Love Sober Podcast

As the seasons change, so do our needs. In this episode, we are talking about moving into autumn — sober, resourced and with a little more intention. The darker evenings, changing routines and shift in energy can affect our mood, nervous system and sobriety. Rather than pushing through or expecting ourselves to operate exactly as we did in summer, autumn can be an invitation to pause and ask: what do I actually need now? We share some of the things I’m thinking about as we move into the darker half of the year, including: The Autumn Edit Journaling prompts — what can you stop, simplify, postpone or let go of? Sober-proofing the darker evenings — noticing the times, places and feelings that might make alcohol seem appealing and creating new rituals around them. Building your autumn resource list — the people, practices, places and small pleasures that help you feel grounded and well. 🍂 Supporting your mental health and nervous system as daylight reduces and our natural energy begins to shift. Creating an autumn that has space for rest, connection, movement, nourishment and pleasure — rather than simply adding more things to the list. Sobriety isn’t just about taking alcohol away. It’s about learning how to support ourselves through the changing seasons of our lives. The questions for autumn: What can I edit? What will resource me? And what do I want to make room for this season? 🎧 Grab a cuppa, pull on a jumper and join us for an autumn reset. Love Kate + Helen x  Work 1:1 with Kate: Book a free discovery call : https://calendly.com/kate-824/discovery-call

In this episode of the Love Sober Podcast, Kate and Helen unpack that end-of-summer exhaustion and the strange, wobbly transition into autumn. They explore liminal spaces – the in‑between times when we’ve outgrown an old version of ourselves but aren’t yet anchored in the new – and how this shows up in midlife, sobriety, grief, and the changing seasons. Kate shares the inspiration behind her new program Midlife Alchemy (starts September 21st 2026) , created for sober and sober‑curious midlife women who are navigating hormones, identity shifts, and life’s big rites of passage. They talk about why rest is radical, how nervous system literacy can be a superpower, and the magic of women’s circles as trauma‑informed, neuro‑inclusive spaces for support and growth. If you’re feeling tired, and wondering how to tend your nervous system instead of pouring a drink, this conversation offers compassion, practical tools, and a little midlife magic. Find out more about Midlife Alchemy and book a discovery call at LoveSober.com → Circles → Midlife Alchemy. https://www.lovesober.com/midlife-alchemy DISCOVERY CALL WITH KATE for 1-2-1 COACHING OR PROGRAMS

In this episode of the Love Sober Podcast, Kate and Helen explore summer sobriety and how to build a realistic, compassionate summer toolkit using ideas from Kate’s book “Love Your Sober Year.” They talk about seasons, hormones, grief, parenting, and why women need a softer, cyclical approach to recovery – plus lots of very practical tools for getting through summer alcohol-free. We cover: Why seasons and cycles (monthly, yearly, life stages) matter for women in recovery The pressure of “perfect summer” energy and how to lower expectations Practical summer toolkit ideas: AF + nootropic drinks, electrolytes, fans, seasonal food, simple rituals with kids How to plan for big days out, holidays, and comedown days without using booze Turning “I should be drinking” moments into chances to protect memories, honour grief, and stay connected Grab a cuppa and let's chat x Buy Love Your Sober Year:  Work 1:1 with Kate Clarity Call 

Going on holiday without alcohol can feel terrifying – especially with family dynamics, all‑inclusive buffets, and airport Wetherspoons in the mix. In this episode, we unpack sober holidays with real stories, practical tools, and a lot of honesty (and laughter). We talk about: First alcohol‑free holidays (city breaks, all‑inclusive, family trips) Common trigger points: airports, poolside, cocktail hour, family stress How to prep like a “sober holiday prepper” (visualisation + planning) Sensory toolkit: headphones, essential oils, movement, journaling Protecting your nervous system while you travel Non‑alcoholic “ritual swaps” for cocktail hour and welcome drinks Accountability on the go: sober buddies, messaging, photos-as-check‑ins When big emotions or grief hit on holiday – and why that’s not “failing” Reframing “holiday” back to “holy day” and making real memories If you’re worried about staying alcohol‑free on holiday, you are not alone, and you don’t have to white‑knuckle it. Grab a cuppa and let's chat. X For support and community: Love Sober – lovesober.com Soberistas (UK) She Recovers and other sober communities online

In this episode of Love Sober Podcast, Kate talks with Victoria Vanstone, founder of Sober Awkward, writer, podcaster and author of A Thousand Wasted Sundays. Victoria shares her journey from Reading pub culture and wild backpacking years (including blowing off part of her finger with a firework) through motherhood, anxiety and the moment she realised she could “step off the roundabout” and choose a sober life. Kate and Victoria explore people‑pleasing, self‑abandonment, ADHD and rejection sensitivity, perimenopause and midlife rage, and how sobriety becomes a messy, beautiful “welcome mat” back home to yourself. Growing up in Reading pub culture, wild backpacking years and a Millennium firework accident that blew off part of her finger – Victoria Vanstone always wore chaos as a badge of honour. Motherhood, anxiety and Sunday shame finally brought her to a quiet rock bottom: “I just can’t f*cking do this anymore.” We talk about people‑pleasing, self‑abandonment, ADHD and rejection sensitivity, perimenopause, and why sobriety is the most interesting thing she’s ever done. Plus: social pivots in midlife, sober retreats in Thailand, the chicken dance, and rediscovering childlike joy without alcohol. Listen now on Love Sober Podcast and share with a sober or sober‑curious friend who needs this. Links & Resources Victoria Vanstone / Sober Awkward Website: [Sober Awkward] https://www.soberawkward.com/ Podcast: https://www.soberawkward.com/ Books: 1000 Wasted Sundays and Mumming: A Year of Trying and Failing to Be a Better Parent – [Book links]https://www.soberawkward.com/ Thailand sober retreats with Sober Dave: https://www.soberawkward.com/ Kate & Love Sober Love Sober website & programs: [Love Sober] https://www.lovesober.com/ Group program: Love Your Sober Summer – 6‑week group coaching for navigating summer triggers, holidays, nervous system regulation and boundaries: [Love Your Sober Summer] https://www.lovesober.com/love-your-sober-summer Books & ideas mentioned The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober – Catherine Gray Hagitude – Sharon Blackie  Women Who Run with the Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés  Creatrix / Burning Woman – Lucy H. Pearce  ADHD & Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)  https://www.soberawkward.com/ Vic's new book 'Mumming - A Year of Trying to be a Better Parent' is out now!  Grab a cuppa and let's chat x