Best How To Be A Better Drinker Podcasts (2025)

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E289: Emotional Tunnel Vision: When Little Problems are a Big Deal 20:56

1d ago20:56

20:56

In sobriety our brains are still stuck in survival mode. We zoom in on small problems, assume they’re huge, and feel overwhelmed by everyday stressors. Minor stressors make our lives grind to a halt. But with time, our thinking shifts and we learn the skills we need to zoom out. In this episode, I’ll explain where this tunnel vision comes from, wha…

1
16. When You Numb the Bad, You Numb the Good 19:15

2d ago19:15

19:15

We often talk about alcohol as a way to take the edge off—but what if it's also taking the shine off? In this episode, we explore how alcohol doesn’t just dull pain, stress, or anxiety—it also numbs your ability to feel joy, connection, and real pleasure. I’ll walk you through the neuroscience behind this, explain how alcohol rewires your brain’s r…

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#102. "No one wanted to work with me" - Athletic Brewing's Bill Shufelt 50:03

3d ago50:03

50:03

Bill Shufelt, co-founder of Athletic Brewing, joins me to share the remarkable journey behind America's leading non-alcoholic beer brand. From his personal decision to stop drinking 13 years ago to building a business that's now outselling major breweries, Bill's story is one of identifying a genuine market gap and relentlessly pursuing quality. We…

1
E288: How to “Sit With It” Without Avoiding, Suppressing, Ruminating, or Escaping 23:47

8d ago23:47

23:47

Learning to manage emotions is one of the most difficult parts of sobriety. Many people don’t think they were drinking to cope, only to find out once they try to quit that they were. When I was drinking and in the first couple of years of sobriety, I used to make things more difficult for myself because I couldn’t manage emotions. I would ruminate,…

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15. Yes, You Can Change—But There’s a Catch 17:59

9d ago17:59

17:59

We say we want to drink less. But do we really want to change—or do we just want to avoid the consequences of overdrinking? In this episode, I invite you to look beneath the surface and get radically honest with yourself. We explore what it actually means to change your relationship with alcohol—not just how much you drink, but who you are around a…

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Welcome to the new show! 2:02

10d ago2:02

2:02

Welcome to the Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife Podcast. I'm so glad you're here. We're about to go on a life-changing journey together. The destination: A life less intoxicated! === 📰 SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD === 💰 Get 10% off drinks at Wise Bartender* & Dry Drinker* with code LOWNODRINK…

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#101. 10 Things You Need to Know Before Starting Your Dry Month Challenge 33:29

10d ago33:29

33:29

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 practical strategies for not just surviving but thriving during any alcohol-free challenge, whether it's Dry January, Sober October, or your own personal experiment. Drawing from years of trial and error plus insights from the Low No Drinker community, I cover everything from prioritising sleep and movement to explor…

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E287: Are You “Strong Enough” or Just Stubborn? (Self-Control & Willpower) 22:07

15d ago22:07

22:07

When we think about getting sober, most of the focus is on not drinking, but we don’t think about what to start doing to actually rewire the brain and move forward. In this episode, I’ll explain why white-knuckling doesn’t work. You’ll learn about why willpower is not the most important factor for staying sober, how being “strong” prevents us from …

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14. What Is Alcohol Taking Away? 21:39

16d ago21:39

21:39

In last week’s episode, I invited you to ask: What is alcohol giving you? In this companion episode, we explore what alcohol might be taking from you. Not just the obvious consequences of drinking, but the deeper, more personal costs that often go unspoken. This isn’t about shame or judgment. It’s about awareness—so you can stop letting alcohol tak…

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#100 Episodes, 15 Questions, 1 major update 56:04

17d ago56:04

56:04

I’m flipping the script! To celebrate hitting an astonishing 100 episodes, today, I am testing my skills and interviewing myself. Plus, I share some exciting news about the evolution of the Low No Drinker Podcast! 0:00 Celebrating 100 Episodes 2:49 Motivation 6:30 Toughest episodes 12:39 Best episodes 16:56 Explaining my job to my kids 19:10 Defend…

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5 Year Podversary Q&A (E286 Part 2) 33:23

22d ago33:23

33:23

Join me for a special Q&A episode. We talk about my story, my work, my gaming history, book writing, what I've noticed in the sober community, and more! Thanks to everyone who submitted questions Work with me: Community & Meetings: Living a Sober Powered Life https://www.soberpowered.com/membership Sober coaching https://www.soberpowered.com/sober-…

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E286: How This Podcast Changed My Life (Happy 5 Years to Sober Powered) 31:19

22d ago31:19

31:19

On June 25, 2020 I decided to start this podcast. You’ll learn the story of how this podcast started, how it’s changed my sobriety, how it’s changed me professionally, how it’s helped me do my own “work”, and some of the hurtful things people have said to me over the years. I want to share about the shifts I’ve had to make to sustain being a public…

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13. What Is Alcohol Giving You? 16:17

23d ago16:17

16:17

If you're trying to drink less, it might feel counterintuitive to ask yourself what alcohol is giving you. But understanding the real reason you're reaching for a drink is the key to changing your relationship with alcohol—without relying on shame or scare tactics. In this episode, I unpack why it’s so important to get honest about the benefits you…

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#99. Between Teetotal and Tipsy: The Lost Art of Small Beer 45:34

24d ago45:34

45:34

James Grundy, co-founder of Small Beer, joins me to share the fascinating story behind reviving a brewing tradition that vanished over a century ago. After several years building a gin brand, James & partner, former Fuller's brewer Felix James, set out to revive "small beer", historically consumed for nutrition and hydration, with an upper limit of…

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E285: How Exercise Helps Your Brain and Body Heal From Alcohol (and How to Get Started) 22:45

29d ago22:45

22:45

Besides not drinking, one of the simplest ways to heal the damage left behind from your drinking days is to exercise consistently. In this episode, I’ll explain how exercise helps to heal the body and brain, specific types of exercise that are beneficial, and how exercise can increase the likelihood that you’ll resist cravings and stay sober. You’l…

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12. Why Your Motivation Matters 19:26

1M ago19:26

19:26

If your main reason for drinking less is to avoid the shame, hangovers, or health risks... that’s totally understandable—but it might not be enough. In this episode, I talk about the difference between running away from alcohol and running toward something better—and why your “why” matters more than you think. You’ll learn: why fear-based motivatio…

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#98. Lyre’s: The Honest Truth 59:38

1M ago59:38

59:38

This week, I'm joined by Anita Osborne, the Sales and Marketing Manager for Lyre's Spirit Co. in the EU and UK. Anita takes us behind the scenes of one of the most successful global alcohol-free brands, sharing the highs and lows of building a business that spans over 60 territories. From launching with an ambitious 12 spirits (including an alcohol…

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E284: Reward Substitution: Healthy vs. Harmful Replacements for Alcohol 19:49

1M ago19:49

19:49

When we quit drinking, it’s pretty common to pick up another crutch or transfer the addiction to something else like food, work, cannabis, shopping, etc. Your brain still wants comfort, relief, stimulation, and escape and it’s easy to use other methods of relief instead of doing the emotional work and not needing relief. In this episode, I discuss …

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#97. Adults Only? Are alcohol-free drinks safe for kids? 14:53

1M ago14:53

14:53

Today I’m diving into a question that comes up a lot — is it safe, and is it a good idea, to give alcohol-free drinks to kids? I’m talking specifically about drinks under 0.5% ABV (so not low, light or mid-strength alcohol). I cover the safety aspect first, but more importantly, I explore the bigger question: should we be giving them to kids at all…

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11. What's a Sobriety Coach—and Do You Need One? 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

If you’ve ever wondered what a sobriety coach actually does—and whether you need one—this episode is for you. I’m answering the most common questions I get about the work I do: who I work with and exactly how I help them; how my approach differs from other sobriety-focused programs; what coaching looks like in practice (hint: it’s not about handing…

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#96. Impossibrew’s Social Blend: AF Beer for the "One or Two Pint" Feeling 48:35

1M ago48:35

48:35

Mark Wong joins me to share the journey behind Impossibrew, the functional beer brand that went from Dragon's Den rejection to securing six and then seven-figure crowdfunding. I nosy my way into their proprietary "social blend" of plant-based ingredients designed to replicate that one-or-two-pint feeling without the alcohol, how they've iterated th…

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E283: Alcohol Shortens Your Perception of Time (Instant Gratification) 18:08

1M ago18:08

18:08

Learning to put effort into our lives, be patient, and not rely on instant gratification is challenging. Alcohol teaches us that we can have what we want immediately and with no effort. Real life doesn’t work that way. In this episode, I explain alcohol myopia, which is how alcohol narrows our focus and prevents us from accurately thinking about th…

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#95. Alcohol-Free Wine vs AF Beer: It's Not a Fair Fight 19:11

1M ago19:11

19:11

This week, I'm diving into the thorny topic of alcohol-free wine and why we need to stop whining about it. Whilst I'm not claiming it's perfect yet, the constant negativity isn't helping anyone. I explore why alcohol-free wine faces unique challenges compared to the meteoric rise of AF beer, from centuries of tradition to higher production costs, a…

1
10. It’s Okay to Still Want Alcohol 15:58

1M ago15:58

15:58

Have you ever felt ashamed for still wanting a drink even though you’d decided to cut back or quit? Then this episode is for you. So many people believe that if they truly wanted to change, they wouldn’t still crave alcohol. They think desire means weakness or proof that something’s wrong with them. But that’s not true—and in this episode, I’ll sho…

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#94. Lifted: The UK's First High Protein, Alcohol-Free Lager 43:20

2M ago43:20

43:20

This week I'm chatting with Tony Robinson, co-founder of Lifted - the UK's first 0.0% high protein craft lager made for athletes. Tony and his wife, Rebecca, launched their unique offering to solve a problem they were both experiencing - wanting additional protein in their diets whilst enjoying alcohol-free options after workouts. With over 250,000…

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E282: Minimizing, Rationalizing, and the Myth of “I Wasn’t That Bad” 19:11

2M ago19:11

19:11

Maybe your drinking isn’t/wasn’t that bad, but does that mean it’s good? If you don’t truly face what you’re doing, then how can you expect to change and move forward? In this episode, we dig into the psychological tricks we use to protect ourselves from the truth about our drinking- minimizing, rationalizing, and rewriting the past. I explain how …

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#93. Stop asking if I still drink alcohol! 19:53

2M ago19:53

19:53

I get asked constantly whether I still drink alcohol, as my answer will somehow validate my right to speak on the subject. Well, I'm getting fed up of answering that question, and here's why - it's completely missing the point! In this one-on-one episode, I’m jumping with two feet into why I've built this platform for the messy middle ground, why s…

1
9. How to Feel Your Feelings without Numbing Them 26:28

2M ago26:28

26:28

If you’ve ever reached for a drink just to take the edge off—because you were stressed, bored, anxious, or just overwhelmed—this episode is for you. I unpack the emotional side of drinking: why we use alcohol to avoid feelings, how that avoidance becomes a habit, and how learning to feel your feelings (without numbing them) is the key to creating l…

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#92. Laura Silverman’s Zero Proof Nation: “Turning my mess into my message” 51:55

2M ago51:55

51:55

Laura Silverman is the founder of Zero Proof Nation, a global platform connecting low and no-drinks & drinkers worldwide. Nearly 18 years sober, Laura’s LinkedIn profile describes her as "the nexus of NA" – a title she's earned through her tireless work building community and resources for the alcohol-free movement, including the most comprehensive…

1
E281: Why Your Brain Makes Drinking Look Better Than It Was 18:06

2M ago18:06

18:06

When the sun comes out, so do the memories of “fun” drinking days, but are those memories even accurate? In this episode, I break down how your brain edits the past to make alcohol look better than it really was. I’ll explain how dopamine, emotional memory, and the fading affect bias distort your perception of your drinking life, and why the “good …

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#91. Be the Voice of Low No Nation 7:48

2M ago7:48

7:48

In this special announcement episode, I'm reaching out to you, my wonderful Low No Nation, as we approach a major milestone - episode 100 of the podcast! After nearly two years of bringing you conversations about the world of low, no and light drinks, I'm inviting you to be part of this celebration. Whether you've been listening since day one or ju…

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8. Saying No to Alcohol Isn’t the Hardest Part 21:58

2M ago21:58

21:58

Most people assume the hardest part of drinking less is saying no to alcohol. But what if that’s not true? In this episode, I share why the real challenge of changing your drinking habits isn’t about resisting the drink itself—it’s about learning to sit with discomfort without numbing or escaping. I unpack why alcohol feels so essential sometimes, …

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#90. How Lucky Saint Is Brewing Beer You Can Believe In (Even at Lunchtime) 47:07

2M ago47:07

47:07

This week, I’m joined by Lou Pollitt from Lucky Saint, the UK’s best-known alcohol-free beer. We talk about how the brand’s evolved since launching back in 2018, why they stuck so firmly to perfecting just one lager for so long, and how brewing to the German Rheinheitsgebot purity law plays into that commitment to quality. Lou also shares some insi…

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E280: Romanticizing Alcohol: What’s Going on in Your Brain 18:59

2M ago18:59

18:59

Are these harmless thoughts or do they lead to relapse? In this episode you’ll learn what is going on in your brain when you romanticize alcohol, how this can make being sober more challenging, and 3 ways to break the romanticizing loop. I’ll share a story from 4 years ago about when I romanticized alcohol, how I used tools, and what that same situ…

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#89. How I Got It All Wrong at a 5-Year-Old's Birthday Party 12:10

2M ago12:10

12:10

Today, I’m exploring how years of conditioning led me to make unfair assumptions about my hosts, who were actually on their own mindful drinking journey, at a recent kids’ birthday party. This experience prompted me to question the wider assumptions we all make - about venues, other people's perceptions, and even ourselves and the habitual thoughts…

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7. "I Can't Drink" vs. "I Don't Drink" 15:11

2M ago15:11

15:11

If you’ve ever told yourself “I can’t drink” while trying to cut back or take a break from alcohol, this episode is for you. That one little phrase might seem harmless—but it’s actually working against you. In this episode, I unpack the surprising power of your internal narrative and how the words you use when talking about your relationship with a…

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#88. Sober Sound System Ibiza: Changing Raving on the No.1 Party Island 52:46

2M ago52:46

52:46

He’s the Sober Sommelier who went from a disastrous weekend on to co-create Sober Sound System Ibiza, bringing his personal drink & drug story full circle after seven years. Join me and Alex Norwood Hill on his amazing journey of self-discovery on the party island. Can you go sober in Ibiza? Hell yes, you can! 0:00 The early days of drink & drugs 9…

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E279: The Pendulum Effect of Healing 25:10

2M ago25:10

25:10

When we start doing “the work”, it’s normal for your behavior to swing hard in the other direction. Emotions become more intense, old memories flood back, or you may feel like everyone needs to know how they’ve wronged you. This is the pendulum effect. We are learning how to do life without alcohol, and that process takes experimentation. In this e…

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#87. The Uncomfortable Truth: 4 Reasons Some Alcohol-Free Drinks Fall Flat 18:55

2M ago18:55

18:55

It’s time for some uncomfortable truths about alcohol-free drinks. This episode might make me a little unpopular in the industry, but that’s ok because it needs to be said: Not all alcohol-free drinks are good! After being asked this very question during my BBC Radio Xtra debut (yay!), I was inspired to share this episode and explore with you why s…

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6. How Perfectionism Sabotages Change 21:36

2M ago21:36

21:36

If you think you have to do everything "just right" in order to succeed, you might be falling into the trap of perfectionism. In this episode, we look at how perfectionism quietly sabotages your efforts to change your drinking habits. When you expect flawless success or believe one slip means total failure, you’re setting yourself up to quit on you…

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#86. 50/50: The Cocktail Box Company Bridging Alcohol-Free and Alcohol-Full 56:26

2M ago56:26

56:26

This week, I'm chatting with Jonny Hughes, one-half of the husband-wife duo behind Penthouse Cocktails – a unique at-home cocktail box service offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the same drinks. Johnny, who also writes for Low No Drinker Magazine, brings his refreshingly honest and sometimes blunt (be warned!) perspective on ever…

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E278: Intrusive Thoughts About Drinking When You’re Already Sober & 3 Ways to Deal 22:10

3M ago22:10

22:10

We’re used to intrusive thoughts about drinking while we’re trying to quit and in the early days, but these thoughts can continue to pop up months or even years later. Does this mean you’re on the path to relapse? In this episode I’ll explain where intrusive thoughts about drinking come from and 3 strategies to deal with them. You’ll learn the 4 mo…

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#85. Move Over Gen Z: How Midlife Moderators are Changing the Drinking Game 16:20

3M ago16:20

16:20

This week, I'm busting the myth that Gen Z are the only ones changing their relationship with alcohol. Inspired by a 70-year-old Irish gentleman named Eamon who told me he recently decided to quit drinking, I explore how my generation—Generation X—along with older Millennials and even Boomers, are quietly revolutionising our drinking habits. With 7…

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5. The Trap of All-or-Nothing Thinking 21:49

3M ago21:49

21:49

If you've ever thought "I already had one drink so today is ruined—might as well keep drinking!”— this episode is for you. We dive into one of the biggest mindset traps that keeps people stuck in unhealthy drinking habits: all-or-nothing thinking. You'll learn how this common thought pattern sabotages your progress—and how to stop it before it spir…

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#84. 5 Hours of Sober Clubbing Bliss with The House of Happiness 1:09:52

3M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

This week I'm thrilled to be joined by Neil Hudson-Basing, the “chaotic, queer and kind” co-founder of House of Happiness - London's sober clubbing extravaganza. Neil takes us behind the scenes of creating London's first queer-led sober rave, from its humble beginnings to becoming a glitter-filled, music-pumping daytime party at one of London's top…

1
E277: Being Willing to Start is the Hardest Part (“The Work”) 20:54

3M ago20:54

20:54

I thought getting sober was the end of the story. I did it, I succeeded, now life will be amazing forever. But the parade never came. Instead, I started to get uncomfortable and notice patterns in my behavior that I didn’t like, and without alcohol around, I couldn’t unsee it. This is where a lot of people fall off. Their work begins to show up, it…

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#83. You Can Drink Your Own Way 🎤 9:46

3M ago9:46

9:46

In this candid solo episode, I tackle the gatekeeping creeping into the low/no space, particularly around big alcohol brands releasing alcohol-free options. After receiving pushback for sharing Heineken's expansion news, I'm setting the record straight: there's no "right way" to be a mindful drinker. Whether you prefer mainstream alcohol-free beers…

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4. "Do I Have a Drinking Problem?" 14:48

3M ago14:48

14:48

Wondering if your drinking is “bad enough” to have to change? You’re asking the wrong question. In this episode, we move beyond labels like "alcoholic" or "addict" or "problem drinker" and talk about what really matters: how alcohol impacts your life, your confidence, your relationships, and your goals. You'll learn a more compassionate, empowering…

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#82. “I Thought Alcohol-Free Beer Was Disgusting” How Jump Ship’s Founder Changed Her Own Mind 1:02:19

3M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Sonja Mitchell is the founder of Jump Ship, the award-winning Scottish alcohol-free brewery making waves in the low/no space. From knowing absolutely nothing about brewing to winning 'Scottish Small Brewery of the Year', Sonja shares her remarkable journey—including launch delays, a pandemic pivot, and even a David and Goliath-esque legal battle. 0…

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E276: A Burst of Mental Clarity at 60 Days Sober (Cognitive Healing) 26:25

3M ago26:25

26:25

Many people experience a noticeable shift in mental clarity around 60 days sober. When it happened to me I felt like I was waking up from a long dream and I could finally use my brain again. This may feel like being present, having patience, better focus and attention, improved memory, and reduced mental clutter. In this episode, I’ll explain how a…

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