no proof

In 1982 Mickey Bakst lost his first restaurant to alcohol and drug addiction, and it was also in that year that he found sobriety, after a long and painful struggle. For the next 40 years, Mickey watched countless peers lose their lives or destroy their careers due to their addictions. And for 40 years he asked himself, “What can I do to make a difference?” After witnessing the death of yet anothe...

I've been so fortunate to have shannon as a friend. Anytime I've been in a room with her I'm in awe of how she makes those around her feel. She's welcoming, funny, honest, and humble. In an industry of personalities, it is rare to find someone so great in all they do, yet so approachable. I'm also fortunate to have been close enough to shannon to see the ways she's grown. I...

It was great getting the chance to chat with brittany, someone who is not only a consumer of n/a beverages, sober, but also a creator of a new non-alcoholic amaro called 'namari.' We chat through her decision to remove alcohol, how she creates n/a beverages at The Dutchess, and what led to the creation of namari. Thanks for the time and honesty, brittany. Brittany Naing is the Assistant Ge...

Michael Moberly is fun. Plain and simple. Every time I have been around him has been more rousing and laugh-filled than the last. When he removed alcohol from his life it felt like we only grew closer. My greatest friends at the moment have been those that have been filling their existence with good, and balance, and hope for themselves in the future. This is a departure from previous episodes, on...

It was nice to chat with jon. His story sounded like the start of others I had heard, but jon is unique which in turn, so is his story. It was staggering to hear his moment when he put his foot in the ground and became an individual who would live without alcohol. I'm inspired by what he's done, how he talks to himself, and the values that find their way into his business. Thanks for the h...

i finally got to meet grace at tales of the cocktail. we chatted at an event surrounded by friends and mentors and shared in the excitement of what's happening and what's to come. this conversation picks up from where we left off in new orleans. grace has been leading the charge with delicious drinks, and a knowledge that surpasses many when it comes to what's in the n/a bottles. Found...

In this episode Charley and I talk about the struggles of the decision to remove alcohol, but what awaits on the other side. This was a great conversation about the practice of sobriety, and how making the decision isn't the fix, but what follows can be. Charley was one of the Focus on Health scholarship winners for the 2023 Tales of the Cocktail and currently bartends in Maine. Founded in 201...

brooke sets goals and crushes them. it was exciting to chat with someone so bought in on their own story, who finds every way possible to improve themselves. whether it is training for multiple marathons, or founding a company with their sights set on helping others, brooke goes all in. Brooke LeBlanc is the Founder & CEO of Edge, a coaching and community program designed to help you stop drin...

Tori, aka mocktail girlie makes getting started with n/a beverages easy as ever on her social media channels. Offline she's on a path of discovering herself, viewing the positives in life through the lens of a person that is alcohol free. We both live in Columbus, Oh, a city we're proud to see thrive with more and more n/a options becoming available, and great places to start thanks to peo...

Chatting with Sam was another great example of what is gained when we decide to remove alcohol from our lives. A celebration of the flavors, moments, and people you get to be around, and how you blossom as an individual. She references discovering she’s awkward, but wears it as a badge of pride. I’ve discovered so many things about myself since removing alcohol, deep things, hidden things, and yes...

Kristina brings a portion of the n/a narrative to the table, that many of my guests have brought before: That sobriety can be fun, and we don't lose a part of ourselves when we give up alcohol. This is represented in the way that Kristina talks about her own journey, and also through the branding and voice of her brand MIXOLOSHE. So much of what we encounter arrives when we shift our mindset....

I'm a huge fan of three spirit drinks. they fit that perfect mold of unique, and delicious, and aren't trying to be something they're not. I was excited to chat with tati and dash about how these remarkable n/a spirits came to be, and everything they aren't hiding.   Three Spirit is a functional non-alcoholic drinks range created by bartenders, winemakers, and plant scientists. By...

Laura Louise Green, LPC is a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Healthy Pour, a consultancy that helps creative organizations and professional communities address issues of well-being in the workplace. After working in hospitality and drinks for two decades, Laura utilizes her knowledge and skills as a mental health practitioner to facilitate training, growth, and healing within the hospitali...

I am glad to share an episode with Noah, not just because of all the amazing n/a serves he's been sharing all across the internet, but because his story is added among those who thought they'd have to leave the industry but instead are shaping it for future generations. Thank you Noah for sharing your journey, and for helping to bring so much positivity and flavors to future conversations....

Jordan Valls saw promise in himself, and took charge. But that didn't happen in one fell swoop. Listen here to find out what he had to see within himself, and what it took to make a forever change. Jordan Valls is an Industry Professional and Jiu-jitsu athlete. Former Bar Manager of the renowned Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library in Portland Oregon Jordan is passionate about fine spirits, cocktails &...

Andrew is local to Columbus, Oh the city I call home. I met him via Instagram after he took home one of the meditation cards I created for a Dry January event earlier this year. He asked himself the questions, and answered them through a social media post revealing some things to himself out loud. It was great to hear Andrew's story, and to hear the ways he checks in with himself to keep feeling h...

Elizabeth is everything exciting with the n/a movement. She read a room, left it, and created a better one. In these rooms, you find excitement, noise, conversation, people enjoying themselves, and great non-alcoholic cocktails. I was thrilled to chat with Elizabeth, who recently took Absence of Proof full-time, and contributes more than just events to the community. Elizabeth Gascoigne is found a...

A chat with someone like Ian will always be refreshing. I was cooled by the way he spoke about his journey through sobriety, and held in a suspension in how exciting life can be when we reward ourselves with more time. Founded by two former French Laundry sommeliers—who quit drinking after they had kids—All The Bitter is a lineup of non-alcoholic cocktail bitters that lift the spirit. Made by hand...

I was looking forward to my conversation with Whitney not just because they were sent my way via our pal Laura Sanders, but because of what they contribute to the world. I'm fascinated by the humor and honesty that lies within their comics, and the way they play with the weight of the subject of sobriety. Please enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Whitney Wasson (they/them) is a multidiscipl...

Chad and I share a few things: sobriety, running, a love for Jason Isbell, and our time at Eat Clean Run Dirty Magazine. I was excited to continue a conversation with Chad that we started during an editorial meeting recently. It was incredible to hear what it took to become honest, and begin a sober journey. We chat about the immense and supportive community that comes with ultra running, and how...

A special thanks to Greg for being the final episode of no proof of 2022!  Such a great way to close out the year with a conversation about being hopeful, becoming your best self, and looking forward to bigger mountains and challenges. Greg is a Virginia resident who worked in the restaurant industry during college. After graduating from Boston University in 2019, he transitioned into working...

I was fortunate enough to meet Sarah through our mutual pal, and co-founder of focus on health, Alex Jump. Our conversation is an enlightening look at the journey many within the hospitality industry experience with alcohol, and sarah's efforts to change her path. I thank her for her honesty and for sharing her story. If ever in Chattanooga, stop in and say hello. Sarah Tuttle is an award-winning...

I'm fortunate to know someone like Derek Brown. His writing, books, and expertise have been influential in what shaped me as a bartender. I've learned recipes, techniques, and storytelling from someone like Derek, and now as I continue life without alcohol, he has found a new way to influence me. His own journey has afforded him the pause it took to look at the way his life was being lived and the...

Before I met Rudy, I had sipped both versions of Parch, a n/a canned cocktail, and quickly became a super fan. The mix gave me pause when I sipped, and unlike many citrus, sugar, and soda combinations I've had in the past, this cocktail built a picture in my mind. I had to know more. Meeting Rudy has been fulfilling in so many beautiful ways. I was thrilled to discover he's also a passionate runne...

I was glad to have had this chat with Geo. We met at Camp Runamok where I got to see his personality on full display, a character, someone you like to be around. One day on social media I noticed Geo sharing updates from a hospital. It wasn't my business to pry, so I followed along and watched as a man hospitalized started his epic comeback. Now, his sharing is in the form of gym selfies, and posi...