Episodios

  • Interview with Kendall Bierman, Founder of Kendall B Therapy
    Apr 27 2025

    In this powerful and relatable episode, we’re joined by Kendall Bierman, licensed therapist and founder of Kendall B Therapy, who opens up about her journey from self-medicating in college to building a career helping others break free from the same patterns.

    Kendall shares how drinking once felt like a normal part of life; especially in environments where alcohol use is glamorized and going sober feels isolating. But through deep inner work and tough (yet transformative) choices, she not only got sober but discovered her calling: helping young adults navigate anxiety, substance use, and the complicated emotions that come with change.

    Whether you're sober curious, struggling with moderation, or just wondering what a full and fun life looks like without alcohol, this episode is for you. Kendall reminds us that while it might feel like you’re giving something up, the reality is: you’re gaining so much more.

    🎧 Tune in for an honest, hopeful conversation about sobriety, stigma, and how therapy can support your most empowered life.

    BONUS: We chat a lot about what it means to be a sober entrepreneur and our #1 tip for success (spoiler alert: yes, we're talking about boundaries).

    🔗 Learn more about Kendall’s work: www.kendallbtherapy.com
    📲 Follow her on IG: @kendallbtherapy

    If you're in NJ or NY, you can book a therapy session with Kendall, too!

    Have more questions? Send me an email: hello@marinamars.com

    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Interview with Maggie Klaassens, Founder of The Sober Hive
    Apr 21 2025

    In this episode, Marina sits down with Maggie Klaassens: alcohol-free coach, mom of three, and the founder of The Sober Summit and The Sober Hive. What started as a personal 100-day challenge to ditch alcohol turned into a purpose-filled mission to help gray area drinkers take back their lives and build a future they’re excited to wake up to.

    Maggie shares how she created a powerful three-day virtual summit that’s now changing lives across the globe, what “gray area drinking” really means, and why sober community and connection are the key to long-term transformation. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes peek at her upcoming 4th Sober Summit (April 23–25): a free event packed with expert speakers, tools for your sober toolbox, and motivation to design a vibrant alcohol-free life.

    If you’re curious about the alcohol-free lifestyle, dreaming up your own summit or event, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone on this journey, this episode is for you.

    Resources Mentioned:
    • RSVP for The Sober Summit (April 23–25 2025): https://soberlifecollective.spiffy.co/a/7m3cxEn1BG/4167

    • Follow Maggie on IG: @thesobersummit

    • Join The Sober Hive community: [link coming soon!]

    • Get the packet: https://soberlifecollective.myflodesk.com/list
    Connect with Marina:
    • Follow on IG: @mocktailswithmarina

    • Learn more: www.marinamars.com/themodernmocktail

    • Need help with strategy, operations, or launching your non-alc biz? Let’s chat.

    Más Menos
    50 m
  • bev brand builder: start your own non-alc product company today
    Apr 14 2025

    In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we're diving deep into the booming world of non-alcoholic product creation. If you've ever dreamed of launching your own functional beverage, sober-friendly tincture, or wellness powder, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

    Marina breaks down exactly why now is the perfect time to enter the non-alcoholic beverage industry, how to position your idea in a rapidly growing functional beverage market, and what most new CPG startups get wrong when launching.

    You’ll learn:

    • Why consumer demand is skyrocketing for sober-curious, alcohol-free alternatives

    • The gaps in the market that still need to be filled

    • How to bring your product to life—from formulation and compliance to manufacturing and sales

    • A behind-the-scenes look at the 5-phase process taught inside Marina’s new program: Bev Brand Builder

    Whether you're a wellness entrepreneur, a former bartender with a vision, or just someone who wants to make a real impact with a functional product that helps people feel good—this is your sign to take action.

    Bev Brand Builder is officially open for enrollment.
    Join now at: https://www.marinamars.com/challenge-page/bevbrandbuilder

    Have questions about the program or want to see if it’s the right fit? Email Marina directly at hello@marinamars.com.

    Más Menos
    22 m
  • Interview with Blind Tiger's Founder, Rebecca Styn
    Apr 7 2025

    In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Rebecca Styn, founder of Blind Tiger, a non-alcoholic cocktail company rooted in inclusivity, hospitality, and premium zero-proof experiences. Discover how Rebecca turned the challenges of the 2020 pandemic into a groundbreaking pivot that transformed her speakeasy-style bar, Room 33, into the birthplace of Blind Tiger—now one of the most celebrated non-alcoholic beverage brands on the market.

    We dive into:

    • The story behind the name Blind Tiger and its ties to Prohibition-era speakeasies

    • The challenges and wins of launching a non-alcoholic brand during COVID

    • Rebecca’s passion for mindful drinking, sobriety culture, and alcohol-free mixology

    • The importance of creating inclusive bar experiences

    • How her background in hospitality, leadership, and entrepreneurship shaped her mission

    Whether you’re sober-curious, fully alcohol-free, or a bar/restaurant owner looking to elevate your zero-proof offerings, this conversation is filled with insights, inspiration, and real-talk from a true industry innovator.

    Learn more at blindtigerspiritfree.com
    Follow Rebecca on IG: @blindtigercocktails
    Stay connected with Marina at @mocktailswithmarina

    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Interview with Becky Moreno, Founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions
    Mar 31 2025

    In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina sits down with Becky Moreno, founder of Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions, to explore the deeper meaning behind the growing non-alcoholic movement. Becky shares her raw and inspiring recovery journey—from navigating life as an alcoholic to becoming a bold leader in the sober entrepreneur space.

    Listeners will hear how Becky transformed her lived experience into a mission-driven business, creating alcohol-free environments that prioritize wellness, community, and connection. This episode dives into the heart of why sober spaces matter, how to make room for the sober curious and the newly sober, and what it truly means to build a business rooted in healing.

    Whether you're exploring an alcohol-free lifestyle, working in the non-alc industry, or looking for fresh inspiration on turning your story into purpose, this episode delivers real talk, hope, and practical insights.

    Don’t miss Becky’s take on redefining nightlife, entrepreneurship in recovery, and why sober spaces are essential for the future of wellness culture.

    Connect with Unity SoBar and Unity Recovery Solutions
    http://www.saltyfrog.com/

    Connect on instagram:
    @mrsbeckymoreno
    @unitysobar

    Looking for help with your operation?
    Send me an email: hello@marinamars.com

    Más Menos
    53 m
  • holding the line: turning boundaries into business strategy
    Mar 25 2025

    In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore a powerful and often overlooked business skill: setting boundaries as a business owner while maintaining professionalism, leadership, and client trust. If you're an entrepreneur in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, a CPG founder, or a wellness-based business leader, chances are you've experienced clients, collaborators, or leads pushing past agreed-upon limits—whether that's asking for free advice, assuming access to services you don’t offer, or expecting deeper involvement than what was originally scoped.

    Marina shares real-world examples from her recent consulting experiences and reveals how she navigates these common challenges with grace, strategy, and clear communication. Learn how to reframe uncomfortable situations, protect your energy, and create firm but friendly boundaries that support long-term business growth.

    She dives into topics like:

    • How to handle misaligned requests without damaging relationships

    • Why boundaries are a form of brand clarity and leadership positioning

    • Ways to redirect overreaching inquiries into paid offers or partnerships

    • How to stay aligned with your core mission and avoid “mission drift”

    • Scripts and practical tools to protect your time and energy as a founder

    This episode is essential for anyone building a non-alc brand, launching a product-based business, or running a service-based business in the wellness, beverage, or lifestyle industries.

    Need help designing better systems, communicating boundaries, or creating offers that align with your mission? Reach out to Marina at www.marinamars.com/contact for business strategy and consulting tailored to the non-alcoholic, wellness, and emerging CPG industries.

    Más Menos
    20 m
  • notes on being a mentor and teacher
    Mar 17 2025

    Are you stepping into a mentorship role, teaching others, or seeking guidance for your own business journey? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we explore what it really means to be a mentor, teacher, or guide—especially in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, entrepreneurial space, and personal development world.

    Many people believe that simply knowing something qualifies them to teach it, but the reality is much different. The best mentors never stop being students themselves. A great teacher remembers what it’s like to struggle with new concepts and knows how to break down complex ideas so that anyone—from a five-year-old to a seasoned entrepreneur—can understand them. Good mentors set clear boundaries, uphold integrity, and never take advantage of those seeking their wisdom. However, mentorship is an exchange, and students must reciprocate that value in money, labor, or another meaningful way. Once you’ve learned what you came for, the right thing to do is to say thank you and move on.

    Guides and mentors are not meant to have all the answers. Their role is to share what they’ve experienced and offer insight into what has worked for others in similar situations. But no matter how much information you gather, success ultimately depends on your ability to take action. Even bad mentors, teachers, and guides can offer valuable lessons, though these experiences may come with frustration and disappointment. Growth often comes from difficult situations, and while the messenger may be flawed, the lesson itself can still be useful.

    If you are serious about growth, whether in business or personal development, you do not have to do it alone. The most successful entrepreneurs lean into their communities, partnerships, and mentors instead of trying to build everything in isolation. Businesses that last beyond five years are the ones that embrace collaboration and surround themselves with people who truly understand their vision. A few aligned individuals can be far more powerful than a hundred disconnected team members.

    If you are looking for guidance, I am currently accepting one more retainer client for this season. My one-on-one mentorship is designed to provide strategic support for non-alcoholic and kava business owners who want to optimize and scale.

    For those who prefer a group setting, there is still room in the Discovery Phase Launchpad, a program designed for new entrepreneurs seeking clarity on their niche, target market, and business model.

    www.marinamars.com/discoveryphaselaunchpad

    Additionally, Bula Boss remains open for kava and non-alcoholic business owners looking for a structured path to a sustainable and profitable business.

    www.marinamars.com/bulaboss

    If any of this resonates with you, send me an email at hello@marinamars.com. I’d love to hear about your goals and see how we can work together to bring them to life. If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend, leave a review, and let’s continue building a future where mentorship and collaboration lead to success.

    Más Menos
    25 m
  • how to change your life in less than 3 minutes
    Mar 12 2025

    In this high-impact, no-fluff episode, I’m breaking down how to shift timelines and step into the reality you actually want - fast. Your current life is a loop of past thoughts and actions, but you don’t have to stay stuck in it. The secret? Identity shifting.

    Here’s what we cover in just 2 minutes:
    ✅ Decide who you are right now. Not someday. Today.
    ✅ Act outside your current reality. Do something your future self would do.
    ✅ Override the doubt. Your brain will resist change, but keep moving.

    If you’re ready to break out of the old patterns and start living the life that’s waiting for you, this episode is your wake-up call.

    🚀 Take action now, and tell me what shifts for you!

    🔗 Listen now & tag me with your breakthroughs!

    #MindsetShift #IdentityHacking #SuccessHabits #QuantumLeaps #LevelUpYourLife

    Más Menos
    2 m
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup