The Bibliotherapists

In this episode Toni reconnects with fellow journalist, Ruby Warrington. Ruby is also an author, publisher and podcast host who coined the term Sober Curious in 2016 to describe the process of self-inquiry that comes as a result of getting curious about why we drink and what life might look like on the other side.

This conversation is a brilliant reminder of all that we have to GAIN by removing alcohol; mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

In this episode we discuss:

- Ruby’s 10-year sobriety journey from ‘cocktail girl’ to the queen of the sober curious movement

- How a Dry Jan in 2013 was a turning point for her drinking

- How she used booze as a way to medicate difficult emotions and situations, including family dysfunction and social anxiety (and why being able to feel crap is so important)

- That the only thing we miss out on by not drinking is getting drunk (and the importance of asking ourselves why we feel that getting out of our head is valuable or necessary)

- How removing booze will give you more time, energy, self-awareness, clarity and self-trust, as well as better physical well-being, better sleep AND the best support system for deeper inner work and self-discovery

- How to use Dry Jan - or any sober stint - as an opportunity to investigate what really makes you happy (and the importance of writing this down)

- How to ride out cravings with sophisticated AF drinks

PODCAST NOTES + LINKS:

• Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington


• Sober Curious Reset by Ruby Warrington


• Sober Curious Podcast by Ruby Warrington


• Material Girl, Mystical World by Ruby Warrington

• INCASE OF EMERGENCY - PLEASE CALL 999


• SAMARITANS – 116 123


• SHOUT CRISIS SUPPORT - TEXT SHOUT TO 85258

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Toni is joined by one of her favourite authors - and humans - Shahroo Izadi. Shahroo is a Behavioural Change Specialist and the author of two best-selling books, The Kindness Method and The Last Diet.

Shahroo isn’t sober, but her work is all about helping people to create healthy new habits using kindness and self-compassion - and that includes supporting people to change their relationship with alcohol.

Toni chose The Kindness Method, as a Shelf Help BOTM (book of the moment) back in 2018 after it had a huge impact on her, helping her to make some major shifts in a once self-destructive lifestyle.

In this episode we discuss:

- Why sober stints are a great way to build self-belief

- Why shaming yourself into change doesn't work in the long-term

- The self-respect and self-trust that come when you start building evidence that you care about how you behave, even when nobody's watching

- How to set yourself up for success by anticipating that change is hard and getting excited about the opportunity to prove that you can do hard things

- Remembering that lots of the benefits of not drinking take a couple of weeks to kick in, so to give yourself some early wins by making a choice (or two) today that will make you proud tomorrow

- Turning down the volume on the way you speak to yourself as a way to avoid the F@CK IT button

- Remembering sobriety is a practice, and mastering it - like mastering anything - is chiefly about time in the saddle and doing something again and again until it becomes easier

- Making it easy to do the hard thing and supporting Dry Jan by making the month as lovely and nourishing as possible in every other way

PODCAST NOTES + LINKS

• The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi

• The Last Diet by Shahroo Izadi

• Shahroo's website www.shahrooizadi.co.uk

• Shahroo on Instagram @shahroo_izadi

• INCASE OF EMERGENCY - PLEASE CALL 999


• SAMARITANS – 116 123


• SHOUT CRISIS SUPPORT - TEXT SHOUT TO 85258

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe

For the first episode of this series, Toni is joined by Bryony Gordon, journalist, best-selling author, podcaster, award-winning mental health campaigner, and founder of Mental Health Mates, the brilliant nationwide network of support groups that encourages people to get moving and talking.

Bryony is also 6 years sober.

In this episode we discuss:

- The moment Bryony decided to get sober, and how - after much resistance! - accepting the label of 'alcoholic' enabled her to get the help she needed and move forward 

- Why there's no such thing as a typical alcoholic OR a typical journey to sobriety

- The question to ask yourself if Dry January or any kind of sober stint feels/is impossible

- Booze for fun vs booze to numb

- How Bryony is working on her health and happiness today, and how getting sober has taught her she doesn't need to be constantly producing and achieving or to be the 'best' at anything to be worthy

- Why talking about addiction is the best way to move through any shame we feel around it

- Why she believes telling people to drink a highly addictive, legal drug 'responsibly' is bullsh!t

**NB there are a couple of swearwords in this episode - in case of little or sensitive ears**

PODCAST NOTES + LINKS:

• Glorious Rock Bottom by Bryony Gordon


• Mental Health Mates

• ⁠Join the (free) Shelf Help Club community over on the Shelf Help Club App⁠

• INCASE OF EMERGENCY - PLEASE CALL 999


• SAMARITANS – 116 123


• SHOUT CRISIS SUPPORT - TEXT SHOUT TO 85258

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe