

Journey to the Sunnyside
Sunnyside
Journey to the Sunnyside is a top 1% podcast, reaching over 500,000 listeners every week. It’s your guide to exploring mindful living with alcohol—whether you're cutting back, moderating, or thinking about quitting.
While Sunnyside helps you reduce your drinking, this podcast goes further, diving into topics like mindful drinking, sober curiosity, moderation, and full sobriety. Through real stories, expert insights, and science-backed strategies, we help you find what actually works for your journey.
Hosted by Mike Hardenbrook, a #1 best-selling author and neuroscience enthusiast, the show is dedicated to helping people transform their relationship with alcohol—without shame, judgment, or rigid rules.
This podcast is brought to you by Sunnyside, the leading platform for mindful drinking. Want to take the next step in your journey? Head over to sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in our episodes do not necessarily represent those of Sunnyside. We’re committed to sharing diverse perspectives on health and wellness. If you’re concerned about your drinking, please consult a medical professional. Sunnyside, this podcast, and its guests are not necessarily medical providers and the content is not medical advice. We do not endorse drinking in any amount.
While Sunnyside helps you reduce your drinking, this podcast goes further, diving into topics like mindful drinking, sober curiosity, moderation, and full sobriety. Through real stories, expert insights, and science-backed strategies, we help you find what actually works for your journey.
Hosted by Mike Hardenbrook, a #1 best-selling author and neuroscience enthusiast, the show is dedicated to helping people transform their relationship with alcohol—without shame, judgment, or rigid rules.
This podcast is brought to you by Sunnyside, the leading platform for mindful drinking. Want to take the next step in your journey? Head over to sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in our episodes do not necessarily represent those of Sunnyside. We’re committed to sharing diverse perspectives on health and wellness. If you’re concerned about your drinking, please consult a medical professional. Sunnyside, this podcast, and its guests are not necessarily medical providers and the content is not medical advice. We do not endorse drinking in any amount.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 30, 2024 • 35min
Change for Growth, Not Because of Problems w/ Amanda Kuda
Today, we're joined by Amanda Kuda, author of 'Unbottled Potential,' a book dedicated to helping women transform their relationship with alcohol. In this episode, Amanda shares her journey into "elective sobriety", discusses the challenges she faced and breakthroughs she achieved, and offers key strategies from her book. We'll also explore her insights on mindful drinking, navigating social dynamics without alcohol, and how choosing sobriety can become a superpower. Tune in to learn how to transform your life and improve your relationship to alcohol. While Sunnyside generally focuses on alcohol moderation and mindfulness, on our podcast we want to explore a diverse set of views and perspectives. We support all paths when it comes to alcohol. Only you can decide if mindfulness, moderation, or sobriety is right for you.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 23, 2024 • 50min
The Mammal Brain Code to Happiness w/ Loretta Breuning
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Loretta Breuning as we dive into the intricacies of the mammal brain and its profound impact on our emotions and behaviors. Breuning unravels the roles of key neurotransmitters—dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin—in driving our actions and shaping our happiness. She challenges the popular narrative that happiness comes effortlessly and emphasizes the importance of understanding our biological foundations to build healthier habits and achieve true happiness. Explore the fascinating intersection of biology and politics in shaping our beliefs and gain practical advice for cultivating happy skills.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 16, 2024 • 1h 10min
From Mommy Wine Culture to Soberish Success w/ Katie Nessel
Today’s guest is Katie Nessel, known as SoberishMom. Katie shares her journey of navigating the mommy wine culture and finding a balanced, soberish lifestyle. She’ll discuss the pivotal moments that led her to reassess her relationship with alcohol, tips for starting a moderation journey, and why traveling soberish is her secret weapon to fun. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to change their drinking habits.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 9, 2024 • 54min
A Sommelier's Wine Hacks & Mindful Drinking! w/ Matthew Kaner
In this episode, sommelier Matthew Kaner reveals how travel and mindful drinking elevate the wine experience. He reveals emerging trends like orange wine, emphasizes the value of context and personal connections, and shares his journey in the industry. Tune in to discover insider tips, wine travel stories, and his excitement for the industry's future!Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 2, 2024 • 1h 8min
Bright Days, Clear Nights, Better Sleep - w/James Swanwick
Former ESPN anchor James Swanwick shares insights on reducing alcohol consumption, benefits of blue light blocking glasses, and debunking myths about alcohol and sleep. Dive into strategies for socializing without alcohol, embracing sobriety, and optimizing sleep quality. Learn about Project 90, living alcohol-free, and the importance of intentional bedtime routines for better sleep. Explore the connection between alcohol and sleep patterns, and the significance of orange lens blue light blocking glasses for melatonin production.

Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 6min
Deep Dive into Mindful Drinking w/ Sunnyside Co-founder Ian Andersen
Co-founder Ian Andersen of Sunnyside discusses mindful drinking and personal alcohol journeys. They explore breaking generational patterns of alcohol dependency and navigating alcohol, anxiety, and mindful drinking. The podcast also touches on platform development, customer engagement, the weight of labels, sobriety options, and habit change strategies.

Apr 17, 2024 • 51min
Negotiate Alcohol Peer Pressure with FBI Tactics (with Chris Voss)
Today, we’re excited to welcome Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and bestselling author of 'Never Split the Difference.' In this episode, Chris reveals how his high-stakes negotiation techniques can be effectively used to handle peer pressure related to alcohol. He’ll break down these strategies that you can use to confidently navigate discussions with friends, family, and even yourself. Tune in to learn how to turn challenging conversations into positive and supportive interactions. Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

Apr 9, 2024 • 1h 12min
Harm Reduction in Alcohol Health with Expert Dr. Andrew Tatarsky
In this episode, we explore harm reduction with Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, a visionary in addiction treatment with over 40 years of experience. As the architect of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP), Dr. Tatarsky combines relational psychoanalysis, CBT, and mindfulness within a harm reduction framework. This approach meets individuals wherever they are in their journey to change, emphasizing personalized, compassionate care. Join us for an in-depth discussion as we explore how harm reduction supports people in discovering their paths to positive change. Don't miss this insightful conversation with one of the field's most influential figures!Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

Apr 4, 2024 • 56min
The Woman Changing How the World Sees Non-Alcoholic Drinks with Victoria Watters
For many of us mindful drinkers, non-alcoholic drinks have become not just part of our strategy to cut down on alcohol, but a full-blown hobby that we share with our friends. NA brands and options have been skyrocketing in popularity, and Victoria Watters has made it a point to stay at the forefront of this movement. In our latest episode of Journey to the Sunnyside we sit down to talk to her about the NA movement and more.Victoria if the founder of Dry Atlas, a media company focused on alcohol alternatives. She’s one-half of the duo who opened America’s first booze-free bottle shop. At https://www.dryatlas.com and through their great newsletter, they deliver non-alc insights, news, and recommendations to over five million people annually.In this episode Victoria shares her personal journey with alcohol and the passion that led her to explore the world of non-alcoholic options. We explore how the big alcohol companies are having an impact on non-alcoholic options, and their importance in helping normalize the conversation.And for all our mindful drinkers out there, Victoria helps explain the different types of non-alcoholic drinks, including spirits, wines, beers, and ready-to-drink mocktails, as well as how things like bitters help to define and enchance the flavors of these beverages.Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation platform, helping people drink less with no pressure to quit. Get your free 15-day trial at https://www.sunnyside.co.

11 snips
Mar 27, 2024 • 57min
Master Alcohol Moderation with These Simple Steps (with Nir Eyal)
Nir Eyal, a master of habit change, discusses addiction, pain, and coping skills. He emphasizes mindful drinking and aligning actions with personal values. The conversation covers managing alcohol consumption, the Hook Model for habit formation, and the role of technology in changing habits.


