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.
Episodes
203 episodes
103: No One Tells You This About Drinking Less in Midlife
Let’s dive into some little-discussed truths about changing your relationship with alcohol that nobody talks about. From disrupted sleep and mood swings in those first crucial weeks, to navigating shifting friendships and social dynamics, I'm n...
102: "No One Wanted to Work with Me" - Athletic Brewing's Bill Shufelt
Bill Shufelt, co-founder of Athletic Brewing, joins me to share the remarkable journey behind America's leading non-alcoholic beer brand.From his personal decision to stop drinking 13 years ago to building a business that's now outselli...
Welcome to the New Show!
Welcome to the Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife Podcast.I'm so glad you're here.We're about to go on a life-changing journey together.The destination: A life less intoxicated!
101: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Starting Your Dry Month Challenge
In this episode, I’m sharing 10 practical strategies for not just surviving but thriving during any alcohol-free challenge, whether it's Dry January, Sober October, or your own personal experiment. Drawing from years of trial and error ...
100: Episodes, 15 Questions, 1 major update
I’m flipping the script! To celebrate hitting an astonishing 100 episodes, today, I am testing my skills and interviewing myself.Plus, I share some exciting news about the evolution of the Low No Drinker Podcast!0:00 Cele...
#99. Between Teetotal and Tipsy: The Lost Art of Small Beer
James Grundy, co-founder of Small Beer, joins me to share the fascinating story behind reviving a brewing tradition that vanished over a century ago.After several years building a gin brand, James & partner, former Fuller's brewer F...
#98. Lyre’s: The Honest Truth
This week, I'm joined by Anita Osborne, the Sales and Marketing Manager for Lyre's Spirit Co. in the EU and UK. Anita takes us behind the scenes of one of the most successful global alcohol-free brands, sharing the highs and lows of building a ...
#97. Adults Only? Are Alcohol-Free Drinks Safe for Kids?
Today I’m diving into a question that comes up a lot — is it safe, and is it a good idea, to give alcohol-free drinks to kids?I’m talking specifically about drinks under 0.5% ABV (so not low, light or mid-strength alcohol). I co...
#96. Get That "One or Two Pint" Feeling with Impossibrew’s Social Blend
Mark Wong joins me to share the journey behind Impossibrew, the functional beer brand that went from Dragon's Den rejection to securing six and then seven-figure crowdfunding. I nosy my way into their proprietary "social blend" of plant...
#95. Alcohol-Free Wine vs AF Beer: It's Not a Fair Fight
This week, I'm diving into the thorny topic of alcohol-free wine and why we need to stop whining about it. Whilst I'm not claiming it's perfect yet, the constant negativity isn't helping anyone. I explore why alcohol-free wine f...
#94. Lifted: The UK's First High Protein, Alcohol-Free Lager
This week I'm chatting with Tony Robinson, co-founder of Lifted - the UK's first 0.0% high protein craft lager made for athletes. Tony and his wife, Rebecca, launched their unique offering to solve a problem they were both experien...
#93. Stop Asking If I Still Drink Alcohol!
I get asked constantly whether I still drink alcohol, as my answer will somehow validate my right to speak on the subject. Well, I'm getting fed up of answering that question, and here's why - it's completely missing the point! In this ...
#92. “Turning my mess into my message” - Laura Silverman, Zero Proof Nation
Laura Silverman is the founder of Zero Proof Nation, a global platform connecting low and no-drinks & drinkers worldwide. Nearly 18 years sober, Laura’s LinkedIn profile describes her as "the nexus of NA" – a title she's earned through her ...
#91. Be the Voice of Low No Nation
In this special announcement episode, I'm reaching out to you, my wonderful Low No Nation, as we approach a major milestone - episode 100 of the podcast! After nearly two years of bringing you conversations about the world of low, no an...
#90. How Lucky Saint Is Brewing Beer You Can Believe In (Even at Lunchtime)
This week, I’m joined by Lou Pollitt from Lucky Saint, the UK’s best-known alcohol-free beer.We talk about how the brand’s evolved since launching back in 2018, why they stuck so firmly to perfecting just one lager for so long, and how ...
#89. How I Got It All Wrong at a 5-Year-Old's Birthday Party
Today, I’m exploring how years of conditioning led me to make unfair assumptions about my hosts, who were actually on their own mindful drinking journey, at a recent kids’ birthday party. This experience prompted me to question the wider assump...
#88. Sober Sound System Ibiza: Changing Raving on the No.1 Party Island
He’s the Sober Sommelier who went from a disastrous weekend on to co-create Sober Sound System Ibiza, bringing his personal drink & drug story full circle after seven years.Join me and Alex Norwood Hill on his amazing journey of self...
#87. The Uncomfortable Truth: 4 Reasons Some Alcohol-Free Drinks Fall Flat
It’s time for some uncomfortable truths about alcohol-free drinks. This episode might make me a little unpopular in the industry, but that’s ok because it needs to be said: Not all alcohol-free drinks are good!After being asked this ver...
#86. 50/50: The Cocktail Box Company Bridging Alcohol-Free & Alcohol-Full
This week, I'm chatting with Jonny Hughes, one-half of the husband-wife duo behind Penthouse Cocktails – a unique at-home cocktail box service offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the same drinks. Johnny, who also writes for Lo...
#85. Move Over Gen Z: How Midlife Moderators are Changing the Drinking Game
This week, I'm busting the myth that Gen Z are the only ones changing their relationship with alcohol. Inspired by a 70-year-old Irish gentleman named Eamon who told me he recently decided to quit drinking, I explore how my generati...
#84. 5 Hours of Sober Clubbing Bliss with The House of Happiness
This week I'm thrilled to be joined by Neil Hudson-Basing, the “chaotic, queer and kind” co-founder of House of Happiness - London's sober clubbing extravaganza. Neil takes us behind the scenes of creating London's first queer-led sober rave, f...
#83. You Can Drink Your Own Way
In this candid solo episode, I tackle the gatekeeping creeping into the low/no space, particularly around big alcohol brands releasing alcohol-free options. After receiving pushback for sharing Heineken's expansion news, I'm setting the record ...
#82. “I Thought Alcohol-Free Beer Was Disgusting” How Jump Ship’s Founder Changed Her Own Mind
Sonja Mitchell is the founder of Jump Ship, the award-winning Scottish alcohol-free brewery making waves in the low/no space. From knowing absolutely nothing about brewing to winning 'Scottish Small Brewery of the Year', Sonja shares her remark...
#81. Powerful Mindset Shifts That Will Transform Your Experience with Low/No Drinks – Pt2
Subscribe to Low No Drinker Magazine free trialCome with me on part 2 of our mindset shifts discovery.You can find part 1 at ep#79 T...
#80. 12 Years in the Making: From Seedlip to Seasn to Sylva to Shandy with Ben Branson
This week, I’m bringing you none other than Mr Ben Branson! The man who turned the drinks world upside down with Seedlip joins me to share the story behind his newest venture, Sylva, with a quick stop off at his innovative bitters range, Seasn....