Club Soda Community Podcast

Denise has produced 18 editions of her new magazine dedicated to low and no alcohol drinks. Something she would never have considered if she had no re-evaluated her relationship with alcohol.Welcome to the next round, where we speak to people about the next stage of their life once they have reviewed how alcohol impacts them.You don’t have to be totally alcohol-free to gain benefits from rethinking your drinking. But as this week’s guest Denise Hamilton Mace has shown, you need to have a determination to change your life, and some ideas to get going with.Denise has moderated her drinking habits, which led her to a degree in sports fitness and then she got brave, and started writing – something she was told way back when, that she may not be suited to. We love it when a guest proves their nay sayers wrong!Exploring the Low and No Alcohol Revolution: Denise’s Journey of Discovery and InnovationThe rise of low and no alcohol options is transforming how we think about drinking, and Denise’s story provides a unique perspective on this cultural shift. As a hospitality professional turned advocate for mindful drinking and editor of Low and No Drinker magazine, Denise shares her journey of personal growth, career transformation, and creative exploration.Redefining Life Through Moderating Alcohol For Denise, the decision to cut back on alcohol wasn’t a dramatic turning point but a series of realisations. “I started to notice how alcohol affected me over time. It wasn’t just the hangovers; it was the brain fog, the mood swings, and feeling like I wasn’t operating at my full capacity”Her journey began with small lifestyle changes.“I stopped eating red meat because it made me feel moody, and alcohol was the next thing I recognized as not serving me.”Denise emphasises that she doesn’t identify as teetotal or in recovery but rather someone who found more balance by drinking less.“It’s about discovering who you want to be and whether alcohol helps or hinders that.”Find Club Soda:The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RRFind us on Instagram

After quitting alcohol, Michelle Righini has dedicated herself to championing the wellbeing and skills of hospitality staff.On The Next Round podcast, we dive into life after quitting drinking—especially for those in hospitality, where alcohol is often center stage. What’s next if you love the industry but not the booze?Michelle, founder of We Recover Loudly, joins us to share her mission: creating a supportive space for drinks professionals who’ve ditched alcohol but not their passion for hospitality. Let’s talk change, advocacy, and keeping talent thriving!You can find Michelle instagram @werecoverloudly.“The thing that we put down is alcohol, but we don’t put down our creativity, our minds, our drive to make great drinks.”This is a rallying cry for the hospitality industry to rethink its relationship with alcohol from Michelle. Creativity and skill are at the heart of what makes this industry thrive, and neither depends on the presence of alcohol. Removing it doesn’t mean losing artistry—it means opening up new possibilities.Hospitality  Culture: Why Is Addiction So Prevalent?“What we’re not doing yet is going, why are we an industry that has such high levels of addiction? To be a good manager, you have to be able to drink? Like, what? What other industry does that make sense in?”The hospitality sector has long celebrated a culture of drinking, but this norm raises significant questions about its impact on mental health and job performance. Changing these outdated perceptions is crucial to creating a more sustainable industry.Sober Weekends and Smug Mornings“Weekends are my favourite time to be sober because I get to do the thing I love the most, which is be smug. I get to wake up very smug at about eight o’clock and look at my life and go, this is a great choice.”Sobriety transforms weekends from blurry recoveries to opportunities for enjoyment and reflection. This shift underscores the profound personal benefits of a life without alcohol.The Cost of Industry Norms“I slowly started to realise that alcohol was becoming the thing that was holding me together.”For many in hospitality, alcohol becomes a crutch rather than a tool for connection. The realisation that it’s holding people back rather than propelling them forward is a pivotal moment in the journey toward change.Addiction and the Industry’s “Throwaway” Culture“When that line is crossed, so many of us just get thrown away, and that, for me, just never sat right.”The industry’s tendency to discard talent once addiction becomes visible is a tragic waste. Recovery and reintegration need to be prioritized to retain valuable employees and demonstrate compassion.See the full blog here.Find Club Soda:The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RRFind us on Instagram

Welcome to “The Next Round,” where we explore the remarkable stories of those who found new beginnings once they stopped seeking answers at the bottom of the bottle. Today’s episode is a reflection on recovery, redemption, and the power of turning the past into a foundation for the future.For some, the journey to the other side can feel like a wall between who they were and who they’ve become. But perhaps, just perhaps, the life they once lived holds the key to the one they’re building now.In this episode, we meet Paul Bayes Kitcher, a man who never lost his love for dance. On the other side of recovery, he found himself uniquely placed to channel its transformative power—helping others navigate their own recoveries from addiction or mental health challenges through movement and artistry.Along with Claire Morris he co-founded Fallen Angels Dance Theatre (FADT) in 2011, fostering creativity and using dance to transform lives.In this podcast Josh Kelly, our brand manager who himself used to be a dancer interviews Paul. He shares his story, the life-changing work of his organisation,offering a future through dance. It’s a story of resilience, creativity, and the beautiful steps forward when we reclaim what once felt lost. Find out more  you how you can join them or support their work by becoming a guardian angel.Fallen Angels Dance Theatre (FADT) has become a powerful symbol of transformation and hope, helping individuals in recovery from addiction and trauma reconnect with their bodies and rediscover joy. Founded by Paul Byers Kitchen, a former professional ballet dancer and someone in long-term recovery, FADT merges the therapeutic power of movement with the artistic discipline of dance. Over the past decade, it has grown into a flourishing community, offering a safe and creative space for people to heal and thrive.A Journey from Ballet to RecoveryPaul’s story is one of both brilliance and struggle. Trained at world-renowned institutions such as the Royal Ballet School and Rambert, he had a successful career with companies like Scottish Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Yet behind the scenes, unresolved childhood trauma and the relentless pressures of the ballet world led him into addiction.“I never felt comfortable in my own skin – Alcohol and drugs became my solution—a way to escape myself.”Despite his talent and dedication, the demands of perfectionism combined with his personal struggles led him to resign from Birmingham Royal Ballet at 30. Without the structure of his career, his addiction spiraled into chaos.Through recovery, Paul found clarity and purpose. He realised the therapeutic potential of movement for people in recovery and began developing what would eventually become Fallen Angels Dance Theatre.The Birth of Fallen Angels Dance TheatreEstablished over 10 years ago, FADT was born from Paul’s passion for recovery and his deep understanding of movement. Recognising that the word “dance” might intimidate some, particularly those unfamiliar with formal training, Paul instead emphasizes “movement.”“Everyone can move. We start with natural movement and somatic practices, creating a space where people feel safe to explore their bodies and emotions.”Read the full blog   Find Club Soda:The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RRFind us on Instagram

When Xiomara Wimmer decided to give up drinking, she didn’t just change her life—she found herself becoming part of an alcohol-free super couple.Little did she know that sharing her journey alongside her husband would turn into a mission that’s now helping countless others navigate socialising alcohol-free.Welcome to The Next Round, the podcast where we dive into the inspiring stories of people who’ve redefined their lives by changing their relationship with alcohol. From mending relationships to taking on life-changing challenges, the possibilities are endless when booze is no longer center stage.In this episode, we meet Xiomara, a trailblazer in the alcohol-free community. Since embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle, she and her husband have inspired countless others by sharing their journey on their social platform—showing how vibrant and connected life can be without alcohol. Now, Xiomara is taking her mission even further, leading empowering workshops designed to help others socialise with confidence, authenticity, and joy in an alcohol-free world.You can find xiomara and Patrick @theafcoupleFor Xiomara and her husband Patrick, alcohol was a common element in their relationship—until they realised it was holding them back. When they decided to give up drinking, everything changed. It wasn’t just about cutting out alcohol; it was about rediscovering their connection, their purpose, and their shared passions.A Life-Changing DecisionXiomara and Patrick, also known as The AF Couple, shared their story of going alcohol-free over two and a half years ago. For years, they enjoyed their life together but noticed that alcohol often brought unnecessary conflict and tension into their relationship. While it wasn’t always the source of their problems, it tended to amplify any existing issues.Finally, they reached a breaking point. They decided to remove alcohol from their lives completely. The result? A newfound clarity in their relationship and their communication.Building an Alcohol-Free Life TogetherGoing alcohol-free is a personal journey, but for Xiomara and Patrick, it was also a shared one. They chose to navigate this path side by side, creating a unique and powerful dynamic. “We’ve always been told we’re a beautiful couple, but when alcohol was involved, that didn’t always align.”  Xiomara WimmerBy quitting together, they strengthened their bond and rediscovered what made them such a great team.They now share their journey on their Instagram account, @theafcouple, where they document the highs and lows of their alcohol-free lifestyle. Their posts reflect the reality of sobriety, showcasing both the good and the messy moments, inspiring others to reconsider their relationship with alcohol.Follow Xiomara and Patrick’s journey on Instagram at @theafcouple, and discover how an alcohol-free lifestyle can open up a world of possibilities.Find Club Soda:The Club Soda Tasting Room is at 39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RRFind us on Instagram