Sarah & Amy - The Children of Alcoholics Podcast

In this powerful episode, Sarah and Amy sit down with their first international guest, Paul Summers from the USA - a recovering addict and author. Paul opens up about his journey as a child of an alcoholic (COA) and his own struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. He shares his inspiring story of hitting rock bottom, losing custody of his daughter, and ultimately finding the courage to get sober through a 12-step program and a newfound belief in a Higher Power. Paul's memoir, "Hide and Seek: A Dad's Journey from Soulless Addiction to Sole Custody," chronicles his path from poverty to artistic pursuits, substance abuse, and finally, recovery. Now 16 years sober, Paul discusses the inspiration behind his book and his mission to help others through sharing his story. Despite initially suppressing his passion for writing, Paul has embraced his craft and is now a college student, church worship team member, and devoted father committed to being present in his children's lives. With rawness and vulnerability, Paul's conversation as Sarah and Amy's first international guest is a testament to the power of recovery and second chances.

In this episode of Sarah and Amy: The Children of Alcoholics Podcast, Sarah and Amy delve into their trip to Parliament, where Sarah spoke on behalf of NACOA (the National Association for Children of Alcoholics). Amy takes the lead, asking Sarah questions about her experience speaking alongside inspiring guests like Hilary Henriques, CEO of NACOA, and the late iconic George Best's son, Calum Best. It's a candid conversation filled with emotions, but in a dramatic turn of events, it's Sarah who cracks a dark joke, leaving Amy speechless. And in a shocking twist, Amy even dishes out a compliment to Sarah, surprising everyone. Tune in for this raw and honest episode exploring the realities of growing up with alcoholic parents.

Sisters Jess and Georgia join us for a candid conversation about growing up with an alcoholic parent and losing their father Jed to addiction in 2023. Though their childhoods were filled with instability and dysfunction, the sisters have emerged as successful businesswomen - Jess as the sales and marketing director at Hotel Football in Manchester, and Georgia as the owner of the hair and beauty salon Allure in Manchester. After seeing Calum Best on Celebrity SAS, the sisters were inspired to get involved with Nacoa as volunteers and helped organise the organisation's first Northern Gala in March 2023. Now, just three weeks away from Nacoa's second gala, Jess and Georgia open up about their childhoods and "not normal" moments that coloured their experiences as children of alcoholics. Through their grief and resilience, the sisters exemplify the power of sibling bonds. Their story contains many laughs as well as poignant reflections on their past and hopes for the future.

Sarah and Amy reunite for a Christmas edition of their podcast “The Children of Alcoholics.” It’s been a few months since their last show as both stepped up into new roles with NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics). But they candidly catch up on how they each managed the festive season of dysfunctional family dynamics and complicated memories tied to their alcoholic fathers, coincidentally both named Steve. Sarah and Amy swap survival strategies, boundary tools and lessons learned from decades of attending alcohol-fueled Christmas celebrations. While difficult moments are shared, there is also hope as the friends discuss breaking destructive cycles through compassion and understanding this year.