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
May 13, 2020 • 43min
94: Triggers
Today we discuss how to deal with triggers. Triggers are a response to an outside stimulus that results in an automatic action. We have trained our brains to drink, and we have to untrain them. We look at how H.A.L.T.S (Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired. Stressed) can affect our sobriety. To learn more, visit the show notes.
May 6, 2020 • 44min
93: How To Change
How do we change? Chip and Veronica talk about the cycle of change and the 'dance' we go through when we need to change something. We discuss the three phases of change, and how we sabotage ourselves and stay in this cycle until we get to the 'maintenance' phase and the 'change' becomes our normal life. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Apr 29, 2020 • 54min
92: 20 Things in 20 Years
Veronica is celebrating twenty years of sobriety on May 2nd. In this special episode, Chip and Veronica discuss the twenty things she has learned during that time. She is also hosting a party (online) to celebrate (and you are invited). To learn more, visit the show notes.
Apr 22, 2020 • 47min
91: Sobriety and Sexuality with Suzanne Goodson
An engaging and enlightening conversation with Suzanne Najarian Goodson, who is a sacred and sober sexuality teacher and coach. We discussed the challenges of engaging with our sexuality once we are sober, how to talk to kids about sex and sexuality, and how authenticity in our sexual relationships will transform them. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Apr 15, 2020 • 47min
90: Surviving Our Mothers with Elissa Altman
Veronica interviews Elissa Altman the author of best-selling memoir Motherland - a memoir of love, loathing and longing'. They discuss what it's like growing up with a difficult parent, how that affected them and led to their drinking. They also talk about that due to the current uncertainty, many people are having to share spaces with family members that can be triggering and difficult. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Apr 8, 2020 • 54min
89: The True Cost of Drinking
Chip and Veronica take a deep dive into the true cost of drinking. They deconstruct how we lie to ourselves about alcohol so we can carry on drinking. They go through one of the first exercises they give to clients that helps them get free of FOMO and start living an alcohol-free life. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Apr 1, 2020 • 55min
88: Turn Up for Recovery with Melia Clapton
Chip and Veronica interview Melia Clapton, the wife of guitar legend Eric Clapton. She discusses 'Turn up for Recovery,' her charity that helps use music to raise money for addiction treatment. She also discusses her own journey with 12-step programs and how she 'lost herself' in relationships. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Mar 25, 2020 • 1h 4min
87: The Work of Sobriety with Laura McKowen
Veronica and Laura take a deep dive into what it means to be a drunk mother, how to deal with the shame and what 'the work' of sobriety really is. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Mar 20, 2020 • 44min
86: Staying Sober in a Time of Crisis
In this bonus episode Chip and Veronica go through the tools you need to stay sober during the unfolding crisis. We help listeners prioritise their mental health and sobriety so they can stay sober no matter what happens. To learn more, visit the show notes.
Mar 18, 2020 • 48min
85: Creativity and Sobriety with Kiki Wong
Former K-pop star Kiki Wong comes on the podcast to discuss her career in Nylon Pink, a successful girl band. Kiki could only get on stage if she had been drinking, which matched with the rock-star lifestyle she was living at the time. Now she is two years sober she has had some of the best creative experiences of her life and never wants to go back. To learn more, visit the show notes.
