Upper Bottom

For many, September ushers in the end of summer and a halt to holiday indulgence. It's the second reset month of the year after January, and that means reflection, positive change, detoxification, and possibly action.

Cess and Ollie have both been active, with the former bagging a couple of Munros in the Highlands and the latter bettering Dame Kelly Holmes in the Big Half. 

The hosts offer words of wisdom to those thinking about quitting booze this month, and also talk about the growing trend of non-alcoholic drinks, including Guinness 0.0%, and the potential for these drinks to outsell their alcoholic counterparts.

NB Discount code for Drink it In Festival: PICMED-DRINKITIN-15 (via https://www.drinkitinfestival.com/) – we'll be there on Sept 6.

Booze News items:

This is Money (via MSN): Non-alcoholic Guinness could outsell the real thing, says Diageo (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/other/will-non-alcoholic-guinness-outdo-the-real-thing/ar-AA1ppz6l)

Evening Standard: The Devonshire in Soho becomes Great Britain’s first pub to serve Guinness 0.0 on tap (https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/bars/the-devonshire-guinness-0-0-tap-keg-b1178790.html)

Daily Mail: 'The end of pubs': Farage leads furious backlash at Labour's 'nanny state' OUTDOOR smoking ban plans - which will ban people from lighting up in beer gardens, near football grounds and in children's parks (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13790649/end-pubs-backlash-Labours-nanny-state-OUTDOOR-smoking-ban-beer-gardens-football-grounds-childrens-parks.html)

Morning Advertiser: Gen Z drinking less alcohol but still visiting the on-trade (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/08/22/gen-z-drinking-less-alcohol-but-still-visiting-on-trade)

#summerholidays
#septmeberreset
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

In this week's episode, just before schools reopen their doors for the new term, Ollie and Cess reflect on recent overseas holidays and how sobriety and drinking cultures vary in different countries – and how they have evolved.

Special attention is paid to Ollie's experiences at a much-loved family retreat on the grape-growing slopes in Perpignan. Meanwhile, Cess takes a detailed look at Sweden, particularly the broader role the state has taken in regulating the supply of alcohol to its citizens.

There is also an item late on about the top five destinations for sober people – and the best-ranking country might surprise you.

Booze News items:

BBC: Plan to serve alcohol at water park from 08:00 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9qgvjel25xo)

The Sun: BOOZY JACUZZI UK’s first BEER spa launched where booze fans can bathe in ale and sup pints in the jacuzzi (https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/29947621/uk-first-beer-spa-norfolk-mead-hotel/)

The Sun: TOAST YOUR FLIGHT Surprisingly high percentage of holiday Brits who enjoy airport breakfast beer before jetting off revealed (https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/29924767/brits-enjoy-airport-breakfast-beer/)

Gallup: Alcohol Consumption Increasingly Viewed as Unhealthy in U.S. (https://news.gallup.com/poll/648413/alcohol-consumption-increasingly-viewed-unhealthy.aspx) 

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

Refreshed after a summer break, Cess and Ollie speak with Martyn Davies, organiser of Sober is Fun (https://www.soberisfun.co.uk/), the UK's first regular sober comedy event, and Ben Jolliffe, who runs Feed the Fire (https://feedthefire.me/dancing), a no-drink or drugs rhythmic dance focused on freedom and connection.

Both interviewees stopped drinking (and taking drugs) after being subjected to family interventions. Now, though, they are enjoying the freedom of being sober and looking to encourage others through the events they facilitate.

Their timing is good, given that 34% of employees avoid work socials due to alcohol, according to a Booze News item, and there is a growing demand for venues that offer alcohol-free options and activities, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and included.

Here is a recent playlist from one of Ben's Feed the Fire events: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kRMmbITmmiaQGm60bFbWU?si=r4UNikNESQCm-8izcBKtUA&pi=e-lO1NqcnnSTG9

And here is the ticket site for Martyn's next Sober is Fun event, on September 22 –  https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/bethnal-green/backyard-comedy-club/the-london-alcohol-free-comedy-club-7?t=tickets – perhaps see you there?

Booze News items:

The Independent (via MSN): Study looks at if the French Paradox of a glass of wine a day is actually a myth (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/study-looks-at-if-the-french-paradox-of-a-glass-of-wine-a-day-is-actually-a-myth/ar-BB1qABfs)

Harpers: MP urges government to address non-alcoholic drink prices (https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/33135/MP_urges_government_to_address_non-alcoholic_drink_prices.html) 

Lovebscott via MSN: Ben Affleck Reportedly Decided To Divorce Jennifer Lopez Because Her ‘Fame and Lifestyle Was Putting His Hard-Won Sobriety at Risk’: ‘He Had to Leave to Avoid Relapse’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/ben-affleck-reportedly-decided-to-divorce-jennifer-lopez-because-her-fame-and-lifestyle-was-putting-his-hard-won-sobriety-at-risk-he-had-to-leave-to-avoid-relapse/ar-AA1oKqiw)

HR News: Sober Parties Lead the Way in the UK with 639% Surge in Non-Alcoholic Drink Demand (https://hrnews.co.uk/sober-parties-lead-the-way-in-the-uk-with-639-surge-in-non-alcoholic-drink-demand/)

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

#sobercomedy
#soberdancing

Before taking a well-earned summer break, the podcast hosts Ollie and Cess interview Sean Halpin, a 24-year old who divides his time between Munich and Manchester. He has also just hit one year of sobriety, too. Congratulations, Sean!

Sean is an aficionado of Bavarian beer and enthusiastic about the trend for sober curiosity in Germany and plenty of no-alcohol options. He also reveals some very interesting reasons why he thinks fellow Gen Zers are less inclined to drink booze – these will likely surprise older listeners. And there are plenty of useful tips for those starting out on their sobriety journey.

As always, there are some Booze News items, and Just the Tonic.

The podcast will return on August 20, with a special episode on sober events.

Happy summer holidays to all Upper Bottom listeners!

Booze News items:

Irish Examiner (via MSN): Munich, home of Oktoberfest, to open its first alcohol-free beer garden (https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/national/munich-home-of-oktoberfest-to-open-its-first-alcohol-free-beer-garden/ar-BB1q8QYW)

Bored Panda (via MSN): 76 Reasons People Got Fired On Their First Day On The Job (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-boss-went-to-the-hospital-to-tell-him-he-was-fired-76-reasons-people-got-fired-on-day-one/ar-BB1qB8Vw)

Telegraph (via MSN) I could drink and run marathons – it took losing everything to stop (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/i-could-drink-and-run-marathons-it-took-losing-everything-to-stop/ar-BB1qFw9y)

#munich
#germany
#oktoberfest
#summerholidays
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

In the third and final episode of the three-part mini-series about work and drinking, Cess and Ollie chat about times when they have been boozing on the job – or at least felt the effects the day after a night on the sauce.

Cess mentions how a clothes shop colleague was once sent to the stock room because he was feeling worse for wear and proceeded to curl up and nap. Ollie shares eyebrow-raising tales from his early career as a sports journalist – three bottles before the rugby union international, anyone?

On the subject of sport, with the Olympics starting, the pair debate the treatment of a teenage Japanese gymnast who was sent home before the competition after someone dobbed her in for drinking (and smoking) at the training base. That item is one of four tasty Booze News bits.

And there is some proper research on the occupations in the UK in which heavy drinking is prominent – some of the top five boozy jobs might surprise you (hint: The Brittas Empire).

Here is a link to the research, Associations between occupation and heavy alcohol consumption in UK adults aged 40–69 years: a cross-sectional study using the UK Biobank: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10208-x 

Booze News items:

Fortune (via MSN): Britain’s young football fans are ditching their sloppy drunk reputation – and are leading the charge for alcohol-free beer (https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/britain-young-football-fans-ditching-183818345.html) 

Metro (via MSN): Olympic team captain sent home for smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/olympic-team-captain-sent-home-for-smoking-cigarettes-and-drinking-alcohol/ar-BB1qgRyz)

People: The Most Surprising Rules You Didn't Know Athletes Must Follow in the Olympic Village (https://people.com/olympic-village-rules-athletes-must-follow-8681929)

Metro: Prison officers warned after drinking in pub on lunch break at HMP Winchester (https://metro.co.uk/2024/07/14/hmp-winchester-prison-officers-warned-drinking-pub-break-21187308/)

#leadership
#olympics
#parisolympics2024
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

For the second instalment of work drinking, Cess and Ollie speak with Liam McNulty – aka Whiskey Richard – who is based in Tokyo. He explains all about nomikai, basically Japanese work parties. There are several layers and dos and don'ts to navigate.

Notably, the sober curious movement doesn't seem to have travelled that far east – if people aren't drinking, it's probably because they can't afford to.

In Booze News, there is a particularly contentious story about a wedding guest leaving at 9.30pm and taking a whole load of friends with her as it was a dry party – a fact that was not advertised.

And there is an exciting new feature: Just the Tonic. This is a funny story or joke about sobriety to lighten the mood, should the Booze News become too serious.

Booze News items:

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): How we could be heading for a booze-free Britain (https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/other/how-we-could-be-heading-for-a-booze-free-britain/ar-BB1q1ndQ) 

Sydney Morning Herald (via MSN): Sober thoughts: Non-alcoholic drinks trend is shaping Perth venues (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/sober-thoughts-non-alcoholic-drinks-trend-is-shaping-how-perth-eats/ar-BB1q1LSJ)

Mirror: 'I ditched pal's wedding to get drunk – they didn't warn me wedding was alcohol-free' (https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/i-ditched-pals-wedding-drunk-33254047)

Bristol Live (via MSN): Man blew £25,000 on alcohol in just two weeks as life went out of control (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/man-blew-25000-on-alcohol-in-just-two-weeks-as-life-went-out-of-control/ar-BB1q4b89)

#leadership
#japan
#nomikai
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

Boozing on the job is certainly not advised, but what if drinking is ingrained in work – or at least after-work - culture?

To help answer this puzzler, Ollie and Cess welcome Tabbin Almond to the pod to discuss her forthcoming book, Bottling Up Trouble. The statistics are shocking: up to 5% of work absenteeism is due to alcohol; and presenteeism due to alcohol costs the UK economy upwards of £1.4 billion a year.

Tabbin laments the slow progress being made here. Did you know that many police stations had bars up until 2016? She calls out various industries where drinking is endemic and provides tips for leaders on changing a business's culture.

Before that insightful interview, there are four items of Booze News – this week featuring "Milly" (sic) Cyrus, some tips for cutting down on drinking, and, with the Tour de France coming to a head, a topical piece on whether alcohol is good for cycling performance.

Booze News items:

Cycling Weekly (via MSN): Could 'sober curiosity' make you a better cyclist? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/could-sober-curiosity-make-you-a-better-cyclist/ar-BB1pFsyq)

Irish Sun: SOBERING THOUGHTS Ireland’s attitude towards alcohol is changing – here’s 7 tips if you want to cut down on boozing or quit altogether (https://www.thesun.ie/health/13361915/ireland-zero-alcohol-top-tips-cut-down-quit-drinking/)

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): What my daughter said to make me give up wine for good (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/mindandbody/what-my-daughter-said-to-make-me-give-up-wine-for-good/ar-BB1pwaBd)

Psychology Today: Beliefs vs. Reality: How to Weaken Your Alcohol Craving (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/sober-curiosity/202406/beliefs-vs-reality-how-to-weaken-your-alcohol-craving)

#Ireland
#tourdefrance
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#mileycyrus

A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis.

Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to this podcast. He has since quit his job. Talk about being empowered!

Jadis, who comes from an Indigenous background, discusses the intergenerational trauma associated with alcohol in her community and her own journey with sobriety. They both express gratitude for the podcast and the support it has provided. We hope you find it a useful tool, too.

The conversation highlights the empowering nature of sobriety and the importance of mental health in making positive life changes.

Before the powerful discussion with Simon and Jadis, Ollie and Cess discuss their 20-mile weekend walk in Kent on the quest for wildness and watching England's quarter-final against Switzerland in a lively pub in Hythe (also wild).

And, as usual, there is some booze news – this week featuring Woody Cook and Cara Delevingne.

Booze News items:

The Sun: WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT? My dad was the world’s biggest raver and my mum was a famous ladette but I’m headlining a festival where booze is BANNED (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28823038/woody-cook-zoe-ball-fatboy-slim-sobar-sessions-festival/)

The Daily Mail: Sober Cara Delevingne reveals she's now 'got her power back' after drug and alcohol abuse left her 'super depressed' - and admits the first time she got drunk she was just EIGHT years old (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13608723/Sober-Cara-Delevingne-reveals-shes-got-power-drug-alcohol-abuse-left-super-depressed-admits-time-got-drunk-just-EIGHT-years-old.html)

Mancunian Matters: Alcohol Awareness Week: North West stories of sobriety (https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01072024-alcohol-awareness-week-north-west-stories-of-sobriety/)

The Telegraph (via MSN): How long it really takes to sober up (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/how-long-it-really-takes-to-sober-up/ar-BB1p6oox)

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#trauma

It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something. 

On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help answer the episode title's puzzler, they welcome Denise Hamilton-Mace, Founder and Editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, and Blake Gladman, Partner / Strategy and Insight Director at KAM Insight.

There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality's CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.

Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#generalelection

#sober

On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini.

Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – or perhaps was – an expectation that DJs would be getting into the groove one way or another. Drugs, rather than drink, is the biggest vice within the music industry, says Dom. His journey is influencing others on the DJ circuit, though. 

There is also a snippet from musicians Tom Bowen and Louis Brennan on their top tips for attending festivals sober as performers and punters. What's lost? What's gained?

Four Booze News items consider the impact of non-alcoholic drinks during the European Championships – Tesco is expecting to sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options – while Glastonbury is trucking in draft beer for 1,200,000 pints (enough to fill two full-size swimming pools). A documentary about Avicii, the Swedish producer who took his own life in 2018 aged 28, is also mentioned. And (alleged) drink-driver Justin Timberlake features.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#glastonbury 
#musicfestivals

#sober