Soberly Speaking

What happens to the children of addicts who can no longer care for them?For many children, the effects of a parent's addiction are profound, far-reaching, and often invisible. Tony, also known as Tony Vlogs, now in his late twenties, is one of those children. His mother struggled with addiction and mental health issues, while his stepfather subjected him to both physical and emotional abuse. At the age of six, Tony was placed into the state’s care, moving between foster homes.Despite the weig...

This might be my most controversial episode yet.Nick Blair is the founder of Mind Health Bender, an early intervention initiative dedicated to enhancing mental health and promoting a balanced approach to alcohol and recreational drug use.Nick is here to help those people who can usually moderate their alcohol intake but find themselves slipping up every now and then. They want to learn how to be more accountable, stick to the plans they made while sober and say no to bags when it get's to tha...

Faye is a twenty-something Brit living in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. I initially wanted to chat to Faye about making friends in a new country while being sober, but as soon as we met, it felt like I was catching up with an old friend. Being a recovering party girl herself, we effortlessly started swapping stories whilst (playfully) cringing at our past behaviour.In this episode we dive into the selfishness of our drinking, the heartache we brought to our families, and what learning to for...

Karim was a master at concealing his addictions while working a high-profile fashion job in the heart of Sydney. From the outside, it seemed like he was living the dream. However, beneath that façade was a raging gambling addiction that began at just 17 years of age.In our conversation, Karim shares the pain of being disowned by his father and recounts a shocking sting operation that brought him to his knees, ultimately leading him to confront his issues with alcohol and drugs.Want to share y...

Jasmine's story is unique among my interviews. She grew up witnessing the impact of addiction first hand on not one, but two of her older siblings. From visiting them in juvenile correctional facilities as teenagers to ultimately taking custody of their children, Jas' loyalty has never wavered.This is a powerful story of resilience, tenacity, and love. This is part 2 of 2.Creator & host- Julia RangiheueaVideo producer- Beaudene PerussichImage & logo- Jasmine RuleThe National Alcohol &...

Jasmine's story is unique among my interviews. She grew up witnessing the impact of addiction first hand on not one, but two of her older siblings. From visiting them in juvenile correctional facilities as teenagers to ultimately taking custody of their children, Jas' loyalty has never wavered.We connected through a Facebook group called "Māori in Sydney," and out of all the responses, she was the only one who not only agreed to the interview but was also willing to be filmed. In the Polynesi...

Ivy Sardi was still out on bail when we recorded this episode. A former drug dealer, Ivy was awaiting sentencing for commercial drug supply.In our conversation, Ivy shares how he never touched drugs until his mid-twenties. From then, it was a rapid decline, leading to suicidal ideations, jail time, run-ins with the Raptor Squad, and waking up in hospital not knowing if he had killed someone.I'm incredibly grateful to Ivy for being so authentic in his storytelling, particularly regarding his m...

Mel Watkins was the first sober account I ever followed. A retired party girl, she's now an alcohol and love addiction therapist, which is why I wanted to have her on early in the season.In today’s episode, we discuss how drinking and heavy drug use were encouraged and praised throughout her career, infidelity under the influence, her missed diagnosis of bipolar disorder and her partner refusing to marry her during active addiction. Guest- Mel WatkinsCreator & host- Julia RangiheueaVideo ...

It wouldn’t be right to start this new series without baring my soul first. In this debut episode, I share the 14 years I spent consumed by alcohol and partying. From taking pills in high school to living as a high-functioning alcoholic in Sydney. Drinking was so deeply intertwined with my false identity, I didn’t want to know who I was without it.Joining me for the second half of the podcast is my partner Beau, we openly discuss almost losing our relationship to alcohol, going to couples the...

COMING TUESDAY OCTOBER 1STWelcome to Soberly Speaking, stories from everyday people sharing their darkest moments that lead to sobriety. Shedding light on our struggles to help those still finding their way out. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday morning.SHOW NOTES:Creator & host- Julia RangiheueaVideo producer- Beaudene PerussichImage & logo- Jasmine Rule