The Alcohol Free Revolution Podcast

Episode 32 — Mum Dad's Got another tattoo (with Mark Cox) In this episode of The Alcohol Free Revolution, Steve and James are joined by Mark Cox, host of the fabulous Mum, Dad’s Got another Tattoo podcast, for an open and wide-ranging conversation about alcohol, identity, and navigating midlife without losing yourself. Mark shares his experience of going alcohol-free without a dramatic “rock bottom”, and what it’s really been like moving through the first year — from the unexpected identity discomfort of being labelled “the non-drinker”, to realising how much of the pressure to justify not drinking is internal rather than external. Together, they explore why alcohol is one of the only substances we feel the need to explain not taking, how limiting beliefs around socialising and belonging quietly shape behaviour, and why most people are paying far less attention to us than we think. The conversation also dives into the practical changes Mark noticed after stepping away from alcohol — improved sleep, better mental health, body composition changes, and a renewed sense of presence as a dad — alongside a broader discussion about midlife, masculinity, community, and creating space for healthier, more honest conversations. A thoughtful, honest episode for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol, navigating midlife change, or wondering what actually happens after the decision to stop drinking. Mum Dad's got another tattoo podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2LPYgwQMCWGPJNlZOisq9W?si=nGvp5olSTs-pN1T3xBY-sw  Join our community:  Email the word ‘Interested’ to : info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032 Authentic Brew: Listener Offer Code: TAFRP10 Discount: 10% off your entire order Link: https://shop.authenticbrew.com/discount/TAFRP10

This week it’s just Steve and James, sitting down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about something a lot of people reach the end of January thinking quietly to themselves: So… what now? Having both gone alcohol-free over four and a half years ago, they reflect on why stopping for a month can feel powerful — but also why going straight back to drinking often doesn’t sit quite right. The episode explores what actually changes when you remove alcohol, why it’s common to feel a bit unsettled a few months in, and how identity shifts can feel uncomfortable even when life is clearly improving. The conversation moves through lived experience, coaching insights, and the kinds of discussions that come up every week inside the Alcohol-Free Revolution community — from health and habit change to relationships, purpose, and who you’re becoming without alcohol in the picture. If you’re finishing Dry January feeling better than expected — but unsure what the next step should be — this episode is a gentle, thoughtful place to land. Join our community:  Email the word ‘Interested’ to : info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032 Authentic Brew: Listener Offer Code: TAFRP10 Discount: 10% off your entire order Link: https://shop.authenticbrew.com/discount/TAFRP10

Mike Mudie is the CEO and co-founder of Authentic Brew. Last year after experiencing corporate burnout and making the decision to step away from alcohol, Mike began questioning the way we rely on constant stimulation to get through the day. What started as a personal search for something more balanced and natural eventually led to the creation of Authentic Brew In this episode, Mike talks openly about the journey from burnout to building a values-led business, the wider cultural shift away from “always on” living, and why choosing a more authentic way of working, fuelling and living matters now more than ever. Try Authentic Brew for yourself Listener Offer Code: TAFRP10 Discount: 10% off your entire order Link: https://shop.authenticbrew.com/discount/TAFRP10 Join our community:  Email the word ‘Interested’ to : info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032  

In this episode, James is joined by Elliot Porter —referred to by his friends and bandmates as the metal drummer with a soft centre. Elliot began to quietly question the role alcohol was playing in his life, his identity, and where things were heading. Not necessarily from a place of rock bottom, but from curiosity. As someone immersed in music, performance, and a culture where drinking was often part of the backdrop, Elliot opens up about the moment he started asking bigger questions: What is alcohol actually giving me? And what might it be taking away? A pivotal influence in his journey was Alcohol Explained by William Porter, which helped Elliot see his drinking through a completely different lens. That insight led him to make a clear decision — to remove alcohol and see what was possible on the other side. Join our community:  Email the word ‘Interested’ to : info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032

This week we talk all things Dry January, and it’s just Steve and James — no guest, just an open, honest chat to kick off 2026. We talk about what Dry January is really like once you’re a few days in, why so many people are doing it this year, and the kind of wins people start to notice when alcohol’s out of the picture. We also get into alcohol-free drinks (including a few favourites), and why community can make a big difference when it feels a bit isolating. If you’re doing Dry January, thinking about it, or already questioning how it’s going to go, this is a relaxed listen to keep you moving in the right direction. Join our community:  Email the word ‘Interested’ to : info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032  

This week on The Alcohol-Free Revolution Podcast, we’re joined by a true pioneer of the alcohol-free movement, Laura Willoughby MBE. Laura’s career began in local government, where she quickly established herself as a powerful voice for change. At just 30 years old, she was awarded an MBE in recognition of her work — a sign of the impact she was already making. In 2013, Laura made the decision to go alcohol-free. That decision didn’t just change her own life — it went on to shape an entire movement. She is the founder of Club Soda, an organisation that has sat at the very heart of the alcohol-free space ever since, challenging the way we think about drinking and giving people practical, compassionate alternatives. When it comes to raising awareness of alcohol-free living, few — if any — have done more. Laura’s work has helped normalise choice, reduce stigma, and open up a completely different conversation around alcohol. She is a genuine trailblazer in this space, and it’s an honour to welcome Laura Willoughby MBE to the podcast. Connect with Laura and Club Soda: Insta:  @joinclubsoda Join our community:  Email the word ‘Interested’ to : info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032  

This week, we’re welcoming our second ever international guest, joining us all the way from Austin, Texas — Scot Maitland. Scot is a passionate alcohol-free mixologist who became frustrated with the same old options being offered in pubs and bars: sugary, fizzy drinks passed off as “non-alcoholic alternatives.” Instead of accepting that, Scot built a framework for creating sophisticated, adult, alcohol-free drinks — without relying on alcohol at all. Through his company, The Elevated Bar, Scot delivers cutting-edge corporate workshops, retail activations, and public education, helping people rethink what’s possible without booze. This isn’t about making mocktails. It’s about understanding the science, structure, and sensory experience behind truly elevated non-alcoholic beverages. Connect with Scot www.thelevatedbear.com Insta: @theElevatedBear Newsletter: https://the-elevated-bear.myflodesk.com/dry-january Join our community:  Email the word ‘Interested’ to : info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032

This week, we’re joined by Daniel Avener, Founder & CEO of ClubSobr.   ClubSobr is a global community created for people who want to live fully, connect deeply, and celebrate — without alcohol at the centre. Its mission is simple but powerful: to make sobriety and mindful drinking aspirational, inclusive, and global. Daniel is also an ICF-accredited business coach and recovery coach, supporting individuals and communities as they redefine what it truly means to thrive — in work, relationships, and life — without relying on alcohol. Learn more about ClubSobr: Insta: @clubsobr Web: www.clubsobr.com Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032      

In this week’s episode, we’re focusing on an area where the science is clear but the public message is not: the connection between alcohol and cancer. We’re joined by Dr Emma Davies, a prominent researcher in alcohol behaviour and public health, and a Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University. Emma’s work spans alcohol harm reduction, behaviour change, and how people interpret health information, and she has published widely in this field. With her expertise, we explore what the evidence tells us, why awareness remains so low, and what needs to shift for people to have a fuller understanding of the risks. Connect with Dr Emma: https://www.instagram.com/dr_emma_davies_/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-emma-l-davies-3b65156a/ Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032

Released during National Grief Awareness Week, this episode explores how grief shapes our lives — and how it often influences the ways we cope, including our relationship with alcohol. We’re joined by Jess Goyder: Oxford University graduate, Grief Recovery Specialist, coach, mentor, and accomplished speaker. Jess supports both individuals and organisations using an evidence-based model that helps people understand and move through grief in all its forms. And it’s not just bereavement. Jess works with the quieter, often overlooked losses that deeply affect how we feel and behave — divorce, workplace change, chronic illness, identity shifts, and everything in between. Together, we unpack what grief really is, why so many of us struggle to talk about it, and how unprocessed grief can silently drive habits, patterns, and coping mechanisms — including drinking. This conversation brings clarity, compassion, and language to experiences many people carry alone, and offers powerful insight for anyone exploring an alcohol-free path.   Interested in Joining our AF community?? Email ‘Interested’ to: mailto:Info@thealcoholfreerevolution.co.uk Connect with Jess: https://griefisnatural.com Coach with Steve: Web: www.soberilliant.com Insta: http://soberilliant.com/all-my-links Coach with James: Web: http://alcoholfreecoach.com  Linkedin :http://linkedin.com/in/james-lloyd-48313032