Shows
Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastSetting boundaries with my homeless, alcoholic dad - George BillingeIn this raw and moving episode, we sit down with George Billinge as he shares the emotional journey of growing up with a father lost to alcohol addiction. George speaks candidly about watching his dad’s decline — from a loving parent to a man consumed by addiction, now living homeless.
George opens up about the heartbreak of witnessing that transformation and the difficult reality of maintaining healthy boundaries — not out of anger, but out of love for himself and those closest to him. His story is one of deep reflection, personal growth, and the strength it takes to pro...2025-06-131h 04Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastEvery child of an alcoholic is DIFFERENTLY unhappy — Maya Parker, Nacoa Co-FounderIn this powerful episode of Children of Alcoholics, Amy and Sarah sit down with Maya Parker, MA – co-founder and trustee of Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics). Maya brings a lifetime of experience, both personal and professional, to the conversation. With deep empathy and expertise, she explores the emotional rollercoaster of growing up with a parent who struggles with addiction.
Maya shares candid reflections from her own journey as a child of an alcoholic, alongside the insights she’s gained from decades of advocacy and support work. Whether you're a COA, an adult COA, or some...2025-05-011h 06Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastCoping with an alcoholic mum! with Jen Payne and Arabella ByrneMother’s Day Special: Breaking the Silence with Arabella Byrne & Jen Payne
This Mother’s Day, the Children of Alcoholics Podcast opens up a heartfelt and honest conversation about the complex emotions that can surface for those who grew up with a parent battling addiction.
We’re joined by Nacoa ambassadors Arabella Byrne and Jen Payne—two inspiring women who grew up with alcoholic mothers and are now, in very different ways, navigating motherhood themselves. Arabella is a mum to two young children, while Jen, after years of struggling to conceive, is now preparing to welcome...2025-03-2844 minSarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastCOA Week special! Josh Connolly and Chanita StephensonIt's Children of Alcoholics Week! So we're bringing you this bonus podcast featuring Josh Connolly and Chanita Stephenson.
We’re Sarah and Amy, two friends who grew up with parents struggling with alcoholism. We know firsthand the challenges, confusion, and emotional toll that come with it—and we’re here to create a space where others like us can feel heard, validated, and empowered.
Each episode, we’ll share personal stories, insights, and expert advice on healing, setting boundaries, and breaking generational cycles. Whether you're still navigating these challenges or on a journey of recovery, you're n...2025-02-1159 minSarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastI wrote a COA book and paid the price! - Arabella ByrneIn this episode of the COA Podcast, we welcome Arabella Byrne, author of In the Blood, a powerful and deeply personal exploration of intergenerational alcoholism. Arabella shares her journey of uncovering the hidden impact of addiction within families, how it shapes identities, and the path toward healing.
Arabella's memoir shared how her mother and she recovered from alcoholism within weeks of each other, having been caught in a long intergenerational spiral of addiction.
Arabella is also a prolific journalist on issues of children of alcoholics and also an ambassador of Nacoa UK
Join...2025-01-3144 minSarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they talk to Jen PayneThe Children of Alcoholics Podcast is back! In this episode, Sarah and Amy welcome Jen Payne, one of Nacoa's most prominent official ambassadors.
Since joining as a volunteer of Nacoa, no one has taken our message closer to heart. As a adult child of an alcoholic going through traumatic experiences to this day, she has tirelessly shared experiences to help children and adult children of tomorrow.
Jen has spoken for Nacoa in parliament, TV news specials, corporate galas, and schools. She has never shied away from an opportunity to let people know that they are no...2024-12-0559 minSarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode Where They Talk To Paul SummersIn this powerful episode, Sarah and Amy sit down with their first international guest, Paul Summers from the USA - a recovering addict and author. Paul opens up about his journey as a child of an alcoholic (COA) and his own struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. He shares his inspiring story of hitting rock bottom, losing custody of his daughter, and ultimately finding the courage to get sober through a 12-step program and a newfound belief in a Higher Power.
Paul's memoir, "Hide and Seek: A Dad's Journey from Soulless Addiction to Sole Custody," chronicles his...2024-04-181h 14Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they talk about their trip to parliamentIn this episode of Sarah and Amy: The Children of Alcoholics Podcast, Sarah and Amy delve into their trip to Parliament, where Sarah spoke on behalf of NACOA (the National Association for Children of Alcoholics). Amy takes the lead, asking Sarah questions about her experience speaking alongside inspiring guests like Hilary Henriques, CEO of NACOA, and the late iconic George Best's son, Calum Best. It's a candid conversation filled with emotions, but in a dramatic turn of events, it's Sarah who cracks a dark joke, leaving Amy speechless. And in a shocking twist, Amy even dishes out a compliment...2024-03-0555 minSarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they talk to sisters Jess & GeorgiaSisters Jess and Georgia join us for a candid conversation about growing up with an alcoholic parent and losing their father Jed to addiction in 2023. Though their childhoods were filled with instability and dysfunction, the sisters have emerged as successful businesswomen - Jess as the sales and marketing director at Hotel Football in Manchester, and Georgia as the owner of the hair and beauty salon Allure in Manchester.
After seeing Calum Best on Celebrity SAS, the sisters were inspired to get involved with Nacoa as volunteers and helped organise the organisation's first Northern Gala in March 2023. Now...2024-01-241h 13Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they reintroduce themselvesSarah and Amy reunite for a Christmas edition of their podcast “The Children of Alcoholics.” It’s been a few months since their last show as both stepped up into new roles with NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics).
But they candidly catch up on how they each managed the festive season of dysfunctional family dynamics and complicated memories tied to their alcoholic fathers, coincidentally both named Steve.
Sarah and Amy swap survival strategies, boundary tools and lessons learned from decades of attending alcohol-fueled Christmas celebrations. While difficult moments are shared, there is also hope a...2023-12-151h 02Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they Talk to Sarah’s sister Victoria GlennieIn this thought-provoking podcast episode, hosts Sarah and Amy embark on a heartfelt conversation with special guest Victoria Glennie, Sarah's younger sister. Brace yourself for an emotionally charged journey as they delve into the untimely passing of their father, Steve, and the tragic circumstances surrounding his battle with alcohol addiction.
With a mix of vulnerability and strength, the sisters open up about the deeply personal experience, sharing their perspectives on the day their father was hospitalised and ultimately succumbed to his addiction. This candid conversation sheds light on the complexity of addiction and its profound impact on...2023-06-301h 04Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they Talk to Tod HarrisonIn this episode Sarah & Amy talk to Tod Harrison about his experience growing up as a child of an alcoholic. Tod talks candidly about how this has affected his adult life. This is a powerful episode and captures a story of resilience and determination like no other.
Tod and some friends have formed a team and have challenged themselves for June 2024 to row the pacific ocean (2800 miles in 40 days) as part of the Talisker Whiskey competition event in aid of NACOA & Mind Charity, he talks to Sarah & Amy about the challenge and how being a COA has i...2023-05-251h 03Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they talk to Sammy KingstonIn this episode Sarah & Amy talk to TEDx speaker Sammy Kingston about her experience as a child of an alcoholic, and how she has channelled her experience into campaigning for change and awareness around alcohol use disorder.
Sammy sadly lost her Mum to alcohol use disorder in 2018 and courageously shares how she chose to stop enabling her Mums addiction by moving out of her family home at age 18. This episode is raw, emotive, and very powerful and gives an insight into the varying emotions that come with being a child of an alcoholic.
2023-03-221h 14Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they Talk to Harriet StrangeIn this episode Sarah & Amy talk to Sobriety & Mindset Coach Harriet Strange aka "50 Shades Sober" about her experience as a child of an alcoholic and her own addiction to alcohol.
Harriet talks us through her childhood as a child of an alcoholic, and her own relationship with alcohol and how it has impacted her life now she is a parent. This really is an insightful episode where we get to hear both perspectives from one person.
It's also an emotional one so make sure you have your tissues to hand!
2023-03-221h 19Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they Talk to Jess FrostIn this episode Sarah & Amy talk to Holistic Empowerment & Emotional Resilience Coach Jess Frost.
Jess talks openly to Sarah & Amy about her experience as a child of an alcoholic, and discusses the difficulties that came from identifying as a child of an alcoholic when the parent was is in denial of their addiction.
This episode is raw, powerful, unapologetically honest and is a beautiful story of triumph over adversity.
2023-03-2254 minSarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics PodcastThe Episode where they Introduce themselvesIn this first episode Sarah & Amy introduce themselves and talk candidly about being adult children of alcoholics.
They talk openly and honestly about how their dads alcoholism was a family secret, and how they navigated through their childhood and adult life hiding it.
This podcast is unapologetically honest, raw, and "light hearted" in some places (thanks to Amy's dark humour).
Sarah & Amy passionately believe that talking about the affects of a loves ones drinking is the only way to break down the stigma that currently exists around alcohol addiction.
TRIGGER WARNING: Alco...2023-02-201h 41