Journey to the Sunnyside | Mindful Drinking & Alcohol Health

You’ve probably asked yourself that question—or heard someone else say it like it’s a fact. But what if that belief is actually blocking your progress? In this episode, we unpack why labels like “alcoholic” or “addictive personality” might be doing more harm than good, and offer a new way to think about change that’s more honest, more doable, and a lot more freeing Want to drink less with no press...

We all know alcohol and mental health are connected, but what does the science actually say? Dr. Jason Kilmer, a leading researcher from the University of Washington, joins us to break down how alcohol impacts anxiety, depression, sleep, and emotional regulation. We discuss why drinking to "take the edge off" often backfires, how alcohol myopia alters decision-making, and the surprising link betwe...

In last week’s conversation with Dr. Jason Kilmer, we uncovered something shocking—most of what we think alcohol does for us isn’t actually caused by alcohol itself. We like to believe that drinking makes us more confident, social, and relaxed, but Jason’s research proves that our brains create these effects based on expectation, not the drink itself. In this 10-Minute Monday, I’m breaking down Ja...

Why do you drink more in certain situations—even when you don’t plan to? What if I told you it has nothing to do with alcohol itself? Dr. Jason Kilmer has spent over 20 years researching the psychology of drinking behaviors at the University of Washington, where he’s helped develop groundbreaking interventions funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Nationa...

Do your kids notice when you drink? And if they do, what message are they taking away from it? In this episode, I break down a Parents magazine article on parental drinking habits and share my own perspective as a dad of three. We’ll dive into how kids perceive alcohol, what research says about its influence, and simple ways to model intentional drinking. Whether you’re a casual drinker or just cu...

Ever feel like you're making progress, only to backslide into old habits? That’s self-sabotage, and it’s not just about willpower—it’s wired into how our brains work. But here’s the good news: you can break the cycle. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Carrie Lupoli, a certified nutritionist, behavioral expert, and award-winning educator who has helped thousands of people rewire their mindset...

Today, I’m answering a listener question about something a lot of people struggle with—how to drink less around friends without making it weird or awkward. Cutting back can feel great, but what happens when your social life still revolves around alcohol? You don’t want to make it a big deal, but you also don’t want to feel pressured or have to explain yourself all night. In this episode, I’ll brea...

Ever feel like alcohol is taking up way too much space in your head—even when you’re cutting back or sticking to your goals? You’re not alone. In this episode, we tackle the big question: Is overthinking alcohol a red flag? I’ll break down why this happens, what it actually means, and how to shift your focus so it’s no longer running the show. If you’ve ever worried that thinking about alcohol too...

Anne Marie Chaker spent 27 years as a journalist at The Wall Street Journal, but behind the success, she was struggling. After a series of personal losses, alcohol became her way to cope—until a chance encounter in a hotel gym changed everything. In this episode, she shares how strength training helped her break free from extremes, transform her mindset, and rebuild her life. We also dive into ins...

Motivation gets you started, but it won’t keep you going. That’s why so many people start cutting back on alcohol, feel amazing at first, and then suddenly hit a wall. So what do you do when the excitement wears off and old habits creep back in? In this episode, we’ll break down why motivation fades (it’s not your fault), the science behind it, and five powerful strategies to stay on track—without...

Most of us have been told that success comes down to grinding harder, waking up at 5 AM, and pushing through with sheer willpower. But what if I told you that might actually be holding you back? Today, I’ve got Craig Ballantyne on the show. If you don’t know Craig, he’s the guy who’s helped over 250 entrepreneurs become millionaires—not by doing more, but by focusing on the right things. He’s the...

Ever wake up feeling guilty after drinking, even if nothing really happened? That regret isn’t random—it’s the result of what alcohol does to your brain. This episode breaks down the neuroscience, psychology, and brain chemistry behind why drinking can leave you feeling anxious and self-critical the next day. Plus, I’ll share practical ways to break the guilt cycle so you can move forward without...

Ever told yourself you’d only have one drink—only to wake up regretting it? Or started the week determined to cut back, only to throw that plan out the window by Friday? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why your brain keeps tricking you into making drinking decisions you regret and, more importantly, how to break the cycle. We’ll explore how different “versions” of you—mornin...

Super Bowl Sunday and beer ads go hand in hand—but have you ever thought about why? In this episode, we’re taking a fun, eye-opening look at the top 5 beer commercials from this year’s Super Bowl. From celebrity cameos to humor and nostalgia, these ads do more than just entertain—they shape how we think about beer, socializing, and even the game itself. I’ll break down the clever psychology behind...

Maybe you’ve taken a break, cut back, and you’re feeling great. But then the doubt creeps in: Can I really trust myself around alcohol? What if I slip and end up right back where I started? In this episode, we break down why that fear happens, how your brain is wired for habits, and three simple steps to rebuild self-trust so you can make confident choices without fear, guilt, or second-guessing....

Maggie Jenson’s approach to alcohol reduction focuses on wellness, fitness, and mindset—without strict rules or cold-turkey restrictions. In this conversation, she explains why traditional recovery methods didn’t resonate with her, how movement and nutrition played a key role in her transformation, and what helped her reshape her habits in a way that finally felt sustainable. If you’ve ever questi...

Maggie Jenson, Behavior Change Specialist and founder of Magnify Progressive Wellness, joins us to share her deeply personal journey—growing up with an alcoholic mother, experiencing trauma, and how it shaped her relationship with alcohol. She opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to reframe her past, break free from generational patterns, and ultimately find purpose in helping others. T...

Maybe you crushed Dry or Dry-ish January, or maybe it didn’t go as planned. Either way, February is a fresh start. When stress hits or cravings creep in, it’s easy to slip back into old habits—but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this 10-Minute Monday, I’m sharing a simple but powerful strategy to stop cravings and self-sabotage in their tracks and realign with your best self—whether you're keep...

Welcome to Journey to the Sunnyside! Today, we’re diving into an incredibly powerful conversation with Rosamund Dean. In 2021, Rosamund faced a life-changing diagnosis that reshaped her perspective, her identity, and her path forward. In this episode, she’s sharing what it was really like to go through such a profound experience—and what it takes to rebuild your body, mind, and life afterward. If...

Welcome to Journey to the Sunnyside! If you’ve ever felt stuck between overindulging and going completely sober, this one’s for you. Today, I’m joined by Rosamund Dean, journalist and mom who literally wrote the book on mindful drinking—Mindful Drinking: How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life. Rosamund was way ahead of the curve when she published this book back in 2017, and her insights are more r...

Dry or Dryish January is coming to an end—so how did it go? In this week’s 10-Minute Monday, we reflect on your January experience, evaluate what worked (and what didn’t), and explore what that means as we head into February. Learn how to celebrate your wins, turn slip-ups into growth opportunities, and create a plan to carry your momentum forward. Let’s make this more than just one month—it’s the...

Taylor Jacobson and I explore the transformative power of building community and creating supportive spaces for personal growth. While rooted in men’s work, the lessons Taylor shares—about vulnerability, connection, and breaking through limiting beliefs—are universal. This episode is packed with insights on how fostering meaningful relationships can lead to powerful breakthroughs for anyone. Want...

In this episode, Taylor Jacobson, founder of FocusMate, shares how his struggles with procrastination and focus led to building a global community to tackle these challenges. We’ll uncover why procrastination isn’t a personality flaw, how stress impacts focus, and practical tips to boost productivity. If you’re looking to stay on track and achieve more, this episode is for you. Want to drink less...

Feeling stuck or uninspired on your mindful drinking journey? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re tackling the all-too-common experience of plateaus—those moments where progress feels stagnant and goals seem less exciting. We’ll explore why plateaus happen, the importance of revisiting your 'why,' and how to assess if it’s time to update your goals. Plus, I’ll share practical tips to shake th...

Welcome back to Journey to the Sunnyside! Today we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for anyone on a mindful drinking or dry journey: anticipating challenges and building resilience. Our guest, Hilary Sheinbaum, author of Going Dry: A Workbook and The Dry Challenge, is here to share her expertise on navigating the obstacles that can come up when drinking less, like social pressures, cravings,...