Soberful
Veronica Valli & Chip Somers
Veronica Valli and Chip Somers are experts on recovery. Chip Somers was most recently described by Russell Brand in his book 'Recovery' as a 'right social liability.' Together they have been sober for almost 50 years and have a LOT of stories, messes, experience and occasionally helpful advice to share on living in sobriety. They bring all of that (and more) to the Soberful podcast. This podcast is for anyone who wants to live an alcohol-free life, is struggling to get sober or who is in long-term recovery.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 4, 2023 • 42min
236: Surviving Breast Cancer and Getting Sober With Jenn Nelson
Jenn Nelson is a breast cancer survivor and sober woman. She joins Veronica where they discuss her denial around her alcohol use, finding out about her breast cancer at age 33 and what made the difference to her sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Sep 27, 2023 • 38min
235: Sober Spirituality with Erin Jean Warde
Episcopalian minister Erin Jean Warde joins Veronica to discuss her new book 'Sober Spirituality.' They discuss the role of alcohol in religion and how it has been misrepresented, what spirituality means and faith-based recovery. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Sep 20, 2023 • 35min
234: It's Not About the Wine with Celeste Yvonne
Celeste Yvonne is the author of 'It's not about the wine' - the loaded truth behind mommy wine culture. Celeste explains what this culture is and how detrimental it is to mothers. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Sep 13, 2023 • 30min
233: Sobriety is a Shift in Perception
Veronica explains why sobriety is a shift in perception. When we take things personally, it makes us very sensitive and can often lead to resentment. Resentments are the free drunk, and unless we find a way to shift our perception of what is happening we will always use alcohol to manage them. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Sep 6, 2023 • 37min
232: Why We Take Things Personally
Back from their break Veronica and Chip discuss why we take things so personally. Why in early sobriety we are hyper sensitive and can find offence where none was meant. They discuss how we can begin to not take things personally and this is an easier way to live and stay sober. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Jun 28, 2023 • 42min
231: Social Anxiety and Alcohol Abuse
One of the most common reasons people drink is to manage their social anxiety. Chip and Veronica discuss how alcohol makes anxiety worse and what they can do to change it. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Jun 21, 2023 • 39min
230: Hot Sobriety with Kate Baily
Kate Baily joins Veronica to talk about Hot Sobriety. Which means we are talking about mid-life women, hormones and menopause. Kate and Veronica talk about how many women are struggling with sobriety and hormonal changes and how devastating alcohol is for menopausal women. They give tips and advice for getting through this time of life. They also discuss their new program. Hot Sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Jun 14, 2023 • 42min
229: The First Sponsor, Discovering Father Ed with Dawn Eden Goldstein
Dawn Eden Goldstein is the author of the new biography Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.'s Spiritual Sponsor as well as several other books. Born in New York City, she began her writing career as a rock and roll historian. She went on to work for the New York Post and the New York Daily News before she turned her interest to spiritual matters. In 2016 she became the first woman to earn a doctorate in sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake. She has taught at universities and seminaries in the United States, England, and India, and she now lives in Washington, DC. veronica and Dawn have a fascinating conversation about how pivotal Father Ed's sponsorship of Bill W. was. To learn more, visit the show notes.
4 snips
Jun 7, 2023 • 39min
228: Hyperindependence
Hyperindependence is a trauma and stress response. If we didn't experience safety as children we often become hyperindepent as adults. Chip and Veronica break down what this means, how it affects sobriety and what to do about it. To learn more, visit the show notes.
May 31, 2023 • 40min
227: Men and Mental Health with Sam Delaney
Sam Delaney was a British jack-th-lad, drinking, partying, not taking anything seriously. Then his mental health caught up with him it all came crashing down. Sam talks to Veronica about how hard it is for men to be vulnerable talk about their feelings and how he hopes his new book will change that. To learn more, visit the show notes.


