The Allsorts Podcast

Rethinking Drinking with Fiona Hepher


Listen Later

We all know - and perhaps dabble with - not drinking during Dry January or Sober October but the rise of the “sober curious” movement over the last few years has really invited us to start the conversation about our relationship with alcohol and how we use it - and abuse it - across all aspects of life, from “mommy wine” culture to quarantine cocktails.

When the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction released their updated alcohol guidelines earlier this year, it rocked a lot of people to their core. Even for me as a dietitian, who has long been quoting far more liberal guidelines in her education and practice, it’s a sharp about face in how we advise others about what safe drinking looks like.

Alcohol is deeply entrenched in our culture and so it can be difficult to accept the messaging that drinking isn’t good for you…especially as many of us have feasted on past headlines (now debunked) that drinking has health benefits.

…but this episode isn’t about the science of alcohol (we’ll have one, don’t worry!). It’s about the very personal conversations we have with ourselves and others about our alcohol use. I’m speaking with Fiona Hepher, Co-Founder of Sansorium, an alcohol free beverage business about her personal experience with alcohol and how not drinking has unlocked a new way of being (in addition to a new career!) for her and her family.

This is also not a conversation about alcoholism. We both acknowledge the deep privilege we have in rethinking drinking habits without having to battle addiction. But it is an open and honest conversation about alcohol, how we relate to it in our lives and what different can look like. I hope you’ll join us!

About Fiona Hepher:

Fiona is the CEO & Co-Founder of Sansorium, a North American alcohol-free beverage importer and consumer online marketplace. For the past decade, between Dubai and Vancouver, she's dedicated herself to disrupting social norms, helping people find meaningful change and greater wellbeing. Today, she's challenging traditions affixed by a multi-billion dollar industry and paving a new path; one where alcohol isn't at the centre of every occasion. She's also a mother, birth doula and aspiring writer.

On this episode we chat about:

  • The very defining moment that changed Fiona’s perspective on alcohol forever
  • Breaking with your family’s - or culture’s - drinking norms
  • The unexpected self-work required when you release drinking
  • Navigating the tricky territory of not drinking when others are drinking
  • Coming to terms with the fact that alcohol is not good for you
  • The ritual of a drink…and what to replace it with
  • Mindful drinking vs sober-curious
  • How Fiona created Sansorium with her mom and sister
  • How we can be more inclusive party hosts
  • Making the power of placebo work for you
  • Support the Pod!

    We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners.

    I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @fionahepher as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

    If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!


    Full show notes, with links and recommendations available at www.desireerd.com/podcast

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The Allsorts PodcastBy Desiree Nielsen RD

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    26 ratings


    More shows like The Allsorts Podcast

    View all
    Dishing Up Nutrition by Nutritional Weight & Wellness, Inc.

    Dishing Up Nutrition

    852 Listeners

    Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger by Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM

    Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger

    3,445 Listeners

    The mindbodygreen Podcast by mindbodygreen

    The mindbodygreen Podcast

    2,029 Listeners

    The Plant Based News Podcast by Plant Based News

    The Plant Based News Podcast

    343 Listeners

    The Nutrition Science Podcast by Dr. Adrian Chavez

    The Nutrition Science Podcast

    512 Listeners

    The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee by Physicians Committee

    The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

    3,368 Listeners

    The Proof with Simon Hill by Live better for longer

    The Proof with Simon Hill

    2,603 Listeners

    Plant-Powered People Podcast by Toni Okamoto and Michelle Cehn

    Plant-Powered People Podcast

    382 Listeners

    The Simplicity Sessions by Jenn Pike

    The Simplicity Sessions

    118 Listeners

    Switch4Good by Dotsie Bausch and Alexandra Paul

    Switch4Good

    464 Listeners

    PLANTSTRONG Podcast by Rip Esselstyn

    PLANTSTRONG Podcast

    2,310 Listeners

    The Fit Vegan Podcast with Maxime Sigouin by Maxime Sigouin

    The Fit Vegan Podcast with Maxime Sigouin

    82 Listeners

    Eat to Live by Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman

    Eat to Live

    564 Listeners

    Your Brain On by Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai

    Your Brain On

    307 Listeners

    The Gutbliss Podcast by Dr Robynne Chutkan

    The Gutbliss Podcast

    118 Listeners