No More Booze - The Podcast

***Please note that this is a episode includes a conversation about suicide***This week on No More Booze, I'm joined by the effervescent John Boland @bolandjohn0, a man I literally met on the side of a mountain! We talk about what 30 years of drinking (and living behind a mask) really cost him and what sobriety has given back. John shares the moment with his son that changed everything and how irrational thinking led to irrational behaviour, his mental health and lots of other aspects of his life.We chat recovery tools, boundaries, 'playing the tape forward', miracles and why John’s big suggestion is simple: if you’re sitting on the fence, do a bomber headfirst into the sobriety world. Enjoy John's energy, vitality, zest for life and incredible positivity in this episode.Jon Boland from Finglas in Dublin. He has been sober for the last 6 years and is loving every second of it. John feels that he has been given a second chance at life and he is grabbing with both hands. He does a lot of volunteer work and has set up a business called Get Up Adventures working alongside marginalised communities. In this, he has found his purpose in life and credits sobriety as the gift that keeps on giving. John, along with a few others, is doing a Paddy's Day hike up at Glencullen, Dublin starting at 9.30am. Come Join Us! Feel free to contact him @bolandjohn0 for more details.If any topic in this podcast has affected you, please reach out to www.pieta.ie or www.samaritans.ieIf you are interested in joining one of my Monthly Groups, please visit www.greyareadrinker.ie or send me a DM on instagram @greyareadrinker

It’s a solo episode this week on No More Booze and I’m answering your Instagram AMA questions.We start with the Stages of Change (the trans-theoretical model): pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, relapse/recycling and termination. I break down what each stage looks like in real life, why ambivalence is so normal for grey area drinkers and how identity (and neuroplasticity) shifts over time.I also chat about what I’d do if my kids started drinking as teens and the hardest bits of giving up booze: stillness, stopping, nervous system regulation and learning to feel “enough” without the wine. Enjoy!As always feel free to reach out to me on instagram @greyareadrinker or on my website www.greyareadrinker.ie

This week on No More Booze, I’m joined by fellow podcaster Anna Donaghey, host of The Big Drink Rethink Podcast, coach and author of the brilliant new book ‘What Are You Thirsty For?’Anna shares how she quit alcohol five years ago after a long bouncing along the bottom period. There was no dramatic rock bottom, just exhaustion and that constant inner tug-of-war.We talk grey area drinking, why awareness comes before action and the cost of using alcohol as the fastest way to change your state.We also dig into unmet needs, perfectionism, self-limiting beliefs and the bigger question: not ‘is my drinking bad enough?’ but ‘is my life good enough?’Find Anna at thebigdrinkrethink.com and search ‘The Big Drink Rethink’ wherever you listen to your podcasts. Anna is an alcohol mindset coach and host of the acclaimed podcast The Big Drink Rethink. A former advertising strategist, she brings insight, empathy and humour to conversations about alcohol, identity and intentional living. After quitting drinking five years ago, Anna set out to explore why we drink - and what we’re really looking for. Her debut book, What Are You Thirsty For?, invites readers to get curious, reconnect with themselves, and create a life where nourishment is genuine and substitutes are irrelevant.Buy Anna’s book:‘What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and The Life You Want:https://www.thebigdrinkrethink.com/book Connect with Anna:Website: thebigdrinkrethink.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkTo find out more about me, my work as an Alcohol-Free Coach & Mentor visit www.greyareadrinker.ie or find me on instagram @greyareadrinker 

This week on No More Booze, I’m joined by Sinead Anderson @anderson.sinead a Galway woman living in the south of France, who’s three and a half years alcohol-free and wishes she had done it sooner. We chat about growing up shy, using booze for confidence and the years of 'it’s fine, everybody does it' attitude until the switch finally flipped.Sinead shares how quitting alongside her husband changed everything: no more shame-filled mornings, more self-acceptance and a real sense of reclaiming who she is. We talk visualisation, using 'I don’t drink' as a full sentence, why moderation didn’t work and the new dopamine swaps (sea swimming and lifting weights). Sinead is a life coach who's approach reflects that same grounded clarity.  She is based in France and works online and in person with her clients. Gentle but attentive, she works with presence and care, listening deeply to what is said and to what might lie beneath the surface. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did recording it.Find Sinead at sineadandersoncoaching.com and on Instagram @anderson.sineadTo find out more about me, my work as an Alcohol-Free Coach & Mentor visit www.greyareadrinker.ie or find me on instagram @greyareadrinker

This week on No More Booze, I’m chatting with my beautiful pal Joanne McCarthy-Colbert @jomccointeriors about what it looks like to quit drinking without a rock bottom and how finding the words grey area drinker was the switch that finally changed it all. Joanne shares her story of starting young, having no off switch and the years of trying to figure out where she fit (not dependant on alcohol but not able to moderate either). We talk fertility treatment, motherhood, anxiety, identity, perimenopause brain fog and why alcohol just stopped matching her values. We also chat about dopamine swaps, manifestation and the power of being fully present even in grief. Joanne is an interior designer, entrepreneur and creative visionary based in Ireland. Known for blending practical design with soul and intention, she helps clients transform their spaces into homes that truly reflect who they are. One year alcohol-free, Joanne also speaks openly about personal growth, discipline and building a life and business with clarity, focus and purpose. Enjoy!Find Joanne on Instagram: @jomccointeriorsTo find out more about me, my work as an Alcohol-Free Coach & Mentor visit www.greyareadrinker.ie or find me on instagram @greyareadrinker

This week on No More Booze, I'm joined by fellow podcaster Brenda Dennehy, to talk about addiction, recovery and what it really takes to rebuild a life.Brenda is the host of The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy and the Brenda and Alan podcast. She is a former BBC, ITV, and Sky News television producer, as well as an experienced radio producer. Originally from Ballydesmond on the Cork–Kerry border, Brenda is over six years in recovery from prescription medication addiction and alcohol, and her lived experience is at the heart of her work. Through her weekly podcast, The Comeback, Brenda shares powerful stories of resilience, recovery, and rebuilding life after setbacks, creating a space where guests and listeners feel seen, heard, and understood. Her work focuses on mental health, personal growth, and reminding people that no matter how far you fall, a comeback is always possible. In this episode, we chat ADHD, anxiety, shame, community, and how Brenda learned to live loud and proud in this phase of her life, becoming her own best friend along the way. Enjoy!Find Brenda on Instagram @brendasbits @thecomebackwithbrendaTo find out more about me, my work as an Alcohol-Free Coach & Mentor visitwww.greyareadrinker.ieOr find me on instagram @greyareadrinker

This week on No More Booze, I’m joined by the dynamic duo, Sandra Healy and Sarah Mills, co-founders of the TABB platform, dedicated to helping women take a break from booze. We talk about their personal journeys with alcohol, touching on the good, the bad and the moments of realisation that led them to an alcohol-free life.Sandra shares her experience as a mother navigating her relationship with wine, while Sarah recounts how she transformed her drinking habits after seeking clarity during tough times. Together, they shed light on the challenges women face when re-evaluating their drinking, the power of community and the liberation found in sobriety. Discover how their platform, TABB, is providing a safe space for women to share their stories and support one another on the journey to sobriety. Enjoy!For more information visit: https://tabbforwomen.comSandra Healy is the co-founder of TABB and has been alcohol-free since February 2023. After years of questioning her drinking and several attempts to quit, finding the right support and community changed everything.With almost 30 years’ experience as a nurse and now training as a recovery coach, Sandra brings deep compassion, care and understanding to her work. Originally from Ireland and now living in Barcelona, she’s passionate about helping women do the inner work, reconnect with themselves and experience the freedom and joy of an alcohol-free life.Sarah Mills is the co-founder of TABB for Women and a Recovery Coach Professional, based in Manchester where she lives with her dogs & family. A former teacher, she’s passionate about learning, personal growth, and building a supportive community where women can feel safe, seen and empowered. When she’s not working on TABB, you’ll find her walking her dogs, jogging or line dancing… enthusiastically (despite 2½ years of practice, she suggests she should be a lot better by now!). 

This week, I chat with a great friend of the pod, Alcohol Free Coach Susan Hodgson @losetheboozewithsuz. We reflect on the journey of Dry January. As we wrap up the month, we discuss the challenges and triumphs of taking a break from alcohol and how to carry that momentum forward.Join us as we explore self-compassion and the reality of feeling overwhelmed in a booze-soaked world. Suz shares her own experience of going alcohol-free for five years and the balance between pressures and personal progress. We talk about the importance of filling the gap that alcohol once occupied with activities and self-care that are guaranteed to uplift us.Susan is an Irish coach living in France and a former wine lover who once couldn’t imagine life without it. After years in the grey area, feeling anxious and exhausted more often than not, she took a break from alcohol, was astounded by how much easier life felt, and never looked back. Over five and a half years contentedly alcohol-free, Susan brings both professional training and lived experience to her work, helping women take a real break from the booze, find the fun, and fill the gaps alcohol once filled. Her holistic coaching is shaped by her training in Jolene Park’s NOURISH method to replenish the body and brain, and Annie Grace’s mindset-based approach to questioning your relationship with alcohol. She writes about motherhood, midlife, and life beyond wine on Substack at susanmchodgson.substack.com, and shares light-hearted tips and encouragement on Instagram at @losetheboozewithsuz.

This week I sit down with Conor Pope @conorpope who has recently documented how a dry January turned into a dry forever, but insists he is not a judgemental Holy Joe. Conor shares how this began rather casually but evolved into a significant lifestyle change over the years. Conor Pope is a journalist, author and broadcaster. As The Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent he writes about everything from the cost of living crisis to travel chaos and frequently comes to the aid of wronged readers. He’s a regular on RTE radio and television, Virgin Media and Newstalk and once appeared on Celebrity Masterchef but was sent home after inexplicably adding a field of lavender to an otherwise lovely dessert. In this episode, we talk about the cultural perceptions surrounding alcohol, exploring how our societal norms influence our drinking habits. Conor reflects on the unexpected joys and benefits he discovered after giving up the booze like his improved health metrics. His story is a great example of how a Dry January can change everything. Enjoy!

This weeks guest is Alison Calder @alisoncalderalcoholcoach whose story absolutely intrigues me. She worked in the alcohol industry for all of her career, even owning her own wine company, until she gave up drinking at 39.Alison shares her journey into sobriety. For 15 years she grappled with her drinking, ignoring her intuition and desperately clinging to the hope that one day she would manage to moderate her alcohol use and drink the way she wanted to. But alas, for many of us, this can never happen. Alison attributes her sobriety to finding acceptance, creating a life she doesn’t want to escape from, bringing in strong daily non-negotiables, finding joy in the little things, and living in alignment with her values.In this episode, Alison provides invaluable insights on the transformative power of accepting the reality of our drinking, the importance of community support and reframing our mindset, especially during this month Dry January.She has retrained as a positive psychology coach, specialising in helping women to stop drinking and rediscover themselves. This involves deep exploratory work around the reasons people drink, how to deal with cravings and triggers, and uncovering and working through any ambivalence they may have around alcohol. She then guides clients to reconnect with who they really are, what they truly want, what their values are, and what brings them joy.Alison offers 1–1 coaching, group coaching, group programmes, and workshops. She has also worked with community alcohol services, which has given her further insight into alcohol and the impact it has on people’s lives.

In this episode of No More Booze, I welcome Kelly Cooney, founder of Alcohol Uncensored @alcohol_uncensored to discuss, among other things Dry January. Alcohol Uncensored is a warm and inclusive space for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol borne out of Kelly’s experience of community in various stages of her sobriety journey.Kelly shares her personal recovery journey, including relapses, resilience and the powerful connections with others she met through the alcohol free community Over the Influence. We talk prevention over intervention, why you don’t need a rock-bottom moment to choose change, and the benefits of alcohol-free living, from improved health, emotional regulation and the deep sense of support that comes from community. Enjoy!https://alcoholuncensored.co.uk

Nicki Maye @inspiredbynicki in her 40s from Dublin who spent years in the grey area of drinking, never out of control but always felt awful the next day. She gave up alcohol on November 30th, 2024, and is now proudly one year alcohol-free. Nicki is passionate about sharing what life looks like with zero booze: clearer mornings, calmer days, and a sense of confidence she didn’t expect. Through honest conversations and her project None for the Road, @none.for.the.road, she hopes to inspire others who are curious about making a change.We dive deep into her past relationship with alcohol, reflecting on how it offered confidence but also led to difficult emotions. Nikki opens up about the struggles of navigating social situations and the liberation that comes with alcohol-free living. Nicky story is incredible. Enjoy!

This week I welcome my gorgeous friend and Manifestie Bestie Yvonne Tchrakian @yvonnetchrakian_manifest. Yvonne is a lawyer, founder of Pause.Penny and host of The Manifest Movement Podcast. Yvonne is one of the brightest, most positive people I know. Her vibrant energy and unapologetic authenticity are absolutely contagious. We talk about the transformative power of using manifestation techniques in your life and how gratitude is the ultimate attractor. Yvonne tells us about the deeply personal experiences that shaped her, including the profound lessons learned through loss and the magic of visualising dreams. Yvonne gives us practical tips like daily affirmations, setting intentions and how to harness our manifesting potential. I've been a manifester for the past 20 odd years so I am a true believer and am so thrilled to share this episode with you all. Enjoy!Sign up for Yvonnes 21 Manifestation Challenge, starting on January 4th here:21-Day Manifestation Challenge - Pause.Penny

Another Christmas special episode today with our gorgeous friend Siobhan O'Connor @reelmammy. Siobhán unveils her 10 Sober Commandments of Christmas! We share our personal experiences of a combined 13 sober Christmases and give tips on navigating the festive season alcohol-free. These tips range from the importance of self-preservation, dressing to impress, setting boundaries and creating new traditions, Hopefully our conversation will inspire you to embrace joy and authenticity during this special time of year. This episode contains loads of practical tips and a sense of community to help you celebrate the festive season without booze!Find out more information on my DRY JANUARY Programme starting January the 1st Alcohol Free Group Mentoring | Olivia | Grey Area Drinker

In this festive special episode of No More Booze, join me and my wonderful friend Lisa as we dive into the challenges and joys of staying alcohol-free over Christmas. We reflect on our personal journeys, discussing the allure of Christmas parties and the importance of planning how to manage social pressures. The key is to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Together, we share tips for navigating family gatherings, work parties and festive events without alcohol while still having the craic. With laughter, vulnerability and insightful reflections, we detail how we celebrate Christmas. Together, we have 14 alcohol free Chrimbos under our belt. Whether you’re tapping into your first sober Christmas or you're a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with inspiration and support for everyone on the alcohol-free journey.Find out more information on my DRY JANUARY Programme starting January the 1st Alcohol Free Group Mentoring | Olivia | Grey Area Drinker

Welcome to a landmark 100th episode of No More Booze! Join me as I reflect on the incredible journey of this podcast, celebrating the wealth of inspiring conversations and stories shared over the past two years. In this milestone episode, I take a moment to honour the transformative power of alcohol-free living, highlighting the personal growth and community connections I've made along the way. I discuss key insights from past guests, both experts who share their research and us ordinary folk who have reshaped their relationships with alcohol. As the alcohol-free movement gains momentum, I reflect on our collective journey towards healing and empowerment. I also discuss future topics that promise to delve even deeper into living a fulfilling, joyful, expansive alcohol-free life.Find out more information on my DRY JANUARY Programme starting January the 1st Alcohol Free Group Mentoring | Olivia | Grey Area Drinker

In this episode of No More Booze, I’m thrilled to welcome Jennifer Salzman @rebelwithoutadrink a mindfulness coach from upstate New York, who has been alcohol-free for five years. Jennifer shares her unique journey with alcohol, revealing how it initially helped her cope with the challenges of ADHD and social anxiety, transforming over time into a crutch she relied on. We discuss the struggles of navigating social situations as a non-drinker, the importance of mindfulness and the power of understanding your triggers. Jennifer offers invaluable techniques to support those considering a life without alcohol, encouraging listeners to embrace their authenticity and seek joy outside of booze. Discover how Jennifer found new hobbies and built a meaningful life after alcohol and learn about the supportive community she fosters for neurodivergent individuals seeking healthier coping strategies. Jennifer is an ADHD Advocate, Mindfulness Practitioner and Alcohol-Free Life Coach. She spent more than 20 years medicating undiagnosed ADHD with alcohol, drugs and other unhealthy behaviours because she didn’t have the proper tools to cope. After receiving an ADHD diagnosis in her 40s, she finally took control and made it her mission to strip alcohol of its power and find healthier ways to deal with stress. Today, she helps others do the same through 1:1 coaching programs and online courses.Get Help for ADHD and Alcohol Abuse with Sober Coach Jennifer

In this episode of No More Booze, I chat with Niall Davison from County Down, who has been living an alcohol-free life for two and a half years. Niall shares his journey of self-discovery, the challenges he faced while breaking free from alcohol and the profound difference it has made in his life. We chat Niall's past relationship with alcohol and how it provided temporary comfort but masked deeper issues. He discusses the liberating experiences of sobriety, including newfound confidence, joy and a clearer perspective on life's pleasures without the haze of alcohol. Niall spent two decades chasing the instant highs of gambling, drinking and anything that gave him that hit of fake pleasure. After finally walking away from the booze and the betting slips, he discovered what he’d been missing all along: actual joy. Now 800+ days sober, he writes Half-Time Team Talk — a completely free Substack newsletter blending honesty, humour, and reflections on mid-life reinvention (link below). He’s in the final stages of writing his memoir, I’ve Gotta Tip, Lads: Winning Gamblers Lose, Too, due for release in 2026.

*** This episode contains references to and conversation around suicide***Today, I chat with Sharon Ledwith from Galway about her incredibly transformative journey to living an alcohol free life. Sharon shares her thoughts on 927-days without alcohol, remembering the ups and downs that led to her decision. Turns out that myself and Sharon actually met 21 years ago at a house party in Bondi Beach, Sydney - a meeting that neither of us can clearly remember! Sharon reflects on her early relationship with alcohol, the cultural connections around drinking in Ireland and the emotional challenges that often follow. She discusses sensitive topics, including suicide and the impact of loss and grief on mental health, highlighting the vital link between alcohol use and emotional coping. Sharon draws on her experiences to inspire you and others, talking about how difficult it is to step in a new identity, the personal growth that comes with this life change and the deeply profound empowerment that's found in alcohol-free living. Enjoy!Sharon is the founder of Ledwith Wellness. After losing her brother to suicide and facing her own mental health struggles, she made a decision to heal from the inside out. Now she helps others do the same through emotional healing, nervous system regulation, hypnotherapy and energy work so they can move out of survival mode and finally feel calm, connected and free again.Ledwith Wellnes - Live Life on Point - Ledwith Wellness by Sharon Ledwith If you have been adversely affected by the content of this conversation please refer to Pieta Houses WebsitePieta | Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm since 2006

In this episode, Gail Richardson from Dublin shares her powerful journey of giving up alcohol, driven by her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Gail, who is now cancer free guided us through her diagnosis, treatment and recover and reflects on how this has completely transformed her perspective on life and her relationship with alcohol. She discusses the impact of an incredibly supportive partner and the liberation that came with her decision to go alcohol free. Gail is so honest in talking about the challenges and triumphs of choosing an alcohol free life in Ireland. Enjoy!