Upper Bottom

For the second instalment of work drinking, Cess and Ollie speak with Liam McNulty – aka Whiskey Richard – who is based in Tokyo. He explains all about nomikai, basically Japanese work parties. There are several layers and dos and don'ts to navigate. Notably, the sober curious movement doesn't seem to have travelled that far east – if people aren't drinking, it's probably because they can't afford to. In Booze News, there is a particularly contentious story about a wedding guest leaving at 9.30pm and taking a whole load of friends with her as it was a dry party – a fact that was not advertised. And there is an exciting new feature: Just the Tonic. This is a funny story or joke about sobriety to lighten the mood, should the Booze News become too serious.Booze News items:Daily Telegraph (via MSN): How we could be heading for a booze-free Britain (https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/other/how-we-could-be-heading-for-a-booze-free-britain/ar-BB1q1ndQ)  Sydney Morning Herald (via MSN): Sober thoughts: Non-alcoholic drinks trend is shaping Perth venues (https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/sober-thoughts-non-alcoholic-drinks-trend-is-shaping-how-perth-eats/ar-BB1q1LSJ)Mirror: 'I ditched pal's wedding to get drunk – they didn't warn me wedding was alcohol-free' (https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/i-ditched-pals-wedding-drunk-33254047)Bristol Live (via MSN): Man blew £25,000 on alcohol in just two weeks as life went out of control (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/man-blew-25000-on-alcohol-in-just-two-weeks-as-life-went-out-of-control/ar-BB1q4b89)#leadership#japan#nomikai#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#sober

Boozing on the job is certainly not advised, but what if drinking is ingrained in work – or at least after-work - culture? To help answer this puzzler, Ollie and Cess welcome Tabbin Almond to the pod to discuss her forthcoming book, Bottling Up Trouble. The statistics are shocking: up to 5% of work absenteeism is due to alcohol; and presenteeism due to alcohol costs the UK economy upwards of £1.4 billion a year.Tabbin laments the slow progress being made here. Did you know that many police stations had bars up until 2016? She calls out various industries where drinking is endemic and provides tips for leaders on changing a business's culture. Before that insightful interview, there are four items of Booze News – this week featuring "Milly" (sic) Cyrus, some tips for cutting down on drinking, and, with the Tour de France coming to a head, a topical piece on whether alcohol is good for cycling performance.Booze News items:Cycling Weekly (via MSN): Could 'sober curiosity' make you a better cyclist? (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/could-sober-curiosity-make-you-a-better-cyclist/ar-BB1pFsyq)Irish Sun: SOBERING THOUGHTS Ireland’s attitude towards alcohol is changing – here’s 7 tips if you want to cut down on boozing or quit altogether (https://www.thesun.ie/health/13361915/ireland-zero-alcohol-top-tips-cut-down-quit-drinking/)Daily Telegraph (via MSN): What my daughter said to make me give up wine for good (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/mindandbody/what-my-daughter-said-to-make-me-give-up-wine-for-good/ar-BB1pwaBd)Psychology Today: Beliefs vs. Reality: How to Weaken Your Alcohol Craving (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/sober-curiosity/202406/beliefs-vs-reality-how-to-weaken-your-alcohol-craving)#Ireland#tourdefrance#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#sober#mileycyrus

A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis.Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to this podcast. He has since quit his job. Talk about being empowered! Jadis, who comes from an Indigenous background, discusses the intergenerational trauma associated with alcohol in her community and her own journey with sobriety. They both express gratitude for the podcast and the support it has provided. We hope you find it a useful tool, too. The conversation highlights the empowering nature of sobriety and the importance of mental health in making positive life changes.Before the powerful discussion with Simon and Jadis, Ollie and Cess discuss their 20-mile weekend walk in Kent on the quest for wildness and watching England's quarter-final against Switzerland in a lively pub in Hythe (also wild). And, as usual, there is some booze news – this week featuring Woody Cook and Cara Delevingne.Booze News items:The Sun: WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT? My dad was the world’s biggest raver and my mum was a famous ladette but I’m headlining a festival where booze is BANNED (https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/28823038/woody-cook-zoe-ball-fatboy-slim-sobar-sessions-festival/)The Daily Mail: Sober Cara Delevingne reveals she's now 'got her power back' after drug and alcohol abuse left her 'super depressed' - and admits the first time she got drunk she was just EIGHT years old (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13608723/Sober-Cara-Delevingne-reveals-shes-got-power-drug-alcohol-abuse-left-super-depressed-admits-time-got-drunk-just-EIGHT-years-old.html) Mancunian Matters: Alcohol Awareness Week: North West stories of sobriety (https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/01072024-alcohol-awareness-week-north-west-stories-of-sobriety/)The Telegraph (via MSN): How long it really takes to sober up (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/how-long-it-really-takes-to-sober-up/ar-BB1p6oox)#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#sober#trauma

It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something. On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help answer the episode title's puzzler, they welcome Denise Hamilton-Mace, Founder and Editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, and Blake Gladman, Partner / Strategy and Insight Director at KAM Insight.There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality's CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#generalelection#sober

On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini.Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – or perhaps was – an expectation that DJs would be getting into the groove one way or another. Drugs, rather than drink, is the biggest vice within the music industry, says Dom. His journey is influencing others on the DJ circuit, though. There is also a snippet from musicians Tom Bowen and Louis Brennan on their top tips for attending festivals sober as performers and punters. What's lost? What's gained?Four Booze News items consider the impact of non-alcoholic drinks during the European Championships – Tesco is expecting to sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options – while Glastonbury is trucking in draft beer for 1,200,000 pints (enough to fill two full-size swimming pools). A documentary about Avicii, the Swedish producer who took his own life in 2018 aged 28, is also mentioned. And (alleged) drink-driver Justin Timberlake features.#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#glastonbury #musicfestivals#sober

Now for something a little different ... In this thought-provoking episode, unveiled on the eve of the summer solstice, Cess and Ollie are joined by guest Becky Burchell as they delve into the complex relationship between alcohol and accessing our primal selves. The conversation explores the notion that while alcohol has become a societal shortcut for tapping into our wild nature, there are alternative paths to embracing our primal essence.The trio discusses the importance of reconnecting with the natural world and how spending time in nature can help us rediscover our innate wildness. They also emphasize the role of community and surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who support and encourage our journey of self-discovery without relying on alcohol.Throughout the episode, the hosts and Becky share insights on the power of rituals and intentional practices in creating opportunities for experiencing wildness and pushing personal boundaries. They examine how societal norms and expectations have limited our access to our primal selves and propose ways to challenge and redefine these limitations.Join Cess, Ollie, and Becky as they explore the transformative potential of embracing our wild nature through nature, community, and conscious practices, offering a fresh perspective on accessing our primal selves without needing alcohol.#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#wildness#sober

This week, Cess and Ollie discuss the relationship between alcohol and Father's Day. After attending a low- and no-alcohol event facilitated by KAM Insight and Lucky Saint, the duo, armed with stats, explore the growing trend of moderating alcohol intake and the need for more grown-up options. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting and normalising non-alcoholic choices and the potential for missed revenue in the hospitality industry. The hosts also discuss the changing social dynamics and cultural assumptions around drinking. The conversation covers various topics related to alcohol and fatherhood, including outdated attitudes.As usual, expect personal stories and reflections on the impact of drinking on their lives. This week, Ollie and Cess conclude that setting a positive example for their children is paramount.#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#fathersday#sober

Navigating sobriety at a football match can be extremely challenging for people seeking to take back control of their alcohol consumption. For gritty stories and expert advice, Ollie and Cess welcome Jack Stirling (aka Kicking the Cans on Instagram), who is almost nine months sober, and Crystal Palace season-ticket holder Nick Houghton, who is just beginning his sobriety journey.Blackouts, hangovers, and bad behaviour are the ugly side of the so-called beautiful game, as evidenced by the recent Champions League final at Wembley, when 53 arrests were made. And with the European Championships about to start in Germany, we can expect more headlines about boozed-up Brits supporting the Three Lions.But why are booze and football seemingly inseparable? What is it about the combination of intoxicants? And what can football clubs do to better cater for fans who don't want to become intoxicated and escape?Jack and Nick offer brilliant insights and great ideas – but will things change given alcohol sponsorship is ubiquitous?Before that fascinating interview, Ollie and Cess serve up four tasty items of booze news, including how to identify if you have a drinking problem (that involves cheesecake).#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#sobercurious#sober#football

A bumper episode! In booze news Cess and Ollie discuss mocktails, partying in Ibiza without alcohol, and sober parties. That's followed by two fascinating interviews. The first is with US-based lawyer Kris Butler, whose lovely book Drink Maps in Victorian Britain was recently published. She offers an expert perspective on the history of pubs in the last two centuries and the temperance movement, and serves up stats and anecdotes galore. Then Ollie heads north to visit Stephen Jeffreys at his abode, the Manchester Buddhist Centre. Stephen is the managing director of Hinterland, a new sober bar that will open in the basement any day. He discusses his struggles with alcohol and hopes for the future, not least through more sober bars and enriching the community.#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#sobercurious#sober

Ollie and Cess debate what elements make the perfect pub. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell's classic essay on his ideal boozer, the Moon Under Water, the hosts share their preferences for what makes a great pub atmosphere. They cover everything, from impressive toilets and bar chat-friendly seating to pub games, animals, and the perfect music. The conversation also delves into the importance of cosy nooks, natural fires, covered areas, and a wide selection of low or no-alcohol options. The pair discuss the evolution of pubs and the need for inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, whether they drink or not, can find warmth, shelter, sustenance, and good company in their local watering hole.There is plenty of related booze news, including how you'll no longer be able to buy a drink in a Ibiza after 9.30pm. Talk about party pooping!Get in touch to let Ollie and Cess know your likes and dislikes about pubs.#sobriety#UpperBottomPodcast#NoLowDrinkTrends#sobermovement#sobercurious#sober