The Sober Connection

Abi King
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Health & Fitness

Hosted by Abi King, an ex-daily drinker turned sobriety coach based in New Zealand, this podcast is for people who are curious about a sober life. Episodes will discuss a variety of sobriety related topics with the aim of helping people understand the dangers of a regular drinking habit. With a mixture of short "tips & tricks" episodes, and longer guest interviews, The Sober Connection podcast hopes to provide you with a glimpse into a life without alcohol, proving that being sober is anything but boring.

  1. 5d ago

    Season 3 - Episode 19: When Sobriety Stops Being The Goal

    When you first stop drinking, sobriety can feel like the entire project. You count the days. You plan for weekends. You think about triggers, cravings, social events and what you’ll say when someone offers you a drink. But eventually, something can shift. Alcohol gets quieter. Not drinking becomes less something you’re actively doing and more simply part of who you are. And that leaves space for a much bigger question: If staying sober isn’t the goal anymore… what is? In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when sobriety moves from the centre of your life into the background, and you start thinking less about how to stay alcohol-free and more about the life being alcohol-free allows you to build. Because sobriety didn’t magically give me a perfect life. It made my life available. And maybe sobriety was never meant to be the finish line. Maybe it’s the foundation that allows you to start building everything that comes next. Get in touch: Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

  2. Sep 4

    Season 3 - Episode 18: My Chat with Sam Phillips

    Sam Phillips is just days away from celebrating five years sober, but his journey to get here was anything but straightforward. Sam started drinking at just 13, discovering very quickly that alcohol could quiet the health anxiety and intrusive thoughts he’d been struggling with for years. What began as weekend drinking eventually progressed to daily alcohol use, cocaine and a cycle of addiction, sobriety and relapses that lasted for years. In this episode, Sam shares incredibly openly about his final relapse, the moment he realised he was giving up on his life, and the friend who quite literally waited for him outside a shop and asked: “Do you want some help now?” We also talk about the slightly bonkers challenge that became Dare to Dip - getting into the North Sea every single day for a year to raise awareness for mental health - and how cold water, honesty and connection became a huge part of Sam’s recovery. Nearly five years on, we talk about what long-term sobriety actually looks like: dealing with life without numbing it, finding healthier ways to cope, becoming a present dad, and learning that there is no single “right” way to recover. This is a conversation about addiction, mental health, relapse, connection and second chances, and what can happen when you decide to get back up one more time. Get in touch: Sam Instagram @dare_to_dip Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

    Season 3 - Episode 18: My Chat with Sam Phillips

  3. Aug 28

    Season 3 - Episode 17: So You Drank Again... Now What?

    You decided you weren’t going to drink. You were doing well. And then… you drank again. So now what? In this episode of The Sober Connection, I’m talking about what happens after a slip, and why the story you tell yourself afterwards can matter just as much as the drink itself. We’ll talk about the all-or-nothing thinking that can turn one night into a weekend, a month or longer; how to look at what happened with curiosity rather than shame; and why the alcohol-free days that came before it still count. Because yes, your consecutive day count might go back to one. But you don’t go back to square one. You know more now. You’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, what your triggers might be and where you may need more support. You’re not starting again from scratch. You’re starting again from experience. Get in touch: Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

  4. Aug 21

    Season 3 - Episode 16: My Chat with Nic

    What if alcohol wasn't just something you drank – but something you'd unknowingly been using to regulate your brain? In this episode, I'm joined by Nic from Nourish Not Numb for a raw and fascinating conversation about neurodivergence, addiction and recovery. Nicola is autistic and has ADHD, but didn't receive her diagnosis until after she got sober. Looking back, she can now see how alcohol, drugs and prescription medication became ways of quietening an incredibly busy brain, coping with overwhelm, masking and functioning in a world that often felt too much. We talk about Nic's progression from teenage drinking and drug use to severe alcohol dependence, the experience that eventually led her into rehab, and why traditional approaches to recovery didn't always make sense to her neurodivergent brain. We also explore what happened when she removed alcohol and her neurodivergent traits became even more apparent, the relief – and grief – that came with finally receiving a diagnosis, raising neurodivergent children, learning new ways to regulate, and why recovery for Nicola has ultimately meant simplifying her life rather than constantly trying to cope with one that doesn't suit her. Neither Nic nor I are trained professionals in neurodivergence or addiction, and this conversation isn't intended as medical advice or diagnosis. It's simply two women sharing lived experience and asking an important question: when alcohol has become your way of switching off, what might be underneath the need to switch off in the first place? Get in touch: Nic Instagram @nourishnotnumb Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

    Season 3 - Episode 16: My Chat with Nic

  5. Aug 14

    Season 3 - Episode 15: The Truth About Socialising Sober

    Socialising without alcohol can feel like one of the biggest hurdles when you’re changing your relationship with drinking.  What will people think? Will you still have fun? Will you feel awkward? And what happens when everyone else starts getting drunk? In this episode, I’m talking about what sober socialising actually feels like. From the anxiety before those first few events to the surprising realisation that most people care far less about what’s in your glass than you think. We’ll talk about why alcohol doesn’t give you a personality, why those sober “firsts” can feel uncomfortable, the pressure to prove you’re still fun, and why sometimes the best part of a night out is realising you’re actually allowed to leave when you've had enough. Your social life might change when you stop drinking, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it gets smaller. You might just start discovering what you genuinely enjoy, rather than what alcohol made tolerable. Get in touch: Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

  6. Aug 7

    Season 3 - Episode 14: My Chat with Mike Field

    What does sobriety actually look like after the milestones, the celebrations and the before-and-after stories? This week I'm joined by my friend Mike Field, who stopped drinking three months before I did. We met in those messy early days of 2022, when we were both navigating life without alcohol and leaning heavily on the online sober community for support. Now, more than four years later, we catch up to talk about what life really looks like when sobriety is no longer the centre of your attention. We chat about: - Why the first year isn't the end of the journey - How our relationship with alcohol has changed over time - The fears we had in early sobriety that never came true - Learning to leave situations that no longer serve you - Why community can make all the difference in recovery - Navigating heartbreak, grief, anxiety and life's biggest challenges without alcohol - The identity shift that happens when drinking is no longer part of who you are - Why life without alcohol isn't boring – it's just different This isn't an episode about counting sober days or celebrating milestones. It's a conversation about what comes next, and how sobriety quietly becomes the foundation for a life you never imagined was possible. Whether you're on Day 1 or Year 10, I hope this conversation reminds you that recovery isn't about giving something up forever. It's about building a life you no longer want to escape from. Get in touch: Mike Instagram @mike_is_sober Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

    Season 3 - Episode 14: My Chat with Mike Field

  7. Jul 31

    Season 3 - Episode 13: What Actually Changes When You Stop Drinking

    If you're thinking about taking a break from alcohol, you've probably wondered what actually changes when you stop drinking? In this episode, I'm talking honestly about the early days of sobriety - the parts people love to share, and the parts they often don't. Because the truth is, quitting alcohol isn't an overnight transformation. Yes, you may sleep better, feel calmer and become more present, but you might also experience boredom, restlessness, fatigue and moments where you wonder if it's even working. And all of it is completely normal. In this episode, I share my own experience of early sobriety, challenge some of the biggest myths about what happens when you stop drinking, and explain why the uncomfortable parts don't mean you should give up - they're often a sign that real change is beginning. We cover: - Why early sobriety isn't a straight line  - The mental freedom that comes from no longer negotiating with alcohol  - Why alcohol doesn't actually give you quality sleep  - The surprising role boredom plays in recovery  - How confidence is built after you stop drinking, not before  - The quiet changes that end up transforming your life the most  Whether you're sober curious, in your first few weeks, or simply wondering what life could look like without alcohol, I hope this episode gives you realistic expectations along with plenty of hope. Remember: You don't have to become a completely different person overnight. Sometimes the biggest gift of sobriety is simply creating enough space to reconnect with who you already are. Get in touch: Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

  8. Jul 24

    Season 3 - Episode 12: My Chat with Nick Jonsson

    What if the thing driving your drinking isn't stress... but loneliness? When we think about why we drink, we often blame stress, anxiety or wanting to switch off after a long day. But what if those are only part of the story? In this episode, I'm joined by accredited sober coach, bestselling author and TEDx speaker Nick Jonsson, who shares his powerful journey from appearing successful and high-functioning on the outside to privately struggling with loneliness, isolation and alcohol dependence. Together, we explore the hidden role loneliness can play in our relationship with alcohol, why so many people suffer in silence, and how recovery is about so much more than simply removing the drink. In this conversation, we discuss: - Why you can feel lonely even when you're surrounded by people - The link between loneliness, shame and alcohol use - Why high-functioning people often hide their struggles so well - The pressure to always appear "fine" - What finally led Nick to surrender and choose sobriety - What early recovery really looked like  - How genuine connection becomes one of the most powerful tools in lasting recovery Whether you're questioning your drinking, navigating early sobriety, or simply curious about the emotional reasons we reach for alcohol, this episode offers an honest and compassionate perspective that reminds us we're never as alone as we think we are. If this conversation resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a review, share the episode with someone who might need it, or connect with me on Instagram @levelup.withabi. Remember, recovery isn't just about giving something up - it's about finding the connection you've been looking for all along.  Get in touch: Nick www.nickjonsson.com Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety & Depression in the Modern Business World Available here - https://www.amazon.com/Executive-Loneliness-Overcoming-Isolation-Depression-ebook/dp/B091B1Y3WZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RA92G3A1DCEB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YePBWvmPyX7o6HJW8UjjY44aa-d7PWjxRrwCgoxjWpjO5034Qvni9ArICMpjXGzhVSbZThA7jCI54rH-2R3--URoX6fSgHE0TQLe-mKg8o563BUgWgKPKMVY4MCtkjvZANOVTFn_NOEjrc7qHJJZWky1BiEyXQvB-QruH78jBXIKEKutTVslwaYZbYtjSqLabTsmYXe4vuCaGYEOpCEdmzFkyzplDVcD4l73mXRC-4k.19ZA5pmDiBKbqdLth6oiVIPFqdQklHVWFJuV0DAukCA&dib_tag=se&keywords=executive+loneliness&qid=1783662176&sprefix=executive+lonelin%2Caps%2C449&sr=8-1 Abi 30 Days to Freedom - A Gentle Reset Available here - www.levelupsobrietycoaching.com/30-days-to-freedom-reset/ Instagram @levelup.withabi Email hello@levelupsobrietycoaching.co.nz Affiliate links:  Terps & Co. www.drinkterps.co.nz - enter code ABI20 for 20% off storewide I use Riverside.fm for my podcast editing software. Click the link below to find out more! https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=abi My podcast episodes are hosted and distributed by Buzzsprout. Click the link below for a $20 Refer a Friend voucher (T&Cs apply) https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2404910 Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/in-motion License code: N5GLWPT8QQSRU7D2

    Season 3 - Episode 12: My Chat with Nick Jonsson
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About

Hosted by Abi King, an ex-daily drinker turned sobriety coach based in New Zealand, this podcast is for people who are curious about a sober life. Episodes will discuss a variety of sobriety related topics with the aim of helping people understand the dangers of a regular drinking habit. With a mixture of short "tips & tricks" episodes, and longer guest interviews, The Sober Connection podcast hopes to provide you with a glimpse into a life without alcohol, proving that being sober is anything but boring.

Information

  • Creator
    Abi King
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Sober Connection
  • Show Website
    The Sober Connection

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