Over The Influence: The Alcohol Free Podcast

In this episode we catch up with friend of the podcast William Porter, the author of Alcohol Explained!
William talks us through what happens to your body and brain when you decide to remove alcohol... And the reasons why it doesn't feel very good at first. He talks us through the science (both physiological and psychological) to give us an understanding of why we feel rubbish at first, but then also talks to us about how you start to feel better - and why.
If you're doing Dry January and feeling like you might want to pack it in... This episode is absolutely for you! If you've already started on your sobriety adventure, this chat is a great reminder about the important reasons for staying on track.
If you'd like to find out more about William and his book, go to alcoholexplained.com!
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

Happy New Year!
It's the most wonderful time of the year - Dry Jan! To celebrate, we've invited on some members from our community here at Over The Influence to share their alcohol free tales after getting started on their journeys during January.
Sobriety isn't a pipe dream - it's an achievable life choice and this lovely lot, are the proof in the pudding (or the podcast).
Whether you're embarking on your first Dry Jan, you're a sober veteran or you're just sober curious and want to know what it's all about, listen in and join Shaz and the AF crew in celebrating all things you gain when you give up the booze.
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas!!
As an extra special gift for you lovely lot today, we've got the one and only Ruth Jones on the podcast!
She's a much-loved actress, writer, producer, novelist and you guessed it - she's one of the alcohol free gang.
We're delighted that Ruth has joined us on the pod to spread some AF festive cheer and appreciate her taking the time to share her sobriety story with our community.
We hope you all enjoy the pod and from all the team at Over The Influence, we wish you a fantastic Christmas and a very happy new year!
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week we have the fantastic Dupe Witherick on the pod!
Dupe is an accredited alcohol free & wellbeing coach and the author of "A Cocktail of Clarity". She is also a fellow AF podcaster so make sure you check out Thrive Alcohol Free!
In this episode we chat to Dupe about what life was like before giving up alcohol and the remarkable improvement that she has felt since she removed it. With Christmas just around the corner, Shaz and Dupe reminisce about their first AF Christmas and how it was actually a very pleasant surprise how much they enjoyed it!
If you would like to know more about Dupe and her work, you can visit the Thrive Alcohol Free website www.thrivealcoholfree.com or find her on social media @thrivealcoholfree.
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

In this episode we welcome Karl Considine onto the pod, founder of the AF bar Love From in Manchester! Karl is also the host of sobriety pod (big up the sobriety pods!) What Next.
After kicking the booze himself, Karl saw that there was a massive gap in the market for somewhere that non-drinkers could go out and have a nice drink without being surrounded by alcohol.
We had a wonderful time chatting to Karl on the pod and are massive supporters of everything that he's doing for the alcohol free community. We're already looking forward to the next time we have him on the pod!
If you're in the North West of England, make sure you stop by and visit Love From in Manchester city centre and you can check out his What Next podcast here.
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

In this episode we chat to two of our fantastic community members, Chris and Aran.
One of our favourite things about the pod and the community is that you , our wonderful listeners, not only connect with us but with each other as well. Chris and Aran are a great example of that and we wanted to get them on the pod to discuss how removing alcohol hasn't diminished their social life as they suspected it might, but has instead sent them to places they never expected to go.
Our OTI Community is full of stories like Chris and Aran's and if you think you might like to find out more, head over to our website www.overtheinfluence.co.uk for more info.
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

This week we welcome Transformation Coach Marcus Jones onto the podcast, who shares his own sobriety story with us in the hope of helping other men who are currently in a similar situation to where he was pre-pandemic.
Following the breakdown of his marriage, Marcus found that he turned to alcohol and substance abuse to help him cope. Far from giving him comfort though, he found that in the longterm that the alcohol was in fact the problem.
Marcus provides yet more quotes for Ben's board, including this corker: "where attention goes, energy flows and results show" - plenty more where that came from in this episode so get stuck in.
Follow Marcus on Instagram @marcusjonescoachingor join the 'Men And Their Emotions' (M.A.T.E) group on Facebook.
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

No guest this week because our Shaz is turning 50!
Her and Ben are taking a moment to reflect on the last decade and how quitting the booze half way through her 40s changed the direction of travel for everything Sharon Hartley related.
Enjoy your holiday Shaz, you flippin' deserve it!
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

In this episode we welcome back Andy Delderfield, the founder of Alcohol Free Runners and a member of our AF community.
Last time we had Andy on the pod, he was preparing to push himself to the brink by running a marathon in ice cold conditions. This time he's taking it easy, and will be running in the extreme heat instead.
The reason he is doing this is to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and if you have been inspired by Andy to donate, you can find all the info you need below.
You can donate to my JustGiving page by clicking here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/london-marathon-2024-49305?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=london-marathon-2024-49305&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=517f404135194b97b4ef736a9d39e975.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to PROSTATE CANCER UK, so it's the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
This is Andy's Facebook page AF Runners - Andy's Adventures
and he also has his Facebook community Alcohol Free Runners. Last but not least, if you're more of an Instagram type, you can follow Andy at andy_delderfield_AF_runners
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti

In this episode we welcome Gayle Macdonald onto the pod, who is a transformational sobriety coach and author who is here to give her insight into alcohol free life.
Having had various periods of sobriety before falling back into old habits, Gayle called it a day once and for all so that she could bring more structure to her family life. Her message is simple and highly effective: quit drinking, feel good.
If you would like to learn more about Gayle and Sober Bliss, her website is sober-bliss.com/ and you can also find her on YouTube and Pinterest.
---
Get In Touch:
Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials - @alcoholfreepod on Instagram, or search for "Over The Influence" on Facebook.
We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at [email protected] or go to our website, www.overtheinfluence.co.uk
---
The Premium Podcast:
If you love OTI and you'd like to hear behind the curtain, subscribe to the OTI Premium Podcast now!
---
Links:
For links to alcohol-related support services, please visit our website.
---
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves, and not necessarily those of Over The Influence (OTI) Ltd. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals but normal people giving their own experiences of removing alcohol from their lives, and as such this podcast should not be considered professional advice. If you are dependent on alcohol, or think you may be, we strongly recommend that you seek professional medical advice.
---
Helpful Hashtags:
We found hashtags and sober social media accounts really helpful in our early days alcohol free, as following them can help to reinforce that you are not alone! These are some of the hashtags we've followed:
#alcoholfree #stopdrinking #healthandwellnessjourney #zeroalcohol #idontdrink #sobercurious #healthydrinking #alcoholfreelife #soberaf #alcoholfreeliving #sobermotivation #podcast #healthpodcast #noalcohol #nobooze #sober #sobercurious #soberlofe #soberliving #sobercommunity #afcommunity #soberwomen #sobermom #sobermomtribe #sobersisters #sobriety #soberuk #soberjourney #sobrietyrocks #overtheinfluence #oti