All Episodes
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, expect...
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 t...
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 you...
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 Hardenbroo...
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 su...
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 Har...
The “Pre-Holiday Pour”: Why We Start Early
The holidays haven’t even started — but your wine glass already has. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the pre-holiday pour: why so many people start drinking ...
The Rise of the “Low-Key” Buzz
Low-alcohol drinks are everywhere — from canned spritzers to “mindful” cocktails — but when did less become the new cool? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down...
Gen Z’s Quiet Rebellion Against Booze
Gen Z and millennials are rewriting the rules — and alcohol is no longer the main character. In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores why younger generations are dr...
When Your Body Notices Before You Do
What really happens when your drinking habits shift — whether you’re cutting back, drinking more, or trying to find a middle ground? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook ...
The Hidden Ways Alcohol Weakens Your Immune System
Ever notice you get sick more often after a night out? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down how alcohol quietly weakens your immune system — even if you’re n...
The Myth of “Safe” Drinking — What Science Says Now
Is a little really harmless? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the newest research challenging the idea of “safe” or “moderate” drinking — and what mild a...
The Tiny Habits That Quietly Add Up
Ever feel like your drinking habits are “fine” — because they’re small? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the psychology and science of micro-habits around alc...
That “One More” You Keep Justifying
Ever wonder what that “one more drink” really costs? In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook breaks down the science and psychology behind the most common phrase in drinking...