OUR MEDIA OVER THE YEARS
For many years, Sober in the Country’s founder Shanna Whan has been advocating fearlessly and publicly – nationally and internationally – via radio, television, panels, podcasts, in the press and as a keynote speaker.
These videos and podcasts are just a few examples of her advocacy, but all feature Shan and her trademark brutal honesty, candour, and buckets of humour.
So, if you’re interested in the back story of Sober in the Country and Shanna’s own personal story, check out the videos below.
Australia’s Local Hero
Shanna Whan was an Australian of the Year recipient in 2022 and also winner of the 2022 Marie Claire Woman of the Year.
This video compilation covers her Australia's Local Hero award win at the Australian of the Year Awards in 2022 and includes some important background info on Shanna and much of her stirring acceptance speech.
ABC TV, Australian Story – Last Drinks (Updated)
“Last Drinks (Updated)” is a follow up to the original Last Drinks episode of Australian Story (below), covering the growth of Sober in the Country, three years on.
Producer Ben Cheshire first filmed Shan in 2019 when Sober in the Country was just a budding concept. This episode is the update filmed in 2022 and includes some of Shan and Tim’s backstory, Shan’s Australian of the Year win, and a beautiful scene of a Bush Tribe gathering.
ABC TV, Australian Story – Last Drinks
This original “Last Drinks” episode details how Shanna has been using her own story to help change the pervasive, booze-worshipping culture in rural Australia.
“Last Drinks” covers Shanna's brave choice to tell her own story about quitting booze to help others and create social change in the bush. This episode discusses the origins of Sober in the Country and #OK2SAYNO.
Australian of the Year Awards 2022 LIVE
This is the full Australian of the Year awards from 2022, that includes Shanna Whan’s win as announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
This live recording includes Shanna’s landmark speech as winner of the Local Hero Award on why rural people matter when it comes to addictions support.
ABC, Conversations with Sarah Kanowski – Shanna Whan’s best sober life
Shanna does a deep dive with ABC Conversations’ Sarah Kanowski.
The conversation covers Shanna’s own experience with alcohol harm, the dangers of the widespread rural drinking culture and her charity Sober in the Country’s #OK2SAYNO (to booze) message.
Australian of the Year finals package – Shan’s Story
This video is the package and preview for Shanna’s 2022 Local Hero award win.
This 4-minute video is a succinct, stirring “Shanna’s story in a nutshell” look into the “why” behind starting Sober in the Country.
SBS with Shaun Micallef – On the Sauce
Sober in the Country worked with Shaun Micallef on a three-part series called “On the Sauce”. The three one-hour episodes follow Shaun as he explores Australia’s obsession with alcohol. The excerpt linked to on YouTube briefly features Shanna Whan.
Full episodes that feature Shanna and Sober in the Country are no longer available to watch free on iVew, they are now only available with a paid subscription on Apple TV+ here.
SBS, Insight – Wine O’Clock
This panel discussion from back in 2017 is still relevant today.
Shanna joins Insight host Jenny Brockie and a group of women who discuss their lived experience with alcohol harm.
Sober Curious panel live at the Opera House
Shanna Whan represents Sober in the Country in a panel discussion on sober curiosity at the Sydney Opera House.
Shan is joined on the panel by Clementine Ford, Yumi Stynes and Jill Stark.
Rethink Addiction live panel, Melbourne
Shanna represents the rural sector in a deep dive from our partners at Rethink Addiction.
This sell-out live panel event held in Melbourne in 2021 has an amazing line up of expert contributors from the Alcohol and Drug sector.
Graziher, Life on the Land (podcast) – Shanna Whan is serious about beating booze in the bush
Shanna Whan was an Australian of the Year recipient in 2022 and also winner of the 2022 Marie Claire Woman of the Year.
This video compilation covers her award for Australian of the Year.
MamaMia, No Filter (podcast) – The Day Shanna Realised She Was An Alcoholic
Shanna Whan speaks frankly with Mia Freedman on Mamma Mia’s No Filter podcast.
Their chat covers everything from growing up in rural Australia’s heavy drinking culture to hitting rock bottom and what her life is like now as the founder of a national charity that’s making a difference for people just like her.
Motherland Australia with Stephanie Trethewey (podcast) – Shanna Whan on rebuilding after rock bottom
In this candid chat, Stephanie discusses all aspects of Shan's story.
They discuss Shan's childhood in Zimbabwe and her struggle with addiction, the positive impact that Sober in the Country is having, and even touch on toxic ‘mummy wine culture’.
Humans of Agriculture with Oli le Lievre (podcast) – “Check on your Wild Mate” with Shanna Whan
Shanna openly shares the story of her drinking with Oli.
She speaks on the trauma she experienced as a young woman (including rape and multiple sexual assaults) that led to her almost losing her life to alcohol harm.
The Regenerative Journey with Charlie Arnott (podcast) – Rebuilding from the ground up to be sober in the country
Shanna bravely and openly shares her battle with alcohol-addiction with Charlie.
They discuss the lessons she learned along the way, and her life’s work: to share her story widely to encourage the conversation around alcohol harm in the bush to keep on going.
The Aging Project with Shelley Craft (podcast) – Women, Wine, and Wellness: It’s Complicated (Especially in the Silly Season)
Shan shares her personal story and those she’s gathered from people all around rural Australia.
Together with Shelley, Shan delves into the challenges, societal expectations and pressures around alcohol during the holiday season.
Forty with Lise & Sarah (podcast) – Shanna Whan
“In country Australia, nobody is talking about alcohol abuse. But Shanna Whan is.”
This episode covers what happened to Shan when she stopped drinking and started speaking her truth in the country...where no one is talking about alcohol dependence.
Cowgirl Channel with Tons & Bell – Not her first rodeo, with Shanna Whan
Celebrating 9 years alcohol free, Shanna chats all things drinking culture in the bush.
And she fills Tons and Bell in on how she is making change via her charity, Sober in the Country.
Mamamia MID – How do I know if I'm drinking too much?
“Shanna says that 90% of the people who seek support from her peer-to-peer organisation are women aged between 40 and 60.”
In this powerful episode, Mamamia talks with Shanna Whan about why Gen X women drink so much, how to tell if alcohol has become a problem rather than a tool to help cope with life's problems ... and how to have a helpful conversation with another person you know who is affected by alcohol harm.
Want to watch more powerful stories of hope?
While this page features Shanna Whan’s story, you can head to Our Stories page to hear about the authentic and uplifting experiences of other remote and rural Australians.
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