Ep 46: Forging a Sober & Strong Identity, with Millie Gooch

In this latest episode of The Big Drink Rethink, our host Anna Donaghey, sits down with Millie Gooch, the dynamic founder of The Sober Girl Society, to delve into her inspiring path from heavy drinking to leading a vibrant, sober community. In this episode, Millie shares insights from her upcoming book, her involvement with Alcohol Change UK, and the innovative "Sober Spring" campaign. You'll also hear about the challenges of advocating for better alcohol advertising regulations and Millie's creative strategies to support those choosing a life without alcohol. From practical advice on navigating social pressures to fostering self-discovery beyond alcohol, this conversation is a powerful resource for anyone curious about rethinking their relationship with drinking.

Here are the highlights:

04:28 Felt isolated, started Instagram for sober connections.

09:07 Virtual workshops feature diverse expert speakers.

12:08 University: drinking rite of passage, formative years.

15:17 Body image, and financial pressures increase home drinking.

18:09 Gen Z stress: 75% still drink heavily.

21:43 Balancing sobriety with maintaining a fulfilling social life.

25:11 Social media's pressures: balancing benefits and expectations.

27:10 Viral videos deter excessive drinking; explore alternatives.

35:58 Guided journal for discovering booze-free life.

38:00 Journalling explored as a powerful therapeutic tool.

40:13 Consumer campaigns for alcohol harm policy advocacy.

44:06 Influencer marketing exploits Gen Z's vulnerability effectively.

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About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Mille Gooch:

Millie Gooch is the founder of the Sober Girl Society and is one of the voices leading the sobriety movement in the UK. Millie has an MSc in Addiction and Mental Health and has written for a range of publications including Elle, Stylist and Cosmopolitan. Her debut book, The Sober Girl Society Handbook, was released in 2021, and in 2022 she received the Media Award from the Research Society on Alcoholism for her contributions in helping disseminate empirical research on alcohol and creating a safe space for people to explore alcohol-free living. Millie is a proud ambassador for Alcohol Change UK and her second book Booze-Less will be released in November 2024.

Connect with Millie:

The Sober Girl Society website: https://sobergirlsociety.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobergirlsociety/

Other links: Other Sober Girl Society links 

Mentioned in this episode:

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