcohol so often sabotage our intention to relax, connect, or recharge, especially on holiday? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey revisits her powerful conversation with William Porter, author of "Alcohol Explained," to discuss the science and psychology behind alcohol and why it's become the UK's favourite coping mechanism, and how a little knowledge can spark profound change. This is an invitation to get curious, notice how alcohol actually makes you feel, and experiment with a different kind of summer.Here are the highlights: 00:00 Introduction03:21 From paratrooper and lawyer to alcohol expert and author04:46 How alcohol use ramps up07:45 Rock bottom moments: Understanding what's really happening10:18 Demystifying “addiction” and loosening alcohol's grip13:59 What happens in your brain, and why you wake up anxious at 3am17:00 Cravings explained: psychological triggers, and breaking the cycle20:27 Holidays, happiness, and the myth that alcohol “makes it better”24:40 Socialising, endorphins, and why sobriety doesn't mean missing out28:13 Alcohol's impact on sleep, anxiety, and your mood41:36 Joy, hobbies, and rediscovering life beyond the glass

Why is it so hard to rethink our drinking and what does it actually look like to drink less without going “all or nothing”? In this special summer mini-series of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey revisits her most downloaded conversation with broadcaster and writer Adrian Chiles. Adrian shares his personal, honest journey from heavy to moderate drinking, not by swearing off alcohol, but by noticing when “enough is enough” and finding what works for him.Adrian's story brings clarity and realism to moderation, highlighting how even small changes can spark more joy, presence, and satisfaction, when we are conscious of what we drink.Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction04:41 Adrian's story: heavy drinking, shocking discoveries, and the wake-up call07:12 Counting units: the power of writing it all down09:29 Challenging “all or nothing”, why moderation might work for you11:22 The impact of simply removing the drinks you don't want13:00 Mindful drinking and choosing what genuinely brings you joy15:03 Why the first drink is magical (and the fifth, not so much)23:06 Most people really do drink less than you think27:20 Why “alcoholic” is an unhelpful label30:08 Track your drinking, make it simple, take away the shame33:52 The challenges and freedoms of moderation35:22 Setting non-negotiables so the “sweet spot” can become your reality

If you've ever wondered why alcohol cravings can feel so powerful or why breaking habits is so tough, this episode is for you.In this special summer mini-series of the Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey recaps essential brain science insights from past episodes and breaks down how simple psychology can empower your sober-curious journey through the summer.Anna revisits some of the podcast's most powerful, brain-based insights from understanding why our cravings aren't a sign of weakness, to simple tips for outsmarting decision fatigue, and the magic of neuroplasticity. Anna breaks down the core motivations driving our drinking habits and shows how small tweaks in our routines can create lasting, meaningful change.Here are the highlights: 00:00 Introduction06:25 The brain seeks pleasure and avoids pain to ensure survival08:15 Humans prefer familiar habits to conserve brain energy13:05 Habits aren't about the substance but the brain's expectations; altering routines can change this14:11 Alcohol creates an artificial high with negative consequences20:50 Alcohol hinders decision-making, creating a negative cycle24:04 Emotional sobriety involves facing and staying with feelings without using alcohol as an escape27:58 You can change and evolve with your decisions.

Do sunny holidays, BBQs, and lazy afternoons have you reaching for another drink almost on autopilot? Summer can bring all sorts of triggers for drinking, but it doesn't have to be that way.In this practical, supportive episode, Anna Donaghey shares five brilliant, totally free tools to help you stay in control of your drinking this summer whether you're sober-curious, moderating, or just want to be more intentional.This episode will help you to enjoy the long summer days without ‘beer fear' and all the other feelings of self-regret and recrimination that can follow after drinking too much. Here are the highlights: 00:00 Introduction: Why summer stirs up drinking scripts03:05 Tool 1: The SUN Framework: Spot, Update & Nourish your summer stories08:39 Tool 2: Visualisation – Design summer events in your mind to feel confident and in control16:42 Tool 3: Moderation strategies: Hydration, skipping fizz, alternating drinks (“zebra striping”), and making mornings matter24:36 Tool 4: Quick reset exercises: Breathing, mindfulness, emotional check-ins, and changing your physical state29:39 Tool 5: Journaling: Capture your progress, reflect on your wins, and anchor your new summer story

Is the British drinking culture changing and what does that mean for sober summer socialising? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Chris Cardone: US World Class Bartender, award-winning mixologist, and ten years sober. Chris lifts the lid on a radical rethink in hospitality and what it means to create proper, delicious, inclusive drinks experiences whether or not alcohol is involved.Listen to learn more about the world of mixology, making bars inclusive spaces for everyone and to get some summer non-alcoholic drinks inspiration!Highlights:00:00 Introduction02:12 Chris's journey from “Cocktail” VHS inspiration to dive bars and world-class competitions05:56 Why Chris chose sobriety in the most alcoholic industry on earth 10:52 How drinking expectations in hospitality shaped (and challenged) his identity13:30 Pushback, social media backlash, and why Chris almost left the bar world for good15:57 You don't need to drink to be a world-class mixologist16:53 It's not about taking sides, but creating inclusive experiences for all20:09 How venues can support every guest, whatever they are drinking 28:10 How bar design, music and even lighting shape what we drink36:04 Why connection should be the heart of social spaces46:34 Chris's favourite summer drinks and tips for experimenting at home

In dieser kraftvollen und ehrlichen Folge spreche ich mit der Seelenflüsterin Anna Klein über die wahre Bedeutung von radikaler Authentizität. Wir gehen tief und ohne Filter in die Themen ein, die wirklich zählen, wenn es darum geht, der eigenen Seele Raum zu geben und das Leben aus der tiefsten inneren Wahrheit heraus zu gestalten. ✨ Was braucht es wirklich, um aus der Konditionierung auszutreten und radikal authentisch zu leben? Was passiert, wenn wir uns von gesellschaftlichen Normen und Erwartungen befreien und der Seele folgen, wohin sie uns führt?Anna erzählt von ihrem eigenen Weg der De-Konditionierung als Projektorin, ihrer Reise zum Human Design und wie sie gelernt hat, Multidimensionalität und ihre wahre Bestimmung zu leben. Sie spricht offen darüber, wie sich ihre Zeit vor der radikalen Authentizität anfühlte, wie sich ihre Kapazität erweitert hat und was ihr Leben heute für sie bedeutet.Ein faszinierendes Gespräch über magische Transformationen und den Weg zu einem befreiten Leben – von der Seele geführt.In diesem Gespräch: ・Was ist radikale Authentizität für Anna?・Was ist programmierte Sicherheit und was ist die Herzstimme?・Annas Zeit, bevor sie ihre radikale Authentizität gelebt hat ・Annas Weg in die Veränderung und zum Human Design・Wie De-Konditionierung ins echte Leben bringen?・Was spiegelt Annas Leben ihr gerade?・Wie erweitert man die eigene innere Kapazität?・Was bedeutet Multidimensionalität für Anna?・Wohin hat das Leben Anna geguided?・Was ist Annas Auftrag?・Wie sieht Annas Leben heute aus?Schau unbedingt rein und entdecke, was radikale Authentizität für dich bedeuten kann!

Does a sunny day spark a craving for a cold alcoholic drink? Do pub gardens, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings feel like booze is suddenly everywhere, making it harder to stick to your goals? If the sun is your biggest trigger, this episode can help.Join Anna as she unpacks why sunshine is such a powerful cue for drinking, especially in UK culture, and how our brains build deep associations between warm weather and alcohol. She explores the neuroscience of habit (hello, Pavlov!), the biology of sunshine-boosted serotonin, the pull of “holiday mode,” and the classic FOMO that comes with social summer events.Anna introduces the SUN Framework, a quick, empowering tool to help you spot old scripts, update their meaning, and truly nourish the real needs beneath your cravings. Whether you're sober-curious, cutting back, or living alcohol-free, this episode will help you rewrite your summer story.Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction05:26 Sun can trigger a Pavlovian response for drinking07:33 Old habits echo like Pavlovian responses, but you can learn new ones09:40 Sunlight boosts serotonin, enhancing mood, focus, and sleep17:36 Sunshine triggers a holiday mindset, linking relaxation and indulgence with alcohol21:31 Belonging feels safe, while standing out feels risky25:31 We don't crave beer, but the feelings of happiness, belonging, and relaxation we associate with it31:52 Identify and meet your needs by creating new, enjoyable rituals33:59 Reflect on your "new summer story" by journaling about it.

What if parents could truly change the future just by having more open conversations about alcohol? In this episode host Anna Donaghey is joined by Jessica Lahey, educator and author of The Addiction Inoculation. Together, they explore the factors that influence substance use in young people, the power of prevention, and how honest dialogue can break cycles of dependence. This episode guides listeners through what they can do, no matter their own history with alcohol, to build resilience in the next generation.Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction05:15 Talking about substance use prevention is challenging 09:47 Lack of learned strategies to manage stress and anxiety15:12 Adverse childhood experiences can lead to substance use disorders16:28 Teenagers understand consequences but weigh positive outcomes more 20:43 Empowering kids with self-efficacy can prevent substance use34:34 Kids need at least one trusted adult to confide in37:29 Kids may try substances due to feeling inadequate or out of place50:39 Reliable information for teenagers is key for understanding and trust. If you're a mum wanting to explore your relationship with alcohol, join ‘Mummy Doesn't Need Wine' here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummydoesntneedwineAnna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! community informationTo further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listenerFor the free resources accompanying this series, please head to https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/registrationIf you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do. Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vZ50mPgwYJ4She looked like she had it all together — successful career, family, confidence. But behind closed doors, she was drinking a bottle of wine a day and quietly wondering if this was just “normal stress”... or something more. In this raw and revealing episode, we sit down with Anna, The Beliefs Coach, to unpack the truth about high-functioning drinking — the kind that hides in plain sight. She didn't hit rock bottom. She didn't lose her job, her family, or her home. What she lost was deeper: her clarity, her energy, her connection to herself.This isn't a story about addiction — it's a story about awakening.Connect with Anna:Anna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol stories and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information, and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! Coaching communityTo explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: The Big Drink Rethink ExperimentIf you're a Mom wanting to explore motherhood, without using alcohol as a coping mechanism, join Anna's free Facebook Group ‘Mummy Doesn't Need Wine': https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummydoesntneedwineFor the free resources, head to https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/registrationAnd you can connect with Anna on Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkTake action and strengthen your mind with The Resilient Mind Journal. Get your free digital copy today: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/Download_Journal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt like the person you trust least is yourself? On this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores one of the most tender and universal challenges for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol: how to rebuild self-trust after countless broken promises to yourself and to others. Drawing from deeply personal experiences and the honest struggles of her listeners, Anna unpacks the lonely cycle of making resolutions, letting yourself down, and feeling the bedrock of your confidence slowly erode. With compassion and practical wisdom, she explores why rebuilding trust isn't just motivational fluff - it's the very foundation for lasting change. Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction03:32 Self-doubt and lack of trust in oneself can undermine motivation and ambition07:15 Self-trust brings calm and confidence16:39 Delay habits by ten minutes to break old patterns and build self-trust22:00 Approach self-reflection with curiosity instead of shame 25:40 Broken promises and denial takes a toll on relationshipsIf you're feeling stretched thin, tired, and in search of support, you're not alone. This episode is for you. If you're a mum wanting to explore your relationship with alcohol, join ‘Mummy Doesn't Need Wine' here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummydoesntneedwineAnna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! community informationTo further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listenerFor the free resources accompanying this series, please head to https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/registrationIf you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do. Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Have you ever wondered why so many mothers today feel overwhelmed, isolated, or pressured to present a picture-perfect life especially when it comes to drinking culture? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey talks to Anna Cusack, a postnatal doula, motherhood studies practitioner, and author of the powerful book "Mama, You're Not Broken". Together, they explore the emotional realities behind the “perfect mother” myth, the pressures that lead many mums to reach for a glass of wine, and the real-life support systems that are often missing in our lives. This episode challenges common narratives around alcohol, coping, and what mums truly need.Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction06:52 Experiences of pre-birth mental health issues and anxiety in postpartum.09:08 Dr. Sophie Brock studies inspired the creation of Anna's book "Mama, You're Not Broken" 12:19 Pandemic isolation and the impacts it had on expectant mothers14:57 Facing the pressures of parental ‘perfection'17:54 Conflicting emotions like shame, anger, and guilt during motherhood22:54 Australian data shows increased alcohol use among mothers as children age28:57 Community is essential for enjoying parenthood 37:53 In motherhood, there's lots of pressure to meet unrealistic ideals.44:54 Caring for children is exhausting and many use alcohol as a quick fix to relaxIf you're feeling stretched thin, tired, and in search of support, you're not alone. This episode - and the ‘Mummy Doesn't Need Wine' group - are for you. Join ‘Mummy Doesn't Need Wine' here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummydoesntneedwineAnna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, break the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! community informationTo further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD 99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listenerFor the free resources accompanying this series, please head to https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/registrationIf you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do. Connect with Anna:Website:...

In this special Q&A episode, Anna tackles a powerful listener question about what happens after the buzz fades from going alcohol-free. You've made it past those first few transformative months, and maybe you don't miss drinking, but the excitement has levelled out, and you're wondering how to stay motivated for the long haul.Anna explores the “middle” of the alcohol-free journey when things become routine and life feels a little flat, but also wide open with new possibilities. She reframes this phase not as the end of the road, but as the beginning of something deeper: a time to discover what you want your new energy, presence, and clarity to create in your life. Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction00:55 Life is feeling flat - I don't need alcohol but I'm not excited anymore05:56 Removing alcohol is the main event; the challenge becomes deciding what to build or plant next.11:50 Discover what your fully energised self desires beyond chasing milestones17:06 Reflect on progress, list and revisit simple joys for fulfillment28:34 Embrace emotional sobriety with self-compassion29:53 Pause and reconnect with your whyIf you're feeling stretched thin, tired, and in search of support, you're not alone. This episode - and the ‘Mummy Doesn't Need Wine' group - are for you. Join ‘Mummy Doesn't Need Wine' here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummydoesntneedwineAnna's group coaching community ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, break the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! community informationTo further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD 99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listenerFor the free resources accompanying this series, please head to https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/registrationIf you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do. Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Send us a textGet ready for a delightful blend of laughter and insights in this Not Safe for Remote Work (NSFRW) episode! We're joined by Anna Burgess Yang, a freelance fintech writer, content marketing expert, and remote work pioneer (ABY Creative) who's been thriving in the remote world since 2006.Anna takes us on an incredible journey, from being one of the only remote employees at her company to becoming a seasoned veteran long before working from home became the norm. Along the way, she shares some unforgettable stories—like her grueling eight-hour road trips to maintain her marriage as a newlywed and when a coworker got locked out of the house by a mischievous child. And who could forget the epic company meeting interrupted by potty training chaos?But it's not all laughs. Anna also reflects on the evolving culture of remote work, the challenges of proving herself in a pre-remote era, and the strategies she used to build a successful career entirely from home. Whether you're a remote work pro or just curious about how the landscape has changed, this episode delivers the perfect mix of humor, wisdom, and inspiration. Don't miss it!Learn more about Anna:Anna's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabyang/ABY Creative's webpage: https://annabyang.com/ More about us: Remotely One's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/remotelyone Remotely One's Webpage: https://www.remotelyone.com/

This episode covers a specific topic around narcissism -- narcissistic projection. Anna Drescher is an expert and writer on narcissism and shares this eye opening experience with others based on her expertise and experience. Anna shares how this psychological defense mechanism can be used to protect ego and then how this is used as a manipulative tactic by narcissists. Narcissists do not take accountability or responsibility for their actions. This conversation touches on cognitive dissonance, blame shifting, manipulation, gaslighting and more. Anna uses relatable and relevant examples that raise awareness and explains how projection is compounded with other narcissistic traits that we can all understand! Anna also provides ways you can begin to recognize projection and patterns and how to respond in these situations. Her compassion to help you seek clarity, not isolate, become more self-aware and implement boundaries -- very empowering! Connect with Anna: Anna's WEBSITE Anna's LINKEDIN Simply Psychology ARTICLE We LOVE collecting 5 stars -- Don't forget to follow, leave a review or rating and share Drinking With Gin.

You're reading the wrong books. The pop-psy self-improvement cannon is rife with recycled takeaways that don't actually change you. However, many professionals resist reading fiction. It feels indulgent, pointless and definitely doesn't give you new marketable skills — but that might be missing the bigger picture. [Episode 67] Anna is a founder and community builder. She's a voracious reader and polymath.Learn more about Anna: Anna's Website: https://www.annagat.com/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/TheAnnaGat Interintellect: https://interintellect.com/ —-JOIN OUR GROUP COACHING COHORTS:Are you looking to ask deep, introspective and provocative questions about your own life (with Khe and likeminded peers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—-BECOME A RADREADER: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join 50,000+ ambitious professionals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our weekly essays on productivity, money and career. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today, Robbie is joined by the amazing energy worker, Anna. Together, they delve into the healing power of understanding past lives and how this knowledge can help us access our Inner Wisdom. Have you ever wished you had "trusted your gut"? That innate knowing you can't explain is your Inner Wisdom trying to guide you. For HSPs, energy work can be a powerful tool to unlock deeper parts of ourselves, facilitating healing in ways our logical mind can't. We all possess the answers within us; we just need to learn how to access them. Anna reveals that it all begins with self-awareness. Our true self transcends our body, thoughts, and emotions. By cultivating self-awareness, we can connect to our inner wisdom and uncover the answers we seek. More about Anna: Anna is an energy worker, helping people connect with the healing power of their own Inner Wisdom. She is a Past Life Regression Therapist and High Sensory Coach. She has studied widely in the fields of personal development and spiritual healing for over 30 years, including areas such as Inner-Child Healing, Meditation, Hypnosis, Angelic Reiki, Channelling, Non-Duality and ACIM. This combination of High Sensory Coaching, a variety of personal development skills, and the ability to channel loving Energy into the session means Anna can successfully guide people through the process of accessing their own intuition, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the spiritual aspects of their being. Anna also specialises in Past Life Regression Therapy (PLRT) and has come to realise that death does not set us free. When we exit a life holding on to unresolved pains, fears or regrets, they remain with us on a subliminal level, sometimes over many lifetimes. These unresolved experiences and beliefs often impact the nature of our relationships, and the quality of our current lives. So, using the healing power of PLRT, Anna tenderly helps people directly experience their past lives to explore their unresolved issues and compassionately heal what has been waiting to be set free in this lifetime. You can find out more, or get in touch with Anna on her website: annacalm.com Or email: anna@annacalm.com  Join the community: ⁠⁠hspconnectioncommunity ⁠⁠Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hspconnectionpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Robbie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠robbieleigh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Philippa: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boldhsp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Production: Jay Herbert Original music: Jay Herbert and Alex Ware

On Rural Health Leadership Radio, we are always discussing innovation in rural healthcare, and this week our conversation is through the lens of the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) model. We are delighted to welcome Anna Anna who serves as the Program Director at the Rural Health Redesign Center (RHRCO) and works to promote access to quality healthcare in rural communities.  In our conversation, Anna discusses the REH model and shares her insights on how hospitals can make a successful conversion, and what it means to their communities. Learn more about how organizations like RHRC can help rural hospitals on their website here! “Although the Rural Emergency Hospital's Designation is new, it's already saved hospitals from closure” -Anna Anna  Anna Anna is a transformational leader and Registered Nurse with 30 years of experience in rural healthcare. Anna's position at the Rural Health Redesign Center includes the role of Program Director for the Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center. In her role, Anna works directly with hospitals throughout the country exploring the Rural Emergency Hospital as a possible pathway to maintain healthcare in their communities. Before this role, Anna held positions in hospital leadership for over 20 years, including Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Executive Officer. Anna has a Master's in Healthcare Administration and is a Board Certified Nurse Executive

This episode is perfect for you if you have that nagging feeling that you need to put contracts in place in your business but you've been avoiding it or have no idea where to start. This week I've invited Anna Lancaster on to talk about overcoming limiting beliefs, the subconscious mind and how to change our beliefs using hypnosis and RTT™ (Rapid Transformational Therapy). We cover: Anna's story of building multiple business to a severe injury leading to her discovering the power of hypnotherapy and founding her dream business How and when we form beliefs and how these beliefs impact us in our daily lives The neuroscience and psychology behind being wired to want things that are “familiar” to us even if they are not serving us What RTT™ is and what to expect when being hypnotised How to change our beliefs and believe something new Join The Founders Club and scale your business with me [The Founders Club] Join me for a life-changing experience in Bali [⁠The Reset Retreat⁠] Have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? ⁠Ask me here!⁠ People tell me they learn so much from my free content over on Instagram posts & stories, join us ⁠@femaleleadershipcollective⁠ and start learning today! MY MOST DOWNLOADED RESOURCES ⬇️ How to Launch a 6-Figure Business & Escape Your 9-5 [⁠Free Guide⁠] The Female Digital Nomad's Bali Guide [⁠Free Guide⁠] 3 Steps To Get Clarity, Confidence & Finally Launch Your Online Business [⁠Free Training⁠]  WORK WITH SUZIE & FEMALE LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE ⬇️ Launch your online business [⁠Launch Academy⁠] Join The Founders Club and scale your business with me [The Founders Club] Work 1:1 with me [⁠1:1 coaching with Suzie⁠] Join me for a life-changing experience in Bali [⁠The Reset Retreat⁠] Connect with Anna: Anna's Instagram: @annalancastertherapy --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flc/message