DiscoverMindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms
Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms
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Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms

Author: Denise Hamilton-Mace

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Welcome to the essential podcast for anyone in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond who's ready to drink differently. While Gen Z gets all the headlines for being sober curious, let’s not forget that the real moderation revolution is happening in midlife – and this is your space to explore it without judgment, pressure, or expectation.

 

Join me to discover the people, places and brands making it easier than ever to live a life less intoxicated, whether that's for tonight, this week, or forever. 

 

I get it – as a midlife moderator, you're not looking to reinvent yourself completely. You want drinks that taste like the ones you already love, new and exciting options with something special to offer, experiences that enhance rather than shorten your evenings, and practical advice that fits your busy, demanding life.

 

I’m Denise Hamilton-Mace, your mindful drinking mentor, magazine editor, writer and public speaker on all things low, no and light.

 

My goal with this podcast is to help you feel more confident and more comfortable in your choice to explore a life less intoxicated, and to help you find, understand and enjoy the drinks that make it possible.

 

If you are, or aspire to be the type of savvy moderator who recognises that drinking less is not a binary decision, who knows that coasting with mid-strength drinks, alternating through zebra-striping or bookending the start and end of your night with something non-alcoholic are all viable options, then this show is for you.

 

You’ll leave each episode feeling motivated and supported to keep energy for the things that matter most: family, health, career, and living life on your own terms.

 

Each week on the Low No Drinker Podcast, you’ll get to either:


Mindful Moderation Solo episodes: Practical deep-dives into the questions that matter to sophisticated drinkers who want to moderate smartly, with topics like:

 

-              How do I cut back when my partner still drinks at home?

-              Why do premium alcohol-free drinks cost the same as full-strength versions when there's no alcohol and no tax?

-              Why can't I handle booze like I used to?

-              What's the real difference between no, low and light alcohol options?

-              How do I navigate social situations when I'm the only one moderating?


 Meet the Makers: Intimate conversations with the experts, founders, brewers, distillers, and visionaries who are creating premium alcohol-free drinks, venues and resources that support, not compromise, who you are. 


This isn't about going completely dry or following someone else's rules. It's about making mindful choices, exploring sophisticated alternatives, and practising practical moderation that suits your lifestyle. 


Whether you're a Gen X professional looking to improve your health, a busy parent wanting more energy, or someone who simply wants to enjoy better mornings while still celebrating life's special moments, this podcast helps you drink your own way.

152 Episodes
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Everyone bangs on about the first two Rs of mindful drinking – reduce and replace. But what about the third? This week, I'm tackling the missing piece of the moderation puzzle that nobody talks about: remove. I'm not talking about removing alcohol entirely (unless that's your goal). I'm talking about removing all the negative rubbish that comes with choosing to drink differently – the shame, the embarrassment, the social pressure, and that perfectionist trap that tells you one sli...
We're smack bang between Quitter's Day and Blue Monday - that dreaded mid-January slump when Dry January motivation nosedives and everything feels a bit meh. You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m diving into the top Dry January myths that make the challenge feel harder than it needs to be—like thinking you have to be completely sober, believing one drink means you’ve failed, or assuming your social life is over. Discover how these all-or-nothing beliefs can sabotage your motivation, ...
Nick Allen, co-founder and CEO of Sunnyside, joins me to explore why traditional Dry January might be setting us up to fail—and what we can do about it. We discuss Sunnyside's "dry-ish January" approach that prioritises sustainable habit change over perfectionism, examining why February often sees people drinking more than ever after a month of white-knuckling through abstinence. Nick shares insights on breaking decades-long drinking patterns, the limitations of willpower, and why having ...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ This New Year’s Eve episode closes out a full season of festive mayhem with one simple message: the night only matters if it feels right to you. Whether December was dry, mindful, lighter, messier than planned, or somewhere in between, what counts is how it compares to your own intentions — not anyone else’s highlight reel. Tonight isn’t about FOM...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On this surprise bonus Day Twenty-Six of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we talk about Boxing Day — the often-forgotten second wave of Christmas. Whether you’re feeling a bit rough after yesterday or quietly proud of how you handled it, today is about kindness, not punishment. This episode gives you permission to slow down, hydrate, move gently, eat ...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Twenty-Five of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we’ve made it to Christmas Day, and the message is simple: enjoy yourself. There’s nothing to track, nothing to analyse, and nothing to fix. This episode is a reminder to be present, grateful, and kind to yourself after everything you’ve navigated this December. Whether you’re surrounded by ...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Twenty-Four of the Mindful Drinking Advent, it’s time to stop, breathe, and slow everything down. Christmas Eve is charged with excitement, pressure, nostalgia, and logistics — but it doesn’t need to be fuelled by exhaustion or overdoing it. This episode is a gentle reminder to rest, enjoy something you genuinely love, and protect tomorrow ...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Twenty-Three of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we focus on travel days — one of the most overlooked trigger points of Christmas. From packed trains and traffic jams to airport bars and trolley services, this episode explains why planning ahead matters if you want to arrive feeling energised rather than depleted. You’ll hear practical travel t...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Twenty-Two of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we talk about hosting — and how to do it with ease, generosity, and inclusion. This episode shows you how to set up your drinks space so low, no and light options carry the same weight as alcoholic ones, making everyone feel welcome without creating more work for yourself. From stocking variety to ...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Twenty-One of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we rethink what “treat yourself” really means. This episode challenges the idea that indulgence has to involve alcohol, and asks a simpler question: Does it actually make you feel better? You’ll explore how to choose treats that restore rather than deplete — from low/no drinks and better sleep to time al...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Twenty of the Mindful Drinking Advent Series, we talk about family pressure — the noise, the mess, the emotional labour, and the temptation to use alcohol just to take the edge off. This episode is a reminder that presence matters more than perfection. You’ll explore how letting go of impossible standards, taking micro-escapes, and choosing to jo...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Nineteen of the Mindful Drinking Advent Series, we focus on preparation — the difference between struggling through December and genuinely enjoying it at home. As work parties wind down and family time ramps up, this episode explains why stocking your fridge, upgrading your glassware, and thinking like a bar rather than relying on willpower makes...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Eighteen of the Mindful Drinking Advent Series, we talk about morning wins — those glorious, clear-headed starts after a night where you stuck to your intentions. This episode is a reminder to enjoy that feeling without turning it into a sermon. Not everyone is ready for the same choices at the same time, and no one ever changed because the...
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/ On Day Seventeen of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we tackle festive exhaustion and the myth of Dutch courage. When you’re tired, overstretched, and running on fumes, alcohol can feel like the thing that helps you keep going — but this episode questions whether it was ever really doing the work. You’ll explore the difference between energy and permi...
YOUR DATA, YOUR CHOICE: WEIGH UP THE TRUE IMPACT OF DRINKING FROM LIGHT – MEDIUM – HEAVY DAYS WITH THE DRINKING IMPACT CALCULATOR AT https://mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/products/drinking-impact-calculator On Day Sixteen of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we’re talking about just how far low, no and light alcohol drinks have come — and why if you’ve tried one, you definitely haven’t tried them all. This episode encourages you to keep an open mind, experiment like you once did with full-strength ...
YOUR DATA, YOUR CHOICE: WEIGH UP THE TRUE IMPACT OF DRINKING FROM LIGHT – MEDIUM – HEAVY DAYS WITH THE DRINKING IMPACT CALCULATOR AT https://mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/products/drinking-impact-calculator On Day Fifteen of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we focus on sleep — the foundation that quietly holds everything else together. This episode explains why the nightcap myth persists, how alcohol interferes with REM sleep and recovery, and why poor sleep makes every drinking decision har...
YOUR DATA, YOUR CHOICE: WEIGH UP THE TRUE IMPACT OF DRINKING FROM LIGHT – MEDIUM – HEAVY DAYS WITH THE DRINKING IMPACT CALCULATOR AT https://mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/products/drinking-impact-calculator On Day Fourteen of the Mindful Drinking Advent, it’s time for a mid-December check-in. This episode invites you to pause, take stock, and notice what’s genuinely different for you this year — better sleep, clearer mornings, fewer regrets, or simply fewer moments you wish you cou...
YOUR DATA, YOUR CHOICE: WEIGH UP THE TRUE IMPACT OF DRINKING FROM LIGHT – MEDIUM – HEAVY DAYS WITH THE DRINKING IMPACT CALCULATOR AT https://mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/products/drinking-impact-calculator On Day Thirteen of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we’re talking about the morning after the night before — the headache, the anxiety, the “I’m never drinking again” moment — and why shame is the least helpful thing you can reach for today. This episode encourages you to choose recovery ...
YOUR DATA, YOUR CHOICE: WEIGH UP THE TRUE IMPACT OF DRINKING FROM LIGHT – MEDIUM – HEAVY DAYS WITH THE DRINKING IMPACT CALCULATOR AT https://mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/products/drinking-impact-calculator On Day Twelve of the Mindful Drinking Advent Series, we explore the magic of that first sip — the exhale, the shoulder-drop, the tiny moment of relief we’ve spent years associating with alcohol. This episode explains why the first and second drinks do the heavy lifting, and why everyt...
YOUR DATA, YOUR CHOICE: WEIGH UP THE TRUE IMPACT OF DRINKING FROM LIGHT – MEDIUM – HEAVY DAYS WITH THE DRINKING IMPACT CALCULATOR AT https://mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/products/drinking-impact-calculator On Day Eleven of the Mindful Drinking Advent, we get into the festive pressure cooker — the well-meaning but relentlessly annoying “go on, it’s Christmas” comments. This episode shows you how to stand in your power, stay confident in your choices, and respond in ways that feel ...
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