Conscious Unbottling - healing beneath the alcohol
by Megan Webb
What if quitting drinking wasn’t the end of your story—but the beginning of coming home to yourself? Welcome to Conscious Unbottling, a podcast for women who are ready to stop using alcohol to numb, cope, escape or get through the day—and start creating a life they genuinely want to live. Hosted by Megan Webb, an alcohol recovery and trauma-informed coach, Conscious Unbottling explores what’s really underneath drinking and why simply quitting alcohol doesn’t always solve the deeper issues. Because sometimes alcohol isn’t the problem. It’s the solution we found for something underneath. Each episode dives into the deeper layers of alcohol recovery, sobriety and emotional healing—including core wounds, trauma, nervous system regulation, limiting beliefs, people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-worth, shame, anxiety, toxic relationships, narcissistic abuse and the patterns that keep us stuck. Megan speaks honestly about what it tak
Episodes
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Unlearn with Louisa, toxic relationships.
Send us Fan Mail A relationship that starts like magic can end up feeling like withdrawal. Megan’s first guest, relationship coach Louisa, gets brutally honest about the mechanics of trauma bonding and why narcissistic dynamics can be so hard to spot when you’re inside them. We talk about the...
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Reclaimed Woman
Send us Fan Mail Two bottles of wine a night doesn’t start as a plan. It starts as relief. I’m talking about the moment social drinking quietly becomes at-home drinking, then nightly drinking, and the awful loop that follows: you drink because you don’t feel good, then you don’t feel good because...
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Yes, Sometimes I do miss alcohol!
Send us Fan Mail Missing alcohol after you quit can feel scary, like it means you’re sliding backwards. We don’t buy that story. We talk about what’s really happening when the thought pops up years into sobriety: your brain is remembering a feeling, a season, a song, a summer night, and alcohol...
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Mum's who drink alcohol to cope.
Send us Fan Mail At some point, “wine time” stops being a treat and starts being the moment our kids lose us. We can be the mum who shows up to school events, keeps everyone fed, and holds the family together, while also disappearing emotionally every night behind a glass. That contradiction is...
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Alcohol and the hidden shame cycle
Send us Fan Mail Shame can make a single night of drinking feel like a verdict on your character. If you have ever woken up after wine or a big night and thought, “What is wrong with me?”, we want to slow that moment right down and look at what is actually happening under the surface. Because…
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Toxic Love
Send us Fan Mail You can be in a toxic relationship and still struggle to “prove” it, even to yourself. We’re talking about the kind that doesn’t always look dramatic on the outside, but slowly makes you smaller on the inside: covert narcissism, subtle manipulation, and the quiet loss of self…
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Fear of rejection
Send us Fan Mail Rejection can feel brutal, but the most painful part is often what we make it mean about us. If “no” instantly translates to “I’m not enough”, it can shape everything: the way we text, the way we speak up, the way we pick partners, and the way we silence our needs to avoid...
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Binge drinking and blackouts
Send us Fan Mail You can be awake, talking, texting, even cooking dinner, and still lose the entire night. That is what blackout drinking can do, and it is as frightening as it sounds. I’m Meg, and I’m speaking plainly about binge drinking and blackouts because they were my normal for decades,...
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The Real Reasons I Drank Alcohol
Send us Fan Mail Alcohol is everywhere, so it can feel like you’re the weird one if you don’t want a drink and that’s exactly the trap. We’re told alcohol is “normal” for birthdays, weddings, girls’ nights, stress, sadness, and even just getting through the week, yet we rarely talk honestly about...
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Ten Lessons I learnt from Quitting alcohol!
Send us Fan Mail You don’t need a DUI, a breakup, or a health crisis to question your drinking. I’m Meg, and I’m sharing the top 10 things I’ve learned since quitting alcohol, because the biggest shift for me wasn’t “fixing a problem” it was choosing a better life before things got worse. If…
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Is This As Good As It Gets?
Send us Fan Mail That thought you barely dare to say out loud, “Is this as good as it gets?”, can creep in even when life looks fine on paper. I’m Meg, and I’m sharing the real story behind that question: the years of doing everything for everyone else, the creeping sense I’d lost touch with...
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Why "Am I an alcoholic" could be the wrong question.
Send us Fan Mail You can look “fine” and still be struggling with alcohol. If you’ve ever held it together on the outside while quietly worrying about sleep, anxiety, confidence, or how often you’re thinking about that next drink, I’m speaking straight to you. I’m Meg, and I’m opening this…
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Welcome to Conscious Unbottling Podcast!
Send us Fan Mail Alcohol can feel like the only way to switch your brain off, ease social anxiety, or get through another hard day, until you realise it’s also been keeping you disconnected from yourself. I’m Meg, a trauma-informed alcohol recovery coach, and I’m kicking off Conscious Unbottling…
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Farewell from Not Drinking Today!
After loving every second of creating Not Drinking Today, Meg and Bella are ready to branch out and continue their alcohol-free journey in new ways. We’ve cherished the incredible conversations with our guests and are so grateful for every listener who tuned in and supported us along the way.…
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Navigating the Menopause Maze with Dr. Rebecca Lewis
Ladies, have you ever wondered why menopause isn't a subject of everyday conversation, despite its life-altering implications? This episode aims to shift the paradigm, bringing menopause out of the shadows with our special guest, Dr. Rebecca Lewis, a GP and menopause specialist. Together, we...
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Exploring ADHD and Neurodiversity with Faye Lawrence
Ever wondered how ADHD manifests differently in children and adults, or between males and females? In our latest episode, we promise to provide those answers and more with the help of our returning guest, Faye Lawrence. Now a specialized coaching therapist, Faye shares her journey of being...
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Dr Jodi Richardson on ANXIETY!
In this episode we interview one of Australia's leading lights in managing anxiety. An educational leader, Dr Jodi Richardson supports parents and teachers to change their relationship with anxiety, dial it right down and light the way for their children and students to do the same. Jodi is...
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Menopause, Alcohol, and Nutrition: Emma Bardwell's Insights on Navigating This Complex Phase
What if you could navigate the complexities of menopause with a little help from nutrition and lifestyle changes? Join us for a meaningful conversation with registered nutritionist and author Emma Bardwell, as we delve into the lesser-known facets of menopause and its impacts. Emma provides...
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Sober Summits Maggie Klaassen's interviews Meg
Send us Fan Mail Join us for Meg's interview for the Sober Summit with Maggie Klaassen's. Why can some people take or leave alcohol while others feel trapped in a drinking cycle? At 17, a panic attack in front of her class sparked years of social anxiety. At 18, alcohol felt like magic—it stopped...
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A Sober Glow Up with Faye Hughes
What happens when we wake up one day and decide that self-destruction isn't serving us anymore? For Faye Hughes, that awakening came on a plane ride home from Dubai after a family wedding gone terribly wrong. The shame, guilt, and regret she felt became the catalyst for a Valentine's Day decision...
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Bittersweet Memories
Meg takes a look back at her relationship with alcohol, where she discovered a profound paradox that changed everything. She was terrified of losing precious moments—yet was drinking them away. Meg's whole life revolved around preserving memories. She treasured photographs, constantly reminisced...
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Laughs Without Lager: Finding Authentic Connection in Sobriety
What happens when four decades of heavy drinking suddenly stops? Ali Burke returns to share her remarkable transformation from a self-described "party pisshead parent" to a woman fully embracing authentic connection and present parenting. Ali's drinking story began in her early teens, looking for...
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Faye Lawrence: Claim Your Sober Identity (what if your best self exists on the other side of sobriety?)
Faye Lawrence, Psychologist, offers practical guidance for navigating social situations without drinking. She explores how our social identity and connections play a crucial role in sustaining behavior change around alcohol consumption. • Discover how family experiences and cultural norms shape…
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Rory Kinsella: Why Meditation Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Sobriety Puzzle
Rory Kinsella, musician, Vedic meditation teacher and sober coach, reveals how finding inner stillness helped him transform his relationship with alcohol and eventually quit completely. He now teaches others to do the same. We discuss: • Growing up in alcohol-centric UK culture where drinking was...
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The Unstoppable World of Rocky Rafaela: Rochelle's Recovery Journey
Australian fashion designer Rochelle Gregory shares her transformative journey from alcohol addiction to creative success with her clothing line Rocky Rafaela. In this ep, we cover how: • alcohol initially provided social connection, but led to dangerous situations and repeated rehab stays •...
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Alice Hansen, From Rehab to Wild Wellness
Alice's drinking got out of control growing up in Tasmania, drinking to numb complicated feelings associated with being gay in an environment in which it was still illegal to be gay at the time and so she kept her identity hidden from everyone around her. After bravely going to rehab more than 20...
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Celebrating 10 Years of the Revolutionary Book Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol With Author Ann Dowsett Johnston
Drink: The Intimate Relationship between Women and Alcohol celebrates 10 years today! Tune in as we talk to the author, Ann Dowsett Johnston, award-winning journalist, TEDx Speaker and Founder of the Writing Your Recovery Workshops about women’s relationship with alcohol 10 years on. Is alcohol...
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William Porter: "Alcohol Explained”
Today, we have the honor of speaking with William Porter, the insightful author of "Alcohol Explained." William spent years in the throes of his own drinking career, unknowingly gathering the research and experiences that would later form the foundation of his life-changing book. In this episode...
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Mastering Habit Change: Dr. Gina Cleo on Dopamine, Neuroplasticity, and Reducing Alcohol Dependency
Dr. Gina Cleo, one of Australia's leading habit change experts, shares her expertise on creating healthier, alcohol-free habit loops. In this recording of Dr Cleo's talk to my (Bella) November Alcohol Freedom Challenge, Dr Cleo discusses the science behind dopamine, a neurotransmitter that drives...
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Blackout Drinking!
Send us Fan Mail I never imagined that so many special memories in my life would be a blur. The harsh reality of alcohol-induced blackouts left a mark on what should have been some of the clearest and happiest days of my life. Tune in as I, Meg, unravel the harrowing connection between these...
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Navigating Sobriety at 57: Donna's Five-Year Journey
Donna Bennett shares her five-year sobriety journey that began with an "Easter epiphany" during COVID lockdown, revealing how removing alcohol from her life led to profound personal transformation and newfound freedom. We cover so much in this episode, including: • Recognising how alcohol had...
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Why can't I be a normal drinker?
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why the notion of being a "normal drinker" weighs heavily on so many of us? Join me, Meg, as I share my personal journey through the maze of societal expectations and personal realisations around alcohol consumption. From questioning my own drinking habits to the...
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Sober Legend, Jen Hirst, Shares How She Rebuilt Her Life from the Ground Up
Today we talk to Jen Hirst! Jen is an open book when it comes to her experience with alcohol addiction. She says it like it is and discusses how she recovered with transparency. This is what drew me to Jen. Her honesty about how dark it got has been such an inspiration for many who can relate and...
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Talking alcohol and relationships with Lauren O'Hanlon
Lauren O'Hanlon shares her powerful journey from teen blackouts to a turning point that reshaped her life. Navigating the pressures of motherhood, “mommy wine culture,” and a near-divorce, she realised something had to change. Now two and a half years alcohol free, Lauren opens up about...
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Your Body Isn't Broken: Weight Loss, Hormones, and Cortisol with Dr Shami
Dr. Shamistra Barathan breaks down the science of midlife weight gain and reveals the three missing pieces of the puzzle for women struggling despite diet and exercise changes. Some key points: Weight loss struggles are often tied to hidden hormonal imbalances Calories-in/calories-out model...
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Julie Lively taking the edge off without alcohol
What happens when the wine you use to take the edge off becomes the very thing keeping you on edge? Julie Lively, alcohol freedom coach and This Naked Mind coach, shares her powerful journey from being caught in mummy wine culture to discovering true freedom beyond the bottle. With four children…
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Maz Compton - How Your Last Drink Could Be Your First Step Toward a Better You
Maz Compton just makes the alcohol-free decision feel like a no brainer! Today Maz talks to Bella's Alcohol Freedom Group about her powerful journey from being a successful radio host secretly struggling with alcohol dependence to living ten years alcohol-free and discovering her authentic self...
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Why Moderating Alcohol is so Incredibly Hard to Achieve!
In this episode, Meg & Bella address the pros and pitfalls of moderating alcohol. Everybody who drinks or has drunk has practiced it but not many succeed at it! We talk about alcohol moderation in the context of Dry July, this being the second day of it, when thousands of Australians dip their…
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Am I an Alcoholic?
In this episode, we talk about the term “alcoholic”. The phrase “am I an alcoholic?” is frequently googled and many use this as the starting point for exploring whether alcohol has become a problem for them. We explore the derivation of this term, why some people with alcohol use disorders do not...
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Getting down and deep with Darcy!
Darcy shares her powerful journey from teenage drinking to finding freedom from alcohol without traditional recovery programs or labels. Her story weaves through decades of substance use, career changes, grief after losing her brother to suicide, and ultimately discovering a path to sobriety that...
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A Masterclass in Hormones, Gut Health and Alcohol With Trish Tucker May
Do you know how much alcohol impacts our gut health, hormones, peri and menopause symptoms, contributes to increased inflammation levels, stress management and drastically reduces our energy levels? Do you want to know what steps you can take to heal your body after drinking? Trish Tucker May…
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Dr Libby and the effects of alcohol on our bodies!
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Libby Weaver as we explore the hidden impact of alcohol on nutrition and overall well-being. From the crucial role of zinc in immune health to alcohol’s effects on hydration, minerals, and cravings, Dr. Libby breaks down the science in a way that’s...
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Diving Deep with Seana Smith: The Story Behind Going Under
On the eve of celebrating five years of sobriety, Seana Smith joins Bella for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about recovery, resilience, and rewriting her story. In this riveting episode, Seana opens up about the profound impact of her father’s alcoholism on her childhood and how it...
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Unwined with Rina Bowring!
What if breaking free from alcohol could lead to a deeper connection with yourself and others? Join us for a powerful conversation with Rina, a fellow Naked Mind coach, who shares her inspiring journey of quitting alcohol independently before discovering the transformative power of community...
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Tara Hurster on Resilience, Addiction Recovery, and Finding Purpose
Meet Tara Hurster, a remarkable voice in addiction treatment, as she shares her empowering journey and insights from The Tara Clinic in Sydney. From grappling with insecurities about her height in school—turning to smoking as a coping mechanism—to discovering her passion for helping others as a...
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Eliza Parkinson taking fear out of Triggers
What if the secret to overcoming addiction lies not in avoiding triggers, but in facing them head-on? Join us for an insightful conversation with the ever-inspiring Eliza Parkinson as we challenge the conventional approach to recovery from alcohol. Eliza shares her unique perspective on managing...
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Alcohol and Love Addiction With Mel Watkins
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EPISODE CONTAINS REFERENCES TO SUICIDE. PLEASE SKIP THIS EPISODE IF YOU FIND THIS TOPIC TRIGGERING OR UPSETTING* Mel Watkins, a psychotherapist and founder of Mel Watkins Therapy, shares her deeply personal journey to sobriety, elucidating the powerful links between…
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Mike Shennan; finding Power and Strength in Sobriety.
Mike Shennan joins us to share his remarkable journey to sobriety and how it has laid the foundation for his fulfilling career in coaching. From growing up in a family culture where drinking was routine to facing the challenges of social drinking during his university years in Canada, Mike offers…
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Redefining Rituals: Natalie Battaglia on Mocktails, Motherhood & Mindful Living
Get ready to be inspired by Natalie Battaglia, the creative mind behind The Mindful Mocktail! In this episode, Natalie opens up about her transformative journey from struggling with alcohol dependence to crafting elegant, delicious non-alcoholic beverages that elevate any occasion. We dive deep...
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Happy New Year from NDT!
In this episode, Meg reflects on three years of living alcohol-free and the transformative impact it's had on her life and relationships. From rebuilding trust with herself and her children to discovering the joy of self-validation, every step has been a revelation. With the support of a vibrant...
About this show
What if quitting drinking wasn’t the end of your story—but the beginning of coming home to yourself?
Welcome to Conscious Unbottling, a podcast for women who are ready to stop using alcohol to numb, cope, escape or get through the day—and start creating a life they genuinely want to live.
Hosted by Megan Webb, an alcohol recovery and trauma-informed coach, Conscious Unbottling explores what’s really underneath drinking and why simply quitting alcohol doesn’t always solve the deeper issues.
Because sometimes alcohol isn’t the problem. It’s the solution we found for something underneath.
Each episode dives into the deeper layers of alcohol recovery, sobriety and emotional healing—including core wounds, trauma, nervous system regulation, limiting beliefs, people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-worth, shame, anxiety, toxic relationships, narcissistic abuse and the patterns that keep us stuck.
Megan speaks honestly about what it tak
Hosted by
Megan Webb
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