Today, Alex and Lisa chat to an awesome Nacoa duo, Josh Connolly and Ceri Walker about their childhood experiences, the impact on them as adults and parents and the support that Nacoa can offer for children of alcoholic parents, adult children of alcoholics and parents themselves. This special podcast marks the end of COA week 2021.

COA Week is a campaign to raise awareness of children affected by parental alcohol problems, celebrated internationally each year during the week in which Valentine’s Day falls. In the UK, COA Week is led by the charity Nacoa UK who provide year-round support and this is the 12th year it has been run in the UK. Together we can increase awareness of this hidden problem and the support available.

For support, please email [email protected], visit the website www.nacoa.org.uk or telephone the free and completely confidential helpline 0800 358 3456. You are not alone.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the generous members, ambassadors and our friends in the sober community for their contributions to this podcast, you are amazing and helping so many people by talking about this.

Podcast guests

Josh Connolly and Ceri Walker (Nacoa ambassadors)

Bee Sober Founders/Ambassadors

Irene (Bee Sober Bolton)

Jo (Co-founder of Bee Sober)

Kath (Bee Sober Wirral)

Laura (Bee Sober Bolton)

Bee Sober Members

Anne

Carlie

Christine

Jane

Samantha

Siobhan

Friends in the Sober Community

Annie Grace – Author of This Naked Mind

Clare Pooley – author of the blog Mummy was a secret drinker and the memoir, The Sober Diaries

Darren Taylor – author of Finding your Sober Bubble

Janey Lee Grace – Founder of The Sober Club, author of Happy Healthy Sober and host of The Alcohol-Free Life podcast

Jen Payne – Nacoa Volunteer

Julia Carson – author of Sober Positive

Kate Baily – Co-Founder of Love Sober and Co-Author of Love Yourself Sober

Katie Walker – EFT Practitioner and Co-Founder of Tapping with Jules & Katie

Liam McBride – Co-Founder of Whysup

Lona Curris (LC) - producer and host of The Recovery Soulfood Podcast

Lotta Dann – Author of Mrs D is going without and The Wine O’Clock Myth

Mark Adderley – author, filmmaker, writer, YouTuber, podcaster and movie reviewer

Shaun Fennings – Co-Founder of Rok Soba

William Porter – author of Alcohol Explained

Please donate to our Just Giving page raising money for Nacoa: https://www.justgiving.com/Sober-Experiment.

Season three is sponsored by IPHM, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, an International Accreditation Board for Holistic, Complementary, Alternative, Beauty Therapists and Training Providers & Counsellors. Visit their website here for more information: https://www.iphm.co.uk/

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa speak to Janey Lee Grace about her latest book, Happy, Healthy Sober, which takes a holistic look at sobriety.

Janey Lee Grace is an Amazon No 1 Best-selling author, commentator, and co-presenter on the UK’s biggest radio show, BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright in the Afternoon. Previously she was a backing singer with George Michael and Wham, Kim Wilde, Boy George and had her own Number 8 chart hit with 7 Ways to Love as Cola Boy.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Find Janey here: www.imperfectlynatural.com

Janey has written six books on Holistic living including the number One Amazon best seller Imperfectly Natural Woman and currently writes columns for many magazines, and offers PR and media training. She hosts the annual Janey Loves Platinum Awards to recognise the best in natural and organic products and services. After ditching the booze in January 2018 Janey has launched a podcast ‘Alcohol Free Life’ and runs The Sober Club focusing on sober self-care. www.thesoberclub.com In today’s bonus episode we talk about how to remain calm and resilient in the panic and techniques to use to maintain and protect your sobriety. A few useful tools mentioned in the podcast:

Janey’s TEDx Talk Sobriety Rocks – Who Knew! https://youtu.be/NktRXVUmQC8

Janey’s free meditation, it’s super short and simple https://www.thesoberclub.com/change-the-frequency-meditation/

A useful blog post too https://www.thesoberclub.com/create-your-corona-virus-toolkit/

For extra support and to find out more about Janey’s work, visit www.thesoberclub.com and check out Janey’s group for additional support!

Season three is sponsored by IPHM, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, an International Accreditation Board for Holistic, Complementary, Alternative, Beauty Therapists and Training Providers & Counsellors. Visit their website here for more information: https://www.iphm.co.uk/

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today, Alex and Lisa chat to Pippa-Jo Marsden, Aka Mum on Fire about her journey to sobriety. We discuss parenting, mental health and all the volunteering this amazing lady does. Pippa is a mum of 4, care worker, online health business owner and ambassador for the charity Get Fit 4 Mental Wellness. She lived with an addiction to alcohol without knowing how to admit it or change for over 10 years. She has been sober for over 2 years and is passionate about helping people to help themselves live their best lives and find their own peace. She is all about love, acceptance and fun.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Season three is sponsored by IPHM, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, an International Accreditation Board for Holistic, Complementary, Alternative, Beauty Therapists and Training Providers & Counsellors. Visit their website here for more information: https://www.iphm.co.uk/

You can find Pippa on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pippa.marsden and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mum.on.fire/ and to find out more about her charity of choice, please visit https://www.instagram.com/getfit4mentalwellness/ on Instagram.

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa talk about the stigma attached to alcoholism. They discuss weird dreams, have a good moan about the state of the world and debate whether we should or shouldn’t use labels for everything.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Season three is sponsored by IPHM, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, an International Accreditation Board for Holistic, Complementary, Alternative, Beauty Therapists and Training Providers & Counsellors. Visit their website here for more information: https://www.iphm.co.uk/

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa talk with Jane Zarse about her journey to sobriety using the 12-steps through AA.

Jane is an Author & Top Social Media Influencer who was born and raised in Lake Forest, Illinois. She graduated from Boston University on the Dean’s list before acting in New York City and trading in Chicago. She spiraled into alcoholism before joining Alcoholics Anonymous and finding her way back. Sober and Pissed Off is the second book for Zarse. Her first book, Love and Compassion Is My Religion (A Beginner’s Book Into Spirituality), is a guide for finding one’s spiritual self. Zarse’s first book received excellent reviews and gained worldwide attention. She has built an impressive author platform with tens of thousands of people who are in recovery following her on social media and is a top Twitter influencer.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Buy Jane’s books here:

https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Zarse/e/B075N1KP13%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Jane’s social media links:

https://www.instagram.com/janezarse/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-zarse-5459a2121

https://mobile.twitter.com/zarsejane?lang=en

https://m.facebook.com/zarsejane/

Season three is sponsored by IPHM, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, an International Accreditation Board for Holistic, Complementary, Alternative, Beauty Therapists and Training Providers & Counsellors. Visit their website here for more information: https://www.iphm.co.uk/

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa talk with Darren Taylor, author of Finding Your Sober Bubble about his journey to sobriety, how his upbringing led to excessive drinking and how finding his sober bubble has been the best thing he ever did.

Darren Taylor is an everyday guy with an everyday upbringing and everyday outlook but has an eclectic array of influences. With alcohol orchestrating from a young age and with a lifestyle of ‘work hard, play hard’ eventually it took control, but by understanding emotions and circumstances, and taking the 'best bits' and making them his own was able to kick the booze.

His personal biggest achievement is to graduate from his own university of life, Sober. In October 2019, Darren founded his website and aptly named it.‘ The University of everyday Life’ www.theunioflife.com and with a passion for writing, he now brings his take on life and sobriety through his debut book ‘Finding Your Sober Bubble’ and hopes to help others with his insight, guidance and success story all in one place.

Darren is sober, but very far from boring.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Finding Your Sober Bubble is available at the following

eBook and Paperback:

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Your-Sober-Bubble-Understanding-ebook/dp/B08CBPJW3L

AudioBook:

Audible

https://www.audible.co.uk/search?keywords=finding+your+sober+bubble&ref=a_hp_t1_header_search

Darren's website: The Uni of *everyday* Life www.theunioflife.com

Instagram: @thesoberbubble

Facebook: Darren G Taylor

Facebook Page: @thesoberbubble

Pinterest: @theuniofeverydaylife

YouTube: The Sober Bubble from The Uni of Everyday Life https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdOm1Rsshi5MAMvDe4pMVFw/videos

Season three is sponsored by IPHM, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, an International Accreditation Board for Holistic, Complementary, Alternative, Beauty Therapists and Training Providers & Counsellors. Visit their website here for more information: https://www.iphm.co.uk/

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa talk with each other about the new Bee Sober Membership option, supporting each other through connection and how occasions like Christmas can impact sobriety. We also talk about coffee addiction, wellies and a few other strange things.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Season three is sponsored by IPHM, The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, an International Accreditation Board for Holistic, Complementary, Alternative, Beauty Therapists and Training Providers & Counsellors. Visit their website here for more information: https://www.iphm.co.uk/

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa talk with each other about holiday memories, getting into dangerous situations and getting out of them again. This is the last episode in this season, we will be back after Christmas. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Please check out our new website www.beesoberofficial.com. You can also check out the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa talk with each other. We have massively missed this and didn’t even know it. We talk about all the occasions we have ruined by drinking too much, the illusion of FOMO, and our usual laughs and banter.

We also give you a few top tips for navigating a sober festive period.

Warning: Not for the ears of those waiting for Santa!

Click on the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=

Today Alex and Lisa talk with Lucy Rocca about her journey to sobriety, Soberistas, her books and what helped her to get and stay sober.

Lucy Rocca drank rather too much alcohol for 22 years before finally deciding, back in 2012, that it might be a good idea to not drink any more. Following this momentous lifestyle change, she set up the website soberistas.com for people who had an unhealthy relationship with booze and were looking for non-judgmental support and solidarity in getting and staying alcohol-free. In its first year, Soberistas attracted 20,000 members and now has 65,000 people from all over the world making up its lively community. Lucy has had 5 books published since 2012, all on the topic of quitting drinking, and continues to work as editor and director of the Soberistas website. She is also a life/sober coach, specialising in quitting drinking and rebuilding self-esteem, and offers 1-to-1 online support to people looking for extra help in ditching the drink.

When she isn’t working, Lucy loves running, family time, music, her dogs, cooking and eating newfangled healthy stuff, and watching box sets.

Soberistas Website

https://soberistas.com/

Find Lucy on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/soberistas/

Click on the following link to find out more of what we are up to, you can sign up to our newsletter, join our Facebook group and subscribe to our YouTube channel - linktr.ee/beesober

Additional links:

Nacoa: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/

AA

https://aa.org/

Al Anon

https://al-anon.org/

Luna Courses: https://www.lunacourses.com/

Use code BEESOBER20 to receive £20 off any course over £50

15% off Nocktail use BEESOBER at checkout https://www.nocktail.com

10% off Noughty AF wine use BEESOBER10 at checkout https://thomsonandscott.com/products/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine

Buy a range of AF drinks from The Dry Drinker https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=348247&merchantID=7264&programmeID=26735&mediaID=-1&tracking=&url=