Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom

In this episode of Thriving Alcohol Free, host Deb Podlogar welcomes Marina Castillo, a passionate advocate for non-alcoholic beverages and the co-founder of Modern Mocktail. They discuss Marina's journey from the circus to sobriety, the rise of kava bars, and the importance of creating a supportive community for those in recovery. Marina shares her insights on the benefits of kava, the challenges of navigating the industry, and offers encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs in the non-alcoholic space. Together, they create a special mocktail recipe that emphasizes the joy of savoring delicious drinks without alcohol.Kava Haven, code MOCKTAILMOM for a discount. Marina Castillo is a passionate advocate for non-alcoholic beverages.The mocktail they created is called 'The Bride'.Marina's journey to sobriety began in 2019.Kava bars are gaining popularity as non-alcoholic spaces.The Global Kava Coalition aims to educate about kava.Kava is a special pepper plant with calming effects.It's essential to consume the right part of the kava plant.Noble kava is the preferred type for consumption.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Thriving Alcohol Free02:12 Creating a Special Mocktail06:22 Marina's Journey to Sobriety12:10 The Rise of Kava Bars16:13 Navigating the Kava Industry19:14 Understanding Kava and Its Benefits32:22 Encouragement for New EntrepreneursFollow Marina on her Instagram page. Send me a message about the show! Click HERE to get on the list for The Mocktail Summit. Click HERE to download the FREE 12 Days of Menopause Mocktails Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour Website: MocktailMom.com You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

In this episode, Deb Podlogar interviews David Lund, the founder of Dromme, a non-alcoholic drink brand. They discuss David's journey from finance to creating Dromme, the unique ingredients used in the drinks, and the benefits they offer. David shares insights on the challenges of starting a business in the non-alcoholic space, the importance of community support, and the meaning behind the brand's name. The conversation highlights the growing interest in non-alcoholic options and the positive impact of Dromme on consumers' lives.The podcast promotes enjoying drinks with friends, not just alcohol.David Lund transitioned from finance to create Dromme.Dromme offers complex flavors without alcohol.The brand focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients.Droma's ingredients include herbs like ashwagandha and lion's mane.Regular consumption of Dromme can lead to long-term benefits.Dromme means 'dream' in Danish, reflecting its cultural roots.The non-alcoholic space is growing with community support.Challenges in production can lead to innovation.David emphasizes the importance of moving forward despite setbacks.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dromme and David Lund05:34 The Journey of Creating Dromme16:02 Understanding the Ingredients and Their Effects20:34 The Meaning Behind Dromme and Its Philosophy22:51 Creating a Community Around Non-Alcoholic Drinks29:36 The Journey of Building a Brand33:43 Challenges in Production and Overcoming Obstacles40:51 The Importance of Perseverance in BusinessSend me a message about the show! Click HERE to get on the list for The Mocktail Summit. Click HERE to download the FREE 12 Days of Menopause Mocktails Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour Website: MocktailMom.com You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Ever been handed a cocktail menu and felt that flicker of pressure to justify your choice? We’ve been there. Today, we celebrate the beauty of alcohol-free living with Felicia from Mocktailing Around—creator, homeschool mom, and unapologetic champion of drinks that look stunning, taste vibrant, and leave you clear-headed for tomorrow.We kick off by building a blueberry mojito that proves presentation and flavor can carry the whole experience. From mint-smacking and gentle muddling to smart garnishes and fizz, you’ll pick up practical techniques to make your glass pop. We also explore simple ways to add depth, like botanical zero-proof spirits with blueberry-ginger-mint notes or a touch of spice from an NA “bourbon” alternative. The heart of our talk centers on confidence and boundaries. Felicia shares how she learned to say no at corporate happy hours, the awkward questions that follow, and why “I’m not drinking today” is enough. A powerful story unfolds: a table that mocked our mocktails returned a year later and ordered them too. Your no can change the room. We dig into scripts, social strategies, and the importance of curating a circle that respects your lines—especially in the early days.You’ll also hear insider tips for ordering off-menu when a bar has no mocktail list: ask for a fruit-forward mojito build or invite the bartender to be creative and match a photo you love. Most pros light up when they get to craft something beautiful. Between content creation insights, homeschool rhythms, and a proud archery win, this conversation blends real life with practical alcohol-free tools—and offers favorite picks like crisp NA rosé and peach Bellini–style bubbles to keep on hand.If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s sober curious, and leave a quick review so more people can find alcohol-free confidence and joy. Cheers to bold boundaries and beautiful drinks.Give Felicia a follow on Instagram: @MocktailingAround & be inspired by her beautiful mocktails! To purchase Amethyst Non-Alcoholic Spirits, code MOCKTAILMOM will save 20%Send me a message about the show! Click HERE to get on the list for The Mocktail Summit. Click HERE to download the FREE 12 Days of Menopause Mocktails Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour Website: MocktailMom.com You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

In this episode, Deb Podlogar chats with Brooklyn Fahey of Dry Social about the journey to living alcohol-free. They discuss the importance of mocktails, Brooklyn's personal experiences with alcohol, and the pressures of drinking culture, especially in college. Brooklyn shares her story of cutting back on alcohol, the creation of her Instagram account Dry Social, and how she navigates social situations without drinking. The conversation emphasizes the evolving landscape of alcohol-free options and the importance of being true to oneself in social settings.Brooklyn started her sober journey two and a half years ago.She experienced significant pressure to drink during college.Brooklyn's engagement was celebrated with non-alcoholic champagne.The idea of Dry Social came from her desire to help others stay social without alcohol.Mocktails can be just as fun and celebratory as alcoholic drinks.Brooklyn wants to be a parent who doesn't drink around her children.She feels empowered by the growing availability of non-alcoholic options.Social situations can be navigated without alcohol, but it requires self-awareness.Brooklyn's journey has inspired others to evaluate their drinking habits.The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in one's choices.Follow Dry Social on Instagram. & special thanks to Go Brewing for sponsoring this podcast episode. They are my favorite non-alcoholic beer brand. Code MOCKTAILMOM will get you a discount. Send me a message about the show! Click HERE to get on the list for The Mocktail Summit. Click HERE to download the FREE 12 Days of Menopause Mocktails Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour Website: MocktailMom.com You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

A coupe glass, a good shake, and a bold idea: we sit down with Rebecca Styn, founder and CEO of Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails, to trace how a small speakeasy in Erie, Pennsylvania, turned a lockdown challenge into a nationwide zero-proof favorite. Starting with a live Bee’s Knees mix-along, we dig into the flavor-first philosophy that makes these cans taste like a bar-crafted pour.Rebecca opens up about the brand’s Prohibition DNA, where the hidden rooms of “blind tigers” stood for inclusivity and cultural mashups, and how that ethos guides everything from label design to how the drinks are served. We break down the lineup—French 75, Mojito, Sidecar Mimosa, Bee’s Knees—and spotlight the new low-calorie Grapefruit Fizz.Behind the taste, there’s tenacity. Rebecca shares the winding road to Wegmans, the serendipity and prep behind a QVC debut, and the logistics of scaling without losing craft. We talk funding wins like the Ben Franklin Technology Partners grant, the value of a skilled beverage engineer to nail shelf stability, and the community momentum from the Tory Burch Foundation. Most of all, we explore how zero-proof cocktails can change social moments, giving you something elegant to hold, a ritual to enjoy, and a clear head the next morning.If you’re sober-curious, cutting back, or love great flavor, this story will spark your next pour. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves a non-alcoholic cocktail ritual, and leave a review to help more people find their perfect spirit-free sip.Visit Blind Tiger's website to learn more. Send me a message about the show! Click HERE to get on the list for The Mocktail Summit. Click HERE to download the FREE 12 Days of Menopause Mocktails Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour Website: MocktailMom.com You are loved. Big Time Cheers!