Are you afraid the fun will end when you quit drinking? Are you nervous about what you will drink instead of your favorite alcoholic beverage? Welcome to the Thriving Alcohol-Free podcast with Deb, the Mocktail Mom. This is the place for delightful conversations about non-alcoholic cocktails and the joy of sober living. We celebrate authentic freedom of life without alcohol. There are many great podcasts about getting sober, but in this podcast, we will focus on the delicious world of non-al ...
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EP 116 | Redefining Happy Hour: Mocktails, Rituals, and Second Chances
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20:57In 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…
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Ep 115 | Thriving Alcohol-Free: Taking a Break Before Season Two Begins
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5:05Life'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 wa…
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Crafting Success without Alcohol: From Harvard MBA to Non-Alcoholic Cocktails, Meet Vanessa Royle
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28:04Vanessa 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 …
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Ep. 113 From Wine Industry to Sobriety Coach, Meet Ruby Williams
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28:04Ruby 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 addict…
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Ep 112 Borrowing Belief: Lindsay Hennekey Helps Women Make Alcohol No Longer an Issue
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27:02Lindsay 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 d…
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Ep 111 Freedom from Alcohol: Meet Susan Larkin
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33:29Discover 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…
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EP 110 A Bartender’s Perspective on Living Alcohol-Free with Lief Frederick
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29:33This 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 rea…
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EP 109 The Non-Alcoholic Movement: Meet Kendall Olsen of Libations Library
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29:03Grab your favorite glass and prepare for a fun, flavor-packed chat with the brilliant Kendall Olsen, the mastermind behind @libations_library! Kendall is a pro at breaking down the art of mocktail-making into bite-sized, easy-to-digest goodness. In this episode, she lets us in on her go-to restaurant order, the local brands she loves, and why the m…
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EP 108 The Problem of Normalized Drinking With Abby Calabrese
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34:03What happens when you take alcohol out of the equation? According to this week’s guest, Abby Calabrese, you get deeper connections, a clearer mind, and a whole lot more fun! Abby is a mom of two, a passionate advocate and coach for alcohol-free living, and the host of The Alcohol-Free Coterie podcast. After years of navigating social drinking norms…
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EP 107 Mix Up The Perfect Batanga With Mocktail Mo
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20:52Hey friends! Did Dry January just fly by, or are you still cruising on that alcohol-free vibe? Either way, buckle up for a super fun episode featuring Mocktail Mo! If you missed the Mocktail Summit in January, don’t worry—today you’re getting one of the highlights: Mo’s deliciously easy Batanga mocktail. We’re diving into this drink recipe that’s b…
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EP 106 Live Q&A with Duncan Shouler, Senior Winemaker at Giesen
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27:14Ever wondered how a premium non-alcoholic wine is crafted? This week’s episode is a snippet from the recent Mocktail Summit 2025, where I had the pleasure of hosting a Happy Hour with Duncan Shouler, Chief Winemaker at Giesen and a trailblazer in the alcohol-free wine world. (If you want to catch the full summit replay, snag your pass now!) Duncan …
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EP 105 Unlocking the Flavor Power of Bitters with Ian from All The Bitter
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39:51Ever wondered what bitters are or how to use them? This episode is here to demystify the magic of these tiny-but-mighty drink enhancers! Recorded as part of the recent Mocktail Summit 2025, I’m chatting with Ian Blessing, co-founder of All The Bitter, an incredible alcohol-free bitters company he runs with his wife, Carly. (Want to hear more about …
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EP 104 Restoring Confidence and Clarity Through an Alcohol-Free Journey With Lilly Bogis
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24:28Hey friends! Guess what? We’ve got Lilly from @MocktailsWithLilly in the house today! She’s serving up her radiant energy, gorgeous mocktail inspo, and some seriously good chats about thriving in an alcohol-free life. Lilly’s been alcohol-free for over four years now, and she’s absolutely glowing as she gears up to welcome her first baby (a boy!) i…
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EP 103 Four Years as A Sober Mom & Thriving!
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19:46Celebrating the start of Dry January, this episode reflects on four years of sobriety, emphasizing the joy and community of alcohol-free living. Deb shares her journey, offers recommendations for resources, and shares about the upcoming Mocktail Summit. • Introduction to Dry January and its meaning • Celebrating two years of the podcast and four ye…
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EP 102 Ringing in Dry January With Larry Weintraub of Beckett’s
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31:53What does it take to bring a delicious non-alcoholic drink to life? Spoiler: a lot more than you’d think! In this episode, I’m chatting with Larry Weintraub from Beckett’s, and we’re diving into all the juicy (and fizzy) details behind the magic of crafting amazing alcohol-free options. From his unique transition from the music industry and social …
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EP 101 Surviving the Holidays Alcohol-Free With Abbie Romanul from Raising the Bar
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26:55This week, I’m chatting with the amazing Abbie, one of the founders of Raising the Bar, the zero-proof cocktail subscription box that’s changing how we celebrate, one sip at a time. Abbie gets real about her journey to an alcohol-free life—why she started her sober journey in December (yes, during the holidays!), how people-pleasing played into her…
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EP 100 Shake Up Mocktails in Delaware with Deb and Lori Liguori!
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24:39Hey friends, we’re already laughing and having a blast, so you know this episode is going to be fun. And it’s not just any episode—it’s our 100th! 🎊 I’m celebrating this milestone with none other than the fabulous Lori Liguori, Director of HR and Marketing at High 5 Hospitality (19 restaurants strong!) and all-around powerhouse. Lori’s joining me f…
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EP 99 How Better Than Booze Is Taking on the Beverage Giants With Drea Groeschel
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31:39This week’s episode is a total vibe! I’m sitting down with Drea Groeschel, the go-getter behind Better Than Booze, who’s making waves in the non-alcoholic beverage world. With years of experience in consumer product goods, Drea made the bold decision to break into the food and beverage industry, and wow, has she made her mark! In this conversation,…
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EP 98 From Bartender to Mocktail Innovator: Elaine’s Booze-Free Glow-Up
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15:44Get ready to fall in love with Elaine Empalmado, the powerhouse behind Mocktail Hour and one of the freshest voices in the alcohol-free world! After seven years of slinging drinks in Toronto’s nightlife scene, Elaine got sober in January 2024 (cheers to almost a year!) and realized something big: mocktails needed a serious glow-up. Now, she’s on a …
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EP 97 Creating The Life You Want, Alcohol-Free With Jodi Clark
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32:23In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Jodi Clark, founder of Sober Flourish and a total rockstar in the alcohol-free coaching world, to get real about life after ditching the drink. We dive into that “always thinking about drinking” phase, the quirky stuff that happens as the noise finally quiets, and yes, the rollercoaster of going alcoh…
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EP 96 The NA Bottle Shop Experience You’ve Always Wanted With Kristin and Andee of Orangily
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28:47Get ready to meet the fabulous sister duo behind Orangily (formerly Loren’s Alcohol-Free Beverages)—Kristin and Andee! Join us to hear all about how their shift toward an alcohol-free lifestyle in 2021 led them to open Indiana's second non-alcoholic bottle shop near Indianapolis—a place that’s quickly become a go-to for everyone looking to swap the…
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EP 95 Sober Strength: Addressing Fitness, Mental Health, and Addictions With Jesse Carrajat
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40:17In this special episode, we’re celebrating Jesse Carrajat’s one-year podcast anniversary! Jesse, the powerhouse behind Altum Fitness and host of the Sober Strength podcast, is all about helping people build healthy habits and embrace the journey of personal growth—whether that’s through fitness, mindset, or navigating sobriety. As a US Marine Corps…
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EP 94 Cheers to The Happiest Hour: Book Launch & Real Talk with Jennifer Page
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40:46IT’S HERE!! My new book, The Happiest Hour, has officially launched, and to say I’m ecstatic is an understatement! To help me celebrate this big moment, I’ve invited my friend and fabulous guest Jennifer Page to join me on the podcast, where we are making one of her favorite mocktails together - a classic Gin & Tonic with all the flavor and none of…
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EP 93 Make A Mocktail with Marnie Rae Clark
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26:24In this fun episode, I’m so excited to welcome back one of my favorite guests and dear friend, Marnie Rae! Marnie, the amazing founder of National Mocktail Week, is here to celebrate with me the launch of my brand-new book, The Happiest Hour, by shaking things up in the kitchen. We are making a delicious Dark and Stormy-inspired mocktail from the b…
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Two years ago, my dear friend Jen Butler and I partciplated in a Sober October program that would solidify our friendship forever. Jen is a sober coach, writer, fitness instructor, and one of the most inspiring women I know. She’s also a repeat guest, so if you’d like to hear more of her story in depth, check out EP 13. Today, I’m thrilled to have …
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EP 91 Surviving the Early Days of Sobriety With Kate Taylor
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33:25In this episode, I sit down with the amazing Kate Taylor who has become an influential voice on Instagram for those seeking a sober lifestyle. Kate opens up about her journey of breaking free from the "detox to retox" cycle and the over 1000 days of sobriety she now celebrates. She shares the pivotal moment of recording a heartfelt message to her f…
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EP 90 Celebrating Life (And Weddings) Without The Alcohol with Maddie Eller
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35:29I’ve got such a fun and feel-good episode for you! I’m joined by the fabulous Maddie from Mocktails with Maddie, who’s here to share her incredible story of embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle before hitting her 30s. Growing up in an environment where drinking was the norm, Maddie candidly opens up about the pressures that led to blackout drinking …
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EP 89 Sober Milestones & Holiday Tips with Barbara Williams
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30:55If you don’t feel like you have a rock-bottom moment in your sobriety journey, you are not alone! On this episode of Thriving Alcohol-Free, I’m sitting down with the amazing Barbara Williams, the heart behind Sober In Colour on Instagram! Barbara opens up about her journey from heavy drinking in her 30s to fully embracing sobriety on February 7th, …
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EP 88 Launching America’s First Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop With Victoria Watters
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29:39Grab your favorite mocktail and join me for an inspiring chat with Victoria Watters, co-founder of Dry Atlas and creator of America’s first NA bottle shop, Spirited Away. Victoria shares how she launched this game-changing business during the pandemic and how Dry Atlas is now tracking 1,500+ NA products globally! We dive into why education and reso…
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EP 87 How Don Lemon Inspired My Mocktail Book + A Special Recipe!
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19:46Hey, friends, it’s Deb! I recently posted a few sneak peek photos of my new book, The Happiest Hour: Delicious Mocktails for a Fabulous Moms' Night In on Instagram, and it hit me—I haven’t even shared the backstory with you yet! Well, we're fixing that today. I’m taking you behind the scenes of how the book came together, all the nervous moments, a…
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EP 86 Creating a Virtual Haven for Sobriety with Sober Summit’s Maggie Klaassens
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30:31Today I have Maggie Klaassens as my guest, the founder of the Sober Summit and a certified alcohol-free coach. In this fun chat, Maggie shares her personal journey to an alcohol-free lifestyle, navigating mommy wine culture, and her inspiring path to becoming a sober coach. We also dive into how she’s empowering others through the Sober Summit, a v…
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EP 85 From Shark Tank to Success: The Wildwonder Story With Founder, Rosa Li
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32:23Buckle up because today's episode is one I've been so excited about! Joining me is none other than Rosa Li, the incredible founder of Wildwonder, my absolute favorite sparkling drink that's as delicious as it is good for your gut. If you've heard me rave about it, now's your chance to get the full scoop on the brand straight from the source. Rosa s…
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EP 84 Launching Texas's First Alcohol-Free Bottle Shop with Helenita of Sipple
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26:08On this episode of Thriving Alcohol-Free, I’m thrilled to sit down with Helenita, co-founder of Texas’s first non-alcoholic bottle shop, Sipple. Helenita shares her and her husband's inspiring journey into creating a space for those seeking alcohol-free beverages and how they’ve built their business from the ground up. You’ll hear about the challen…
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EP 83 Big Announcements + A Few Lessons For Starting Your Alcohol-Free Journey
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24:38Hey friends! It's just me today, popping in for a quick catch-up as we wrap up summer and get ready for a new season. So, I've been on a little personal mission—challenging myself to hit 10k steps a day for 100 days. (Yep, that's 1 million steps if you're doing the math!) And let me tell you, just a few weeks in, I've already uncovered some big les…
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EP 82 Life, Loss, and Becoming A Mocktail Author With Derick Santiago
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33:49I'm so thrilled to have Derick Santiago back on the podcast today. Derick, one of my favorite guests and an all-around fabulous human, is here to share more of his inspiring alcohol-free journey. If you haven’t listened to our first episode together, I highly encourage you to go and listen to more of his story. In this conversation, Derick briefly …
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EP 81 Breaking Free From Mommy Wine Culture With Hadley Sorensen
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32:05Hey friends, I’m thrilled to have Hadley Sorensen with me on the podcast, author of The Dirty Truth on Social Drinking, mom of three boys, and a lifelong runner. Sparked by social awkwardness at 14, Hadley found solace in alcohol and became quite the social drinker into adulthood. But it was the pressures of mommy wine culture and maintaining a par…
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EP 80 Using Tea and Kombucha In Functional Mixology with Lila Volkas
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27:21Ready to transform your approach to non-alcoholic beverages? Join me for a delightful chat with Lila Volkas, a certified nutrition consultant and mixologist who is on a mission to make nutrition and mixology fun and easy to understand through her engaging public and corporate workshops. Since 2012, she's been hosting food and beverage classes world…
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EP 79 Unlocking Mindful Drinking With Ian Andersen of Sunnyside
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31:41I am thrilled to have as my latest guest, Ian Andersen, co-founder of Sunnyside which is the top alcohol moderation app available. Many people shy away from total sobriety, but still want help to cut back on drinking. Friends, Sunnyside is here to help! They aim to provide a supportive environment for those who want to reduce their alcohol intake w…
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EP 78 Meet Abbie Jean: A Recovering Alcoholic and Sober TikTok Sensation
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26:07I am beyond excited because we have the fabulous Abbie Jean from TikTok joining us. If you're on TikTok and not following her yet, what are you even doing? Abbie Jean, famous for her fun coffee drinks, amazing nail art, and those adorable accents, has been rocking sobriety for five years. She started sharing her journey casually, but it turned into…
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EP 77 Fighting the Stigma of Sobriety With Courtney of Discovering Mocktails
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31:18Have you ever wondered how one person's journey can ignite a movement? Join me as I share my conversation with a truly inspiring guest all the way from Canada, Courtney Johnson of Discovering Mocktails. After hitting rock bottom in 2022, Courtney began her sober journey on January 1, 2023, and founded Discovering Mocktails to prove that life withou…
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EP 76 Taking A Break From Alcohol: Jen Olafson’s Practical Approach
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34:01Does the thought of going completely sober seem a bit wild or intimidating? Trust me, I get it—it can feel a bit embarrassing to even think about, especially when you’re hanging out with your drinking buddies. But I'm super excited to share this conversation with Jen Olafson because her approach to taking a break from alcohol is something you defin…
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Ep 75 How to Tap into Bravery With Jess From Joyus Non-alcoholic Wines
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40:10Ever felt like everyone around you thinks you're a little crazy for chasing a dream? Join me for an inspiring chat with Jess from Joyous Non-Alcoholic Wines, where we dive into her incredible journey of bravery and determination. Jess started with just a few lackluster options in the non-alcoholic market and transformed it into a thriving industry …
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Ep 74 What It Means to Live Authentically Alcohol-Free With Josnelly Aponte
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29:28In this episode of Thriving Alcohol-Free, I’m hanging out with the lovely Josnelly, from sunny Jacksonville, Florida. We first connected at the Mocktail Summit while making some delicious drinks, and ever since I’ve been anxious to get her on the show so I could get to know her and her heart behind living alcohol-free. In our conversation, Josnelly…
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EP 73 Holistic Rendezvous: Blair Horton’s Approach to Artistic Mocktails and Healthy Living
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35:34Hey friends! In this episode, I sit down with the remarkable Blair Horton from Holistic Rendezvous, a holistic nutrition consultant, natural chef, and student of functional medicine, who is transforming the way we think about health and wellness. Blair’s journey is nothing short of inspiring as she opens up about her transition from a traditional c…
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EP 72 The WithCo Brand Journey with Cofounder Josh Ellis
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38:18I had an absolute blast chatting with the amazing Josh Ellis, the co-founder of WithCo. If you haven’t heard of WithCo yet, you're in for a treat because they’re shaking up the beverage world with their all-natural mixers that are perfect for everyone—whether you're drinking alcohol or not! Josh's journey is nothing short of inspiring and is all ab…
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EP 71 Crafting the Perfect Pour with Instagram's Mocktail Mo
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33:37I'm thrilled to welcome the amazing Mocktail Mo to the show! Mo is a true pioneer in the mocktail scene and was one of the very first accounts I followed on my alcohol-free journey. After turning 45, Mo discovered she was struggling with alcohol intolerance and was forced to find an alternative way to enjoy social settings. Today, we dive into her …
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EP 70 Brewing For A Better Tomorrow With Joe Chura of Go Brewing
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37:49Ever wondered what it’s like to host David Goggins in your basement or kickstart a non-alcoholic beer revolution? Buckle up, because in this episode, I’m chatting with Joe Chura, the dynamic founder of Go Brewing, and he’s got some wild stories and inspiring insights to share! In our conversation, Joe opens up about his personal journey of unhealth…
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EP 69 Finding Confidence In Your Alcohol-Free Life With Alyssa Heim
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31:59Hey friends, buckle up because today I have Alyssa Heim from Talk The Mock on Instagram joining me! Alyssa's journey is one for the books – she'll be sharing how she conquered her rocky relationship with alcohol, embraced sobriety, and stumbled upon her love for mixology along the way. When she first embarked on her alcohol-free journey, Alyssa had…
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EP 68 Sober or Soberish? Katie Nessel's Guide to Mindful Drinking
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35:50Struggling with the decision to cut back or cut out alcohol can feel like an isolating battle, but it's a road well-traveled in our community. My latest guest is Katie Nessel from Soberish Mom who joins me in a conversation about mindful drinking and moderation. We share laughter and sober truths as Katie unfolds her journey from the corporate grin…
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EP 67 New Brand Alert! Introducing Palace Beverages with Diana Panich
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27:49In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Diana Panich, the tech guru turned non-alcoholic beverage trailblazer behind the newest brand, Palace Beverages. Since embracing sobriety in 2020, Diana's mission has been to create a beverage that's both fun and health-conscious. Palace Beverages is her brainchild, blending adaptogens with citrus flavors to …
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