In this episode, Deb Podlogar shares her personal journey of transitioning into an empty nester, reflecting on the emotional challenges and adjustments that come with this new phase of life. She discusses the importance of reframing grief and embracing change, drawing inspiration from John O'Leary's insights on goodbyes and new beginnings. Deb emphasizes the value of cherishing past moments while looking forward to new relationships and experiences, particularly in the context of her alcohol-free journey and evolving family dynamics.

Takeaways

Deb shares her experience of becoming an empty nester.
The transition to an empty nest can be unexpectedly challenging.
Maintaining communication with loved ones can ease the adjustment.
Reframing goodbye can help in coping with change.
Celebrating past moments is essential in the grieving process.
Goodbyes are invitations to grow and embrace new beginnings.
The importance of savoring ordinary moments in life.
Transitioning into new relationships can be enriching.
Deb reflects on her alcohol-free journey and its impact on her life.
Looking forward with excitement can soften feelings of grief.

Check out Cans of Deliciousness here. 

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• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Join Deb as she welcomes Marissa Cherepanov, a leader in female empowerment and a dedicated advocate for women in leadership. 

Marissa shares her inspiring journey to sobriety, the challenges she faced during COVID, and how a pivotal conversation with her child led to a life-changing decision. Discover how Marissa's commitment to change not only transformed her life but also inspired her involvement as CEO of the No Girl Left Behind organization, empowering women across North America.

From her struggles with alcohol to her commitment to empowering women through the organization, No Girl Left Behind, Marissa discusses the pivotal moments that led her to change her life. 

She emphasizes the importance of resilience, visualization, and the power of community in overcoming challenges. 

The conversation highlights the profound impact of sobriety on her family life and her mission to inspire others to embrace their potential.

Follow Marissa on Instagram or connect through No Girl Left Behind. 

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• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Join Deb from "Thriving Alcohol Free with Mocktail Mom" as she welcomes Kate Denaj, the inspiring force behind Clarity Zero Proof.

In this engaging episode, Kate shares her transformative journey to sobriety, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of living alcohol-free. From her early days in a resort town to becoming a passionate advocate for non-alcoholic beverages, Kate's story is a testament to resilience and empowerment. Discover how she navigated personal struggles, embraced sobriety, and now helps others find joy in an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Kate's journey is filled with insightful moments, including her experiences with the Mocktail Summit and her work with emerging non-alcoholic brands. She candidly discusses the societal pressures of drinking, the emotional challenges of grief, and the empowering realization that sobriety can be a superpower. Whether you're curious about the alcohol-free movement or seeking inspiration for your journey, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement.

Don't miss Kate's tips on navigating social situations without alcohol, her favorite non-alcoholic drinks, and her vision for the future of Clarity Zero Proof. Tune in to learn how you can embrace a fulfilling, alcohol-free life and support the growing community of sober enthusiasts. Subscribe now for more inspiring stories and practical advice on thriving without alcohol.

Connect with Kate on Instagram & through her website. 

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• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Kristin Horstman shares her journey from gray area drinking to becoming a certified coach who helps others find freedom from alcohol while developing powerful nervous system regulation techniques.

• Drinking exists on a spectrum with millions of people in the "gray area" between occasional consumption and end-stage addiction
• Neural pathways created by habits can't be erased, but can go dormant when we build new, healthier pathways
• The sunset hours naturally trigger our nervous system to downshift, which is why Kristen promotes "Sunsets are the new happy hour."
• Taking a 30-day break from alcohol provides valuable data about your relationship with drinking
• If quitting feels difficult now, it won't become easier later – addressing it sooner rather than later is key
• Non-alcoholic options like mocktails, Athletic Brewing, and Töst sparkling tea can provide satisfying alternatives
• When ordering at restaurants, ask for "refreshing, not sweet" mocktails to avoid overly sugary concoctions

Follow Kristen on Instagram @CoachKristinHorstman and visit her website to learn more about gray area drinking coaching and nervous system regulation techniques.

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• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Deb, the Mocktail Mom, returns from a brief hiatus to share updates on her alcohol-free journey and exciting changes coming to the podcast. After 4.5 years without alcohol, she continues to find joy and gratitude in sobriety while focusing on spending quality time with her family before her youngest daughter leaves for college.

• Four and a half years alcohol-free with no regrets and continuing joy
• Spending summer focused on family time before becoming an empty nester
• Weekly Mocktail Social Club happy half hours providing connection and support
• Members celebrating sobriety milestones from days to years
• The beginning of sobriety is challenging with no "express pass," but it is worth pushing through
• After time passes, alcohol stops taking up mental headspace (99% gone)
• Season Two of the podcast will feature making mocktails with guests
• Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes guide now available, see below

Grab the Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes guide for refreshing alcohol-free options! 

Email your thoughts about the podcast intro and mocktail suggestions for Season Two to [email protected] 

Send me a message about the show!

Click HERE to grab my FREE Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes.

• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

In this special episode, I am joined by Abbie Romanul from Raising the Bar to discuss our special collaboration for May's "Yo Mama" box, featuring exclusive mocktails honoring motherhood in all its forms.

• The Yo Mama box features signature drinks: the Lavender Daughter and the Strawberry Daughter
• We both share how we escaped "mommy wine culture" and found healthier coping mechanisms 
• Abbie reveals that alcohol "romanticized" her life, but sobriety allowed her to find genuine beauty in everyday moments
• Six years into sobriety, Abbie now ships thousands of mocktail kits monthly through Raising the Bar
• We discuss our favorite alcohol-free rituals, with ready-to-drink options being convenient go-to choices
• For those questioning their drinking: observe your feelings and get curious about what you're trying to escape

• Join us for a live Zoom happy hour on May 22nd at 8:30 pm Eastern - free for everyone

• To order our May collab box, use the code MOCKTAILMOM for a discount, and click HERE to order. 
• To attend our free Happy Hour on May 22nd 2025, RSVP HERE. 

Send me a message about the show!

Click HERE to grab my FREE Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes.

• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Life's most significant transitions deserve our full attention and presence. After faithfully recording 114 episodes over two years, I'm pressing pause on weekly podcast releases to embrace a precious season fully – my youngest daughter's final months before high school graduation.

Recording from an Airbnb in Branson, MO with my phone hotspot, I wanted to personally share that Thriving Alcohol-Free will be taking a brief intermission. Rather than missing these fleeting moments with my daughter before she leaves for college, I'm calling everything thus far "Season One". I will return with "Season Two" when I officially become an empty nester in August. The podcast has connected me with incredible sober coaches, mixologists, alcohol-free brand founders, and most importantly, YOU – faithful listeners navigating your alcohol-free journeys.

Don't worry – I'll still drop occasional episodes over the coming months (be sure you're subscribed for notifications), and my weekly Happy Half Hours through the Mocktail Social Club membership will continue without interruption. Even here in Branson (which is decidedly NOT the mocktail capital of the world), I'm savoring every sober moment with my girls. There's profound joy in being fully present, making memories, and connecting authentically with loved ones.

Whether you've listened to every episode or just discovered the podcast, I'm deeply grateful for your support. You can still find me on Instagram @mocktailmom, my website mocktailmom.com, or [email protected]. 

Send me a message about the show!

Click HERE to grab my FREE Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes.

• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Vanessa Royle never planned to launch a non-alcoholic beverage company. But when she quit drinking during the pandemic lockdown of 2020, something unexpected happened – she felt dramatically better. As she prepared to start her MBA at Harvard Business School, she made a pivotal decision to stay sober, creating an opportunity to reintroduce herself without the drinking habits of her past.

What followed was a rude awakening. At prestigious networking events, Royal found herself clutching Diet Coke while fielding uncomfortable questions about her sobriety. The sophisticated social drinking world offered nothing comparable for non-drinkers. This frustration sparked a mission to create something better, leading her to connect with Mariah, a lifelong non-drinker with hospitality expertise who became her co-founder in launching Tilden.

Their approach was meticulous and thoughtful. Rather than mimicking existing cocktails, they developed bespoke non-alcoholic creations through hundreds of iterations, using dinner parties with scorecards to perfect their recipes. The result? Tandem and Lacewing – complex, sophisticated beverages explicitly designed for the non-drinker's palate.

What makes Tilden truly revolutionary is their consideration of why people don't drink. They deliberately avoid mind-altering ingredients and potentially problematic compounds like grapefruit (which interacts with medications). This inclusivity extends to pregnant women, those on SSRIs, and anyone seeking a sophisticated drinking experience without alcohol's effects.

The timing couldn't be better. Non-alcoholic beverage sales are soaring (up 30% year-over-year), while traditional alcohol sales are declining. More importantly, attitudes are shifting dramatically. Where once 80% of people questioned non-alcoholic drinks, today that skepticism has shrunk to just 20%, with most consumers enthusiastically embracing these options.

Ready to experience sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails that stand on their merit? Visit DrinkTilden.com code MOCKTAILMOM for 20% off, or find their products on Amazon to discover what thoughtful, alcohol-free indulgence truly means. Follow Tilden on Instagram @DrinkTilden

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Click HERE to grab my FREE Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes.

• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Ruby Williams shares her transformative journey from working in the wine industry while drinking three bottles a day to becoming a sober coach helping others find freedom from alcohol dependence.

• Struggled with disordered eating from a young age as her first coping mechanism
• Underwent bariatric surgery, which unexpectedly transferred her addiction to alcohol
• Worked in the wine industry, where drinking was normalized and celebrated daily
• Found The Naked Mind book by Annie Grace, which provided the science and mindset shift needed
• Transitioned from wine industry to becoming a certified coach
• Uses monk fruit as a sugar substitute when making mocktails
• Recommends allowing sugar cravings during early sobriety before addressing them
• Found community and connection essential in breaking free from isolation
• Emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in recovery
• Now coaches others one-on-one and in groups to find freedom from alcohol

Connect with Ruby on Instagram @RubyWilliamsCoaching or her website, RubyWilliamsCoaching.com

If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a rating & review!

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Click HERE to grab my FREE Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes.

• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Lindsay Hennekey shares her powerful journey from using alcohol to cope with life disappointments to creating a thriving alcohol-free life through her coaching program Feel Good AF.

• Lindsay's drinking escalated when facing fertility issues and divorce, leading to daily alcohol consumption
• We often drink to procrastinate and avoid dealing with difficult emotions
• When you hold space for emotions rather than numbing them, they naturally dissipate
• Lindsay's turning point came after reading quit literature and realizing she would never have children. 
• Instead of numbing her grief with wine, she chose to discover "what happy people do who don't have kids." 
• The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to focus on sobriety without social pressure.
• Communication with loved ones is crucial in early sobriety—tell them what you need.
• Having a drink isn't a failure, but rather, it is just returning to your comfort zone.
• Lindsay finds joy in helping women who don't believe they can quit drinking borrow her belief in them.
• Non-alcoholic alternatives like craft NA beers, wines, and mocktails help make sobriety enjoyable.
• The highest achievers aren't typically heavy drinkers—success and sobriety often go hand in hand.

Connect with Lindsay: Instagram or LindsayHennekey.com

Try GoBrewing Non-Alcoholic Beer. Use code MOCKTAILMOM for a discount!

Send me a message about the show!

Click HERE to grab my FREE Hot Flash Summer Mocktail Recipes.

• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!