Dry Humour - comedian & Author Dave ChawnerDry Humour - comedian & Author Dave Chawner
Alcohol Free Life - Janey Lee Grace
Comedian and author Dave Chawner talks with Janey Lee Grace about his recovery from anorexia, his complicated relationship with alcohol and why he chose to quit drinking. The conversation blends humour and honesty, touching on identity, British drinking culture and the importance of support and accountability in staying alcohol-free.
43:13•23 Oct 2026
Dry Humour, Heavy Truths: Comedian Dave Chawner Talks Booze, Anorexia and Sobriety
Episode Overview
- You don’t need to hit rock bottom or meet clinical definitions to decide alcohol no longer works for you.
- Eating disorders and drinking can share the same addictive roots, and both may mask deeper pain or suicidal thinking.
- Quitting alcohol can be one of the hardest changes to make, but focusing on what you gain rather than what you “give up” helps shift your mindset.
- Accountability, community and supportive peers make a big difference, whether through sober groups, coaching or trusted friends.
- Comedy and honest conversation can make difficult topics like anorexia and problematic drinking easier to face and talk about.
“You don’t have to have a problem in order to stop something.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation between host Janey Lee Grace and comedian-author Dave Chawner blends sharp wit with serious reflection on alcohol, mental health and recovery. Dave talks openly about his book *Weight Expectations: One Man’s Recovery from Anorexia*, explaining how comedy helps him tackle subjects many people shy away from.
He shares how his eating disorder and drinking were closely linked, describing anorexia as both an addiction and a "passive suicide attempt", and how drinking "like a fish" fitted into that pattern. Alcohol comes under honest scrutiny as Dave admits he’d spent years creating rules for himself – only weekends, only a certain number of drinks – and noticed how much headspace that took up.
He’s candid about quitting booze being "one of the harder things" he’s ever done, and about the messy, non-linear reality of change. As he puts it, "You don’t have to have a problem in order to stop something." Janey adds her trademark straight-talking encouragement, challenging the idea that sobriety means loss. She reminds listeners that "there is nothing to give up, you are only gaining" and questions why anyone would go back to drinking after tasting a better life alcohol-free.
There’s also plenty for anyone thinking of turning their own alcohol-free journey into something bigger, with Janey talking about sober coach training, accountability, and the crucial role of community – from supportive groups to the simple power of surrounding yourself with positive people. Dave’s stand-up show "Dry Humour" pulls all this together, using comedy to look at ageing, identity and the role booze plays in British culture, while giving people permission to talk honestly about their own drinking.
If you’re wondering whether life without alcohol might actually be more fun, this chat might be the nudge you’ve been waiting for.
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