Soberful

In this episode of The Soberful Podcast, Veronica Valli and Alysse Bryson discuss the complexities of sobriety, particularly in the context of celebrity culture. They delve into Brad Pitt's recent public admission of returning to drinking after years of sobriety, exploring the implications of such a decision on public perception and the sober community. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by those in recovery, the role of wealth and fame in addiction, and the importance of humility in maintaining sobriety. They also examine how media narratives shape our understanding of celebrity struggles with addiction and mental health. To learn more, visit the show notes .

You may have noticed that when you stop drinking your friendships change in this episode Chip and Veronica talk about how and why friendships change and how to navigate those changes. To learn more, visit the show notes .

"Resentments are the number one offender." In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the nature of resentments, how they are like drinking poison and wanting the other person to die. How they seduce us into staying stuck and block us from growing. They confess their own resentments and the methods they use to get free of them. To learn more, visit the show notes .

Have you fever felt anxious? Have you ever used alcohol to deal with social anxiety? You are not alone. Anxiety and problems with alcohol go hand in hand. We drink to take the 'edge' off and get through social situations, but the booze just makes everything worse. You may have even experienced a full-blown panic attack. Veronica suffered from extreme anxiety and regular panic attacks throughout her drinking. In this episode, Chip and Veronica look at the relationship between alcohol and anxiety, how getting sober will change it and give you their strategies for dealing with anxiety when it strikes. To learn more, visit the show notes .

Why do people find it so hard to stop drinking? What leads to a relapse? Veronica and Chip answer all these questions and give their opinion on what risky situations to avoid in early recovery. To learn more, visit the show notes .

When we get sober, the world takes it personally. There are four types of characters you may meet when you stop drinking: 'The overnight addiction expert, 'the drunk persuader, the 'moving the goalposts friend,' and the 'fun police.' Chip and Veronica talk you through how each one will approach you, what they will say, and how you can deal with them. To learn more, visit the show notes .

In this episode, Chip and Veronica discuss Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA). ACOA's have particular characteristics that they carry into adulthood, particularly in their intimate relationships. To learn more, visit the show notes .

The Holy Grail of anyone with an alcohol use disorder is moderation. In this episode, Chip and Veronica look at why moderation (or social drinking) is very rarely achievable. We discuss the energy and effort that people put into trying to achieve it. The reason that we struggle with moderation is because of the perception that alcohol can benefit us when the reality is very different. To learn more, visit the show notes .

We discuss how the alcohol industry has tricked us into believing alcohol is harmless and beneficial to us. And how they have convinced us that without alcohol we are missing out on something. We challenge the myths and assumptions that have lead to the normalization of abnormal drinking. To learn more, visit the show notes .

The biggest challenge Veronica faced was dealing with romantic relationships. At 3 years sober she was suicidal again. With nothing left to lose she had to find a way to deal with old demons and stay sober. To learn more, visit the show notes .

In this episode, we cover Veronica's story. How she became an alcoholic, what happened, and what led her into sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes .

*Trigger warning* Discussion of overcoming childhood sexual abuse. How do you heal from abuse and trauma? Can you overcome childhood abuse and go on to have a happy life and fulfilling relationships? Chip explains exactly how he did that. To learn more, visit the show notes .

*Trigger warning* Discussion of childhood sexual abuse. In this episode, Chip tells his incredible story of recovery. He grew up in an upper-class British family with no love or warmth, was abandoned to a boarding school at age seven where he was bullied. By 18 he was sticking needles in his arms. He spent time in prison and five days on life support. Listen to his amazing story of transformation. In next week's episode, we will discuss how he healed and overcame all of this adversity. To learn more, visit the show notes .

In this episode of the Soberful podcast, Veronica Valli discusses the challenges of staying sober during the summer, a season often associated with fun and drinking. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to navigate the summer without alcohol, emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference between the fantasy of drinking and the reality. Valli encourages listeners to embrace the gifts of sobriety and to focus on the positive aspects of a sober summer. To learn more, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

In this episode of the Soberful podcast, Veronica Valli interviews Suze Silvius, who shares her extraordinary journey from a troubled childhood in Canada to her struggles with alcohol and eventual path to recovery. Suze discusses her early relationship with alcohol, the emotional angst she felt throughout her life, and the pivotal moments that led her to seek help. She reflects on the impact of her environment, including her move to Mexico, and how the drinking culture there influenced her habits. Suze's story is one of resilience, vulnerability, and the importance of support in overcoming addiction. In this conversation, Sus S shares her transformative journey from desperation to hope through her work with Veronica Valli. They discuss the importance of self-realization, taking responsibility for one's own life, and the power of shifting perspectives to achieve emotional regulation. Sus reflects on her past struggles and the significant changes she has experienced over the past year, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and belief in oneself. The conversation concludes with a hopeful outlook on the future and the continuous journey of personal growth. To learn more, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

In this episode of the Soberful podcast, Veronica Valli interviews Ian Young, a long-time friend and colleague in the treatment industry. Ian shares his incredible journey from a troubled youth in North London to a life of addiction, counterculture, and ultimately recovery. He discusses his experiences with drug smuggling, political activism, and the challenges he faced with family dynamics. Ian reflects on his rock bottom moment and the transformative power of seeking help, leading to his current work in addiction treatment. In this conversation, Ian Young shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery, detailing the pivotal moments that led him to embrace sobriety and dedicate his life to helping others. He discusses the importance of finding purpose in recovery, the challenges of maintaining integrity in the treatment industry, and the innovative approaches he has developed in his holistic recovery programs. Ian emphasizes the significance of community, personal growth, and the integration of various therapeutic modalities in fostering lasting recovery. To learn more, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

In this episode of the SoberFull podcast, Veronica Valli interviews Randy Haverson, who shares his remarkable journey of sobriety spanning over 42 years. Randy discusses his early struggles with addiction, the turning point that led him to seek help, and the profound difference between simply being sober and being in recovery. He emphasizes the importance of emotional sobriety, self-discovery, and the strength found in vulnerability. The conversation highlights the ongoing journey of personal growth and the transformative power of connecting with others who share similar experiences. In this conversation, Randy and Veronica explore the transformative journey of recovery, emphasizing the importance of inner dialogue, support systems, and self-discovery. They discuss the significance of play and emotional understanding in recovery, as well as the empowerment that comes from overcoming personal struggles. Randy shares insights from his own experiences, including the role of therapy and journaling, and highlights the continuous nature of personal growth. The conversation concludes with reflections on connection, purpose, and the profound changes that can occur when one commits to recovery. To learn more, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

In this episode of the Soberful podcast, Veronica Valli delves into the often overlooked concept of emotional sobriety, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining long-term sobriety. She shares her personal journey, highlighting the challenges of emotional management after quitting alcohol and the importance of developing emotional skills. Valli discusses practical strategies for achieving emotional sobriety, including setting boundaries, effective communication, and understanding subconscious beliefs. The conversation underscores that emotional sobriety is a continuous practice essential for personal growth and fulfillment beyond just abstaining from alcohol. To learn more, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

What is a normal drinker? This is a question most people ask themselves on their journey to sobriety. The truth is that how we drink is shaped by our peers and culture. To learn more, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

Patricia is a three-time Emmy Award-winning actress known for her work in The Middle and Everybody Loves Raymond. She has been alcohol-free for eight years and has just launched her alcohol free brand Solubrae. (Use code Soberful20 to get 20% off) Patricia shares her inspiring journey of going alcohol-free, the cultural influences on drinking, and how it transformed her life. Discover practical insights on overcoming social drinking, the health benefits of sobriety, and innovative alcohol-free alternatives. To learn more, visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .