Alcohol Minimalist: Mindful Drinking & Behavior Change

In this Think Thursday episode, Molly dives into the neuroscience of fear, mindset shifts, and the power of helping others to create a positive ripple effect on both our lives and mental well-being. She explores how shifting from fear to action through acts of generosity and kindness can help you step out of emotional paralysis and into purposeful living. Drawing on neuroscience and real-world stu...

 Welcome to this episode of The Alcohol Minimalist Podcast !  As January winds down, we’re talking all about Dry January and the opportunity to finish strong. Whether you’ve stuck to your goals or stumbled along the way, this episode is here to inspire you to recommit, reflect, and take meaningful steps toward creating a peaceful relationship with alcohol. Molly dives into the neuroscience behind...

In this Think Thursday episode, Molly dives into the fascinating connection between hydration and cognitive health. Learn why even mild dehydration can negatively impact focus, memory, reaction time, and overall brain efficiency. Molly shares practical strategies to stay hydrated and explains how keeping your brain hydrated can help you feel better, think more clearly, and take better actions in y...

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, Molly Watts dives into the essential difference between willpower and self-discipline —and why understanding this distinction can make all the difference in your journey to drinking less. Using the definition of self-discipline as “the ability to make yourself do things you know you should do, even when you don’t want to,” Molly e...

In this Think Thursday episode, we're diving deep into the concept of rumination —the exhausting cycle of repetitive, negative thinking. Molly breaks down why our beautiful, brilliant human brains get stuck in this mental quicksand and how it can sabotage our progress, especially when trying to change habits like drinking. More importantly, you'll learn science-backed strategies to interrupt this...

In this insightful episode, Molly Watts dives into the power of challenging and changing your core beliefs about alcohol and yourself. As many navigate Dry January or strive to build a peaceful relationship with alcohol, Molly shares how deeply ingrained beliefs can keep us stuck in unwanted habits. Drawing inspiration from Think Again by Dr. Adam Grant, she discusses how curiosity and resilience...

In this week’s Think Thursday, Molly dives into the fascinating role of dopamine—a neuromodulator at the core of motivation, habits, and long-term satisfaction. With Dryuary underway, this episode is your guide to understanding how dopamine works, why it influences how you feel during a break from alcohol, and what you can do to naturally boost dopamine levels. What You’ll Learn: Why dopamine is m...

In this episode of The Alcohol Minimalist Podcast , we're diving deep into the recent advisory issued by the US Surgeon General regarding alcohol and its link to cancer risk. Molly explores the science behind the headlines, unpacking the data and presenting a balanced view to help you make informed decisions about your drinking habits. We cover: A breakdown of the Surgeon General's advisory on alc...

Episode Summary: In this Think Thursday episode, host Molly Watts explores the profound impact of chronic stress on the brain and its implications for behavior change. Molly delves into the role of the amygdala, the brain's stress responder, and how "amygdala hijacking" can derail rational thinking and decision-making. Drawing on concepts from her book Breaking the Bottle Legacy and the insights o...

This week on the podcast I'm joined by Sally Smith. Sally is a London based psychotherapist supporting people with personal development and she is also a fitness trainer and body transformation coach running her 8 week SHRED program both online and in person 4 times a year.  I've had the opportunity to work with Sally personally and our messages aligned so much that I thought it would be valuable...

Episode Overview: Welcome to another Think Thursday episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast ! This week, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics—your beautiful, brilliant human brain. In this episode, we’ll explore some of the incredible things modern science has revealed about the brain, share two inspiring stories from Norman Doidge’s groundbreaking book The Brain That Changes Itself , and...

This week on the podcast I'm joined by friend of show, Monica Reinagel, to talk about the science behind alcohol recovery drinks. We're diving into two products, Zbiotics and Sure Shot, to discuss the science behind them and whether or not we should believe the claims they are making. Resources mentioned: Nutrition Diva Podcast Change Academy Podcast Learn more about Monica:  https://www.wellnessw...

Welcome to Think Thursday from The Alcohol Minimalist Podcast ! Think Thursday dives into brain health, neuroscience, and the transformative power of mindset. This week, we’re exploring groundbreaking research by Dr. Alia Crum, a health psychologist from Stanford University, and her studies on how our beliefs and mindsets influence physical and psychological reality. Key Topics Covered The Science...

What is the difference between binge drinking and high-intensity drinking?  Tune in to this episode and learn what the terms mean. AND ask yourself if the holidays have traditionally created opportunities for you to indulge in either binge drinking or high-intensity drinking. New to the podcast? Download the Podcast Listening Guide . Want to schedule a call to talk about how I work with people?  C...

Welcome to Think Thursday on the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast!  This week, we dive into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, mindset, and visualization. Inspired by a powerful episode of the Mel Robbins Podcast featuring Dr. James Doty, a neurosurgeon and mindfulness expert, this episode unpacks how tools like visualization and mindfulness reshape our brains and lead us toward intentional,...

This week on the podcast I'm getting ready for all the opportunities to overdrink in December and revisiting an episode from early 2023 that has been a very popular episode over time called Chasing the Buzz. We're talking science, but we're also talking about mindset and belief. Ready to set yourself up for success in December?  This episode just might help. Resources mentioned: Podcast Episode #7...

Introduction: Think Thursday focuses on neuroscience, brain health, and mindset. This episode highlights the transformative power of consistency , especially during December—a month of distractions. Challenge: Practice consistency daily in small, manageable ways, not necessarily alcohol-related. Key Points Discussed: Why Your Brain Thrives on Consistency: Cognitive Efficiency: Your brain is an ene...

This week on the show I'm talking with Ian Andersen, Sunnyside co-founder and CGO all about the independent peer-reviewed study from 2024. Sunnyside demonstrated to reduce weekly alcohol consumption by 33% in 12 weeks. We're talking about what's new and what's coming in 2025 for people who want to change their drinking habits. New to the podcast? Download the Podcast Listening Guide . Want to sche...

This special Thanksgiving episode of Think Thursday explores the profound impact of gratitude on mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and how it intersects with managing alcohol habits. Here's what was covered: Science of Gratitude : Boosts happiness by shifting focus to positives, as shown in Dr. Robert Emmons' studies. Reduces stress by lowering cortisol levels, promoting heart health, be...

This week on the podcast I'm talking all about Alcohol & Grief.   I'm discussing different types of grief, the stages of grief and why alcohol can delay healing from grief.   Resources mentioned:   Grief Share The Dougy Center What’s Your Grief New to the podcast? Download the Podcast Listening Guide . Want to schedule a call to talk about how I work with people?  Click here for a FREE call.  ...

Introduction Welcome to Think Thursday on the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast. Focus: Using neuroscience and mindset to understand behavior and create change. Preview of today’s topic: Behaviorceuticals —how behaviors act as medicine for the brain. Segment 1: The Power of Action vs. Inertia Discusses a powerful quote from Elizabeth Benton ( Chasing Cupcakes ):  "Action is the antidote to inertia. It’s...

This week on the show I'm sharing an episode from Change Academy Podcast that I recorded with host Monica Reinagel. We're talking all about how going off routine can sound like freedom, but in reality it's often our routines that really provide peace. Check out the Change Academy podcast here: https://changeacademypodcast.com/ You can also listen to Monica on the Nutrition Diva podcast. New to the...

Today for Think Thursday we're talking about mindset. We're focusing specifically on reframing our past with a gain mindset.  Molly Watts discusses the importance of mindset in driving behavior and outcomes, emphasizing the shift from a "gap" to a "gain" perspective. She references Dr. Benjamin Hardy's book "Personality Isn't Permanent" and Dr. Dan Sullivan's concept of "The Gap and The Gain." The...

Today's episode is a special birthday episode.  Thank you for listening to the Alcohol MInimalist podcast.   New to the podcast? Download the Podcast Listening Guide . Want to schedule a call to talk about how I work with people?  Click here for a FREE call.   Join my private FB group Alcohol Minimalists here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/changeyouralcoholhabit Has this podcast helped you? Plea...

Molly Watts discusses the concept of "thinking on purpose" to manage stress and anxiety, particularly in the context of recent events like the US presidential election. She emphasizes the importance of pausing, breathing, and taking just 10 minutes to avoid immediate, reactive responses. Watts introduces the "PB and J" method: Pause and Ponder to interrupt automatic thoughts, Breathe to calm the n...