Six years ago, Gillian made one decision that changed the course of her life.

In this special episode of More Than The Glass, Gillian reflects on six years of alcohol-free living and shares what life has truly been like on the other side.

This isn't a story about giving something up, it's about everything she gained.

Together, Karen and Gillian explore:

• What first made Gillian question her drinking
• The biggest challenges in the early days
• The tools and mindset shifts that helped her keep going
• How practising the pause changed everything
• The greatest gifts alcohol-free living has given her
• What she'd say to the Gillian who was just starting this journey

Whether you're sober curious, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or already alcohol-free, this episode is a reminder that you don't need to wait for rock bottom to choose something different.

Because the life you're hoping for might be waiting on the other side of one brave decision.

In this episode of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen explore one of the most powerful tools for navigating the early days of becoming alcohol-free: finding your thing.

When alcohol leaves your life, it leaves behind more than an empty glass. It leaves time, energy, routine and a brain that's still searching for the next dopamine hit.

So what happens when you give that energy somewhere new to go?

Together, we talk about:

• Why the early days can feel mentally exhausting
• How to quiet the constant thoughts about drinking
• The importance of finding something that lights you up
• Why your "thing" doesn't have to look like anyone else's
• How healthy dopamine can help you build a life you don't want to escape from

Whether it's running, gardening, sea swimming, painting or simply clearing out a cupboard, the goal isn't to become someone else—it's to reconnect with yourself.

Because sometimes the biggest step in becoming alcohol-free isn't giving something up...

It's discovering something new.

When Paris temporarily banned public drinking and restricted takeaway alcohol sales during a record-breaking heatwave, it sparked a much bigger conversation than the weather. The measures were introduced to help reduce pressure on hospitals and emergency services during a period of extreme heat. 

In this episode of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen explore what this decision says about our relationship with alcohol and whether attitudes towards drinking might be starting to shift.

Together, they discuss:

• Why alcohol became part of a public health response
• Whether a similar approach could ever happen in the UK
• How drinking culture differs across countries
• The impact alcohol has beyond the individual
• Whether we're beginning to have more honest conversations about alcohol as a society

This isn't a debate about government policy. It's a thoughtful conversation about culture, health and the role alcohol plays in our lives.

Because sometimes the biggest changes begin with a simple question.

In this episode of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen explore the incredible pride, self-belief, and emotional transformation that can emerge in the early days of becoming alcohol-free.

From first weekends and weddings to holidays, concerts, girls’ nights, football matches, and stressful weeks, navigating life without alcohol for the first time can feel incredibly hard… but also deeply empowering.

Because the pride that comes from doing something difficult fully sober is unlike anything alcohol could ever give you.

We talk honestly about:

• The emotional milestones of early alcohol-free life
• Why those first sober experiences feel so huge
• The shift from shame and anxiety to self-respect and peace
• Learning you’re capable of hard things
• Why becoming alcohol-free builds genuine self-trust
• The emotional freedom that comes from keeping promises to yourself

This is a hopeful and uplifting conversation about courage, growth, and becoming someone you’re genuinely proud of.

Because when you stop numbing yourself, you often discover just how strong you really are.

Because We Deserve More

In this episode of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen speak directly to the woman who has been quietly questioning her drinking for months or even years.

The woman Googling.
Promising herself she’ll cut back.
Wondering why alcohol no longer feels quite right.
And then convincing herself she’s overthinking it.

This conversation is about intuition, self-trust, emotional numbing, and the exhausting cycle of knowing something feels off while continuing to override that inner voice.

We explore:

• Why repeatedly questioning alcohol actually matters
• The pressure to wait for a “rock bottom”
• The emotional toll of stop/start drinking cycles
• How repeatedly ignoring yourself weakens self-trust
• Why alcohol can dull emotional clarity and intuition
• What happens when you finally start listening to yourself

This isn’t about shame or labels.
It’s about honesty.
Because if something inside you keeps whispering that things could feel calmer, clearer, and easier… maybe that voice deserves your attention.

And maybe you don’t need permission to change

Because We Deserve More

In this World Cup special of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen explore why football tournaments can feel so emotionally intense — and why alcohol-free drinks can become far more than “just a substitute.”

From nerves and celebration to rituals, cravings, pubs, BBQs, and social pressure, alcohol has deeply attached itself to football culture. But what happens when you still want the atmosphere, connection, and excitement — without the chaos alcohol can bring?

We talk honestly about:

• Why football can feel triggering without alcohol
• How alcohol-free drinks help with cravings and nervous energy
• The social comfort of having something in your hand
• Staying included without feeling deprived
• Why alcohol-free drinks have completely changed
• Getting the ritual and relaxation without the regret, blackouts, hangxiety, or emotional fallout

This is a warm, practical, and reassuring conversation about staying present, protecting your peace, and discovering that you don’t have to miss the atmosphere to feel good.

Because sometimes the smallest tools make the biggest difference.

In this episode of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen explore why football carries such deep emotional weight and how alcohol has become intertwined with some of our most meaningful moments of connection, identity, celebration, and belonging.

Because football is rarely just football and there is no easier time to witness this than during The World Cup

It’s memory. Tradition. Emotion. Pride. Grief. Community. Ritual. It’s the moments that bring people together and make us feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

We talk honestly about:

• Why football feels so emotional
• Growing up with football as part of family and identity
• How alcohol became attached to match-day rituals and connection
• Drinking through huge moments and barely remembering them
• Experiencing football fully present instead of numbing the moment
• Creating real memories with the people we love

This is a deeply human conversation about sport, emotion, belonging, and what happens when we remove alcohol from experiences that already mean everything.

Because sometimes the connection was powerful enough all along.

What if you know something needs to change… but the thought of changing your relationship with alcohol feels overwhelming?

In this episode of More Than the Glass, Gillian and Karen talk honestly about the fear that so many mums feel when they start questioning alcohol — even when they desperately want things to feel different.

This is a conversation about exhaustion, overwhelm, fear of the unknown, “what if” thinking, and why staying where we are can sometimes feel safer than making a change. Together, they explore the emotional tug of war between wanting more for yourself and feeling terrified to step outside what’s familiar.

If you’ve ever thought:

“Maybe I need to drink less…”
but immediately followed it with:
“What if I can’t do it?”
or
“What will happen if I change?”

…this episode is for you.

You are not weak for feeling scared.
You are human.

And maybe change doesn’t begin with certainty, maybe it begins with one small step.

Because we deserve more.

Why do so many mums find themselves reaching for alcohol at the end of the day?

In this episode of More Than the Glass, Gillian and Karen explore the invisible mental load of motherhood and the emotional exhaustion that so many women are carrying silently every single day.

This is an honest conversation about overstimulation, stress, people pleasing, and why alcohol can start to feel like relief, reward, escape, or simply a moment to breathe.

There’s no judgement here and no shame. This episode isn’t about blaming mums for drinking. It’s about understanding why so many women rely on alcohol to cope with the pressures of modern motherhood.

Because you’re not broken.
You’re exhausted.

And maybe there’s another way to feel supported, calm, and connected again.

Because we deserve more.

So many women feel stuck between two thoughts:

“I’m not that bad…”
but also…
“Why doesn’t this feel good anymore?”

In this episode of More Than the Glass, Gillian and Karen explore the quiet confusion of grey area drinking — functioning, coping, keeping everything together on the outside, while privately questioning your relationship with alcohol on the inside.

This is an honest conversation about motherhood, shame, wine o’clock culture, people pleasing, and the pressure women feel to stay “fine” even when something feels off.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re drinking too much, questioned your habits, or felt unsettled despite looking like you have it all together, this episode is for you.

You do not need to hit rock bottom to question alcohol.
And you are allowed to want more.

Because we deserve more.