Welcome back to the Professional Drinkers Podcast! How are you all doing? I hope everything's going well. These past couple of weeks have been quite odd in terms of weather. It's so British of me to start by talking about the weather, but it's been a washout lately. I can't help but feel sorry for the kids who had to endure this downpour after they went through that scorching heatwave in June, especially those who were taking exams - including my own kids, I have to admit. So, yeah, things aren't ideal over here in the UK. Nonetheless, let's stay positive and move forward.
Now, let me share some exciting news. I had the opportunity this week to visit the brand-new Functional Drinks Club, right here in the small Yorkshire town of Wotley, not far from where I live in Horsforth. It's truly fantastic! A big shoutout to Kevin Gillespy, the founder and owner of this club. They've got kombucha on tap, something I've never seen before. And that's not all – they're offering mushroom alcohol-free beers and an array of other non-alcoholic beverages from various brands. It's truly inspiring to witness such a space opening up right here in the North, in Yorkshire. You can probably tell how thrilled I am about this happening practically in my own backyard. I'll definitely be making return visits. I practically bought a sample of every kombucha they had for sale, and I've been enjoying one every evening. Some new favourites have emerged, like the U and I brand – never heard of them before, so I'll need to give them a shoutout for their fantastic kombucha.
Speaking of exciting developments, we're also gearing up to launch new services. We've recently taken on some wonderful clients and we're working on specialized services for the grocery and finance sectors. If you're involved in grocery retail or supplies, or if finance is your area – whether it's credit, accountancy, or loans – we've got something special in the works. These services aim to provide a safe and confidential space in the workplace for people to explore their relationship with alcohol, free from judgment. We're building on the success of the Sober Curious Society at the Co-op, and I can't wait to share more details. If you want a sneak peek or more information, drop me a note at hello@choosesunrise.co.uk. You can also check out our events page on the website for upcoming sessions.
Now, let's dive into this week's guest. I'm thrilled to introduce Karl Considine, an HR director and the host of the captivating podcast "What Next." This podcast delves deep into personal recovery journeys, and Karl is an exceptional host. He's been sober for over two years now, and in our conversation, he offers insightful perspectives on individual responsibility and the influence of work environments on drinking behaviours. Karl's own experiences in various roles shed light on the lack of alcohol-related education and policies in workplaces. He emphasises the need for more nuanced approaches, especially in environments like startups where social drinking is often part of the culture. As always, it's an engaging and enlightening discussion, and I hope you enjoy listening to Karl's insights as much as I did.
Remember, you can find more about Karl and his podcast, "What Next," over on Instagram @whatnext.podcast. Thank you for joining me this week, and I look forward to sharing more exciting conversations and developments in the world of Professional Drinkers. Cheers!
