In this World Cup special of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen explore why football tournaments can feel so emotionally intense — and why alcohol-free drinks can become far more than “just a substitute.”

From nerves and celebration to rituals, cravings, pubs, BBQs, and social pressure, alcohol has deeply attached itself to football culture. But what happens when you still want the atmosphere, connection, and excitement — without the chaos alcohol can bring?

We talk honestly about:

• Why football can feel triggering without alcohol
• How alcohol-free drinks help with cravings and nervous energy
• The social comfort of having something in your hand
• Staying included without feeling deprived
• Why alcohol-free drinks have completely changed
• Getting the ritual and relaxation without the regret, blackouts, hangxiety, or emotional fallout

This is a warm, practical, and reassuring conversation about staying present, protecting your peace, and discovering that you don’t have to miss the atmosphere to feel good.

Because sometimes the smallest tools make the biggest difference.

In this episode of More Than a Glass, Gillian and Karen explore why football carries such deep emotional weight and how alcohol has become intertwined with some of our most meaningful moments of connection, identity, celebration, and belonging.

Because football is rarely just football and there is no easier time to witness this than during The World Cup

It’s memory. Tradition. Emotion. Pride. Grief. Community. Ritual. It’s the moments that bring people together and make us feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

We talk honestly about:

• Why football feels so emotional
• Growing up with football as part of family and identity
• How alcohol became attached to match-day rituals and connection
• Drinking through huge moments and barely remembering them
• Experiencing football fully present instead of numbing the moment
• Creating real memories with the people we love

This is a deeply human conversation about sport, emotion, belonging, and what happens when we remove alcohol from experiences that already mean everything.

Because sometimes the connection was powerful enough all along.

What if you know something needs to change… but the thought of changing your relationship with alcohol feels overwhelming?

In this episode of More Than the Glass, Gillian and Karen talk honestly about the fear that so many mums feel when they start questioning alcohol — even when they desperately want things to feel different.

This is a conversation about exhaustion, overwhelm, fear of the unknown, “what if” thinking, and why staying where we are can sometimes feel safer than making a change. Together, they explore the emotional tug of war between wanting more for yourself and feeling terrified to step outside what’s familiar.

If you’ve ever thought:

“Maybe I need to drink less…”
but immediately followed it with:
“What if I can’t do it?”
or
“What will happen if I change?”

…this episode is for you.

You are not weak for feeling scared.
You are human.

And maybe change doesn’t begin with certainty, maybe it begins with one small step.

Because we deserve more.

Why do so many mums find themselves reaching for alcohol at the end of the day?

In this episode of More Than the Glass, Gillian and Karen explore the invisible mental load of motherhood and the emotional exhaustion that so many women are carrying silently every single day.

This is an honest conversation about overstimulation, stress, people pleasing, and why alcohol can start to feel like relief, reward, escape, or simply a moment to breathe.

There’s no judgement here and no shame. This episode isn’t about blaming mums for drinking. It’s about understanding why so many women rely on alcohol to cope with the pressures of modern motherhood.

Because you’re not broken.
You’re exhausted.

And maybe there’s another way to feel supported, calm, and connected again.

Because we deserve more.

So many women feel stuck between two thoughts:

“I’m not that bad…”
but also…
“Why doesn’t this feel good anymore?”

In this episode of More Than the Glass, Gillian and Karen explore the quiet confusion of grey area drinking — functioning, coping, keeping everything together on the outside, while privately questioning your relationship with alcohol on the inside.

This is an honest conversation about motherhood, shame, wine o’clock culture, people pleasing, and the pressure women feel to stay “fine” even when something feels off.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re drinking too much, questioned your habits, or felt unsettled despite looking like you have it all together, this episode is for you.

You do not need to hit rock bottom to question alcohol.
And you are allowed to want more.

Because we deserve more.

Welcome to More Than the Glass — a podcast for mums who are questioning their relationship with alcohol and quietly craving something more.

In this very first episode, Gillian and Karen introduce the heart behind the podcast and the story behind Our Circle — a space supporting women to take a break from alcohol, drink less, reconnect with themselves, and create a life they no longer feel the need to escape from.

This is not about labels, judgement, or needing to hit rock bottom. It’s an honest conversation about motherhood, mental load, wine o’clock culture, grey area drinking, and why so many mums feel exhausted, disconnected, and stuck in survival mode.

Whether you’re sober curious, thinking about taking a break from drinking, or simply wondering why alcohol doesn’t feel the same anymore, you are so welcome here.

Because we deserve more.