1701338793
Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms

Advertise on podcast: Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms

Rating
★★★★★
5
from
8 reviews
This podcast has
200 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2023/08/06
Latest episode
2026/10/21
Average duration
16 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

How do I drink less without quitting completely? What's the difference between alcohol-free, low alcohol, and no alcohol drinks? Why can't I handle alcohol like I used to? How do I cut back when everyone around me is still drinking? Why do alcohol-free drinks cost so much? If you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond and asking these questions, this is your podcast. Welcome to the essential show for midlife adults who want to drink less, on their own terms—without the pressure to quit completely, follow rigid rules, or label themselves as sober. I'm Denise Hamilton-Mace, your mindful drinking mentor, magazine editor, writer and public speaker on all things low, no and light. Each week, I help stressed parents and busy midlife adults navigate their relationship with alcohol through practical approaches grounded in real-world experience and behaviour change strategy, not willpower or wellness culture What you'll get: Mindful Moderation Solo Episodes – Deep-dives answering the questions that matter to sophisticated drinkers who want to moderate smartly: How do I cut back when my partner still drinks at home?Why do premium alcohol-free drinks cost the same as full-strength versions?How do I navigate social situations when I'm the only one moderating?What really works: willpower vs. strategy? Drinks 101 Mini-Series – Short educational episodes demystifying the confusing world of low and no alcohol drinks: What does ABV actually mean?What's the real difference between non-alcoholic, alcohol-free, low alcohol, and light beer?How are alcohol-free drinks made?Which drinks are safe for pregnancy, driving, or recovery? Meet the Makers – Intimate conversations with the founders, brewers, distillers, and visionaries creating the premium drinks and experiences that support your moderation goals. This podcast is for you if: You want drinks that taste like the ones you already loveYou're looking for practical advice that fits your demanding life, not another wellness overhaulYou recognise that coasting with mid-strength drinks, zebra-striping, or bookending your evening with something non-alcoholic are all valid strategiesYou want better mornings without giving up celebrating life's special moments This isn't about going completely dry or reinventing yourself. It's about keeping energy for what matters most: family, health, career, and living life on your own terms. Join the moderation revolution happening in midlife – because while Gen Z gets the headlines, you're the one actually doing it.

Unlock Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms podcast


200. You Can't Avoid Alcohol So What Do You Do?
2026/10/21
Send me a message 🤗 Booze is bloody everywhere. It's on TV, on billboards, at the tube station, lining the supermarket aisles and sitting in your own fridge. So how do you design a life with less alcohol in it when it's everywhere you turn? And if you're waiting for your environment, your social calendar and the stars to line up before you start moderating, what exactly does that look like? The world doesn't revolve around our individual needs, and alcohol doesn't disappear on the days you've decided you don't want to drink. Short of locking yourself away at home and not switching on the TV, it's part of the way we live.  So I'm talking about the mindset shift you need, and how the attention you give alcohol decides how much space it takes up in your head.  I also explain why you're not as powerless against advertising, product placement and supermarket shelf positioning as you might think.  Then I give you a simple framework for the next time booze is in your face and you'd rather it buggered off for a bit. It's also episode 200! So there's a big thank you to everyone who listens, leaves reviews and writes in. Plus an early heads-up on the advent calendar and the Christmas and New Year hub I'm building, so you can moderate through December your way, on your own terms.   By the end of this episode you will: Know how to stop alcohol adverts and booze on TV taking up so much of your headspaceBe able to answer, "How do I cut down on drinking when alcohol is everywhere?"Leave with a simple framework for when you're confronted with alcohol and don't want to drink itFeel less powerless around alcohol and more able to take back the power of choice  1:12 200 Episodes And A Thank You 3:29 Booze is Everywhere 6:23 A Mindset Shift You Need 7:19 Where Attention Goes, Energy Flows 7:57 Christmas Drinking Support & December Planning 9:03 Information Is Not Instruction 12:44 The Four Steps to Managing Finding Alcohol Everywhere The Christmas Hub - https://lownodrinker.com/christmas/ === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
199. Drinking Less at Home: The Call Is Coming From Inside the House
2026/10/14
Send me a message 🤗 There’s tons of advice for drinking less when you go.  The pub also comes with its own brakes: you need shoes, a coat and a fair bit of cash. Other people are there, you have to queue at the bar, and someone else decides when it’s time for last orders. At home there’s none of that. You’re king or queen of your castle, and you can drink if you want to. So this week on the pod, I’ve put together a simple four-phase approach to adding what I call friendly friction to drinking at home.  These are small, practical changes that slow down the reach for a drink without leaving you feeling deprived.  On top of that, there are five quickfire bonus tips for when you want to go a bit further.  I’ve kept it short and actionable on purpose, because I really want you to go and try these and discover the benefits of adding just a touch of friendly friction to your home drinking.   By the end of this episode: You’ll be able to answer “why do I drink more at home than when I go out?”You’ll leave with easy ways to make drinking at home less automatic, without relying on willpowerYou’ll know where your weekly food shop fits into all thisYou’ll know what to try if you’ve got nowhere to hide the booze  0:00 Home & Away 3:16 Phase 1 - Out of Sight 4:25 Phase 2 - One Step Further 5:44 Phase 3 - Say No to BOGOFs 7:22 Phase 4 - Don't Deprive Yourself 9:36 Quick Tips for Quick Wins 13:07 Get Your Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking Listen next to: ep#152. Reduce, Replace, R… The Third R of Mindful Drinking - https://www.mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/2229527/episodes/18502489 === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
198. When Moderation Isn't Right for You (Right Now)
2026/10/07
Send me a message 🤗 Nothing out there works for everybody every time, and that includes moderation. Yes, even on a podcast built around it. Learning to drink less is a skill, and like any new skill, it's going to feel hard before it starts to feel natural. So how do you tell the difference between the normal wobbles of learning to moderate and a genuine sign that moderation isn't the right approach for you right now? This episode is about the times when mindful drinking might not suit you. That includes the in-the-moment situations, like the venue with nothing decent in the low-no fridge or meeting your best boozy buddy after a rubbish day at work. It also includes the bigger seasons of life when you've already got more on your plate than you can handle.  And no, this doesn't mean you're back to all or nothing. You always have more options than that, and stepping away from moderation for a while is a very different thing from giving up on it. By the end of this episode you'll know: How to tell if moderation is actually working for youWhether struggling to moderate means it's not for youWhen it's OK to skip a drink, a night out or a catch-up to protect your goalsThe signs moderation is costing you more than it's giving youWhat your options are if you don't want to go all or nothing  0:00 Why Moderation Is Not Always Right 1:33 The Right Tool for the Job 4:16 Stepping Back In Tricky Moments 6:21 Stepping Away In Busy Life Seasons 9:31 When Moderation Starts To Cost You 11:37 Grace Choices And Getting Extra Support === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
197. Is Taking a Break from Alcohol the Best Way to Drink Less?
2026/09/30
Send me a message 🤗 Taking a month off booze is the most obvious place to start drinking less. But is it teaching you the wrong thing? Sober October, Dry January, a few alcohol-free weeks until your holiday or your birthday: a booze break is how so many of us start changing the way we drink, and there are some really good reasons for that.  But if you know you still want alcohol in your life, and what you're after is learning how to moderate, is a clean break from alcohol the best way to get there? I'm weighing up the pros and cons of taking a break from alcohol, from the simplicity of having just one rule to the all-or-nothing thinking that can come with it, and what a month of white-knuckling your way through actually teaches you about drinking less once it's over.  I've also got five questions to ask yourself before you circle a date in the diary, so you can work out whether a booze break is the right first step for you.   By the end of this episode you'll know:  Whether a booze break like Dry January or Sober October is the right way to start drinking lessWhat a month off alcohol can (and can't) teach you about moderationWhat to do if you have a drink halfway through your dry monthHow to stop your break becoming a countdown to your next drinkHow to plan for day 31, so you don't slide straight back into old habits  0:00 Should You Take A Booze Break? 3:22 Why You Want To Take A Booze Break 6:05 The Pros Of Taking A Break From Alcohol 7:16 Space To Think 8:49 Know How You Feel 10:12 Practice Your Sober Socialising 11:46 The Cons Of Taking A Break From Alcohol 12:06 All-Or-Nothing Thinking 14:21 Not Living A "Normal" Life 16:10 White-Knuckling Your Way Through 18:03 Are You Practising The Right Skill? 20:01 Five Questions To Decide If A Booze Break Is Right For You 28:46 Final Question   Best episodes to listen to next: 195. Are You Overcomplicating Your Moderation? - https://www.mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/2229527/episodes/19810720 163. 5 Questions to Ask Yourself About the Pros & Cons of Different Moderation Techniques - https://www.mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/2229527/episodes/18671408    === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
196. Do You Have to Tell People You’re Drinking Less?
2026/09/23
Send me a message 🤗 Do you actually owe anyone an explanation for what's in your glass? Working out who to tell, when to tell them, and how much detail they actually need is one of the trickier parts of changing your relationship with alcohol, especially when the people closest to you aren't automatically on board.  I'm talking through how to figure out who genuinely needs to know versus who doesn't, what to do when a partner, parent or sibling reacts with pushback rather than support, and why the timing of that conversation matters just as much as the wording. I also get into the exact kind of language that tends to land well with the people you love, versus the kind that puts them straight on the defensive.   By the end of this episode you'll know:  How to work out who actually needs to know about your choice to drink lessWhat to do when someone you love doesn't react the way you'd hopedThe best (and worst) times to bring this conversation up with a partner or family memberHow to talk about drinking less without sounding like you're justifying yourselfWhy you don't owe anybody an explanation for your own drinking choices  0:32 Why Telling People Feels Hard 3:33 Who Needs To Know And Why 5:35 Handling Pushback And Awkward Reactions 9:25 When To Engage & When To Walk Away 12:12 8 Tips For Talking About Your Choice To Drink Less 15:08 The Power Of Choice 15:55 The Beginner's Guide   Best episode to listen to next: 161. The Real Reason Your Friends Can’t Take ‘No’ for an Answer - https://www.mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/2229527/episodes/18674312 === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
195. Are You Overcomplicating Your Moderation?
2026/09/16
Send me a message 🤗 Trying to overhaul your drinking, your diet, your fitness, your finances and your family life all in the same fortnight is a guaranteed route to burnout, not moderation. I'm making the case for doing less, not more, when it comes to changing how you drink. Rather than trying to build the perfect mindful drinking rulebook — a drink limit, an exchange plan, a list of comebacks, a whole new menu of alcohol-free options — I'm breaking down why picking one single focus and following it through is the thing that actually makes moderation stick long-term.  I share the three practical ways I simplify my own approach to drinking less: keeping the rules basic, making the decision long before I'm anywhere near a bar, and always having one reliable fallback drink in my back pocket for whatever venue I end up in.   By the end of this episode you'll know: Why trying to change everything about your lifestyle at once usually backfiresHow to stop overcomplicating your own moderation rulesWhy deciding what you'll drink before you leave the house beats deciding at the barWhat a "fallback drink" is and why every mindful drinker needs oneHow to keep your mindful drinking approach simple enough that it actually lasts  0:00 The Case For Simplification 2:38 Pick One Priority And Build 4:43 Keep Rules Simple 7:41 Decide Before You Go 9:46 Choose A Fallback Drink 12:41 Simplicity Makes It Stick     === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
194. 4 Weeks to Change Your Relationship With Alcohol: Inside The Reset
2026/09/09
Send me a message 🤗 Is a moderation programme just a sobriety programme wearing a different outfit?  Not this one.  This episode is a proper look back inside the 4-Week Midlife Mindful Drinking Reset. I talk through why I built it, who it's actually for (middle-lane drinkers, not people chasing a recovery label), and what happens across each of the four weeks. From unpacking your current drinking patterns and busting the myths keeping you stuck (one of my favourite things to do), to setting boundaries without over-explaining yourself, breaking the stress-drinking loop, and building something that actually sticks rather than falling apart by week two.  I also share some genuinely lovely feedback from people who've been through it.   By the end of this episode you'll know:  What the four-week midlife mindful drinking reset is (and what it very deliberately isn't)What's covered across each of the four weeks, from awareness and boundaries to stress and building your new normalHow the daily emails, tasks, podcast and book actually work togetherWhat other people going through the reset have found the most valuable part of itHow to find out more if you want to take it further yourself  2:11 Why The Four-Week Reset Exists 6:10 No Labels, No Prizes, No Shame: What the Rest Is Not 7:38 Who the Reset Is For 8:31 How the 4-Week Reset Works 12:34 Week-By-Week Reset Roadmap 18:32 Stories Of Change From Students 21:04 Take the Next Steps   Also mentioned: The Summer Series, episodes 187 - 192. === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
193. Everyone’s Asking: How Moderation Looks Long Term?
2026/09/02
Send me a message 🤗 Cutting down instead of quitting altogether — does it actually make a difference? That's the question that kicks off the final week of the summer series, and the honest answer is: it depends, but probably more than you think.  This last instalment covers the five most asked questions as people move from giving mindful drinking a go to actually making it stick: what counts as a meaningful reduction, which benefits tend to show up first, whether weight loss follows, how tolerance and taste change the longer you do this, and what it actually takes to keep going once summer's over. There's also a full recap of every takeaway from the last six weeks, for anyone who wants the whole series in one place. By the end of this episode you'll know: Whether cutting down rather than quitting can genuinely make a differenceWhich benefits of drinking less usually show up first, and whyWhy weight loss isn't guaranteed when you cut back, and why that's completely normalHow your alcohol tolerance and taste can shift the longer you drink differentlyWhat it actually takes to make these changes last beyond summer  0:00 Summer Series Finale Kick-Off 1:06 Will Cutting Down Make A Difference? 3:22 Early Wins When You Drink Less 6:30 Weight Loss Expectations And Reality 9:39 Alcohol Tolerance And Taste Shifts 11:00 Making Changes Last Past Summer 14:09 End Of Summer === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
192. Everyone’s Asking: How Do I Handle Urges & Setbacks?
2026/08/26
Send me a message 🤗 Week five of the summer series takes on the three most asked questions about staying the course with moderation: why that pull towards a drink seems to hit at exactly the same time every day, how long a craving actually lasts once it kicks in, and whether drinking more than you'd planned means you've blown the whole thing.   By the end of this episode you'll know:  Why you crave a drink at the same time every evening, and what's actually driving itHow long a genuine urge to drink lasts, and what to do while you wait it out Whether drinking more than you intended means you've failed at moderationHow "overdoing it" changes the further along your moderation journey you getWhy a setback isn't the same as starting from scratch  1:04 Why Evening Urges Hit On Cue 3:39 How Long Cravings Last 5:44 When You Drink More Than Planned 7:26 What Over-Drinking Looks Like Now   Also mentioned: 111. Drinking on Autopilot: How Daily Stress Fuels Your Evening Habits - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/17853665  === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
191. Everyone’s Asking: How Do You Actually Drink Less In The Moment?
2026/08/19
Send me a message 🤗 Knowing you want to drink less is one thing. Actually doing it while you're standing at the bar, or three glasses into a Friday night on the sofa, is a different problem entirely. Week four of the summer series is all about the in-the-moment stuff: how to make a drink last longer, how to actually stop once you've hit your limit, and what to say when someone won't take no for an answer.  I'm also tackling the area so many people seem to forget about — how much we drink at home, and the three small changes that make the biggest difference there. Quick, practical, and built for the moments that actually matter, not the theory. By the end of this episode you'll know... How to physically slow down and make each drink last longerWhat to do once you've hit your limit but still want anotherA short, no-drama way to turn down a drink and handle the pushbackWhy most of our drinking happens at home, not outThree simple changes to drink less without a single dry night  1:24 Making Each Drink Last Longer 3:26 Stop After Your Limit 5:38 Handling Social Pressure With Ease 8:27 Drink Less At Home 13:25 Take the Midlife Drinking Quiz   Also mentioned: 161. The Real Reason Your Friends Can’t Take ‘No’ for an Answer - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/18674312 190. Everyone’s Asking: How Do I Start Drinking Moderately? - https://www.mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/ === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
190. Everyone’s Asking: How Do I Start Drinking Moderately?
2026/08/12
Send me a message 🤗 Everyone wants to know how to start drinking less, but most of the advice out there skips past practicalities and focuses just on the theory. Week three of the summer series tackles the two questions that get asked more than any others: where do I start, and what do I do? I'm sharing the exact steps that got me started over five years ago, and they're not the ones you'd expect from a typical "just cut back" article. Plus, a few practical moves for before a night out that make a bigger difference than most people realise — and one in particular that's easy to forget when you're focused on managing what's in your glass.  By the end of this episode you'll know... Where to actually start if you want to drink lessThe one question to ask yourself before setting any drinking goalsWhat to do before a night out to make moderation easierWhy one habit matters more in midlife than it did in your twentiesHow to get the right support without making a big thing of it  1:54 The Big Question - Where Do I Start? 2:34 Find Your Real Why 5:07 Take Baby Steps In Safer Spaces 6:46 Celebrate Wins Without Making It Weird 7:50 Prep For Moderation Before You Go 10:44 How To Lean On Your Friends 13:06 Next Week Preview And Quiz   Also mentioned: 176. The Hidden Biology Behind Brutal Hangovers After 40 - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/19167111 === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
189. Everyone’s Asking: What Does ‘Moderate’ Actually Look Like?
2026/08/05
Send me a message 🤗 Week two of the summer series tackles the questions you've been asking the most about what moderation actually looks like day to day: how much you can actually drink and still call it moderate, whether you need to track every drink, whether low, no and light drinks help or hinder, and whether a full break from alcohol is the right place to start. By the end of this episode you'll know: How much alcohol actually counts as moderate, and why the guidelines aren't as clear-cut as they soundWhat successful moderation really looks likeWhether you need to count your drinks, and when it's okay to stopWhether low, no and light drinks help or hinder your moderation goalsThe pros and cons of taking a full break from alcohol first  0:00 Summer Series And Big Questions 1:13 What Counts As Moderate Drinking? 4:43 What Does Successful Moderation Look Like? 7:31 Should I Drink Less Often Or Just Drink Less? 9:37 Do You Need To Track Drinks? 11:20 Do Low & No Drinks Make it Harder? 13:56 Should You Take A Full Booze Break? 16:43 Get More From the Mindful Drinking Quiz   Next episode for you: 163. 5 Questions to Ask Yourself About the Pros & Cons of Different Moderation Techniques - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/18671408   182. 13 Alcohol Moderation Techniques That Aren't Zebra Striping - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/19391279 === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
188. Everyone's Asking: Is Moderation Really Possible?
2026/07/29
Send me a message 🤗 Welcome to Week 1 of The Mindful Drinking Summer Series. Welcome to the Mindful Drinking and Moderation in Midlife six-week summer series, Everyone's Asking.  Six short, practical, summer-friendly episodes to help you answer the biggest questions about moderating your alcohol intake in midlife.  As always, with no pressure and no judgment.  I'm your host; you can call me Dee, and this is week one, where everyone's been asking, "Is moderation really possible?"  0:00 Mindful Drinking Summer Series: The Big Questions 1:04 What Is Mindful Drinking vs Moderation? 2:45 But What If I Don't Have A Drinking Problem? 5:00 Is Moderation Just A Stepping Stone to Sobriety? 7:48 Is Moderation Possible For Everyone? 10:13 Will I Ever Be A Normal Drinker Again? 12:27 Next Week And The Midlife Drinking Quiz === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
187. Introducing 'Everyone's Asking': Your Most-Asked Questions About Mindful Drinking
2026/07/24
Send me a message 🤗 Summer holidays are a lot. Whether you're feeding and funding teenagers, entertaining little ones round the clock, or just can't get anything done because everyone else is away — this season is a kicker for all of us. So this summer, I'm introducing 'Everyone's Asking', a six-week mini-series answering the questions I get asked again and again — in emails, in comments, in mentoring sessions — after nearly 200 episodes of this show. Each episode is a little shorter than usual and packed with answers, covering everything from whether moderation is really possible, to drinking less without giving it up, navigating social life and relationships, why you drink the way you do, getting back on track after a slip, and what life looks like once moderation starts to stick. New to the show? Consider this your summer quick-start guide. Been here a while? This is where we pull all our foundational thinking together in one place. Got a question you want answered? Head to the show notes and send it over. And make sure you're following or subscribing so every new episode lands straight in your feed. Because I don't want you to miss a single answer on the way to taking back the power of choice from alcohol. === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
186. Are You Chasing Old Feelings With Alcohol?
2026/07/22
Send me a message 🤗 Some of the strongest pulls back towards a drink have nothing to do with a bad day and everything to do with a good decade.  Picking up where last week's episode left off, moving from the "yesterday" of last night's overdrinking to a different kind of yesterday altogether: nostalgia.  As a midlife moderator, some of the hardest drinking triggers aren't about stress or celebration; they're about longing for the wide-eyed, anything-could-happen nights of our 20s and 30s.  I talk about why chasing those old memories with alcohol never quite delivers, why we don't need to denigrate the good times we did have with drink in order to build a better relationship with it now, and how nostalgic drinking keeps you looking backwards instead of building the new memories that are still there to be made.    By the end of this episode you'll know: Why nostalgia is one of the biggest hidden drinking triggers in midlifeHow to stop feeling guilty about good times you had while drinkingWhy you can't recreate an old feeling by recreating the environment with alcoholHow to let go of the longing for "yesterday" without dismissing your pastWhere to find more support if mood and nostalgia drive your drinking habitsThe one, simple question that can shift your moderation mindset right now  Also mentioned: ep#185. What to Do After Drinking More Than You Intended - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/19494498 ep#175. 6 Causes, 6 Questions: What's Really Driving Your Over-Drinking? - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2229527/episodes/19128834 === ✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/ === ❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13

Podcast reviews

Read Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms podcast reviews


5 out of 5
8 reviews
★★★★★
Mindful mummy 2025/10/27
Very Helpful
Denise’s calm and funny advice for mindful drinking is a great balm for the nuttiness we find ourselves on a night out. Thank you!
★★★★★
s z keller 2025/08/04
The Voice of Moderation
A truly intelligent and compassionate podcast for the millions of people who want to moderate their alcohol consumption.
★★★★★
Sarah Russell A2 2025/05/03
Enjoyable!
I’ve been listening for a while and truly enjoy Denise’s work here interviewing the most interesting people in the low and no alc space. Look forward ...
check all reviews on apple podcasts

Podcast sponsorship advertising

Start advertising on Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms relevant audience podcasts


What do you want to promote?