Podcast
Sober Across the Pond
Hosted by Bridgene and Michael · EN
Sober Across the Pond is a weekly transatlantic podcast hosted by two seasoned alcohol-free coaches—one in the UK, one in the US—offering real, relatable conversations about thriving without alcohol. With warmth, humor, and zero judgment, we explore sober living through the lens of professional life, parenting, personal growth, and purpose.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Sober at Work (Part 1 of 4): Navigating Boozy Workplace Culture
2w ago00:11:58Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWelcome to Year 2 of Sober Across the Pond — and thank you again for helping us reach our one-year anniversary and 1,000 downloads milestone.We’re continuing the momentum with a new mini-series: Sober at Work.In Part 1 of 4, we talk about workplace drinking culture and how it shows up in corporate life — from “boozy norms” to social expectations — and how staying alcohol-free can become a quiet superpower in clarity, confidence, and authenticity.We cover: how workplace culture has shifted since COVID and hybrid work why alcohol still shows up as the default “social glue” in many environments how to stay authentic when you’re asked about drinking (or not drinking) Part 2 drops next, where we get into the real-world consequences and what happens at work events when alcohol is the default.
Transcribe →Anniversary Special — The Rush of Love (Video/Audio Now Matched)
May 400:21:57Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis is the correct audio release of our Anniversary Special ‘Rush of Love’ conversation (the video version was always correct). If you listened earlier and it didn’t match the video, this is the version you wanted. In this episode, we talk about gratitude, connection, and why sobriety brings your best feelings back online — plus a quick behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep a podcast going alongside full-time jobs and family life. Thanks for being part of our podcast family.Prefer video? The Vimeo version is here: https://vimeo.com/1183617187/7a09ca80cd?fl=tl&fe=ec
Transcribe →Stigma, Sobriety & the Moderation Myth (Anniversary Special — Part 1 of 2)
Apr 1800:14:51Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAnniversary Special (Part 1 of 2): Stigma + engagement fear + the moderation mythIn Part 1 of our anniversary special, we talk about one of the most common frustrations for sober-curious and “middle lane” drinkers: stigma.Many people can relate to this moment: you say you’re taking a break from alcohol — and the response is, “Oh… I didn’t know you had a problem.”We explore: Why stigma still shapes how people talk about alcohol Why some people hesitate to even engage publicly (likes/comments) because they worry what others will assume Why sobriety can be a real “superpower” in clarity and self-awareness Why the “moderation” approach often becomes exhausting — and can keep people stuck This is Part 1 of 2 in our anniversary special series. Part 2 drops next.
Transcribe →Part 3 of 3 (Finale): Why connection may be the key to staying alcohol-free.
Mar 1300:18:59Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn the final episode of our Friendship Shift series, we go deeper into what sustains long-term change. When you remove alcohol, your social life and identity evolve — and one of the biggest lessons is this:Connection isn’t optional. It’s emotional fuel.In this episode, we discuss: • Why your mood can dip when meaningful connection is missing • How sobriety often increases self-awareness and emotional sensitivity • Why intentional community helps you thrive (not just “cope”) • Practical ways to build friendships and connection without alcohol at the centerIf you’ve ever felt “flat,” lonely, or out of place in your alcohol-free journey — you’re not alone. This episode offers a grounded, hopeful path forward.
Transcribe →Find Your Tribe: Building New Friends Alcohol-Free (Part 2 of 3)
Mar 200:17:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailPart 2 of 3 in our Friendship Shift series: How do you build new friends and community when you stop drinking?When you go alcohol-free, your social life often changes — not because you’re “boring,” but because your values and your idea of fun evolve. The challenge is real: making friends as an adult can feel surprisingly awkward.In this episode, we explore how to intentionally create connection in an alcohol-free life, including:• Why “being intentional” is the key to new friendships • Online sober communities (and how they can become real-life connection) • Finding new hobbies and activities that aren’t alcohol-centered • Why shared values create instant common ground • How finding your tribe supports long-term changeThis is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Part 3 drops next week.
Transcribe →Episode 14 - What Happens to Your Friendships When You Go Alcohol-Free?
Feb 2000:24:36Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat really happens to your friendships when you stop drinking?In Part 1 of a three-part series on friendship and sobriety, we unpack one of the biggest fears people have about going alcohol-free: losing friends.In this episode, we discuss:• Drinking buddies vs real friendships • Why some relationships fade naturally • Social anxiety around events and gatherings • Setting boundaries without becoming defensive • Becoming the “lighthouse” instead of chasing approvalIf you’re sober curious, gray-area drinking, or newly alcohol-free, this conversation will help you reframe the social shifts that come with change.Part 2 drops next week, where we explore how to intentionally build new, aligned community.
Transcribe →What Unites Us: Sobriety, Connection, and the Human Experience (Episode 13)
Feb 1000:27:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAfter a six-week break, Sober Across the Pond is back — and we’re picking up with a topic that matters to everyone. In Episode 13, we explore what unites women and men on the alcohol-free path. From mental health and emotional wellbeing to joy, connection, and everyday activities, sobriety delivers powerful benefits regardless of gender.Alcohol doesn’t discriminate — and neither do the benefits of stepping away from it. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, relationships, or simply enjoying life more fully, being alcohol-free creates common ground and instant connection.We also share why sober communities form such strong bonds so quickly — and why this one choice has the power to bring people together across backgrounds, identities, and experiences.We missed you, we’re grateful you’re here, and we’re excited to be back on a weekly schedule.
Transcribe →Episode 12 – Men & Alcohol (Part 2): From Mates to Masks — Peer Pressure, Loneliness, and the Cost of Drinking Culture
Dec 1800:21:58Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Part 2 of our men-focused series on alcohol, we explore how male drinking culture evolves over time — and what often gets lost along the way. What starts as social drinking with mates in bars can quietly shift into drinking at home, disguised as a “civilized” or sophisticated wine habit.We discuss the powerful peer pressure many men feel to keep drinking even when they don’t want to — whether for health reasons, family responsibilities, or simply wanting clarity the next morning. The conversation also turns to a quieter but deeply important issue: loneliness, including the growing number of middle-aged men who find themselves drinking alone in pubs and bars.Finally, we examine the darker side of alcohol-fueled masculinity — how lowered inhibitions, emotional suppression, and group dynamics can escalate into toxic behavior, and in the worst cases, contribute to harm and sexual assault.This episode isn’t about judgement — it’s about awareness, responsibility, and opening a more honest conversation about what men actually need as they grow, change, and age.
Transcribe →Part 1: Men, Stress & the Silent Drinking Culture
Nov 2200:17:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail In this first installment of our 3-part Men’s Series, we dig into how alcohol intersects with men’s mental health, emotional regulation, stress, identity, and social expectations. We explore: • How men use alcohol to cope silently • Why emotional suppression matters • Social pressure, bravado, and risk-taking • The marketing machine targeting men This episode opens the door to a deeply important conversation—one that every man, and everyone who cares about men, needs to hear.
Transcribe →Episode 12 — Gender & Alcohol: Women, Wine Culture & Self-Trust (Part 2)
Nov 1200:17:15Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Part 2 of our ongoing Gender & Alcohol series, Bridgene shares a candid arc many women will recognize—gradual anxiety, self-medicating with wine, and the turning point of a 90-day break that changed everything. We dig into menopause-related mood shifts, the “beer fear” spiral, and why alcohol quietly dulls empathy, judgment, and safety awareness. We also unpack the pink-washed marketing machine—“mommy wine” culture, glittery merch, and the subtle push toward middle-lane drinking that rarely stops at “just one.” Most importantly, we talk self-trust: try a six-week break, run your own experiment, and let the evidence speak. No shame, no labels—just data from your life.
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