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.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
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.
Transcribe →When Alcohol Meets Identity: Women, Men, and the Stories We Learn--Part 1--When the Shift Begins
Nov 700:15:16Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis is the opening of a multi-part exploration into gender, identity, and the role alcohol often plays in how we cope, connect, and define ourselves. In this first installment, we talk about the quiet, gradual shift many women experience — when drinking moves from social habit to emotional support. It often happens slowly, especially during seasons of stress, transition, or changing identity. This episode is not about blame — it’s about deep understanding and gentle awareness. Sometimes naming what’s happening is the most powerful first step.
Transcribe →Episode 11 – Part 4--The Mask Comes Off (Finale)
Oct 1800:09:31Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn the final installment of our “Sobriety as a Superpower at Work” series, Bridgene and Michael share their most personal reflections on authenticity, self-trust, and confidence. When the performance fades and the mask drops, what remains is something far more powerful: clarity.They discuss how living alcohol-free strengthens not just emotional intelligence but professional resilience—and how embracing who you truly are can transform both your work and your relationships.🎧 Tune in to this heartfelt finale and remember: being real is the ultimate superpower.
Transcribe →Sober Across the Pond | Episode 11 Part 3 – The Mask Comes Off
Oct 1600:09:23Tap to summarizeSend a textThis episode dives into the emotional clarity that comes when alcohol is no longer in the way. Bridgene and Michael unpack how being alcohol-free makes us better communicators, colleagues, and friends — and how empathy is our real superpower.
Transcribe →Episode 11 – Part 2--The Masks We Wear (Sobriety as a Superpower at Work)
Oct 1100:12:09Tap to summarizeSend a textWhy do people drink at social events — and what really happens when they do?In this episode, Bridgene and Michael unpack how alcohol can make conversations circular, people less interesting, and moments less real. When you’re alcohol-free, you notice everything — and that awareness becomes your superpower.Hear the laughter, honesty, and practical insight that make Sober Across the Pond a growing global favorite.
Transcribe →Episode 11 Part 1--Emotional Intelligence--The Hidden Superpower of Sobriety
Oct 900:11:26Tap to summarizeSend us a textIn Part 1 of Sobriety as a Superpower at Work, we uncover the incredible link between living alcohol-free and developing deep emotional intelligence. Discover how the absence of alcohol enhances your ability to listen, connect, and communicate with authenticity — skills that power every great relationship and career. Join Michael and Bridgene as they reveal how emotional clarity becomes the ultimate professional advantage.
Transcribe →