Journey to the Sunnyside | Mindful Drinking & Alcohol Health

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Loretta Breuning as we dive into the intricacies of the mammal brain and its profound impact on our emotions and behaviors. Breuning unravels the roles of key neurotransmitters—dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin—in driving our actions and shaping our happiness. She challenges the popular narrative that happiness comes effortlessly and emphasizes the importance of understanding our biological foundations to build healthier habits and achieve true happiness. Explore the fascinating intersection of biology and politics in shaping our beliefs and gain practical advice for cultivating happy skills.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

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Today’s guest is Katie Nessel, known as SoberishMom. Katie shares her journey of navigating the mommy wine culture and finding a balanced, soberish lifestyle. She’ll discuss the pivotal moments that led her to reassess her relationship with alcohol, tips for starting a moderation journey, and why traveling soberish is her secret weapon to fun. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to change their drinking habits.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

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In this episode, sommelier Matthew Kaner reveals how travel and mindful drinking elevate the wine experience. He reveals emerging trends like orange wine, emphasizes the value of context and personal connections, and shares his journey in the industry. Tune in to discover insider tips, wine travel stories, and his excitement for the industry's future!

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

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In this episode, join former ESPN anchor James Swanwick as he shares his personal experiences with alcohol, his adventures in Hollywood, and memorable moments at the Playboy Mansion that led to a big change. We cover effective strategies for socializing without alcohol, learn about the benefits of blue light blocking glasses, and debunk common myths about alcohol and sleep.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

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Today is a different kind of episode. I’m joined by a good friend and colleague, Ian Andersen, one of the co-founder’s of Sunnyside. Today, we take a deep dive into the story behind Sunnyside’s approach to mindful drinking without pressuring anyone to quit—and why this method is effective for 96% of our members. Ian and I will also share our personal journeys with alcohol, highlighting the challenges and wins that have brought us where we are today. Join us for an in-depth conversation about the world of mindful drinking and what lies ahead for Sunnyside. Let’s dive in!

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

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Today, we’re excited to welcome Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and bestselling author of 'Never Split the Difference.' In this episode, Chris reveals how his high-stakes negotiation techniques can be effectively used to handle peer pressure related to alcohol. He’ll break down these strategies that you can use to confidently navigate discussions with friends, family, and even yourself. Tune in to learn how to turn challenging conversations into positive and supportive interactions.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

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In this episode, we explore harm reduction with Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, a visionary in addiction treatment with over 40 years of experience. As the architect of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP), Dr. Tatarsky combines relational psychoanalysis, CBT, and mindfulness within a harm reduction framework. This approach meets individuals wherever they are in their journey to change, emphasizing personalized, compassionate care. Join us for an in-depth discussion as we explore how harm reduction supports people in discovering their paths to positive change. Don't miss this insightful conversation with one of the field's most influential figures!

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial. 

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For many of us mindful drinkers, non-alcoholic drinks have become not just part of our strategy to cut down on alcohol, but a full-blown hobby that we share with our friends. NA brands and options have been skyrocketing in popularity, and Victoria Watters has made it a point to stay at the forefront of this movement. In our latest episode of Journey to the Sunnyside we sit down to talk to her about the NA movement and more.

Victoria if the founder of Dry Atlas, a media company focused on alcohol alternatives. She’s one-half of the duo who opened America’s first booze-free bottle shop. At https://www.dryatlas.com and through their great newsletter, they deliver non-alc insights, news, and recommendations to over five million people annually.

In this episode Victoria shares her personal journey with alcohol and the passion that led her to explore the world of non-alcoholic options. We explore how the big alcohol companies are having an impact on non-alcoholic options, and their importance in helping normalize the conversation.

And for all our mindful drinkers out there, Victoria helps explain the different types of non-alcoholic drinks, including spirits, wines, beers, and ready-to-drink mocktails, as well as how things like bitters help to define and enchance the flavors of these beverages.

Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation platform, helping people drink less with no pressure to quit. Get your free 15-day trial at https://www.sunnyside.co.

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Nir Eyal is a master of habit change, and has actually inspired the Sunnyside product through and through. The habit loops that you’re forming by using Sunnyside are tied directly to the work that Nir has done. In fact, we’re proud to call Nir an investor and advisor to Sunnyside.

In this conversation, Nir discusses his inspiration for writing books on psychology, technology, and business, particularly focusing on the intersection of behavior and product design.

He shares his personal experience with addiction and the role of pain in driving addictive behaviors. Nir emphasizes the importance of understanding discomfort and developing skills to cope with it, rather than relying on labels or external factors.

He also discusses the concept of mindful drinking and the importance of aligning actions with personal values and intentions. In this conversation, Nir Eyal discusses his personal experience managing alcohol consumption during COVID-19 and the importance of authenticity and values in making decisions. He also highlights the role of technology, specifically the Sunnyside app, in changing unhealthy habits.

The Hook Model is introduced as a framework for habit formation, and the importance of community support is emphasized. The conversation concludes with a discussion on measuring success and engagement, as well as Nir’s future projects and ventures.

Want to cut on your drinking with no pressure to quit? Start a free 15-day trial of Sunnyside at https://www.sunnyside.co.

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In a heart-to-heart, Mike and Charlie discuss Charlie’s fight against addiction, his evolving stance on alcohol, and the role of community and awareness in recovery. They explore the promise of psychedelic therapies for profound healing and the importance of sharing recovery stories with intention.

• Key topics include the exploration of non-traditional treatments like psilocybin for alcohol dependency and mental health, emphasizing its potential over conventional SSRIs.
• They critique the influence of pharmaceutical giants on treatment options, advocating for a variety of healing paths.
• The conversation underscores individual recovery journeys, the significance of gratitude and self-compassion, and the therapeutic power of nature and outdoor activities.
• Charlie’s upcoming adventure is highlighted as a metaphor for life’s journey and choosing happiness amidst adversity.

Takeaways:

• Reflect on behaviors' benefits rather than labeling oneself.
• Recovery thrives on community support and conscious drinking choices.
• Psychedelic therapies, with proper guidance, can offer significant healing.
• Sharing experiences should inspire and be grounded in personal truth.
• Research backs psilocybin's effectiveness for mental health and addiction.
• The big pharma’s sway can limit access to alternative treatments.
• Personal growth in recovery involves gratitude, kindness to oneself, and connecting with nature.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Catching Up

03:00
Charlie's Journey with Addiction and Recovery

13:59
Charlie's Evolving View on Alcohol and Addiction

33:25
The Importance of Community and Mindful Drinking

42:02
Exploring Psychedelic Therapies

46:04
Sharing Experiences Responsibly

47:15
Promising Studies on Medicines for Alcohol Use Disorder and Mental Health

48:14
Comparing the Effectiveness of Psilocybin and SSRIs for Depression

49:34
The Benefits of Psilocybin Compared to SSRIs

51:00
The Influence of Big Pharma and Lobbyists on Mental Health Treatments

52:22
The Potential Impact of Alternative Treatments on Veterans' Lives

53:44
The Availability of Different Solutions for Changing Alcohol Relationships

55:36
The Importance of Individual Paths and Gratitude in Recovery

56:47
The Significance of One Day at a Time and Avoiding Shame in Recovery

58:39
The Importance of Giving Yourself Grace and Starting Again

01:01:14
The Power of Nature and Outdoor Activities in Healing

01:09:30
The Need for Personalized Solutions and a Variety of Resources

01:16:38
Charlie's Epic Adventure: From the Lowest to the Highest Point on Earth

01:22:32
Choosing Happiness and Joy in the Face of Hardship