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 deb@mocktailmom.com.

Send me a message about the show!

To connect, join me for mocktails inside The Mocktail Social Club for Happy Half-Hours over Zoom.

• 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

Send me a message about the show!

To connect, join me for mocktails inside The Mocktail Social Club for Happy Half-Hours over Zoom.

• 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!

Send me a message about the show!

To connect, join me for mocktails inside The Mocktail Social Club for Happy Half-Hours over Zoom.

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

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!