Upper Bottom Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/upper-bottom Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze? Join hosts Ollie and Cess as they explore sobriety through embarrassing drunken admissions, expert interviews, and amusing observations, proving that getting sober doesn't have to be a bum deal. https://upperbottompodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast © Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese d7d255c2-8b35-5538-b9c4-57a0b55ebd1f no Introducing... Upper Bottom en Tue, 28 Jan 2025 02:00:10 +0000 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 03:33:05 +0000 https://upperbottompodcast.com/ https://img.transistor.fm/1lrydnbyt9mHYnPXOxXxJGNBjE97Y6XP1apOxS9Z1q0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQ5NTEwLzE3MDcz/NDM5MDQtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Upper Bottom https://upperbottompodcast.com/ episodic Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze? Join hosts Ollie and Cess as they explore sobriety through embarrassing drunken admissions, expert interviews, and amusing observations, proving that getting sober doesn't have to be a bum deal. https://upperbottompodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze. sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese podcasts@dapdip.co.uk No No Time please gentlemen: Who are the big award winners in the final Upper Bottom episode? 51 51 Time please gentlemen: Who are the big award winners in the final Upper Bottom episode? full 998f33cb-8d00-4796-a1ec-1d52966750d2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9385253a After almost exactly a year of podcasting – spanning 51 episodes – co-hosts Ollie and Cess raise a glass to their favourite episodes, best interviewees, top personal stories, the most fervent supporters and more. 


There is a cathartic close to the podcast, as Clare and Clara, wives of Ollie and Cess, respectively, answer puzzlers on what their spouse’s sobriety means to them. The replies – which the hosts hear for the first time on air – will surprise you as much as it does them. This is a fitting end to the 12 months of public therapy.


Thanks so much for your support and warmth. We have had a brilliant year. Who would bet against a Christmas special? Seriously, we hope this becomes a useful resource for other Upper Bottoms. Good luck with your journeys.


And whether you want to ditch the booze or not, may the dice be kind, may the wind be at your back, and may the gods turn the occasional blind eye.

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast

]]> After almost exactly a year of podcasting – spanning 51 episodes – co-hosts Ollie and Cess raise a glass to their favourite episodes, best interviewees, top personal stories, the most fervent supporters and more. 


There is a cathartic close to the podcast, as Clare and Clara, wives of Ollie and Cess, respectively, answer puzzlers on what their spouse’s sobriety means to them. The replies – which the hosts hear for the first time on air – will surprise you as much as it does them. This is a fitting end to the 12 months of public therapy.


Thanks so much for your support and warmth. We have had a brilliant year. Who would bet against a Christmas special? Seriously, we hope this becomes a useful resource for other Upper Bottoms. Good luck with your journeys.


And whether you want to ditch the booze or not, may the dice be kind, may the wind be at your back, and may the gods turn the occasional blind eye.

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast

]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3441 After almost exactly a year of podcasting – spanning 51 episodes – co-hosts Ollie and Cess raise a glass to their favourite episodes, best interviewees, top personal stories, the most fervent supporters and more. 


There is a cathartic close to the podcast, as Clare and Clara, wives of Ollie and Cess, respectively, answer puzzlers on what their spouse’s sobriety means to them. The replies – which the hosts hear for the first time on air – will surprise you as much as it does them. This is a fitting end to the 12 months of public therapy.


Thanks so much for your support and warmth. We have had a brilliant year. Who would bet against a Christmas special? Seriously, we hope this becomes a useful resource for other Upper Bottoms. Good luck with your journeys.


And whether you want to ditch the booze or not, may the dice be kind, may the wind be at your back, and may the gods turn the occasional blind eye.

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Key learnings from 50 episodes of Upper Bottom: Which one is your favourite? 50 50 Key learnings from 50 episodes of Upper Bottom: Which one is your favourite? full d186d337-efd3-432f-a712-f2bc17a9ef31 https://share.transistor.fm/s/13cf54ad With Upper Bottom hitting a half-century of episodes – woo hoo!! – Ollie and Cess list their top 50 learnings from their sobriety journey. These are listed below – with links to relevant episodes. (Booze News and Just the Tonic return next week.) 

1. "Upper Bottom" may raise eyebrows as a podcast name, but it a conversation starter that perfectly captures the essence of alcohol consumption that requires explanation and context. Episode 1: What is an “Upper Bottom”?

2. Britain's relationship with alcohol has reached crisis levels. Government statistics show alcohol-specific deaths in England rose 63.8% from 2006 to 2023, reaching a record high of 15 per 100,000 population.

3. The UK faces a particularly concerning trend with youth drinking, especially among girls. England ranks highest globally for child alcohol use, with 11 and 13-year-olds being the most likely to have tried alcohol compared to 44 other countries surveyed.

4. Both governments and corporations bear responsibility for enabling alcohol harm in pursuit of economic growth. The cancer-causing effects of alcohol were known for nearly a decade before becoming widely publicised.

5. The British relationship with drinking is reflected in its expansive vocabulary, with 546 documented words for drunkenness. From "trolleyed" to "steampigged", these colourful terms reveal how deeply alcohol is woven into the cultural fabric. Episode 4: What is a “Dry Drinker”?

6. Stopping drinking is merely the beginning of the sobriety journey. The societal narratives about needing alcohol for relaxation and socialising are deeply ingrained but fundamentally false.

7. There's a growing trend towards moderate drinking in the UK, according to the latest Drinkaware statistics. Nine in ten drinkers are now attempting to moderate their consumption, up from 84% in 2018. Episode 35: Drinkaware research indicates a sobering trend: But are UK drinkers binning the booze?

8. Society's attitude towards alcohol reveals stark contradictions, particularly regarding mothers. Women are stigmatised for drinking during pregnancy but then encouraged to embrace the "wine o'clock" culture after giving birth. Episode 6: What is Mothering Sunday’s relationship with booze like in 2024?

9. Women face unique challenges when choosing sobriety. The assumption that women who don't drink must be pregnant reveals persistent societal biases. Episode 5: Extending Dry January – what does two months sober feel like?

10. Learning to sit with discomfort, boredom, and unhappiness is a vital life skill. The constant pursuit of happiness is ultimately an immature approach to life.

11. Alcohol's impact on the brain is both immediate and long-lasting. While it provides temporary pleasure through dopamine release, regular drinking can alter brain structure and impair memory, though many effects can be reversed with sobriety. Episode 49: Last orders: Are you an Upper Bottom waiting for a crisis to stop drinking?

12. Ollie and Cess represent a broader cultural shift in lifestyle choices. Their experience shows that individuals are rarely as unique as they imagine themselves to be.

13. Workplace culture is shifting away from alcohol-centric socialising. With 34% of employees avoiding work socials due to alcohol, there's increasing demand for inclusive, alcohol-free venues and activities. Episode 29: Laughter and rhythm without the booze: Can sober events redefine nightlife?

14. Today's binge drinking culture will one day be viewed as barbaric as bear baiting. Future generations will likely look back on our drinking habits with bewilderment and distaste.

15. Alcohol significantly impacts workplace productivity and attendance. Up to 5% of work absenteeism is alcohol-related, with presenteeism costing the UK economy over £1.4 billion annually. Episode 25: From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part one)?

16. Running 26 miles in sandals is possible. Physical achievements don't require alcohol as motivation or reward.

17. Vinnie Jones's perspective on sobriety after 11 years is enlightening. His observation that "drinking is a young man's sport" and "ego is not your amigo" carries particular weight.

18. Mountain climbing doesn't require an alcoholic reward. Physical achievements can be celebrated without alcohol.

19. The podcast has served as an extended form of public therapy. Sharing experiences openly has been therapeutic for both hosts and listeners.

20. Ollie's boozy, near-death experience with quicksand is a powerful metaphor. Life's challenges can appear suddenly and require clear-headed thinking to overcome. Episode 8: What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve done when drinking alcohol?

21. Ice cream gluttony holds no appeal for the host. Different people have different vices and triggers.

22. The commercialisation of St Patrick's Day through alcohol marketing diminishes Ireland's rich cultural heritage. The "land of Saints and Scholars" deserves better recognition than as a drinking holiday. Episode 7: St Patrick’s Day special: Do the celebrations lose their fizz when not drinking?

23. Writing Google reviews about establishments' non-alcoholic options is an effective way to create change. It helps normalise and encourage alcohol-free choices. Episode 15: Club Soda special: How can sober venues boost mindful drinking?

24. Non-alcoholic wine hasn't yet matched the quality developments seen in alcohol-free beer. This market gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

25. Sobriety is achieved through consistent daily habits and patience. Time compounds these small actions into lasting change.

26. Discovering you don't actually enjoy the taste of beer can be revelatory. It shows how much of drinking is habitual rather than about taste.

27. The human palate can be retrained to reject alcohol. What once tasted appealing can become unpalatable through sobriety.

28. Connecting with nature can provide the sense ...

]]> With Upper Bottom hitting a half-century of episodes – woo hoo!! – Ollie and Cess list their top 50 learnings from their sobriety journey. These are listed below – with links to relevant episodes. (Booze News and Just the Tonic return next week.) 

1. "Upper Bottom" may raise eyebrows as a podcast name, but it a conversation starter that perfectly captures the essence of alcohol consumption that requires explanation and context. Episode 1: What is an “Upper Bottom”?

2. Britain's relationship with alcohol has reached crisis levels. Government statistics show alcohol-specific deaths in England rose 63.8% from 2006 to 2023, reaching a record high of 15 per 100,000 population.

3. The UK faces a particularly concerning trend with youth drinking, especially among girls. England ranks highest globally for child alcohol use, with 11 and 13-year-olds being the most likely to have tried alcohol compared to 44 other countries surveyed.

4. Both governments and corporations bear responsibility for enabling alcohol harm in pursuit of economic growth. The cancer-causing effects of alcohol were known for nearly a decade before becoming widely publicised.

5. The British relationship with drinking is reflected in its expansive vocabulary, with 546 documented words for drunkenness. From "trolleyed" to "steampigged", these colourful terms reveal how deeply alcohol is woven into the cultural fabric. Episode 4: What is a “Dry Drinker”?

6. Stopping drinking is merely the beginning of the sobriety journey. The societal narratives about needing alcohol for relaxation and socialising are deeply ingrained but fundamentally false.

7. There's a growing trend towards moderate drinking in the UK, according to the latest Drinkaware statistics. Nine in ten drinkers are now attempting to moderate their consumption, up from 84% in 2018. Episode 35: Drinkaware research indicates a sobering trend: But are UK drinkers binning the booze?

8. Society's attitude towards alcohol reveals stark contradictions, particularly regarding mothers. Women are stigmatised for drinking during pregnancy but then encouraged to embrace the "wine o'clock" culture after giving birth. Episode 6: What is Mothering Sunday’s relationship with booze like in 2024?

9. Women face unique challenges when choosing sobriety. The assumption that women who don't drink must be pregnant reveals persistent societal biases. Episode 5: Extending Dry January – what does two months sober feel like?

10. Learning to sit with discomfort, boredom, and unhappiness is a vital life skill. The constant pursuit of happiness is ultimately an immature approach to life.

11. Alcohol's impact on the brain is both immediate and long-lasting. While it provides temporary pleasure through dopamine release, regular drinking can alter brain structure and impair memory, though many effects can be reversed with sobriety. Episode 49: Last orders: Are you an Upper Bottom waiting for a crisis to stop drinking?

12. Ollie and Cess represent a broader cultural shift in lifestyle choices. Their experience shows that individuals are rarely as unique as they imagine themselves to be.

13. Workplace culture is shifting away from alcohol-centric socialising. With 34% of employees avoiding work socials due to alcohol, there's increasing demand for inclusive, alcohol-free venues and activities. Episode 29: Laughter and rhythm without the booze: Can sober events redefine nightlife?

14. Today's binge drinking culture will one day be viewed as barbaric as bear baiting. Future generations will likely look back on our drinking habits with bewilderment and distaste.

15. Alcohol significantly impacts workplace productivity and attendance. Up to 5% of work absenteeism is alcohol-related, with presenteeism costing the UK economy over £1.4 billion annually. Episode 25: From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part one)?

16. Running 26 miles in sandals is possible. Physical achievements don't require alcohol as motivation or reward.

17. Vinnie Jones's perspective on sobriety after 11 years is enlightening. His observation that "drinking is a young man's sport" and "ego is not your amigo" carries particular weight.

18. Mountain climbing doesn't require an alcoholic reward. Physical achievements can be celebrated without alcohol.

19. The podcast has served as an extended form of public therapy. Sharing experiences openly has been therapeutic for both hosts and listeners.

20. Ollie's boozy, near-death experience with quicksand is a powerful metaphor. Life's challenges can appear suddenly and require clear-headed thinking to overcome. Episode 8: What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve done when drinking alcohol?

21. Ice cream gluttony holds no appeal for the host. Different people have different vices and triggers.

22. The commercialisation of St Patrick's Day through alcohol marketing diminishes Ireland's rich cultural heritage. The "land of Saints and Scholars" deserves better recognition than as a drinking holiday. Episode 7: St Patrick’s Day special: Do the celebrations lose their fizz when not drinking?

23. Writing Google reviews about establishments' non-alcoholic options is an effective way to create change. It helps normalise and encourage alcohol-free choices. Episode 15: Club Soda special: How can sober venues boost mindful drinking?

24. Non-alcoholic wine hasn't yet matched the quality developments seen in alcohol-free beer. This market gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

25. Sobriety is achieved through consistent daily habits and patience. Time compounds these small actions into lasting change.

26. Discovering you don't actually enjoy the taste of beer can be revelatory. It shows how much of drinking is habitual rather than about taste.

27. The human palate can be retrained to reject alcohol. What once tasted appealing can become unpalatable through sobriety.

28. Connecting with nature can provide the sense ...

]]> Tue, 21 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3024 With Upper Bottom hitting a half-century of episodes – woo hoo!! – Ollie and Cess list their top 50 learnings from their sobriety journey. These are listed below – with links to relevant episodes. (Booze News and Just the Tonic return next week.) 

1. "Upper Bottom" may raise eyebrows as a podcast name, but it a conversation starter that perfectly captures the essence of alcohol consumption that requires explanation and context. Episode 1: What is an “Upper Bottom”?

2. Britain's relationship with alcohol has reached crisis levels. Government statistics show alcohol-specific deaths in England rose 63.8% from 2006 to 2023, reaching a record high of 15 per 100,000 population.

3. The UK faces a particularly concerning trend with youth drinking, especially among girls. England ranks highest globally for child alcohol use, with 11 and 13-year-olds being the most likely to have tried alcohol compared to 44 other countries surveyed.

4. Both governments and corporations bear responsibility for enabling alcohol harm in pursuit of economic growth. The cancer-causing effects of alcohol were known for nearly a decade before becoming widely publicised.

5. The British relationship with drinking is reflected in its expansive vocabulary, with 546 documented words for drunkenness. From "trolleyed" to "steampigged", these colourful terms reveal how deeply alcohol is woven into the cultural fabric. Episode 4: What is a “Dry Drinker”?

6. Stopping drinking is merely the beginning of the sobriety journey. The societal narratives about needing alcohol for relaxation and socialising are deeply ingrained but fundamentally false.

7. There's a growing trend towards moderate drinking in the UK, according to the latest Drinkaware statistics. Nine in ten drinkers are now attempting to moderate their consumption, up from 84% in 2018. Episode 35: Drinkaware research indicates a sobering trend: But are UK drinkers binning the booze?

8. Society's attitude towards alcohol reveals stark contradictions, particularly regarding mothers. Women are stigmatised for drinking during pregnancy but then encouraged to embrace the "wine o'clock" culture after giving birth. Episode 6: What is Mothering Sunday’s relationship with booze like in 2024?

9. Women face unique challenges when choosing sobriety. The assumption that women who don't drink must be pregnant reveals persistent societal biases. Episode 5: Extending Dry January – what does two months sober feel like?

10. Learning to sit with discomfort, boredom, and unhappiness is a vital life skill. The constant pursuit of happiness is ultimately an immature approach to life.

11. Alcohol's impact on the brain is both immediate and long-lasting. While it provides temporary pleasure through dopamine release, regular drinking can alter brain structure and impair memory, though many effects can be reversed with sobriety. Episode 49: Last orders: Are you an Upper Bottom waiting for a crisis to stop drinking?

12. Ollie and Cess represent a broader cultural shift in lifestyle choices. Their experience shows that individuals are rarely as unique as they imagine themselves to be.

13. Workplace culture is shifting away from alcohol-centric socialising. With 34% of employees avoiding work socials due to alcohol, there's increasing demand for inclusive, alcohol-free venues and activities. Episode 29: Laughter and rhythm without the booze: Can sober events redefine nightlife?

14. Today's binge drinking culture will one day be viewed as barbaric as bear baiting. Future generations will likely look back on our drinking habits with bewilderment and distaste.

15. Alcohol significantly impacts workplace productivity and attendance. Up to 5% of work absenteeism is alcohol-related, with presenteeism costing the UK economy over £1.4 billion annually. Episode 25: From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part one)?

16. Running 26 miles in sandals is possible. Physical achievements don't require alcohol as motivation or reward.

17. Vinnie Jones's perspective on sobriety after 11 years is enlightening. His observation that "drinking is a young man's sport" and "ego is not your amigo" carries particular weight.

18. Mountain climbing doesn't require an alcoholic reward. Physical achievements can be celebrated without alcohol.

19. The podcast has served as an extended form of public therapy. Sharing experiences openly has been therapeutic for both hosts and listeners.

20. Ollie's boozy, near-death experience with quicksand is a powerful metaphor. Life's challenges can appear suddenly and require clear-headed thinking to overcome. Episode 8: What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve done when drinking alcohol?

21. Ice cream gluttony holds no appeal for the host. Different people have different vices and triggers.

22. The commercialisation of St Patrick's Day through alcohol marketing diminishes Ireland's rich cultural heritage. The "land of Saints and Scholars" deserves better recognition than as a drinking holiday. Episode 7: St Patrick’s Day special: Do the celebrations lose their fizz when not drinking?

23. Writing Google reviews about establishments' non-alcoholic options is an effective way to create change. It helps normalise and encourage alcohol-free choices. Episode 15: Club Soda special: How can sober venues boost mindful drinking?

24. Non-alcoholic wine hasn't yet matched the quality developments seen in alcohol-free beer. This market gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

25. Sobriety is achieved through consistent daily habits and patience. Time compounds these small actions into lasting change.

26. Discovering you don't actually enjoy the taste of beer can be revelatory. It shows how much of drinking is habitual rather than about taste.

27. The human palate can be retrained to reject alcohol. What once tasted appealing can become unpalatable through sobriety.

28. Connecting with nature can provide the sense ...

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Last orders: Are you an Upper Bottom waiting for a crisis to stop drinking? 49 49 Last orders: Are you an Upper Bottom waiting for a crisis to stop drinking? full f26ca476-145b-46ff-a247-9366c34ce7ea https://share.transistor.fm/s/b5ceb69a Cess and Ollie welcome local south-east London friend Boo Darlison – who is Matron for Personal Cancer Care, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust – to share her wisdom about how people should invest in their future selves by making good decisions with drink and food before a health disaster strikes.

The interview with Boo comes just as America's top doctor, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, calls for risk warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to the labels on cigarettes, following new research that links the drinks to seven types of cancer.

Meanwhile, new stats indicate 22 million (45%) of UK adults are attempting to moderate their boozing, and one in three visits to the "on-trade" – ie pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and bars – are now alcohol free.

Booze News Items: 


BBC: US top doctor calls for cancer warnings on alcohol (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj90x3np0zpo)

Morning Advertiser: Low & no drinkers are a key part of socialising groups now (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/12/12/diageo-looks-at-how-low-no-drinkers-are-key-to-socialising/)


More Morning Advertiser stats: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/08/research-shows-38-drinking-low-no-semi-regularly/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08-Jan-2025&cid=DM1183755&bid=589422097 


PA: How sobriety changes the brain (https://pa.media/blogs/pa-editors-picks/how-sobriety-changes-the-brain/)

Morning Advertiser: Lucky Saint to give away 100k pints through 15 UK pubcos (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/06/major-uk-pubcos-team-up-with-lucky-saint-for-pints-giveaway/)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast

]]> Cess and Ollie welcome local south-east London friend Boo Darlison – who is Matron for Personal Cancer Care, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust – to share her wisdom about how people should invest in their future selves by making good decisions with drink and food before a health disaster strikes.

The interview with Boo comes just as America's top doctor, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, calls for risk warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to the labels on cigarettes, following new research that links the drinks to seven types of cancer.

Meanwhile, new stats indicate 22 million (45%) of UK adults are attempting to moderate their boozing, and one in three visits to the "on-trade" – ie pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and bars – are now alcohol free.

Booze News Items: 


BBC: US top doctor calls for cancer warnings on alcohol (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj90x3np0zpo)

Morning Advertiser: Low & no drinkers are a key part of socialising groups now (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/12/12/diageo-looks-at-how-low-no-drinkers-are-key-to-socialising/)


More Morning Advertiser stats: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/08/research-shows-38-drinking-low-no-semi-regularly/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08-Jan-2025&cid=DM1183755&bid=589422097 


PA: How sobriety changes the brain (https://pa.media/blogs/pa-editors-picks/how-sobriety-changes-the-brain/)

Morning Advertiser: Lucky Saint to give away 100k pints through 15 UK pubcos (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/06/major-uk-pubcos-team-up-with-lucky-saint-for-pints-giveaway/)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast

]]> Tue, 14 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2655 Cess and Ollie welcome local south-east London friend Boo Darlison – who is Matron for Personal Cancer Care, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust – to share her wisdom about how people should invest in their future selves by making good decisions with drink and food before a health disaster strikes.

The interview with Boo comes just as America's top doctor, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, calls for risk warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to the labels on cigarettes, following new research that links the drinks to seven types of cancer.

Meanwhile, new stats indicate 22 million (45%) of UK adults are attempting to moderate their boozing, and one in three visits to the "on-trade" – ie pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and bars – are now alcohol free.

Booze News Items: 


BBC: US top doctor calls for cancer warnings on alcohol (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj90x3np0zpo)

Morning Advertiser: Low & no drinkers are a key part of socialising groups now (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/12/12/diageo-looks-at-how-low-no-drinkers-are-key-to-socialising/)


More Morning Advertiser stats: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/08/research-shows-38-drinking-low-no-semi-regularly/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08-Jan-2025&cid=DM1183755&bid=589422097 


PA: How sobriety changes the brain (https://pa.media/blogs/pa-editors-picks/how-sobriety-changes-the-brain/)

Morning Advertiser: Lucky Saint to give away 100k pints through 15 UK pubcos (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/06/major-uk-pubcos-team-up-with-lucky-saint-for-pints-giveaway/)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No From rock bottom to mountain top: Can ultra runner James Gwinnett's 100-mile inspirational sobriety story change your life? 48 48 From rock bottom to mountain top: Can ultra runner James Gwinnett's 100-mile inspirational sobriety story change your life? full 732469bc-32bd-4fdf-b142-9fc0a71cc2e7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/93d993ad In the first episode of 2025, Ollie and Cess invite James Gwinnett to discuss his fascinating and insightful story of overcoming depression and alcoholism – he is nearly nine years sober – after a serious rugby injury, and going on to take part in Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins and run a series of ultramarathons.
 
He’s recently released a book – READY, SET, LIFE, available on Amazon – which recounts James’ experiences in light of his wife giving birth to a baby boy.

The hosts also catch up with friend-of-the-show Ryan, who has just managed 12 months of sobriety – and he has some surprising words of wisdom for listening.

Good luck to those who are trying Dry January. Keep going strong!

Booze News Items:

Evening Standard: I'm an alcoholic, and I know why Dry January can mask a serious alcohol addiction (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/im-an-alcoholic-and-i-know-why-dry-january-can-mask-a-serious-alcohol-addiction/ar-AA1wN7TG)

LadBible: How long it takes for brain to recover from drinking alcohol and timeline of reversing effects (https://www.ladbible.com/lifestyle/brain-recover-from-alcohol-how-long-013316-20250101)

Daily Mail: Experts reveal the little-known hack that'll make you stick to Dry January (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14239701/hack-make-stick-Dry-January.html)

BBC: Dry January: I spent a year without alcohol (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8nmvxxxxeo)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#drychristmas

]]> In the first episode of 2025, Ollie and Cess invite James Gwinnett to discuss his fascinating and insightful story of overcoming depression and alcoholism – he is nearly nine years sober – after a serious rugby injury, and going on to take part in Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins and run a series of ultramarathons.
 
He’s recently released a book – READY, SET, LIFE, available on Amazon – which recounts James’ experiences in light of his wife giving birth to a baby boy.

The hosts also catch up with friend-of-the-show Ryan, who has just managed 12 months of sobriety – and he has some surprising words of wisdom for listening.

Good luck to those who are trying Dry January. Keep going strong!

Booze News Items:

Evening Standard: I'm an alcoholic, and I know why Dry January can mask a serious alcohol addiction (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/im-an-alcoholic-and-i-know-why-dry-january-can-mask-a-serious-alcohol-addiction/ar-AA1wN7TG)

LadBible: How long it takes for brain to recover from drinking alcohol and timeline of reversing effects (https://www.ladbible.com/lifestyle/brain-recover-from-alcohol-how-long-013316-20250101)

Daily Mail: Experts reveal the little-known hack that'll make you stick to Dry January (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14239701/hack-make-stick-Dry-January.html)

BBC: Dry January: I spent a year without alcohol (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8nmvxxxxeo)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#drychristmas

]]> Tue, 07 Jan 2025 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3373 In the first episode of 2025, Ollie and Cess invite James Gwinnett to discuss his fascinating and insightful story of overcoming depression and alcoholism – he is nearly nine years sober – after a serious rugby injury, and going on to take part in Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins and run a series of ultramarathons.
 
He’s recently released a book – READY, SET, LIFE, available on Amazon – which recounts James’ experiences in light of his wife giving birth to a baby boy.

The hosts also catch up with friend-of-the-show Ryan, who has just managed 12 months of sobriety – and he has some surprising words of wisdom for listening.

Good luck to those who are trying Dry January. Keep going strong!

Booze News Items:

Evening Standard: I'm an alcoholic, and I know why Dry January can mask a serious alcohol addiction (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/im-an-alcoholic-and-i-know-why-dry-january-can-mask-a-serious-alcohol-addiction/ar-AA1wN7TG)

LadBible: How long it takes for brain to recover from drinking alcohol and timeline of reversing effects (https://www.ladbible.com/lifestyle/brain-recover-from-alcohol-how-long-013316-20250101)

Daily Mail: Experts reveal the little-known hack that'll make you stick to Dry January (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14239701/hack-make-stick-Dry-January.html)

BBC: Dry January: I spent a year without alcohol (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8nmvxxxxeo)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#drychristmas

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Waving goodbye to the year – and to booze: How do you ensure a successful Dry January, and beyond? 47 47 Waving goodbye to the year – and to booze: How do you ensure a successful Dry January, and beyond? full 2f37258e-c763-4922-9abe-cc6c5bfec2a8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/30436745 After a one-week break for the festive holiday, co-hosts Cess and Ollie return to discuss how their sober Christmas Days went – Botivo was a big hit for Cess! Ollie, meanwhile, shares a story about being sozzled in front of Princess Catherine. Oops!

And, with the news that a record 15.5 million Britons (29% of the adult population in the UK) are planning to participate in Dry January, the pair have plenty of tips to help those giving up booze for a month ... or perhaps longer.

Happy New Year to all our listeners. Good luck. Here's to a healthy and prosperous 2025!

Booze News Items:

Daily Mirror: Guinness shortage update issued after stocks run dry and pubs ration drinks (https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/guinness-shortage-update-issued-after-34351484)

Daily Mirror: Almost a third of Brits sign up for biggest Dry January yet - 5 top tips for success (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/dry-january-2025-success-tips-34346465)

The Guardian: The Swedish sobriety secret: dry December – and off-licences shut on a Saturday night (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/18/the-swedish-sobriety-secret-dry-december-and-off-licences-shut-on-a-saturday-night)

Gloucestershire Live (via MSN): 'I'm a GP and this is how Dry January you can reset your sleep in four weeks’ (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/im-a-gp-and-this-is-how-dry-january-you-can-reset-your-sleep-in-four-weeks/ar-AA1wqipp)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> After a one-week break for the festive holiday, co-hosts Cess and Ollie return to discuss how their sober Christmas Days went – Botivo was a big hit for Cess! Ollie, meanwhile, shares a story about being sozzled in front of Princess Catherine. Oops!

And, with the news that a record 15.5 million Britons (29% of the adult population in the UK) are planning to participate in Dry January, the pair have plenty of tips to help those giving up booze for a month ... or perhaps longer.

Happy New Year to all our listeners. Good luck. Here's to a healthy and prosperous 2025!

Booze News Items:

Daily Mirror: Guinness shortage update issued after stocks run dry and pubs ration drinks (https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/guinness-shortage-update-issued-after-34351484)

Daily Mirror: Almost a third of Brits sign up for biggest Dry January yet - 5 top tips for success (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/dry-january-2025-success-tips-34346465)

The Guardian: The Swedish sobriety secret: dry December – and off-licences shut on a Saturday night (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/18/the-swedish-sobriety-secret-dry-december-and-off-licences-shut-on-a-saturday-night)

Gloucestershire Live (via MSN): 'I'm a GP and this is how Dry January you can reset your sleep in four weeks’ (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/im-a-gp-and-this-is-how-dry-january-you-can-reset-your-sleep-in-four-weeks/ar-AA1wqipp)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> Tue, 31 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2145 After a one-week break for the festive holiday, co-hosts Cess and Ollie return to discuss how their sober Christmas Days went – Botivo was a big hit for Cess! Ollie, meanwhile, shares a story about being sozzled in front of Princess Catherine. Oops!

And, with the news that a record 15.5 million Britons (29% of the adult population in the UK) are planning to participate in Dry January, the pair have plenty of tips to help those giving up booze for a month ... or perhaps longer.

Happy New Year to all our listeners. Good luck. Here's to a healthy and prosperous 2025!

Booze News Items:

Daily Mirror: Guinness shortage update issued after stocks run dry and pubs ration drinks (https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/guinness-shortage-update-issued-after-34351484)

Daily Mirror: Almost a third of Brits sign up for biggest Dry January yet - 5 top tips for success (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/dry-january-2025-success-tips-34346465)

The Guardian: The Swedish sobriety secret: dry December – and off-licences shut on a Saturday night (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/18/the-swedish-sobriety-secret-dry-december-and-off-licences-shut-on-a-saturday-night)

Gloucestershire Live (via MSN): 'I'm a GP and this is how Dry January you can reset your sleep in four weeks’ (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/im-a-gp-and-this-is-how-dry-january-you-can-reset-your-sleep-in-four-weeks/ar-AA1wqipp)

#dryjanuary
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Festive party season: How to deal with ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future? 46 46 Festive party season: How to deal with ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future? full 7887e946-ddfb-40b9-be0b-d844e7a752f6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dffcf2e1 In the final episode before Christmas – the hosts will take a break on December 24 – Cess and Ollie consider embarrassing drinking tales from work dos in the past. They also contemplate how to ensure a sober person can enjoy themselves during the especially boozy party season, and offer some tips and tricks.

Given the time of year, there is also a reflection on the last 12 months – and the pair have crammed a lot into 2024. Needless to say, this would not have been possible had they been still drinking.

Happy festive season to all Upper Bottom listeners – the next episode will run on December 31, focusing on preparing for Dry January.

Bonus Link:

A runner in Toronto has fun: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDPe-lgsEHH/?igsh=MTE5ZzdzOHJkZ2l3ZQ==

Booze News items:

BBC: Nightclub stickers over smartphone rule divides the dancefloor (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpn44pyz9o)

i: I save £7k a year not drinking – how I do party season sober (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/save-7k-year-not-drinking-party-sober-3410475?ico=most_)

Guardian: ‘I’d always enjoyed alcohol – but my mother’s sudden, violent death made me a heavy drinker overnight’ (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/08/id-always-enjoyed-alcohol-but-my-mothers-sudden-violent-death-made-me-a-heavy-drinker-overnight)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasparty
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> In the final episode before Christmas – the hosts will take a break on December 24 – Cess and Ollie consider embarrassing drinking tales from work dos in the past. They also contemplate how to ensure a sober person can enjoy themselves during the especially boozy party season, and offer some tips and tricks.

Given the time of year, there is also a reflection on the last 12 months – and the pair have crammed a lot into 2024. Needless to say, this would not have been possible had they been still drinking.

Happy festive season to all Upper Bottom listeners – the next episode will run on December 31, focusing on preparing for Dry January.

Bonus Link:

A runner in Toronto has fun: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDPe-lgsEHH/?igsh=MTE5ZzdzOHJkZ2l3ZQ==

Booze News items:

BBC: Nightclub stickers over smartphone rule divides the dancefloor (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpn44pyz9o)

i: I save £7k a year not drinking – how I do party season sober (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/save-7k-year-not-drinking-party-sober-3410475?ico=most_)

Guardian: ‘I’d always enjoyed alcohol – but my mother’s sudden, violent death made me a heavy drinker overnight’ (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/08/id-always-enjoyed-alcohol-but-my-mothers-sudden-violent-death-made-me-a-heavy-drinker-overnight)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasparty
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2711 In the final episode before Christmas – the hosts will take a break on December 24 – Cess and Ollie consider embarrassing drinking tales from work dos in the past. They also contemplate how to ensure a sober person can enjoy themselves during the especially boozy party season, and offer some tips and tricks.

Given the time of year, there is also a reflection on the last 12 months – and the pair have crammed a lot into 2024. Needless to say, this would not have been possible had they been still drinking.

Happy festive season to all Upper Bottom listeners – the next episode will run on December 31, focusing on preparing for Dry January.

Bonus Link:

A runner in Toronto has fun: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDPe-lgsEHH/?igsh=MTE5ZzdzOHJkZ2l3ZQ==

Booze News items:

BBC: Nightclub stickers over smartphone rule divides the dancefloor (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpn44pyz9o)

i: I save £7k a year not drinking – how I do party season sober (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/save-7k-year-not-drinking-party-sober-3410475?ico=most_)

Guardian: ‘I’d always enjoyed alcohol – but my mother’s sudden, violent death made me a heavy drinker overnight’ (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/08/id-always-enjoyed-alcohol-but-my-mothers-sudden-violent-death-made-me-a-heavy-drinker-overnight)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasparty
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Merry Christmas: How is society’s relationship with booze during the festive period changing? 45 45 Merry Christmas: How is society’s relationship with booze during the festive period changing? full aa8fc15d-2828-46d6-8b9b-25e19b85ce1d https://share.transistor.fm/s/71041bda With the festive season in full swing, Cess – now a marathon runner – and Ollie explore how norms are changing regarding Christmas drinking. And it seems that really boring lot, Gen Zzz, is to blame (according to the Daily Mail).

A new trend for "Dry Christmas" is gathering pace, quicker than a behind-schdule Rudolph. This movement is being helped by more low- and no-alcohol options.

The hosts welcome Emma Newman (@emma_sobersocial on Instagram) to discuss Christmasy alternatives to traditional drinks, plus her sobriety journey, which started over nine years ago.

Booze News Items

Mirror: Nearly half of Gen Z embrace a sober festive season as 'Dry Christmas' gains traction (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/nearly-half-gen-z-embrace-34225345)

Daily Mail: Gen Zzz kills off the Christmas party: The VERY different face of the festive bash now mistletoe is out, Band Aid is banned and 'sober curious' guests are home by 9pm (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14136625/The-new-Gen-Z-Christmas-party-Mistletoe-Band-Aid-teetotal.html)

Financial Times (via MSN): Is this the year of the sober office Christmas party? (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/topstories/is-this-the-year-of-the-sober-office-christmas-party/ar-AA1v3CbC)

The Independent (via MSN): New low-alcohol beer launched to cut boozy train passenger accidents (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/new-low-alcohol-beer-launched-to-cut-boozy-train-passenger-accidents/ar-AA1vhFmW) 

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> With the festive season in full swing, Cess – now a marathon runner – and Ollie explore how norms are changing regarding Christmas drinking. And it seems that really boring lot, Gen Zzz, is to blame (according to the Daily Mail).

A new trend for "Dry Christmas" is gathering pace, quicker than a behind-schdule Rudolph. This movement is being helped by more low- and no-alcohol options.

The hosts welcome Emma Newman (@emma_sobersocial on Instagram) to discuss Christmasy alternatives to traditional drinks, plus her sobriety journey, which started over nine years ago.

Booze News Items

Mirror: Nearly half of Gen Z embrace a sober festive season as 'Dry Christmas' gains traction (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/nearly-half-gen-z-embrace-34225345)

Daily Mail: Gen Zzz kills off the Christmas party: The VERY different face of the festive bash now mistletoe is out, Band Aid is banned and 'sober curious' guests are home by 9pm (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14136625/The-new-Gen-Z-Christmas-party-Mistletoe-Band-Aid-teetotal.html)

Financial Times (via MSN): Is this the year of the sober office Christmas party? (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/topstories/is-this-the-year-of-the-sober-office-christmas-party/ar-AA1v3CbC)

The Independent (via MSN): New low-alcohol beer launched to cut boozy train passenger accidents (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/new-low-alcohol-beer-launched-to-cut-boozy-train-passenger-accidents/ar-AA1vhFmW) 

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> Tue, 10 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3097 With the festive season in full swing, Cess – now a marathon runner – and Ollie explore how norms are changing regarding Christmas drinking. And it seems that really boring lot, Gen Zzz, is to blame (according to the Daily Mail).

A new trend for "Dry Christmas" is gathering pace, quicker than a behind-schdule Rudolph. This movement is being helped by more low- and no-alcohol options.

The hosts welcome Emma Newman (@emma_sobersocial on Instagram) to discuss Christmasy alternatives to traditional drinks, plus her sobriety journey, which started over nine years ago.

Booze News Items

Mirror: Nearly half of Gen Z embrace a sober festive season as 'Dry Christmas' gains traction (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/nearly-half-gen-z-embrace-34225345)

Daily Mail: Gen Zzz kills off the Christmas party: The VERY different face of the festive bash now mistletoe is out, Band Aid is banned and 'sober curious' guests are home by 9pm (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14136625/The-new-Gen-Z-Christmas-party-Mistletoe-Band-Aid-teetotal.html)

Financial Times (via MSN): Is this the year of the sober office Christmas party? (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/topstories/is-this-the-year-of-the-sober-office-christmas-party/ar-AA1v3CbC)

The Independent (via MSN): New low-alcohol beer launched to cut boozy train passenger accidents (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/new-low-alcohol-beer-launched-to-cut-boozy-train-passenger-accidents/ar-AA1vhFmW) 

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#christmasdrinking
#drychristmas

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Setting the ‘right’ example: How does a parent’s drinking habit influence their offspring’s relationship with alcohol? 44 44 Setting the ‘right’ example: How does a parent’s drinking habit influence their offspring’s relationship with alcohol? full 9629b64b-6b86-4c3c-874f-95fe9e863071 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0b3cf582 What was your relationship with alcohol like when growing up? To what extent did how your parents' drinking habits shape your own? And what do today's youngsters think about boozing?

Ollie and Cess – who both gave up alcohol at least in part to set a better example for their children – try to answer these big questions.

And to assist with the last puzzler, the co-hosts' offspring offer their words of wisdom (partly in the hope of becoming world famous, more fool them). The short interviews are sweet and revealing.

In other news, Ollie's latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine about the slow descent to a boozy Christmas (and how to avoid it) has been published. The lovely editor, Denise, has offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount using the code UPPER20 (expires Dec 31).


Finally, well done (and thank you) certified superfan Tom Bowen for sharing the podcast with the most people! A mug will find its way to you very soon. X

Booze News items:

The Wall Street Journal: Why Is Everyone ‘Sober-ish’ All of a Sudden? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/why-is-everyone-sober-ish-all-of-a-sudden/ar-AA1uxccX)

BBC: ‘I had no idea being a social drinker would damage my liver by 31’ (https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/c30pre660mzo)

Metro (via MSN): I watched my mum wreck her life through alcohol, then I did the same https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/i-watched-my-mum-wreck-her-life-through-alcohol-then-i-did-the-same/ar-AA1ufFLU 
 

Evening Standard: Denise Welch was 'in denial' about how her drug and alcohol use affected son Matty Healy (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/denise-welch-was-in-denial-about-how-her-drug-and-alcohol-use-affected-son-matty-healy/ar-AA1urin8)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#childrenandalcohol

]]> What was your relationship with alcohol like when growing up? To what extent did how your parents' drinking habits shape your own? And what do today's youngsters think about boozing?

Ollie and Cess – who both gave up alcohol at least in part to set a better example for their children – try to answer these big questions.

And to assist with the last puzzler, the co-hosts' offspring offer their words of wisdom (partly in the hope of becoming world famous, more fool them). The short interviews are sweet and revealing.

In other news, Ollie's latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine about the slow descent to a boozy Christmas (and how to avoid it) has been published. The lovely editor, Denise, has offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount using the code UPPER20 (expires Dec 31).


Finally, well done (and thank you) certified superfan Tom Bowen for sharing the podcast with the most people! A mug will find its way to you very soon. X

Booze News items:

The Wall Street Journal: Why Is Everyone ‘Sober-ish’ All of a Sudden? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/why-is-everyone-sober-ish-all-of-a-sudden/ar-AA1uxccX)

BBC: ‘I had no idea being a social drinker would damage my liver by 31’ (https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/c30pre660mzo)

Metro (via MSN): I watched my mum wreck her life through alcohol, then I did the same https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/i-watched-my-mum-wreck-her-life-through-alcohol-then-i-did-the-same/ar-AA1ufFLU 
 

Evening Standard: Denise Welch was 'in denial' about how her drug and alcohol use affected son Matty Healy (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/denise-welch-was-in-denial-about-how-her-drug-and-alcohol-use-affected-son-matty-healy/ar-AA1urin8)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#childrenandalcohol

]]> Tue, 03 Dec 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3084 What was your relationship with alcohol like when growing up? To what extent did how your parents' drinking habits shape your own? And what do today's youngsters think about boozing?

Ollie and Cess – who both gave up alcohol at least in part to set a better example for their children – try to answer these big questions.

And to assist with the last puzzler, the co-hosts' offspring offer their words of wisdom (partly in the hope of becoming world famous, more fool them). The short interviews are sweet and revealing.

In other news, Ollie's latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine about the slow descent to a boozy Christmas (and how to avoid it) has been published. The lovely editor, Denise, has offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount using the code UPPER20 (expires Dec 31).


Finally, well done (and thank you) certified superfan Tom Bowen for sharing the podcast with the most people! A mug will find its way to you very soon. X

Booze News items:

The Wall Street Journal: Why Is Everyone ‘Sober-ish’ All of a Sudden? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/why-is-everyone-sober-ish-all-of-a-sudden/ar-AA1uxccX)

BBC: ‘I had no idea being a social drinker would damage my liver by 31’ (https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/c30pre660mzo)

Metro (via MSN): I watched my mum wreck her life through alcohol, then I did the same https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/i-watched-my-mum-wreck-her-life-through-alcohol-then-i-did-the-same/ar-AA1ufFLU 
 

Evening Standard: Denise Welch was 'in denial' about how her drug and alcohol use affected son Matty Healy (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/denise-welch-was-in-denial-about-how-her-drug-and-alcohol-use-affected-son-matty-healy/ar-AA1urin8)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#upperbottompodcast
#childrenandalcohol

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Steps to sobriety: What’s Alcoholics Anonymous like, and do Upper Bottoms need it to kick booze? 43 43 Steps to sobriety: What’s Alcoholics Anonymous like, and do Upper Bottoms need it to kick booze? full 0de83a88-fc64-4dad-b581-68812f61ddec https://share.transistor.fm/s/01b4e1d8 To answer this massive question, Ollie and Cess draw upon their own insights and the straight-talking wisdom of interviewee Gary Mairs – aka sobernsound ("sweary sobriety mentor") on Instagram.

Gary's catchphrase for his 33,000+ followers is "get to midnight and go again". He attended AA in April 2014, but struggled with the idea of supplicating to God, or a higher power.

Yet, through meditation and no small amount of determination, Gary beat the booze. Here, he discusses the difference between "survival sobriety" – which is when, in the early days, you just try and get through the days and weeks without a drink – and "emotional sobriety", and that comes later.

There is plenty of excellent advice for Upper Bottoms – and those who might be falling deeper.

Booze News items:

The Independent via MSN: Denzel Washington opens up about past struggles with drugs and alcohol: ‘I’ve done a lot of damage’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/denzel-washington-opens-up-about-past-struggles-with-drugs-and-alcohol-i-ve-done-a-lot-of-damage/ar-AA1uoBrA)

Wales Online: 'I turned my addictions from drugs to furniture and made a thriving business’ (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/i-turned-my-addictions-from-drugs-to-furniture-and-made-a-thriving-business/ar-AA1ul3I8) 
 

The Caterer: Customers are drinking less – how can I balance the booze on my menu? (https://www.thecaterer.com/indepth/how-can-i-serve-up-a-sober-christmas)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#alcoholicsanonymous
#addiction

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> To answer this massive question, Ollie and Cess draw upon their own insights and the straight-talking wisdom of interviewee Gary Mairs – aka sobernsound ("sweary sobriety mentor") on Instagram.

Gary's catchphrase for his 33,000+ followers is "get to midnight and go again". He attended AA in April 2014, but struggled with the idea of supplicating to God, or a higher power.

Yet, through meditation and no small amount of determination, Gary beat the booze. Here, he discusses the difference between "survival sobriety" – which is when, in the early days, you just try and get through the days and weeks without a drink – and "emotional sobriety", and that comes later.

There is plenty of excellent advice for Upper Bottoms – and those who might be falling deeper.

Booze News items:

The Independent via MSN: Denzel Washington opens up about past struggles with drugs and alcohol: ‘I’ve done a lot of damage’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/denzel-washington-opens-up-about-past-struggles-with-drugs-and-alcohol-i-ve-done-a-lot-of-damage/ar-AA1uoBrA)

Wales Online: 'I turned my addictions from drugs to furniture and made a thriving business’ (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/i-turned-my-addictions-from-drugs-to-furniture-and-made-a-thriving-business/ar-AA1ul3I8) 
 

The Caterer: Customers are drinking less – how can I balance the booze on my menu? (https://www.thecaterer.com/indepth/how-can-i-serve-up-a-sober-christmas)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#alcoholicsanonymous
#addiction

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> Tue, 26 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2885 To answer this massive question, Ollie and Cess draw upon their own insights and the straight-talking wisdom of interviewee Gary Mairs – aka sobernsound ("sweary sobriety mentor") on Instagram.

Gary's catchphrase for his 33,000+ followers is "get to midnight and go again". He attended AA in April 2014, but struggled with the idea of supplicating to God, or a higher power.

Yet, through meditation and no small amount of determination, Gary beat the booze. Here, he discusses the difference between "survival sobriety" – which is when, in the early days, you just try and get through the days and weeks without a drink – and "emotional sobriety", and that comes later.

There is plenty of excellent advice for Upper Bottoms – and those who might be falling deeper.

Booze News items:

The Independent via MSN: Denzel Washington opens up about past struggles with drugs and alcohol: ‘I’ve done a lot of damage’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/denzel-washington-opens-up-about-past-struggles-with-drugs-and-alcohol-i-ve-done-a-lot-of-damage/ar-AA1uoBrA)

Wales Online: 'I turned my addictions from drugs to furniture and made a thriving business’ (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/i-turned-my-addictions-from-drugs-to-furniture-and-made-a-thriving-business/ar-AA1ul3I8) 
 

The Caterer: Customers are drinking less – how can I balance the booze on my menu? (https://www.thecaterer.com/indepth/how-can-i-serve-up-a-sober-christmas)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#alcoholicsanonymous
#addiction

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Avoiding rock bottom: What do drinkers hope to find at the bottom of the glass? 42 42 Avoiding rock bottom: What do drinkers hope to find at the bottom of the glass? full 0bdb7a17-7056-4d35-bf12-db2e52379edc https://share.transistor.fm/s/6e76bf54 Dr Fiona Dowman, a clinical psychologist and addiction specialist, joins Cess and Ollie and shares many illuminating insights for Upper Bottoms – and those who have dropped lower.

What are the signs of addiction? Are some people more predisposed to addiction than others? What are drinkers hoping to gain from boozing hard? And what are the tools and tips to gain better control over one's "relationship with alcohol", as Fiona, Founder of Purple Bridge Psychology, calls it?

These puzzlers and more are answered. You'll also discover the benefits of establishing personal values, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy. This episode is packed with great, timely advice, given we are nearing the start of the indulgent festive season.

Booze News items:

London Review of Books: La Chasse au Pinard (https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v46/n21/julian-barnes/la-chasse-au-pinard)

Good Housekeeping (via MSN): "We're a 'half sober' couple - I drink but my husband doesn't" (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/news/we-re-a-half-sober-couple-i-drink-but-my-husband-doesn-t/ar-AA1tJC7P)

Psychology Today: Reframe Addiction: Why Sobriety Is Not Just Recovery (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sober-curiosity/202411/reframe-addiction-why-sobriety-is-not-just-recovery)

Lad Bible: Man breaks sobriety after 18 months and shares 'surprising' impact it had on him (https://www.ladbible.com/news/health/what-happens-to-the-body-when-you-break-sobriety-958032-20241114)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#addiction

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> Dr Fiona Dowman, a clinical psychologist and addiction specialist, joins Cess and Ollie and shares many illuminating insights for Upper Bottoms – and those who have dropped lower.

What are the signs of addiction? Are some people more predisposed to addiction than others? What are drinkers hoping to gain from boozing hard? And what are the tools and tips to gain better control over one's "relationship with alcohol", as Fiona, Founder of Purple Bridge Psychology, calls it?

These puzzlers and more are answered. You'll also discover the benefits of establishing personal values, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy. This episode is packed with great, timely advice, given we are nearing the start of the indulgent festive season.

Booze News items:

London Review of Books: La Chasse au Pinard (https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v46/n21/julian-barnes/la-chasse-au-pinard)

Good Housekeeping (via MSN): "We're a 'half sober' couple - I drink but my husband doesn't" (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/news/we-re-a-half-sober-couple-i-drink-but-my-husband-doesn-t/ar-AA1tJC7P)

Psychology Today: Reframe Addiction: Why Sobriety Is Not Just Recovery (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sober-curiosity/202411/reframe-addiction-why-sobriety-is-not-just-recovery)

Lad Bible: Man breaks sobriety after 18 months and shares 'surprising' impact it had on him (https://www.ladbible.com/news/health/what-happens-to-the-body-when-you-break-sobriety-958032-20241114)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#addiction

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> Tue, 19 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3071 Dr Fiona Dowman, a clinical psychologist and addiction specialist, joins Cess and Ollie and shares many illuminating insights for Upper Bottoms – and those who have dropped lower.

What are the signs of addiction? Are some people more predisposed to addiction than others? What are drinkers hoping to gain from boozing hard? And what are the tools and tips to gain better control over one's "relationship with alcohol", as Fiona, Founder of Purple Bridge Psychology, calls it?

These puzzlers and more are answered. You'll also discover the benefits of establishing personal values, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy. This episode is packed with great, timely advice, given we are nearing the start of the indulgent festive season.

Booze News items:

London Review of Books: La Chasse au Pinard (https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v46/n21/julian-barnes/la-chasse-au-pinard)

Good Housekeeping (via MSN): "We're a 'half sober' couple - I drink but my husband doesn't" (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/news/we-re-a-half-sober-couple-i-drink-but-my-husband-doesn-t/ar-AA1tJC7P)

Psychology Today: Reframe Addiction: Why Sobriety Is Not Just Recovery (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sober-curiosity/202411/reframe-addiction-why-sobriety-is-not-just-recovery)

Lad Bible: Man breaks sobriety after 18 months and shares 'surprising' impact it had on him (https://www.ladbible.com/news/health/what-happens-to-the-body-when-you-break-sobriety-958032-20241114)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#addiction

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Rock (bottom) and roll: Is there an indelible link between music and drinking? 41 41 Rock (bottom) and roll: Is there an indelible link between music and drinking? full f8a2cae1-5868-46a9-a4d6-91bf5b554044 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c75d16e7 Is a rock-and-roll lifestyle a shortcut to hitting rock bottom?

Cess invites his musical pals Louis Brennan and Tom Bowen, who both stopped drinking during the pandemic, to explore the dangerous dance between sonic creativity and intoxicants.

It's a wild jig – and a level lower than usual for Upper Bottom listeners. Indeed, Tom reveals that he was shocked into giving up boozing after a doctor said he had only a year left to live if he didn't change his lifestyle.

However, the episode is timely, given the tragic premature death of musical megastar Liam Payne. RIP.

Booze News items:

UK Addiction Treatment Centres: Liam Payne: A talent lost – Alcoholism, struggles, and tragic death (https://www.ukat.co.uk/blog/celebrity/liam-payne-a-talent-lost/)

The Independent: Donald Trump reveals real reason he doesn’t drink alcohol (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trump-reveals-real-reason-he-doesn-t-drink-alcohol/ar-AA1t5Lzt)

BBC: Pub garden smoking ban dropped from government plans (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79ze8gv1w4o)

The Independent (via MSN): ‘I wish I’d never taken it’: More young people seeking rehab as ketamine addiction spirals in the UK Story by Holly Evans (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/i-wish-i-d-never-taken-it-more-young-people-seeking-rehab-as-ketamine-addiction-spirals-in-the-uk/ar-AA1tqBwF) 

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#rockandroll
#sobermusicians

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> Is a rock-and-roll lifestyle a shortcut to hitting rock bottom?

Cess invites his musical pals Louis Brennan and Tom Bowen, who both stopped drinking during the pandemic, to explore the dangerous dance between sonic creativity and intoxicants.

It's a wild jig – and a level lower than usual for Upper Bottom listeners. Indeed, Tom reveals that he was shocked into giving up boozing after a doctor said he had only a year left to live if he didn't change his lifestyle.

However, the episode is timely, given the tragic premature death of musical megastar Liam Payne. RIP.

Booze News items:

UK Addiction Treatment Centres: Liam Payne: A talent lost – Alcoholism, struggles, and tragic death (https://www.ukat.co.uk/blog/celebrity/liam-payne-a-talent-lost/)

The Independent: Donald Trump reveals real reason he doesn’t drink alcohol (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trump-reveals-real-reason-he-doesn-t-drink-alcohol/ar-AA1t5Lzt)

BBC: Pub garden smoking ban dropped from government plans (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79ze8gv1w4o)

The Independent (via MSN): ‘I wish I’d never taken it’: More young people seeking rehab as ketamine addiction spirals in the UK Story by Holly Evans (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/i-wish-i-d-never-taken-it-more-young-people-seeking-rehab-as-ketamine-addiction-spirals-in-the-uk/ar-AA1tqBwF) 

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#rockandroll
#sobermusicians

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2723 Is a rock-and-roll lifestyle a shortcut to hitting rock bottom?

Cess invites his musical pals Louis Brennan and Tom Bowen, who both stopped drinking during the pandemic, to explore the dangerous dance between sonic creativity and intoxicants.

It's a wild jig – and a level lower than usual for Upper Bottom listeners. Indeed, Tom reveals that he was shocked into giving up boozing after a doctor said he had only a year left to live if he didn't change his lifestyle.

However, the episode is timely, given the tragic premature death of musical megastar Liam Payne. RIP.

Booze News items:

UK Addiction Treatment Centres: Liam Payne: A talent lost – Alcoholism, struggles, and tragic death (https://www.ukat.co.uk/blog/celebrity/liam-payne-a-talent-lost/)

The Independent: Donald Trump reveals real reason he doesn’t drink alcohol (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trump-reveals-real-reason-he-doesn-t-drink-alcohol/ar-AA1t5Lzt)

BBC: Pub garden smoking ban dropped from government plans (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79ze8gv1w4o)

The Independent (via MSN): ‘I wish I’d never taken it’: More young people seeking rehab as ketamine addiction spirals in the UK Story by Holly Evans (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/i-wish-i-d-never-taken-it-more-young-people-seeking-rehab-as-ketamine-addiction-spirals-in-the-uk/ar-AA1tqBwF) 

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#rockandroll
#sobermusicians

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Rising from Upper Bottom: What have we learnt from our podcast journey? 40 40 Rising from Upper Bottom: What have we learnt from our podcast journey? full 54e58a96-07f3-40ce-b319-e1c709c7d718 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6e2a5186 To mark episode 40, co-hosts Ollie and Cess have a heart-to-heart about the progress of the podcast, which began in February.

They've packed a lot in the last nine months, spoken about their troubles and interviewed the great and the good in this space – but has it all been a form of therapy, albeit in a public forum?

The soul-searching comes as listener numbers are stubbornly not rising – but does that matter? What's next for Upper Bottom? Have Ollie and Cess been cured? Or is that when complacency sets in?

Watch this space ...

Booze News items:

Newcastle Chronicle: Newcastle nightclub packed out as top DJ hosts city's first ever sober rave (https://uk.news.yahoo.com/newcastle-nightclub-packed-top-dj-124051796.html)

The Grocer: Alcohol industry rages as duty set to go up in line with inflation (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/alcohol-industry-rages-as-duty-set-to-go-up-in-line-with-inflation/697266.article)

Daily Mail: Ozempic could be dished out to help curb boozing and prescription drug addiction

(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13974337/Ozempic-dished-help-curb-boozing-prescription-drug-addiction.html)

The Telegraph (via MSN): Dear Richard Madeley: My recently sober friend blames me for his drinking behaviour (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/dear-richard-madeley-my-recently-sober-friend-blames-me-for-his-drinking-behaviour/ar-BB1qIMNI)


#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

]]> To mark episode 40, co-hosts Ollie and Cess have a heart-to-heart about the progress of the podcast, which began in February.

They've packed a lot in the last nine months, spoken about their troubles and interviewed the great and the good in this space – but has it all been a form of therapy, albeit in a public forum?

The soul-searching comes as listener numbers are stubbornly not rising – but does that matter? What's next for Upper Bottom? Have Ollie and Cess been cured? Or is that when complacency sets in?

Watch this space ...

Booze News items:

Newcastle Chronicle: Newcastle nightclub packed out as top DJ hosts city's first ever sober rave (https://uk.news.yahoo.com/newcastle-nightclub-packed-top-dj-124051796.html)

The Grocer: Alcohol industry rages as duty set to go up in line with inflation (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/alcohol-industry-rages-as-duty-set-to-go-up-in-line-with-inflation/697266.article)

Daily Mail: Ozempic could be dished out to help curb boozing and prescription drug addiction

(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13974337/Ozempic-dished-help-curb-boozing-prescription-drug-addiction.html)

The Telegraph (via MSN): Dear Richard Madeley: My recently sober friend blames me for his drinking behaviour (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/dear-richard-madeley-my-recently-sober-friend-blames-me-for-his-drinking-behaviour/ar-BB1qIMNI)


#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

]]> Tue, 05 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3682 To mark episode 40, co-hosts Ollie and Cess have a heart-to-heart about the progress of the podcast, which began in February.

They've packed a lot in the last nine months, spoken about their troubles and interviewed the great and the good in this space – but has it all been a form of therapy, albeit in a public forum?

The soul-searching comes as listener numbers are stubbornly not rising – but does that matter? What's next for Upper Bottom? Have Ollie and Cess been cured? Or is that when complacency sets in?

Watch this space ...

Booze News items:

Newcastle Chronicle: Newcastle nightclub packed out as top DJ hosts city's first ever sober rave (https://uk.news.yahoo.com/newcastle-nightclub-packed-top-dj-124051796.html)

The Grocer: Alcohol industry rages as duty set to go up in line with inflation (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/alcohol-industry-rages-as-duty-set-to-go-up-in-line-with-inflation/697266.article)

Daily Mail: Ozempic could be dished out to help curb boozing and prescription drug addiction

(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13974337/Ozempic-dished-help-curb-boozing-prescription-drug-addiction.html)

The Telegraph (via MSN): Dear Richard Madeley: My recently sober friend blames me for his drinking behaviour (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/dear-richard-madeley-my-recently-sober-friend-blames-me-for-his-drinking-behaviour/ar-BB1qIMNI)


#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Trick or treat: Is Halloween and the run-up to Christmas your sobriety nightmare? 39 39 Trick or treat: Is Halloween and the run-up to Christmas your sobriety nightmare? full f3a9f5b0-4d9a-4382-9a50-b4dfd4884e9f https://share.transistor.fm/s/7a524072 When Ollie was drinking, "October 31 sounded the starting pistol to a one-person race for which there were no winners – apart from the venues where I would jollily buy outrageous Yuletide rounds," he writes in his latest Low No Drinker Magazine column.

"I can now detect, while scrolling back through my phone to revisit nightmares of past Hallowe’en parties, the grinning glee of the two months of booze-heavy chaos about to ensue," he continues. "In my head, it permitted me to go on the sesh three – or more – times a week until the end of the year."

Do you feel the same? If so, we have got you.

The so-called Golden Quarter can seem especially scary for newly sober people, but Cess and Ollie arm listeners with the tools necessary to battle and win this busy party season.

Just don't expect Cess to join you on your axe-throwing night out ...

Booze News items:

Financial Times: Competitive socialising pulls Britons from the pub (https://www.ft.com/content/d4bbda55-c203-44be-bc32-3b4c481b2eba)

ITV News: Grolsch drops alcohol content amid sales slump and tax rules on weaker brews (https://www.itv.com/news/2024-10-21/grolsch-drops-alcohol-content-amid-sales-slump-and-tax-rules-on-weaker-brews)

Evening Standard: What is drinkflation? (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/what-is-drinkflation-b1189176.html)

Insider (via MSN): I went to my favorite Halloween theme park events sober. They were even scarier — and more fun. (https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/i-went-to-my-favorite-halloween-theme-park-events-sober-they-were-even-scarier-and-more-fun/ar-AA1sAePF)

Daily Mail: White Britons are dying faster than other ethnic groups because of their drinking and smoking habits, latest figures show (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13981531/White-Britons-dying-faster-ethnic-groups-drinking.html)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast
#halloween

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

]]> When Ollie was drinking, "October 31 sounded the starting pistol to a one-person race for which there were no winners – apart from the venues where I would jollily buy outrageous Yuletide rounds," he writes in his latest Low No Drinker Magazine column.

"I can now detect, while scrolling back through my phone to revisit nightmares of past Hallowe’en parties, the grinning glee of the two months of booze-heavy chaos about to ensue," he continues. "In my head, it permitted me to go on the sesh three – or more – times a week until the end of the year."

Do you feel the same? If so, we have got you.

The so-called Golden Quarter can seem especially scary for newly sober people, but Cess and Ollie arm listeners with the tools necessary to battle and win this busy party season.

Just don't expect Cess to join you on your axe-throwing night out ...

Booze News items:

Financial Times: Competitive socialising pulls Britons from the pub (https://www.ft.com/content/d4bbda55-c203-44be-bc32-3b4c481b2eba)

ITV News: Grolsch drops alcohol content amid sales slump and tax rules on weaker brews (https://www.itv.com/news/2024-10-21/grolsch-drops-alcohol-content-amid-sales-slump-and-tax-rules-on-weaker-brews)

Evening Standard: What is drinkflation? (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/what-is-drinkflation-b1189176.html)

Insider (via MSN): I went to my favorite Halloween theme park events sober. They were even scarier — and more fun. (https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/i-went-to-my-favorite-halloween-theme-park-events-sober-they-were-even-scarier-and-more-fun/ar-AA1sAePF)

Daily Mail: White Britons are dying faster than other ethnic groups because of their drinking and smoking habits, latest figures show (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13981531/White-Britons-dying-faster-ethnic-groups-drinking.html)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast
#halloween

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

]]> Tue, 29 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2386 When Ollie was drinking, "October 31 sounded the starting pistol to a one-person race for which there were no winners – apart from the venues where I would jollily buy outrageous Yuletide rounds," he writes in his latest Low No Drinker Magazine column.

"I can now detect, while scrolling back through my phone to revisit nightmares of past Hallowe’en parties, the grinning glee of the two months of booze-heavy chaos about to ensue," he continues. "In my head, it permitted me to go on the sesh three – or more – times a week until the end of the year."

Do you feel the same? If so, we have got you.

The so-called Golden Quarter can seem especially scary for newly sober people, but Cess and Ollie arm listeners with the tools necessary to battle and win this busy party season.

Just don't expect Cess to join you on your axe-throwing night out ...

Booze News items:

Financial Times: Competitive socialising pulls Britons from the pub (https://www.ft.com/content/d4bbda55-c203-44be-bc32-3b4c481b2eba)

ITV News: Grolsch drops alcohol content amid sales slump and tax rules on weaker brews (https://www.itv.com/news/2024-10-21/grolsch-drops-alcohol-content-amid-sales-slump-and-tax-rules-on-weaker-brews)

Evening Standard: What is drinkflation? (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/what-is-drinkflation-b1189176.html)

Insider (via MSN): I went to my favorite Halloween theme park events sober. They were even scarier — and more fun. (https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/i-went-to-my-favorite-halloween-theme-park-events-sober-they-were-even-scarier-and-more-fun/ar-AA1sAePF)

Daily Mail: White Britons are dying faster than other ethnic groups because of their drinking and smoking habits, latest figures show (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13981531/White-Britons-dying-faster-ethnic-groups-drinking.html)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast
#halloween

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Spirit level: Can we have a grin and tonic without the booze? 38 38 Spirit level: Can we have a grin and tonic without the booze? full c06df9a2-3975-4431-89ee-5898f08dbf1f https://share.transistor.fm/s/fba76c11 Of no-or-low beer, wine, and spirits, the latter sub-category has most underwhelmed Cess since he started his sobriety journey on January 1, 2023 – can this week's guests change his mind?

The co-hosts are joined by Michael Allen, Co-Founder of Scotland-based Naesip, producer of a non-alcoholic gin, called Munroe (much to Cess's excitement), and Casa Lumbre Spirits' Chief Innovation Officer, Iván Saldaña – aka the "spirit whisperer". He helped create Lewis Hamilton's Almave drink.

It's a jolly discussion, and one that begins after the weekly Booze News items – featuring Spider-Man actor Tom Holland's new non-alc beer brand – and a unique Just the Tonic.

Ollie and Cess would like listeners to recommend Upper Bottom to as many people as possible. The winner – verified on dodgy grounds – has been promised an Upper Bottom mug. So get sharing, and spread the good word (please)!

Booze News items:

i: The non-alcoholic beers with more sugar than a real pint (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/non-alcoholic-beers-more-sugar-real-pint-3314006?ico=related_stories)

ABC News: Tom Holland explains how his sobriety journey inspired his new non-alcoholic beer (https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/tom-holland-explains-sobriety-journey-inspired-new-alcoholic/story?id=114861323)

#nonalcoholicspirits
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement

]]> Of no-or-low beer, wine, and spirits, the latter sub-category has most underwhelmed Cess since he started his sobriety journey on January 1, 2023 – can this week's guests change his mind?

The co-hosts are joined by Michael Allen, Co-Founder of Scotland-based Naesip, producer of a non-alcoholic gin, called Munroe (much to Cess's excitement), and Casa Lumbre Spirits' Chief Innovation Officer, Iván Saldaña – aka the "spirit whisperer". He helped create Lewis Hamilton's Almave drink.

It's a jolly discussion, and one that begins after the weekly Booze News items – featuring Spider-Man actor Tom Holland's new non-alc beer brand – and a unique Just the Tonic.

Ollie and Cess would like listeners to recommend Upper Bottom to as many people as possible. The winner – verified on dodgy grounds – has been promised an Upper Bottom mug. So get sharing, and spread the good word (please)!

Booze News items:

i: The non-alcoholic beers with more sugar than a real pint (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/non-alcoholic-beers-more-sugar-real-pint-3314006?ico=related_stories)

ABC News: Tom Holland explains how his sobriety journey inspired his new non-alcoholic beer (https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/tom-holland-explains-sobriety-journey-inspired-new-alcoholic/story?id=114861323)

#nonalcoholicspirits
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement

]]> Tue, 22 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3286 Of no-or-low beer, wine, and spirits, the latter sub-category has most underwhelmed Cess since he started his sobriety journey on January 1, 2023 – can this week's guests change his mind?

The co-hosts are joined by Michael Allen, Co-Founder of Scotland-based Naesip, producer of a non-alcoholic gin, called Munroe (much to Cess's excitement), and Casa Lumbre Spirits' Chief Innovation Officer, Iván Saldaña – aka the "spirit whisperer". He helped create Lewis Hamilton's Almave drink.

It's a jolly discussion, and one that begins after the weekly Booze News items – featuring Spider-Man actor Tom Holland's new non-alc beer brand – and a unique Just the Tonic.

Ollie and Cess would like listeners to recommend Upper Bottom to as many people as possible. The winner – verified on dodgy grounds – has been promised an Upper Bottom mug. So get sharing, and spread the good word (please)!

Booze News items:

i: The non-alcoholic beers with more sugar than a real pint (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/non-alcoholic-beers-more-sugar-real-pint-3314006?ico=related_stories)

ABC News: Tom Holland explains how his sobriety journey inspired his new non-alcoholic beer (https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/tom-holland-explains-sobriety-journey-inspired-new-alcoholic/story?id=114861323)

#nonalcoholicspirits
#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No From booze to CBD: Are 'functional drinks' redefining sobriety? 37 37 From booze to CBD: Are 'functional drinks' redefining sobriety? full 427e8940-78af-4434-bf88-1a2bf5e22c26 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4dfd8059 Cannabinoid (CBD) drinks and "functional" drinking are on the rise – indeed, the latter is enjoying a 38% year-on-year increase in the UK, according to Eoin Keegan, Co-Founder & CEO at Goodrays. His drinks are even available as part of the Waitrose meal deal at the moment.

For this week's episode, Ollie and Cess dive into the CBD space with a fascinating interview with Eoin and Brendan Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of NuWave AF Beer.

The pair discuss the calming effects of these drinks and their many related benefits, and look ahead to the future of socialising across the globe. For non-drinkers, more "third spaces" that don't revolve around booze are popping up.

Booze News items:

i (via MSN): How quitting alcohol benefits your body after a day, a month and a year (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/how-quitting-alcohol-benefits-your-body-after-a-day-a-month-and-a-year/ar-AA1rRJmc)

i: I gave up drinking and discovered who I really am (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/gave-up-drinking-discovered-who-really-am-3299240?ico=most_popular)

]]> Cannabinoid (CBD) drinks and "functional" drinking are on the rise – indeed, the latter is enjoying a 38% year-on-year increase in the UK, according to Eoin Keegan, Co-Founder & CEO at Goodrays. His drinks are even available as part of the Waitrose meal deal at the moment.

For this week's episode, Ollie and Cess dive into the CBD space with a fascinating interview with Eoin and Brendan Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of NuWave AF Beer.

The pair discuss the calming effects of these drinks and their many related benefits, and look ahead to the future of socialising across the globe. For non-drinkers, more "third spaces" that don't revolve around booze are popping up.

Booze News items:

i (via MSN): How quitting alcohol benefits your body after a day, a month and a year (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/how-quitting-alcohol-benefits-your-body-after-a-day-a-month-and-a-year/ar-AA1rRJmc)

i: I gave up drinking and discovered who I really am (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/gave-up-drinking-discovered-who-really-am-3299240?ico=most_popular)

]]> Tue, 15 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3674 Cannabinoid (CBD) drinks and "functional" drinking are on the rise – indeed, the latter is enjoying a 38% year-on-year increase in the UK, according to Eoin Keegan, Co-Founder & CEO at Goodrays. His drinks are even available as part of the Waitrose meal deal at the moment.

For this week's episode, Ollie and Cess dive into the CBD space with a fascinating interview with Eoin and Brendan Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of NuWave AF Beer.

The pair discuss the calming effects of these drinks and their many related benefits, and look ahead to the future of socialising across the globe. For non-drinkers, more "third spaces" that don't revolve around booze are popping up.

Booze News items:

i (via MSN): How quitting alcohol benefits your body after a day, a month and a year (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/how-quitting-alcohol-benefits-your-body-after-a-day-a-month-and-a-year/ar-AA1rRJmc)

i: I gave up drinking and discovered who I really am (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/gave-up-drinking-discovered-who-really-am-3299240?ico=most_popular)

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Running away with the alcohol-free-beer market: How is Lucky Saint leading the pack – and what's next? 36 36 Running away with the alcohol-free-beer market: How is Lucky Saint leading the pack – and what's next? full 8e103ebd-5353-4aeb-8685-5398e89eefad https://share.transistor.fm/s/ea80210e Ollie and Cess join Lou Pollitt, Category and Insights Director at Lucky Saint, for a 5-kilometre run around Regent's Park in London. This is a regular community-building event for the leading alcohol-free beer brand, which has rocketed since its establishment in 2018.

The trio meets at the Lucky Saint pub, the company's headquarters, to discuss drinking trends and plans for the coming years – plus the secret to the brand's success.

There is also a post-run snippet with Jonty Brown, Founder of Run Unlimited, who led the community run. He has an interesting and inspiring story you should listen to.

Also, for Just the Tonic, Cess does something very unexpected – and quite beautiful.

Booze News items:

Yorkshire Evening Post: Go Sober in October: Going out without alcohol in Yorkshire just got easier (https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/community/go-sober-in-october-going-out-without-alcohol-in-yorkshire-just-got-easier-4800961)

Huffington Post: 10 Powerful Things You Can Do To Support Your Sober Partner (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/supporting-sober-partner-powerful_l_66f5a7a5e4b08b9c8c8c9cbc) 

New York Post: Kris Kristofferson once thought he’d be dead by 30: ‘I was a functioning alcoholic’

 (https://nypost.com/2024/09/30/entertainment/kris-kristofferson-once-thought-hed-be-dead-by-30/)

i: I regret going sober – I’m happier now I’m a moderate drinker (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/regret-going-sober-happier-moderate-drinker-3299144?ico=in-line_link)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast
#soberrunning

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#luckysaint

]]> Ollie and Cess join Lou Pollitt, Category and Insights Director at Lucky Saint, for a 5-kilometre run around Regent's Park in London. This is a regular community-building event for the leading alcohol-free beer brand, which has rocketed since its establishment in 2018.

The trio meets at the Lucky Saint pub, the company's headquarters, to discuss drinking trends and plans for the coming years – plus the secret to the brand's success.

There is also a post-run snippet with Jonty Brown, Founder of Run Unlimited, who led the community run. He has an interesting and inspiring story you should listen to.

Also, for Just the Tonic, Cess does something very unexpected – and quite beautiful.

Booze News items:

Yorkshire Evening Post: Go Sober in October: Going out without alcohol in Yorkshire just got easier (https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/community/go-sober-in-october-going-out-without-alcohol-in-yorkshire-just-got-easier-4800961)

Huffington Post: 10 Powerful Things You Can Do To Support Your Sober Partner (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/supporting-sober-partner-powerful_l_66f5a7a5e4b08b9c8c8c9cbc) 

New York Post: Kris Kristofferson once thought he’d be dead by 30: ‘I was a functioning alcoholic’

 (https://nypost.com/2024/09/30/entertainment/kris-kristofferson-once-thought-hed-be-dead-by-30/)

i: I regret going sober – I’m happier now I’m a moderate drinker (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/regret-going-sober-happier-moderate-drinker-3299144?ico=in-line_link)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast
#soberrunning

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#luckysaint

]]> Tue, 08 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3425 Ollie and Cess join Lou Pollitt, Category and Insights Director at Lucky Saint, for a 5-kilometre run around Regent's Park in London. This is a regular community-building event for the leading alcohol-free beer brand, which has rocketed since its establishment in 2018.

The trio meets at the Lucky Saint pub, the company's headquarters, to discuss drinking trends and plans for the coming years – plus the secret to the brand's success.

There is also a post-run snippet with Jonty Brown, Founder of Run Unlimited, who led the community run. He has an interesting and inspiring story you should listen to.

Also, for Just the Tonic, Cess does something very unexpected – and quite beautiful.

Booze News items:

Yorkshire Evening Post: Go Sober in October: Going out without alcohol in Yorkshire just got easier (https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/community/go-sober-in-october-going-out-without-alcohol-in-yorkshire-just-got-easier-4800961)

Huffington Post: 10 Powerful Things You Can Do To Support Your Sober Partner (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/supporting-sober-partner-powerful_l_66f5a7a5e4b08b9c8c8c9cbc) 

New York Post: Kris Kristofferson once thought he’d be dead by 30: ‘I was a functioning alcoholic’

 (https://nypost.com/2024/09/30/entertainment/kris-kristofferson-once-thought-hed-be-dead-by-30/)

i: I regret going sober – I’m happier now I’m a moderate drinker (https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/regret-going-sober-happier-moderate-drinker-3299144?ico=in-line_link)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast
#soberrunning

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#luckysaint

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Drinkaware research indicates a sobering trend: But are UK drinkers binning the booze? 35 35 Drinkaware research indicates a sobering trend: But are UK drinkers binning the booze? full 05139c55-34aa-4013-9d86-4bb7f48ee7c5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/065036a2 Over 5,000 adults were surveyed for the annual Drinkaware Monitor – since 2009, the UK’s only national survey that provides an insight into the country’s drinking habits, according to the official bumph.


The 2024 Monitor, published on Sept 26, shows:

  • Nine in ten UK drinkers moderate their drinking – up from 87% in 2023 and 84% in 2018
  • Yet in five (19%) UK drinkers – around eight million people – are exceeding the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines, and putting their health at serious risk
  • Some 28% of people have been concerned about someone else's drinking in the last 12 months

And there are plenty more findings to discuss in a report that is 76 pages long. Luckily, Cess and Ollie are joined by Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell to discuss it all. 


Additionally, there is a plug for Ollie's latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine – issue 10 came out over the weekend. Editor Denise has kindly offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount by using the code UPPER20. Enjoy!

Finally, with it being the first of the month, perhaps you would like to participate in a no-drinking October? Maybe you want to raise money for cancer research at the same time? This week's Just the Tonic flags how you can "Go Sober" this October, and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.gosober.org.uk/. Good luck!

Booze News items:

Hummus societies, sober spa evenings and macramé crafts nights: How Gen-Z students are ditching the booze this freshers' week (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13903727/Gen-Z-students-ditching-booze-freshers-week-Hummus-societies.html)

The Independent: The disturbing (and extremely sobering) story behind the anti-alcohol movement (https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/wine-alcohol-health-movendi-who-templars-b2616361.html)

CNN (via MSN): Some experts are calling for age restrictions on the sale of nonalcoholic drinks. Here’s why (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/some-experts-are-calling-for-age-restrictions-on-the-sale-of-nonalcoholic-drinks-here-s-why/ar-AA1qTURW)

Daily Mail: It's no beer Keir! As Labour reveal latest attack on booze, how Starmer's nanny state drive to 'boost health' threatens to decimate Britain's hospitality industry (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13884921/Its-no-beer-Keir-Labour-reveal-latest-attack-booze-Starmers-nanny-state-drive-boost-health-threatens-decimate-Britains-hospitality-industry.html)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#drinkaware

]]> Over 5,000 adults were surveyed for the annual Drinkaware Monitor – since 2009, the UK’s only national survey that provides an insight into the country’s drinking habits, according to the official bumph.


The 2024 Monitor, published on Sept 26, shows:

  • Nine in ten UK drinkers moderate their drinking – up from 87% in 2023 and 84% in 2018
  • Yet in five (19%) UK drinkers – around eight million people – are exceeding the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines, and putting their health at serious risk
  • Some 28% of people have been concerned about someone else's drinking in the last 12 months

And there are plenty more findings to discuss in a report that is 76 pages long. Luckily, Cess and Ollie are joined by Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell to discuss it all. 


Additionally, there is a plug for Ollie's latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine – issue 10 came out over the weekend. Editor Denise has kindly offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount by using the code UPPER20. Enjoy!

Finally, with it being the first of the month, perhaps you would like to participate in a no-drinking October? Maybe you want to raise money for cancer research at the same time? This week's Just the Tonic flags how you can "Go Sober" this October, and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.gosober.org.uk/. Good luck!

Booze News items:

Hummus societies, sober spa evenings and macramé crafts nights: How Gen-Z students are ditching the booze this freshers' week (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13903727/Gen-Z-students-ditching-booze-freshers-week-Hummus-societies.html)

The Independent: The disturbing (and extremely sobering) story behind the anti-alcohol movement (https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/wine-alcohol-health-movendi-who-templars-b2616361.html)

CNN (via MSN): Some experts are calling for age restrictions on the sale of nonalcoholic drinks. Here’s why (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/some-experts-are-calling-for-age-restrictions-on-the-sale-of-nonalcoholic-drinks-here-s-why/ar-AA1qTURW)

Daily Mail: It's no beer Keir! As Labour reveal latest attack on booze, how Starmer's nanny state drive to 'boost health' threatens to decimate Britain's hospitality industry (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13884921/Its-no-beer-Keir-Labour-reveal-latest-attack-booze-Starmers-nanny-state-drive-boost-health-threatens-decimate-Britains-hospitality-industry.html)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#drinkaware

]]> Tue, 01 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3107 Over 5,000 adults were surveyed for the annual Drinkaware Monitor – since 2009, the UK’s only national survey that provides an insight into the country’s drinking habits, according to the official bumph.


The 2024 Monitor, published on Sept 26, shows:

  • Nine in ten UK drinkers moderate their drinking – up from 87% in 2023 and 84% in 2018
  • Yet in five (19%) UK drinkers – around eight million people – are exceeding the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines, and putting their health at serious risk
  • Some 28% of people have been concerned about someone else's drinking in the last 12 months

And there are plenty more findings to discuss in a report that is 76 pages long. Luckily, Cess and Ollie are joined by Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell to discuss it all. 


Additionally, there is a plug for Ollie's latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine – issue 10 came out over the weekend. Editor Denise has kindly offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount by using the code UPPER20. Enjoy!

Finally, with it being the first of the month, perhaps you would like to participate in a no-drinking October? Maybe you want to raise money for cancer research at the same time? This week's Just the Tonic flags how you can "Go Sober" this October, and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.gosober.org.uk/. Good luck!

Booze News items:

Hummus societies, sober spa evenings and macramé crafts nights: How Gen-Z students are ditching the booze this freshers' week (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13903727/Gen-Z-students-ditching-booze-freshers-week-Hummus-societies.html)

The Independent: The disturbing (and extremely sobering) story behind the anti-alcohol movement (https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/wine-alcohol-health-movendi-who-templars-b2616361.html)

CNN (via MSN): Some experts are calling for age restrictions on the sale of nonalcoholic drinks. Here’s why (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/some-experts-are-calling-for-age-restrictions-on-the-sale-of-nonalcoholic-drinks-here-s-why/ar-AA1qTURW)

Daily Mail: It's no beer Keir! As Labour reveal latest attack on booze, how Starmer's nanny state drive to 'boost health' threatens to decimate Britain's hospitality industry (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13884921/Its-no-beer-Keir-Labour-reveal-latest-attack-booze-Starmers-nanny-state-drive-boost-health-threatens-decimate-Britains-hospitality-industry.html)

#soberjourney
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#drinkaware

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Smarter sipping: How can the growing "light" alcohol category help Upper Bottom drinkers? 34 34 Smarter sipping: How can the growing "light" alcohol category help Upper Bottom drinkers? full 633731c3-4ad6-49cc-bd20-61f6dc404c27 https://share.transistor.fm/s/52cb771b Cess and Ollie invite Cami Vidal, Founder of La Maison Wellness, and Gaby Lamb, Co-Founder (with her husband) of 6PERCENT, to discuss a new alcohol-free subcategory: light.

The interview – which takes place in Ollie's kitchen (as everyone is based in south-east London) – covers drinking trends, how long it takes to develop a 6% wine that people are happy with, predictions about the future of socialising, and plenty of advice for fellow Upper Bottoms. And much more. It's an episode you won't want to miss, as it's packed full of insights.

Cami even brings around some sparkling tea, offering a tasty alternative to drinking. And there is the usual Booze News and Just the Tonic – but this is shorter than usual, as the interview was too good to distill too much!

Booze News items:

Guardian: Pint of no return? Two-thirds measure could boost English health – study (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/sep/17/pint-two-thirds-beer-measure-english-health-study-pubs)

Daily Mail: The four coded questions doctors ask to uncover a hidden alcohol problem (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13854961/coded-questions-doctor-alcoholic-addiction-secret.html)

Morning Advertiser: Big Drop is meeting the challenge of low & no on draught (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/09/16/big-drop-talks-about-adding-a-low-no-draught-line-at-a-pub)

Telegraph (via MSN): I took a pill to help fix my drinking problem (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/i-took-a-pill-to-help-fix-my-drinking-problem/ar-AA1qCq9M)

#soberjourney
#lighteralcoholfree
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Cess and Ollie invite Cami Vidal, Founder of La Maison Wellness, and Gaby Lamb, Co-Founder (with her husband) of 6PERCENT, to discuss a new alcohol-free subcategory: light.

The interview – which takes place in Ollie's kitchen (as everyone is based in south-east London) – covers drinking trends, how long it takes to develop a 6% wine that people are happy with, predictions about the future of socialising, and plenty of advice for fellow Upper Bottoms. And much more. It's an episode you won't want to miss, as it's packed full of insights.

Cami even brings around some sparkling tea, offering a tasty alternative to drinking. And there is the usual Booze News and Just the Tonic – but this is shorter than usual, as the interview was too good to distill too much!

Booze News items:

Guardian: Pint of no return? Two-thirds measure could boost English health – study (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/sep/17/pint-two-thirds-beer-measure-english-health-study-pubs)

Daily Mail: The four coded questions doctors ask to uncover a hidden alcohol problem (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13854961/coded-questions-doctor-alcoholic-addiction-secret.html)

Morning Advertiser: Big Drop is meeting the challenge of low & no on draught (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/09/16/big-drop-talks-about-adding-a-low-no-draught-line-at-a-pub)

Telegraph (via MSN): I took a pill to help fix my drinking problem (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/i-took-a-pill-to-help-fix-my-drinking-problem/ar-AA1qCq9M)

#soberjourney
#lighteralcoholfree
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3708 Cess and Ollie invite Cami Vidal, Founder of La Maison Wellness, and Gaby Lamb, Co-Founder (with her husband) of 6PERCENT, to discuss a new alcohol-free subcategory: light.

The interview – which takes place in Ollie's kitchen (as everyone is based in south-east London) – covers drinking trends, how long it takes to develop a 6% wine that people are happy with, predictions about the future of socialising, and plenty of advice for fellow Upper Bottoms. And much more. It's an episode you won't want to miss, as it's packed full of insights.

Cami even brings around some sparkling tea, offering a tasty alternative to drinking. And there is the usual Booze News and Just the Tonic – but this is shorter than usual, as the interview was too good to distill too much!

Booze News items:

Guardian: Pint of no return? Two-thirds measure could boost English health – study (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/sep/17/pint-two-thirds-beer-measure-english-health-study-pubs)

Daily Mail: The four coded questions doctors ask to uncover a hidden alcohol problem (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13854961/coded-questions-doctor-alcoholic-addiction-secret.html)

Morning Advertiser: Big Drop is meeting the challenge of low & no on draught (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/09/16/big-drop-talks-about-adding-a-low-no-draught-line-at-a-pub)

Telegraph (via MSN): I took a pill to help fix my drinking problem (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/i-took-a-pill-to-help-fix-my-drinking-problem/ar-AA1qCq9M)

#soberjourney
#lighteralcoholfree
#sobercurious
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Growing pains: What is needed to help the no- and low-alcohol drinks category come of age? 33 33 Growing pains: What is needed to help the no- and low-alcohol drinks category come of age? full bf3f8cea-8f26-4e42-a3cf-615ca2da1589 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a3ea5472 Ollie and Dan have been busy attending various no- and low-alcohol events, and they are wearing Upper-bottom t-shirts, of course. Here, they capture some of the main takeaways from Drink It In and the Club Soda Low, Light & Alcohol-Free Summit.

So, where is the category right now? And what needs to happen to help it grow? Plus, what is the future of socialising? Is it nootropics bars? We'd love to know your thoughts (via a rambling, stream-of-consciousness voice note, if possible).

Booze News features sober dating apps, sober freshers' weeks, sober raving, and Mash Gang's acquisition – and going-on-tangents galore. (What's your favourite emoji?)

Booze News items:

STV: Sober clubbing: Rise in ravers enjoying alcohol-free nights out

(https://news.stv.tv/west-central/sober-clubbing-rise-in-ravers-enjoying-alcohol-free-nights-out)

Epigram: Socialising as a sober student this Freshers’ Week (https://epigram.org.uk/socialising-as-a-sober-student-this-freshers-week/)

TechCrunch: Drybaby is a dating app for the ‘sober curious’ movement (https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/10/drybaby-new-sober-dating-app-betting-on-surge-in-sober-curious-movement/)

The Grocer: Mash Gang acquired by alcohol-free beverage group DioniLife (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/finance/mash-gang-acquired-by-alcohol-free-beverage-group-dionilife/695456.article) 

#soberjourney
#clubsoda
#sobercurious
#nootropics
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Ollie and Dan have been busy attending various no- and low-alcohol events, and they are wearing Upper-bottom t-shirts, of course. Here, they capture some of the main takeaways from Drink It In and the Club Soda Low, Light & Alcohol-Free Summit.

So, where is the category right now? And what needs to happen to help it grow? Plus, what is the future of socialising? Is it nootropics bars? We'd love to know your thoughts (via a rambling, stream-of-consciousness voice note, if possible).

Booze News features sober dating apps, sober freshers' weeks, sober raving, and Mash Gang's acquisition – and going-on-tangents galore. (What's your favourite emoji?)

Booze News items:

STV: Sober clubbing: Rise in ravers enjoying alcohol-free nights out

(https://news.stv.tv/west-central/sober-clubbing-rise-in-ravers-enjoying-alcohol-free-nights-out)

Epigram: Socialising as a sober student this Freshers’ Week (https://epigram.org.uk/socialising-as-a-sober-student-this-freshers-week/)

TechCrunch: Drybaby is a dating app for the ‘sober curious’ movement (https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/10/drybaby-new-sober-dating-app-betting-on-surge-in-sober-curious-movement/)

The Grocer: Mash Gang acquired by alcohol-free beverage group DioniLife (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/finance/mash-gang-acquired-by-alcohol-free-beverage-group-dionilife/695456.article) 

#soberjourney
#clubsoda
#sobercurious
#nootropics
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Tue, 17 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3570 Ollie and Dan have been busy attending various no- and low-alcohol events, and they are wearing Upper-bottom t-shirts, of course. Here, they capture some of the main takeaways from Drink It In and the Club Soda Low, Light & Alcohol-Free Summit.

So, where is the category right now? And what needs to happen to help it grow? Plus, what is the future of socialising? Is it nootropics bars? We'd love to know your thoughts (via a rambling, stream-of-consciousness voice note, if possible).

Booze News features sober dating apps, sober freshers' weeks, sober raving, and Mash Gang's acquisition – and going-on-tangents galore. (What's your favourite emoji?)

Booze News items:

STV: Sober clubbing: Rise in ravers enjoying alcohol-free nights out

(https://news.stv.tv/west-central/sober-clubbing-rise-in-ravers-enjoying-alcohol-free-nights-out)

Epigram: Socialising as a sober student this Freshers’ Week (https://epigram.org.uk/socialising-as-a-sober-student-this-freshers-week/)

TechCrunch: Drybaby is a dating app for the ‘sober curious’ movement (https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/10/drybaby-new-sober-dating-app-betting-on-surge-in-sober-curious-movement/)

The Grocer: Mash Gang acquired by alcohol-free beverage group DioniLife (https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/finance/mash-gang-acquired-by-alcohol-free-beverage-group-dionilife/695456.article) 

#soberjourney
#clubsoda
#sobercurious
#nootropics
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Kicking the cans: What can Upper Bottoms learn from 'ex problematic binge drinker' Jack’s year of sobriety? 32 32 Kicking the cans: What can Upper Bottoms learn from 'ex problematic binge drinker' Jack’s year of sobriety? full 39b03a2f-1fab-45eb-b4af-6888b6d5e65f https://share.transistor.fm/s/03b5e10a The hosts catch up with Jack, aka Kickingthecans on Instagram. He previously featured in one of Upper Bottom's most popular episodes, Final whistle: Why is watching football so boozy, and what's it like sober?

Now Jack has reached the milestone of a year sober. And, although he won't be celebrating as such, life is good – and much better than it was 12 months ago.

His mental health is considerably improved, his relationships are stronger, and – even if he has changed, a little – he is not missing the booze at all.

The difference between the before – losing all memory for four hours on his uncle's stag do (was he in a car park, as his phone suggests?) – and after is incredible.

With the year up, it triggers memories of early sobriety for Ollie and Cess, and the trio offer many insights for those thinking about kicking the cans.

Tom Daley and Elle Macpherson feature in Booze News – as does the revelation that Ollie used to also be known, very briefly, as "the body".

Booze News items:

The Caterer: Pub owners believe outdoor smoking ban would risk closures

(https://www.thecaterer.com/news/pub-owners-believe-outdoor-smoking-ban-would-risk-closures)

Daily Mail: Elle Macpherson reveals she still attends regular AA meetings following her decision to quit alcohol 20 years ago: 'Without being sober, I wouldn't be here’ (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13804345/Elle-Macpherson-AA-meetings-sobriety.html)

Guardian: UK MPs urged to give up freebies from tobacco, alcohol and junk food firms (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/30/uk-mps-urged-to-give-up-freebies-from-tobacco-alcohol-and-junk-food-firms)

Mirror: Retired diver Tom Daley sports knitted trunks with a safety message to swimmers (https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/tom-daley-swimming-alcohol-awareness-33460487)

#soberjourney
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

 

]]> The hosts catch up with Jack, aka Kickingthecans on Instagram. He previously featured in one of Upper Bottom's most popular episodes, Final whistle: Why is watching football so boozy, and what's it like sober?

Now Jack has reached the milestone of a year sober. And, although he won't be celebrating as such, life is good – and much better than it was 12 months ago.

His mental health is considerably improved, his relationships are stronger, and – even if he has changed, a little – he is not missing the booze at all.

The difference between the before – losing all memory for four hours on his uncle's stag do (was he in a car park, as his phone suggests?) – and after is incredible.

With the year up, it triggers memories of early sobriety for Ollie and Cess, and the trio offer many insights for those thinking about kicking the cans.

Tom Daley and Elle Macpherson feature in Booze News – as does the revelation that Ollie used to also be known, very briefly, as "the body".

Booze News items:

The Caterer: Pub owners believe outdoor smoking ban would risk closures

(https://www.thecaterer.com/news/pub-owners-believe-outdoor-smoking-ban-would-risk-closures)

Daily Mail: Elle Macpherson reveals she still attends regular AA meetings following her decision to quit alcohol 20 years ago: 'Without being sober, I wouldn't be here’ (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13804345/Elle-Macpherson-AA-meetings-sobriety.html)

Guardian: UK MPs urged to give up freebies from tobacco, alcohol and junk food firms (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/30/uk-mps-urged-to-give-up-freebies-from-tobacco-alcohol-and-junk-food-firms)

Mirror: Retired diver Tom Daley sports knitted trunks with a safety message to swimmers (https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/tom-daley-swimming-alcohol-awareness-33460487)

#soberjourney
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

 

]]> Tue, 10 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2597 The hosts catch up with Jack, aka Kickingthecans on Instagram. He previously featured in one of Upper Bottom's most popular episodes, Final whistle: Why is watching football so boozy, and what's it like sober?

Now Jack has reached the milestone of a year sober. And, although he won't be celebrating as such, life is good – and much better than it was 12 months ago.

His mental health is considerably improved, his relationships are stronger, and – even if he has changed, a little – he is not missing the booze at all.

The difference between the before – losing all memory for four hours on his uncle's stag do (was he in a car park, as his phone suggests?) – and after is incredible.

With the year up, it triggers memories of early sobriety for Ollie and Cess, and the trio offer many insights for those thinking about kicking the cans.

Tom Daley and Elle Macpherson feature in Booze News – as does the revelation that Ollie used to also be known, very briefly, as "the body".

Booze News items:

The Caterer: Pub owners believe outdoor smoking ban would risk closures

(https://www.thecaterer.com/news/pub-owners-believe-outdoor-smoking-ban-would-risk-closures)

Daily Mail: Elle Macpherson reveals she still attends regular AA meetings following her decision to quit alcohol 20 years ago: 'Without being sober, I wouldn't be here’ (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13804345/Elle-Macpherson-AA-meetings-sobriety.html)

Guardian: UK MPs urged to give up freebies from tobacco, alcohol and junk food firms (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/30/uk-mps-urged-to-give-up-freebies-from-tobacco-alcohol-and-junk-food-firms)

Mirror: Retired diver Tom Daley sports knitted trunks with a safety message to swimmers (https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/tom-daley-swimming-alcohol-awareness-33460487)

#soberjourney
#soberadvice
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

 

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Post-summer reset: Is September the best time to reboot – and quit booze? 31 31 Post-summer reset: Is September the best time to reboot – and quit booze? full 5b90accc-5f3f-4ac1-a9c2-72da492ec384 https://share.transistor.fm/s/31cbd7da For many, September ushers in the end of summer and a halt to holiday indulgence. It's the second reset month of the year after January, and that means reflection, positive change, detoxification, and possibly action.

Cess and Ollie have both been active, with the former bagging a couple of Munros in the Highlands and the latter bettering Dame Kelly Holmes in the Big Half. 

The hosts offer words of wisdom to those thinking about quitting booze this month, and also talk about the growing trend of non-alcoholic drinks, including Guinness 0.0%, and the potential for these drinks to outsell their alcoholic counterparts.

NB Discount code for Drink it In Festival: PICMED-DRINKITIN-15 (via https://www.drinkitinfestival.com/) – we'll be there on Sept 6.

Booze News items:

This is Money (via MSN): Non-alcoholic Guinness could outsell the real thing, says Diageo (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/other/will-non-alcoholic-guinness-outdo-the-real-thing/ar-AA1ppz6l)

Evening Standard: The Devonshire in Soho becomes Great Britain’s first pub to serve Guinness 0.0 on tap (https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/bars/the-devonshire-guinness-0-0-tap-keg-b1178790.html)

Daily Mail: 'The end of pubs': Farage leads furious backlash at Labour's 'nanny state' OUTDOOR smoking ban plans - which will ban people from lighting up in beer gardens, near football grounds and in children's parks (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13790649/end-pubs-backlash-Labours-nanny-state-OUTDOOR-smoking-ban-beer-gardens-football-grounds-childrens-parks.html)

Morning Advertiser: Gen Z drinking less alcohol but still visiting the on-trade (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/08/22/gen-z-drinking-less-alcohol-but-still-visiting-on-trade)

#summerholidays
#septmeberreset
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> For many, September ushers in the end of summer and a halt to holiday indulgence. It's the second reset month of the year after January, and that means reflection, positive change, detoxification, and possibly action.

Cess and Ollie have both been active, with the former bagging a couple of Munros in the Highlands and the latter bettering Dame Kelly Holmes in the Big Half. 

The hosts offer words of wisdom to those thinking about quitting booze this month, and also talk about the growing trend of non-alcoholic drinks, including Guinness 0.0%, and the potential for these drinks to outsell their alcoholic counterparts.

NB Discount code for Drink it In Festival: PICMED-DRINKITIN-15 (via https://www.drinkitinfestival.com/) – we'll be there on Sept 6.

Booze News items:

This is Money (via MSN): Non-alcoholic Guinness could outsell the real thing, says Diageo (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/other/will-non-alcoholic-guinness-outdo-the-real-thing/ar-AA1ppz6l)

Evening Standard: The Devonshire in Soho becomes Great Britain’s first pub to serve Guinness 0.0 on tap (https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/bars/the-devonshire-guinness-0-0-tap-keg-b1178790.html)

Daily Mail: 'The end of pubs': Farage leads furious backlash at Labour's 'nanny state' OUTDOOR smoking ban plans - which will ban people from lighting up in beer gardens, near football grounds and in children's parks (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13790649/end-pubs-backlash-Labours-nanny-state-OUTDOOR-smoking-ban-beer-gardens-football-grounds-childrens-parks.html)

Morning Advertiser: Gen Z drinking less alcohol but still visiting the on-trade (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/08/22/gen-z-drinking-less-alcohol-but-still-visiting-on-trade)

#summerholidays
#septmeberreset
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Tue, 03 Sep 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2272 For many, September ushers in the end of summer and a halt to holiday indulgence. It's the second reset month of the year after January, and that means reflection, positive change, detoxification, and possibly action.

Cess and Ollie have both been active, with the former bagging a couple of Munros in the Highlands and the latter bettering Dame Kelly Holmes in the Big Half. 

The hosts offer words of wisdom to those thinking about quitting booze this month, and also talk about the growing trend of non-alcoholic drinks, including Guinness 0.0%, and the potential for these drinks to outsell their alcoholic counterparts.

NB Discount code for Drink it In Festival: PICMED-DRINKITIN-15 (via https://www.drinkitinfestival.com/) – we'll be there on Sept 6.

Booze News items:

This is Money (via MSN): Non-alcoholic Guinness could outsell the real thing, says Diageo (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/foodanddrink/other/will-non-alcoholic-guinness-outdo-the-real-thing/ar-AA1ppz6l)

Evening Standard: The Devonshire in Soho becomes Great Britain’s first pub to serve Guinness 0.0 on tap (https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/bars/the-devonshire-guinness-0-0-tap-keg-b1178790.html)

Daily Mail: 'The end of pubs': Farage leads furious backlash at Labour's 'nanny state' OUTDOOR smoking ban plans - which will ban people from lighting up in beer gardens, near football grounds and in children's parks (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13790649/end-pubs-backlash-Labours-nanny-state-OUTDOOR-smoking-ban-beer-gardens-football-grounds-childrens-parks.html)

Morning Advertiser: Gen Z drinking less alcohol but still visiting the on-trade (https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/08/22/gen-z-drinking-less-alcohol-but-still-visiting-on-trade)

#summerholidays
#septmeberreset
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Dry destinations: Which countries are leading the sobriety trend? 30 30 Dry destinations: Which countries are leading the sobriety trend? full f39fb010-955b-4752-9959-616fa899647f https://share.transistor.fm/s/de6c707f In this week's episode, just before schools reopen their doors for the new term, Ollie and Cess reflect on recent overseas holidays and how sobriety and drinking cultures vary in different countries – and how they have evolved.

Special attention is paid to Ollie's experiences at a much-loved family retreat on the grape-growing slopes in Perpignan. Meanwhile, Cess takes a detailed look at Sweden, particularly the broader role the state has taken in regulating the supply of alcohol to its citizens.

There is also an item late on about the top five destinations for sober people – and the best-ranking country might surprise you.

Booze News items:

BBC: Plan to serve alcohol at water park from 08:00 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9qgvjel25xo)

The Sun: BOOZY JACUZZI UK’s first BEER spa launched where booze fans can bathe in ale and sup pints in the jacuzzi (https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/29947621/uk-first-beer-spa-norfolk-mead-hotel/)

The Sun: TOAST YOUR FLIGHT Surprisingly high percentage of holiday Brits who enjoy airport breakfast beer before jetting off revealed (https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/29924767/brits-enjoy-airport-breakfast-beer/)

Gallup: Alcohol Consumption Increasingly Viewed as Unhealthy in U.S. (https://news.gallup.com/poll/648413/alcohol-consumption-increasingly-viewed-unhealthy.aspx) 

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> In this week's episode, just before schools reopen their doors for the new term, Ollie and Cess reflect on recent overseas holidays and how sobriety and drinking cultures vary in different countries – and how they have evolved.

Special attention is paid to Ollie's experiences at a much-loved family retreat on the grape-growing slopes in Perpignan. Meanwhile, Cess takes a detailed look at Sweden, particularly the broader role the state has taken in regulating the supply of alcohol to its citizens.

There is also an item late on about the top five destinations for sober people – and the best-ranking country might surprise you.

Booze News items:

BBC: Plan to serve alcohol at water park from 08:00 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9qgvjel25xo)

The Sun: BOOZY JACUZZI UK’s first BEER spa launched where booze fans can bathe in ale and sup pints in the jacuzzi (https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/29947621/uk-first-beer-spa-norfolk-mead-hotel/)

The Sun: TOAST YOUR FLIGHT Surprisingly high percentage of holiday Brits who enjoy airport breakfast beer before jetting off revealed (https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/29924767/brits-enjoy-airport-breakfast-beer/)

Gallup: Alcohol Consumption Increasingly Viewed as Unhealthy in U.S. (https://news.gallup.com/poll/648413/alcohol-consumption-increasingly-viewed-unhealthy.aspx) 

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3026 In this week's episode, just before schools reopen their doors for the new term, Ollie and Cess reflect on recent overseas holidays and how sobriety and drinking cultures vary in different countries – and how they have evolved.

Special attention is paid to Ollie's experiences at a much-loved family retreat on the grape-growing slopes in Perpignan. Meanwhile, Cess takes a detailed look at Sweden, particularly the broader role the state has taken in regulating the supply of alcohol to its citizens.

There is also an item late on about the top five destinations for sober people – and the best-ranking country might surprise you.

Booze News items:

BBC: Plan to serve alcohol at water park from 08:00 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9qgvjel25xo)

The Sun: BOOZY JACUZZI UK’s first BEER spa launched where booze fans can bathe in ale and sup pints in the jacuzzi (https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/29947621/uk-first-beer-spa-norfolk-mead-hotel/)

The Sun: TOAST YOUR FLIGHT Surprisingly high percentage of holiday Brits who enjoy airport breakfast beer before jetting off revealed (https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/29924767/brits-enjoy-airport-breakfast-beer/)

Gallup: Alcohol Consumption Increasingly Viewed as Unhealthy in U.S. (https://news.gallup.com/poll/648413/alcohol-consumption-increasingly-viewed-unhealthy.aspx) 

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Laughter and rhythm without the booze: Can sober events redefine nightlife? 29 29 Laughter and rhythm without the booze: Can sober events redefine nightlife? full bfdd8b39-ddae-4bf6-8325-1985c873be84 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4d261d1f Refreshed after a summer break, Cess and Ollie speak with Martyn Davies, organiser of Sober is Fun (https://www.soberisfun.co.uk/), the UK's first regular sober comedy event, and Ben Jolliffe, who runs Feed the Fire (https://feedthefire.me/dancing), a no-drink or drugs rhythmic dance focused on freedom and connection.

Both interviewees stopped drinking (and taking drugs) after being subjected to family interventions. Now, though, they are enjoying the freedom of being sober and looking to encourage others through the events they facilitate.

Their timing is good, given that 34% of employees avoid work socials due to alcohol, according to a Booze News item, and there is a growing demand for venues that offer alcohol-free options and activities, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and included.

Here is a recent playlist from one of Ben's Feed the Fire events: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kRMmbITmmiaQGm60bFbWU?si=r4UNikNESQCm-8izcBKtUA&pi=e-lO1NqcnnSTG9

And here is the ticket site for Martyn's next Sober is Fun event, on September 22 –  https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/bethnal-green/backyard-comedy-club/the-london-alcohol-free-comedy-club-7?t=tickets – perhaps see you there?

Booze News items:

The Independent (via MSN): Study looks at if the French Paradox of a glass of wine a day is actually a myth (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/study-looks-at-if-the-french-paradox-of-a-glass-of-wine-a-day-is-actually-a-myth/ar-BB1qABfs)

Harpers: MP urges government to address non-alcoholic drink prices (https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/33135/MP_urges_government_to_address_non-alcoholic_drink_prices.html) 


Lovebscott via MSN: Ben Affleck Reportedly Decided To Divorce Jennifer Lopez Because Her ‘Fame and Lifestyle Was Putting His Hard-Won Sobriety at Risk’: ‘He Had to Leave to Avoid Relapse’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/ben-affleck-reportedly-decided-to-divorce-jennifer-lopez-because-her-fame-and-lifestyle-was-putting-his-hard-won-sobriety-at-risk-he-had-to-leave-to-avoid-relapse/ar-AA1oKqiw)

HR News: Sober Parties Lead the Way in the UK with 639% Surge in Non-Alcoholic Drink Demand (https://hrnews.co.uk/sober-parties-lead-the-way-in-the-uk-with-639-surge-in-non-alcoholic-drink-demand/)

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

#sobercomedy
#soberdancing

]]> Refreshed after a summer break, Cess and Ollie speak with Martyn Davies, organiser of Sober is Fun (https://www.soberisfun.co.uk/), the UK's first regular sober comedy event, and Ben Jolliffe, who runs Feed the Fire (https://feedthefire.me/dancing), a no-drink or drugs rhythmic dance focused on freedom and connection.

Both interviewees stopped drinking (and taking drugs) after being subjected to family interventions. Now, though, they are enjoying the freedom of being sober and looking to encourage others through the events they facilitate.

Their timing is good, given that 34% of employees avoid work socials due to alcohol, according to a Booze News item, and there is a growing demand for venues that offer alcohol-free options and activities, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and included.

Here is a recent playlist from one of Ben's Feed the Fire events: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kRMmbITmmiaQGm60bFbWU?si=r4UNikNESQCm-8izcBKtUA&pi=e-lO1NqcnnSTG9

And here is the ticket site for Martyn's next Sober is Fun event, on September 22 –  https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/bethnal-green/backyard-comedy-club/the-london-alcohol-free-comedy-club-7?t=tickets – perhaps see you there?

Booze News items:

The Independent (via MSN): Study looks at if the French Paradox of a glass of wine a day is actually a myth (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/study-looks-at-if-the-french-paradox-of-a-glass-of-wine-a-day-is-actually-a-myth/ar-BB1qABfs)

Harpers: MP urges government to address non-alcoholic drink prices (https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/33135/MP_urges_government_to_address_non-alcoholic_drink_prices.html) 


Lovebscott via MSN: Ben Affleck Reportedly Decided To Divorce Jennifer Lopez Because Her ‘Fame and Lifestyle Was Putting His Hard-Won Sobriety at Risk’: ‘He Had to Leave to Avoid Relapse’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/ben-affleck-reportedly-decided-to-divorce-jennifer-lopez-because-her-fame-and-lifestyle-was-putting-his-hard-won-sobriety-at-risk-he-had-to-leave-to-avoid-relapse/ar-AA1oKqiw)

HR News: Sober Parties Lead the Way in the UK with 639% Surge in Non-Alcoholic Drink Demand (https://hrnews.co.uk/sober-parties-lead-the-way-in-the-uk-with-639-surge-in-non-alcoholic-drink-demand/)

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

#sobercomedy
#soberdancing

]]> Tue, 20 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3311 Refreshed after a summer break, Cess and Ollie speak with Martyn Davies, organiser of Sober is Fun (https://www.soberisfun.co.uk/), the UK's first regular sober comedy event, and Ben Jolliffe, who runs Feed the Fire (https://feedthefire.me/dancing), a no-drink or drugs rhythmic dance focused on freedom and connection.

Both interviewees stopped drinking (and taking drugs) after being subjected to family interventions. Now, though, they are enjoying the freedom of being sober and looking to encourage others through the events they facilitate.

Their timing is good, given that 34% of employees avoid work socials due to alcohol, according to a Booze News item, and there is a growing demand for venues that offer alcohol-free options and activities, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and included.

Here is a recent playlist from one of Ben's Feed the Fire events: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kRMmbITmmiaQGm60bFbWU?si=r4UNikNESQCm-8izcBKtUA&pi=e-lO1NqcnnSTG9

And here is the ticket site for Martyn's next Sober is Fun event, on September 22 –  https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/bethnal-green/backyard-comedy-club/the-london-alcohol-free-comedy-club-7?t=tickets – perhaps see you there?

Booze News items:

The Independent (via MSN): Study looks at if the French Paradox of a glass of wine a day is actually a myth (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/study-looks-at-if-the-french-paradox-of-a-glass-of-wine-a-day-is-actually-a-myth/ar-BB1qABfs)

Harpers: MP urges government to address non-alcoholic drink prices (https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/33135/MP_urges_government_to_address_non-alcoholic_drink_prices.html) 


Lovebscott via MSN: Ben Affleck Reportedly Decided To Divorce Jennifer Lopez Because Her ‘Fame and Lifestyle Was Putting His Hard-Won Sobriety at Risk’: ‘He Had to Leave to Avoid Relapse’ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/ben-affleck-reportedly-decided-to-divorce-jennifer-lopez-because-her-fame-and-lifestyle-was-putting-his-hard-won-sobriety-at-risk-he-had-to-leave-to-avoid-relapse/ar-AA1oKqiw)

HR News: Sober Parties Lead the Way in the UK with 639% Surge in Non-Alcoholic Drink Demand (https://hrnews.co.uk/sober-parties-lead-the-way-in-the-uk-with-639-surge-in-non-alcoholic-drink-demand/)

#summerholidays
#sobriety
#soberevents

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

#sobercomedy
#soberdancing

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Munich's sober revolution: Can alcohol-free beer gardens change drinking culture? 28 28 Munich's sober revolution: Can alcohol-free beer gardens change drinking culture? full f29f7d5e-e9d4-4b0d-b1b5-61e6ac663878 https://share.transistor.fm/s/03c0f72a Before taking a well-earned summer break, the podcast hosts Ollie and Cess interview Sean Halpin, a 24-year old who divides his time between Munich and Manchester. He has also just hit one year of sobriety, too. Congratulations, Sean!

Sean is an aficionado of Bavarian beer and enthusiastic about the trend for sober curiosity in Germany and plenty of no-alcohol options. He also reveals some very interesting reasons why he thinks fellow Gen Zers are less inclined to drink booze – these will likely surprise older listeners. And there are plenty of useful tips for those starting out on their sobriety journey.

As always, there are some Booze News items, and Just the Tonic.

The podcast will return on August 20, with a special episode on sober events.

Happy summer holidays to all Upper Bottom listeners!

Booze News items:

Irish Examiner (via MSN): Munich, home of Oktoberfest, to open its first alcohol-free beer garden (https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/national/munich-home-of-oktoberfest-to-open-its-first-alcohol-free-beer-garden/ar-BB1q8QYW)

Bored Panda (via MSN): 76 Reasons People Got Fired On Their First Day On The Job (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-boss-went-to-the-hospital-to-tell-him-he-was-fired-76-reasons-people-got-fired-on-day-one/ar-BB1qB8Vw)

Telegraph (via MSN) I could drink and run marathons – it took losing everything to stop (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/i-could-drink-and-run-marathons-it-took-losing-everything-to-stop/ar-BB1qFw9y)

#munich
#germany
#oktoberfest
#summerholidays
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Before taking a well-earned summer break, the podcast hosts Ollie and Cess interview Sean Halpin, a 24-year old who divides his time between Munich and Manchester. He has also just hit one year of sobriety, too. Congratulations, Sean!

Sean is an aficionado of Bavarian beer and enthusiastic about the trend for sober curiosity in Germany and plenty of no-alcohol options. He also reveals some very interesting reasons why he thinks fellow Gen Zers are less inclined to drink booze – these will likely surprise older listeners. And there are plenty of useful tips for those starting out on their sobriety journey.

As always, there are some Booze News items, and Just the Tonic.

The podcast will return on August 20, with a special episode on sober events.

Happy summer holidays to all Upper Bottom listeners!

Booze News items:

Irish Examiner (via MSN): Munich, home of Oktoberfest, to open its first alcohol-free beer garden (https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/national/munich-home-of-oktoberfest-to-open-its-first-alcohol-free-beer-garden/ar-BB1q8QYW)

Bored Panda (via MSN): 76 Reasons People Got Fired On Their First Day On The Job (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-boss-went-to-the-hospital-to-tell-him-he-was-fired-76-reasons-people-got-fired-on-day-one/ar-BB1qB8Vw)

Telegraph (via MSN) I could drink and run marathons – it took losing everything to stop (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/i-could-drink-and-run-marathons-it-took-losing-everything-to-stop/ar-BB1qFw9y)

#munich
#germany
#oktoberfest
#summerholidays
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Tue, 06 Aug 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2977 Before taking a well-earned summer break, the podcast hosts Ollie and Cess interview Sean Halpin, a 24-year old who divides his time between Munich and Manchester. He has also just hit one year of sobriety, too. Congratulations, Sean!

Sean is an aficionado of Bavarian beer and enthusiastic about the trend for sober curiosity in Germany and plenty of no-alcohol options. He also reveals some very interesting reasons why he thinks fellow Gen Zers are less inclined to drink booze – these will likely surprise older listeners. And there are plenty of useful tips for those starting out on their sobriety journey.

As always, there are some Booze News items, and Just the Tonic.

The podcast will return on August 20, with a special episode on sober events.

Happy summer holidays to all Upper Bottom listeners!

Booze News items:

Irish Examiner (via MSN): Munich, home of Oktoberfest, to open its first alcohol-free beer garden (https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/national/munich-home-of-oktoberfest-to-open-its-first-alcohol-free-beer-garden/ar-BB1q8QYW)

Bored Panda (via MSN): 76 Reasons People Got Fired On Their First Day On The Job (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-boss-went-to-the-hospital-to-tell-him-he-was-fired-76-reasons-people-got-fired-on-day-one/ar-BB1qB8Vw)

Telegraph (via MSN) I could drink and run marathons – it took losing everything to stop (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/i-could-drink-and-run-marathons-it-took-losing-everything-to-stop/ar-BB1qFw9y)

#munich
#germany
#oktoberfest
#summerholidays
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part three)? 27 27 From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part three)? full c6f7bbf0-83d8-4fda-98ec-05226c1b9ee1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9018ef17 In the third and final episode of the three-part mini-series about work and drinking, Cess and Ollie chat about times when they have been boozing on the job – or at least felt the effects the day after a night on the sauce.

Cess mentions how a clothes shop colleague was once sent to the stock room because he was feeling worse for wear and proceeded to curl up and nap. Ollie shares eyebrow-raising tales from his early career as a sports journalist – three bottles before the rugby union international, anyone?

On the subject of sport, with the Olympics starting, the pair debate the treatment of a teenage Japanese gymnast who was sent home before the competition after someone dobbed her in for drinking (and smoking) at the training base. That item is one of four tasty Booze News bits.

And there is some proper research on the occupations in the UK in which heavy drinking is prominent – some of the top five boozy jobs might surprise you (hint: The Brittas Empire).

Here is a link to the research, Associations between occupation and heavy alcohol consumption in UK adults aged 40–69 years: a cross-sectional study using the UK Biobank: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10208-x 

Booze News items:

Fortune (via MSN): Britain’s young football fans are ditching their sloppy drunk reputation – and are leading the charge for alcohol-free beer (https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/britain-young-football-fans-ditching-183818345.html) 

Metro (via MSN): Olympic team captain sent home for smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/olympic-team-captain-sent-home-for-smoking-cigarettes-and-drinking-alcohol/ar-BB1qgRyz)

People: The Most Surprising Rules You Didn't Know Athletes Must Follow in the Olympic Village (https://people.com/olympic-village-rules-athletes-must-follow-8681929)

Metro: Prison officers warned after drinking in pub on lunch break at HMP Winchester (https://metro.co.uk/2024/07/14/hmp-winchester-prison-officers-warned-drinking-pub-break-21187308/)

#leadership
#olympics
#parisolympics2024
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> In the third and final episode of the three-part mini-series about work and drinking, Cess and Ollie chat about times when they have been boozing on the job – or at least felt the effects the day after a night on the sauce.

Cess mentions how a clothes shop colleague was once sent to the stock room because he was feeling worse for wear and proceeded to curl up and nap. Ollie shares eyebrow-raising tales from his early career as a sports journalist – three bottles before the rugby union international, anyone?

On the subject of sport, with the Olympics starting, the pair debate the treatment of a teenage Japanese gymnast who was sent home before the competition after someone dobbed her in for drinking (and smoking) at the training base. That item is one of four tasty Booze News bits.

And there is some proper research on the occupations in the UK in which heavy drinking is prominent – some of the top five boozy jobs might surprise you (hint: The Brittas Empire).

Here is a link to the research, Associations between occupation and heavy alcohol consumption in UK adults aged 40–69 years: a cross-sectional study using the UK Biobank: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10208-x 

Booze News items:

Fortune (via MSN): Britain’s young football fans are ditching their sloppy drunk reputation – and are leading the charge for alcohol-free beer (https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/britain-young-football-fans-ditching-183818345.html) 

Metro (via MSN): Olympic team captain sent home for smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/olympic-team-captain-sent-home-for-smoking-cigarettes-and-drinking-alcohol/ar-BB1qgRyz)

People: The Most Surprising Rules You Didn't Know Athletes Must Follow in the Olympic Village (https://people.com/olympic-village-rules-athletes-must-follow-8681929)

Metro: Prison officers warned after drinking in pub on lunch break at HMP Winchester (https://metro.co.uk/2024/07/14/hmp-winchester-prison-officers-warned-drinking-pub-break-21187308/)

#leadership
#olympics
#parisolympics2024
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Tue, 30 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2936 In the third and final episode of the three-part mini-series about work and drinking, Cess and Ollie chat about times when they have been boozing on the job – or at least felt the effects the day after a night on the sauce.

Cess mentions how a clothes shop colleague was once sent to the stock room because he was feeling worse for wear and proceeded to curl up and nap. Ollie shares eyebrow-raising tales from his early career as a sports journalist – three bottles before the rugby union international, anyone?

On the subject of sport, with the Olympics starting, the pair debate the treatment of a teenage Japanese gymnast who was sent home before the competition after someone dobbed her in for drinking (and smoking) at the training base. That item is one of four tasty Booze News bits.

And there is some proper research on the occupations in the UK in which heavy drinking is prominent – some of the top five boozy jobs might surprise you (hint: The Brittas Empire).

Here is a link to the research, Associations between occupation and heavy alcohol consumption in UK adults aged 40–69 years: a cross-sectional study using the UK Biobank: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10208-x 

Booze News items:

Fortune (via MSN): Britain’s young football fans are ditching their sloppy drunk reputation – and are leading the charge for alcohol-free beer (https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/britain-young-football-fans-ditching-183818345.html) 

Metro (via MSN): Olympic team captain sent home for smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/olympic-team-captain-sent-home-for-smoking-cigarettes-and-drinking-alcohol/ar-BB1qgRyz)

People: The Most Surprising Rules You Didn't Know Athletes Must Follow in the Olympic Village (https://people.com/olympic-village-rules-athletes-must-follow-8681929)

Metro: Prison officers warned after drinking in pub on lunch break at HMP Winchester (https://metro.co.uk/2024/07/14/hmp-winchester-prison-officers-warned-drinking-pub-break-21187308/)

#leadership
#olympics
#parisolympics2024
#workdrinking
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part two)? 26 26 From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part two)? full 0b408498-128f-414f-a1af-e57a3a7606fb https://share.transistor.fm/s/1046142c For the second instalment of work drinking, Cess and Ollie speak with Liam McNulty – aka Whiskey Richard – who is based in Tokyo. He explains all about nomikai, basically Japanese work parties. There are several layers and dos and don'ts to navigate.

Notably, the sober curious movement doesn't seem to have travelled that far east – if people aren't drinking, it's probably because they can't afford to.

In Booze News, there is a particularly contentious story about a wedding guest leaving at 9.30pm and taking a whole load of friends with her as it was a dry party – a fact that was not advertised.

And there is an exciting new feature: Just the Tonic. This is a funny story or joke about sobriety to lighten the mood, should the Booze News become too serious.

Booze News items:

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): How we could be heading for a booze-free Britain (https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/other/how-we-could-be-heading-for-a-booze-free-britain/ar-BB1q1ndQ) 

Sydney Morning Herald (via MSN): Sober thoughts: Non-alcoholic drinks trend is shaping Perth venues (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/sober-thoughts-non-alcoholic-drinks-trend-is-shaping-how-perth-eats/ar-BB1q1LSJ)

Mirror: 'I ditched pal's wedding to get drunk – they didn't warn me wedding was alcohol-free' (https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/i-ditched-pals-wedding-drunk-33254047)

Bristol Live (via MSN): Man blew £25,000 on alcohol in just two weeks as life went out of control (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/man-blew-25000-on-alcohol-in-just-two-weeks-as-life-went-out-of-control/ar-BB1q4b89)

#leadership
#japan
#nomikai
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> For the second instalment of work drinking, Cess and Ollie speak with Liam McNulty – aka Whiskey Richard – who is based in Tokyo. He explains all about nomikai, basically Japanese work parties. There are several layers and dos and don'ts to navigate.

Notably, the sober curious movement doesn't seem to have travelled that far east – if people aren't drinking, it's probably because they can't afford to.

In Booze News, there is a particularly contentious story about a wedding guest leaving at 9.30pm and taking a whole load of friends with her as it was a dry party – a fact that was not advertised.

And there is an exciting new feature: Just the Tonic. This is a funny story or joke about sobriety to lighten the mood, should the Booze News become too serious.

Booze News items:

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): How we could be heading for a booze-free Britain (https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/other/how-we-could-be-heading-for-a-booze-free-britain/ar-BB1q1ndQ) 

Sydney Morning Herald (via MSN): Sober thoughts: Non-alcoholic drinks trend is shaping Perth venues (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/sober-thoughts-non-alcoholic-drinks-trend-is-shaping-how-perth-eats/ar-BB1q1LSJ)

Mirror: 'I ditched pal's wedding to get drunk – they didn't warn me wedding was alcohol-free' (https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/i-ditched-pals-wedding-drunk-33254047)

Bristol Live (via MSN): Man blew £25,000 on alcohol in just two weeks as life went out of control (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/man-blew-25000-on-alcohol-in-just-two-weeks-as-life-went-out-of-control/ar-BB1q4b89)

#leadership
#japan
#nomikai
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2810 For the second instalment of work drinking, Cess and Ollie speak with Liam McNulty – aka Whiskey Richard – who is based in Tokyo. He explains all about nomikai, basically Japanese work parties. There are several layers and dos and don'ts to navigate.

Notably, the sober curious movement doesn't seem to have travelled that far east – if people aren't drinking, it's probably because they can't afford to.

In Booze News, there is a particularly contentious story about a wedding guest leaving at 9.30pm and taking a whole load of friends with her as it was a dry party – a fact that was not advertised.

And there is an exciting new feature: Just the Tonic. This is a funny story or joke about sobriety to lighten the mood, should the Booze News become too serious.

Booze News items:

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): How we could be heading for a booze-free Britain (https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/other/how-we-could-be-heading-for-a-booze-free-britain/ar-BB1q1ndQ) 

Sydney Morning Herald (via MSN): Sober thoughts: Non-alcoholic drinks trend is shaping Perth venues (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/sober-thoughts-non-alcoholic-drinks-trend-is-shaping-how-perth-eats/ar-BB1q1LSJ)

Mirror: 'I ditched pal's wedding to get drunk – they didn't warn me wedding was alcohol-free' (https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/i-ditched-pals-wedding-drunk-33254047)

Bristol Live (via MSN): Man blew £25,000 on alcohol in just two weeks as life went out of control (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/man-blew-25000-on-alcohol-in-just-two-weeks-as-life-went-out-of-control/ar-BB1q4b89)

#leadership
#japan
#nomikai
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part one)? 25 25 From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part one)? full d7c9c9ce-8e3c-4643-bc68-9ab00099f79a https://share.transistor.fm/s/0d4dec6b Boozing on the job is certainly not advised, but what if drinking is ingrained in work – or at least after-work - culture?

To help answer this puzzler, Ollie and Cess welcome Tabbin Almond to the pod to discuss her forthcoming book, Bottling Up Trouble. The statistics are shocking: up to 5% of work absenteeism is due to alcohol; and presenteeism due to alcohol costs the UK economy upwards of £1.4 billion a year.

Tabbin laments the slow progress being made here. Did you know that many police stations had bars up until 2016? She calls out various industries where drinking is endemic and provides tips for leaders on changing a business's culture.

Before that insightful interview, there are four items of Booze News – this week featuring "Milly" (sic) Cyrus, some tips for cutting down on drinking, and, with the Tour de France coming to a head, a topical piece on whether alcohol is good for cycling performance.

Booze News items:

Cycling Weekly (via MSN): Could 'sober curiosity' make you a better cyclist? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/could-sober-curiosity-make-you-a-better-cyclist/ar-BB1pFsyq)

Irish Sun: SOBERING THOUGHTS Ireland’s attitude towards alcohol is changing – here’s 7 tips if you want to cut down on boozing or quit altogether (https://www.thesun.ie/health/13361915/ireland-zero-alcohol-top-tips-cut-down-quit-drinking/)

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): What my daughter said to make me give up wine for good (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/mindandbody/what-my-daughter-said-to-make-me-give-up-wine-for-good/ar-BB1pwaBd)

Psychology Today: Beliefs vs. Reality: How to Weaken Your Alcohol Craving (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/sober-curiosity/202406/beliefs-vs-reality-how-to-weaken-your-alcohol-craving)

#Ireland
#tourdefrance
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#mileycyrus

]]> Boozing on the job is certainly not advised, but what if drinking is ingrained in work – or at least after-work - culture?

To help answer this puzzler, Ollie and Cess welcome Tabbin Almond to the pod to discuss her forthcoming book, Bottling Up Trouble. The statistics are shocking: up to 5% of work absenteeism is due to alcohol; and presenteeism due to alcohol costs the UK economy upwards of £1.4 billion a year.

Tabbin laments the slow progress being made here. Did you know that many police stations had bars up until 2016? She calls out various industries where drinking is endemic and provides tips for leaders on changing a business's culture.

Before that insightful interview, there are four items of Booze News – this week featuring "Milly" (sic) Cyrus, some tips for cutting down on drinking, and, with the Tour de France coming to a head, a topical piece on whether alcohol is good for cycling performance.

Booze News items:

Cycling Weekly (via MSN): Could 'sober curiosity' make you a better cyclist? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/could-sober-curiosity-make-you-a-better-cyclist/ar-BB1pFsyq)

Irish Sun: SOBERING THOUGHTS Ireland’s attitude towards alcohol is changing – here’s 7 tips if you want to cut down on boozing or quit altogether (https://www.thesun.ie/health/13361915/ireland-zero-alcohol-top-tips-cut-down-quit-drinking/)

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): What my daughter said to make me give up wine for good (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/mindandbody/what-my-daughter-said-to-make-me-give-up-wine-for-good/ar-BB1pwaBd)

Psychology Today: Beliefs vs. Reality: How to Weaken Your Alcohol Craving (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/sober-curiosity/202406/beliefs-vs-reality-how-to-weaken-your-alcohol-craving)

#Ireland
#tourdefrance
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#mileycyrus

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3192 Boozing on the job is certainly not advised, but what if drinking is ingrained in work – or at least after-work - culture?

To help answer this puzzler, Ollie and Cess welcome Tabbin Almond to the pod to discuss her forthcoming book, Bottling Up Trouble. The statistics are shocking: up to 5% of work absenteeism is due to alcohol; and presenteeism due to alcohol costs the UK economy upwards of £1.4 billion a year.

Tabbin laments the slow progress being made here. Did you know that many police stations had bars up until 2016? She calls out various industries where drinking is endemic and provides tips for leaders on changing a business's culture.

Before that insightful interview, there are four items of Booze News – this week featuring "Milly" (sic) Cyrus, some tips for cutting down on drinking, and, with the Tour de France coming to a head, a topical piece on whether alcohol is good for cycling performance.

Booze News items:

Cycling Weekly (via MSN): Could 'sober curiosity' make you a better cyclist? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/could-sober-curiosity-make-you-a-better-cyclist/ar-BB1pFsyq)

Irish Sun: SOBERING THOUGHTS Ireland’s attitude towards alcohol is changing – here’s 7 tips if you want to cut down on boozing or quit altogether (https://www.thesun.ie/health/13361915/ireland-zero-alcohol-top-tips-cut-down-quit-drinking/)

Daily Telegraph (via MSN): What my daughter said to make me give up wine for good (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/mindandbody/what-my-daughter-said-to-make-me-give-up-wine-for-good/ar-BB1pwaBd)

Psychology Today: Beliefs vs. Reality: How to Weaken Your Alcohol Craving (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/sober-curiosity/202406/beliefs-vs-reality-how-to-weaken-your-alcohol-craving)

#Ireland
#tourdefrance
#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#mileycyrus

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Reaching new heights: An Upper Bottom success story – how empowering is sobriety? 24 24 Reaching new heights: An Upper Bottom success story – how empowering is sobriety? full 362eb098-c5f6-4598-9003-9ef5cacbc366 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ce8fdb15 A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis.

Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to this podcast. He has since quit his job. Talk about being empowered!

Jadis, who comes from an Indigenous background, discusses the intergenerational trauma associated with alcohol in her community and her own journey with sobriety. They both express gratitude for the podcast and the support it has provided. We hope you find it a useful tool, too.

The conversation highlights the empowering nature of sobriety and the importance of mental health in making positive life changes.

Before the powerful discussion with Simon and Jadis, Ollie and Cess discuss their 20-mile weekend walk in Kent on the quest for wildness and watching England's quarter-final against Switzerland in a lively pub in Hythe (also wild).

And, as usual, there is some booze news – this week featuring Woody Cook and Cara Delevingne.

Booze News items:

The Sun: WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT? My dad was the world’s biggest raver and my mum was a famous ladette but I’m headlining a festival where booze is BANNED (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28823038/woody-cook-zoe-ball-fatboy-slim-sobar-sessions-festival/)

The Daily Mail: Sober Cara Delevingne reveals she's now 'got her power back' after drug and alcohol abuse left her 'super depressed' - and admits the first time she got drunk she was just EIGHT years old (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13608723/Sober-Cara-Delevingne-reveals-shes-got-power-drug-alcohol-abuse-left-super-depressed-admits-time-got-drunk-just-EIGHT-years-old.html)

Mancunian Matters: Alcohol Awareness Week: North West stories of sobriety (https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01072024-alcohol-awareness-week-north-west-stories-of-sobriety/)

The Telegraph (via MSN): How long it really takes to sober up (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/how-long-it-really-takes-to-sober-up/ar-BB1p6oox)

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#trauma

]]> A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis.

Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to this podcast. He has since quit his job. Talk about being empowered!

Jadis, who comes from an Indigenous background, discusses the intergenerational trauma associated with alcohol in her community and her own journey with sobriety. They both express gratitude for the podcast and the support it has provided. We hope you find it a useful tool, too.

The conversation highlights the empowering nature of sobriety and the importance of mental health in making positive life changes.

Before the powerful discussion with Simon and Jadis, Ollie and Cess discuss their 20-mile weekend walk in Kent on the quest for wildness and watching England's quarter-final against Switzerland in a lively pub in Hythe (also wild).

And, as usual, there is some booze news – this week featuring Woody Cook and Cara Delevingne.

Booze News items:

The Sun: WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT? My dad was the world’s biggest raver and my mum was a famous ladette but I’m headlining a festival where booze is BANNED (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28823038/woody-cook-zoe-ball-fatboy-slim-sobar-sessions-festival/)

The Daily Mail: Sober Cara Delevingne reveals she's now 'got her power back' after drug and alcohol abuse left her 'super depressed' - and admits the first time she got drunk she was just EIGHT years old (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13608723/Sober-Cara-Delevingne-reveals-shes-got-power-drug-alcohol-abuse-left-super-depressed-admits-time-got-drunk-just-EIGHT-years-old.html)

Mancunian Matters: Alcohol Awareness Week: North West stories of sobriety (https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01072024-alcohol-awareness-week-north-west-stories-of-sobriety/)

The Telegraph (via MSN): How long it really takes to sober up (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/how-long-it-really-takes-to-sober-up/ar-BB1p6oox)

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#trauma

]]> Tue, 09 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3793 A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis.

Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to this podcast. He has since quit his job. Talk about being empowered!

Jadis, who comes from an Indigenous background, discusses the intergenerational trauma associated with alcohol in her community and her own journey with sobriety. They both express gratitude for the podcast and the support it has provided. We hope you find it a useful tool, too.

The conversation highlights the empowering nature of sobriety and the importance of mental health in making positive life changes.

Before the powerful discussion with Simon and Jadis, Ollie and Cess discuss their 20-mile weekend walk in Kent on the quest for wildness and watching England's quarter-final against Switzerland in a lively pub in Hythe (also wild).

And, as usual, there is some booze news – this week featuring Woody Cook and Cara Delevingne.

Booze News items:

The Sun: WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT? My dad was the world’s biggest raver and my mum was a famous ladette but I’m headlining a festival where booze is BANNED (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28823038/woody-cook-zoe-ball-fatboy-slim-sobar-sessions-festival/)

The Daily Mail: Sober Cara Delevingne reveals she's now 'got her power back' after drug and alcohol abuse left her 'super depressed' - and admits the first time she got drunk she was just EIGHT years old (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13608723/Sober-Cara-Delevingne-reveals-shes-got-power-drug-alcohol-abuse-left-super-depressed-admits-time-got-drunk-just-EIGHT-years-old.html)

Mancunian Matters: Alcohol Awareness Week: North West stories of sobriety (https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01072024-alcohol-awareness-week-north-west-stories-of-sobriety/)

The Telegraph (via MSN): How long it really takes to sober up (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/how-long-it-really-takes-to-sober-up/ar-BB1p6oox)

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sober
#trauma

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No A sobering shift: Will the UK's new government change drinking culture like it did with smoking? 23 23 A sobering shift: Will the UK's new government change drinking culture like it did with smoking? full f65e6440-32cd-4803-894e-de543ea11b69 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b1969b49 It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something. 

On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help answer the episode title's puzzler, they welcome Denise Hamilton-Mace, Founder and Editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, and Blake Gladman, Partner / Strategy and Insight Director at KAM Insight.

There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality's CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.

Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#generalelection

#sober

]]> It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something. 

On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help answer the episode title's puzzler, they welcome Denise Hamilton-Mace, Founder and Editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, and Blake Gladman, Partner / Strategy and Insight Director at KAM Insight.

There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality's CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.

Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#generalelection

#sober

]]> Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3701 It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something. 

On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help answer the episode title's puzzler, they welcome Denise Hamilton-Mace, Founder and Editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, and Blake Gladman, Partner / Strategy and Insight Director at KAM Insight.

There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality's CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.

Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#generalelection

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Glastonbury unplugged: Is sobriety the new headliner at festivals? 22 22 Glastonbury unplugged: Is sobriety the new headliner at festivals? full b7640ba6-fabf-4be4-acca-5afe84e8236c https://share.transistor.fm/s/4763b044 On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini.

Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – or perhaps was – an expectation that DJs would be getting into the groove one way or another. Drugs, rather than drink, is the biggest vice within the music industry, says Dom. His journey is influencing others on the DJ circuit, though. 

There is also a snippet from musicians Tom Bowen and Louis Brennan on their top tips for attending festivals sober as performers and punters. What's lost? What's gained?

Four Booze News items consider the impact of non-alcoholic drinks during the European Championships – Tesco is expecting to sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options – while Glastonbury is trucking in draft beer for 1,200,000 pints (enough to fill two full-size swimming pools). A documentary about Avicii, the Swedish producer who took his own life in 2018 aged 28, is also mentioned. And (alleged) drink-driver Justin Timberlake features.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#glastonbury 
#musicfestivals

#sober


]]> On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini.

Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – or perhaps was – an expectation that DJs would be getting into the groove one way or another. Drugs, rather than drink, is the biggest vice within the music industry, says Dom. His journey is influencing others on the DJ circuit, though. 

There is also a snippet from musicians Tom Bowen and Louis Brennan on their top tips for attending festivals sober as performers and punters. What's lost? What's gained?

Four Booze News items consider the impact of non-alcoholic drinks during the European Championships – Tesco is expecting to sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options – while Glastonbury is trucking in draft beer for 1,200,000 pints (enough to fill two full-size swimming pools). A documentary about Avicii, the Swedish producer who took his own life in 2018 aged 28, is also mentioned. And (alleged) drink-driver Justin Timberlake features.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#glastonbury 
#musicfestivals

#sober


]]> Tue, 25 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3271 On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini.

Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – or perhaps was – an expectation that DJs would be getting into the groove one way or another. Drugs, rather than drink, is the biggest vice within the music industry, says Dom. His journey is influencing others on the DJ circuit, though. 

There is also a snippet from musicians Tom Bowen and Louis Brennan on their top tips for attending festivals sober as performers and punters. What's lost? What's gained?

Four Booze News items consider the impact of non-alcoholic drinks during the European Championships – Tesco is expecting to sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options – while Glastonbury is trucking in draft beer for 1,200,000 pints (enough to fill two full-size swimming pools). A documentary about Avicii, the Swedish producer who took his own life in 2018 aged 28, is also mentioned. And (alleged) drink-driver Justin Timberlake features.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#glastonbury 
#musicfestivals

#sober


]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Booze and the call of the wild: Can we access our primal selves without a drink? 21 21 Booze and the call of the wild: Can we access our primal selves without a drink? full 2db5c1ca-19e1-4a66-9b65-825545a5191f https://share.transistor.fm/s/edc94b7f Now for something a little different ... In this thought-provoking episode, unveiled on the eve of the summer solstice, Cess and Ollie are joined by guest Becky Burchell as they delve into the complex relationship between alcohol and accessing our primal selves. 

The conversation explores the notion that while alcohol has become a societal shortcut for tapping into our wild nature, there are alternative paths to embracing our primal essence.

The trio discusses the importance of reconnecting with the natural world and how spending time in nature can help us rediscover our innate wildness. They also emphasize the role of community and surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who support and encourage our journey of self-discovery without relying on alcohol.

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Becky share insights on the power of rituals and intentional practices in creating opportunities for experiencing wildness and pushing personal boundaries. They examine how societal norms and expectations have limited our access to our primal selves and propose ways to challenge and redefine these limitations.

Join Cess, Ollie, and Becky as they explore the transformative potential of embracing our wild nature through nature, community, and conscious practices, offering a fresh perspective on accessing our primal selves without needing alcohol.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#wildness

#sober

]]> Now for something a little different ... In this thought-provoking episode, unveiled on the eve of the summer solstice, Cess and Ollie are joined by guest Becky Burchell as they delve into the complex relationship between alcohol and accessing our primal selves. 

The conversation explores the notion that while alcohol has become a societal shortcut for tapping into our wild nature, there are alternative paths to embracing our primal essence.

The trio discusses the importance of reconnecting with the natural world and how spending time in nature can help us rediscover our innate wildness. They also emphasize the role of community and surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who support and encourage our journey of self-discovery without relying on alcohol.

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Becky share insights on the power of rituals and intentional practices in creating opportunities for experiencing wildness and pushing personal boundaries. They examine how societal norms and expectations have limited our access to our primal selves and propose ways to challenge and redefine these limitations.

Join Cess, Ollie, and Becky as they explore the transformative potential of embracing our wild nature through nature, community, and conscious practices, offering a fresh perspective on accessing our primal selves without needing alcohol.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#wildness

#sober

]]> Tue, 18 Jun 2024 06:37:48 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3493 Now for something a little different ... In this thought-provoking episode, unveiled on the eve of the summer solstice, Cess and Ollie are joined by guest Becky Burchell as they delve into the complex relationship between alcohol and accessing our primal selves. 

The conversation explores the notion that while alcohol has become a societal shortcut for tapping into our wild nature, there are alternative paths to embracing our primal essence.

The trio discusses the importance of reconnecting with the natural world and how spending time in nature can help us rediscover our innate wildness. They also emphasize the role of community and surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who support and encourage our journey of self-discovery without relying on alcohol.

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Becky share insights on the power of rituals and intentional practices in creating opportunities for experiencing wildness and pushing personal boundaries. They examine how societal norms and expectations have limited our access to our primal selves and propose ways to challenge and redefine these limitations.

Join Cess, Ollie, and Becky as they explore the transformative potential of embracing our wild nature through nature, community, and conscious practices, offering a fresh perspective on accessing our primal selves without needing alcohol.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#wildness

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Cheers to Dad: Is Father's Day more meaningful without alcohol? 20 20 Cheers to Dad: Is Father's Day more meaningful without alcohol? full 07e2ad30-d819-4cc6-9ee0-5f6305f4c8cb https://share.transistor.fm/s/63117e73 This week, Cess and Ollie discuss the relationship between alcohol and Father's Day. 

After attending a low- and no-alcohol event facilitated by KAM Insight and Lucky Saint, the duo, armed with stats, explore the growing trend of moderating alcohol intake and the need for more grown-up options. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting and normalising non-alcoholic choices and the potential for missed revenue in the hospitality industry. 

The hosts also discuss the changing social dynamics and cultural assumptions around drinking. The conversation covers various topics related to alcohol and fatherhood, including outdated attitudes.

As usual, expect personal stories and reflections on the impact of drinking on their lives. This week, Ollie and Cess conclude that setting a positive example for their children is paramount.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#fathersday

#sober

]]> This week, Cess and Ollie discuss the relationship between alcohol and Father's Day. 

After attending a low- and no-alcohol event facilitated by KAM Insight and Lucky Saint, the duo, armed with stats, explore the growing trend of moderating alcohol intake and the need for more grown-up options. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting and normalising non-alcoholic choices and the potential for missed revenue in the hospitality industry. 

The hosts also discuss the changing social dynamics and cultural assumptions around drinking. The conversation covers various topics related to alcohol and fatherhood, including outdated attitudes.

As usual, expect personal stories and reflections on the impact of drinking on their lives. This week, Ollie and Cess conclude that setting a positive example for their children is paramount.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#fathersday

#sober

]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2658 This week, Cess and Ollie discuss the relationship between alcohol and Father's Day. 

After attending a low- and no-alcohol event facilitated by KAM Insight and Lucky Saint, the duo, armed with stats, explore the growing trend of moderating alcohol intake and the need for more grown-up options. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting and normalising non-alcoholic choices and the potential for missed revenue in the hospitality industry. 

The hosts also discuss the changing social dynamics and cultural assumptions around drinking. The conversation covers various topics related to alcohol and fatherhood, including outdated attitudes.

As usual, expect personal stories and reflections on the impact of drinking on their lives. This week, Ollie and Cess conclude that setting a positive example for their children is paramount.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#fathersday

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Final whistle: Why is watching football so boozy, and what's it like sober? 19 19 Final whistle: Why is watching football so boozy, and what's it like sober? full 777e97d4-e8cd-4414-872c-d649c9e4c1e8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9f5521f2 Navigating sobriety at a football match can be extremely challenging for people seeking to take back control of their alcohol consumption. For gritty stories and expert advice, Ollie and Cess welcome Jack Stirling (aka Kicking the Cans on Instagram), who is almost nine months sober, and Crystal Palace season-ticket holder Nick Houghton, who is just beginning his sobriety journey.

Blackouts, hangovers, and bad behaviour are the ugly side of the so-called beautiful game, as evidenced by the recent Champions League final at Wembley, when 53 arrests were made. And with the European Championships about to start in Germany, we can expect more headlines about boozed-up Brits supporting the Three Lions.

But why are booze and football seemingly inseparable? What is it about the combination of intoxicants? And what can football clubs do to better cater for fans who don't want to become intoxicated and escape?

Jack and Nick offer brilliant insights and great ideas – but will things change given alcohol sponsorship is ubiquitous?

Before that fascinating interview, Ollie and Cess serve up four tasty items of booze news, including how to identify if you have a drinking problem (that involves cheesecake).

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

#football

]]> Navigating sobriety at a football match can be extremely challenging for people seeking to take back control of their alcohol consumption. For gritty stories and expert advice, Ollie and Cess welcome Jack Stirling (aka Kicking the Cans on Instagram), who is almost nine months sober, and Crystal Palace season-ticket holder Nick Houghton, who is just beginning his sobriety journey.

Blackouts, hangovers, and bad behaviour are the ugly side of the so-called beautiful game, as evidenced by the recent Champions League final at Wembley, when 53 arrests were made. And with the European Championships about to start in Germany, we can expect more headlines about boozed-up Brits supporting the Three Lions.

But why are booze and football seemingly inseparable? What is it about the combination of intoxicants? And what can football clubs do to better cater for fans who don't want to become intoxicated and escape?

Jack and Nick offer brilliant insights and great ideas – but will things change given alcohol sponsorship is ubiquitous?

Before that fascinating interview, Ollie and Cess serve up four tasty items of booze news, including how to identify if you have a drinking problem (that involves cheesecake).

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

#football

]]> Tue, 04 Jun 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3332 Navigating sobriety at a football match can be extremely challenging for people seeking to take back control of their alcohol consumption. For gritty stories and expert advice, Ollie and Cess welcome Jack Stirling (aka Kicking the Cans on Instagram), who is almost nine months sober, and Crystal Palace season-ticket holder Nick Houghton, who is just beginning his sobriety journey.

Blackouts, hangovers, and bad behaviour are the ugly side of the so-called beautiful game, as evidenced by the recent Champions League final at Wembley, when 53 arrests were made. And with the European Championships about to start in Germany, we can expect more headlines about boozed-up Brits supporting the Three Lions.

But why are booze and football seemingly inseparable? What is it about the combination of intoxicants? And what can football clubs do to better cater for fans who don't want to become intoxicated and escape?

Jack and Nick offer brilliant insights and great ideas – but will things change given alcohol sponsorship is ubiquitous?

Before that fascinating interview, Ollie and Cess serve up four tasty items of booze news, including how to identify if you have a drinking problem (that involves cheesecake).

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

#football

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Mapping out drinking in the UK: How are attitudes towards sobriety changing? 18 18 Mapping out drinking in the UK: How are attitudes towards sobriety changing? full 3cbe27e6-6548-41d4-8574-45e882fc91e2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/30a57f5b A bumper episode! In booze news Cess and Ollie discuss mocktails, partying in Ibiza without alcohol, and sober parties. That's followed by two fascinating interviews.

The first is with US-based lawyer Kris Butler, whose lovely book Drink Maps in Victorian Britain was recently published. She offers an expert perspective on the history of pubs in the last two centuries and the temperance movement, and serves up stats and anecdotes galore. 

Then Ollie heads north to visit Stephen Jeffreys at his abode, the Manchester Buddhist Centre. Stephen is the managing director of Hinterland, a new sober bar that will open in the basement any day. He discusses his struggles with alcohol and hopes for the future, not least through more sober bars and enriching the community.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> A bumper episode! In booze news Cess and Ollie discuss mocktails, partying in Ibiza without alcohol, and sober parties. That's followed by two fascinating interviews.

The first is with US-based lawyer Kris Butler, whose lovely book Drink Maps in Victorian Britain was recently published. She offers an expert perspective on the history of pubs in the last two centuries and the temperance movement, and serves up stats and anecdotes galore. 

Then Ollie heads north to visit Stephen Jeffreys at his abode, the Manchester Buddhist Centre. Stephen is the managing director of Hinterland, a new sober bar that will open in the basement any day. He discusses his struggles with alcohol and hopes for the future, not least through more sober bars and enriching the community.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Tue, 28 May 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3939 A bumper episode! In booze news Cess and Ollie discuss mocktails, partying in Ibiza without alcohol, and sober parties. That's followed by two fascinating interviews.

The first is with US-based lawyer Kris Butler, whose lovely book Drink Maps in Victorian Britain was recently published. She offers an expert perspective on the history of pubs in the last two centuries and the temperance movement, and serves up stats and anecdotes galore. 

Then Ollie heads north to visit Stephen Jeffreys at his abode, the Manchester Buddhist Centre. Stephen is the managing director of Hinterland, a new sober bar that will open in the basement any day. He discusses his struggles with alcohol and hopes for the future, not least through more sober bars and enriching the community.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Creating the best pub – what are the vital ingredients for boozers and non-drinkers? 17 17 Creating the best pub – what are the vital ingredients for boozers and non-drinkers? full 7435c373-332e-4a72-808d-0ace5c92c086 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e14131bb Ollie and Cess debate what elements make the perfect pub. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell's classic essay on his ideal boozer, the Moon Under Water, the hosts share their preferences for what makes a great pub atmosphere. 

They cover everything, from impressive toilets and bar chat-friendly seating to pub games, animals, and the perfect music. The conversation also delves into the importance of cosy nooks, natural fires, covered areas, and a wide selection of low or no-alcohol options. 

The pair discuss the evolution of pubs and the need for inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, whether they drink or not, can find warmth, shelter, sustenance, and good company in their local watering hole.

There is plenty of related booze news, including how you'll no longer be able to buy a drink in a Ibiza after 9.30pm. Talk about party pooping!

Get in touch to let Ollie and Cess know your likes and dislikes about pubs.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Ollie and Cess debate what elements make the perfect pub. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell's classic essay on his ideal boozer, the Moon Under Water, the hosts share their preferences for what makes a great pub atmosphere. 

They cover everything, from impressive toilets and bar chat-friendly seating to pub games, animals, and the perfect music. The conversation also delves into the importance of cosy nooks, natural fires, covered areas, and a wide selection of low or no-alcohol options. 

The pair discuss the evolution of pubs and the need for inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, whether they drink or not, can find warmth, shelter, sustenance, and good company in their local watering hole.

There is plenty of related booze news, including how you'll no longer be able to buy a drink in a Ibiza after 9.30pm. Talk about party pooping!

Get in touch to let Ollie and Cess know your likes and dislikes about pubs.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Tue, 21 May 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3118 Ollie and Cess debate what elements make the perfect pub. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell's classic essay on his ideal boozer, the Moon Under Water, the hosts share their preferences for what makes a great pub atmosphere. 

They cover everything, from impressive toilets and bar chat-friendly seating to pub games, animals, and the perfect music. The conversation also delves into the importance of cosy nooks, natural fires, covered areas, and a wide selection of low or no-alcohol options. 

The pair discuss the evolution of pubs and the need for inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, whether they drink or not, can find warmth, shelter, sustenance, and good company in their local watering hole.

There is plenty of related booze news, including how you'll no longer be able to buy a drink in a Ibiza after 9.30pm. Talk about party pooping!

Get in touch to let Ollie and Cess know your likes and dislikes about pubs.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Campfire confessions: How do you navigate camping without booze? 16 16 Campfire confessions: How do you navigate camping without booze? full 3d3d5eca-d9b8-4945-9df7-b107cc3511e8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a2e825af Is a smelly, sweltering tent the worst place in the world to have a hangover? 

What is it about camping that brings out people’s wildness? 

How did a particularly catastrophic drinking session during a camping holiday bring a premature end to one of Ollie’s romantic relationships? 

And what happened when Cess accidentally sipped REAL booze after almost a year and a half without an alcoholic drink?


These vital questions, and many more, are answered in this "in-tents", 45-minute episode – pitched just in time for your summer camping trip.

You can also listen to the new "booze news" jingle, and a new outro.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Is a smelly, sweltering tent the worst place in the world to have a hangover? 

What is it about camping that brings out people’s wildness? 

How did a particularly catastrophic drinking session during a camping holiday bring a premature end to one of Ollie’s romantic relationships? 

And what happened when Cess accidentally sipped REAL booze after almost a year and a half without an alcoholic drink?


These vital questions, and many more, are answered in this "in-tents", 45-minute episode – pitched just in time for your summer camping trip.

You can also listen to the new "booze news" jingle, and a new outro.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Tue, 14 May 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2702 Is a smelly, sweltering tent the worst place in the world to have a hangover? 

What is it about camping that brings out people’s wildness? 

How did a particularly catastrophic drinking session during a camping holiday bring a premature end to one of Ollie’s romantic relationships? 

And what happened when Cess accidentally sipped REAL booze after almost a year and a half without an alcoholic drink?


These vital questions, and many more, are answered in this "in-tents", 45-minute episode – pitched just in time for your summer camping trip.

You can also listen to the new "booze news" jingle, and a new outro.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Club Soda special: How can sober venues boost mindful drinking? 15 15 Club Soda special: How can sober venues boost mindful drinking? full 4f160fe7-bb36-495a-a096-906434b07322 https://share.transistor.fm/s/069cbb0c In a podcast first, Ollie and Cess record out and about. They visit Laura Willoughby, MBE, founder of Club Soda UK, at Club Soda's HQ in Covent Garden.

After some booze news involving England rugby star Billy Vunipola, and Taylor Swift's "functioning alcoholic" lyric, the CDB-drink-guzzling trio discusses the rise of sober venues and the importance of mindful drinking. Laura emphasizes the need for inclusive spaces that cater to both drinkers and non-drinkers, and highlights the growing market for alcohol-free options. 

She also addresses the role of big alcohol brands in promoting moderation and providing alternatives, and explores the concept of mood-enhancing drinks and the benefits of switching to alcohol-free beverages. 

Finally, Laura offers great examples and encouragement to individuals seeking to make positive changes in their drinking habits and advocates for a society that offers diverse and enjoyable options for everyone.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> In a podcast first, Ollie and Cess record out and about. They visit Laura Willoughby, MBE, founder of Club Soda UK, at Club Soda's HQ in Covent Garden.

After some booze news involving England rugby star Billy Vunipola, and Taylor Swift's "functioning alcoholic" lyric, the CDB-drink-guzzling trio discusses the rise of sober venues and the importance of mindful drinking. Laura emphasizes the need for inclusive spaces that cater to both drinkers and non-drinkers, and highlights the growing market for alcohol-free options. 

She also addresses the role of big alcohol brands in promoting moderation and providing alternatives, and explores the concept of mood-enhancing drinks and the benefits of switching to alcohol-free beverages. 

Finally, Laura offers great examples and encouragement to individuals seeking to make positive changes in their drinking habits and advocates for a society that offers diverse and enjoyable options for everyone.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Tue, 07 May 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2408 In a podcast first, Ollie and Cess record out and about. They visit Laura Willoughby, MBE, founder of Club Soda UK, at Club Soda's HQ in Covent Garden.

After some booze news involving England rugby star Billy Vunipola, and Taylor Swift's "functioning alcoholic" lyric, the CDB-drink-guzzling trio discusses the rise of sober venues and the importance of mindful drinking. Laura emphasizes the need for inclusive spaces that cater to both drinkers and non-drinkers, and highlights the growing market for alcohol-free options. 

She also addresses the role of big alcohol brands in promoting moderation and providing alternatives, and explores the concept of mood-enhancing drinks and the benefits of switching to alcohol-free beverages. 

Finally, Laura offers great examples and encouragement to individuals seeking to make positive changes in their drinking habits and advocates for a society that offers diverse and enjoyable options for everyone.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#NoLowDrinkTrends

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Miles better: How can running can be a substitute for drinking? 14 14 Miles better: How can running can be a substitute for drinking? full 55fb66e4-2642-49ba-b1a9-912435553ac0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6379b577 In the afterglow of the London Marathon, Ollie and Cess discuss the relationship between running and giving up drinking.

They explore how running can serve as a substitute for boozing, and socialising, and how it can help individuals get on track with sobriety.

The conversation touches on the impact of running on mental health – just ask Russ Cook (aka Hardest Geezer). Charlie Allen, the Founder of Run Social – "a running pub" – who is "99% sober" and this week's guest, ran alongside Russ during his last marathon across Africa, in Tunisia, earlier in April.

Another former drinker, reality TV star Spencer Matthews, has announced that he is attempting a world record to run 30 marathons in 30 days through the Jordanian desert. He's mentioned in booze news.

Other booze news includes a man with a bizarre condition that makes his body produce alcohol and the alarming rate of child alcohol abuse in Great Britain – the highest in the world.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> In the afterglow of the London Marathon, Ollie and Cess discuss the relationship between running and giving up drinking.

They explore how running can serve as a substitute for boozing, and socialising, and how it can help individuals get on track with sobriety.

The conversation touches on the impact of running on mental health – just ask Russ Cook (aka Hardest Geezer). Charlie Allen, the Founder of Run Social – "a running pub" – who is "99% sober" and this week's guest, ran alongside Russ during his last marathon across Africa, in Tunisia, earlier in April.

Another former drinker, reality TV star Spencer Matthews, has announced that he is attempting a world record to run 30 marathons in 30 days through the Jordanian desert. He's mentioned in booze news.

Other booze news includes a man with a bizarre condition that makes his body produce alcohol and the alarming rate of child alcohol abuse in Great Britain – the highest in the world.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2802 In the afterglow of the London Marathon, Ollie and Cess discuss the relationship between running and giving up drinking.

They explore how running can serve as a substitute for boozing, and socialising, and how it can help individuals get on track with sobriety.

The conversation touches on the impact of running on mental health – just ask Russ Cook (aka Hardest Geezer). Charlie Allen, the Founder of Run Social – "a running pub" – who is "99% sober" and this week's guest, ran alongside Russ during his last marathon across Africa, in Tunisia, earlier in April.

Another former drinker, reality TV star Spencer Matthews, has announced that he is attempting a world record to run 30 marathons in 30 days through the Jordanian desert. He's mentioned in booze news.

Other booze news includes a man with a bizarre condition that makes his body produce alcohol and the alarming rate of child alcohol abuse in Great Britain – the highest in the world.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No St George's Day special: Does England have a healthy relationship with beer? 13 13 St George's Day special: Does England have a healthy relationship with beer? full 1bcde3b4-67a8-4ae7-adb6-37426146bb71 https://share.transistor.fm/s/39e28e63 Time to slay some dragons!

Ollie and Cess discuss St George's Day celebrations – have you had your "dragon's blood" cocktail yet? – with beer aficionado Rupert Ponsonby, who provides brilliant stories and details about boozing in England over the years.

Before that interview, the hosts reflect upon their experiences with alcohol-free dancing (awkward!), their favourite boozers, and the nation's most popular TV pubs, plus the pros and cons of sobriety – is Cess slipping?

They also celebrate football-hardman-turned-geezer-actor Vinnie Jones' 11 years of sobriety –  and an article about the changing drinking habits in the pub industry. Choice quotations include: “You can have a few pints because you're in your 20s. You can run it off and you can get on with it, but drinking is a young man's sport.” And: “I've learnt that ego is not your amigo.”

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> Time to slay some dragons!

Ollie and Cess discuss St George's Day celebrations – have you had your "dragon's blood" cocktail yet? – with beer aficionado Rupert Ponsonby, who provides brilliant stories and details about boozing in England over the years.

Before that interview, the hosts reflect upon their experiences with alcohol-free dancing (awkward!), their favourite boozers, and the nation's most popular TV pubs, plus the pros and cons of sobriety – is Cess slipping?

They also celebrate football-hardman-turned-geezer-actor Vinnie Jones' 11 years of sobriety –  and an article about the changing drinking habits in the pub industry. Choice quotations include: “You can have a few pints because you're in your 20s. You can run it off and you can get on with it, but drinking is a young man's sport.” And: “I've learnt that ego is not your amigo.”

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2885 Time to slay some dragons!

Ollie and Cess discuss St George's Day celebrations – have you had your "dragon's blood" cocktail yet? – with beer aficionado Rupert Ponsonby, who provides brilliant stories and details about boozing in England over the years.

Before that interview, the hosts reflect upon their experiences with alcohol-free dancing (awkward!), their favourite boozers, and the nation's most popular TV pubs, plus the pros and cons of sobriety – is Cess slipping?

They also celebrate football-hardman-turned-geezer-actor Vinnie Jones' 11 years of sobriety –  and an article about the changing drinking habits in the pub industry. Choice quotations include: “You can have a few pints because you're in your 20s. You can run it off and you can get on with it, but drinking is a young man's sport.” And: “I've learnt that ego is not your amigo.”

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No How much alcohol consumption is really too much according to an expert? 12 12 How much alcohol consumption is really too much according to an expert? full 4e3743c8-6c06-4d18-9771-19da9c06694c https://share.transistor.fm/s/b41e21fb Friend of the pod Paul Walker, a digital engagement practitioner at the charity Change Grow Live, discusses his experience working in online support for individuals with substance misuse issues.

He explains how the charity created a web chat platform to provide digital access to its services and the benefits of this approach. Paul emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support before hitting rock bottom and highlights the gender and age trends in online support. He also discusses how to evaluate problematic drinking and the impact of the pandemic on alcohol dependence.

Cess and Ollie have three interesting items of booze news, including Dutch courage in extremis on The Titanic, and Lily Allen on nearly five years of sobriety.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast #NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> Friend of the pod Paul Walker, a digital engagement practitioner at the charity Change Grow Live, discusses his experience working in online support for individuals with substance misuse issues.

He explains how the charity created a web chat platform to provide digital access to its services and the benefits of this approach. Paul emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support before hitting rock bottom and highlights the gender and age trends in online support. He also discusses how to evaluate problematic drinking and the impact of the pandemic on alcohol dependence.

Cess and Ollie have three interesting items of booze news, including Dutch courage in extremis on The Titanic, and Lily Allen on nearly five years of sobriety.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast #NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> Tue, 16 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2701 Friend of the pod Paul Walker, a digital engagement practitioner at the charity Change Grow Live, discusses his experience working in online support for individuals with substance misuse issues.

He explains how the charity created a web chat platform to provide digital access to its services and the benefits of this approach. Paul emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support before hitting rock bottom and highlights the gender and age trends in online support. He also discusses how to evaluate problematic drinking and the impact of the pandemic on alcohol dependence.

Cess and Ollie have three interesting items of booze news, including Dutch courage in extremis on The Titanic, and Lily Allen on nearly five years of sobriety.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast #NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No What are the best alcohol-free drinks in the world right now according to the experts? 11 11 What are the best alcohol-free drinks in the world right now according to the experts? full 6c091171-c2ac-4a46-bf0b-bf2bc588dd83 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e64f6d16 The hosts interview Chrissie Parkinson and Chris Losh, who established the World Alcohol Free Awards to address the lack of recognition and understanding of alcohol-free drinks. According to the competition founders, innovation and creativity in alcohol-free drinks are rapidly evolving, with a focus on artisanal and experimental approaches. Good news for the sober curious, then!

In booze news, Cess and Ollie raise a glass to the recently departed Juan Vicente Pérez, who died on April 2, aged 114, after a daily drink of strong sugarcane alcohol. The new oldest living man in the world, 112-year-old John Tinniswood from Liverpool, put his longevity down to "moderation" and weekly fish and chips, rather than hard booze.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast #NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober
#alcoholfree

]]> The hosts interview Chrissie Parkinson and Chris Losh, who established the World Alcohol Free Awards to address the lack of recognition and understanding of alcohol-free drinks. According to the competition founders, innovation and creativity in alcohol-free drinks are rapidly evolving, with a focus on artisanal and experimental approaches. Good news for the sober curious, then!

In booze news, Cess and Ollie raise a glass to the recently departed Juan Vicente Pérez, who died on April 2, aged 114, after a daily drink of strong sugarcane alcohol. The new oldest living man in the world, 112-year-old John Tinniswood from Liverpool, put his longevity down to "moderation" and weekly fish and chips, rather than hard booze.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast #NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober
#alcoholfree

]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2174 The hosts interview Chrissie Parkinson and Chris Losh, who established the World Alcohol Free Awards to address the lack of recognition and understanding of alcohol-free drinks. According to the competition founders, innovation and creativity in alcohol-free drinks are rapidly evolving, with a focus on artisanal and experimental approaches. Good news for the sober curious, then!

In booze news, Cess and Ollie raise a glass to the recently departed Juan Vicente Pérez, who died on April 2, aged 114, after a daily drink of strong sugarcane alcohol. The new oldest living man in the world, 112-year-old John Tinniswood from Liverpool, put his longevity down to "moderation" and weekly fish and chips, rather than hard booze.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast #NoLowDrinkTrends
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober
#alcoholfree

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No What does a year without booze feel like and how do sober movements of the past compare to the present? 10 10 What does a year without booze feel like and how do sober movements of the past compare to the present? full a31ac28e-5e05-4bcd-9bdf-99f86c4ad43a https://share.transistor.fm/s/a9a7f386 In this episode, Ollie – who now boasts a year without booze – and Cess discuss various topics related to alcohol consumption and abstinence.

They explore the perception of alcohol as a poison among younger generations and the growing view that boozing is bad. The hosts also reflect on their own experiences of sobriety and the positive changes it has brought to their lives.

With Cess screwing on his historian's hat, the conversation then delves into the origins and significance of Lent as a period of abstinence, drawing parallels to modern abstinence movements. The pair ponder the temperance movement and its impact on society, as well as the legacy of prohibition.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> In this episode, Ollie – who now boasts a year without booze – and Cess discuss various topics related to alcohol consumption and abstinence.

They explore the perception of alcohol as a poison among younger generations and the growing view that boozing is bad. The hosts also reflect on their own experiences of sobriety and the positive changes it has brought to their lives.

With Cess screwing on his historian's hat, the conversation then delves into the origins and significance of Lent as a period of abstinence, drawing parallels to modern abstinence movements. The pair ponder the temperance movement and its impact on society, as well as the legacy of prohibition.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2024 02:00:00 +0100 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2337 In this episode, Ollie – who now boasts a year without booze – and Cess discuss various topics related to alcohol consumption and abstinence.

They explore the perception of alcohol as a poison among younger generations and the growing view that boozing is bad. The hosts also reflect on their own experiences of sobriety and the positive changes it has brought to their lives.

With Cess screwing on his historian's hat, the conversation then delves into the origins and significance of Lent as a period of abstinence, drawing parallels to modern abstinence movements. The pair ponder the temperance movement and its impact on society, as well as the legacy of prohibition.

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Delicious alcohol-free wine that's not sugary: Does such a thing exist? (Spoiler: YES!) 9 9 Delicious alcohol-free wine that's not sugary: Does such a thing exist? (Spoiler: YES!) full afe48e54-5c34-4210-8a8f-8a22f0011c62 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5647eaac Pour away the sickly grape juice! Amanda Thomson made it her mission to create a range of great-tasting non-alcoholic wines, including a sparkling Chardonnay – which co-hosts Ollie and Cess can confirm is exquisitely good.

It took a long time, as Amanda tells Ollie, to create the "perfect liquid", but now you will find NOUGHTY, the AF range of wines of her company Thomson & Scott, in Michelin-starred restaurants. In a wide-ranging interview, the pair discuss the global trend for "blended" drinking – imbibing non- or low-alcohol drinks during the week, and perhaps having a glass or two at the weekends, or on special occasions – and how having grown-up AF options increases inclusivity at celebrations (for example, for Muslims) and health benefits.

There are three linked items of booze news, all around hangxiety, and reducing alcohol intake, and Cess discusses his newfound passion: hiking!

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Pour away the sickly grape juice! Amanda Thomson made it her mission to create a range of great-tasting non-alcoholic wines, including a sparkling Chardonnay – which co-hosts Ollie and Cess can confirm is exquisitely good.

It took a long time, as Amanda tells Ollie, to create the "perfect liquid", but now you will find NOUGHTY, the AF range of wines of her company Thomson & Scott, in Michelin-starred restaurants. In a wide-ranging interview, the pair discuss the global trend for "blended" drinking – imbibing non- or low-alcohol drinks during the week, and perhaps having a glass or two at the weekends, or on special occasions – and how having grown-up AF options increases inclusivity at celebrations (for example, for Muslims) and health benefits.

There are three linked items of booze news, all around hangxiety, and reducing alcohol intake, and Cess discusses his newfound passion: hiking!

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2613 Pour away the sickly grape juice! Amanda Thomson made it her mission to create a range of great-tasting non-alcoholic wines, including a sparkling Chardonnay – which co-hosts Ollie and Cess can confirm is exquisitely good.

It took a long time, as Amanda tells Ollie, to create the "perfect liquid", but now you will find NOUGHTY, the AF range of wines of her company Thomson & Scott, in Michelin-starred restaurants. In a wide-ranging interview, the pair discuss the global trend for "blended" drinking – imbibing non- or low-alcohol drinks during the week, and perhaps having a glass or two at the weekends, or on special occasions – and how having grown-up AF options increases inclusivity at celebrations (for example, for Muslims) and health benefits.

There are three linked items of booze news, all around hangxiety, and reducing alcohol intake, and Cess discusses his newfound passion: hiking!

#sobriety

#UpperBottomPodcast

#sobermovement

#sobercurious

#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Legless liability: What's the most dangerous thing you've done when drinking alcohol? 8 8 Legless liability: What's the most dangerous thing you've done when drinking alcohol? full 575c85e0-d61f-44e9-9987-6c3650acf4e8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0faa9e2c Taking a break from interviewing guests, Ollie and Cess discuss their experiences with alcohol and the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in while under the influence.

The hosts share personal stories of risky behaviour and regrets, highlighting the need for self-reflection and growth. Are boys / men more reckless with (and without) alcohol? They also explore the human desire for wildness and the role alcohol plays in accessing – and gaining a shortcut to – that state.

And there is a fascinating item of booze news about why hangovers really do become worse the older you get.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> Taking a break from interviewing guests, Ollie and Cess discuss their experiences with alcohol and the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in while under the influence.

The hosts share personal stories of risky behaviour and regrets, highlighting the need for self-reflection and growth. Are boys / men more reckless with (and without) alcohol? They also explore the human desire for wildness and the role alcohol plays in accessing – and gaining a shortcut to – that state.

And there is a fascinating item of booze news about why hangovers really do become worse the older you get.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2424 Taking a break from interviewing guests, Ollie and Cess discuss their experiences with alcohol and the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in while under the influence.

The hosts share personal stories of risky behaviour and regrets, highlighting the need for self-reflection and growth. Are boys / men more reckless with (and without) alcohol? They also explore the human desire for wildness and the role alcohol plays in accessing – and gaining a shortcut to – that state.

And there is a fascinating item of booze news about why hangovers really do become worse the older you get.

#sobriety
#UpperBottomPodcast
#sobermovement
#sobercurious
#sober

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No St Patrick's Day special: Do the celebrations lose their fizz when not drinking? 7 7 St Patrick's Day special: Do the celebrations lose their fizz when not drinking? full 5f721481-40db-466f-81c3-857465162bf0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/92d90dd0 Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Ollie and Cess speak to three Irish people to better understand what it's all about.

Catherine Doogan offers some historical context, Melissa Kelly discusses going sober in Ireland, and Terry – a barman in the Blythe Hill Tavern – provides some words of wisdom to complete the unholy trinity.

Whether you decide to drink a pint of Guinness or not, know that, on average, it will cost you 37p more than it did this time last year.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Ollie and Cess speak to three Irish people to better understand what it's all about.

Catherine Doogan offers some historical context, Melissa Kelly discusses going sober in Ireland, and Terry – a barman in the Blythe Hill Tavern – provides some words of wisdom to complete the unholy trinity.

Whether you decide to drink a pint of Guinness or not, know that, on average, it will cost you 37p more than it did this time last year.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 3509 Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Ollie and Cess speak to three Irish people to better understand what it's all about.

Catherine Doogan offers some historical context, Melissa Kelly discusses going sober in Ireland, and Terry – a barman in the Blythe Hill Tavern – provides some words of wisdom to complete the unholy trinity.

Whether you decide to drink a pint of Guinness or not, know that, on average, it will cost you 37p more than it did this time last year.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No What is Mothering Sunday's relationship with booze like in 2024? 6 6 What is Mothering Sunday's relationship with booze like in 2024? full 1a511d5a-faeb-4db2-9d46-660a712d64e4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f67ba342 Ollie and Cess speak with Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, an alternative – and delicious – grown-up "switchel" drink, and the trio discuss society's expectations of women and drinking habits. 

Bethan offers some advice to sober curious listeners, and Cess offers a brief history lesson on Mothering Sunday, while Ollie has a confession his own mother might not like ...

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Ollie and Cess speak with Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, an alternative – and delicious – grown-up "switchel" drink, and the trio discuss society's expectations of women and drinking habits. 

Bethan offers some advice to sober curious listeners, and Cess offers a brief history lesson on Mothering Sunday, while Ollie has a confession his own mother might not like ...

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 1837 Ollie and Cess speak with Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, an alternative – and delicious – grown-up "switchel" drink, and the trio discuss society's expectations of women and drinking habits. 

Bethan offers some advice to sober curious listeners, and Cess offers a brief history lesson on Mothering Sunday, while Ollie has a confession his own mother might not like ...

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Extending Dry January: What does two months sober feel like? 5 5 Extending Dry January: What does two months sober feel like? full eb705542-e9ac-41c4-90d7-603b9d281982 https://share.transistor.fm/s/71517359 Ollie and Cess ask two friends of the pod, Natalie and Ryan, who have been sober for two months, to discuss their experiences with extending Dry January and their motivations. 

The guests explore the effects of sobriety on sleep, physical health, and mental well-being. They also discuss the challenges of social situations, the reactions of friends and family (for Nat, everyone wrongly assumes she is pregnant!), and reflect on the cultural expectations around drinking and the changing attitudes towards sobriety. 

As always, there are some items of booze news. And – having learnt from listeners – Cess and Ollie have re-recorded the intro. 

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Ollie and Cess ask two friends of the pod, Natalie and Ryan, who have been sober for two months, to discuss their experiences with extending Dry January and their motivations. 

The guests explore the effects of sobriety on sleep, physical health, and mental well-being. They also discuss the challenges of social situations, the reactions of friends and family (for Nat, everyone wrongly assumes she is pregnant!), and reflect on the cultural expectations around drinking and the changing attitudes towards sobriety. 

As always, there are some items of booze news. And – having learnt from listeners – Cess and Ollie have re-recorded the intro. 

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Tue, 05 Mar 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2277 Ollie and Cess ask two friends of the pod, Natalie and Ryan, who have been sober for two months, to discuss their experiences with extending Dry January and their motivations. 

The guests explore the effects of sobriety on sleep, physical health, and mental well-being. They also discuss the challenges of social situations, the reactions of friends and family (for Nat, everyone wrongly assumes she is pregnant!), and reflect on the cultural expectations around drinking and the changing attitudes towards sobriety. 

As always, there are some items of booze news. And – having learnt from listeners – Cess and Ollie have re-recorded the intro. 

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No What is a "Dry Drinker" and can sober people really have as much fun on nights out? 4 4 What is a "Dry Drinker" and can sober people really have as much fun on nights out? full b1a9d2bf-1dc4-4b91-9fae-aadcd00115a7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/523795fa Stuart Elkington, Founder of drydrinker.com, the UK’s top-rated independent low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drink specialist, joins Ollie and Cess for a deep dive into being a “dry drinker”. He discusses industry trends and – praise be! – serves up some passable 0-ish% wine recommendations. In booze news, the hosts consider some of the 546 words Britons have for drunkenness, and – put those beer googles away – how alcohol doesn’t make other people appear attractive after all.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Stuart Elkington, Founder of drydrinker.com, the UK’s top-rated independent low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drink specialist, joins Ollie and Cess for a deep dive into being a “dry drinker”. He discusses industry trends and – praise be! – serves up some passable 0-ish% wine recommendations. In booze news, the hosts consider some of the 546 words Britons have for drunkenness, and – put those beer googles away – how alcohol doesn’t make other people appear attractive after all.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Tue, 27 Feb 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2180 Stuart Elkington, Founder of drydrinker.com, the UK’s top-rated independent low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drink specialist, joins Ollie and Cess for a deep dive into being a “dry drinker”. He discusses industry trends and – praise be! – serves up some passable 0-ish% wine recommendations. In booze news, the hosts consider some of the 546 words Britons have for drunkenness, and – put those beer googles away – how alcohol doesn’t make other people appear attractive after all.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Do you remember the first time you tasted alcohol – and what's it like to be five years sober? 3 3 Do you remember the first time you tasted alcohol – and what's it like to be five years sober? full 21b5d41f-4a48-475b-b167-48fa64debcb1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5b95c1eb Julia Linehan*, Founder and CEO of B2B adtech PR agency The Digital Voice, joins Ollie and Cess to talk about SPILL – Sober Party Industry Lads and Ladies – and (almost) five years of sobriety.

*Not Jane, as a muddled Ollie mentions at c 5.39 minutes – SORRY Julia.


The hosts also discuss their first taste of alcohol, and also how attending weddings and funerals, and going on holiday, for the first time without booze felt.


In booze news, the new alcohol-free seating zones at Twickenham – which led to one chap necked five pints consecutively – in England’s match against Wales, is assessed, and there are more stats that indicate the sober curious movement is being led by Gen Z. 


But the European country leading the charge will (probably) surprise you …


https://upperbottompodcast.com/


https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Julia Linehan*, Founder and CEO of B2B adtech PR agency The Digital Voice, joins Ollie and Cess to talk about SPILL – Sober Party Industry Lads and Ladies – and (almost) five years of sobriety.

*Not Jane, as a muddled Ollie mentions at c 5.39 minutes – SORRY Julia.


The hosts also discuss their first taste of alcohol, and also how attending weddings and funerals, and going on holiday, for the first time without booze felt.


In booze news, the new alcohol-free seating zones at Twickenham – which led to one chap necked five pints consecutively – in England’s match against Wales, is assessed, and there are more stats that indicate the sober curious movement is being led by Gen Z. 


But the European country leading the charge will (probably) surprise you …


https://upperbottompodcast.com/


https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Tue, 20 Feb 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2361 Julia Linehan*, Founder and CEO of B2B adtech PR agency The Digital Voice, joins Ollie and Cess to talk about SPILL – Sober Party Industry Lads and Ladies – and (almost) five years of sobriety.

*Not Jane, as a muddled Ollie mentions at c 5.39 minutes – SORRY Julia.


The hosts also discuss their first taste of alcohol, and also how attending weddings and funerals, and going on holiday, for the first time without booze felt.


In booze news, the new alcohol-free seating zones at Twickenham – which led to one chap necked five pints consecutively – in England’s match against Wales, is assessed, and there are more stats that indicate the sober curious movement is being led by Gen Z. 


But the European country leading the charge will (probably) surprise you …


https://upperbottompodcast.com/


https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No What is "cheat mode" and how can you navigate early sobriety using an air balloon? 2 2 What is "cheat mode" and how can you navigate early sobriety using an air balloon? full 89ed3057-2049-48c3-8b37-acd483a46fa0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/72e484b3 Hosts Ollie and Cess reveal their early challenges with going sober – and offer a useful analogy of pals being lifted away on a hot air balloon – before realising the obvious and unforeseen benefits of not boozing. Mindset is everything, and not drinking – rather than moderating drinking – could be the game-changer for you, too.

The pair also tackle listeners' questions, salute Sir Billy Connolly, who is closing in on 40 years sober, and pour cold water on "Safety Shot" – a new drink that claims to reduce hangovers.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Hosts Ollie and Cess reveal their early challenges with going sober – and offer a useful analogy of pals being lifted away on a hot air balloon – before realising the obvious and unforeseen benefits of not boozing. Mindset is everything, and not drinking – rather than moderating drinking – could be the game-changer for you, too.

The pair also tackle listeners' questions, salute Sir Billy Connolly, who is closing in on 40 years sober, and pour cold water on "Safety Shot" – a new drink that claims to reduce hangovers.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Tue, 13 Feb 2024 02:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 2193 Hosts Ollie and Cess reveal their early challenges with going sober – and offer a useful analogy of pals being lifted away on a hot air balloon – before realising the obvious and unforeseen benefits of not boozing. Mindset is everything, and not drinking – rather than moderating drinking – could be the game-changer for you, too.

The pair also tackle listeners' questions, salute Sir Billy Connolly, who is closing in on 40 years sober, and pour cold water on "Safety Shot" – a new drink that claims to reduce hangovers.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No What exactly is an "Upper Bottom" – and are you one? 1 1 What exactly is an "Upper Bottom" – and are you one? full 38a410b2-6661-4e97-8cf0-49a94dde4a36 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f11eae0f Ollie and Cess open up about what tipped them into their sobriety journeys, reflect on the rising popularity of Dry January and the trend for younger generations to snub boozing. The hosts also discuss Marcus Rashford's 12-hour Belfast bender and debate serving non-alcoholic Prosecco at a 13-year-old's party – would you?

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Ollie and Cess open up about what tipped them into their sobriety journeys, reflect on the rising popularity of Dry January and the trend for younger generations to snub boozing. The hosts also discuss Marcus Rashford's 12-hour Belfast bender and debate serving non-alcoholic Prosecco at a 13-year-old's party – would you?

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:30:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 1745 Ollie and Cess open up about what tipped them into their sobriety journeys, reflect on the rising popularity of Dry January and the trend for younger generations to snub boozing. The hosts also discuss Marcus Rashford's 12-hour Belfast bender and debate serving non-alcoholic Prosecco at a 13-year-old's party – would you?

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No Introducing... Upper Bottom Introducing... Upper Bottom trailer 8c90638d-0173-4df3-b65f-8215de4d0eb7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/52260392 Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze? Join hosts Ollie and Cess as they explore sobriety through embarrassing drunken admissions, expert interviews, and amusing observations, proving that getting sober doesn't have to be a bum deal.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze? Join hosts Ollie and Cess as they explore sobriety through embarrassing drunken admissions, expert interviews, and amusing observations, proving that getting sober doesn't have to be a bum deal.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese Oliver Pickup and Dan Orcese 50 Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze? Join hosts Ollie and Cess as they explore sobriety through embarrassing drunken admissions, expert interviews, and amusing observations, proving that getting sober doesn't have to be a bum deal.

https://upperbottompodcast.com/

https://www.instagram.com/upperbottompodcast

]]> sobriety, wellbeing, upper bottom, alcoholism, addiction, recovery, drinking, booze, beer, men, mental health, society and culture, education No