The Sober Connection
Hosted by Abi King, an ex-daily drinker turned sobriety coach based in New Zealand, this podcast is for people who are curious about a sober life. Episodes will discuss a variety of sobriety related topics with the aim of helping people understand the dangers of a regular drinking habit. With a mixture of short "tips & tricks" episodes, and longer guest interviews, The Sober Connection podcast hopes to provide you with a glimpse into a life without alcohol, proving that being sober is anything but boring.
Episodes
46 episodes
Season 3 - Episode 6: My Chat with Andre Manella
This week on The Sober Connection, I’m joined by musician Andre Manella for a really honest conversation about sobriety, touring, creativity, and navigating the music industry without alcohol.Originally from Switzerland and now based in ...
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Season 3 - Episode 5: The In-Between Phase Nobody Warns You About
In this episode, I'm talking about the “in-between” phase of changing your relationship with alcohol - the part nobody really warns you about.That space where drinking no longer feels good… but not drinking still feels uncomfortable too....
Season 3 - Episode 4: My Chat with Jodi Clark
In this episode, I’m joined by Jodi Clark, founder of Sober Flourish, who shares her journey to becoming alcohol-free.On the surface, everything looked fine - Jodi was a busy mum, successful, holding it all together. But behind the scene...
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Season 3 - Episode 3: Why You Keep Going Back (Even Though You Don't Want To)
This episode is for you if you’ve ever thought… “Why do I keep going back to drinking when I know it’s not working anymore?”Because this isn’t about willpower or discipline. There’s a reason this keeps happening. Once you unders...
Season 3 - Episode 2: My Chat with Paddy Gower
In this episode, I'm joined by Paddy Gower for a really honest conversation about drinking, culture, and what actually drives change.We talk about how easy it is for drinking to feel “normal”, especially in New Zealand, and why that can ...
Season 3 - Episode 1: When You Know It's Not Working Anymore
There’s a moment that doesn’t get talked about enough - the one when everything still looks fine on the outside but deep down, you know something isn’t working anymore.In this episode, I’m talking about that quiet turning point. The awar...
Season 2 - Episode 20: My Chat with Ryan Nel
In today’s episode, I am joined by Ryan — also known as The Sober Kiwi — to talk about his journey with alcohol, what led him to make a change, and what life looks like on the other side.What I love about this conversation is ho...
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Season 2 - Episode 19: The Starting Over Trap
If you feel like you’re constantly starting over when it comes to drinking… you’re not alone.Taking a break. Cutting back. Telling yourself “this time will be different.”And for a while, it works… until it doesn’t.In this e...
Season 2 - Episode 18: My Chat with Ian Fee
In this episode, I sat down with Ian Fee, who lived the “work hard, play harder” lifestyle while building his business… until it caught up with him.What followed wasn’t just about getting sober - Ian rebuilt his life, his relationships, ...
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Season 2 - Episode 17: Letting Go of Guilt & Regret
Guilt and regret don’t always disappear when you stop drinking.In fact, for many people, sobriety brings clarity — and with it, memories, shame, and self-judgement that can feel hard to shake.In this episode, Abi explores why guil...
Season 2: Episode 16 - My Chat with Jimmy Thistle
In this episode of The Sober Connection, host Abi King speaks with recovery advocate Jimmy Thistle, who shares his journey of overcoming alcoholism. From his early experiences with drinking in Scotland to the consequences of his add...
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Season 2 - Episode 15: Alcohol & Sleep
If you’ve stopped drinking and your sleep feels worse instead of better, you’re not alone — and nothing has gone wrong.In this episode, Abi unpacks why early sobriety often comes with broken sleep, vivid dreams, and early-morning wake-up...
Season 2 - Episode 14: My Chat with Jeremy Maxwell
Listener note: This episode includes a short, non-graphic mention of suicide within a broader discussion. If this is a sensitive topic for you, please listen in a way that feels supportive.In this episode of The Sober Connection, ...
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Season 2 - Episode 13: Joy vs Just Coping
In this episode of The Sober Connection, Abi discusses the transformative journey from coping with sobriety to experiencing genuine joy. She emphasises the importance of recognising the emotional stages of sobriety, particularly dur...
Season 2 - Episode 12: My Chat with Danielle Naborisi
**** Please note - this episode contains open & honest conversations around sexual trauma and domestic abuse. There are resources at the bottom of these show notes for anyone that may need them.In this episode of The Sober Con...
Season 2 - Episode 11: Explaining Your Sobriety (Without Over-Explaining!)
Why is it so hard to answer the simple question, “Why aren’t you drinking?” In this episode, Abi breaks down one of the most uncomfortable parts of early sobriety — navigating other people’s reactions.She shares how her own ...
Season 2 - Episode 10: My Chat with David Millar
In this episode, Abi King sits down with David Millar — who went from relapsing through his teens to becoming a neurosurgery student and ultra-marathoner — to unpack what sobriety can make possible when you stop getting in your own way.D...
Season 2 - Episode 9: The Dopamine Connection
In this episode of The Sober Connection, Abi delves into the intricate relationship between dopamine and alcohol, explaining how the anticipation of drinking creates a powerful dopamine loop that can lead to dependence. She discusse...
Season 2 - Episode 8: My Chat with Dawn Comolly
In this engaging episode of The Sober Connection, host Abi King chats to Dawn Comolly, widely known as Sober Fish, to explore the transformative journey of living an alcohol-free life. Dawn shares her candid experiences of overcomin...
Season 2 - Episode 7: Who Am I Without Alcohol?
In this episode, Abi explores the identity shift that comes with sobriety — the grief, the uncertainty, and the powerful rediscovery that happens when we finally meet our true selves. She shares how letting go of alcohol isn’t the end of who yo...
Season 2 - Episode 6: My Chat with Meegan Care
In this episode of the Sober Connection podcast, host Abi King speaks with midlife mentor Meegan Care about the challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause, particularly regarding the impact of alcohol on their health. ...
Season 2 - Episode 5: Sober Curiosity
In this episode, Abi, a sobriety coach, explores the concept of sober curiosity, emphasising its significance as a starting point for many on their journey to alcohol-free living. She discusses the growing trend of sober curiosity a...
Season 2 - Episode 4: My Chat with Hepa Te Moana
In this episode of The Sober Connection, host Abi King engages in a candid conversation with Heps, who is navigating the complexities of wanting to quit drinking while still being drawn to it. They explore Heps' experiences with alc...
Season 2 - Episode 3: Sober Holidays
In this episode, Abi shares her transformative experience of a sober holiday in Bali with her teenage daughters. She contrasts the typical drunk holiday experience with the benefits of traveling without alcohol, highlighting how sobriety enhanc...
Season 2 - Episode 2: My Chat with Lencha Nastova
In this episode of The Sober Connection, host Abi King interviews Lencha Nastova, who shares her transformative journey from cocaine addiction to sobriety and wellness coaching. Lencha discusses her early experiences with addiction,...
