Victoria Vanstone on Drinking Culture, Motherhood & Midlife

In this episode of Love Sober Podcast, Kate talks with Victoria Vanstone, founder of Sober Awkward, writer, podcaster and author of A Thousand Wasted Sundays.

Victoria shares her journey from Reading pub culture and wild backpacking years (including blowing off part of her finger with a firework) through motherhood, anxiety and the moment she realised she could “step off the roundabout” and choose a sober life.

Kate and Victoria explore people‑pleasing, self‑abandonment, ADHD and rejection sensitivity, perimenopause and midlife rage, and how sobriety becomes a messy, beautiful “welcome mat” back home to yourself.

• Growing up in Reading pub culture, wild backpacking years and a Millennium firework accident that blew off part of her finger – Victoria Vanstone always wore chaos as a badge of honour.
• Motherhood, anxiety and Sunday shame finally brought her to a quiet rock bottom: “I just can’t f*cking do this anymore.”
• We talk about people‑pleasing, self‑abandonment, ADHD and rejection sensitivity, perimenopause, and why sobriety is the most interesting thing she’s ever done.
• Plus: social pivots in midlife, sober retreats in Thailand, the chicken dance, and rediscovering childlike joy without alcohol.
• Listen now on Love Sober Podcast and share with a sober or sober‑curious friend who needs this.

Links & Resources

Victoria Vanstone / Sober Awkward

• Website: [Sober Awkward] https://www.soberawkward.com/
• Podcast: https://www.soberawkward.com/
• Books: 1000 Wasted Sundays and Mumming: A Year of Trying and Failing to Be a Better Parent – [Book links]https://www.soberawkward.com/
• Thailand sober retreats with Sober Dave: https://www.soberawkward.com/

Kate & Love Sober

• Love Sober website & programs: [Love Sober] https://www.lovesober.com/
• Group program: Love Your Sober Summer – 6‑week group coaching for navigating summer triggers, holidays, nervous system regulation and boundaries: [Love Your Sober Summer] https://www.lovesober.com/love-your-sober-summer

Books & ideas mentioned

• The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober – Catherine Gray
• Hagitude – Sharon Blackie 
• Women Who Run with the Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés 
• Creatrix / Burning Woman – Lucy H. Pearce 
• ADHD & Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) 

https://www.soberawkward.com/

Vic's new book 'Mumming - A Year of Trying to be a Better Parent' is out now! 

Grab a cuppa and let's chat x