The Big Drink Rethink

If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for a glass of wine after a tough day, but wish you had an easier, healthier alternative - this episode is for you.

Today, Anna dives into practical, 5-minute resets: simple, research-backed tools that can help you navigate cravings, manage stress, and regulate your nervous system. Drawing inspiration from global traditions, think mindfulness, breathwork, journaling, movement, and creating your own rituals. It genuinely does just take only a few minutes to reset your nervous system and find real relief. 

Whether you’re sober-curious, cutting back, or already alcohol-free, consi...

Have you ever rolled your eyes at the idea that breathing could actually help with stress or cravings? You’re not the only one. That’s exactly what we’re getting into today on the Big Drink Rethink.

In this episode, Anna Donaghey sits down with Zoë Ewart, a trauma-informed life coach and breathwork facilitator, to challenge the skepticism around breathwork - especially for those rethinking their relationship with alcohol. 

Together, Anna and Zoë unpack how breathwork isn’t just “woo-woo” - it’s rooted in biology, neuroscience, and can be a practical, powerful tool for anyone lookin...

Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions, outwardly successful but inwardly exhausted? Welcome to The Big Drink Rethink podcast with your host, Anna Donaghey. 

In today's episode, we're diving into the theme of strategic recovery, with Chloe Stephens, a Flow Coach with thirty years of experience in fitness and well-being. Chloe's exploration into sleep, recovery, and nervous system regulation,  empowers her to support her clients holistically, adopting a 360-degree approach to health. 

Join us as we explore how stress management can transform your life and your relationship with alcohol.

Her...

Do other people’s behaviour trigger you to drink? Today on the Big Drink Rethink, we're exploring a topic that affects many of us: how to manage those moments when other people’s behaviour triggers our urge to drink. This episode is inspired by a question from one of my coaching clients, who finds herself frequently wound up by others, and is wondering how to stop being triggered by them.

Join me, Anna Donaghey as we look at ways to face these challenges head-on, especially in our busy and unpredictable lives where stress and emotions can run high...

What if everything you thought you knew about menopause and weight loss was wrong? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey dives deep with guest Ailsa Hichens, a BANT registered nutritionist and author. 

Ailsa shatters common myths about menopause and unveils the truth behind metabolism, lifestyle changes, and the role of alcohol during this crucial life stage. From dietary insights to stress management and self-care, Ailsa offers a refreshing perspective on how women can navigate midlife by prioritising their health in a way that works for them. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation t...

The stories we tell ourselves about alcohol shape our reality and our ability to change, but how exactly can we first identify them, then go about changing them? Listen to this action-orientated episode of The Big Drink Rethink, with host Anna Donaghey, as she offers up practical tools and insights on how to identify and shift these narratives to rewrite your relationship with alcohol. Plus, learn about Anna's self-guided program and live coaching options to support your journey. Tune in and rethink the stories you hold about alcohol and yourself.

Here are the highlights:

<...

What if the stories we tell ourselves about alcohol are the very chains that bind us? A journey into the power of words awaits you on this episode of The Big Drink Rethink. Join host Anna Donaghey and guest Helen Packham as they unravel the narratives that shape our drinking culture and explore how changing our language can liberate us from old habits. 

In this engaging conversation discover how Helen, a speaker and Coach, uses her passion for verbal communication to transform lives. Get ready to rethink the words you use and the stories you tell yourself a...

Why do we often sabotage our own sobriety despite our best intentions? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, your host Anna explores the perplexing nature of self-sabotage, a challenge faced by many seeking to reshape their relationship with alcohol. Anna offers a thoughtful exploration of what drives these destructive patterns and provides actionable strategies to break free from the cycle. 

Listeners will discover insights into the tug-of-war between the conscious desire for change and the subconscious fear of the unknown. With a focus on practical steps and the power of support systems, this episode is a...

Have you ever considered how deeply ingrained the culture of alcohol marketing is in your life? Today your host, Anna explores the fascinating world of gendered alcohol marketing, alongside guest expert, Professor Carol Emslie, the co-director of the Research Centre for Health at Glasgow Caledonian University and co-chair of the Scottish Alcohol Research Network.

They discuss the intriguing and often controversial world of alcohol marketing, and its societal impact. They look at how it is carefully crafted and targeted towards different genders. From the lucrative realm of pink drinks to sponsorships in sports, discover the profound effects...

Ready to break the drinking cycle? In this toolkit episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey shares the science of habit formation and why relying on willpower alone often fails when trying to change drinking behaviours. She breaks down James Clear's habit loop concept and provides practical, actionable strategies for creating lasting change through small, intentional adjustments rather than dramatic overnight transformations.

Anna explores how to work with your brain's natural wiring instead of against it, introduces the power of "friction" in breaking unwanted habits, and shares personal examples of how tiny changes can lead...