Journey to the Sunnyside | Mindful Drinking & Alcohol Health

Dry January doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. In this episode, Katie Nessel from Soberish Mom and I talk through what Dry(ish) January really looks like in real life, why flexibility works better than white-knuckling, and where people tend to get stuck when they try to force change. We unpack the difference between Dry and Dry(ish), why slip-ups don’t undo progress, and how the Sunnyside challenge supports planning, awareness, and community without pressure. We close with how to think about success in January and how to carry that momentum forward instead of rebounding in February.

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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

Katie Nessel from @soberishmom is back, and a lot has shifted since we last talked. In this conversation, we catch up on what the past year has really looked like inside the mindful drinking space, what parents are reaching out about most right now, and where pressure still shows up, especially for moms. We talk about social situations, identity, exhaustion, and the growing gap between how alcohol is marketed and how people actually feel. And we close with what feels more normalized, less taboo, and why drinking less feels different than it did even a year ago.
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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

If you’re thinking about going all-in on Dry January—or weighing whether Dry or Dry(ish) makes more sense—this episode helps you think it through calmly and realistically. We talk about what a full break actually gives you, how focusing on what you want to gain makes the month easier, why slip-ups don’t undo progress, and how January can set you up for a more intentional February—whether you stay dry, drink less, or adjust along the way.
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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

Today’s guest is Rachel Lundberg. Rachel has spent more than three decades working with movement, yoga, and nervous system regulation, and she’s the founder of Thrive Yoga and Wellness, where she helps people feel more at home in their bodies and less reactive in their habits. Her work sits at the intersection of alignment, breath, and awareness — the stuff that actually determines whether a craving passes or takes over. In this episode, we unpack her ABC method for cravings and stress drinking, what nervous system regulation really looks like in everyday life, and a few simple tools you can use in the moment to slow things down and make a more conscious choice before you pour.

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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

We don’t drink the same way in every season of life — and that’s not random. In this episode, Mike explores seven subtle signs that your drinking may be reflecting something deeper, drawing from Wayne Dyer’s Seven Faces of Intention. This isn’t about cutting back or fixing anything. It’s about noticing how stress, pressure, self-talk, pace, and internal alignment shape the role alcohol plays. If drinking sometimes feels heavier — or just different than it used to — this episode offers a thoughtful lens for understanding why.

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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

What happens when someone discovers that medication, structure, and real support can work together? In this conversation, Malcolm shares how Sunnyside Med helped him go from drinking 15–20 drinks a day to a consistent 4–5 — a 75% reduction in just six weeks. He talks openly about grief, shame, emotional patterns, and why previous attempts at change didn’t stick. You’ll hear how naltrexone, community, coaching calls, and daily tracking gave him the tools he’d been missing for years. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of stopping and starting, Malcolm’s story shows what’s possible when biology and behavior are addressed together.

If this story resonates, remember you're not alone. Sunnyside Med is a modern, science-backed program to help you drink less or quit through a personalized combination of medication, coaching, community, and more. Learn more at https://www.joinsunnysidemed.com. 
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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

Even when you’re drinking less and feeling better, certain beliefs can quietly make the whole process feel harder than it needs to be. In this episode, we break down five common myths that influence how you interpret cravings, off-nights, progress, and your own capacity for change. Once you see these myths clearly, the entire journey feels lighter and a lot more human.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Visit https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial of the Sunnyside digital app.
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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

In this episode, Mike explores a surprising angle on cravings: the role your gut plays in when and why they show up. Drawing on new research about the gut–brain axis, he explains how alcohol, stress, blood sugar swings, and even sleep can influence the signals your gut sends to your brain — and how those signals can feel like cravings. You’ll learn simple, science-backed ways to support your gut, steady your mood, and make cravings easier to manage without relying on willpower or perfection.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Visit https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial of the Sunnyside digital app.
--
Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

Thanksgiving shakes up your routines, your sleep, your stress, and your drinking rhythm — even when you’ve been doing the work. In this episode, we break down what the weekend actually revealed about your habits, why it felt harder or easier than expected, and how to use that insight to steady yourself for December. This is your post-Thanksgiving reset, built around clarity, momentum, and mindful choices that support how you want to feel through the rest of the holidays.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Visit https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial of the Sunnyside digital app.
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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.

It sounds cheesy, but at this time of year here at Sunnyside we're always incredibly grateful for you, our Sunnyside members. You bring us inspiration through your success stories and the effort you put into bettering yourselves. And you make us better at what we do. Sunnyside is our life's work, and we're proud to be on this journey with you.

In this special holiday episode, we share how you can go into Thanksgiving with a plan, feel clear about your goals, and still end up drinking more than you meant to. It usually has less to do with alcohol and more to do with what the moment means. Comfort. Tradition. Feeling connected.

We go through seven practical ways to stay aligned without being rigid. How to handle that first pour, how to ride out an urge, how to relax your plan without losing it, and why stopping one drink earlier can change how tomorrow feels.

We know this can be a challenging time of year. Family can be stressful, and many of us have lost a loved one. But you CAN get through it in a healthy way. We're here for you.

From the Sunnyside family to you, happy Thanksgiving.

(P.S. We know not everyone celebrates this holiday, but many of our customers do. This content is generic enough to apply to every family, no matter where you are.)

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Visit https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial of the Sunnyside digital app.
--
Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.