Sober Awkward
by soberawkward
Latest episode
The Awkward Bits
The Awkward Bits
About this podcast
Winner, Best Wellbeing Podcast at The Australian Podcast Awards 2024
Have you ever woken up after a big night and announced, “I’m never drinking again,” only to find yourself six hours later waving $50 at a barman? Or perhaps you were more of a stay at home drinker, quietly opening the wine once the day was done and wondering when one glass started turning into, well, considerably more than one glass. Vic and Ulrika came from very different drinking worlds, but somehow ended up in exactly the same place.
Join author, podcaster and former binge drinking party animal Victoria Vanstone and broadcaster, writer and former stay at home drinker Ulrika Jonsson as they attempt to work out how the hell you do life without booze. Spoiler alert, neither of them has all the answers.
Each week on Sober Awkward, Vic and Ulrika rummage through the bits of sobriety people don’t talk about enough, anxiety, cravings, motherhood, ageing, relationships, sober sex, socialising, identity wobbles and that alarming moment when you realise you actually have to feel your feelings now. There are booze facts, ridiculous confessions, regular trips to the shame shed and absolutely no pretending that sobriety turns you into someone who enjoys green juice and sunrise yoga.
So whether you’ve hit a wall, you’re sick of hangovers and 3am anxiety, you’re quietly wondering if you drink too much, or you’re already sober and clutching a cup of tea wondering what the fuck happened to your personality, you’re in the right place.
Pop the kettle on. It’s time to feel the awkward and do it anyway.
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Episodes
The newest 50 of 455 episodes
- The Awkward Bits · 17 minHow do you face losing someone you love without reaching for something to numb the pain? Sing Vera Lynn down the phone? Err no.... Following the incredible response to our…
- Grief, Sobriety (and Parquet Flooring) with Victoria Emes · 60 min · Season 15 Episode 9This week, Vic is joined by comedian, No Holes Barred podcaster and FitBtch co-founder Victoria Emes. Known for her hilariously honest take on motherhood and midlife, Victoria…
- The Awkward Bits · 17 minHas Vic gone a bit woo woo? In this week’s Awkward Bit, Vic digs a little deeper into Monday’s conversation and asks why sobriety seems to have opened the door to a whole world…
- Is It Time to Get a Bit Woo Woo? · 49 min · Season 15 Episode 8Do you have to get a bit spiritual when you get sober? And what the hell does being “spiritual” actually mean? This week, Vic and Ulrika chat about whether sobriety naturally…
- The Awkward Bits · 18 minThis Thursday on The Awkward Bits, Vic has a slightly awkward realisation. She spent years desperately trying to become a moderate drinker, despite the small problem that she…
- Surely I Can Just Have One? · 40 min · Season 15 Episode 7If you’ve ever promised yourself you’d only have a couple of drinks, then found yourself ordering shots and explaining your life story to a stranger in a kebab queue, this…
- The Awkward Bits · 15 minWhat if the anxiety you think alcohol is helping is actually being made worse by the booze? Following Monday’s conversation with Millie Gooch about hangxiety, Vic digs into one…
- Hangxiety - with Millie Gooch · 50 min · Season 14 Episode 6Have you ever woken up after a night of drinking with your heart racing, convinced you’ve embarrassed yourself, upset someone, or somehow ruined your entire life? That awful…
- The Awkward Bits · 22 minYou’ve been absolutely fine all day. You haven’t thought about alcohol, you’re feeling quite pleased with yourself and then suddenly it’s 5pm and your brain goes = WINE. This…
- The Stay at Home Drinker - Ulrika Tells her Story · 51 min · Season 15 Episode 5This week on Sober Awkward, Vic and Ulrika tackle a drinking style that often flies completely under the radar, the stay-at-home drinker. Vic was the loud one. The social one…
- The Awkward Bits · 20 minThis Thursday on The Awkward Bits, Vic is back on her own and wondering whether one of the reasons sobriety feels so bloody terrifying is because we make it MASSIVE before we’ve…
- Are You Scared of Going Sober? · 55 min · Season 15 Episode 4Scared of Going Sober? What are you actually frightened of? Being boring? Losing your identity? Not fitting in anymore? Not knowing how to relax, cope or survive life without…
- The Awkward Bits · 24 minThis week’s Awkward Bit gets a little bit… well, awkward. After Vic’s conversation with Cat Sims on Monday, she couldn’t stop thinking about one word: alcoholic. It’s a word…
- Why I’m Proud to Call Myself an Alcoholic - with Cat Sims · 59 min · Season 15 Episode 3Not so smug now! - This week, Vic sits down with writer, podcaster and self-confessed “textbook drunk” Cat Sims for a conversation about motherhood, drugs, booze and what happens…
- The Awkward Bits · 18 minWelcome to The Awkward Bits, where every Thursday Vic flies solo, digging a little deeper into Monday’s topic, picking apart the bits we didn’t quite get to and exploring all the…
- Beer Goggles and Sober Sex! · 47 min · Season 15 Episode 2Before these two ex-drinkers introduce their sobriety stories... we thought we'd start this journey in the most awkward way possible! Yes, it's the sex episode! Did alcohol…
- The Awkward Bits · 21 minWelcome to The Awkward Bits, where every Thursday Vic flies solo, digging a little deeper into Monday’s topic, picking apart the bits we didn’t quite get to and exploring all the…
- Shit! Am I Drinking Too Much? · 48 min · Season 15 Episode 1Yes, it’s true. Vic has a new co host and it’s only bloody Ulrika Jonsson. No, Vic can’t quite believe it either. She’s trying to act normal about the whole thing. This first…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 12 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - Offline: Alcohol & Me - By Becky N A huge congratulations to Becky who was one of our comp winners!!! Every…
- Did Alcohol Give Me Cancer? with Kelly Gunn · 46 min · Season 14 Episode 11Kelly Gunn found a lump in her breast in 2016. She got it checked, kept up with screenings and was repeatedly reassured that what doctors were seeing was benign. Then, in 2024…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 7 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - No More Doors - By Kristen M Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few…
- Finding Levity in Sobriety - With Audrey · 56 min · Season 14 Episode 10This week, I’m joined by Audrey, host of the Dry Humor podcast, for a very sensible and grown-up conversation about motherhood, college drinking and whether spending your life…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 8 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - My Sober Story - By Emma G Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few months…
- Help - I Drink Because I’m Shy.. · 33 min · Season 14 Episode 9Vic is flying solo today, with no guest and a letter she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. You’ll hear from Allison, a woman who started drinking to hide her shyness. She…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 7 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - 500 Sunrises By Courtney K Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few months…
- Does Your Sobriety Have Seasons? with Kate Baily & Amy Doyle · 42 min · Season 14 Episode 8Does your sobriety change with the seasons? Do sunny days suddenly make you think about beer gardens and cold wine, while dark winter evenings have you craving a bottle of red…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 10 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - What is Moderation By April J Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few…
- Introducing MAMA: Motherhood, Alcohol, Mental Health and Anxiety · 13 minListen to the Mama podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0341yjbBRIxVgWibnSR92D?si=e4a1b9094a3a40aa Apple…
- Dave Hughes on Quitting Young and Living in the Now · 36 min · Season 14 Episode 7Hughesy! This was meant to be a chat about booze… but somehow Vic ended up being spiritually mentored by this legendary Aussie larrikin! Dave Hughes gave up alcohol at just 21…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 10 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - Three Years Clear By Amy G Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few months…
- Your Brain, Your Body, Your Hormones, Your Risk - with Professor David Nutt · 43 min · Season 14 Episode 6How bad is alcohol, really? Is a weekend binge cancelled out by a few sober days and what exactly is happening in our brains during hangxiety? Vic is joined by world renowned…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 7 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - A Drinking Career - By Kimberley Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few…
- Beyond the Applause with Gorillaz Bassist Seye Adelekan · 54 min · Season 14 Episode 6In this episode, Gorillaz bassist Seye Adelekan joins Vic for a wonderfully honest conversation about belonging, family, fame and finding his place in the music world. Seye…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 10 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - I didn’t realise it was a funeral - By Sarah A huge congratulations to Sarah who was one of this years winners!!…
- UnPickled - Prepare to be Alcohol-Free - with Jean McCarthy (Part 2) · 40 min · Season 14 Episode 4Yes, the World Cup is on, everyone is drinking to celebrate and commiserate, so welcome to your safe little corner of the internet, where Vic promises to mention the legend Jude…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 10 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - I scream... and she lets go - By Lisa Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next…
- UnPickled - Prepare to be Alcohol-Free - with Jean McCarthy · 47 min · Season 14 Episode 3Want to give up drinking but have no idea where to start? You're in the right place! Everyone tells you sobriety starts on day one. It doesn't. It actually starts before that…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 8 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - Bodies Change - By Erin Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few months, Vic…
- When Booze Becomes Part of Belonging – with Karl Considine · 46 min · Season 14 Episode 2For many LGBTQ+ people, the pub wasn’t just somewhere to grab a drink—it was one of the few places where they could safely be themselves. For decades, bars and clubs became…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 10 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials -Finally Meeting Myself - By Allyson Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next few…
- The Sober Boozers Club with Ben Gibbs · 51 min · Season 14 Episode 1This week on Sober Awkward, Vic chats to Ben Gibbs from The Sober Boozers Club about the rapidly changing world of alcohol-free beer and whether pub culture can survive a…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 10 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - Alcohol, Motherhood and Me - By Emily Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next…
- Still Sober, Still Awkward · 56 min · Season 13 Episode 20As a special treat to celebrate the final episode of Series 13, I’m delighted to welcome Hamish back to the podcast for a proper catch-up. Yes, he’s still sober. Yes, he’s still…
- The Share Shed: Writing Competition Entries · 8 minThe Share Shed – Sober Awkward Writing Competition Specials - No More Numbing Out - By Aliz, Texas Every Thursday, we’re handing the story telling over to you. Over the next…
- Nangs: The Addiction Nobody Talks About with Sam Bramman · 37 min · Season 13 Episode 19This week on Sober Awkward, Vic steps away from alcohol to explore another addiction that is quietly growing across Australia: Nangs. Nitrous oxide, often sold legally and…
- The Share Shed: Awkward Questions & Confessions · 9 minThis week in the Share Shed, one listener wakes up to discover he’d apparently spent 40 minutes running barefoot on a treadmill at 3am… after swimming in a stranger’s pool and…
- Have You Swapped Booze for Scrolling? with TJ Power · 56 min · Season 13 Episode 18This week on Sober Awkward, Vic sits down with TJ Power, a well-known neuroscientist, author of the Sunday Times bestseller The DOSE Effect, and the founder of the DOSE Lab. He…
- The Share Shed: Awkward Questions & Confessions · 11 minToday on the Share Shed we have one confession and one question. First up, a listener wakes up in Las Vegas with more than just a hangover… let’s just say Elvis may have been…
- The Hidden Struggle of the High Functioning Drinker - with James Swanwick · 57 min · Season 13 Episode 17This week on Sober Awkward, Vic chats to James Swanwick about high-functioning drinking, success, pressure and the growing movement of people choosing to live alcohol free — not…
- The Share Shed: Awkward Questions & Confessions · 9 minThis week on the Share Shed we’re talking drunk online shopping… you know, those slightly terrifying mystery parcels that arrive two days after a blackout. From sequinned capes…
