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Soberly Speaking

Julia Rangiheuea
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Stories from everyday people sharing their darkest moments that led to sobriety. Shedding light on our struggles to help those still finding their way out. 

  1. Sian’s Drug Abuse Almost Cost Her Comedy Career

    1D AGO

    Sian’s Drug Abuse Almost Cost Her Comedy Career

    “Comedy is a hotbed of mental illness"  Sian Smyth is a stand-up comedian whose past includes domestic violence, drug abuse, sex addiction, and sex work. After leaving an almost decade-long violent relationship in which she saw the devil himself, Sian finally felt free to take control of her body and experiment with every drug imaginable. Her addiction cost her every friend, derailed her career, and led to psychotic episodes overseas. After hearing a voice telling her to go to a meeting, Sian is now almost a year clean and making comedy again. Trigger warning: This episode discusses domestic violence, sexual assault, substance use disorder and mental health including psychosis. Buy tickets to Sian's show HERE Follow Sian on Instagram: @siansmythcomic Creator & Host: ⁠⁠Julia Rangiheuea Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    36 min
  2. “I Was Getting Through Three Bottles of Fireball a Night”. Aisha's Story of Alcohol Dependence and Recovery (Subscriber Exclusive)

    6D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    “I Was Getting Through Three Bottles of Fireball a Night”. Aisha's Story of Alcohol Dependence and Recovery (Subscriber Exclusive)

    JOIN THE UNSPOKEN: https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking Aisha never felt like she fit in. From a childhood marked by bullying, being sectioned at 17 and a string of misdiagnoses, she found her sense of belonging in alcohol. By 27 she was physically dependent, drinking through withdrawals, hiding bottles and getting through multiple litres of Fireball a night. It wasn't until she got sober that she finally received the diagnosis she'd been searching for her whole life, autism and ADHD, and suddenly everything started to make sense. In this conversation, Aisha speaks openly about what physical dependence really looks like, the four summers she spent in Ibiza that cemented her party girl identity, and how lockdown accelerated everything. She talks about moving to Canada in a last ditch attempt to stop drinking, the spiral that followed, and what it took to finally get on a flight home. She also shares what it was like to relapse after over a year sober, the kindling effect and why she knows she will never drink again. Julia and Aisha talk about the transfer of addiction, healing the inner child, and what it means to finally live an authentic life. They also touch on cross addiction, the difference between getting dry sober and actually doing the work, and why sobriety gave Aisha everything alcohol promised her it would. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of alcohol dependence, physical withdrawal, and psychosis. Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015 https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    44 min
  3. Psychosis, Control and Culture: Nikki on Reclaiming Her Identity

    MAR 1

    Psychosis, Control and Culture: Nikki on Reclaiming Her Identity

    Trigger warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, substance use disorder and mental health including psychosis.Have you ever been in psychosis? You hear the horror stories of people staying in it for days, weeks or months, but Nikki lived with it for five years. During that time she became someone she didn’t recognise: erratic, paranoid and eventually lashing out at a family member. Nikki believed her only way to escape the addiction and chaos she had known for most of her life was either to end her life or end up in jail. For Nikki, reconnecting with her Māori heritage has genuinely saved her life, helping her find identity, purpose and healing in ways she never expected. Follow Nikki on Instagram: @saladgirl___Creator & Host: ⁠⁠Julia RangiheueaReady to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    39 min
  4. “He Was Meant To Protect Me” Brenda’s Story of Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse (Subscriber Exclusive)

    FEB 25 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    “He Was Meant To Protect Me” Brenda’s Story of Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse (Subscriber Exclusive)

    Brenda is just 21 years old, but her story spans a childhood marked by ongoing sexual abuse at the hands of her father. In this episode, she shares what it was like growing up in an unsafe home, carrying silence for years, and the moment everything finally came to light. In this conversation, Brenda speaks openly about her earliest memories, the confusion of knowing something wasn’t right, and why children so often can’t “just tell.” She reflects on the role poverty and isolation played in hiding the abuse, the day police intervened, and what it felt like when her father confessed. She also shares her experience of the court process, the sentence he received, and her fear that he could reoffend if released. Julia and Brenda talk about survival, manipulation, and the quiet ways trauma shapes a child’s sense of safety. They also explore what healing looks like now, rebuilding trust, reconnecting with her siblings, and learning how to feel safe in her own life. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse by a parent, family violence, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised. Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support in Australia, you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule Follow Brenda on Instagram @myvoice.xo Learn more about Brenda’s petition at https://www.change.org/p/keep-a-convicted-sexual-abuser-behind-bars?source_location=search In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    39 min
  5. 180K in Debt from a Crippling Gambling Addiction

    FEB 22

    180K in Debt from a Crippling Gambling Addiction

    At 26, Henry Brayshaw was drowning in hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt from his gambling addiction. Gambling had felt normal since childhood. Some of his earliest memories were placing bets on the Melbourne Cup and slipping into the TAB. What started as something familiar slowly became uncontrollable. As the debt piled up, so did the shame. He self-harmed and isolated himself in a dark room for days.The turning point wasn’t dramatic. It was honest. He told his best friend at the time, Annie, and that was the moment he stopped running. Now, he urges anyone struggling to register with BetStop, Australia’s national self-exclusion scheme. Register yourself with BetStop HERE Follow Henry on Instagram: @henry.brayshaw Trigger warning: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse in detail. Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Creator & Host- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Image & Logo- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jasmine Rule⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    41 min
  6. From Perth to a Thai Prison: The Story of WA's Most Infamous International Inmate (Subscriber Exclusive)

    FEB 18 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    From Perth to a Thai Prison: The Story of WA's Most Infamous International Inmate (Subscriber Exclusive)

    JOIN THE UNSPOKEN: https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking Holly Dean grew up in a household where drugs eventually became part of everyday life. She first tried heroin at 15, and by her own account, that was it from that very first time. By 20 she was in prison in Perth. Then came Thailand, and a sentence of 31 years. In this conversation, Holly opens up about what life actually looked like inside a Thai prison, losing her mother to an overdose while she was inside, being a high-functioning addict that nobody around her suspected, and what finally made her stop using. She also talks about coming home at 41, the PTSD and depression that crept up on her a couple of years later, and why counselling made such a difference. Julia and Holly talk about what it really means to carry trauma you didn't choose, the parts of addiction that don't make the headlines, and the reality of rebuilding actually looks like. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of drug use, addiction and incarceration. Ready to share your story? Email: [hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au](mailto:hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au) Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015 https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline Creator & Host - Julia Rangiheuea Image & Logo - Jasmine Rule Follow Holly on Instagram: @hollydean_johns In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    46 min
  7. [DOCUMENTARY] Inside the World of Selling Sex Online: Annie Knight

    FEB 15

    [DOCUMENTARY] Inside the World of Selling Sex Online: Annie Knight

    What really goes on inside the world of selling sex online? I was invited into the home of Australia’s most sexually active woman, Annie Knight, one of the country’s top OnlyFans creators. From the boundaries she sets with her fiancé to exactly how she pulls in millions each year, Annie lifts the curtain on a world most of us only glimpse from the outside. Follow Annie Knight on Instagram: @anniekknight Content warning: This episode contains discussions of sex and adult themes Ready to share your story? Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Creator & Host- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Image & Logo- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jasmine Rule⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    28 min
  8. Discovering Your Life Purpose With Astrology (Subscriber Exclusive)

    FEB 10 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Discovering Your Life Purpose With Astrology (Subscriber Exclusive)

    JOIN THE UNSPOKEN: https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking Jeanne Comeau is an evolutionary astrologer and holistic life purpose coach who uses astrology less like fortune-telling and more like a mirror. She works with astrology as a practical language for understanding patterns, pain points and potential, helping people make sense of their lived experience rather than predict what’s coming next. In this conversation, Jeanne sits down with Julia to unpack astrology in a grounded, accessible way. They explore how birth charts can reveal recurring emotional patterns, coping strategies and core wounds, and how this kind of self-awareness can support healing, sobriety and more intentional choices. Rather than using astrology to bypass responsibility, Jeanne explains how it can be used as a tool for accountability, compassion and growth, especially for those navigating recovery or major life transitions. Ready to share your story? Email: [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠](mailto:hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au) Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised. The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015 https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline Creator & Host- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Julia Rangiheuea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Image & Logo- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jasmine Rule⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jeanne on Instagram: @jeanne_comeau_metaphysician Jeanne’s website: www.jeannecomeau.com In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

    31 min
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out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Stories from everyday people sharing their darkest moments that led to sobriety. Shedding light on our struggles to help those still finding their way out. 

Information

  • Creator
    Julia Rangiheuea
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Julia Rangiheuea
  • Show Website
    Soberly Speaking
  • Provider
    Julia Rangiheuea

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