Over The Influence: The Alcohol Free Podcast
Episodes
S3 Ep126: Jonny Whitehead: Jonny's Journey
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Jonny from Halifax, who's recently celebrated his first year alcohol free! When you meet Jonny he's a tall bloke with a bi...
S3 Ep125: Luke Bayliss: ADHD & Addiction
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Luke Bayliss who joins us on the podcast eight months into his recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. It's been a long...
S3 Ep124: Neil Curtis: 2 Years Alcohol Free!
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the wonderful Neil Curtis, a man who we've got to know incredibly well as he joined our community on the very first day it ...
S3 Ep123: Stephanie Chivers: Women Who Don't Drink
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the fantastic Stephanie Chivers, Director of Women Who Don't Drink, a community interest company who are helping women to m...
S3 Ep122: Frederica: 2 Years Alcohol Free!
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Frederica, who's celebrating two years alcohol-free! We love chatting to the authors, to the Instagrammers, to the sober c...
S3 Ep121: Dry July with Will Hitchins: Sober on the Gold Coast
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to podcaster and video creator Will Hitchins, who joins us from the Gold Coast in Australia! We came across Will on Instagram...
S3 Ep120: Dry July with Drew Schapper: The AF Rock Star
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to one of Sharon's earliest AF friends... Drew Schapper, the fabulous author of "After Party: Finding the Path to Sobriety". ...
S3 Ep119: Craig Vickers: The Husband
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we go back to New Hampshire in the States to meet Craig Vickers, husband to Jen who we had on the podcast a few weeks ago! If you hav...
S3 Ep118: Paul O'Donoghue: Queer Recovery Support
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Paul O'Donoghue who set up Queer Recovery Support Belfast after celebrating a year of sobriety! Paul talks about how diffi...
S3 Ep117: Meg Geisewite: Intoxicating Lies
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Meg Geisewite who's nearly 3 and a half years alcohol-free and author of the book Intoxicating Lies. We start off by talki...
S3 Ep116: Olivia Farrelly: The Grey Area Drinker
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Olivia Farrelly who's nearly 5 years alcohol-free and known as The Grey Area Drinker (@greyareadrinker on Instagram). Oliv...
S3 Ep115: Dapper Laughs: Menace To Sobriety
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Dan O'Reilly, widely known as Dapper Laughs. Dan is recently alcohol-free, and talks to us really honestly about how alco...
S3 Ep114: Sarah Chamberlain: Training The Coaches
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Sarah Chamberlain, the Global Head of Arete Coach which is the coaching course that Ben recently completed and that Shaz ha...
S3 Ep113: Jenn Vickers: The Preschool Teacher
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Jenn Vickers, a preschool teacher in New Hampshire USA who's over 18 months alcohol-free! Jenn talks to us about how her d...
S3 Ep112: John Whaite: The Superstar Listener
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the wonderful John Whaite! John talks to us about the reasons why he decided to remove alcohol from his life, and some of ...
S3 Ep111: Sam Roome: The Daughter & The Parent
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to Sam Roome who gave up alcohol in the summer of 2020. She didn't have a major rock bottom moment with alcohol, but decided ...
S3 Ep110: Sarah Turner: The Unmumsy Mum
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to author Sarah Turner, who's also known as The Unmumsy Mum! We've been following Sarah for a while - not because she was so...
S3 Ep109: Susan Laurie & Sober Dave: Sober Code
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to Susan Laurie and Sober Dave about Sober Code, which launches today! Susan approached us with the idea of Sober Code a few ...
S3 Ep108: Maggie Klaassens: The Sober Summit
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the brilliant Maggie Klaassens who's nearly a year alcohol-free after deciding to completely remove alcohol from her life l...
S3 Ep107: Kate Beavis: Fearless at 50!
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Kate Beavis, a menopause awareness campaigner who describes herself as someone who's "refusing to age appropriately"! Kate...
S3 Ep106: Casey Davidson: Hello Someday
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we meet Casey Davidson, host of the Hello Someday podcast! Casey talks to us about how giving up alcohol gave her the confidence to c...
S3 Ep105: Nigel Jones: Reroot Yourself
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we catch up with Nigel Jones, author and nature lover who believes that his daily 9km by 9am walks were the key to becoming happily an...
S3 Ep104: Dan Parkin: Fancy A Walk Mate?
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Dan Parkin from #FancyAWalkMate about his journey to sobriety. Dan knew that his drinking was getting out of hand - but it...
S3 Ep103: Laura McKowen: We Are The Luckiest
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk to the fabulous Laura McKowen! Laura is incredibly well-known within sober circles after her first book, a memoir about findi...
S3 Ep102: Jane James: The CEO
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Jane James, the Founder and CEO of a wonderful company called Little Voices that works with young people across the UK. J...
S3 Ep101: Susan McGarry: The Achiever
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we catch up with the fabulous Susan McGarry, one of our OTI Community members who's had the most marvellous year. Susan came on the p...
S3 Ep100: John Clark: The Meal Prep King
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to John Clark, who is also known as The Meal Prep King. Shaz has got John's books on her shelf in the kitchen - but very near...
S3 Ep99: Cassie Ridley: Owning It
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Cassie Ridley who very honestly tells us about the ups and downs of her alcohol-free journey. Cassie was over three years ...
S3 Ep98: Dry January with Hayley Scherders: Living Over The Influence
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Hayley Scherders, who's business in Canada has a fabulous name... Living Over The Influence! Hayley talks to us about the ...
S3 Ep97: Dry January with Madeline Forrest: Happiest Sober
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Madeline Forrest, known as Happiest Sober! Madeline gave up alcohol in November 2020 when she was 27 years old. She now, l...
S3 Ep96: Dry January with Thomas Hartley (MAFS UK): Starting Out
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we catch up with Thomas Hartley, one of the stars of last year's Married at First Sight UK! We spotted a social media post from Thoma...
S3 Ep95: Dry January with William Porter: Alcohol Explained
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
S3 Ep94: Dry January with Michael Brown: The TikTok Superstar
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we catch up with Michael Brown, aka Misha, aka Don't Cross a Gay Man (@dontcrossagayman) on TikTok, two years after we first spoke to ...
S3 Ep93: Dry January Tips & Tricks 2023
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you're doing Dry January this year, then this episode is for you! Sharon and Ben have been alcohol free for 4 years and 2 years respectively, and ...
S3 Ep92: Davina: Freedom from Moderation
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the fabulous Davina, one of our very own OTI Community members! When Davina joined Over The Influence she was a moderator....
S3 Ep91: James Moon: Fancy A Walk Mate?
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to James Moon from #FancyAWalkMate about his journey to sobriety. James talks to us about how he grew up in an environment wh...
S3 Ep90: Molly Desch: Determined AF
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions about attempted suicide and abortion. We fully understand if this week's episode isn't for you - a...
S3 Ep89: The AF Christmas Q&A
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the AF Christmas Q&A where Shaz and Ben answer your questions about how to thrive during December without the booze! This will be Shazza's...
S3 Ep88: Janet White: The Grandmother
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the lovely Janet White in Florida who decided to give up alcohol when she became a grandmother. In this episode she talks ...
S3 Ep87: Ryan Dusick: The Maroon 5 Drummer
20 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the fabulous Ryan Dusick, one of the founding members of Maroon 5. Ryan talks to us about how the band went from being fri...
S3 Ep86: Steve Rodrigues: Living with Liver Disease
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the wonderful Steve Rodrigues who talks to us about living with hepatic encephalopathy. Steve is a normal bloke who's drin...
S3 Ep85: Mandy Manners: Love Sober
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the fabulous Mandy Manners who, if you're a keen podcast listener, you'll know from the brilliant Love Sober podcast! As w...
S3 Ep84: David Nutt: The Professor
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Professor David Nutt about his decades of research into the effects of alcohol on the body and brain, and about the new pro...
S3 Ep83: Robert Mee: The Survivor
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the hilarious Robert Mee, who runs the LGBTQI charity Out In The Bay in Lancaster. Trigger Warning: as part of Robert's st...
S3 Ep82: Jamie Cole: The Honest Quitter
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the wonderful Jamie Cole, in one of the most authentic and honest conversations we've ever had on the podcast. When Jamie ...
S3 Ep81: Nigel Jones: Walking Back To Happiness
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to author Nigel Jones, who's book Walking Back To Happiness was published last month. Nigel gave up alcohol in December 2020...
S3 Ep80: Sober October with William Porter
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we welcome back one of our all time favourite guests to the podcast to kick off Sober October, author of Alcohol Explained, William Po...
S3 Ep79: Our 100th Episode: Meet The OTI Coaches!
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a special one for us... We can't quite believe it, but we've hit 100 episodes of Over The Influence! (For those looking and going "e...
S3 Ep78: Anneka Reece: Sobriety & Manifestation
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Anneka Reece, a health and mindset coach who specialises in alcohol-free living and manifestation. When you remove alcohol...
S3 Ep77: OTI Adventures: The Snowdon Special
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to four of our fabulous OTI Community members, Maz, David, Will and Denise, about the weekend we spent in Wales for the very f...
S3 Ep76: Justin Jones: The Father
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to wonderful Justin Jones, who's now over 4 years alcohol-free! Justin has the most dreadful year in 2016. He and his wife Lu...
S3 Ep75: Charlie & Joey (Young & Sober): Maisy's Story
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once a month Over The Influence is being taken over by Joey Duckworth and Charlie Martina, two people in their 20s who've decided to ditch booze and l...
S3 Ep74: Laura Jarvis: The Alcohol and Drugs Service
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Laura Jarvis from The Alcohol and Drugs Service which works in Doncaster, Hull and East Riding in the North of England. La...
S3 Ep73: Jenny Downs: 1000 Days Alcohol Free
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to one of our fabulous OTI Community members, Jenny Downs, on the day that she hit 1000 days alcohol free! Jenny has been on ...
S3 Ep72: Andy Ramage: Coaching The Coaches
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the AF legend, Andy Ramage! Andy is over 8 years alcohol-free himself and when he decided to rethink his drinking, the AF ...
S3 Ep71: Charlie & Joey (Young & Sober): AF Dating, Sex & Relationships
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once a month Over The Influence is being taken over by Joey Duckworth and Charlie Martina, two people in their 20s who've decided to ditch booze and l...
S3 Ep70: Linsey Hydrick: The Listener
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Linsey Hydrick in America, who found Over The Influence after Shaz appeared on Annie Grace's podcast... And she has listene...
S3 Ep69: The Premium Podcast Special
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today the majority of schools in the UK break up for the six week summer holidays... So we thought it would be a great time to release this, our Premi...
S3 Ep67: Daniel: The AA Ambassador
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Daniel from Lancashire, who's been an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for nearly 17 years. Daniel talks to us about ...
S3 Ep68: Ben Anderson: The Producer
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Shaz puts Ben in the hot seat as a guest, as he's celebrating being two years alcohol free! Ben started producing this podcast when h...
S3 Ep66: Shaun Weiss: The Mighty Duck
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we link up with Hollywood as actor Shaun Weiss joins us from Los Angeles! Shaun rose to fame in the 90s as a child actor when he had ...
S3 Ep65: Charlie & Joey (Young & Sober): AF Holidays
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the last Monday of every month, Over The Influence is being taken over by Joey Duckworth and Charlie Martina, two people in their 20s who've decide...
S3 Ep64: OTI Adventures: The Yorkshire Three Peaks Special
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to FOUR of our OTI Community members who took part in our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge: Danny, Kerry, Neil and Sara! This ...
S3 Ep63: Ian Thurlbeck: Two Years AF
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we catch up with Ian Thurlbeck, an OTI Community member who's now over two years alcohol free! The last time Ian was on the podcast h...
S3 Ep62: Andy Garwood: Breaking The Habit
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Andy Garwood, who's over 4 years alcohol free and someone who Shazza has known since the very start of her own AF journey! ...
S3 Ep61: Charlie & Joey (Young & Sober): Triggers and Tools
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the last Monday of every month, Over The Influence is being taken over by Joey Duckworth and Charlie Martina, two people in their 20s who've decide...
S3 Ep60: Jane Mackenzie: The Mother
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Jane Mackenzie, a mother who lost her daughter Amy to alcohol. Amy struggled with alcohol dependence for her whole adult ...
S3 Ep59: Fraser Franks: The Footballer
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Fraser Franks, a former professional footballer who started to struggle with alcohol after a medical diagnosis put a stop t...
S3 Ep58: Rosie: Alcohol, Drugs & Eating Disorders
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Rosie, a wonderful young woman from the UK who now lives in New Zealand happily drug and alcohol free! We're Sharon and Be...
S3 Ep57: Niamh O'Sheehan: Walking Your Way Sober
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Niamh O'Sheehan who says she walked her way sober! We're Sharon and Ben, two normal people who decided to give up alcohol ...
S3 Ep55: Charlie & Joey (Young & Sober): Alcohol and Mental Health
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the last Monday of every month, Over The Influence is being taken over by Joey Duckworth and Charlie Martina, two people in their 20s who've decide...
S3 Ep56: Andy Delderfield: The Ice Runner
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Andy Delderfield, who's recently completed an ice ultra marathon in Sweden! We're Sharon and Ben, two normal people who de...
S3 Ep54: Miles Bingham: The Sober Trekker
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Miles Bingham, aka The Sober Trekker! We're Sharon and Ben, two normal people who decided to give up alcohol to see how ou...
S3 Ep53: Freddie Bennett: The Emotional Goodbye
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just over two years ago, we gathered around a kitchen table in Liverpool to talk about an idea for a new alcohol-free podcast. It would be called Over...
S3 Ep52: Charlie & Joey (Young & Sober): Sober Society
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the last Monday of every month for the rest of this year, Over The Influence is being taken over by Joey Duckworth and Charlie Martina, two people ...
S3 Ep51: Harrison Ward: The Fell Foodie
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Harrison Ward, aka The Fell Foodie! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who decided to give up alcohol to ...
S3 Ep50: Ann Gash: The Spartan
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Ann Gash, a woman from Anglesey who has found the confidence to change her life in incredible ways. We're Sharon, Freddie...
S3 Ep49: Russell Hicks: The Comedian
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to stand up comedian, Russell Hicks, who's been sober for 13 years! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who de...
S3 Ep48: Charlie & Joey (Young & Sober): The Drinking Environment for 20-Somethings
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first episode of our new takeover series, where Charlie Martina and Joey Duckworth tell us what it's like to be young and sober in modern ...
S3 Ep47: Annie Grace: This Naked Mind
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the fabulous Annie Grace, author of This Naked Mind! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who decided to giv...
S3 Ep46: Susan McGarry: The Believer
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Susan McGarry, one of our fabulous OTI Community members! Susan has completely transformed her life in the last couple of y...
S3 Ep45: Charlie Martina & Joey Duckworth: Young & Sober
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the OTI Young & Sober Takeover! This episode is the start of something new for us... You will have heard from Charlie Martina before ...
S3 Ep44: Sarah Hepola: Blackout
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Sarah Hepola, the author of a book that helped all three of us in the early days of our sobriety, Blackout: Remembering The...
S3 Ep43: Sammy Hall: Sober Circle
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Sammy Hall, the wonderful founder of Sober Circle! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who decided to give ...
S3 Ep42: Chris Anthony: The Sober Exec
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Chris Anthony, otherwise known as The Sober Exec! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who decided to give u...
S3 Ep41: The First Episode of 2022
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is our first episode of 2022, and we're absolutely delighted to be back! We cannot wait to get chatting to our fabulous list of guests for this ...
S3 Ep40: The OTI Dry January Special 2022
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is our Dry January Special 2022, and we were delighted to be joined by Dr Richard Piper, the CEO of Alcohol Change UK, and OTI Community Member D...
S3 Ep39: The OTI Christmas Special 2021
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a special one... We've been so lucky to talk to some incredible people this year on Over The Influence, and because it's Christmas we ...
S3 Ep38: Charlie Martina: Sober Society
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Charlie Martina, the sober student who's only the second person to have a second Over The Influence episode! We're Sharon,...
S3 Ep37: Shaena Jasmat: An Indian Female Shouting Loudly About Sobriety
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Shaena Jasmat (Shaena Kasey Jay on socials), an empowerment coach and Bee Sober ambassador who said in her email to us that...
S3 Ep36: A Moment of Reflection
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we go back to where it all started... Sharon and Freddie have a moment to reflect on how far they've come as individuals when it comes...
S3 Ep35: Adam Smith: The Bar Manager Turned Life Coach
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Adam Smith from Yorkshire, a former bar manager who hit rock bottom and decided to change his life, and is now a successful...
S3 Ep34: Matt Pink: Better Life Guy
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Matt Pink, otherwise known as Better Life Guy! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who decided to give up a...
S3 Ep33: Jenny Downs: The Community Member
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to one of our fabulous OTI Community members, Jenny Downs! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who decided to ...
S3 Ep32: Person Irresponsible: Alcoholics Anonymous
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the wonderful (and anonymous) Person Irresponsible! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who decided to give...
S3 Ep31: Stuart Cook: Sober and F-ing Enlightened!
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the fabulous Stuart Cook who runs the Instagram page, Sober and Fucking Enlightened! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three ...
S3 Ep30: Melody Woods: Merlot Free
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to the lovely Melody Woods, known within the sober community as Merlot Free Melody! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three norm...
S3 Ep29: Irene Wignall: The Detective
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Irene Wignall, who's a detective by day and an author by night! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three normal people who de...
S3 Ep28: Dean McCullough: The Radio 1 DJ
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to Dean McCullough, the sober superstar who's just landed his dream job on BBC Radio 1! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three ...
S3 Ep27: Sober Dave: Solo Drinker to Sober Superstar!
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat to David Wilson, who's known to thousands of people on social media as Sober Dave! We're Sharon, Freddie and Ben, three norm...