All Episodes
You Don’t Have to Quit, You Just Have to Notice
You don’t have to quit — you just have to notice.January isn’t about drastic changes or all-or-nothing decisions. It’s about quiet awareness. With the noise of the hol...
Designing A Year Without Alcohol
What if alcohol isn’t the main character this year?For years, alcohol has played a starring role in how we celebrate, unwind, and cope. But as priorities shift, many p...
The Trade-Off Nobody Talks About
What if feeling better mattered more than drinking?Most people don’t drink because they love alcohol — they drink because they’re chasing a feeling. Calm. Relief. Bett...
Drinking Smarter, Not Smaller
What if this year isn’t about drinking less… but drinking smarter?Most people don’t want to quit drinking — they just want to feel better afterward. Better sleep. Clea...
When the Party’s Over — Why Are You Still Pouring?
Is drinking still the same when there’s nothing to celebrate?We tend to think of alcohol as something reserved for parties, milestones, and special occasions. But what...
The Silence After the Holidays
Now that the holidays are over, what actually changed?In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores the quiet shift that happens after the season ends — when routines ret...
January 1 and Your Relationship With Alcohol
Why does January 1 make you question your relationship with alcohol — even if nothing “bad” happened?In this New Year’s Day episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores why the ...
The Spirit Behind the Spirit
Why do we call it “holiday spirit” — and why is alcohol always part of the picture?In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores how alcohol became emotionally linked to ...
It’s Christmas! Why Does Today Feel Different?
In this Christmas Day episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the psychology and biology behind why today hits differently — from nostalgia and rituals to stress release...
Does Christmas Nostalgia Make Alcohol Hit Harder?
Why does alcohol feel stronger during the holidays — even when you drink the same amount? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook uncovers how nostalgia, stress, cold weathe...
What Are You Really Trying to Feel This Holiday?
The holidays come with lights, music, traditions — and for a lot of people, an automatic reach for a drink. But what if that festive pour isn’t about celebration at al...
When “Festive” Turns Into “Too Much”
Why do holiday parties always push you past the limits you swear you set for yourself? You show up thinking you’ll have one drink… and suddenly you’re three deep, hold...
Why Does December Make Every Drink Feel ‘earned’?
Why does December make every drink feel “earned”?In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the psychology behind holiday drinking — why stress, nostalgia, expectat...
When Celebration Becomes a Coping Mechanism
Is your holiday toast actually… stress in disguise?In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks why so many people reach for “just one drink” during the holidays — not to...
When One Drink Starts Feeling Like Three
Ever notice how one drink suddenly feels like three? You’re not imagining it, your body’s just changed the rules.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down why your...
Why Your Brain Confuses Rest with Relief
Ever pour yourself a “relaxing” drink at night — only to wake up groggy, anxious, or staring at the ceiling at 3 AM? You’re not alone.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook...
The Thanksgiving Pairing We Never Questioned
Why does turkey dinner almost always come with wine — and why do we never question it?In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the psychology, tradition, and subt...
Will You Regret This Season’s First Drink?
That first drink of the season always feels innocent — a small toast to the holidays, a well-earned break. But is it really just “one drink”?In this episode, Mike Hard...