In this episode of The Next Chapter, host Luke Jones sits down with Ben Gibbs—award-winning beer writer, sobriety advocate, and a leading voice in the alcohol-free revolution.

After giving up alcohol in early 2022, Ben discovered that the alcohol-free beer scene wasn’t just growing — it was exploding with creativity, flavour, and personality. What began as a search for something decent to drink soon became a full-blown passion project, leading him to sample over 1000 alcohol-free beers from around the world.

Ben opens up about his personal journey from alcoholism to sobriety, charting the pivotal moments that led him to embrace a new lifestyle. Together, Luke and Ben explore the dramatic rise of alcohol-free beer, revealing how it’s reshaping social drinking and offering new hope for those on a recovery path.

They dive deep into the science of brewing alcohol-free beer, bust common myths, and discuss the evolving culture around sober living. Ben shares practical tips for socializing without alcohol, the role of community in sustaining sobriety, and the surprising benefits that come with living alcohol-free. Whether you’re sober curious, in recovery, or simply seeking healthier lifestyle choices, this conversation delivers honest insights, personal growth takeaways, and a fresh perspective on enjoying life—beer included—without the booze.

Key Topics:

• Ben Gibbs’ journey from alcoholism to advocacy
• The evolution and science of alcohol-free beer
• Navigating myths and misconceptions about sober drinking
• The importance of community and support networks
• Socializing sober and the placebo effect
• Unexpected benefits and personal growth in sobriety

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Sobriety and Alcohol-Free Beer
• 04:47 – Ben’s Journey to Sobriety
• 09:56 – The Role of Alcohol-Free Beer in Sobriety
• 15:13 – Exploring the Alcohol-Free Beer Market
• 19:54 – Myths and Misconceptions about Alcohol-Free Beer
• 25:09 – The Future of Alcohol-Free Wine and Other Alternatives
• 30:00 – The Placebo Effect and Social Aspects of Alcohol-Free Drinking
• 38:17 – Navigating Alcohol-Free Choices
• 41:48 – Socializing Sober: Tips and Insights
• 47:44 – The Journey to Writing a Book
• 50:04 – Rituals and Enjoyment in Alcohol-Free Beer
• 56:22 – The Transformation of Sobriety
• 01:00:01 – Surprising Benefits of Sobriety
• 01:04:53 – Community and Resources for Sobriety

Instagram:
@sober_boozers_club

Threads:
@sober_boozers_club
(Consistent content with Instagram.)

Amazon Book Link:
The Sober Boozers Club: How To Drink Beer (And Stay Sober) by Ben Gibbs

If you got value from this episode, don’t just sit on it—take action.

Like, subscribe, and follow the show—it makes a massive difference and helps us reach more people who need to hear these stories.

Share this with a mate who needs the truth, leave a review, and remember: change doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens when you get honest, do the work, and show up for yourself and your family.

Stay real, stay relentless, and keep building your legacy—one choice at a time.

For more hard-hitting stories and practical tools, follow, subscribe, and join the conversation.

Let’s be real: your next chapter starts now...

Chelle Stanley is an Identity coach and unapologetic truth-teller who challenges the pressure to perform and be who the world expects you to be.

After years of navigating agoraphobia, health challenges and deep personal growth, she rebuilt her confidence and self-trust from the ground up. Her work is rooted in lived experience, not theory. Speaking openly about people-pleasing, masking and the courage it takes to step into your real voice.

Chelle’s message is simple: you don’t need fixing. You need remembering. It is far less exhausting, and far more powerful, to stand strong in who you actually are and allow the right people to meet you there.

In this episode we speak about her journey towards authenticity and self-acceptance.

Chelle shares her experiences with trauma, identity, and the challenges of people-pleasing, emphasising the importance of self-awareness and setting boundaries.

They discuss the role of coaching in personal growth, the impact of social media on authenticity, and the significance of living in alignment with one's values. Chelle encourages listeners to embrace their true selves and offers practical advice for overcoming setbacks and navigating relationships.

Key takeaways...

Authenticity is about alignment between inner feelings and outer behaviours.
Chelle's journey of self-discovery began with childhood trauma and rejection.
Overcoming people-pleasing is essential for true self-acceptance.
Social media can amplify the pressure to mask one's true self.
Relationships often change as we grow and evolve.
Coaching provides tools for personal growth and overcoming trauma.
Self-awareness is key to understanding what holds us back.
Setting boundaries is crucial for protecting one's energy.
Daily practices like movement and journaling can enhance self-awareness.
It's important to embrace setbacks as part of the growth process.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Authenticity
23:05 Overcoming Trauma and Embracing Change
45:56 The Power of Coaching and Self-Discovery
45:26 Empowering Women to Live Authentically
53:46 Self-Awareness and Setting Boundaries
58:55 Embracing Self-Expression and Healing

Connect with Chelle at the following links below!

https://www.facebook.com/iamchellestanley

https://www.instagram.com/itschellestanley/

https://www.tiktok.com/@itschellestanley

If you got value from this episode, don’t just sit on it—take action.

Like, subscribe, and follow the show—it makes a massive difference and helps us reach more people who need to hear these stories.

Share this with a mate who needs the truth, leave a review, and remember: change doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens when you get honest, do the work, and show up for yourself and your family.

Stay real, stay relentless, and keep building your legacy—one choice at a time.

For more hard-hitting stories and practical tools, follow, subscribe, and join the conversation.

Let’s be real: your next chapter starts now...

Leanne is a mental health nurse specialising in alcohol problems. She lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her 2 cats Echo and Olly. With years of frontline experience supporting individuals and families impacted by alcohol use, she brings both professional insight and deep compassion to the conversation.

Leanne is passionate about helping people understand the emotional, psychological and social factors that drive drinking, moving the focus away from shame and towards self-awareness, nervous system regulation and genuine self-belief.

Leanne has personally felt the devastation alcohol can bring into somebody’s life. She speaks openly about the pressures of modern life, burnout and coping mechanisms.

In this honest and powerful conversation we explore her thoughts and insights about addiction, recovery, and personal growth. Leanne shares how family loss, NHS burnout, and her own experiences with addiction shaped her approach to healing and self-compassion.

Together, we dive into the myths around alcohol, the addictive voice, and the tools—like manifestation, Reiki, and Havening—that Leanne uses to support herself and others.

This episode is a raw look at what it takes to break generational cycles and find real freedom.

Key Takeaways:

• Family history and personal loss can deeply influence our relationship with alcohol and recovery.
• Burnout, especially in high-pressure roles like the NHS, is a sign to reassess priorities and focus on self-care.
• Self-compassion is crucial for lasting recovery and personal growth.
• Manifestation, Reiki, and Havening are powerful tools for healing and transformation.
• Challenging cultural myths around alcohol is essential for real change.
• It’s okay to ask for help—healing starts with honest conversations.

Chapters

1. 00:00 – Introduction and Technical Challenges
2. 01:49 – Leanne’s Journey in Mental Health Nursing
3. 06:12 – Personal Impact of Alcohol and Family Loss
4. 12:08 – Navigating Relationships and Addiction
5. 18:08 – Burnout and Career Reflections
6. 23:54 – The Shift from Coaching to NHS Work
7. 30:11 – Manifestation and Personal Growth
8. 35:59 – Coping with Setbacks and Self-Compassion
9. 41:56 – The Addictive Voice and Conscious Awareness
10. 48:06 – Cultural Myths Surrounding Alcohol
11. 53:56 – The Future of Alcohol Awareness
12. 59:57 – Exploring Reiki and Havening Techniques
13. 01:05:49 – Next Steps and Personal Development
14. 01:12:02 – Final Thoughts and Advice for Listeners

If you got value from this episode, don’t just sit on it—take action.

Like, subscribe, and follow the show—it makes a massive difference and helps us reach more people who need to hear these stories.

Share this with a mate who needs the truth, leave a review, and remember: change doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens when you get honest, do the work, and show up for yourself and your family.

Stay real, stay relentless, and keep building your legacy—one choice at a time.

For more hard-hitting stories and practical tools, follow, subscribe, and join the conversation.

Let’s be real: your next chapter starts now...