Tribe Sober - inspiring an alcohol free life!
How do I stop drinking? How do I cut down? Am I drinking too much? I’m sober but why aren’t I happy? Why do people stop drinking? If you ask yourself these kind of questions then this podcast is for you. This show is for people who want to learn how to stop drinking and learn to thrive in their alcohol free lives. If you have given up drinking, would like to give up drinking or are just plain sober curious this weekly podcast is for you. We have recovery stories to inspire you, experts to inform you and QuitLit authors to entertain you. After struggling with alcohol dependency for years Janet Gourand finally ditched the booze in 2015. She founded tribesober.com in 2015 and has helped hundreds of people to ditch the booze and thrive in their sobriety since then. Tribe Sober offer a membership, workshops, challenges and recovery coaching. For more info go to tribesober.com or email janet@tribesober.com
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
My guest Sarah Rusbatch is a Brit living in Oz – she struggled with alcohol dependence for years but finally nailed sobriety and trained as a Sober Coach. She's also written a book called "Beyond Booze" which enables people to build an alcohol free life that we love!
In this episode:-
Sarah began drinking in her early teens
It became a way to fit in and make friends at school and at university
We reflected on the drinking culture in the UK during the 90s, influenced by tv series like Sex and the City and the Ladette culture.
After moving to Australia and becoming a mother, Sarah felt a bit lost – she struggled to find a new friendship group and turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Despite not drinking every day, Sarah realized she had a problem with alcohol when it started affecting her physical and mental health.
She shared a painful experience at a party where she lost her balance and fell over, cutting her face
A visit to the pharmacy the next day resulted in the shop assistant slipping her the number for a domestic abuse helpline
This incident prompted her to start a 21-day detox, which she eventually extended by using various tools such as
Annie Grace's Book: which introduced the novel concept of reconsidering alcohol as something other than wonderful!
She began to realize the negative impacts of alcohol on anxiety, sleep, weight, and productivity.
We discussed Workplace performance and how quitting alcohol can lead to a 30% increase in effectiveness, highlighting how alcohol not only damages our physical and mental health but it prevents us from reaching our potential.
Sarah explained how drinking damages the Pillars of Good Health: Alcohol affects various aspects of health beyond direct consumption, such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition, impacting overall well-being.
She talked about the Relationship with her Husband: Both were heavy drinkers, enabling each other's habits and avoiding confrontation about their drinking.
Her husband Initially stopped drinking for three years, then restarted… he eventually decided to quit again due to realizing the negative impact on his life.
This ties in with one of the great tips Sarah shared with us – go alcohol free for a while, collect the data – then make a comparison with how you feel when you drink… do it as an experiment, be a scientist in your own life!
Sarahs 3 Benefits of Sobriety: Rediscovery of authentic self, better role modeling for children, and a renewed zest for life which enables her to fulfil her potential.
Her tips to get your Sobriety started: Have a clear why and do a 30-day experiment, immersing yourself in the resources, and embrace community support.
Sarah's Book and Community: "Beyond Booze" focuses on building a fulfilling alcohol-free life. Its not about how to quit as much as how to build an alcohol free life that you love
Find out more about Sarah via her website which is:- www.sarahrusbatch.com
More Info
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
Playing Russian Roulette... with Alcohol - Michael Waite
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
Mike Waite is working to improve brain health awareness via behavior, nature, and immersive technologies.
He teaches about brain health through his podcast which is called the Brain Shaman
Mike is American but lives in Japan – he has a pretty wild drinking story about how he ended up in Japan so you won’t want to miss this one!
In this episode:-
Mike shared his mindblowing story of relocating to Japan while under the influence of alcohol!
Sometimes it can be liberating to close down our rational brain and go where alcohol takes us but as Mike emphasised we are playing Russian Roulette and it can be disastrous
In fact many people are in prison because alcohol took them to a dark place and they committed a crime in a blackout!
We discussed the importance of dismantling the limiting beliefs that we hold about alcohol
We need to educate ourselves about the effects of alcohol on the brain and body, including both short-term and long-term consequences.
We are both fans of William Porter so if you want to understand the science behind alcohol dependence then his book Alcohol Explained is a great place to start because..
The more we understand about the damage alcohol can do the less inclined we’ll be to drink it!
We are “groomed” by the Liquor Industry to want alcohol from a very tender age..
As an example Mike explained that he used to watch movies like American Pie and The Hangover at the age of 12 or 13 – these movies built a strong belief that he would need lots of alcohol to party and have fun
Of course the influence of alcohol advertising is even stronger on the teenage brain which is still developing
Recognising marketing for the BS that it is takes away the power – I shared my tactic for timing how long we get into a movie before the alcohol comes out
We agreed that envisioning a group of cynical marketing executives rubbing their hands together as their sales increase will help us to recognise the manipulation that is taking place on a continual basis
We have to use our imagination to redefine associations with alcohol so that when we see it on the shelf we realise its poison
We have to cultivate self-awareness and mindfulness to recognize and address underlying reasons for using alcohol, such as stress, anxiety, or social pressure.
We agreed on the value of supportive communities and networks, like Tribe Sober, where individuals can connect, share, and support each other in their journey towards sobriety and improved brain health.
Mike is experiencing the value of a sober community himself as he goes through our 66 day sober challenge.
Mike encourages holistic approaches to well-being that prioritize mental and physical health, emphasizing the importance of sleep, nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle factors in maintaining brain health and overall wellness.
He took us through some alternative coping strategies and activities for relaxation, stress relief, and socializing that don't involve alcohol and emphasized their benefits
We have to recognize the social pressure and rebel against it – we need to learn to be a rebel not a sheep – after all its easy to drink – being alcohol free takes confidence and courage!
We need to remember the power of fading affect bias: we mustn’t forget the dark places our drinking took us to
Tribe Sober has 2 tools to avoid FAB
Create a blacklist of negative drinking experiences
Write a goodbye letter to alcohol, symbolizing the end of the relationship
When we quit drinking we have to channel our energy into positive activities
We need to recognize alcohol's role in wasting our time and energy
We also need to consider long-term health consequences, including nerve damage and neurodegeneration
We discussed the fact that more and more celebrities are sober these days
Ironically Bradley Cooper who dazzled the 12 year old Mike with his drunken antics in the Hangover has been sober for 20 years!
You can follow Mikes podcast which is called Brain Shaman on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
More Info
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
Saturday Apr 06, 2024
Sober Communities Rock! - with Carolyn Clark
Saturday Apr 06, 2024
Saturday Apr 06, 2024
Today’s guest is Sober Coach Carolyn Clark who has an inspiring recovery story to share.
Not only is she thriving in her alcohol free life but she’s running sober retreats in Bali!
WE never know whats round the corner when we embark on this journeyWe really have to trust the Universe…ditch the booze, do the work… and the magic will happen
I bet Carolyn never thought she’s be running retreats in Bali when she was drinking every night!
In this episode:-
Carolyn started drinking as a teenager to cope with childhood trauma - this escalated as she got older
Her father's alcohol-related death prompted her interest in counselling
Carolyn experienced some tragic losses in 2016-17 – these led to increased drinking as a coping mechanism – as it got to 6pm she just wanted to numb out the feelings
She reached a turning point in December 2020 when she looked in the mirror and saw her brothers face looking back at her – this was her brother who had died from alcohol related causes
So she decided to do Dry January
She joined a supportive online community, found strength in accountability
Carolyn hasn't had a drink since December 31, 2020
Even though she wasn’t even trying she lost a lot of weight by ditching the booze and taking up exercise – I think she said 3 stone which is about 20 kilos or 42 pounds!
If you’re interested in how alcohol affects your weight you must have a listen to my podcast with James Stanwick which was released on March 9th – that’s already had more than 2,000 downloads so it obviously struck a chord
Carolyn and I agreed that we gain courage to try new things in sobriety – sobriety is a superpower – we get this feeling that if we can do this.. we can do pretty much anything!
She decided to train as a sober coach during the second year of sobriety
Even though she lost her mother in 2021 she remained committed to sobriety
Her 44 year marriage has also ended recently but these days she manages to Cope with her feelings in a healthy way through journaling, beach walks, and expressing her emotions rather than numbing them away with alcohol
She also incorporated a yoga practice into her journey of self discovery and body connection
These days Carolyn leads retreats in Bali… retreats for sober women who want to connect, heal and thrive
You can find out more about Carolyn and her retreats by going to her website which is carolynclarkcoaching.com and she’s also on Instagram as soberhappysixties
More Info
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
Saturday Mar 30, 2024
Writing your Recovery with Ann Dowsett-Johnston
Saturday Mar 30, 2024
Saturday Mar 30, 2024
Today’s guest is the wonderful Ann Dowsett Johnston who many of you will have heard of – she is a pioneer of the modern recovery movement and published her book "Drink" back in 2013 – which makes it one of the very first QuitLit books
In this episode:-
Ann's book Drink has been out for more than a decade and is still selling well – her TED talk has had 1.5m views
I did a previous interview with Ann a couple of years ago that you can listen to here.
The prologue to the book describes alcohol's seductive charm…and eventual harm
I love this analogy and here at Tribe Sober we suggest that our members write a Goodbye letter to alcohol as it evolves from a handsome stranger to an abusive lover
Ann predicted the dramatic rise in risky drinking for women, which has sadly come true over the last decade
There is an epidemic of female drinking, especially among younger women, with serious health consequences – we are even seeing young women presenting with liver disease
The alcohol industry has been targeting women for the last couple of decades – using the tobacco marketing playbook and they’ve been stunningly successful
Many of us believed that we couldn’t have fun or relax or cope with stress without alcohol – and it certainly takes a few months to deprogram our thinking, to overturn those limiting belief
Ann is from Canada so had first hand experience of the public backlash that the low drinking guidelines (two drinks a week) caused!
The reduction in drinking guidelines came as new research was published linking alcohol to cancer and many other health conditions
Ann and I both love the modern recovery movement and the many different recovery pathways – I often say that if you want to give up drinking you need to find your people – if you think that Tribe Sober might be your community then go to tribesober.com and hit join our tribe
Ann mentioned the three levers for change: price, marketing reduction, and availability, but government action is slow and Big Alcohol will continue to use its lobbying power
So as individuals we must actively seek out the knowledge – we need to educate ourselves about the harm that alcohol can do to our brains and our bodies
Knowledge is power and the more we understand about alcohol the less we’ll feel like drinking it
Even if we decide to drink it should be an informed decision, we need to understand the risks
Ann talked about her "Writing Your Recovery" courses which offers support and tools for memoir writing.
Its a powerful 8-week online memoir-writing course.
Starts on 24th April and accommodates various timezones – go to her website annsdowsettjohnston.com for more info – I’ll put the links in the shownotes
Ann will also be facilitating a South African writing retreat during week commencing 15th October – you can get on the waiting list for that by emailing info@bkr.co.za
Ann now has 15 years of sobriety and spoke of the many benefits she has experienced
She returned to school at 64 to become a psychotherapist, specializing in women's substance issues and trauma
She has a wonderful relationship with her grandchild
Ann strongly believes that once we walk away from alcohol remarkable things will happen – the universe has a plan for us – she is awakened to wonder as she puts it
She’s built a rich and an alcohol free life that she loves, a life she definitely doesn’t want to escape from!
More Info
Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE.
To access our website, click HERE.
If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email janet@tribesober.com.
If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email janet@tribesober.com.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
How Alcohol Killed my Motivation with Niamh
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
Immerse yourself in a riveting episode of Tribe Sober as we chronicle the intriguing journey of Niamh, an Irish singer and mother of three in Spain, who valiantly overcame alcoholism and carved out a fulfilling, alcohol-free lifestyle. Learn how she dared to break free from deceiving social norms buried deep under heavy drinking. Gain profound insights on her transformational journey which entailed struggles, resilience, and understanding the real value of adopting a healthier and nutritious alternative to harmful drinking habits.
As her story unfolds, you will witness how she replaced her lethargic, anxiety-ridden persona, marred by insomnia and relentless weight gain, with a motivated and energetic woman thriving in her sobriety. Discover her magical transition as she substituted time spent at the bar with engaging outdoor activities, rekindling her relationships in the process.
Come along and join us in this deep and inspiring narrative emphasizing the strong and understanding community of Tribe Sober that stands as a beacon of support in the daunting journey towards sobriety. Be it you are already sober or simply sober-curious, let Niamh’s story inspire you to adopt and maintain an alcohol-free lifestyle. After all, the best way to predict your future is to create it.
If you’re interested in doing the Sober66 Challenge which starts on March 20th then click on this link.
More Info
Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE.
To access our website, click HERE.
If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email janet@tribesober.com.
If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email janet@tribesober.com.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
Triumphs from the Sober 66 Challenge
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
In this stirring episode of Tribe Sober, we delve into the powerful stories of those who undertook the Sober 66 Challenge. Host Janet Gourand, founder of Tribe Sober, embarks upon the exploration of the exceptional journey of transformation made by participants of the challenge. This is a tale of recovery and hope that inspires listeners to assess their relationship with alcohol.
We journey through several inspiring stories where Tribe Sober emerged as a beacon of light, helping individuals revolutionize their attitude towards alcohol. Their initial challenge was a Dry January Fundraiser back in 2016, which gradually evolved into a wider initiative tremendously impacting lives.
Laced with candid confessions of past struggles and vivid tales of a life post-challenge, this episode serves as a compelling reminder that altering habits is challenging yet achievable. Meet our guests whose breakthrough to alcohol-free lives are indeed heartwarming!
One such guest is a gentleman who undertook the 66-day sober challenge and extended it to six years of sobriety, significantly altering his social dynamics without impacting his family or friends. The other guest, Christelle, testified to the power of replacing alcoholic drinks with their non-alcoholic counterparts. These inspiring tales highlight the benefits of community, support, and readiness to change on one's journey to sobriety.
Additionally, the episode is filled with encouraging discoveries from our UK chat community, serving as a much-needed ray of hope for individuals early in their sober journey. Immerse yourself into a world where every triumph, no matter how small, is celebrated, much like how we did with Lisa and Hélène. Tune into Tribe Sober and unlock the power of sobriety!
If you’re interested in doing the Sober66 Challenge which starts on March 20th then click on this link.
More Info
Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE.
To access our website, click HERE.
If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email janet@tribesober.com.
If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email janet@tribesober.com.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
Alcohol...and your Body Fat! with James Swanwick
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
My guest this week is James Swanwick, an Australian-American investor and entrepreneur He is the creator of the Alcohol Free Lifestyle, which helps people change their relationship with alcohol
In this episode:-
James was a moderate drinker, but after 20 years of consistent drinking, he realized the negative effect on his health and stopped for what was supposed to be a 30-day experiment. That was 13 years ago and he’s been alcohol free ever since!
Like many of us James hesitated to quit due to societal conditioning – he associated alcohol with socializing and fun and feared being perceived as dull or boring without alcohol. And indeed…
There was some Social Awkwardness for a while - navigating social situations without alcohol felt awkward and he shared a story of pretending to drink alcohol when on a date – this strategy proved to be a mistake when his date discovered he had lied!
In spite of the tricky start James was soon embracing his alcohol-free lifestyle openly.
We discussed the strong influence of peer pressure and the need for a supportive tribe when quitting alcohol.
We are both seeing a societal shift as people acknowledge the health risks of drinking alcohol – which is heading for a cigarette moment.
Although drinking alcohol before bedtime may help initially with falling asleep but compromises the quality of sleep, leading to irritability, fatigue, and other negative effects on health.
Alcohol's Effects on Sleep and Health: Alcohol consumption can compromise sleep quality, metabolism, and overall health. It can disrupt the body's natural processes, leading to weight gain, reduced productivity, and increased cravings for unhealthy foods.
James shared some Benefits of his alcohol-free lifestyle which included improved physical health, mental clarity, productivity, and financial success. I
I asked him for his advice for anyone who is struggling to get started on this journey: He suggested starting with a commitment to at least 30 days of sobriety as an experiment, but most importantly be open to extending it to 90 days or longer.
We agreed on the importance of Avoiding the stop-and-start cycle and focussing on the long-term benefits of sobriety.
Overcoming cultural conditioning and resistance may feel challenging, but taking action building an alcohol free lifestyle will lead to transformative results and a better quality of life
You can contact James Swanwick via his website alcoholfreelifestyle.com
He’s also on Instagram and has a podcast called Alcohol Free Lifestyle
If you’re interested in doing an alcohol free Challenge as an experiment then keep an eye open for Tribe Sobers #Sober66 whih starts March 1st and September 1st
More Info
Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE.
To access our website, click HERE.
If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email janet@tribesober.com.
If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email janet@tribesober.com.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device)
Open the Podcasts app. EASY.
Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field.
Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes).
Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews.
Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Lawyer in Recovery - Isabella Ferguson
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Last weeks podcast was a Group Discussion on Corporate Drinking and Isabella Ferguson was one of my guests - you can listen to that discussion via this link.
Isabella is a former litigation lawyer turned counselor and coach - specializing in stress, burnout, and alcohol.
In this episode:-
Isabella began drinking at 14, associating it with fitting in, relaxation, and risk-taking.
Her drinking escalated during her career as a lawyer, using alcohol for networking, coping with stress, and socializing.
We discussed the prevalence of alcohol consumption in high-pressure environments such as law firms, where it is often used as a coping mechanism for stress
As Isabella got married and had children her drinking ramped up as she tried to balance work and motherhood – resulting in burnout and strained relationships.
She finally hit rock bottom when she became so severely intoxicated that she needed hospitalization, leading to her decision to seek help and enter rehab.
Even after rehab, she was still keen to try moderation but eventually shifted her mindset through education, -through books like "This Naked Mind" by Annie Grace which encouraged her to change her limiting beliefs around alcohol
Isabella transitioned her career to become a counselor and coach, specializing in helping others overcome alcohol dependency and manage their stress
These days she conducts seminars in workplaces, especially in law firms, to raise awareness about alcohol consumption and promote healthier habits.
Here is a link to our Group Discussion on that topic so that you can hear more about her Wellness Challenge
Isabella emphasized the changing attitudes towards alcohol in the workplace, with more focus on wellness and productivity, especially among younger generations.
Her tips for managing stress without resorting to alcohol include understanding one's nervous system and triggers, setting boundaries, reframing negative thoughts, and seeking support from sobriety coaches or resources.
We discussed the Impact of Personal Choices on Workplace Culture: Whether it’s a heavy drinking boss encouraging his employees to drink or a group of non drinkers abstaining from alcohol there will be an impact on workplace culture
Isabellas passion project is around Parenting and Alcohol Education: with the goal of preventing harmful drinking habits from forming at a young age, She emphasized the importance of parents being role models and challenging societal norms surrounding alcohol consumption.
Her personal benefits of sobriety include increased calmness and contentment, greater resilience, and being a positive role model for children by demonstrating that alcohol is not necessary for enjoyment and celebration.
To find out more about Isabella go to her website isabellaferguson.com.au She is also on IG and has 2 podcasts:- "Destress for Success" and "Not Drinking Today"
More Info
Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE.
To access our website, click HERE.
If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email janet@tribesober.com.
If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email janet@tribesober.com.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device)
Open the Podcasts app. EASY.
Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field.
Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes).
Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews.
Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
Workplace Drinking - Group Discussion
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
This week I'm facilitating a discussion between three fabulous ladies - all working in the sobriety space.
Isabella Ferguson: Former litigation lawyer turned counselor and coach specializing in stress, burnout, and alcohol.
Kathryn: Former PR and media professional now running her own coaching business, focusing on coaching high-performing individuals with problematic alcohol relationships - her personal story is here.
Nikki: Former corporate worker in London, now a certified life and leadership coach incorporating mindfulness into her coaching, particularly addressing alcohol addiction - her personal story is here.
In this episode:-
We discussed the prevalence of alcohol culture in corporate environments, including pressure to participate in after-work drinking events and networking activities centered around alcohol.
We shared personal anecdotes, highlighting the normalization of excessive drinking in professional settings and its detrimental effects on mental health, self-esteem, and productivity.
Those anecdotes included a story of going into the office after a couple of hours sleep, me getting a career tip from my boss to drink in the BBC club more often and my personal favorite from Nikki – the sandwich man coming round at 11am with his hangover cure snacks.
We reflected on how hangovers were viewed as a badge of honor, especially among high-functioning individuals striving to prove their capabilities despite their heavy drinking.
In spite of the fact that women cannot physically drink as much as the guys without seriously damaging their health there was pressure to keep up with male counterparts in drinking culture to gain approval and fit into workplace environments.
As high functioning alcoholics we convince ourselves to keep the show on the road – both professionally and personally – this comes at a huge cost to our mental and physical health
One of the (many) benefits of an alcohol free lifestyle is that we can redirect that energy towards positive endeavors
We all have a sense of changing attitudes towards alcohol in the workplace, as companies take more proactive measures in addressing alcohol-related issues among employees.
There is a shift towards promoting workplace wellness and inclusivity for non-drinkers
Initiatives like Kathryn & Isabella's 30-day workplace wellness challenge to raise awareness about alcohol's impact
The 30 day wellness challenge is surfacing a much need dialogue about alcohol in corporates
There is a need for comprehensive alcohol policies in the workplace
If these policies are carefully worded, produced in consultation with employees they can help to bring about a culture change
However they must address the issue without shame and offering support – otherwise the danger is that they will drive the drinking culture underground
Education is the key tool in changing attitudes towards alcohol
If ambitious executives realised that they could be 30% more effective if they ditched the booze many of them would do it!
Even if alcohol doesn’t destroy us it will prevent us from reaching our potential – most employees and certainly all corporates want people to be working at their full potential
The key is a recognition of sobriety as a strength rather than a weakness
Contact information for Isabella, Kathryn, and Nikki is below:-isabellaferguson.au.com Kathryn is at thealcoholmindsetcoach.comNicci is at metta365.com
Please contact them directly if you think your company could benefits from their input
More Info
Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE.
To access our website, click HERE.
If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email janet@tribesober.com.
If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email janet@tribesober.com.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device)
Open the Podcasts app. EASY.
Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field.
Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes).
Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews.
Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
Breaking Free from the Booze!
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
On this weeks solo episode I talk about our Breaking Free program which we run four times a year.
Registration for the current program is open until 21st February - more info here.
We limit each Breaking Free group to 20 so you’ll always get personal attention
In this episode:-
I talk about the warning signs of alcohol dependence as well as the benefits of an alcohol free lifestyle
The Breaking Free program has four components…
Four pieces of a puzzle that come together to create a transformation…
The first piece of the puzzle is Community Support so we connect you with the other people on the Breaking Free program
We put you in a chatgroup with where you’ll also find some TS team members to answer any questions you may have
The second piece is our 4 hour Masterclass – a group session which we hold via Zoom. Another opportunity to get to know the other people on the program as everyone will share their story at the beginning of the session. By the end of the Masterclass you’ll understand:-
The importance of a mindset change and the damage alcohol does to our health
We’ll be sharing our tried and tested sobriety toolkit and you’ll end the session feeling motivated and excited about the changes ahead.
While the Masterclass will give you an overview of the Tribe Sober approach to thriving in sobriety the online course will enable you to dive deeper at your own pace. You’ll get all the theory and training you need to overturn your limiting beliefs around alcohol which is the key….
Just as we’ve been programmed into thinking that alcohol is an essential part of our daily lives our online program will de-program you and enable you to understand that you will be happier and healthier without it!
The third piece is our online course which includes videos, podcasts, articles and book recommendations so you’ll be able to throw the book at your sobriety – you’ll be able to treat it as a 3-month project that will change the trajectory of your future.
The fourth part of the puzzle is the personal support.
You’ll have a 1.2.1 Zoom call with me so that I can hear your story and give you some personal guidance
My colleague Sue will catch up with you midway through the course to get a progress report and
Last but not least you can book a session with our Coach Lynette who will discuss how you are applying the theory of the Breaking Free program to your daily life
So that’s the four pieces of our Breaking Free puzzle, four pieces that will come together to create an alcohol free lifestyle that you love..
Apart from creating a program that will get results we’ve created a program that is flexible and will fit in with your busy lives….
All of the 1.2.1’s can be scheduled to suit your convenience, the online course can be worked through at your own pace so the only timeslot you need to fit in is the four hour Masterclass.
While we’re on the subject of time that’s one of the unexpected benefits of sobriety….. when we no longer spend time drinking and recovering from the drinking we find ourselves with extra time on our hands….
As well as the energy to do something constructive with that time!
Registration for the current Breaking Free program is open until 21st February - more info here.
More Info
Tribe Sober membership – you can join up HERE.
To access our website, click HERE.
If you would like a free copy of our “Annual Tracker” or our e-book 66 Days to Sobriety, please email janet@tribesober.com.
If you would like to come to our Saturday afternoon Zoom Cafe as a guest and meet our community, just email janet@tribesober.com.
Episode Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Tribe Sober Membership Program. If you want to change your relationship with alcohol then sign up todayRead more about our program and subscribe HERE
Help us to Spread the Word!
We made this podcast so that we can reach more people who need our help. Please subscribe and share.
If you enjoyed the podcast, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple podcasts.
Take a screenshot of your review, and DM it to Tribe Sober’s Instagram page – see PS below for instructions. We’ll send you something special to say thank you!
We release a podcast episode every Saturday morning.
You can follow Tribe Sober on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
You can join our private Facebook group HERE.
PS: How to Leave a Rating/Review in Apple Podcasts (on an iOS Device)
Open the Podcasts app. EASY.
Choose “Search” from the bottom row of icons and enter the name of the show (e.g. Recover Like a Mother) into the search field.
Select the show under Shows (not under Episodes).
Scroll down past the first few episodes until you see Ratings & Reviews.
Click Write a Review underneath the displayed reviews from other listeners. You’ll then have the option to rate the show on a 5-star scale and write a review (you can rate without writing too but it’s always good to read your experience).
Your Title
This is the description area. You can write an introduction or add anything you want to tell your audience. This can help potential listeners better understand and become interested in your podcast. Think about what will motivate them to hit the play button. What is your podcast about? What makes it unique? This is your chance to introduce your podcast and grab their attention.