Hello! If this post looks familiar, it’s because it is… I posted this without fully thinking through the context of this being a public site. I shared details and names that may not be ready for the wide world. So here is the post again along with the generous thoughts and shares from some of the community. If their posts look a little wonky that’s because I cut and pasted them here.
I welcome the opportunity to throw this on the Workbench to receive your thoughts.
The idea for this podcast is to have discussions with people who no longer drink or never have been drinkers of alcohol (open to talk about other drugs but alcohol is what I know). To have discussions with people who have studied or written about alcohol - perhaps due to their own connection to it.
I’m interested in talking to them about how the behaviours of their community (friends, colleagues, family, strangers like servers in restaurants) affects their ability to choose sobriety or to remain sober. What they think is missing from the current treatment, post treatment, social landscape. I have my opinions. Where’s the hope?
In Canada, alcohol is regulated but is everywhere. It’s pervasive. Going out for drinks is the common reward for winning, or the salve for losing. Bars and restaurants are festooned with bottles. Bars in some people’s homes are equally ‘in your face’. There is a 3.7 B$ national alcohol deficit (direct healthcare costs to alcohol revenue in taxes.) A shocking article (if of interest).
Sooooo…
I’m thinking this is a series of interviews of notable (and some ‘ordinary’ folks) who have come to the other side of their struggles.
My list of guests. Somewhat in an order:
-
Me. A guest interviewer? Or will I ask myself the questions. We’ll see.
-
Mur - 20+ years sober or my friend MS who is 20 + years sober. What sobriety has looked like over the years.
-
Ann Dowsett Johnson - Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women And Alcohol Hers was one of the first books I read that made me really step back and look at my drinking. She had a lot of blow back in her life for writing this book.
-
Annie Grace - This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life I was introduced to this book by the counselor I was seeing. She said a client had listened to and read the book and he quit booze. I listened to the book 3 times and read the book. I quit. I was ready but I quit.
-
Harold R. Johnson - Firewater: How Alcohol Is Killing My People (and Yours). Can’t talk about alcohol without talking about how it’s impacted First Nations in this country.
-
Seamus O’Reagan - TV personality & politician. Came to terms with alcohol. Or that was the last I heard… and he is still in Cabinet for the current Liberal gov’t.
-
NP - Friend and former boss. We had a recent talk about it. Might ask her to talk about it.
-
Séan McCann - former singer with Canada’s Great Big Sea
-
An engaging academic (
), thought leader
10 . Gabor Mate - world renowned addiction and trauma specialist.
Who’s it for?
The sober curious. 2. The newly sober. 3. Those long in recovery.
What’s it for
To have conversations about what is needed in the sobriety landscape to increase our likelihood of success. How can we change the conversation about sobriety and mitigate the shame around it. Share information about resources, products and initiatives for those wanting to reduce or remove alcohol from their social lives. How to be socially sober and have fun!
Format
Largely interview style. Definitely needs to be fun. Droning on about statistics and talking about the dire situation out there for people trying to live sober is not what I’m interested in. That may come through but that creates a tunnel at the end of the light.
Some host on mic. Some sharing the hope. The positives of having the energy, positivity and faith to get out of bed and live your new life.
Being the light.
Ok, 100% sure I just burned down the Workbench. @craigconstantine Happy to take this into a group if there is anyone who is willing to kick this around with me.
What are your questions folks? What works, what confuses or seems incongruous?
Thank you for your thoughts. A few tags… not sure who’s all here.
@Rob @JuleKucera @steveh @steve @Jey @Jessicazou @anneroche @NPKHI @dannyattias
