The Case For Compassionate Leadership with Jason Matthews
Release Date: 10/15/2025
What if the problem isn't alcohol - but what we're numbing?
The Alcohol Debate
In this insightful episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond delves into the intricate relationship between our emotions and alcohol consumption. Tabbin emphasizes that many individuals turn to drinking not because of the allure of alcohol itself, but as a coping mechanism to manage uncomfortable feelings such as stress, anxiety, and even joy. This episode challenges the notion that we feel too much, proposing instead that we often lack the tools to process our emotions safely and effectively. Listeners will explore the psychology and neuroscience behind emotional suppression, learning...
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What comes after (dry) January?
The Alcohol Debate
In this thought-provoking episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond reflects on the end of January, a month often associated with the popular initiative known as Dry January. Tabbin emphasizes that whether you participated fully, partially, or not at all, there is value in this conversation for everyone. The focus is not on perfection or strict metrics, but rather on using this time as an opportunity to pause and reassess your relationship with alcohol. The episode dives into the societal norms surrounding drinking and how Dry January serves as a circuit breaker, prompting...
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The Twin Taboos Of Alcohol & Menopause with Laura Haycock
The Alcohol Debate
In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, host Tabbin Almond welcomes psychologist and author Laura Haycock, who shares her insights on the intersection of menopause and alcohol use. With her extensive background in coaching senior leaders and her best-selling book, M Power, Laura sheds light on the often-taboo subjects of menopause and problematic drinking, exploring how they impact women's lives and careers. Laura candidly discusses her personal journey through perimenopause, the challenges she faced, and how these experiences informed her work with women in leadership roles. The...
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Booze & Romance Aren't Really Good Bedfellows with Dr Dan Sneider
The Alcohol Debate
Relationships can be hard. When the spark fades and every conversation feels like walking on eggshells, it’s easy to drift apart. That’s where today’s guest, Dr. Dan Sneider, comes in. He’s a licensed couples therapist, educator, and creator of The Intimacy Shift: A Blueprint for Moving From Conflict to Lasting Connection, a 12-week program that transforms couples’ relationships by rebuilding trust, improving communication, and rediscovering real intimacy. With personal experience and over a decade of professional expertise helping hundreds of couples, Dr. Dan knows what it...
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What Are You Really Thirsty For? with Anna Donaghey
The Alcohol Debate
In this episode of The Alcohol Debate, our host, Tabbin Almond, engages in a heartfelt discussion with Anna Donaghy about her newly released book, "What Are You Thirsty For? Rethinking Alcohol and the Life You Want." Drawing from their decade-long friendship in the advertising industry and their shared mission to help others navigate their relationship with alcohol, Anna shares the inspiration behind her book and the powerful message it conveys. The conversation delves into the underlying cravings that often drive individuals to drink, emphasizing the importance of recognizing what we...
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Setting Yourself Up For Success With Dry January
The Alcohol Debate
As we transition into a new year, this episode of The Alcohol Debate offers insightful tips for navigating a drier January. Recorded from a cozy setting, our host shares practical advice for anyone looking to reduce their alcohol consumption, whether it's a complete break or simply cutting back. With a focus on kindness to oneself, the episode emphasizes the importance of gradual changes rather than drastic measures. Listeners are encouraged to assess their drinking habits and consider a staged reduction approach, particularly if they have been drinking heavily. Our host stresses the...
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The A-Z Of An Alcohol-Free Christmas (Part 2)
The Alcohol Debate
In this enlightening episode of The Alcohol Debate, we delve into the transformative potential of an alcohol-free Christmas. This two-part series continues with a deep dive into the letters N through Z, offering practical strategies and insights to help you navigate the festive season with clarity, joy, and a renewed sense of self. We explore the importance of nourishment, the normalcy of nerves, and the excitement of novelty as pillars of a fulfilling holiday experience. Discover how to manage overwhelm, the significance of planning, and the power of presence as you engage with friends and...
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The A-Z Of An Alcohol-Free Christmas (Part 1)
The Alcohol Debate
In this episode of The Alcohol Debate, Tabbin Almond takes us on a journey through the A to Z of having an alcohol-free Christmas, offering insightful strategies to navigate the festive season without the influence of alcohol. Drawing from her experience in advertising, Tabin emphasizes the importance of creative thinking and reframing our relationship with alcohol during this time of year. The conversation begins with the acknowledgment of anxiety, a common trigger for festive drinking, and moves into the realm of alternatives, encouraging listeners to explore new choices and activities that...
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What Do We Do With The Drunken Sailor (Or Construction Worker)?
The Alcohol Debate
This conversation with Nick McMurray was such a refreshing shift from the usual workplace narrative around drugs and alcohol. Nick is a Director of Positive Matters, an organisation that helps businesses build strategies that meet safety requirements for substance misuse through a culture of trust and support. Their focus is on the health and mental well being of employees, which is a world away from the test and fire approach that still appears far too often. His work brings together clarity, strategy, and humanity in a way that genuinely benefits both people and organisations. We...
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Parties Without Repercussions
The Alcohol Debate
Office parties can be brilliant for bringing people together, but they also have a habit of going off the rails when alcohol takes the lead. In this episode, I talk through how employers and employees can shape a celebration that’s warm, fun, and genuinely memorable, without waking up to HR headaches the next morning. It’s not about banning booze, it’s about taking back control of the evening so everyone feels safe and included. I also share some practical tricks for anyone attending a work party and hoping to avoid drinking more than they planned. From choosing a first...
info_outlineIn this episode, I’m joined by executive coach Jason Matthews for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership, trust, and how company culture shapes our relationship with alcohol.
Jason is a leadership consultant with a background in Psychology, specialising in CBT, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed care. Through his work with Relatem, he helps leaders overcome limiting patterns and build organisations that thrive even when they’re not in the room.
We explore whether leaders need personal experience with addiction to create meaningful change and why compassion, not confession, might be the key to tackling alcohol stigma at work.
Jason’s behavioural insights and servant leadership approach challenge traditional thinking around workplace well-being and open up a powerful conversation about responsibility, vulnerability, and trust.
If you’re curious about how empathy, boundaries, and behavioural awareness can transform not only employee well-being but entire business cultures, this conversation will stay with you.
Here are the highlights:
Why alcohol is the workplace’s “well-being blind spot” (03:45)
Can leaders create change without lived experience? (07:14)
The link between compassion, empowerment, and behaviour (08:11)
Trust as acceptance — not just dependability (14:56)
The shame–blame paradox and how to break it (19:00)
Turning honesty into empowerment, not punishment (22:16)
Why stress management must be a cultural priority (23:41)
Challenging the “Thursday drinks” office ritual (26:03)
Leadership through love, curiosity, and courage (31:37)
Connect with Jason:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/relatem
Connect with Tabbin:
This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio