no proof

Jackie and I grew up relatively close to each other, but we didn't meet until we both lived in Columbus. It's almost strange to think now, that two people could live such parallel moments in their individual lives so close to each other without those moments ever meeting. Jackie is in her sixth year of sobriety, and I in my fifth, and this was the first time we chatted about it. It's truly great t...

I met Steven Gonzalez during a virtual portion of the Patrón Perfectionists cocktail competition. He was genuine, suave, had a good story, and a good drink. Many put on faces or fronts when competing, but when I met Steven in person I met the same, soft, personable person from the video. I didn't know at the time that he also didn't drink. I loved this opportunity to sit with Steven and chat about...

Jill is someone, like many of my guests that I met on the internet. Luckily, I got to meet Jill in real life and bask in her energy while we were both at Tales of the Cocktail. In this episode we chat about what it takes to become sober, and what a support system can look like. Jill and her husband decided to remove alcohol from their lives at the same time, and she talks about what it's like to h...

Molly makes delicious n/a drinks in Seattle. With her history in coffee, she finds new and expressive ways of bringing creative drinks to people. It was so nice chatting with her about the importance of finding your own words as you forge your own path. It's fascinating to find similarities in these conversations, but I am equally as interested in the things that make our journeys unique. I enjoy...

Dre is passionate about bartending. His work at Clavel in Baltimore brings a deep love and understanding for Mezcal, hospitality, and forward-thinking cocktails. The way he speaks of n/a drinks is one of inclusion and precision. It was exciting to chat about where the industry and the world are at with no proof offerings, how he's changed his mindset since giving up alcohol, and what's next all ar...

I'm lucky to know Dave Conway. We met when we were both working for a distillery, I, a bartender for the attached restaurant, and Dave one of the distillers. We hit it off with our similar sense of humor and quickly created a weekly Instagram show called 'Distilling with Dave!" that included brief bonehead check-ins that were hilarious albeit not helpful to actual distillers. One day in September...

Sasha was open as she told me about her decision to leave alcohol behind. Getting to hear about her past, and how she came up as a chef was illuminating, but what really struck me was the way she talked about the future. The way she communicates with staff, the way conversations are changing, and the respect every individual gets along the way. I really appreciate her honesty, and for sharing her...

Chatting with Sarah was such a delight. She embodies physical and mental strength learned as she began her sober journey. There's also orchestrated poetry about her. The way she described finding her higher being or the importance of being who she is today is delivered with such honesty. Her story is fascinating to hear, and I really appreciate her taking the time to walk me back to the struggles...

about the guest: A wild gal turned sober-curious, Fay Behbehani is a London native living in Los Angeles, and a beverage entrepreneur in both the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic space. As former head of marketing for a California-based brain tech company, she discovered her passion for natural stimulants, plant medicine and their therapeutic properties for mental and physical optimization. This wa...

about the guest: Jason founded Casamara Club back in 2018, because he was tired of non-alcoholic drinks that tasted like an afterthought. He grew up in New England, spent his 20s in New York City, and now lives in Detroit. about the brand: The project started in my kitchen, building up a collection of dozens of homemade botanical extracts; learning to blend and make bitters and  amaro ;&...

about the guest: Alex developed a specialty in Hospitality, Food & Beverage - advising many of the UK’s leading brands. It was here - while working on a project for one of the UK’s largest bar chains - that he discovered the vast shortcomings in the mixer category and came up with the idea for AVEC. Growing up in the UK, but of Australian & Canadian heritage - he has always been obsessed w...

Madison sent me a message on instagram following an article I was featured in on TheKitchn in January of 2020. That article was my first time speaking publicly about my journey with sobriety, so it felt strange that my story would resonate with someone. It’s been a privilege to ride along via social media on Madison’s journey as she’s such an inspiring voice and advocate for herself. I can’t thank...

My chat with Andrew reveals what is possible in a kitchen with communication and understanding. Brought up through the old school kitchens, Andrew now leads a staff through positivity and creating a work environment people are excited to arrive to. Andrew recently celebrated 5 years sober, a milestone he's able to celebrate in Asheville, a place he calls home. I really appreciate him taking the ti...

Chatting with Hope was a splash of effervescence. She brings such positivity to what is possible in a life without alcohol. Like me, she doesn't preach that everyone must become sober to enjoy life to the fullest, but that you should at least be looking at your relationship with alcohol. Hope lives in NYC and it was exciting to hear about the ways that she enjoys her city, and how she gets to show...

I was excited to chat with Josh because of all the buzz I've seen around him and his cafe in San Francisco. His reviews of n/a drinks on his youtube page brings a fresh voice, and a seasoned palate to some of the exciting items coming down the pipeline. He was a hoot to talk to when we chatted about the enrichment our lives possess in a life free of alcohol, and he was an inspiration in hearing ab...

I recently learned of Ashley Mac through an interview I read on https://drinkbaijiu.com/ where she spoke with such excitement about the category and the industry that it was inspiring to see someone thriving in the industry while sober. During our conversation I was floored to hear so many parts of my own story being told back to me. Starting life in the industry at 15 in a corporate restaurant, s...

I had seen the label for Slow Luck begin showing up in feeds from some bartender friends but didn't know much about this new n/a spirit launched in Austin. I was excited to chat with owner Tacy Rowland to understand more about how this no-proof product borne of Austin with a bartender's flavor profile came to be. It's always exciting to see new products join the already delicious and inventive n/a...

I was thrilled to chat with JdB after the monumental years he had with 2020 and 2021. More than that, I've always found him to have such an inclusive outlook on the industry, and a fascination with that his voice brings to the overall conversation. Interviewing someone with the number of accolades his bio holds is always intimidating, but his warmth, grace, and hospitality made for a great convers...

Like all good discoveries, I found Al's NA Beer on Instagram. The logo, the white can, it all beckoned to be drank in a dive bar. Learning more about the founder Alban, a European who worked in music and nightlife I discovered our passion for the dive bar and the feeling of finding quiet and resolve in yourself. Alban's alcohol-free lifestyle began similarly to mine, it was a pause met with an inv...

My friend Ru sent me a message that said "Hey dude. I don't know this guy personally but he's THE pizza guy on the beach in Queens" about Sean so I was immediately intrigued. I sent a message soon after and immediately connected with Sean's positivity. Join us for this uplifting chat about sobriety within the industry, how being kind to yourself will lead to kindness elsewhere, and find out what S...

I spent a couple of years on the Columbus comedy circuit as a stand-up before I discovered my love for performing video and sketch comedy (which find their way into my life in small doses these days.) While in this scene I learned of Sumukh. His mild-mannered delivery drew me in, and he quickly became one of my local favorites. He always carried an air of distinction and charm; he struck me as the...

I was so excited to learn of Becca and to hear more about what she was doing in the n/a distilling world. She has such a compelling story, and an energy for the future that I found inviting and intriguing. Becca brought an intentionality toward bartender communication efforts to the conversation that was fascinating and respectful toward those pouring and those enjoying. In this conversation we ch...

Nick entered my life through marriage. He became my cousin through that, but through the changes we were both applying to our lives he became my brother. Nick is a symbol of strength both mentally and physically for myself, for others, and for his family. I'm thrilled that he was able to take the time to tell his story and to unravel some of the tools he uses to set himself up for success. He stri...

I learned of Yellowbird Foodshed at the beginning of lockdown when I went from cooking maybe twice a week to cooking 2-3 times a day. Their local features and respect they show toward Ohio farmers was intriguing enough to bring me in, and the quality and focus on food changed the way I eat. When I learned of the owner, Benji, his sobriety story and focus on wellness was something that really reson...

I learned of Jenn through our mutual friend and previous No Proof guest Heidi B. Since following her on social media, and even participating in her weekly Happier Hour, I learned of one of the strongest people I've ever met. In this episode, we chat about coaching, physical fitness, and how you can't fully achieve your goals unless you stop to listen to yourself.  Jenn Linck, owner of SoberFI...