Mocktails with Marina

In today's episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with Vanessa Royle, founder of Tilden, a brand that's changing the non-alcoholic cocktail game with one key philosophy: flavor comes first. Vanessa shares her deeply personal journey of going alcohol-free during the early days of the pandemic and how that shift revealed a massive gap in the beverage space—especially for people who are pregna...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we sit down with David Lund , the founder of Drømme , a premium non-alcoholic beverage brand that's reshaping how we relax, connect, and celebrate without alcohol. If you've been curious about functional alcohol alternatives, botanical spirits, or how to create a wellness-focused drink that actually tastes good, this episode is for you. We explore the ori...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , I sit down with herbalist, educator, and author Rachelle Robinett to explore the world of modern herbalism and how plants can transform your health, mindset, and daily routines without the overwhelm . Whether you're a wellness beginner, sober-curious, or diving deeper into functional ingredients , this episode is a must-listen. We talk about how herbs for...

In this power-packed episode of Mocktails with Marina , we're dropping the full audio recording of last week's Drink Money Masterclass : a tactical, no-fluff training designed for beverage brand founders, kavatenders, sales reps, and affiliate marketers in the non-alcoholic and functional beverage industry. Whether you're selling RTDs, tinctures, kava, or adaptogenic blends, this masterclass cover...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we sit down with Abbie Romanul, founder of Raising the Bar , the zero-proof cocktail kit subscription that's become a staple for mindful drinkers, sober-curious folks, and wellness-forward hosts across the U.S. Abbie shares her deeply personal journey—from quietly deciding to stop drinking after one too many mornings filled with shame and exhaustion, to r...

In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina , host Marina Castillo sits down with Sarah Kiriliuk, the founder of Some Good Clean Fun and sober lifestyle advocate behind the popular Instagram account @somegoodcleanfun. With her PR and media background and deeply personal journey through perimenopause, motherhood, and midlife transformation, Sarah shares how she went from wine-filled nights to...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , host Marina Castillo sits down with Lila Volkas (non-alcoholic beverage educator, holistic nutritionist )  to explore the powerful intersection of mindful drinking, functional mixology, and plant-based wellness education. Together, they dive deep into Lila's journey from health challenges to herbal healing, her love for DIY elixirs and alcohol-free mixolo...

In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina , we explore why visibility in business isn't just about being seen, it's about being regulated. Whether you're building a non-alcoholic brand, launching your first product, or leading a team in the kava and sober-curious space, the ability to show up authentically and consistently is a nervous system skill , not just a strategy. Marina dives deep...

Is your backend blocking your breakthrough? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we dive into the chaotic, often-overlooked world of operations and uncover why so many non-alcoholic business owners , kava bar founders , and sober entrepreneurs feel stuck, even when everything looks good on the surface. If you're juggling endless to-do lists, answering the same team questions over and over, o...

Struggling to price your drinks? Wondering why your non-alc menu isn't selling? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we're walking you through the exact system used by top-performing sober bars and beverage entrepreneurs to create intentional, profitable, and scalable drink menus. Marina shares horror stories from behind the scenes of bad menus, then introduces the  Ultimate Non-Alc Menu Cre...

Ready to finally take your non-alcoholic business idea seriously? In this episode, Marina shares the story behind the creation of the Non-Alc Business Jumpstart Kit —a powerful, done-for-you toolkit designed for aspiring founders of non-alcoholic bars, bottle shops, and beverage brands. If you've been stuck in research mode, overwhelmed by where to begin, or unsure how to price, plan, and launch y...

If you care about the future of kava, you need to hear this. In this powerful episode, I pull back the curtain on our advocacy work with both the Global and Arizona Kava Coalitions; covering everything from health department misunderstandings to national misinformation about kava's safety. We talk real policy, industry protection, and how owning a kava business is the most effective tool for creat...

The non-alcoholic space is booming—but make no mistake, the game is still rigged. In this episode, Marina exposes the power structures keeping non-alc brands stuck on the sidelines and what it really takes to win. We unpack how the alcohol industry controls distribution, funding, and even social norms—while quietly investing in non-alc products to keep control. You'll learn the psychology behind w...

They told you that launching a non-alc business takes millions in funding, insider connections, and a nonstop hustle mindset. They lied. In this episode, I'm debunking the 3 most toxic myths keeping passionate founders stuck—and showing you exactly what it really takes to build a successful non-alc brand from the ground up. You'll learn: Why you don't need venture capital to get started (and what...

Nobody cares what's in the bottle. They care how it makes them  feel . In this solo episode, Marina breaks down one of the most common mistakes in the non-alc industry: over-educating instead of emotionally connecting. If you've been pushing ingredients, benefits, and back labels instead of identity, aspiration, and community… this episode is your wake-up call. You'll learn: Why taste and function...

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Michelle LeBlanc, co-founder of Mantra Kava and Botanical Bar in DeLand, Florida, to talk about what it really takes to build a soulful, alcohol-free gathering space from the ground up. Michelle shares how her diverse background became an asset—not a detour—in launching a business rooted in the energy of the root chakra. We dive into the mission behind Ma...

In this powerful and relatable episode, we're joined by Kendall Bierman , licensed therapist and founder of Kendall B Therapy , who opens up about her journey from self-medicating in college to building a career helping others break free from the same patterns. Kendall shares how drinking once felt like a normal part of life; especially in environments where alcohol use is glamorized and going sob...

In this episode, Marina sits down with Maggie Klaassens: alcohol-free coach, mom of three, and the founder of The Sober Summit and The Sober Hive . What started as a personal 100-day challenge to ditch alcohol turned into a purpose-filled mission to help gray area drinkers take back their lives and build a future they're excited to wake up to. Maggie shares how she created a powerful three-day vir...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we're diving deep into the booming world of non-alcoholic product creation. If you've ever dreamed of launching your own functional beverage, sober-friendly tincture, or wellness powder, this is the episode you can't afford to miss. Marina breaks down exactly why now is the perfect time to enter the non-alcoholic beverage industry , how to position your i...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Rebecca Styn, founder of Blind Tiger, a non-alcoholic cocktail company rooted in inclusivity, hospitality, and premium zero-proof experiences. Discover how Rebecca turned the challenges of the 2020 pandemic into a groundbreaking pivot that transformed her speakeasy-style bar, Room 33, into the birthplace of Blind Tiger—now one of...

In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina , host Marina sits down with Becky Moreno, founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions, to explore the deeper meaning behind the growing non-alcoholic movement. Becky shares her raw and inspiring recovery journey—from navigating life as an alcoholic to becoming a bold leader in the sober entrepreneur space. Listeners will hear how Becky tra...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore a powerful and often overlooked business skill: setting boundaries as a business owner while maintaining professionalism, leadership, and client trust. If you're an entrepreneur in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, a CPG founder, or a wellness-based business leader, chances are you've experienced clients, collaborators, or leads pushing past...

Are you stepping into a mentorship role, teaching others, or seeking guidance for your own business journey? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , we explore what it really means to be a mentor, teacher, or guide—especially in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, entrepreneurial space, and personal development world. Many people believe that simply knowing something qualifies them to teach it...

In this high-impact, no-fluff episode, I'm breaking down how to shift timelines and step into the reality you actually want - fast. Your current life is a loop of past thoughts and actions, but you don't have to stay stuck in it. The secret? Identity shifting. Here's what we cover in just 2 minutes: ✅ Decide who you are right now. Not someday. Today. ✅ Act outside your current reality. Do someth...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina , I share how our first year in business was more than just a career shift—it was a healing process. If you have ever felt burned out, stuck in the 9-5 grind, or unsure how to build a business that truly supports you, this episode is filled with real-world lessons, faith-driven perseverance, and insights from the growing non-alcoholic beverage industry. Bur...