Best Alcohol Tipping Point Podcasts (2025)

1
NVIDIA: Jensen Huang Bet Big on AI. What Comes Next? 1:20:57

5d ago1:20:57

1:20:57

In his new book, The Thinking Machine, Stephen Witt offers a riveting portrait of Jensen Huang, who went from immigrant dishwasher to CEO of the world’s most valuable company. • If you enjoyed this episode, check out our conversation with Walter Isaacson about his biography of Elon MuskBy Next Big Idea Club

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EXPLORATION: Why We Seek Out Big Challenges 53:06

12d ago53:06

53:06

Humans are wired to explore. So why are we less adventurous than ever — and what are we losing because of it? Guest: Alex Hutchinson, author of The Explorer’s Gene Further Listening: Looking for more episodes about adventure? Check out our conversations with Colin O’Brady and David GrannBy Next Big Idea Club

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AI 2027: What If Superhuman AI Is Right Around the Corner? 1:37:07

19d ago1:37:07

1:37:07

Could AI take over in the next few years? Daniel Kokotajlo thinks so. Here’s why. 💿 Check out this Spotify playlist of our other episodes about AI 📩 Want to transform your day in just 10 minutes? Sign up for our Book of the Day newsletter, and you’ll get daily, bite‑sized insights from the best new nonfiction books — in audio or text — straight fro…

1
THE ART OF EDITING: Graydon Carter on the Golden Age of Magazines 59:38

26d ago59:38

59:38

Remember magazines? Piled high on coffee tables or tucked into seatback pockets. Savored beneath beach umbrellas or skimmed anxiously in dental waiting rooms. Glorious, glossy magazines. Graydon Carter made some of the best. He started with Spy, a sly, sharp-edged monthly that managed to feel both smarter and more mischievous than anything else on …

1
FAMILY DYNAMICS: Unraveling the Mystery of Sibling Success 52:51

1M ago52:51

52:51

You know those families where the kids all grow up to be remarkably successful? New York Times journalist Susan Dominus has spent the last few years getting to know some of them, looking for parenting techniques and life lessons. She's written a book about her findings called The Family Dynamic. "I thought I wrote a book about high-achieving famili…

1
ABUNDANCE: Derek Thompson on How to Actually Rebuild the American Dream 1:13:16

1M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson is probably the most talked-about book in the country right now. And the most hotly debated. It’s a book about how we got here — here being a country without enough housing, a country that has lost its ambitious optimism, a country that has forgotten how to build. The prescription Ezra and Derek offer to c…

1
WHY GIVERS WIN: Adam Grant Revisits 'Give and Take' 1:08:39

2M ago1:08:39

1:08:39

We’re often told that success comes down to talent, hard work, and luck. But Adam Grant's research suggests that view is missing something crucial. In today’s installment of Next Big Idea Classics, Adam revisits his 2013 bestseller “Give and Take,” explaining how our interactions with others determine who thrives and who doesn’t. 💿 For Adam’s previ…

1
BITCOIN: A 15-Year Quest to Unmask the Mysterious Inventor of Crypto 58:20

2M ago58:20

58:20

In 2008, a mysterious figure created Bitcoin — a digital currency without banks or borders that sparked a global financial movement. And then he disappeared without a trace. Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? Why did he vanish? And why hasn’t he touched his $100 billion fortune? Today on the show, we talk to journalist Ben Wallace about his search for answer…

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YOU, BUT BETTER: The Science and Promise of Personality Change 51:25

2M ago51:25

51:25

Can you change who you are? When reporter Olga Khazan decided she was tired of being a “high-strung misanthrope” (her words), she turned to science for answers. What she discovered about personality — and how to change it — might surprise you. Host: Daniel Pink Guest: Olga Khazan Book: Me, But Better This episode was recorded live at Politics and P…

1
CARL ZIMMER: The Untold Story of the Air We Breathe 56:31

2M ago56:31

56:31

Every day you inhale 2,000 gallons of air. What’s in there? 📕 Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe by Carl Zimmer 📩 Want to transform your day in just 10 minutes? Sign up for our Book of the Day newsletter, and you’ll get daily, bite‑sized insights from the best new nonfiction books — in audio or text — straight from the authors. Si…

1
SAHIL BLOOM: The 5 Types of Wealth 1:05:50

3M ago1:05:50

1:05:50

Turns out it’s not all about the Benjamins. Real success, according to Sahil Bloom, author of “The 5 Types of Wealth,” also requires the freedom to decide how you spend your time, meaningful relationships, a sense of purpose that pulls you forward, and the kind of health that lets you actually enjoy all of the above. 📩 Want to transform your day in…

1
STORY: How to Tell a Great One (Part 2) 45:56

3M ago45:56

45:56

In part two of our conversation with Will Storr about his new book A Story Is a Deal, he reveals the five storytelling techniques you can use to captivate any audience. Plus, he helps us craft the story of the Next Big Idea Club. 1️⃣ Listen to Part 1 here 📩 Want to transform your day in just 10 minutes? Sign up for our Book of the Day newsletter, a…

1
STORY: The Science Behind Humanity’s Superpower (Part 1) 54:54

3M ago54:54

54:54

Today, we’re sitting down with Will Storr, author of the dazzling new book A Story Is a Deal, to talk about humanity’s greatest invention: story. More than just entertainment, Will argues, story is what we do and who we are. It’s how we make sense of the world, captivate, and persuade. And yet for all its power, storytelling isn’t some elusive magi…

1
The Former Head of USAID on Why Foreign Aid Benefits Everyone 52:22

3M ago52:22

52:22

When Rajiv Shah was in his late 20s and didn’t know what to do with his life, he got a job at a fledgling nonprofit, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Before he knew it, he was a driving force behind a global vaccination program that immunized 900 million children and saved 16 million lives. At 36, he became the administrator of the United Sta…

1
Three Things We Learned Last Year 37:14

3M ago37:14

37:14

In this special audio essay, Rufus reflects on the big ideas from 2024 that altered his worldview. 🎙️ You can find all of the interviews mentioned in this episode in this Spotify playlist 📩 Want to transform your day in just 10 minutes? Subscribe to our Book of the Day newsletter, and you’ll get daily, bite‑sized insights from the best new nonficti…

1
SUPERAGENCY: What Could Go Right With AI? 1:01:29

4M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

A recent Pew Research survey found that most Americans are more worried than excited about AI. Reid Hoffman, however, isn't one of them. He knows the risks — arms races, runaway superintelligence, the whole humans-being-turned-into paperclips scenario — but he's still convinced that AI is poised to usher in an era of extraordinary human progress. A…

1
SHIFT: How to Manage Your Emotions 1:08:15

4M ago1:08:15

1:08:15

We've got a special treat for you today. We invited Ethan Kross — psychologist, neuroscientist, and author of the bestseller "Chatter" — to give us a sneak peek at his new book, "Shift." It comes out in February, and it's a myth-busting, science-based guide to mastering your emotional life using tools you already possess. 📕 Pre-order Ethan's book h…

1
The Last Episode.. For Now 20:34

4M ago20:34

20:34

After a lot of thought I’ve decided to pause the podcast and live Alcoholiday groups (just cannot bring myself to say end them, because, who knows?) It’s been a great run of 200+ podcasts and 42ish Alcoholidays (wow!!) I just celebrated my 5 years of alcohol freedom and I’m ready to focus in a different direction. What that is- I don’t know yet, bu…

1
WINTER: The Secret to Thriving in the Darkest Season 59:57

4M ago59:57

59:57

In our deeply divided nation, there's one thing many of us seem to agree on: winter is the worst. A recent study found that nearly half of Americans would skip winter if they could. Yet not everyone dreads the cold months. Psychologist Kari Leibowitz has spent years studying these winter-lovers, and she's arrived at a surprising truth: people who t…

1
Understanding Anger and Alcohol with Sober Powered Host Gillian Tietz 49:14

4M ago49:14

49:14

Sober Powered Host Gillian Tietz returns to the podcast! Getting sober in 2019 inspired Gill to start her podcast where she utilizes her biochemistry background to teach others how alcohol affects the brain and why it’s so hard to stop drinking. In addition to being the host of the Sober Powered Podcast and teaching anger management, Gill is a chem…

1
DRIVE: A Fresh Look at the Science of Motivation (with Daniel Pink) 1:11:47

4M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

What drives human motivation? For years, the answer seemed simple: rewards. Dangle the right carrot — a bonus, stock options, "Employee of the Month" certificate — and people will perform. But Daniel Pink's 2009 bestseller "Drive" flipped this idea on its head. Drawing on decades of scientific research, Dan revealed that our deepest motivations com…

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Top Questions for Sober Nutritionist Dr Brooke Scheller 51:29

4M ago51:29

51:29

Welcome to today’s episode. I'm excited to have Dr. Brooke Scheller back. She's a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, founder of Functional Sobriety, and author of How to Eat to Change How You Drink. Inspired by her own sobriety journey in 2021, Dr. Scheller has transformed alcohol recovery through nutrition and functional medicine. Her June 2023 episode…

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James Clear’s Ultimate Guide to Building Good Habits (Encore) 1:16:13

5M ago1:16:13

1:16:13

Forming a new habit is tough. Sticking with it is even tougher. That’s probably why someone buys a copy of James Clear’s 2018 book “Atomic Habits” every 11 seconds. James breaks down the science of habit formation into simple, actionable steps anyone can take — even you. Today on the show, he talks Rufus through the four laws of behavior change, ex…

1
How Routines and Rituals Can Help You Change Your Drinking with Jen Lee Hirst 46:45

5M ago46:45

46:45

Jen Lee Hirst returns to the podcast! Jen is a sobriety coach, speaker, and creator of Lighthouse Sobriety. She has one of the best sober Instagram accounts @jenleehirst where she shares tips and inspiration for changing your drinking. Jen is here to talk about how routines and rituals can help when you first give up drinking (whether for a break o…

1
BEST OF: Dry January Tips for Success 22:51

5M ago22:51

22:51

Join the growing health trend of giving up alcohol for a month. Dry January has shown to improve sleep, save money, and improve health. An alcohol-free month has a lot of benefits. Research published in the British Medical Journal showed one month off alcohol lowers blood pressure, reduces diabetes risk, lowers cholesterol and reduces levels of can…

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How to Find Purpose, Meaning, and Success (2022) 1:10:59

5M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Arthur C. Brooks used to run a prominent think tank where he was paid handsomely to influence public policy. Did all that success make him happy? Nope. So Arthur quit his job and set out to transform his life. Now he’s written a book about what he learned along the way, the #1 New York Times bestseller “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, H…

1
Finding More Alcohol-Free Joy in Life 34:58

5M ago34:58

34:58

In this episode, I share a recording of a class I gave about how to cultivate more joy in our lives. I talk about what joy really means, how it can help our physical and mental health, barriers to joy, and ways to enhance everyday joy. I hope this brings you some holiday cheer. Ready to do Dry January? Join the next Alcohol Tipping Point Alcoholida…

1
WHAT IS LIFE? (Part 2): Consciousness, AI, and Aliens 59:09

5M ago59:09

59:09

Does free will exist on a sliding scale? Will humans and AI co-evolve? Are aliens already here on earth? These are just a few of the many mind-bending questions Rufus and Sara Walker, author of “Life as No One Knows It,” explore in the second half of their conversation. 1️⃣ If you missed the first half of Sara’s interview, you can find it here 🧪 Wa…

1
Healing Through Psychedelics: Benoit Kim’s Alcohol-Free Journey 1:00:27

5M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Today’s episode features Benoit Kim, a US army veteran, Penn-educated former policymaker turned psychotherapist, and host of the Discover More podcast. Benoit shares his personal experience of quitting alcohol four years ago and healing trauma through psychedelic-assisted therapy. We talk about: Benoit’s experience with drinking and quitting alcoho…

1
WHAT IS LIFE? (Part 1): A Mind-Bending Conversation with Sara Walker 1:02:26

5M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

We’ve had many bracing thinkers on this show, but Sara Walker might take the cake. A physicist and astrobiologist at Arizona State University, she's just written "Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life's Emergence," a thrilling exploration of life's origins and the search for it across the cosmos. 🕐 The second part of this conversation will b…

1
STRATEGY: How to Make Better Plans 1:01:47

5M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

You may think you know what strategy is, but Seth Godin is willing to bet you haven’t got a clue. It’s not just setting goals. It’s not just making plans. It’s— Well, you’ll have to tune in to find out. 📕 This Is Strategy by Seth Godin ✉️ Want big idea delivered to your inbox every day? Sign up for our newsletter Book of the Day here 🎙️ If you enjo…

1
How a Couple Gave Up Alcohol and Found a Bigger Life with Carrie Hoffman and Zach Minnich 55:15

5M ago55:15

55:15

On the podcast are Carrie Hoffman and Zach Minnich- my first couple on the show! Carrie and Zach are the travel and adventure obsessed couple behind Bigger Life Adventures- which hosts alcohol free yoga retreats and adventure tours. They’ve both had their share of struggles with substance abuse and poor coping mechanisms. After deciding enough was …

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TECH AGNOSTIC: How Technology Became the World's Top Religion 53:59

6M ago53:59

53:59

Greg Epstein, the humanist chaplain at Harvard and MIT, wants you to think twice before putting your faith in Silicon Valley's promises. 🎙️ Follow The Next Big Idea Daily on Apple or Spotify 🎁 Take 20% off a Next Big Idea Club membership or gift when you use PODCAST20 at nextbigideaclub.comBy Next Big Idea Club

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Unapologetically Alcohol Free with Jenni Harmon 59:29

6M ago59:29

59:29

This episode features Jenni Harmon, a married mom of two boys who has served in the military, spent a decade in corporate America, and dedicated many years as a stay-at-home mom. For the past seven years, Jenni has been teaching yoga and mindfulness workshops while also creating and selling art. She is currently writing her first book. In her early…

1
The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect (2023) 1:07:06

6M ago1:07:06

1:07:06

When he was 26, Will Guidara took the helm of a middling brasserie in New York City called Eleven Madison Park. A decade later, it was named the best restaurant in the world. How did he pull off this unprecedented transformation? By practicing unreasonable hospitality. (This episode first aired in Sept. 2023.) 📕 Unreasonable Hospitality 📬 Take 50% …

1
Getting Boozeless in Boston with Carol Cunningham 50:31

6M ago50:31

50:31

On the show is my Boston Boozeless Bestie, Carol Cunningham. Carol is an Artist/Crafter, wife of a retired fire fighter, mother of 4 boys and alcohol free badass. I first met Carol when she joined the February Alcoholiday in 2022 and we’ve become friends since then. Carol shares her journey of becoming alcohol-free, highlighting the importance of s…

1
CATCHING SOULS: An Obituary Writer’s Lessons for Living 53:55

6M ago53:55

53:55

For two decades, Ann Wroe has written weekly obituaries for The Economist. Some of her subjects are luminaries (Queen Elizabeth II, Paul Newman). Others are little-knowns (cheesemakers, storm chasers, typewriter repairmen). But all of them, in Ann’s words, “have enhanced the world by their existence.” Her obituaries are celebrations of life, and An…

1
How to Navigate an Alcohol-Free Holiday Season with Caroline Evers-Endacott 57:34

6M ago57:34

57:34

On the podcast is Caroline Evers-Endacott, a UK-based addictions and integrative psychotherapist with a master’s degree in Addiction Psychology. She has also trained in Compassionate Inquiry under Gabor Maté. Caroline divides her time between clinical practice and teaching, focusing on emotional health and wellbeing for groups and organizations in …

1
THE INTERESTING: How to Live the Good Life 1:04:35

6M ago1:04:35

1:04:35

Philosophers have long maintained that the Good Life is braided from two strands: pleasure and purpose. But Middlebury’s Lorraine Besser says there’s a third: psychological richness — or, as she calls it, The Interesting. Interesting experiences, she contends, captivate our minds, engage our thoughts and emotions, and often change our perspective. …

1
A Productivity Podclass with Cal Newport 42:19

6M ago42:19

42:19

Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Obsess over quality. These are Cal Newport's three principles for achieving your goals without burning out. Today, in a special preview of our first-ever podclass, Cal explains how to harness the power of slow productivity to bring meaning, purpose, and a genuine sense of accomplishment into your life and wo…

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Finding the Fix: Enneagrams, 12 Steps, and Addiction with Typology Host Ian Morgan Cron 51:47

6M ago51:47

51:47

This episode features Ian Morgan Cron, a bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, Episcopal priest, and the host of the popular podcast Typology. His books include the Enneagram primer The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, which has sold over one million copies and his newest book, The Fix: How the Twelve Step…

1
Human History Is Not Set In Stone 1:10:15

6M ago1:10:15

1:10:15

What if everything we think we know about the history of our species is wrong? That’s the provocative question at the heart of a new book by today’s guest, David Wengrow. Hailed as fascinating, brilliant, and potentially revolutionary, “The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity” debuted at no. 2 on the New York Times bestseller list. Drawin…

1
Hockey and Healing: Toni Will’s Path to Alcohol Freedom 52:13

7M ago52:13

52:13

On today’s episode is Toni Will. Toni has been the General Manager and Governor of the Kalamazoo Wings, a men’s professional hockey team in Michigan, for over a decade. She made history as the first female GM on the East Coast Hockey League Board of Governors. In 2020, Toni founded Mindfulness Elevated to help others achieve freedom from substances…

1
Want a More Meaningful Life? Embrace Your Limitations. 1:21:16

7M ago1:21:16

1:21:16

In his mega-bestseller “Four Thousand Weeks,” Oliver Burkeman showed that the shortness of life “isn’t a reason for unremitting despair, or for living in an anxiety-fueled panic about making the most of your limited time. It’s a cause for relief.” Now, in “Meditations for Mortals,” he invites us to embrace what he calls “imperfectionism.” Accept yo…

1
What the First Year of Not Drinking is Really Like: Danielle LeBoeuf’s Story 58:46

7M ago58:46

58:46

In this podcast episode, Danielle LeBoeuf shares what the first year of being a nondrinker is like. A wife, mother, grandmother, nurse and my friend from Michigan, Danielle took the first step towards alcohol freedom after realizing the hold drinking had on her daily life. She discusses the challenges she faced, her experience with multiple attempt…

1
THE WORK OF ART: How Something Comes From Nothing 56:41

7M ago56:41

56:41

Making art is hard work, as Adam Moss, the revered former editor of New York magazine, reveals in his illuminating new book, "The Work of Art." The book is a collection of interviews with painters, poets, filmmakers, and even sandcastle builders about the demanding, mystical, peculiar process of creating something out of nothing. Adam spoke with ou…

1
The Power of Friendships with Deb Masner and Heather Lowe: Re-air from the Peripeteia Talk Show for Women Podcast 1:03:33

7M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

I was honored to be a guest on my friend Heather Lowe’s new podcast, the Peripeteia Talk Show for Women, as part of its inaugural season. Heather, the founder of Ditched the Drink, is a Certified Professional Recovery and Life Coach, a proud mom to two teenage daughters, a wife of over 20 years, and my sober bestie. We had such a heartfelt conversa…

1
ANXIOUS GENERATION (Part 2): How to Raise Resilient Kids in the Digital Age 36:50

7M ago36:50

36:50

Earlier this week, Jonathan Haidt joined us to discuss the crisis in youth mental health caused by smartphones and social media. Now he’s back to talk solutions. ✉️ We launched a Substack! Check it out now at bookoftheday.nextbigideaclub.com 🎙️ Enjoy this episode? Check out Rufus's related conversations with Will Storr and Anna Lembke…

1
The Hidden Struggle with Alcohol After Weight Loss Surgery: How Ruby Williams Found Freedom from Food and Booze 45:02

7M ago45:02

45:02

Ruby Williams is a certified Alcohol Freedom Coach and owner of Freedom Renegade Coaching. She helps women after weight loss surgery or those struggling with disordered eating and drinking to break free from alcohol addiction. Living in Northern California wine country, she drank daily to cope with a stressful corporate job in the alcohol industry …

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ANXIOUS GENERATION (Part 1): What Social Media Is Doing to Our Kids 54:39

7M ago54:39

54:39

It’s rare these days for a book to go viral, but that’s exactly what happened with “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt. Now in its seventh month on the New York Times bestseller list, the book shows how the mass adoption of smartphones and social media has led to r…

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Alcohol Tipping Point Podcasts

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