Best Drinking. Non Drinker Podcasts (2024)

1
Board Dublin: Non-alc drinks, loads of board games 26:42

17d ago26:42

26:42

Pop Culture is officially international! A little while ago, Helen visited Board Dublin, another fantastic alcohol-free bar with a massive selection of non-alc drinks. By day, you can enjoy food, coffee and interesting drinks upstairs in the bright and airy cafe, as well as delving in to the massive selection of board games on offer (bagsie the Jur…

1
Club Soda, or what an Aladdin's cave for non-drinkers might look like 29:49

1M ago29:49

29:49

Kat and Helen are off on another adventure this episode, visiting Club Soda in London. Club Soda is a fantastic resource for those wanting to drink less or not at all: founded almost a decade ago by Laura Willoughby as a sort of non-drinking equivalent to Weight Watchers, a community for non-drinkers, former drinkers or those trying to cut down or …

1
Welcome back - with fizz! 23:57

2M ago23:57

23:57

On this special bonus episode of Pop Culture, your hosts Kat Brown and Helen O'Hara reunite to catch you up on what's been happening since you last heard us, and explain the new plans for the show (we're going fortnightly, basically - or if you're American, every two weeks). We also took the opportunity to try a new tipple we'd been sent. Wednesday…

1
Seedlip & seasn's Ben Branson: 'I wanted to close the business every week.' 48:45

2M ago48:45

48:45

Is it overkill to say that Ben Branson basically invented the non-alc drinks space as we have it now? Through his invention, Seedlip, a billion-dollar non-alc industry now exists, bringing quality drinks into restaurants, bars, and homes around the world. Ben tells us the hard truths of launching a new product when you're one person (especially whe…

1
What happened to Lilt (and why?) 14:37

5M ago14:37

14:37

What the hell happened to Lilt? If you were blindsided over its reincarnation as a Fanta drink in 2023, then consumer journalist Rob Brown is here to tell you what happened and why. Plus, cocktails that taste like Yankee Candles (bad) and Blue WKD's reinvention as a 0% drink (erm, good, we guess?) and a lovely mailbag of listener stories and feedba…

1
Everything Coca-Cola with Chris Hewitt 1:04:28

5M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

After last week's Fat Duck episode where we learned that fine restaurant had created its own cola in part to tempt Coke-addicted diners into trying something familiar but different, we are thrilled to welcome Helen's colleague from the magnificent Empire Film Podcast, and podcasting's number one Coke fiend, Chris Hewitt, onto the show to talk about…

1
Getting curious at The Fat Duck with Melania Bellesini 55:31

5M ago55:31

55:31

The Fat Duck is one of the most creative restaurants in the world – we've paid to go, twice – and since 2018, Head Sommelier Melania Bellesini has made sure its soft drinks have measured up to its vast wine list. We were invited to get the gossip on their non-alc drinks and, unsurprisingly, jumped at the chance! From Melania's attempts at perfectin…

1
The lowdown on sugar 1:01:22

5M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Listener Richard Kirke emailed in to offer us some explanation of how decisions are made around sweeteners and sugar in soft drinks, and how companies balance them out – especially post-sugar tax. Why Richard? Well, as well as being a composer, Richard glories in the job of beverage technician – he is one of the people who designs drinks and recali…

1
Why we love a buzz with Professor David Nutt 39:23

5M ago39:23

39:23

Hello if you've come here from Grazia! If you're listening before Feb 1st, your two favourite pop enthusiasts have written about all things soft and you can read our piece in the current issue. Our guest today is Professor David Nutt, the renowned neuropsychopharmacologist and all-round science legend, who has dedicated much of his career to unders…

1
Sober clubbing with DJ Paulette 1:02:36

6M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

There's quite a lot of literal pop culture in this episode, with a lot of talk about film – Helen has a new Shakespeare buddy in Tom Hiddleston and a glorious story involving Coca-Cola from Mia McKenna-Bruce – and of equity and equality in the entertainment industry. Our guest is DJ Paulette: international DJ, legend of the Haçienda, author of Welc…

1
Why are non-alcoholic spirits expensive? Chris Bax of Bax Botanics explains all 33:52

6M ago33:52

33:52

We're all about spirits this week – not just because both of us went to see My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican (squee!) but because Helen chatted to Chris Bax of Wetherby craft sprit, Bax Botanics, (those delicious drinks we tried on our New Year episode) about the hows, whys, and whats of making a non-alcoholic spirit. And yes, this includes why …

1
Creativity in beer with Mash Gang's Michael Baggs 44:28

6M ago44:28

44:28

Yes, that is indeed a can of cereal milk pale ale – because when you run a craft nolo (no or low alcohol) brewery, you can do anything. We're talking about all things beer this week, and Mash Gang, co-founded during lockdown by our guest, Michael Baggs, has explored where beer can go more than almost any company we can think of. Helen met Michael t…

1
Dry January drink recommendations from Helen McGinn (@knackeredmother) & our listeners 55:33

6M ago55:33

55:33

Happy New Year and welcome to the show! Helen and Kat share their Christmas drinks and New Year's resolutions (spoiler: don't do them in January, it's miserable enough) before welcoming the genuinely divine Helen McGinn, wine expert, author, and star of Saturday Kitchen (and, as of Saturday night, Celebrity The Weakest Link!). Helen was a supermark…

1
Meet your hosts! Kat interviews Helen about being teetotal 19:15

7M ago19:15

19:15

What's it like growing up teetotal in Northern Ireland? Or studying (and working) in England with booze everywhere you go? In our second bonus episode before the series launches on New Year's Day, Helen tells Kat about her background with not drinking alcohol, having your drink spiked "for a laugh", secrets to getting through boozy celebrations wit…

1
Meet your hosts! Helen interviews Kat about being sober 20:32

7M ago20:32

20:32

Before we start the series proper – and you'll be shocked to hear that a Dry January episode *will* be landing on New Year's Day – we have a couple of bonus episodes to introduce your hosts and our aims for the series. Helen and Kat come at soft drinks from different angles. Helen is a lifelong teetotaller, and Kat is four years sober. Helen asks K…

1
Trailer 1:17

8M ago1:17

1:17

Welcome to Pop Culture, the podcast that brings soft drinks to the top of the menu. Your hosts are Helen O’Hara, film journalist, author, and life-long teetotaller, and Kat Brown, jack of all trades and four years sober. We're arts journalists who don’t drink and love to swap soft drink recommendations and pictures of just... bad drinks menus. In t…

1
Healing Our Mother Hunger with Kelly McDaniel 57:00

1+ y ago57:00

57:00

In this episode, you will hear me in conversation with Kelly McDaniel, a therapist and author, whose latest book, Mother Hunger, examines the impact on women specifically of having lacked the proper nurturance, protection, and guidance from their primary maternal figure in early life. The reason I wanted to speak to Kelly in the context of “women w…

1
Mindful drinking with Club Soda's Laura Willoughby 26:07

2y ago26:07

26:07

“In terms of behaviour change, and wanting to change a habit, substitution is one of the most powerful things that you can do.” In this live, special episode, Laura, who is celebrating ten years free from alcohol, shares her wisdom and advice on the world of alcohol-free drinking. She highlights how difficult it is to change behaviours and drinking…

1
A Culture of Excess with Mickey Down + Konrad Kay 1:00:16

2y ago1:00:16

1:00:16

Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, creators of HBO's Industry, on addictions to success, status and money, and the substance abuse that fuels their hit show. In the episode we discuss: -Why the themes of ambition, success, and money are at the heart of HBOs Industry – and how these themes manifest in various addictions among the characters -Choosing what …

1
Putting the joy back into eating with Julianne Ponan. 22:19

2y ago22:19

22:19

“That’s where the magic happens when you push yourself to do things you don’t feel comfortable doing .” As a sufferer from severe anaphylaxis, Julianne understood first-hand the danger and frustration of navigating a safe lifestyle free from potentially lethal allergens. With 1 in 12 children now being diagnosed with a food allergy, Creative Nature…

1
Full Spectrum Sobriety with Goddexx 1:04:19

2y ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Full-spectrum life coach Goddexx on transcending binaries, the roots of codependency, and embracing the fullness of who we are - in sobriety and beyond. In the episode we discuss: -Their experiences with food addiction in childhood – related to food insecurity in the home -Starting to abuse alcohol in tandem with coming into their bi-sexuality -Tog…

1
The New Cocktail O'Clock with Melanie Masarin 55:42

2y ago55:42

55:42

Ghia founder Melanie Masarin shares how she came to be a pioneer in the nonalcoholic beverage space, and why quitting drinking was the best she ever did for her productivity and her wellbeing. In the episode we discuss: -How her upbringing in France informed her drinking choices in later life -How the drinking culture in France differs from that in…

1
Health is wealth: Motivating and challenging yourself with Camillia Ainsworth. 30:24

2y ago30:24

30:24

“I do not think that when you’re running a business, and if you want to be a master of your minutes, that alcohol can be a part of that.” A self-confessed opportunist and queen of slogans, Camilla offers a glut of inspiring insights into how she challenges herself to stay motivated. Whether training to run a marathon or making it onto The Apprentic…

1
Booze, Buddhism and being Human with Jason Gots 1:10:02

2y ago1:10:02

1:10:02

Jason Gots, podcaster and author of Humanity is Trying: Experiments in Living with Grief, Finding Connection, and Resisting Easy Answers, on the nature of human suffering, living with grief, and the Buddhist approach to addiction and self-discipline. In the episode we discuss: -Jason’s drinking history and what led to him getting sober curious -How…

1
Addiction + Attachment Theory with Jessica Baum 1:06:17

2y ago1:06:17

1:06:17

Jessica Baum, psychotherapist and author of Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love, on the links between attachment theory and our addictions to substances, behaviors, and unhealthy relationships. In the episode we discuss: -An overview of attachment theory – and how our relationship with our early caregivers wires our attachment…

1
Being unapologetically yourself with Victoria Winterford 31:48

2y ago31:48

31:48

“It’s all about growing as a person and regaining that confidence without alcohol and being unapologetically you.” Whether she’s inspiring others to improve their fitness, mind, body and spirit through her online fitness coaching, or finding her own intrinsic motivator to be the change that she wants to be, Victoria Winterford has a wealth of exper…

1
Shopping Addiction & Us with Avis Cardella 1:05:09

2y ago1:05:09

1:05:09

Avis Cardella, the author of Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict, discusses our pervasive culture of compulsive spending and why we're more vulnerable to shopping addiction than ever. In the episode we discuss: -When everyday consumption morphs into compulsive spending or shopping addiction -Why compulsive shopping is not the same as over-spending …

1
Addicted to Perfection with Swan Huntley 1:01:04

2y ago1:01:04

1:01:04

Author Swan Huntley on drinking to escape the trap of perfection, and why self-love is a part of every sober and sober curious journey. In the episode we discuss: -Swan’s sober story – and how her drinking found her living a secret double life -The book that made her realize it was time for her to quit -Why everybody is sober curious before they ge…

1
Female health and being reborn with Elissa Corrigan 36:55

2y ago36:55

36:55

“It takes a few more courageous women to talk about it and then people will open up a bit more.” Starting a business from scratch is a daunting task at the best of times, but for writer, author and entrepreneur Elissa Corrigan, the pressure was increased ten-fold when she encountered legal issues, supply chain problems and gendered biases within th…

1
Dancing it Out with DJ Hanzi 1:05:58

2y ago1:05:58

1:05:58

DJ Hanzi, founder of sober dance party, Reprieve, DJ Hanzi, founder of sober dance party, Reprieve, talks about the healing power of music and dance, and how to navigate the nightlife as a non-drinker. In the episode we discuss: -How his experiences of going clubbing sober led to him setting up his sober dance party, Reprieve -How he kept the party…

1
Alcohol & ADHD with Jayne Matthews 1:08:15

2y ago1:08:15

1:08:15

Celebrated hair stylist Jayne Matthews on how getting a midlife diagnosis of ADHD helped her make sense of her substance abuse. In the episode, Ruby and Jayne discuss: -Why discovering cocaine was what finally led to Jayne quitting drinking -Why it was the hangovers – not the drinking – that became the reason she had to quit -The dangers of being a…

1
Fitness, focus and finding balance with Vicky Fleetwood 25:35

2y ago25:35

25:35

“Finding what’s right for you is the biggest thing, and then things just fall into place when you enjoy it.” Whether lifting trophies or lifting weights and spirits, England’s Rugby World Cup winner Vicky Fleetwood has been there, done that, and has the polo shirt to show for it. Whether lifting trophies in big international tournaments, or working…

1
Bringing the party without the alcohol with Amanda Thomson 19:06

2y ago19:06

19:06

“You’re not going to learn when you win as a sports team, you learn when you lose, and I think that’s the truth, however painful it is.” A successful entrepreneur and founder of Thomson & Scott and creator of Noughty, home to the best alcohol-free sparkling Chardonnay and Rosé wine around, Amanda Thomson has a story to tell, tips to share and a goa…

1
Perfectly imperfect nutrition with Jennifer Medhurst 32:52

2y ago32:52

32:52

“If you’re not a perfect person, if you do make mistakes, you don’t do everything right the whole time; actually, you can still be healthy.” As a self-described “imperfect nutritionist” and founder of her private central London clinic, Jennifer Medhurst, is changing the mentality around cooking, eating and living a healthy lifestyle. From developin…

1
Training happy and the joy of movement with Tally Rye 26:00

2y ago26:00

26:00

“The best way to move your body is the one you enjoy.” The intuitive movement fitness coach Tally Rye joins the Joyful Drinker podcast to spread the word about the joy of movement. From her experience as a personal trainer, to authoring both the Train Happy book and the Train Happy Journal, Tally is unequalled when it comes to marrying the words “h…

1
Staying sassy and halting hangxiety with Steph Elswood 25:35

2y ago25:35

25:35

“If you tell yourself ‘I need alcohol to have a good time and be confident,’ then you’re always going to be reliant on it.” Health and fitness advocate, professional dancer and author of Plant to Plate, Healthy Chef Steph Elswood joins the Joyful Drinker podcast to share her story of quitting booze for good, how she overcame the social stigma surro…

1
Lifting weights and spirits with Alex Marks 32:10

2+ y ago32:10

32:10

“People don’t tend to lack motivation, it’s more about accountability.” Personal trainer and star of The Bachelor, Alex Marks, is no stranger to a health conscious lifestyle. Alex is the owner and head coach of On Your Marks fitness, running online motivational and coaching courses and a fitness studio in Clapham, and his goal-oriented approach to …

1
The ultra marathon mindset with Flora Beverley 29:03

2+ y ago29:03

29:03

“So long as you learn from them, they’re not really mistakes.” Finding the balance between drinking both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks while still exceeding your personal health and fitness goals is what food and fitness blogger Flora Beverley is all about. Whether it’s listening to her body’s needs and striking the right balance between recov…

1
Sobriety and smashing stigma with Millie Gooch 23:53

2+ y ago23:53

23:53

“Escapism is fine up until a point where it turns into avoidance.” One of the leading voices in sobriety Millie Gooch joins The Joyful Drinker to share her personal journey of quitting alcohol for good. Founder of the Sober Girls Society and the author behind the Sober Girls Society Handbook published in 2021, Millie’s story is proof that life afte…

1
The Apprentice, manifesting goals, and alcohol-free benefits with Harpreet Kaur 22:12

2+ y ago22:12

22:12

“I’m a really big believer in manifestation and visualising your goals.” The first guest on The Joyful Drinker is entrepreneur and business owner Harpreet Kaur. You might recognise Harpreet from her appearance on The Apprentice, but she is also a born leader and, by her own confession, has a sweet-tooth, which stands her in good stead for running h…

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