no proof

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 she faced, and the person she got to become in sobriety.

Sarah is an Oregon Pinot Noir winemaker who has been sober since 2/24/2016. She lives with her partner and two German Shepherds. Sarah spends her free time playing semi-pro women’s football, gardening, and hiking.

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

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 was catalyzed during her time as the co-founder of Uncle Ed’s Damn Good Vodka where she became sober-curious in 2018 on a meditation retreat in Northern California and realized that drinking culture needed a radical shift. Harnessing her breadth of experience, whilst indulging in her passion for all things beverage, wellness and plant medicine, she founded bonbuz, setting out to revive the spirits industry and what it means to drink together in the modern age.

about the brand:

from the first sip to the morning after - bonbuz brings you a deep sense of resonating nostalgia - that stress-free heart flutter you had before adult-xiety took over.

where to get it:

bonbuz.com

what I slurped:

I tried both the OG and the Slowburn!

more info:

bonbuz is a truly unique slurping experience with both bottles. They mix really well, and promote an exploratory fun personality in their branding and taste. Be on the lookout for what is coming down the pipeline from them!

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; and eventually creating the recipes for our original lineup of leisure sodas to remind me of Italian vacations and leisurely happy hours. Those kitchen recipes are the same recipes you can drink today.

where to get it:

https://www.casamaraclub.com/

what I slurped:

I've tried the core four (alta, onda, como, sera) and recently tried the news cans (isla, and flora) They all have a special place and time for, and can often be found in my fridge!

more info:

I was a huge fan of bitter flavors when I was drinking, and was hard pressed to find them once I removed alcohol from my life. Casamara Club excited my palate and offerings from first sip!

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 with flavor. Always mobile and exploring new foods and cultures - Alex loves to cook and will talk excitedly about food and ingredients - especially those in AVEC.

about the brand:

Bored with the uninspired mixers they'd been using in their cocktails, Denetrias 'Dee' Charlemagne and Alex Doman decided to switch things up.

A Bronx native, Harvard alum and former Ad Executive, the only mixology Dee had known was in the kitchen of her Harlem apartment.

A former F&B strategy consultant, UK native Alex Doman was working for some of the UKs leading hospitality chains bored with the monotony of Gin + Tonics at any bar he frequented.

After a lot of trial and error, the two brewed up something impressive: AVEC, mixers that are made with 80-90% less sugar, flavored with real juice and botanical extracts rather than so-called "natural flavors," and are just as tasty with alcohol as they are solo - in flavors like Jalapeño & Blood Orange, Hibiscus & Pomegranate, and Yuzu & Lime.

where to get it:

https://avecdrinks.com/

what I slurped:

I loved the Hibiscus & Pomegranate, and the Grapefruit & Pomelo!

more info:

These drank really well on their own over ice with some citrus in the glass, and also added a great pop of flavor and effervescence to some n/a drinks I made for some friends!

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 you enough for opening up and sharing your story, and I’m excited to see what’s to come for you.

After exiting the bar/service industry, Madison has reinvented herself professionally and otherwise. A creative at heart, she's working as an Account Executive at a Creative Agency, spending her free time writing & recording music, reconnecting with personal passions, and finding her purpose.

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

The aforementioned kitchn article. https://www.thekitchn.com/no-drinking-alcohol-review-my-healthy-22978519

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 time to chat with me about where he was when he decided to make the change, and the person he gets to be each day.

Andrew McLeod is the Executive Chef at Avenue M in Asheville NC. The laid back approach to an elevated neighborhood restaurant is due to his extensive experience throughout some of the most exciting food markets in the U.S. He credits Joshua Skenes (Saison, Angler) Michael Tusk (Quince, Cotogna, Verjus), and Sean Brock (Joyland, Audrey, The Continental) as his mentors. He’s passionate about creating a fun, positive, and supportive kitchen culture as much as he’s passionate about good food.

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

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 up in it. After becoming alcohol-free, Hope began doing open-mic stand-up comedy, that sentence was enough to give me chills when I heard it in this episode. If you've never performed stand-up comedy, it's an activity that many people will tell you can only be performed with some 'Liquid Courage.' It's so good to hear that Hope enjoys it, and is doing it authentically.

Hope Woodard is a 25-year-old social media strategist and content creator based in Brooklyn, NY. When not working, she loves riding her bike around the city, practicing her comedy chops at an open mic, and taking walks around McCarren Park. She's been alcohol free since October 10, 2021, and hopes to continue down this path so that she can keep learning more about herself, experiencing life at full capacity, and investing in those around her with full authenticity.

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

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 about what is possible in the n/a drink space. This episode has great tips and talking points for those looking for what to drink now that they are not drinking, or how to start your journey in creating space on your menu for n/a drinks. Thanks for the time, Josh, excited to see what you do next.

Check him out on Instagram: @joshthenonalcoholic @ocean.beach.cafe or on his youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN-9g-8Tb-iD74qHtT-0nug

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

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, stopping drinking at 29, and the ways we're able to truly live life now that we're sober. I really can't thank her enough for sharing her story here, and I'm in awe of the growth she's able to experience. I'm so happy for you, Ashley.

Ashley Mac or Amac is a Baltimore-based bartender. As the Bar Manager and AGM of NiHao, a modern, but traditional Chinese restaurant, Mac spends her time learning about and creating her Baijiu-centered bar program. Mac also prides herself with well thought out and cared for spirit-free options at her bar, as she is a sober bartender.

Amac is also a Program Director of HEARD Baltimore, a non-profit organization for hospitality workers who are struggling with mental health or sobriety, and helps run HEARD Online, a weekly online mental health check-in for industry workers Monday nights via Zoom.  For more information check out iheardyou.org

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

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 space, and I can't wait to see what Slow Luck does next.

Tacy Rowland has been a part of the Austin bar community since 2009. Inspired by the talented bar and restaurant community-based in Austin, she fell in love with the world of bartending and hasn’t looked back since. She has been awarded Austin’s Best Cocktail Bartender, traveled nationally and internationally representing her community in various cocktail competitions, was the winner of Speed Rack Denver, and has been mentioned in ​Forbes​, ​StarChefs​, ​Imbibe​, Southwest Airlines Magazine​, ​Beverage Media Group,​ and ​GQ​ in addition to local publications. Rowland served as the General Manager of the lauded speakeasy Midnight Cowboy in Austin from 2016-2018, and then as the Creative Bar Director for Alamo Drafthouse. While being furloughed due to Covid-19, Rowland and fellow bartender Sam Abdelfattah saw opportunities in the non-alcoholic beverage space and founded Slow Luck. Partnering with a local distiller, Mike Groener, after months of distilling, experimenting, and blending, Slow Luck became a reality.

Slow Luck is Austin’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit alternative. With notes of citrus, ginger, coriander, and a slightly spicy finish of Texas chilies, Slow Luck is easily substituted 1:1 for any clear spirit in traditional cocktails and provides the perfect starting palate for new cocktail creations.

Follow them on Instagram @slowluckbev to see the latest, or check out their website https://slowluckbev.com/

Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6