The Big Drink Rethink

Ever caught yourself wondering, “Why is alcohol so hard to control for me?” In this episode Anna Donaghey urges you to challenge the story that the struggle is all your fault. Drawing from her experience as an alcohol mindset coach, author, and strategist, Anna examines why shame and blame are baked into how we talk about drinking and offers a totally different perspective.Instead of focusing on willpower, Anna explores how social expectations, stress, and our culture’s obsession with alcohol shapes your relationship with drinking. She invites you to shift from self-judgement to compassionate curiosity, uncovering what alcohol actually does for you, and how to move forward with genuine agency (not force).Listen now for fresh psychological insight, and actionable tools to gently reframe your habits and open new possibilities about rethinking the way you drink.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome to The Big Drink Rethink Podcast00:53 What if you're not the problem? 01:33 Our culture confuses responsibility with blame02:23 The dominant narrative comes from Alcoholics Anonymous05:41 Using alcohol to cope, switching off, easing anxiety, marking the end of the day doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human.06:27 The real question isn’t “what’s wrong with me?” but “why is this the tool I’ve ended up relying on?”07:01 Curiosity about what alcohol is doing for you shifts the conversation 07:23 The goal isn’t just to become a non-drinker, but someone who listens to themselves and designs a life they don’t want to escape from08:23 Struggles with drinking aren’t your fault09:50 Change begins with curiosity, and honesty10:09 Rethinking drinking is about being awake in your own life.Anna’s book "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!Order your copy, access her free tools and explore her coaching programmes at: https://thebigdrinkrethink.com/The Thirsty For More Mindset Lab is Anna’s ‘inner circle’ - a calm, thoughtful space where conversations continue, patterns are explored, and things begin to make sense. Find out more at: https://thirstyformore.substack.com/If you appreciate the podcast and would like to show a bit of love, you can donate the cost of a coffee here. It helps support the time and care that goes into making the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn:a...

This week is a big one for The Big Drink Rethink, with host Anna Donaghey, celebrating publication day and introducing her brand new, first book. "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want", is now out in the world for you to buy!In this special episode, Anna invites you to continue your reappraisal - not just of alcohol, but what it is you are really craving in life. Rather than pushing rules or labels, she offers practical, compassionate insights drawn from her own journey (and many honest stories from you, the listeners).At its heart, she invites you to ask a pivotal, different question. Not “Is my drinking bad enough?” but “Is my life good enough?” With warmth and zero preaching, Anna Donaghey welcomes anyone curious, cautious, or somewhere in the grey area, to explore what you really want from life, using gentle tools for awareness and self-discovery.Whether you’re seeking new possibilities, or just looking to understand what truly drives your drinking, tune in for an uplifting, honest conversation and don’t forget to grab the book, now available everywhere!Amazon: https://amzn.to/47agUn2Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-are-you-thirsty-for/anna-donaghey/9781915780607Here are the highlights:00:00 Intro: Anna’s new book - What Are You Thirsty For? is here!01:07 If you’re in the “grey area” around alcohol, you’re not alone02:14 How cultural stories about alcohol shape our habits 03:43 The book is flipping the script from “is my drinking bad enough?” to “is my life good enough?” 05:01 The shift from self-judgement to self-inquiry, insights from podcast guests 07:01 Awareness, not rules why most people live in the vast in-between 08:23 The “jobs” we hand to alcohol (and why it never truly delivers) 11:11 What changed for Anna12:05 Who the book is really written for14:22 Designing your life by choice, not out of habit, find a pathway back to yourself 15:31 This isn’t just about alcohol; it’s about the life you want.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing...

Struggling to keep your momentum as the novelty of cutting back on drinking starts to wear off? You’re not alone. In this third mini episode, Anna Donaghey returns with five practical, pressure-free ideas to support you through January, especially when willpower is fading and real-life challenges kick in.Building on previous mindset shifts, Anna sidesteps perfection and “shoulds,” guiding you to focus on what you actually want from life (not just what you’re trying to avoid). She invites listeners to rethink their motivation, reframe inevitable wobbles as valuable learning moments, and gently plan supportive evenings that help you feel safe and soothed and not stressed.You’ll learn the ultimate nervous system hack (intentional breathing), why small rituals matter more than big gestures, and why celebrating tiny gains is the most powerful way to stay on track.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Welcome back to the mini series, for a new year kickstart01:09 The novelty wears off, how to get real momentum in sober curiosity01:31 Five simple, practical ideas, not willpower, but gentle support01:49 Swap “not allowed” thinking for “is my life good enough right now?”02:42 Motivation from desire, not discipline or fear03:18 The pull towards a better life is stronger than willpower04:39 Wobbles are normal, it takes time to learn new habits07:12 Treat setbacks with curiosity, not moral judgment07:34 Plan evenings lightly, enjoy tiny, soothing rituals10:12 The incredible power of intentional breathing (box breathing)13:39 Pay attention to what’s getting better14:32 Pick one idea to shape your evening, even if it’s gentle and small14:54 What if this month was about becoming someone you feel good being?15:04 The journey continues with more episodes and resources.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:...

If you’re already feeling the challenge of cutting back on drinking this January, you’re not alone and you don’t have to rely on sheer willpower. In this second mini episode, Anna returns to share the essential (and surprisingly gentle) secret to handling cravings and breaking free from autopilot habits.Building on the previous episode’s mindset shifts, Anna introduces the idea of noticing urges without judgment, explains why most cravings are signals about what you truly need, and guides listeners through the powerful practice of “urge surfing.”This is not about perfection or passing a test. It’s about curiosity, self-kindness, and baby steps toward a better relationship with drinking. You’ll walk away with a practical tool you can use tonight, and the knowledge that real change starts with tiny moments of awareness.Here are the Highlights:00:00 January is tough, and feeling mixed emotions is normal01:03 Mindset recap: why big declarations don’t work01:20 Day two focus: Noticing urges, and why old patterns creep in02:20 Why drinking habits are automatic02:45 What’s underneath the craving?03:37 The “magic” of noticing04:26 Tiny moments of awareness versus gritted teeth04:28 Zero-pressure reflection practice05:02 Change begins with curiosity, not control05:31 Your only job tonight: Just notice05:49 What if tonight was just something to observe?07:19 The reality: Most urges peak and fade within minutes08:07 The power of letting an urge pass and discovering what your mind/body really wants08:57 An urge is not an order; you do not have to act on it09:26 Free urge surfing resources available at https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/toolkit-optinTune in tomorrow for the next episode, and keep rethinking your relationship with drinking one gentle step at a time.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Is Dry January on your mind, but you’re already feeling the weight of “new year, new me” expectations? In the first of this mini series, Anna welcomes the New Year with a gentle reality check for anyone considering a break from alcohol whether you’re looking to quit, cut down, or just get curious about your drinking habits.With compassion and clarity, she unpacks why pressure, grand declarations, and all-or-nothing thinking so often sabotages our best intentions in January. Instead, she offers a different way to embrace curiosity and exploration as you rethink your relationship with drinking.Anna invites you to notice your patterns, get honest about your hopes, and see “wobbles” as part of real, lasting change, not failure. Start the year with self-kindness, realistic strategies, and a plan that supports you, rather than scares you.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Why taking a break from drinking is brilliant anytime00:40 The cultural pressure of New Year’s resolutions02:14 “Challenge mode” and the trap of all-or-nothing thinking06:12 Why wobbles are proof of learning and progress07:45 How to make January an exploration, not a test08:11 The real question: What are you hoping to feel in your life this year?09:09 The first step: Start noticing your habits with kindness, not judgment09:20 Permission to be a beginner, and simple ways to support yourself10:01 Anna’s Alcohol Experiment and how to get real, daily support.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

Are you showing up for Christmas wanting change, but feeling swallowed up by old patterns, pressure, or the ever-present invitation to pour a drink? In this uplifting milestone episode of The Big Drink Rethink (100 episodes!), your host Anna Donaghey offers a heart-to-heart Christmas Day pep talk for anyone questioning their drinking, or simply craving a more honest and intentional holiday experience.Through lived experience and a coach’s insight, she gently unpacks why Christmas stirs up overwhelm, exhaustion, and even unexpected loneliness, alongside the pressure of old habits. She guides you back to your own intentions, with a practical, simple toolkit for resetting and choosing the version of you that feels truest even if you’re the only one who sees it right now.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Anna’s gratitude for every listener whether brand new or following since the beginning00:31 Why Christmas is such a complicated mix of comfort and challenge01:53 Today isn’t about perfection02:17 You’re not the sum of your past Decembers03:03 Experiment: What does Christmas feel like without alcohol?03:52 How to navigate triggers: Pause, Check In, Choose. 05:21 You’re allowed to take up space in a different way06:13 Gentle encouragement to hold your ground with clarity06:39 Have a proud and present Christmas Day, plus where to find resources.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

Are your Christmas traditions serving you or just sabotaging your intentions for change? This time of year isn’t just about parties and presents, it’s a complex mix of family dynamics, old patterns, emotional triggers steeped in decades of drinking. In this powerful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey takes a gentle yet practical approach to surviving (and actually enjoying) Christmas and New Year, especially if you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol.Drawing on lived experience, psychology, and coaching tools, Anna unpacks why Christmas stirs up excitement, dread, and everything in between. She shares a step-by-step plan for protecting your peace, setting boundaries, dealing with triggers, and redefining who you want to be this season. Whether you’re aiming for your first alcohol-free Christmas or just want it to feel more intentional (and less chaotic), this episode puts clarity, self-kindness, and genuine joy at the heart of the festive season.Here are the Highlights: 00:41 Why Christmas stirs up mixed emotions and challenges03:09 How old patterns and family roles shape festive drinking06:32 The power of identity: Who do you want to be this Christmas?09:46 Mel Robbins “let them” theory to deal with other people’s behaviour11:10 Own your choices, and protect your peace13:54 How environments trigger old habits16:53 Staying rooted in your intentions19:11 Planning for emotional flashpoints over the Christmas period23:41 Visualisation worksheet: How to map out your big days27:34 Dealing with New Year's Eve hype and midnight pressure29:57 Why a “fresh” January is more important than a “perfect” December32:11 Regulate your nervous system with breathwork & micro-resets34:00 Moving through the season with clarity and pride35:00 Anna’s Alcohol Experiment and extra support for Dry JanuaryAnna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

What if the festive season could bring more connection, confidence, and genuine fun… without the dread (or the hangover)? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, your host Anna shares how to survive Christmas parties, whether you’re alcohol free, moderating, or just rethinking your relationship with drinking.Drawing on personal stories and practical coaching insight, Anna covers how Christmas parties often trigger reflex drinking and cultural pressures, and shares simple, powerful strategies to help you stay true to what you want from the season. From pre-party mindset resets to mastering your exit plan (hello, Irish Goodbye!). This episode is packed with real-life tools, gentle encouragement, and tips for waking up clear-headed, proud, and totally FOMO-free.Here are the Highlights:00:41 Why Christmas parties stir up both excitement and anxiety03:25 How cultural scripts and past habits hijack our choices08:05 The three key questions to set your party intentions11:25 Alcohol free versus moderation, how to pick your best path12:50 Busting myths, you’re not the only one cutting down!16:23 Pre-party grounding and creating “joy drinks”22:05 Social pressure, responses, and the power of changing the subject24:22 Finding your wingman and safe spaces26:42 Micro check-ins: Don’t confuse boredom with wanting a drink27:52 Planning your exit and mastering the Irish Goodbye30:37 End of night rituals for real rewardsReady to rethink your Christmas party season? Tune in to get inspired, energised, and equipped for whatever December throws your way.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

What if your relationship with alcohol was more about nourishment than willpower? In this eye-opening toolkit episode of The Big Drink Rethink, Anna shares one of her most powerful tools yet, a framework to help you discover what truly fuels and sustains you, making it easier to outgrow alcohol for good. Drawing on personal experience and Tara Mohr’s Core Nutrients Framework, Anna Donaghey guides you to uncover what you’re genuinely “thirsty for,” and how meeting these deeper needs naturally eases your reliance on booze. Whether you’re navigating the pressures of the holiday season or simply wanting to rethink your drinking habits, this episode is packed with practical exercises and gentle wisdom to help you feel more alive, grounded, and connected - no willpower required!Here are the Highlights:00:00 Habits stick not through willpower, but by feeling nourished 03:10 Christmas amplifies everything, joy, loneliness, and chaos 09:12 Alcohol offers temporary comfort and connection10:08 Reflect on your true cravings and emotional needs13:48 Creativity, belonging, and connection energise your inner life25:13 Prioritise self-nourishment, download the reflection sheet at thebigdrinkrethink.com/tools26:57 Identifying core needs brings clarity, immediate well-being, and builds lasting habits.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

Have you ever questioned whether alcohol might be quietly dimming the best parts of your life? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey chats to Dan D'Souza, co-founder of MUUSH to explore how quitting alcohol made room for more meaning, creativity, and connection. From high-flying networking in boozy city jobs to finding real nourishment in purpose and daily joy, Dan shares his journey through the “grey area” of drinking and the practical, inspiring steps he took to rethink his relationship with alcohol. Here are the Highlights:00:00 Intro: Dan D'Souza, co-founder of MUUSH, quit alcohol to prioritise purpose, and connection04:00 Missed grades led to studying marketing at Sussex09:54 Alcohol remains a social expectation and facilitator in business15:54 Drinking can still be a problem if it depletes or distracts you17:33 A turning point in 2023, after losing a bag with a phone and laptop21:08 Focus on what feels good and kind23:57 Removing alcohol creates space for reflection, opens new chapters, and fosters clarity for life's next steps27:44 Spending less on alcohol allows for more purposeful spending 35:24 Focus on identifying priorities37:07 Bridging taste and function in non-alcoholic drinks43:00 Balance values and small pleasures while maintaining clarity and energy46:02 Seeking professional help and finding inspiration from others49:14 Friendships can evolve to provide emotional supportAnna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Dan D’Souza:Dan D’Souza, co-founder of MUUSH - Lion’s Mane-based drinks brand. On a mission to bridge taste and function with Lion's

Letting go, relaxing, and releasing especially without alcohol can feel out of reach for many. In this insightful, toolbox-packed Q&A episode, Anna Donaghey tackles questions from listeners and coaching clients about why it can be so hard to relax or "let go," even after quitting drinking. This episode explores how patterns of control, nervous system wiring, shame, and old beliefs shape our inability to relax, and offers practical, compassionate tools for beginning to unlearn these habits and find true safety and release.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Listener questions about “letting go”01:57 Listener feels unable to soften and release03:18 The nervous system doesn’t know how to release on its own04:24 It's not that you're broken, the body has learned holding on is safe05:33 Why we grip so tightly, and the link to safety and self-protection06:42 Fear of falling apart, feeling emotions, and losing control07:38 What does your tightness think it’s protecting?08:05 Why “trying hard” to release is counterproductive09:18 Create conditions where release can happen naturally12:05 The importance of permission in self-care and self-worth12:48 Seeking support, therapy, and accepting oneself14:06 Start with possibility17:19 Replace drinking rituals with calming alternatives18:04 Healing is slow, small acts accumulate and become safety signals19:09 Layers of trust: trust in self, trust in others, and (even) trust in life22:31 “I don’t have to carry this anymore”; letting go doesn’t mean giving up22:50 Release isn’t a destination, it’s a returning rhythm like breathing25:03 Micro-moments of softening as daily healing gestures26:16 Please submit your questions for future episodes.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by

How deep do the patterns that drive our drinking really go? In this transformative episode, Anna talks to Dr. Evette Rose, internationally renowned holistic counselor, trauma recovery expert, and author of Metaphysical Anatomy to reveal how trauma, inherited stress, and family conditioning can hardwire us for coping mechanisms like alcohol, long before we ever pick up a drink. You’ll discover addiction is not just about willpower or habits. It’s about healing the imprints left by childhood, family history, and even foetal development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking not just sobriety, but true freedom from old emotional wiring.​Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Exploring trauma, nervous system wiring, and alcohol03:25 Growing up: alcoholism, violence, and longing for connection07:36 How childhood patterns of stress shape identity09:18 Repeating family patterns in relationships12:09 Intergenerational trauma and addiction predisposition15:10 The impact of maternal stress on addiction risk17:01 The placenta as a “memory bank” for trauma18:36 Not just nurture, trauma transfer at a cellular and biological level22:01 How generational trauma can be “programmed” into you28:38 Coping mechanisms beyond alcohol33:00 Why focusing only on “fixing” yourself keeps you stuck 35:37 Rapid regulation exercises for triggers and cravings 41:22 Practical body-based tools for rewiring safety48:00 What if you don’t know your family history? 51:05 Healing not as correcting flaws, but updating old survival patterns.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukAbout Dr. Evette...

Is quitting alcohol just about the drink itself, or is there something deeper at play? Anna Donaghey sits down with trauma-informed healer Emma Lyons, founder of The Trauma Matrix, to explore how shame hides beneath so many of our habits, including drinking, and keeps us stuck in self-judgment, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. If you’ve ever felt that gnawing ‘not enough’ feeling, or wondered why cutting back on booze feels so hard, this episode will help you see what’s really fueling the urge and give you powerful new tools for release.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Why releasing alcohol requires releasing shame02:08 Meet Emma Lyons04:49 Family scapegoat, inherited shame & the roots of addiction07:54 Why therapy doesn’t work until you address shame09:00 Shame vs. guilt: The toxic cocktail that attacks our sense of self12:40 Manipulation, compliance, and the gaslighting of “for your own good”13:39 How shame hijacks the body and drives coping strategies17:16 Shame shuts down empathy19:37 Narcissists, repression, and the Velcro effect of internalised shame22:01 Scapegoats, golden children, and not being yourself25:54 Imposter syndrome, perfectionism and anxiety are all just shame with better PR28:43 Numbing shame with alcohol30:51 How not-enoughness fuels drinking32:01 Why shame is always toxic and why society says otherwise35:41 How children can pick up parental shame, accidentally and unconsciously38:39 Drinking to numb, feeling flawed, and repeating the pattern39:31 You can’t bully shame into submission48:17 What happens when shame is released48:42 Why alcohol loses its job when shame no longer needs numbing49:28 Where to find Emma Lyons (+free gift for listeners)Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced bya...

Is change really something to fear or the doorway to a brighter, more intentional life? What if the moments when everything feels uncertain are precisely when new possibilities emerge? In this uplifting episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey welcomes author and coach Eleanor Tweddell, whose book Another Door Opens explores the messy, hopeful, and deeply human process of navigating personal transformation.Together, Anna and Eleanor unpack what it means to face closed doors whether it's about drinking, work, relationships, or life itself and how to turn endings into powerful new beginnings. If you’re grappling with resistance to change (or maybe just a nagging sense that something isn’t right), this conversation is packed with understanding, psychological insight, and practical strategies to help you move forward.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Meet Eleanor Tweddell, author and change expert02:08 Why closed doors aren’t the end—change as an opening03:04 Redundancy, discomfort, and listening to the inner voice04:38 The Do Lecture Bootcamp, risk, and growth05:48 Resistance vs. readiness: why “I’ll do it tomorrow” feels safer08:33 The power and necessity of ownership when facing change12:40 Micro-change in daily life: choice, triggers, and how we respond14:55 The inevitability of change: we’re already masters at adapting17:37 The importance of the pause: creating space and acknowledging what you need19:32 Why alcohol is often our default “pause” and what listening to our emotions can reveal22:14 Turning resistance into reflection: the first step to possibility24:45 The messy middle: limiting beliefs, discomfort, and the courage to stay and learn33:34 Support, connection, and the ripple effect of personal change34:56 Playfulness as a tool: experiments, brainstorming, and expanding your sense of what’s possible.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

Is drinking stopping you from becoming the parent (and person) you want to be? Why is alcohol so deeply woven into fatherhood and what does it take for men to resist those powerful cultural norms and rewrite their story for good? In this honest and inspiring episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Luke Jones, sober transformation coach and NLP master practitioner, to explore identity, masculinity, and the “aha” moments that spark lasting change.Luke shares how alcohol slowly shifted from social glue to coping crutch, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) self-justifications men use to keep drinking, and the moment his son’s simple question forced him to confront the truth. Together, Anna and Luke shine a light on the unique pressures facing dads and offer powerful tools for mastering the discomfort of change and finding a new (genuinely fun) way forward.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Introduction: Meet Luke Jones, sober transformation coach for dads04:33 From backpacking party scene to family life06:00 Everyday drinking creeps in using alcohol as a “coping” tool08:30 When your own kid asks if you’re an alcoholic12:06 The pressure to keep up and blokey culture,14:07 Why the fear of loss keeps us stuck18:05 Personal development vs. just quitting drinking22:08 Drinking as self-definition, who am I if not a drinker?23:03 From self-awareness to education26:31 Your WHY: Role modelling, fatherhood, motivation trumps fear30:39 Social anxiety and building the muscle of sober connection33:19 Why it’s not all-or-nothing and every attempt counts36:27 Is this life enough? How growth and learning return after sobriety43:14 The most common challenges dads face44:50 Why men don’t want to talk (but desperately need to)47:36 Luke’s advice for men: find support, vulnerability is strength49:54 Resistance is natural, fear is overcomable… and your WHY is everything.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:a...

Is resistance stopping you from making the changes you crave around alcohol? Why does it feel so hard to step into the unknown even when you know old habits aren’t serving you? In this solo episode, host Anna Donaghey unpacks the hidden force of resistance that keeps us stuck and reveals why letting go, not fighting harder, is often the key to real transformation.Anna explores the very real brain science behind resistance, how our identities get fused with drinking, and why fear of loss can overshadow the possibilities of change. If you’ve ever felt trapped by familiar habits or doubted your ability to redefine yourself, this episode is a compassionate guide to understanding your inner tug-of-war and a powerful invitation to release what’s weighing you down.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Exploring resistance and release01:39 Why change feels hard02:52 Resistance is the mind’s reflex to protect the status quo04:45 Resistance isn’t weakness; it’s your safety system doing its job06:49 Why we stay stuck in patterns even when we hate them08:25 Not just habits, how drinking shapes identity and self-perception10:54 Reinvention is possible, you’ve changed before, you can do it again11:39 Loss aversion: why the brain fixates on what you’re “giving up”13:00 The backpack analogy: holding on to old habits out of fear14:05 We forget we can grow, change is a muscle15:54 Change is hard because you’re out of practice, not incapable16:36 Don’t resign yourself to replaying the same year possibility awaits17:15 The path forward: don’t fight resistance, practice release18:53 Release is loosening your grip, calming your nervous system19:34 Letting go of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and control20:31 Resistance is the edge of something new; release is how you cross it21:39 Where are you gripping tight, and what could you let go of?Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram:

What does it really mean to become “emotionally sober” and why is this concept the key to freedom and fulfillment beyond simply quitting drinking? In this deeply insightful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Natalie Bedard (aka NatNat), founder of Lift OneSelf and host of the Lift OneSelf podcast, to demystify emotional sobriety and the nervous system’s role in how we cope, connect, and heal.NatNat shares her powerful personal journey through childhood trauma, single parenthood, and a life-threatening illness, and reveals how these experiences led her to develop a trauma-informed, somatic approach to self-regulation and recovery. Together, Anna and NatNat unpack the language of emotional healing, translating concepts like “coming home to yourself” and “nervous system safety” into practical, real-life tools for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Meet NatNat and the concept of emotional sobriety02:14 NatNat’s story, childhood trauma, single motherhood, life-threatening illness, and deep transformation08:45 Finding regulation in real life (not just on a cushion)16:14 Why we drink to feel safe and how coping patterns are born19:04 What “dysregulated” really means and how alcohol hijacks emotions24:38 The vicious cycle of numbing and why our pain keeps bubbling up27:41 Trauma as a split from self and how we heal from the divide29:09 How to feel emotions without drowning in them32:17 What is emotional sobriety?35:08 Can you be emotionally sober even if you drink? (Spoiler: Yes)38:32 The mindful moment, a guided exercise44:21 Accepting all our parts to build trust and a life we don’t want to escape from52:49 Be kind to yourself, your breath is your doorway home.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced bya...

When alcohol enters a family system, disconnection, secrecy, and resentment can quietly take root. But what if real, lasting change doesn’t start with confronting the drinker but by shifting the family dynamic itself? In this powerful episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Amber Hollingsworth, counselor and family recovery expert, to unpack how families can navigate the pain of alcohol-related disconnection and take practical steps toward reconnection even when their loved one isn’t ready to get help.Anna and Amber explore the hidden ways alcohol damages connection at home, why the "bad guy" role traps families in unhealthy dynamics, and how boundaries can become bridges (not battlegrounds) for trust and healing. Amber shares her unique approach to working with families even in the absence of the drinker and offers actionable advice for getting out of the villain role, setting real boundaries, and fostering a climate where change is possible.Whether you’re worried about a partner, a child, or yourself, this episode is full of hard-won wisdom and reassurance: You are not powerless, and there is a way through this.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Why alcohol disconnection is also a family issue02:34 Amber’s story: 20+ years working with families, reluctant clients, and the “bad guy” trap05:44 Influencing change even when your loved one isn’t ready08:00 High-functioning alcohol use, resentment, and the power struggle dynamic11:20 Why confrontation can backfire and actually prolong change14:01 Cat-and-mouse dynamics, trust issues, and “drinking police”16:22 Early work with addicted teens, and the power of being seen20:29 Listening, curiosity, and the importance of genuine empathy24:26 Setting clear personal limits (not rules for others)29:05 Bringing everything above board before real change begins35:08 How shifting your role (and your boundaries) changes everything38:27 Stepping back, and letting others connect their own dots40:55 Progress is messy, and the value of patience41:58 What you can start doing today44:49 You are not powerless; with strategy and understanding, things can changeAnna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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:a...

What if the real craving behind your evening glass of wine isn’t alcohol, but connection? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores the science and psychology of human connection, why disconnection hurts so much, and the small, practical steps you can use to build both belonging and self-connection without reaching for a drink. Anna outlines why we’re wired for relationships, how modern life leaves us more isolated than we think, and how alcohol often becomes a stand-in for real connection. In this episode you’ll discover practical, actionable tools that won’t just boost your mood, they'll rewire your brain for connection, resilience, and real happiness. Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction - why connection matters00:51 The modern disconnection epidemic02:27 Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day05:29 Why rejection literally hurts07:10 Using alcohol as a substitute for connection08:46 Why being a stranger to yourself can hurt just as much13:28 Craving connection vs. craving alcohol14:02 The science behind connection22:29 Difference between loneliness and being alone23:47 The physical toll of loneliness25:01 Our amazing neuroplasticity to rewire for belonging26:17 Micro moments of connection: Daily “sparks” that retrain your brain29:35 Mindfulness, the foundation of real presence and belonging30:28 Practical Experiments to try39:51 Loneliness is a biological signal, respond to it, don’t shame it41:38 Connection comes from presence and authenticity.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.uk

What does it mean to reconnect to yourself after you stop drinking? This episode of The Big Drink Rethink dives deep into the journey from escapism and numbing through alcohol to living with “radical integrity” and honouring your true values, even when it’s uncomfortable. Host Anna Donaghey welcomes Lauren Burnison, founder of pioneering sober travel company, We Love Lucid and a compelling, raw writer who has built a vibrant community around honest conversations about sobriety, travel, and motherhood.Lauren shares her rollercoaster story, from early drinking and navigating mean-girl school culture, through wild adventures and substance-fuelled escapes in South America and Asia, to the turning point that led her to choose sobriety for good. Together, they explore why so many of us turn to drinking to self-abandon, how to find meaning beyond alcohol, and what it really looks like to live in alignment with your values even if you don’t always have all the answers.Here are the Highlights:00:00 Introduction: Meet Lauren Burnison founder of the sober travel company, We Love Lucid04:40 Teenage anxiety and self-doubt often lead Lauren to drink alcohol09:50 Travel, drugs, and alcohol often intertwine12:03 Alcohol and drugs often create a false sense of connection 16:48 Turbulent travel experiences led to teaching in safer South Korea.18:32 Hit rock bottom in South Korea22:19 A mix of grace and meeting a sober friend helped sustain the decision not to drink.25:49 Reflecting on nine years of sobriety28:25 Practicing radical integrity by listening to gut feelings and pausing on desires without clear reasons.30:54 Tuning into emotions and body helps identify what you need39:07 Quitting alcohol empowers you to feel capable of anything41:40 Recognise and fulfill your current needs, to nourish and support personal growth47:36 Anna highly recommends Lauren’s newsletter.Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: https://www.winetowatercoaching.com/unstuck-1 To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener.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/bigdrinkrethinkAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: