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