In this episode of Thriving Alcohol Free, host Deb Podlogar welcomes Marina Castillo, a passionate advocate for non-alcoholic beverages and the co-founder of Modern Mocktail. They discuss Marina's journey from the circus to sobriety, the rise of kava bars, and the importance of creating a supportive community for those in recovery. Marina shares her insights on the benefits of kava, the challenges of navigating the industry, and offers encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs in the non...
In this episode, Deb Podlogar interviews David Lund, the founder of Dromme, a non-alcoholic drink brand. They discuss David's journey from finance to creating Dromme, the unique ingredients used in the drinks, and the benefits they offer. David shares insights on the challenges of starting a business in the non-alcoholic space, the importance of community support, and the meaning behind the brand's name. The conversation highlights the growing interest in non-alcoholic options and the positiv...
Ever been handed a cocktail menu and felt that flicker of pressure to justify your choice? We’ve been there. Today, we celebrate the beauty of alcohol-free living with Felicia from Mocktailing Around—creator, homeschool mom, and unapologetic champion of drinks that look stunning, taste vibrant, and leave you clear-headed for tomorrow. We kick off by building a blueberry mojito that proves presentation and flavor can carry the whole experience. From mint-smacking and gentle muddling to smart ...
In this episode, Deb Podlogar chats with Brooklyn Fahey of Dry Social about the journey to living alcohol-free. They discuss the importance of mocktails, Brooklyn's personal experiences with alcohol, and the pressures of drinking culture, especially in college. Brooklyn shares her story of cutting back on alcohol, the creation of her Instagram account Dry Social, and how she navigates social situations without drinking. The conversation emphasizes the evolving landscape of a...
A coupe glass, a good shake, and a bold idea: we sit down with Rebecca Styn, founder and CEO of Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails, to trace how a small speakeasy in Erie, Pennsylvania, turned a lockdown challenge into a nationwide zero-proof favorite. Starting with a live Bee’s Knees mix-along, we dig into the flavor-first philosophy that makes these cans taste like a bar-crafted pour. Rebecca opens up about the brand’s Prohibition DNA, where the hidden rooms of “blind tigers” stood fo...
In this episode of Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom, Deb Podlogar shares her personal journey to sobriety, and she brings the receipt for how it all started. She discusses the importance of having non-alcoholic alternatives and shares more about the upcoming Mocktail Challenge, a 21-day program designed to support and encourage those exploring a sober lifestyle. Deb also highlights the community aspect of the challenge, with daily emails, happy hour events, and prizes. Sen...
In this episode, Deb Podlogar speaks with Zane Curtis, the founder of Monday Morning Bottle Shop in San Diego. Zane shares his journey to sobriety, which began two years ago after a series of personal revelations and challenges. He discusses the rapid development of his bottle shop, which focuses on providing a unique non-alcoholic experience for customers. Zane emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment that encourages exploration of non-alcoholic beverages, an...
Deb Podlogar and Jen Hirst explore the journey of sobriety, the importance of community, and the transformative power of mindset. They make Jen's easy mocktail recipe, Momma Doesn't Have Time, using one of their favorite water enhancers, Stur. Code MOCKTAILMOM to save 15% off Stur. Jen shares her personal story of overcoming alcohol addiction and how she now helps other women embrace sobriety through her programs. They discuss the significance of creating easy mocktail...
In this episode, Deb Podlogar shares her personal journey of transitioning into an empty nester, reflecting on the emotional challenges and adjustments that come with this new phase of life. She discusses the importance of reframing grief and embracing change, drawing inspiration from John O'Leary's insights on goodbyes and new beginnings. Deb emphasizes the value of cherishing past moments while looking forward to new relationships and experiences, particularly in the context of her alcohol-...
Kristin Horstman shares her journey from gray area drinking to becoming a certified coach who helps others find freedom from alcohol while developing powerful nervous system regulation techniques. • Drinking exists on a spectrum with millions of people in the "gray area" between occasional consumption and end-stage addiction • Neural pathways created by habits can't be erased, but can go dormant when we build new, healthier pathways • The sunset hours naturally trigger our nervous system to ...
Join Deb as she welcomes Marissa Cherepanov, a leader in female empowerment and a dedicated advocate for women in leadership. Marissa shares her inspiring journey to sobriety, the challenges she faced during COVID, and how a pivotal conversation with her child led to a life-changing decision. Discover how Marissa's commitment to change not only transformed her life but also inspired her involvement as CEO of the No Girl Left Behind organization, empowering women across North America. Fr...
Join Deb from "Thriving Alcohol Free with Mocktail Mom" as she welcomes Kate Denaj, the inspiring force behind Clarity Zero Proof. In this engaging episode, Kate shares her transformative journey to sobriety, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of living alcohol-free. From her early days in a resort town to becoming a passionate advocate for non-alcoholic beverages, Kate's story is a testament to resilience and empowerment. Discover how she navigated personal struggles, embraced sobrie...
Deb, the Mocktail Mom, returns from a brief hiatus to share updates on her alcohol-free journey and exciting changes coming to the podcast. After 4.5 years without alcohol, she continues to find joy and gratitude in sobriety while focusing on spending quality time with her family before her youngest daughter leaves for college. • Four and a half years alcohol-free with no regrets and continuing joy • Spending summer focused on family time before becoming an empty nester • Weekly Mocktail Soc...
In this special episode, I am joined by Abbie Romanul from Raising the Bar to discuss our special collaboration for May's "Yo Mama" box, featuring exclusive mocktails honoring motherhood in all its forms. • The Yo Mama box features signature drinks: the Lavender Daughter and the Strawberry Daughter • We both share how we escaped "mommy wine culture" and found healthier coping mechanisms • Abbie reveals that alcohol "romanticized" her life, but sobriety allowed her to find genuine beaut...
Life's most significant transitions deserve our full attention and presence. After faithfully recording 114 episodes over two years, I'm pressing pause on weekly podcast releases to embrace a precious season fully – my youngest daughter's final months before high school graduation. Recording from an Airbnb in Branson, MO with my phone hotspot, I wanted to personally share that Thriving Alcohol-Free will be taking a brief intermission. Rather than missing these fleeting moments with my daught...
Vanessa Royle never planned to launch a non-alcoholic beverage company. But when she quit drinking during the pandemic lockdown of 2020, something unexpected happened – she felt dramatically better. As she prepared to start her MBA at Harvard Business School, she made a pivotal decision to stay sober, creating an opportunity to reintroduce herself without the drinking habits of her past. What followed was a rude awakening. At prestigious networking events, Royal found herself clutching Diet ...
Ruby Williams shares her transformative journey from working in the wine industry while drinking three bottles a day to becoming a sober coach helping others find freedom from alcohol dependence. • Struggled with disordered eating from a young age as her first coping mechanism • Underwent bariatric surgery, which unexpectedly transferred her addiction to alcohol • Worked in the wine industry, where drinking was normalized and celebrated daily • Found The Naked Mind book by Annie Grace, which...
Lindsay Hennekey shares her powerful journey from using alcohol to cope with life disappointments to creating a thriving alcohol-free life through her coaching program Feel Good AF. • Lindsay's drinking escalated when facing fertility issues and divorce, leading to daily alcohol consumption • We often drink to procrastinate and avoid dealing with difficult emotions • When you hold space for emotions rather than numbing them, they naturally dissipate • Lindsay's turning point came after readi...
Discover the transformative power of choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle while traveling. This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Susan Larkin, a certified alcohol freedom coach, who shares her journey to breaking free from alcohol as a coping mechanism. - Understanding the societal pressures surrounding alcohol and vacations - Exploring the joys of sober travel and refreshing alternatives - Introducing resources for preparing an alcohol-free vacation - Nav...
This week, I’m hanging out with Lief Frederick, a bartender of 15+ years, an expert at crafting next-level non-alcoholic drinks, and the creator of @thevariantco on Instagram. Lief shares how his bar experience is helping people make better alcohol-free drink choices and opens up about his own journey to ditching alcohol, including the powerful realization about his daughter that gave him the nudge he needed to make a change. Together, we delve into the beautifully rewarding aspects of an alc...