The Not Drinking Alcohol Today Podcast
Meg and Bella discuss the ups and downs of navigating an alcohol free life in Australia's alcohol centric culture. This highly rated podcast, featuring in Australia's top 100 self improvement podcasts, is a must for those that are trying to drink less alcohol but need some motivation, are curious about sober life or who are sober but are looking for some extra reinforcement. The Not Drinking Alcohol Today pod provides an invaluable resource to keep you motivated and on track today and beyond. Meg and Bella's guests include neuroscientists, quit-lit authors, journalists, health experts, alcohol coaches and everyday people who have struggled with alcohol but have triumphed over it. Our aim is to support and inspire you to reach your goals to drink less or none at all! Meg and Bella are This Naked Mind Certified Coaches (plus nutritionists and counsellors respectively) who live in Sydney and love their alcohol free life.
The Not Drinking Alcohol Today Podcast
100th Episode Milestone Celebration with Meg and Bella
Celebrating our 102nd episode, we (that's Meg and Bella!) reflect on our favourite podcast episodes and the conversations that we have had the honour of recording of the last two years. Join us as we share stories from our favourite episodes featuring inspiring guests like William Porter, Professor Selena Bartlett, Annie Grace, Emma Bardwell, Sophie Scott and Jolene Park, who have enriched our understanding of how alcohol impacts our health, including menopause, anxiety, depression, joy and relationships.
The transformative power of living without alcohol (or less of it!) has been the centrepiece of our podcast but the underlying issues are what make our interviews thought provoking and inspiring. Navigating life without alcohol as our safety blanket has brought newfound self-trust and stability in our relationships, and we are eager to support others on their journeys by sharing our stories and those of our guests. Our message: you are not alone and you can do this too! Tune in for a conversation that celebrates personal growth, the power of community, and the profound shift that comes with embracing an alcohol-free or alcohol-minimal lifestyle.
MEG
Megan Webb: https://glassfulfilled.com.au
Instagram: @glassfulfilled
Unwined Bookclub: https://www.alcoholfreedom.com.au/unwinedbookclub
Facebook UpsideAF: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168716054214678
Small group coaching: https://www.elizaparkinson.com/groupcoaching
BELLA
Web: https://isabellaferguson.com.au
Insta: @alcoholandstresswithisabella
Bi-Yearly 6-Week Small Group Challenges: Learn more: https://www.isabellaferguson.com.au/feb-2025-challenge
Free Do I Have A Drinking Problem 3 x Video Series: https://resources.isabellaferguson.com.au/offers/JTFFgjJL/checkout
Free HOW DO I STOP DRINKING SO MUCH Masterclass: https://resources.isabellaferguson.com.au/offers/7fvkb3FF/checkout
Online Alcohol Self-...
Oh my goodness, bella, hello. It's been a while since we've been together, but today is a special one. How are you?
Speaker 2:I'm good, I'm really good, meg. I can't believe that we've been able to line up our schedules and get back behind the mic together, because these are my favourite episodes. Oh, me too.
Speaker 1:Me too. I love them, and it has been too long. It's been too long, but we've both been busy, and the exciting thing is that we're back today because it is our 102nd episode.
Speaker 2:Yes, well, yeah, 102. That's amazing.
Speaker 1:We aimed for 100 to get together, and then we've managed 102, which I think is pretty amazing.
Speaker 2:100 to get together, and then we've managed 102, which I think is pretty amazing. Yeah, me too. Did you ever anticipate that we would get to 100 episodes when we started?
Speaker 1:No, I don't even think. To be totally honest, I don't even think I thought past the first episode. Yes, yes, remember that we were just both like, oh, what are we going to say? We won't say this, we won't say that.
Speaker 2:And then we did this one, and we just went all in and then it just snowballed, didn't it? And here we are, I know, and I, I love the fact that, um, we still have such enthusiasm and energy and love for this podcast and, uh, I personally can't foresee it ending anytime soon. How about you, oh me neither I love it.
Speaker 1:It's just part of my life now, so no, I do not want to stop that.
Speaker 2:There's no way I could have done a solo podcast. There is just no way I could have continued on without you as my pod partner, Meg.
Speaker 1:Oh same, meg, oh same same. It's made it very doable and enjoyable.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, and we have done this through God. We've had state changes, kid issues, partner issues, health issues yeah, issues, health issues but we've been consistent Every Sunday there's been a new pot out.
Speaker 1:And we've had some really good guests, great topics, meg, who has been some of your favourite guests? Oh my gosh, that's. You know that's a very hard question because I can't even I was having a think about it before and it's like there's been so many people and every single one has brought something amazing to the podcast. But I did absolutely love talking with William Porter wow, that was.
Speaker 2:That was an amazing episode, meg. Congrats, congrats. I loved it. Thank you. I feel I wished it had gone longer.
Speaker 1:you know when you wind it up because he's a busy man, but he will come back. He was just so gracious and a really down to earth, lovely guy. I really enjoyed that. I enjoyed learning from him and I've also really particularly enjoyed the menopause episodes I did and the anxiety.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah, you had some great guests covering menopause and I learnt quite a bit from those episodes. They were great, particularly because you know of the age that I am, but that was really loved by our listeners. Who was the guest there for those ones? So Rebecca Lewis and Emma Bardwell, that's right, and Trish Tucker-May as well, trish.
Speaker 1:Tucker-May came on. She came on for the gut nutrition but um area. So so much to learn and in fact, like the menopause thing, I've had so many people because I guess a lot of our listeners are our age-ish and it's a thing so it's been really good to have the conversation around that. Yeah, so got a lot out of that and I think a lot of people did too. And so, bella, who have your favourite guests been?
Speaker 2:Oh look, I always go back to Jolene Park. I adore her. I think that's no secret that I'm a massive fan of her work, particularly around the nervous system. So bottom-up approach to going alcohol-free. I've loved the Clean Slate Clinic and all of the great information they've provided us as an amazing resource in Australia, veronica Valley. Just recently I've done a little series of April Long from Smart Recovery, katerina Georgie from FAIR and Dr Nicole Lee from Hello Sunday Morning HSM.
Speaker 1:Yes they were amazing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I really loved those series. They were terrific. And then, of course, there were Jen Lee Hurst. Oh yeah, and the two that you did that I loved Meg Sophie Scott and Loda Dan.
Speaker 1:Oh yes, they were great. Yeah, well, I bumped into Sophie Scott recently. Oh really, yeah, we were at a book launch. I'll give it a plug. Yeah, luke McLeod Everyday Enlightenment. He was the bachelor, but he came to do a book launch in Sydney and I went along to it and Sophie Scott was there.
Speaker 2:So that was nice to meet one of my guests. That's amazing, Can I ask you? Was that Jacinta Tynan's book club? Was it under the umbrella of that? Oh, is that the spiritual?
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, oh, my God, I just signed up as a member the other day to that book club.
Speaker 1:No, so I'm not even I think it was. It was held at Seadrift Distillery, who we've had on the podcast, which is a alcohol-free gin brewery on the northern beaches, and so it came up that he was going to be there and and I thought, well, I'm interested. So and I had a nice chat with him and he said, cause he's still drinks. But he said to me at the beginning, I met him, told him who I was, asked if he'd like to come on the pod. So you know, come on, luke, where we. We have had a bit of a conversation about it. But he said to me after he goes, I've been thinking I don't, I don't know why I have that one beer.
Speaker 2:I don't think I need it.
Speaker 1:So it was really interesting, because he doesn't drink much at all, so he just has a a one beer, but he goes.
Speaker 2:You got me thinking I said, oh, look at that, look at that I love. I love that. There we go, we digress. That's interesting. Let's talk a bit more about that. I need to read more books.
Speaker 1:Yeah, everyday Enlightenment, so that's a good one. But I also had a friend this is just another interesting thing she loves the podcast. She said she's not going to stop drinking though, but she loves the podcast. But then she did actually have a break and it was not on her radar at all. So I love that kind of thing.
Speaker 2:Sinks in, just in the background to the way that you think. I think it does provide that extra bit of courage and motivation, don't you think? Just to stop and think about it a bit more, a bit more mindful?
Speaker 1:yes, I was going to say thought provoking, you know, yeah yeah, yeah, that kind of feedback's awesome.
Speaker 2:hey, meg, I love to hear that because, uh, we love this podcast as well, because it isn't just about alcohol, you know. It is a conversation about life, about who you are, personal growth, learning to love yourself, and because of that, I think that's what makes the conversations and the interviews thought-provoking and interesting.
Speaker 1:Yeah definitely, I agree.
Speaker 2:We've covered subjects. We've done the menopause, teens and alcohol binge drinking, anxiety and depression. Your neurotransmitters limiting beliefs.
Speaker 1:Oh, totally sleep and alcohol, and your ones. What were the ones I loved of yours? The Surf, the Urge.
Speaker 2:Oh yes.
Speaker 1:Really really been popular episodes, so thank you for those.
Speaker 2:You know what? Yes, sober sex. Yes.
Speaker 1:The topic. Well, doesn't really add it to me at the moment, but um the topic, that, yes is there, but it takes the most prudish uptight woman in the world good on you.
Speaker 2:I haven't asked my husband if he's listened to that because sometimes he does do a bit of a secret listen. If he's doing a long car journey or he's on the plane or something He'll jump on to Not Drinking Today podcast, because I think I came out of the recording when I was in Adelaide and came out of the study looking a bit flustered. I think I recorded at like 6 in the morning so my voice was probably booming around the household oh yes, Just what your kids and husband want to hear.
Speaker 1:Yeah, around the household oh yes, Just what your kids and husband want to hear.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Anyhoo, moving on, you know, meg, do you think 2025? We should do episodes that are less interview style? But let's keep those cracking along. But you and I talking about coachable practical tips around alcohol I've had that on my radar. How about you?
Speaker 1:Yes, definitely, and I've had some people ask about that, so I think that would be brilliant.
Speaker 2:Let's do it. Let's get the old diaries out and do that. Yes, so the thing that I love the most and that when I was thinking about you know 100 episodes and the things that I talk to people about the most that they're surprised of, is that we are it's just the two of us. We're homegrown. There's no external help. We don't have marketers, web designers anybody in the background? It's just you and I.
Speaker 2:We do all our own editing yes, we do and all of our little marketing. So I think because of that and because we are in the top 100 podcasts for self-improvement, it does speak to the value of the content in Australia, around the world, that people do like to hear two women talking about their struggles, their triumphs and gaining that extra motivation. So, love it. Yeah, love it.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love the reflection and it makes me feel proud and also so grateful to everyone that's come and shared, because obviously it's all their expertise and stories and things like that. So we're very lucky to have had such amazing guests.
Speaker 2:We are Now, meg. Pursuing this alcohol-free life is something that we did, oh, for a year, I think, pretty much before we started the podcast. Yeah, here we are, a few years on. How do you feel? What are the benefits of you? What are you noticing the differences in your everyday life now that alcohol has been minimised? Is it different?
Speaker 1:Yeah, Well, it's different and then some of it's the same. Yeah, well, it's different and then some of it's the same, but it's first of all, I don't think of alcohol so well, except for talking about it all day, every day. But it's a coach and the podcast. But what I love because you and I are both alcohol recovery coaches is that through doing that work, it just doesn't occur to me. So I will have stress, as we all do, and quite stressful times recently and it wouldn't I never think of I need a drink. So that's been massive.
Speaker 1:I love that. It is small and irrelevant in my life. Yes, and because of that, I'm reconnecting with my authentic self. So a big thing for me has been finding my authentic self. Who am I? You know, underneath all this crap that we start to put in our backpack, our heavy backpack of beliefs and things like that. So it's it's been really nice to reconnect with that part of me and then to be able to follow my passion and purpose, which is this and the coaching and I'm I'm now studying trauma coaching and narcissistic coaching, so narcissistic abuse recovery another thing I've had lived experience with, and so it's just opened up so many things and I could not have foreseen any of this when I was drinking yeah so it's just given me a whole new direction in life.
Speaker 1:It's meant that I can be the safe place for my kids. I actually did have to do an 11 pm pickup recently on a Saturday night for one of my kids and no other parent could do that. My kids know I can and just that trust. I guess that knowing they can rely on me, it's consistent. Now they don't have that fear anymore of mum getting drunk. You know that's a massive thing. So they're just some of the amazing benefits I've had. What about you, bella?
Speaker 2:They're no small benefits. They're life-changing advancements in your life. Meg, I think that when you are in those early stages of giving up your alcohol or drinking less, you still have that well, I did anyway fear nervous system activation when you're out socialising and you really think a lot about how I'm going to cope, how am I going to get through this event. All of that has now gone. So it is true that the more evidence that you feed your nervous system and your brain and your body out there in the world without your safety blanket of alcohol, the easier it gets, the better it gets. So whereas right at the start so whereas right at the start you know I was thinking about alcohol all the time, now it does not feature and that is incredibly freeing. So with that comes the self-respect, self-trust, and you know after time as well, everything settles, the new new of your life, that alcohol settles. So friendships have sort of settled where they need to be and you start to get to know yourself a whole lot more. I know what I need.
Speaker 2:I'm a pretty basic human being. There's nothing flashy, it's just standard exercise, good food connection, adventure and creativity. If I get the balance right in all of that, I'm a pretty happy chick, so it does get easier. It really really does. And you know, I was talking about this the other day when I was recording with somebody and we're just talking about how to navigate the festive season alcohol free. Yeah, you know, if you're anything like me and I think you Meg from your story you start drinking right at that age where you are developing independence and your social skills, at that age where you are developing independence and your social skills and that's how you have found courage and confidence out in the world. It's always with a drink in your hand. Yeah, so you can't expect overnight that you're suddenly going to be able to do it very easily without it.
Speaker 2:So, yes, it does. You do actually get there when you present yourself with more evidence that you can do it. Uh, and then, and then suddenly you know you're into the next phase.
Speaker 1:Um, so yeah, I love it, love it, I love it. That's amazing and it is. It's just so life, life-changing and and just on that you know I did. I did definitely, um, think of it a lot in the beginning too. So, and it's not to say I think, very occasionally I'll see something or something will come up and I'll think, oh, that'd be nice. It's not to say it's not ever going to come up again. Yeah, but now I can very quickly go, but it would not be nice after an hour or so and and that's it. I don't need to think of it anymore.
Speaker 1:Uh, and I think you know I love, um, the somatic part, the learning to regulate your nervous system, and we because alcohol was just the opposite of that we used it for that, but it was the opposite, and one of my things was anxiety and to see how much that's improved and being able to. You know, going back to my story was that social phobia where I couldn't speak or eat or drink in front of people, to see how far I've come and could only really come this far without alcohol come and could only really come this far without alcohol, even though I drank to stop that?
Speaker 2:yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1:So we're two from here for not drinking today, meg, as we end the year and we launch into 2025 next year well, we've been having some little chats, haven't we, about some things we'd like to do, and so it's still in the brainstorming stage, but we were thinking possibly something in, maybe February, march, a group coaching session.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love the sound of that, Meg. I love the sound of February, March. Not drinking today, lead. You know everyone's calling them challenges these days. I guess it is a challenge because everyone loves it, but it's a bit of a process. So a group motivational and inspired mission to drink less the more the merrier Do it as a group. Motivational and inspired mission to drink less, the more the merrier Do it as a group, with us coaching on the sidelines. So stay tuned, everybody, because I think that would be really exciting, particularly because we can do it together.
Speaker 1:Oh, it'll be so cool, like it does excite us and I know it'll excite other people. So, you know, feel free for anyone listening to email us and let us know what you think, if you'd be interested. Yeah.
Speaker 2:So let's put that in the pipeline. I love the idea of that.
Speaker 1:Absolutely yes, yeah. And then, coming up to Christmas, we thought we might put a few of our old favorites on, just because it does get very busy around that time. If anyone wants to again contact us with your favorite episodes, and we'll be doing a couple together as well I really love the sound of that meg, so also give us some questions.
Speaker 2:so, um, I asked a little private Facebook group that I've got what questions do you want to hear from us? One of them that came back, which I'm going to try and do very shortly, is from a doctor what are the health impacts of heavy drinking over decades and how quickly does it take for our systems to adjust? What can we do to really support our bodies and brains to recover quickly and as healthily as possible? And I know that we've kind of covered that in bits and pieces throughout the year, but let's try and get that in one podcast out to everybody. But, yes, what I'd love to use are our personal skills in counselling and coaching and have you and I answer some short, sharp questions around being confident out there in Aussie culture drinking less.
Speaker 1:Absolutely yes. Yes, that sounds incredible and that's what we'll be doing, love it Well Meg congratulations.
Speaker 2:102 episodes.
Speaker 1:Congratulations to you. We've done it. We've wow, we've kicked some goals, yeah, exciting, and thank you to everyone that listens. It's, it's really well, it makes me feel so proud and it's, it's moving and everything, just to know, yeah, I've got all these people out there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thank you absolutely to each and every one of you listening, thank you to those that email us and, yeah, all we can ask is that you stay tuned, keep listening.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and thank you to you, bella, for being the best podcast co-host. You're welcome, meg. Here's to many more episodes together where we fumble and laugh, yeah, and have to edit.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we might even. Yeah, we might even get someone to help us market and produce, once we get our act together. All right, megs, enjoy the day, you too.
Speaker 1:Bells, see you soon. Bye everyone.
