Upper Bottom

The hosts interview Chrissie Parkinson and Chris Losh, who established the World Alcohol Free Awards to address the lack of recognition and understanding of alcohol-free drinks. According to the competition founders, innovation and creativity in alcohol-free drinks are rapidly evolving, with a focus on artisanal and experimental approaches. Good news for the sober curious, then!

In booze news, Cess and Ollie raise a glass to the recently departed Juan Vicente Pérez, who died on April 2, aged 114, after a daily drink of strong sugarcane alcohol. The new oldest living man in the world, 112-year-old John Tinniswood from Liverpool, put his longevity down to "moderation" and weekly fish and chips, rather than hard booze.

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In this episode, Ollie – who now boasts a year without booze – and Cess discuss various topics related to alcohol consumption and abstinence.

They explore the perception of alcohol as a poison among younger generations and the growing view that boozing is bad. The hosts also reflect on their own experiences of sobriety and the positive changes it has brought to their lives.

With Cess screwing on his historian's hat, the conversation then delves into the origins and significance of Lent as a period of abstinence, drawing parallels to modern abstinence movements. The pair ponder the temperance movement and its impact on society, as well as the legacy of prohibition.

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Pour away the sickly grape juice! Amanda Thomson made it her mission to create a range of great-tasting non-alcoholic wines, including a sparkling Chardonnay – which co-hosts Ollie and Cess can confirm is exquisitely good.

It took a long time, as Amanda tells Ollie, to create the "perfect liquid", but now you will find NOUGHTY, the AF range of wines of her company Thomson & Scott, in Michelin-starred restaurants. In a wide-ranging interview, the pair discuss the global trend for "blended" drinking – imbibing non- or low-alcohol drinks during the week, and perhaps having a glass or two at the weekends, or on special occasions – and how having grown-up AF options increases inclusivity at celebrations (for example, for Muslims) and health benefits.

There are three linked items of booze news, all around hangxiety, and reducing alcohol intake, and Cess discusses his newfound passion: hiking!

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Taking a break from interviewing guests, Ollie and Cess discuss their experiences with alcohol and the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in while under the influence.

The hosts share personal stories of risky behaviour and regrets, highlighting the need for self-reflection and growth. Are boys / men more reckless with (and without) alcohol? They also explore the human desire for wildness and the role alcohol plays in accessing – and gaining a shortcut to – that state.

And there is a fascinating item of booze news about why hangovers really do become worse the older you get.

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Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Ollie and Cess speak to three Irish people to better understand what it's all about.

Catherine Doogan offers some historical context, Melissa Kelly discusses going sober in Ireland, and Terry – a barman in the Blythe Hill Tavern – provides some words of wisdom to complete the unholy trinity.

Whether you decide to drink a pint of Guinness or not, know that, on average, it will cost you 37p more than it did this time last year.

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Ollie and Cess speak with Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, an alternative – and delicious – grown-up "switchel" drink, and the trio discuss society's expectations of women and drinking habits. 

Bethan offers some advice to sober curious listeners, and Cess offers a brief history lesson on Mothering Sunday, while Ollie has a confession his own mother might not like ...

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Ollie and Cess ask two friends of the pod, Natalie and Ryan, who have been sober for two months, to discuss their experiences with extending Dry January and their motivations. 

The guests explore the effects of sobriety on sleep, physical health, and mental well-being. They also discuss the challenges of social situations, the reactions of friends and family (for Nat, everyone wrongly assumes she is pregnant!), and reflect on the cultural expectations around drinking and the changing attitudes towards sobriety. 

As always, there are some items of booze news. And – having learnt from listeners – Cess and Ollie have re-recorded the intro. 

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Stuart Elkington, Founder of drydrinker.com, the UK’s top-rated independent low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drink specialist, joins Ollie and Cess for a deep dive into being a “dry drinker”. He discusses industry trends and – praise be! – serves up some passable 0-ish% wine recommendations. In booze news, the hosts consider some of the 546 words Britons have for drunkenness, and – put those beer googles away – how alcohol doesn’t make other people appear attractive after all.

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Julia Linehan*, Founder and CEO of B2B adtech PR agency The Digital Voice, joins Ollie and Cess to talk about SPILL – Sober Party Industry Lads and Ladies – and (almost) five years of sobriety.

*Not Jane, as a muddled Ollie mentions at c 5.39 minutes – SORRY Julia.

The hosts also discuss their first taste of alcohol, and also how attending weddings and funerals, and going on holiday, for the first time without booze felt.

In booze news, the new alcohol-free seating zones at Twickenham – which led to one chap necked five pints consecutively – in England’s match against Wales, is assessed, and there are more stats that indicate the sober curious movement is being led by Gen Z. 

But the European country leading the charge will (probably) surprise you …

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Hosts Ollie and Cess reveal their early challenges with going sober – and offer a useful analogy of pals being lifted away on a hot air balloon – before realising the obvious and unforeseen benefits of not boozing. Mindset is everything, and not drinking – rather than moderating drinking – could be the game-changer for you, too.

The pair also tackle listeners' questions, salute Sir Billy Connolly, who is closing in on 40 years sober, and pour cold water on "Safety Shot" – a new drink that claims to reduce hangovers.

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