Mindful Drinking and Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms
**A Spotify 'Rising Star' show** Practical moderation for the way you want to live.
Why can't I drink like I used to? How do I drink less without quitting completely? Should I go for low, no or light alcohol drinks? Why do alcohol-free drinks cost so much?
If you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond and asking these questions, this is your podcast.
Welcome to the essential show for midlife adults who want to drink less, on their own terms—without the pressure to quit completely, follow rigid rules, or label themselves as sober.
I'm Denise Hamilton-Mace, your mindful drinking mentor, writer and public speaker on all things low, no and light. Each week, I help stressed parents and busy midlife adults navigate their relationship with alcohol through practical approaches grounded in real-world experience and behaviour change strategy, not willpower or wellness culture
What you'll get:
Mindful Moderation Solo Episodes – Deep-dives answering the questions that matter to sophisticated drinkers who want to moderate smartly:
- How do I cut back when my partner still drinks at home?
- What really works: willpower vs. strategy?
- Why do premium alcohol-free drinks cost the same as full-strength versions?
- How do I navigate social situations when I'm the only one moderating?
This podcast is for you if:
- You're looking for practical advice that fits your demanding life, not another wellness overhaul
- You recognise that coasting with mid-strength drinks, zebra-striping, or bookending your evening with something non-alcoholic are all valid strategies
- You want better mornings without giving up celebrating life's special moments
This isn't about going completely dry or reinventing yourself. It's about keeping energy for what matters most: family, health, career, and living life on your own terms.
Join the moderation revolution happening in midlife – because while Gen Z gets the headlines, you're the one actually doing it.
Mindful Drinking and Moderation in Midlife: How to Drink Less, On Your Terms
#51. Taking a Christmas Break
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
I'm breaking all the rules and taking a tiny break over Christmas/New Year, and I hope you are, too!
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🎄 Join the daily advent for free to have your best Christmas & New Year yet! https://lownodrinker.com/christmaspod/ 🤶🏾
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✅ Get the Beginner's Guide to Mindful Drinking - https://lownodrinker.com/mindful-drinking-beginners-guide/
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❓ Take the Midlife Drinking Triggers Quiz - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68dd33385bb4a20015996a13
Hi hi , lono Nation , how goes it ? Okay , I am about to commit podcasting sin and I hope you can forgive me . You see , the gurus of online marketing and podcasting who live in my pocket tell me that I must , must , must , on pain of death , release an episode every single week , without fail . But that's not gonna happen . Why isn't it gonna happen ? It's because it's Christmas , guys . So , first and foremost , if you are that way inclined , then Merry bloody Christmas to you .
Speaker 1It takes me a really long time to put these episodes together . I absolutely love this podcast and I'm so excited that last week I managed to release my 50th episode . If you can believe it , you may know that I initially started this podcast well over a year ago , released about three or four , maybe five episodes , and then promptly stopped because it was hard and I had no idea what I was doing . I still don't really know what I'm doing , but I took some time out to really decide if it's something I wanted to commit to , and obviously I'm pleased to say that , 50 episodes in , I made that commitment and I am still going with it . But to get an episode of the podcast out , not only does it take me an hour or so of recording with my guests , whoever they may be , and thank you to each and every one of you who's been on the show so far . It then takes me about a day to a day and a half to do all the editing , all the post-production , to get it downloaded from my editor , to get it uploaded to all the platforms , to get all the marketing done and get it out so that you can enjoy it . It's a huge , huge job , and , whilst it is one that I enjoy , it takes a lot of time , and , as it's Christmas , I've decided that I would like to spend that time and dedicate it to my family . My husband and my kids have been absolutely amazing at supporting me and giving up their time so that I can produce Low no Nation for you , whether that's the magazine , the podcast or anything else , and so now is a bit of time for me to give back to them , and I'm sure because everyone in Lono Nation are such awesome peoples that you understand why I've made that choice .
Speaker 1So , if you are here to listen to an interview , there are so many great episodes in the back catalogue that I definitely recommend you go and check out , not least of all the episode which I released last week , which was with Dan Harwood , who is the UK manager for Iceberg Wines , who are a ubiquitous , easy for you to say alcohol-free wine brand , so they're definitely worth going to check out Prior to that . There are some fantastic interviews with everyone from Smiling Wolf , functional Spirits to Crossip to Everleaf . I've spoken to the twins behind Double Dutch . There are just so many , so many amazing spirits , beers , wines , cocktail brands that I've spoken to . So please do go and have a search through the back catalogue . So please do go and have a search through the back catalogue .
Speaker 1So the rest of you , I want to say Merry , merry Christmas and I hope that , whatever it is that you're doing , whoever you're doing it with , and however you celebrate whether that is a traditional , you know , sort of winter wonderland style Christmas affair or it's something that looks entirely different whether you're travelling , whether you are on your own , whether you are working , like the millions of people that keep this country going , when everyone else is taking a break , like I used to myself , working in hospitality and having to go in on Christmas and New Year's and all those days when people think it's nice and relaxing for them and it's just extra hard work for you To our nurses and doctors , who are making sure that we stay healthy , wealthy and wise . To the people who are cleaning the streets and making sure that we don't come back to an absolute tip . To those who are working in our shops and making sure that we can all run out and get those last minute gifts and bits of food and drink that we have forgotten . Thank you very much , and I hope you all enjoy your Christmas and your new year period . I myself am about to jump into a lovely day with the kids and then this evening my husband and I will be continuing our Christmas tradition , which is that we watch every single movie in the Die Hard franchise , because , yes , die Hard is a Christmas movie and I will fight anyone who says it's not .
Speaker 1But whatever your traditions are , whatever you're doing , thank you so much for having been with me this year on the journey of Lono Drinker , bringing you the people , places and brands leading the Lono and light alcohol revolution .
Speaker 1This platform is all about helping and supporting you to live a life less intoxicated , on your own terms . So whatever that looks like for you this Christmas , whether you're going alcohol free and you're going to be completely teetotal , whether you're just cutting back and you're only drinking certain drinks , whether you're only having it on a few days , on a few days off , whatever it is , know that each choice that you are making is a choice to better your life and you're doing it for the right reasons , and that you will have a fabulous time , no matter what you do . I cannot wait to see you in 2025 . I have got so many exciting plans and ideas . Yes , I do suffer from shiny object syndrome , but I'm trying to manage it all so that I can make sure that I bring you the best of everything low , no and light . So until next time , thank you so much for being with me and have a fabulous , fabulous Christmas and a wonderful , wonderful new year . I'll catch you next time .
