Mocktails with Marina

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Bail, the founder of Third Place Bar NYC. Sam's background in event planning and her passion for creating inclusive spaces have made her a trailblazer in the non-alcoholic event scene. Join us as we delve into her journey, the inspiration behind Third Place Bar, and her insights on the growing demand for non-alcoholic options in the vibrant New York City night...

I once heard of a company that spent $100,000+ over the course of 2 years switching between 4 different POS systems. Some of that cost was the technology itself, some of it was in the trainings and retraining's, and some of it was due to the significant amount of staff turnover that occurred as a direct result (per their exit interviews). The owner *knew best* and everyone else was simply "inexper...

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we take a guided tour through Marina's personal Museum of Failure. As we progress through the tour, Marina shares her insights and lessons from each and every one. Whether you aren't using your degree, feel like you wasted time, are mourning the loss of old opportunities, or you're learning more about boundaries - this episode is for ALL the fellow failure...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," we delve into the crucial differences between new/aspiring business owners and their established counterparts. Over the past seven months, I've spoken with numerous entrepreneurs and learned valuable lessons that I want to share with you. We explore why collaboration and coaching are game-changers and how established business owners leverage these tools...

In this week's episode of Mocktails with Marina, we discuss the meaning and story behind the "Functional Mixology Method" and how it came to be. This is a behind the scenes glimpse behind every decision we've made in our business over the past six months, and why we're moving forward with two more new and exciting projects. Check out Marina's article featured in The Dry Atlas: https://www.dryatlas...

In this episode, we dive into the captivating journey of The Chill Room Tempe, where co-owner and operator Vincent unveils the family story of transforming a humble smoke shop into a vibrant kava and kratom bar in Florida, and later expanding to a flourishing bar in Arizona. Discover the intriguing family dynamics, decisions, and unwavering trust that fueled their entrepreneurial adventure. We exp...

In this engaging episode, Marina, Michael, and Trixie dive into the intricate structure and dynamic growth of the Astrobleme umbrella companies, including Astrobliss and Astrobrew. They explore the roles of these entities, with Astrobliss focusing on hemp products and Astrobrew offering a unique coffee shop experience featuring alternative products. https://www.instagram.com/astrobrewco/ The conve...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," we chat with Ashley Giannone, the force behind Alchemist Kava Bar. Ashley shares her introduction to the Kava community in 2017 and the journey of opening her bar, focusing on the unique Kava flavor and the importance of customer education. We discuss the creative process behind her menu, where each drink name, like Marigold and Philosopher's Stone, tell...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," we dive into the magic of storytelling in marketing and how a compelling narrative can make people want to buy your product, regardless of what's in the cup. We explore the journey of Mixoloshe, which transformed into Smashd, and the inspiring story of Nicole the intern, who proved her worth to her boss through her dedication and hard work. Her story kep...

Welcome back to Mocktails with Marina ! In this special solo episode, Marina takes a deep dive into the invaluable feedback from our esteemed guests over the past five months. We've covered an impressive 23 episodes with industry leaders like Ian of All the Bitter's, Tessa of Lumenade, Max of Odyssey Elixirs, Keith & Jodi Villa of Ceria Brewing Company, Tracy of Meraki and Trace Zen Yoga , Adrian...

Join Marina Castillo as she chats with Tracy Roberts, a dynamic entrepreneur who successfully manages multiple businesses, including Trace Zen Yoga studio and Meraki Kava and Tea Bar. Tracy shares her inspiring journey, discussing the startup phases, the importance of community, and essential mindset tips for new entrepreneurs. In This Episode: Founding Stories: Discover the decision-making proces...

Dive into a refreshing episode of "Mocktails with Marina" as Marina chats with Adrian of Kokoro Health, exploring the vibrant world of holistic practices and the elusive concept of flow. Adrian opens up about his unexpected journey from aspiring engineer to wellness guru, inspired by a life-changing mentorship that rerouted his career path towards helping others achieve their best selves. This epi...

In this episode, we explore the craft of creating multi-award winning alcohol-free cocktail bitters, the evolution of functional mixology, and the wider impact these innovations are having on the beverage industry. Today's conversation touches on the origins of All The Bitter, where a passion for botanical flavors and health-conscious alternatives to traditional cocktail bitters has led to the cre...

In this enlightening episode of the Mocktail with Marina podcast, we dive into the fascinating world of herbalism and its pivotal role in the North American beverage industry, featuring insights from Marina Castillo and Charlotte Mizrahi of Ley Line Labs. This discussion explores the rich history and evolving practices of herbal medicine, alongside the dynamic intersection of food as medicine. Mar...

Join Marina and special guest Evie Castillo in this invigorating episode of "Mocktails with Marina," where we dive into the heart of sober living and innovative event management. We kick off the conversation with an exploration of botanicals and athleticism. Discover the calming and energizing alternatives to alcohol with a focus on kava and kratom. Learn about the practical benefits these botanic...

In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the refreshing world of botanical beverages, focusing on the launch of Lumenade—a brand that marries all-natural ingredients with essential electrolytes. Hosted by Marina Castillo and Tessa Morris, the discussion starts with a peek into Tessa's hectic life balancing real estate duties with her passion for crafting a unique drink option aimed at mil...

In this enriching episode of "Mocktails with Marina," Marina sits down with Eddie Higginson, a Kavatender with extensive experience in community building within the kava bar scene. Eddie recounts his personal journey into the kava industry, shedding light on the calming effects of kava and its potential to enhance community interactions. He reflects on the transformative role of kava bars in offer...

In this engaging episode of "Mocktails with Marina," we sit down with the passionate Ellie St. Aubin, the visionary owner and operator behind the lifestyle brand Dry in the Desert. Known for its focus on promoting a sober lifestyle and providing a plethora of non-alcoholic options, Dry in the Desert aims to revolutionize socializing in Phoenix and beyond. Marina kicks off the conversation by expre...

Welcome to a special episode of "Mocktails with Marina," where we blend the themes of sobriety, community, and the unique allure of kava bars into a refreshing conversation. Today, our host Marina delves into the intriguing world of kava bars with the help of Ariana Foshag, who brings a wealth of experience from her journey from traditional bartending to embracing the kava culture. Ariana opens up...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," the host, Marina, delves into the critical topic of responsible serving sizes for popular botanicals, emphasizing the importance of serving kava and speciosa safely and responsibly. Marina shares her extensive experience and passion for creating safe, sober spaces and highlights the dangers of inappropriate dosages. She offers detailed serving size guide...

Episode 13: Sober Las Vegas: How Easy It Is To Fail in Sin City If You Give into the Vices," the podcast explores the unique challenges and opportunities of maintaining sobriety in a city famous for indulgence. The episode begins with an introduction to the theme, emphasizing the importance of navigating Las Vegas' party atmosphere without succumbing to alcohol. It then delves into the city's gene...

In this enlightening episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo delves deep into the concept of "Dry Tripping," exploring the increasing trend of alcohol-free vacations and the burgeoning opportunity for entrepreneurs in the realm of sober lounges and kava bars.  Marina begins by encouraging listeners to join the mailing list at marinamars.com for the latest in industry news, recipes,...

In an incredibly informative episode of "Mocktails with Marina," host Marina explores the innovative world of non-alcoholic brewing with Jody and Keith Villa, the pioneering founders of Ceria Brewing Company. Keith Villa, celebrated for creating the renowned Blue Moon beer and possessing a wealth of experience and a Ph. D. in brewing from the University of Brussels, alongside his partner Jody, a s...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," host Marina welcomes Heidi and Charles from the podcast "Kava and Kettlebells" for a crossover episode to discuss all things related to kava. Heidi and Charles share their journey of starting their podcast, driven by their passion for kava and a desire to provide unbiased reviews and information about kava and other botanicals. They emphasize the importa...

In the latest episode of "Mocktails with Marina," we dive deep into the heartwarming and inspirational story behind Parch Non-Alcoholic Agave Spirits with our guest, Catherine, the Director of E-commerce and Customer Ops at Parch. The episode unfolds the journey of Parch, initiated by co-founder Rudy Aldana's life-changing health scare due to a sudden cancer diagnosis. This moment of adversity led...