Soberly Speaking20 Jul 2025

Breaking the Cycle of Alcoholic Fathers: Zac Swanton

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠

All Zac ever wanted was to be his dad’s best friend.
As a kid, he longed for the kind of closeness he saw between his friends and their own fathers, but his own reality couldn’t have been more different.
Zac was known as the outgoing, loveable party boy — traits that gave his addiction a nod of approval to continue. After eight overdoses, toxic relationships, and a moment of deep embarrassment in front of his new partner, he knew he was heading down the exact same path as his father…
In this episode, we talk about father wounds, healing, and what it means to be a man when yours never showed you how.

Trigger Warning: we discuss themes of substance abuse in this episode.

Follow Zac on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the views and claims expressed are those of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified. Soberly Speaking and its host, Julia Rangiheuea, do not take responsibility for the accuracy or validity of the information shared. Listener discretion is advised.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea

Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(96)

“I Wanted to Protect You From Your Father” Kerry’s Story

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠ Raised in South Africa by two morticians, Kerry grew up with a loving mother and an absent, alcoholic father who, in her words, should never ha...

5 Jul 59min

The Girl Born Into New Zealand Gang Life: Tove's Story

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠ What happens when the life you were born into is the very thing trying to destroy you?Tove never chose gang life. She was born into it.Raised a...

28 Jun 56min

Child Separation, Trauma & the Ex-Bank Robber: Jackie’s Story

Join our patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking Jackie grew up in Singapore as a bilingual only child, raised in top schools and even finding early fame as a pop star. In a country where drug p...

21 Jun 1h

Bonus Ep: One Nang Led to a Nitrous Oxide Addiction for Sam

Join our Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking Nitrous oxide a.k.a. nangs, is something I’ve never spoken about on this platform before, yet it’s sold right under our noses. Tiny canisters are...

18 Jun 24min

From Sexuality to Addiction: Jay Learned to Mask Who He Was

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠ Jay grew up in Geelong as a young gay dancer, supported at home but often made to feel different outside of it. His early experiences of bullyi...

14 Jun 28min

How to Spot a Predator with Victim-Survivor Louise Edmonds

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠⁠ Louise Edmonds was a small child when her experience of abuse by her grandfather began in her family home, a place that should have been safe...

7 Jun 1h 9min

Adoption, Gangs and Terror: Donna’s Second Chance at Life

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠⁠ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains graphic and extreme depictions of violence. Listener discretion is advised.From the moment she was bor...

31 Mai 44min

Masking ADHD and Drinking Through Grief: Jasmine's Story

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠⁠ Jasmine grew up knowing something didn’t feel right in her home. The good days with her father felt like everything. The bad days felt unbear...

24 Mai 36min