In a podcast first, Ollie and Cess record out and about. They visit Laura Willoughby, MBE, founder of Club Soda UK, at Club Soda's HQ in Covent Garden.After some booze news involving England rugby star Billy Vunipola, and Taylor Swift's "functi

Miles better – how can running can be a substitute for drinking?

11 days ago 46m 42s

In the afterglow of the London Marathon, Ollie and Cess discuss the relationship between running and giving up drinking. They explore how running can serve as a substitute for boozing, and socialising, and how it can help individuals get on tra

St George's Day special: Does England have a healthy relationship with beer?

18 days ago 48m 5s

Time to slay some dragons!Ollie and Cess discuss St George's Day celebrations – have you had your "dragon's blood" cocktail yet? – with beer aficionado Rupert Ponsonby, who provides brilliant stories and details about boozing in England over th

How much alcohol consumption is too much?

25 days ago 45m 1s

Friend of the pod Paul Walker, a digital engagement practitioner at the charity Change Grow Live, discusses his experience working in online support for individuals with substance misuse issues. He explains how the charity created a web chat pl

What are the best alcohol-free drinks in the world right now?

Apr 9th, 2024 36m 14s

The hosts interview Chrissie Parkinson and Chris Losh, who established the World Alcohol Free Awards to address the lack of recognition and understanding of alcohol-free drinks. According to the competition founders, innovation and creativity i

What does a year without booze feel like and how do sober movements of the past compare to the present?

Apr 2nd, 2024 38m 57s

In this episode, Ollie – who now boasts a year without booze – and Cess discuss various topics related to alcohol consumption and abstinence. They explore the perception of alcohol as a poison among younger generations and the growing view that

Delicious alcohol-free wine – does such a thing exist? (Spoiler: YES!)

Mar 26th, 2024 43m 33s

Pour away the sickly grape juice! Amanda Thomson made it her mission to create a range of great-tasting non-alcoholic wines, including a sparkling Chardonnay – which co-hosts Ollie and Cess can confirm is exquisitely good. It took a long time,

What's the most dangerous thing you've done when drinking alcohol?

Mar 19th, 2024 40m 24s

Taking a break from interviewing guests, Ollie and Cess discuss their experiences with alcohol and the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in while under the influence.The hosts share personal stories of risky behaviour and r

St Patrick's Day special: Do the celebrations lose their fizz when not drinking?

Mar 15th, 2024 58m 29s

Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Ollie and Cess speak to three Irish people to better understand what it's all about.Catherine Doogan offers some historical context, Melissa Kelly discusses going sober in Ireland, and Terry – a barman in the Blythe H

What is Mothering Sunday's relationship with booze like in 2024?

Mar 12th, 2024 30m 37s

Ollie and Cess speak with Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, an alternative – and delicious – grown-up "switchel" drink, and the trio discuss society's expectations of women and drinking habits. Bethan offers some advice to sober curious li

Extending Dry January – what does two months sober feel like?

Mar 5th, 2024 37m 57s

Ollie and Cess ask two friends of the pod, Natalie and Ryan, who have been sober for two months, to discuss their experiences with extending Dry January and their motivations. The guests explore the effects of sobriety on sleep, physical health

What is a "Dry Drinker"?

Feb 27th, 2024 36m 20s

Stuart Elkington, Founder of drydrinker.com, the UK’s top-rated independent low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drink specialist, joins Ollie and Cess for a deep dive into being a “dry drinker”. He discusses industry trends and – praise be! – serves

Do you remember the first time?

Feb 20th, 2024 39m 21s

Julia Linehan*, Founder and CEO of B2B adtech PR agency The Digital Voice, joins Ollie and Cess to talk about SPILL – Sober Party Industry Lads and Ladies – and (almost) five years of sobriety.*Not Jane, as a muddled Ollie mentions at c 5.39 mi

What is "cheat mode"?

Feb 13th, 2024 36m 33s

Hosts Ollie and Cess reveal their early challenges with going sober – and offer a useful analogy of pals being lifted away on a hot air balloon – before realising the obvious and unforeseen benefits of not boozing. Mindset is everything, and no

What is an "Upper Bottom"?

Feb 8th, 2024 29m 5s

Ollie and Cess open up about what tipped them into their sobriety journeys, reflect on the rising popularity of Dry January and the trend for younger generations to snub boozing. The hosts also discuss Marcus Rashford's 12-hour Belfast bender a

Trailer

Introducing... Upper Bottom

Feb 7th, 2024 50s

Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze? Join hosts Ollie and Cess as they explore sobriety through embarrassing drunken admissions, expert interviews, and amusing observations, proving that getting sober doe

Rate