The Big Drink Rethink

Are cravings for alcohol creeping in and threatening to derail your Sober October plans? In this timely episode of the Big Drink Rethink, your host Anna Donaghey drops a powerful tool to help you tackle those pesky urges head-on. Whether you're navigating physical cravings for booze or attempting to outsmart the psychological triggers that are tempting you to have a drink, Anna has got you covered. Dive into actionable techniques, from mastering the art of ‘urge surfing’ to using powerful pauses and power poses. Equip yourself with these solid strategies and transform your cravings into stepping stones towards a healthier, booze-free lifestyle. 

Here are the highlights:

05:15  Our subconscious associates emotions with alcohol for relief.

08:29 Take a vital pause. resist whining demands effectively.

11:55 Use the acronym H.A.L.T. to diagnose hunger, anger, loneliness, tiredness.

13:30 Power pose boosts confidence, lowers stress hormones.

19:41 Urge Surfing: a mindfulness tool to understand and manage urges.

23:01 Understand the urge, accept and process it.

24:51 Breathe, observe, and let the urge pass.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

Alcohol steals genuine happiness, replacing it with fleeting, artificial pleasure. Today’s Q&A delves into a poignant question from a listener struggling to sustain sobriety due to missing the high from alcohol. Anna unpacks the psychological and physiological aspects of this challenge, offering insights into why we crave that fleeting euphoria and the long-term toll it takes on our bodies. She explores alternatives that can replace the artificial pleasure of alcohol with natural highs, providing a pathway to recalibrate our bodies and rediscover true joy in everyday moments. Tune in to explore ways to rethink and reshape your relationship with alcohol.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Replace alcohol's high with a new perspective.

04:10 Body releases dynorphin which reduces dopamine euphoria.

08:45 Natural highs replace artificial, amazing daily pleasures.

10:48 Stopping alcohol boosts energy, clarity, and awareness.

13:16 Alcohol steals real joy, offers fleeting happiness.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

What happens when the blurred lines of alcohol culture are brought into sharp focus? Anna and her guest Denise Hamilton-Mace, founder and editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, break down the silos in alcohol culture.  

Join them as they discuss moderation, the rise of non-alcoholic alternatives, and making informed choices.

In this engaging conversation, Anna explores the evolving landscape of the sober curious movement with Denise, who shares her personal journey from a flourishing hospitality career to pioneering a magazine dedicated to low and no alcohol beverages. Despite facing challenges, Denise's passion for promoting a balanced approach to drinking shines through, inspiring others to explore healthier alternatives without judgment.

Tune in to Anna and Denise, as they explore the importance of moderation as a personal choice, the impactful role of the magazine, and how breaking down traditional barriers in alcohol culture can lead to a more inclusive and mindful way of living.

Here are the highlights:

04:47 Denise realised alcohol wasn't serving her, and cut back.

12:22 Small brands struggle due to lack of funding.

14:32 Low alcohol draft faces logistical and demand challenges.

17:56 Entrepreneurs make unique drinks with inspiring stories.

20:49 Founders defy traditional rules; innovation prevails.

23:20 Prioritise reader needs; share relatable personal stories.

34:46 Magazine breaks silos, offering diverse lifestyle choices.

40:13 Moderation is personal, requiring tolerance and acceptance.

44:49 Predicts growth in mid-range light alcohol market.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Denise Hamilton Mace:

At the age of 45, Denise transformed her relationship with alcohol into a mission to inspire others. Once immersed in London's vibrant bar scene, she now champions a "life less intoxicated" through her creation, Low No Drinker Magazine. With nine issues, 35 podcast episodes, and numerous speaking engagements under her belt, she's become a leading voice in the low/no alcohol movement.

Her journey from party-goer to wellness advocate began during a transformative period of lockdown redundancy and motherhood. Embracing personal fitness and education, she discovered the benefits of reducing alcohol consumption. Today, she's not here to judge or preach sobriety, but to support those seeking a more balanced lifestyle. Through her work, she proves it's never too late to reinvent oneself and find a new purpose that resonates with personal growth and societal change.

Find out more: https://www.lownodrinkermagazine.com/

In this Q&A episode of The Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey explores one of the most pressing questions for anyone reevaluating their relationship with alcohol: is moderation possible? She meticulously unpacks the complexities of drinking in moderation. Drawing from her personal journey and extensive coaching experience, she offers a nuanced perspective on whether it's achievable and the challenges that come with it. Whether you're considering moderating alcohol or contemplating an all-or-nothing approach, this episode sheds light on the psychological, physiological, and emotional factors at play. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice.

Here are the highlights:

00:52 Can you actually moderate alcohol?

05:50 Moderation is possible, but the real strength is when alcohol is irrelevant.

07:29 Decision fatigue depletes willpower.

11:06 Tolerance leads to increased alcohol consumption over time.

15:35 Alcohol raises your Blood Alcohol Content, causes euphoria, then declines.

17:34 80% prefer quitting alcohol over moderating consumption

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

How does alcohol really affect your health? Anna is joined by Professor Charlie Knowles, a renowned medic and author, to shed light on the complex relationship between alcohol and our bodies. They explore the popular perception that a glass of red wine a day is beneficial and address its potential role in increasing the risk of serious health issues, including various types of cancer. Together they discuss how alcohol, a Group 1 carcinogen, affects everything from our DNA and gut microbiome to our social behaviours, and touch on the ethical responsibility of the medical profession and the drinks industry to inform the public about these risks, especially against the backdrop of aggressive alcohol advertising. There is a thin line between moderate consumption and dependency, significant global social consequences of alcohol, and staggering costs of alcohol-related harm. So, whether you're curious about cutting back or just want to make more informed choices, stay tuned as we rethink the big drink together!

Here are the highlights:

03:55 Professor Charlie Knowles' writing his book.

13:00 How alcohol spreads through the body and affects it.

20:37 Common reflux disease linked to obesity and cancer.

32:30 Alcohol benefits for heart health questioned and debated.

35:50 Changes in DNA can increase cancer risk.

45:54 Know the risks and make decisions.

49:07 Dependency, long-term memory and behaviour issues.

53:47 Biology and alcohol: understanding addiction.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Charles Knowles:

Charles Knowles is Professor of Surgery at Queen Mary University of London and a colorectal surgeon. He is author of the book “Why We Drink Too Much: the new science of alcohol” which will be published by Macmillan in the UK, Commonwealth, US and Canada in January 2026. The book entwines his own journey with an understanding of the effects of alcohol in the body and brain, and how this informs rational approaches to stopping or moderating consumption. 

Anna unravels the calculated persuasion behind glossy alcohol ads and their seductive campaigns, exposing how they obscure the true realities of alcohol's impact on our lives. In this compelling solo episode of The Big Drink Rethink Anna talks from the heart. With her 25 years of experience in the advertising world, she examines the insidious world of alcohol advertising with passion, knowledge and unflinching honesty. With nearly £1 billion spent annually in the UK alone to promote these beverages, she questions whether what's being sold is more than just a drink - but a dangerous misconception. Join Anna as she pulls back the curtain on the tactics, the consequences, and the undeniable need for a rethink on how alcohol is marketed to the masses.

Here are the highlights:

02:08 Challenging advertising, beliefs, and conditioning in alcohol.

03:23 Conditioning influences subconscious thoughts. 

08:29 Alcohol marketing's significant global economic impact.

13:16 Encouraging drinking through strategic marketing.

16:13 What are brands really trying to sell?

19:05 Increasing sales by targeting demographics.

27:00 A need for tougher alcohol marketing regulations.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

Imagine taking a break from alcohol that's not just a pause, but a transformative experience. In this episode, your host Anna, is exploring how you can make the most of any alcohol-free break. She is also sharing the fundamental principles behind her self-guided programme, sharing how taking a break from the book can be a productive, insightful, and even life-changing journey. So, let's get started!

Here are the highlights:

04:48 Discover the benefits of a month without alcohol.

08:46 Embrace the booze elevator, forget false labels.

12:38 Embrace circumstances, ditch blame, and willpower.

15:28 Willpower isn't enough for long-term behaviour change.

20:05 Curiosity allows for questioning, learning, and growth.

20:55 Shift from loss mindset to gain mindset.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

We’re exploring the positive impact of stepping off the booze elevator with none other than Janey Lee Grace. She is an author, public speaker, Life Coach, and fervent advocate for healthy living. In this episode she shares her personal struggle with alcohol and how she navigated through the societal norms and medical attitudes surrounding drinking, to find her path to peace. 

Together with our host, Anna, Janey emphasises the interconnectedness of proper nutrition, movement, and lifestyle practices in supporting sobriety. They touch on the guilt and shame often felt when quitting, but also highlight the overwhelming benefits of embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle. From improved health and energy levels to enhanced self-worth and emotional empowerment, discover how quitting drinking can transform your life.

Here are the highlights:

03:34 The huge elephant in the room was alcohol and I couldn’t grasp that life would be better without it.

12:47 Getting off the booze elevator before it all turns bad.

15:28 Alcohol culture and awareness around drinking is shifting.

24:17 Avoid the term "give up," use “quitting” or “ditching the booze”.

31:42 Alcohol's impact on the menopause and body temperature

36:43 Facing challenges led to helping others recover.

41:02 Focus on good food, and make supportive changes.

45:10 Develop awareness of body, thoughts, and emotions. Am I burying emotions with my behaviour?

50:29 When I gave up alcohol I could actually start to like myself again.

If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:

https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Janey Lee Grace:

Janey Lee Grace is an author, public speaker, and life coach trained in NLP, EFT, Matrix and Family Constellations therapy, plus sobriety and health coaching. Formerly she was a broadcaster best known as a co-host on Steve Wright in the afternoon on BBC Radio 2 - she is author of five books on holistic living including two number one amazon best sellers.  Janey hosts a podcast Alcohol Free Life which is rated in the Top 5 of all podcasts globally.  She presents shows for Uk Health Radio and runs Platinum Awards annually to recognise the best in wellbeing products and services,

Find out more: www.janeyleegrace.com

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the journey of sobriety milestones with David Wilson, better known as ‘Sober Dave’. This is Dave’s second time on the podcast, and he has returned to discuss the physical and emotional changes that come with giving up alcohol, and how envisioning future benefits can help make sobriety non-negotiable. Both Anna and Dave share their experiences of navigating holidays, emotional sobriety, and the ever-present struggle with identity and self-development after years of drinking. This episode is packed with valuable strategies, personal stories, and a wealth of support for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol.

Here are the Highlights:

13:13 Commit to sobriety, plan ahead, and feel empowered.

16:43 Embracing sobriety and helping others with mental health.

19:59 Supportive approach to managing social isolation at work.

23:04 Seek support, and create a personalised plan.

29:25 Successfully managing and enjoying a holiday without drinking.

44:05 Accepting the past, forgiving yourself, and moving forward purposefully.

49:39 Questioning sobriety, finding strength in experience.

54:38 Sobriety brings organisation and peace of mind.

About the host, Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Facebook: facebook.com/thebeliefscoach

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About David Wilson:

Transforming his life in January 2019, David Wilson is a Certified Grey Area Drinking Coach, Trauma Informed Coach and Public Speaker. He is dedicated to motivating others to transform their lives, overcome personal challenges and embrace life with a renewed mindset. Using his unique delivery and no nonsense approach, Dave is both personable and relatable.

His Top 10 Apple Podcast 'One For The Road' reaches a global audience with over 300K downloads in the first year. Dave's rich and varied guest list includes RTT founder Marisa Peer, SAS Who Dares Wins Ollie Ollerton and author of 'The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober' Catherine Gray. 

Dave is a No.1 Bestselling Author with his debut book, also titled 'One For The Road' - a blend of his personal memoir, coaching techniques and offers motivational tips to help the reader change their relationship with alcohol.

Dave is a firm believer that the opposite of addiction is connection, which prompted him to create his own private Facebook groups so like minded people can share and connect in a safe space.

Connect with Dave:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wilson

Instagram: @soberdave

In this special episode, Anna offers a comprehensive summary of the free tools and resources discussed throughout the series so far. A fantastic collection of strategies, practical tips and reflection exercises to support listeners as they rethink their drinking - whether they are on a mindful drinking journey, or looking to totally quit alcohol. 

Tune in to learn more about the valuable tools available on Anna's website, www.thebeliefscoach.com and take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced life.

Here are the highlights:

05:58 The ‘value’ of your drinks - a reflection tool, promoting moderation awareness.

08:58 Aligning drinking behaviours to happiness, balance, and life fulfillment, and using the wheel of life as a tool.

11:11 Journaling to boost well-being, sleep, and positivity. 

15:14 Alcohol damages the brain's prefrontal cortex; meditation strengthens it.

17:42 Free practical tools for rethinking your drinking. Get 50% off the rethink program.

Go to thebeliefscoach.com to download the free tools Anna mentions in the episode.

And apply the discount code POD99 at the Rethink Experiment checkout, to purchase the full programme for just £99 (original price £199)

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk