Join Jimmy Thistle for After Hours — the brutally honest, funny and heartwarming podcast that dives deep into alcohol, addiction, and recovery. Each week, Jimmy sits down with real people who’ve faced the highs, lows, and hangovers of drinking culture. Through unfiltered conversation, laughter, and raw honesty, they explore what happens when we start questioning our relationship with alcohol — and what life looks like on the other side. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just wondering ...
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Jimmy Thistle Podcasts
Will Gordon is an emergency liver and kidney transplant survivor who spent 15 years as a middle and high school teacher, shaping young minds while quietly battling a secret that almost ended him: alcohol addiction that left him with just two weeks to live at age 35. Hiding bottles and spiraling into isolation, he lost friends, his job, and nearly e…
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Beth began drinking as a teenager in the 1990s, using alcohol to ease the social anxiety she had felt for as long as she could remember. What started as a way to feel confident and connected quickly became a pattern that followed her into adulthood. After her mother died when she was 17, her drinking escalated, and by university she had become know…
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Kim began drinking around the age of 14. From the very start, she sensed that alcohol and she wouldn’t mix well. Still, she loved the way it made her feel—less awkward, more confident, and seemingly more comfortable in her own skin. Yet even early on, alcohol brought more chaos than comfort. Despite the warning signs, Kim kept drinking whenever the…
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Will began drinking at a young age, using alcohol as a way to cope long before he had the tools to process life’s challenges. Even as he matured and became a father, he found that moderation never quite clicked — he didn’t always know when enough was enough. In 2021, after years of repeating the same patterns, Will began a personal journey of self-…
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Jen Hirst works to empower women to feel their best in sobriety and boost their confidence from day one by integrating 6 science-backed habits to make sobriety stick. She’s the founder of Lighthouse Sobriety, a supportive community where women stay accountable, build connections, and stay alcohol-free... together. Her 100-Day Sober Journal has help…
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Ryan Kennedy is someone who’s lived both sides of life — from addiction and chaos to peace and purpose. After years of battling his demons and rebuilding from rock bottom, he’s now sober and living a life he once thought was impossible. Ryan hosts the Rock Bottom with Ryan podcast, where he shares raw and honest conversations about recovery, growth…
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Oli, 36, from Bedford, grew up with a life shaped by alcohol from a young age. He drank to fit in, to socialise, and because he believed it was what he needed to truly be himself. Working in construction, he was surrounded by a strong drinking culture, which only reinforced the habit. Over time, alcohol became a way to cope with mental health strug…
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Jimmy Thistle shares his journey and insights on sobriety during "Stoptober," emphasizing the importance of extending sobriety beyond a single month for lasting health benefits. He reflects on his personal experiences, the challenges of staying sober, and the transformative impact of a 90-day commitment. Jimmy encourages listeners to push beyond sh…
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Bonus Content - Covid/Alcohol Conspiracy Share...
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In this conversation, Jimmy Thistle discusses the impact of COVID-19, the vaccine debate, and the hidden dangers of alcohol consumption. He shares personal experiences, critiques government regulations, and challenges societal norms surrounding sobriety. The discussion emphasizes the need for awareness and change regarding public health issues. My …
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Tom is a Toronto based filmmaker. After decades of daily drinking, he finally put the bottle down in late 2022. With a rigorous recovery program, he spends much of his time helping others get and stay sober. In early 2025 he launched Practically Sober, a video series aimed at helping people navigate early recovery. Follow Tom on Instagram at: https…
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From a young age, Lexie was always a sensitive soul—an over-thinker who constantly felt misunderstood. As a child, the world often felt overwhelming, and as she grew older, those feelings only intensified. By the age of 16, she turned to alcohol and drugs—not for fun, but for relief. They gave her an escape, a way to silence the noise in her head a…
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"In 2017, Amber's sister Hannah passed away after battling alcohol addiction and experiencing homelessness. She was 38 years old. Hannah previously had her own flat, worked in childcare and had completed her degree in Early Years Foundations with the aspirations of progressing into teaching. She enjoyed her time in her garden, reading her books in …
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Craig used to spend most of his time down at the pub, drinking to escape reality. Beer became his answer to everything—feeling anxious? Have a pint. Feeling low? Have two. Before Craig knew it, he was stuck in a spiral where the only thing he was really committed to was last orders. Three years ago, Craig decided enough was enough and gave up alcoh…
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Mike Longthorn is the Alcohol-Free Introvert, a professional coach and qualified counsellor supporting those who want to change their relationship with alcohol and become aligned with who they are and live a life of meaning and full potential. After running a successful fashion business for over a decade, Mike felt a misalignment in his business an…
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Jodi Clark is the founder of Sober Flourish, a powerful coaching platform and community supporting women who want to change their relationship with alcohol and reclaim their clarity, energy, and purpose. After spending two decades in the corporate world and navigating her own transformation - losing 84 pounds, becoming alcohol free, and rebuilding …
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In 2022, Lucy lost her partner, Daniel, whose life was tragically cut short by the effects of alcoholism. Navigating the grief of his passing, she has found strength in sharing their story to raise awareness about the hidden impact of addiction on families. Today, she honours Daniel’s memory by supporting charities like NACOA and standing alongside…
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Kristen Bear is the founder of Creative Sobriety, a multi platform resource for anyone looking to change their mindset on alcohol and its place in their life. As a writer and actor, she sees sobriety as the key to unlocking our full creative potential and a true rebel move in a society that glamorizes booze. Kristen is 5 1/2 years sober and splits …
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Ashton has spent most of her adult life escaping reality with addiction to alcohol and drugs. When she hit 30 years old she realised her life had to change, now 6 months sober and still working as a bar manager, working with pure willpower she stays sober. Helping others through her instagram journal, with her pure honesty about life before and aft…
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Tash is 39, and she’s been sober for 7½ years. Tash started drinking at 13, and by her late 20s, she was drinking daily, passing out most nights, and battling drug addiction, failed relationships, financial struggles, and even periods of homelessness. Her mental and physical health were falling apart, and she couldn’t show up for her children the w…
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Rickey Franks lives in Alabama. His sobriety date is 9/21/22 and has been in some stage of addiction his entire adult life. Alcohol is a liar! Rickey found himself waking up to drink at 2 A.M. every morning because he would have started withdrawing. The absence of alcohol would make him sick and shake uncontrollably so he always had to have it in h…
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Victoria Vanstone is the host of Sober Awkward, a popular comedy podcast. Victoria became a renowned over-sharer on her blog drunkmummysobermummy.com. Originally from Reading in the UK, Victoria now lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with her brood of uncontrollable children, a rather confused dog and a very patient husband. Sober Awkward wo…
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Luke Jones is a sober transformation coach, ICF-accredited Life Coach, and NLP Master Practitioner who helps dads quit alcohol for good and become the role models their kids deserve. After a wake-up call from his son, Luke made the bold decision to get sober, move his family to the Isle of Man, and create a life rooted in clarity, presence, and pur…
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Marcus Jones – Alcohol-Free Coach, Ultra Runner, and Mental Health Advocate Following a turbulent divorce and years of using alcohol to cope, Marcus Jones turned his life around through sobriety, discipline, and relentless self-development. What began as a personal reset evolved into a powerful mission to help other men break free from the same des…
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Adriana, is the voice behind The Adge of Sobriety. She started drinking when she was 15, and by 30, Adriana had almost died from liver failure and was diagnosed with cirrhosis. Even that wasn’t enough for her to stop. She kept struggling on and off for another 8 years, trying to manage it on her own. It wasn’t until Adriana finally checked herself …
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Jade is a mum of two and the creator of Scottish and Sober, an Instagram account dedicated to making sobriety feel honest, accessible, and empowering. Sober since 2021, she shares real-life reflections on identity, motherhood, mental health, therapy, and life beyond alcohol. Through her content, she’s built a community that values connection, fun, …
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Derek was a daily drinker whose life was spiraling out of control. It was impacting his work, relationships, health and finances. There was no controlling it, and despite some attempts at sobriety nothing seemed to last. Finally wanting a change for himself, he got sober in 2011 and hasn’t looked back since. His life has turned around and now he tr…
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Victoria has been proudly alcohol-free since January 2022, following a decade-long career at the country’s leading pub company, where she was events manager. Her journey into sobriety has been transformative, allowing her to embrace a lifestyle rooted in wellness, creativity, and meaningful connections. A devoted mum, daughter, girlfriend, and co-p…
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Paul has just turned 11 years sober! With his exceptional lived experience he is helping people regain control over their lives & overcome alcohol addiction with personalised support Addiction recovery tips & Inspo..... Hear his story here… You can get Paul on his insta: https://www.instagram.com/paul_sober_harris Paul’s website is: https://www.pau…
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Erica is 37 years old and living in Oregon with her husband and their two-year-old son. She’s been sober from alcohol for seven years now and it has changed her life in every way giving her clarity and a deeper connection to the people she loves. Life these days is sweet and simple for Erica and she spends her time soaking up the little things in l…
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Laura is a trauma-informed somatic therapist and certified yoga and meditation teacher with over 25 years of experience – 19 of those specialising in mental health, trauma and substance misuse. After years of living in disconnection and using alcohol to numb anxiety, quiet the constant mind chatter and cope with the exhaustion of overworking and pe…
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David Wilson – Trauma-Informed Coach, Public Speaker & Bestselling Author David Wilson is a Trauma-Informed Coach, Accredited Grey Area Drinking Coach, and Public Speaker dedicated to empowering individuals to transform their lives, overcome personal challenges, and embrace sobriety with a renewed mindset. Renowned for his no-nonsense approach and …
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Darren McGarvey, is a Scottish social commentator, journalist, author and tv presenter on hard hitting documentaries. McGarvey was brought up in Pollok on the south side of Glasgow, Scotland. Between 2004 and 2006, he wrote and presented eight programmes about the causes of anti-social behaviour and social deprivation for BBC Radio Scotland. Darren…
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Louisa was a nearly nightly bottle of wine drinker and had been since her 20's. When Louisa became a mother, the pressure to cope with motherhood with 'wine o'clock' increased and it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to turn to a glass of wine or two (or three) at the end of the day to cope. In her day job, Louisa is a Cognitive Behav…
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At 29, Sam was on his knees, physically, mentally and spiritually shattered. He hated himself and wanted to die. This coupled with a life of chronic alcoholism of which his journey began at a young age, was a tragedy in waiting. His name is Samuel, and by the grace of some elusive entity he managed to crawl out of the abyss and got sober in 2013. T…
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At 29, Sam was on his knees, physically, mentally and spiritually shattered. He hated himself and wanted to die. This coupled with a life of chronic alcoholism of which his journey began at a young age, was a tragedy in waiting. His name is Samuel, and by the grace of some elusive entity he managed to crawl out of the abyss and got sober in 2013. T…
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Gary was in a rut with his drinking, at the end it was all consuming and despite having a good job, being well traveled and having met the love of his life. It was all falling away, he would drink daily and not care about anything else, losing friends and his love he finally decided to change things and started walking, walking back to sobriety… Li…
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Leanne is a solo parent, she has been sober almost 5 years. Loud and proud. She now works in therapy with people in addiction or substance use. Leanne is also a writer and the book From Cocaine to Rice Cakes will be out soon. Since getting sober Leanne has devoted her time to helping others. She runs Self Love club on Sundays for women who want to …
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Sam is from the valleys in South Wales. After leaving school, he spent many years working in call centres. Bouncing between extreme binge drinking and dependency. The play hard attitude of working in the city really brought his drinking problem to light. And his drinking just spiralled from there, getting sacked from jobs and ended up hating life a…
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Thea is the Chief Operating Officer at Motiv8 Addiction Services on the Isle of Man and is wealth of knowledge surrounding addiction and recovery support. In 2025, Thea celebrated 33 years of working in the IOM local addictions field. As well as managing services, she continues working with people impacted by drugs, alcohol and gambling problems th…
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Marissa is a renowned leader in the female empowerment movement and a dedicated advocate for women in leadership. As the CEO and visionary of the No Girl Left Behind Organization, she drives global initiatives that inspire and empower women through transformative workshops and events. She is also the founder of “Inspire with Marissa,” where her mot…
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Henry, still a young man and decided that his life would be so much better without alcohol and after years of issues and dark days he finally managed it.. Listen to Henry's story here... You can find Henry at: https://www.instagram.com/zen__hen Find Henry's details and other ventures here: https://www.hopp.bio/zendurance?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAa…
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Another incredible story of insanity and then hope, dealing with the things that life throws at you and dealing with them sober. Listen to Chris' story here... You can find Chris at: https://www.instagram.com/sober_bow And the Midland Sober Society is here: https://www.instagram.com/midlandsobersociety My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/rec…
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I met George in the rooms of NA a few months after I got sober and we were great support to one another in those early days and although we haven't seen each other for a few years now we have kept in touch and you will hear here, just how incredible George's life has become since giving up one thing... My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/rec…
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Ian has a quite similar story to me and although he was in-between an oblivion drinker and grey area he still saw it as a massive negative issue on his life and so set out to do something about it! You can find Ian at: https://www.instagram.com/sober_retake The films we discussed are: Beautiful Boy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226837/?ref_=fn_all…
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Ade has just reached 500 days of sobriety but it has taken him a lifetime of debauchery to get there and he is starting to realise that this is the best way of life. Listen to his amazing story here... You can find Ade at: https://www.instagram.com/thesobercleanpoet My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my o…
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Michael had gotten to the point where he thought about taking the unthinkable route out of his hell. He didn't and now he is here to tell us his story! Some triggering topics discussed, so please take care when listening... You can find Michael at: https://www.instagram.com/happywithoutthehooch My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_ji…
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Incredibly powerful conversation with Olivia Taylor, the extremes of her addiction from a very early age to educating herself on recovery methods and now working full time helping others. A real powerhouse of a story! This is a very candid chat and there are some triggering subjects so please take care when listening. You can find Liv at: https://w…
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Had a great chat with Martin today about his addiction to heroin and other substances from an early age. We discuss his childhood trauma and then his subsequent recovery and the help and support that he provides in the community. This is a very candid chat and there are some triggering subjects so please take care when listening. My Instagram is: h…
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Danny is right at the start of his Sober Journey and I get the chance to chat with him on 31 days sober! You can find Danny at: https://www.instagram.com/dannykonik My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/recovery_jimmy And you can find all my other links at: https://linktr.ee/jimmythistle Link to the Louis Theroux film - Drinking to Oblivion ht…
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Kate is a mother, she has three children and was a grey area, binge drinker who had a tough childhood but decided one day on a hike to give up alcohol completely. She has 145 days under her belt and is looking forward to living a sober life. You can find Kate at: https://www.instagram.com/sober_in_the_peaks My Instagram is: https://www.instagram.co…
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