Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: Low No Drinker Podcast
Welcome to the essential podcast for anyone in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond who's ready to drink differently. While Gen Z gets all the headlines for being sober curious, let’s not forget that the real moderation revolution is happening in midlife – and this is your space to explore it without judgment, pressure, or expectation.
Join me to discover the people, places and brands making it easier than ever to live a life less intoxicated, whether that's for tonight, this week, or forever.
I get it – as a midlife moderator, you're not looking to reinvent yourself completely. You want drinks that taste like the ones you already love, new and exciting options with something special to offer, experiences that enhance rather than shorten your evenings, and practical advice that fits your busy, demanding life.
I’m Denise Hamilton-Mace, founder and editor of Low No Drinker Magazine – the leading global publication for mindful and sober curious drinkers and a professional public speaker on all things low, no and light.
My goal with this podcast is to help you feel more confident and more comfortable in your choice to explore a life less intoxicated, and to help you find, understand and enjoy the drinks that make it possible.
If you are, or aspire to be the type of savvy moderator who recognises that drinking less is not a binary decision for you, who knows that coasting with mid-strength drinks, alternating through zebra-striping or bookending the start and end of your night with something non-alcoholic are all viable options then this show is for you.
And you’ll leave each episode feeling motivated and supported to keep energy for the things that matter most: family, health, career, and living life on your own terms.
Each week on the Low No Drinker Podcast, you’ll get to either:
Meet the Makers: Join me in intimate conversations with the experts, founders, brewers, distillers, and visionaries who are creating premium alcohol-free drinks that don't compromise on taste. Discover their personal journeys, what drives their innovation, and why their products are perfect for the discerning midlife palate.
Mindful Moderation Solo episodes: Practical deep-dives into the questions that matter to sophisticated drinkers who want to moderate smartly, with topics like:
- Why do premium alcohol-free drinks cost the same as full-strength versions when there's no alcohol and no tax?
- How can I find an alcohol-free red wine that actually tastes like the Malbec I love?
- What's the real difference between no, low and light alcohol options?
- How do I navigate social situations when I'm the only one moderating?
- What are the best functional drinks for midlife energy and wellness?
This isn't about going completely dry or following someone else's rules. It's about making mindful choices, exploring sophisticated alternatives, and practising practical moderation that suits your lifestyle. Whether you're a Gen X professional looking to improve your health, a busy parent wanting more energy, or someone who simply wants to enjoy better mornings while still celebrating life's special moments, this podcast helps you drink your own way.
Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: Low No Drinker Podcast is perfect for mindful drinkers, sober curious adults, midlife moderators, health-conscious professionals, premium alcohol-free enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the low, no and light or mid-strength alcohol lifestyle.
Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife: Low No Drinker Podcast
Advent 20: Surviving the Chaos of Family Without Drinking Christmas Away
GET READY FOR YOUR BEST (ADULT) CHRISTMAS YET & GET YOUR FREE MINDFUL DRINKING ADVENT CALENDAR AT http://mindfuldrinkingadvent.com/
On Day Twenty of the Mindful Drinking Advent Series, we talk about family pressure — the noise, the mess, the emotional labour, and the temptation to use alcohol just to take the edge off.
This episode is a reminder that presence matters more than perfection. You’ll explore how letting go of impossible standards, taking micro-escapes, and choosing to join in rather than control the chaos can transform the next few days.
Be kind to yourself. This season doesn’t need you flawless — it needs you there.
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🌱 Reset the way alcohol shows up in your life with the 4 Week Midlife Mindful Drinking Reset
https://www.lownodrinker.com/4weekreset
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🧮 Drinking Impact Calculator: What you get vs. what it costs
https://mindfuldrinkinginmidlife.com/products/drinking-impact-calculator
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🗣️ Join the growing community on Substack
https://lownodrinker.substack.com/
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🧐 Take the quiz and find out what's REALLY driving your midlife drinking habits
https://www.lownodrinker.com/
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💰 Get 10% off drinks at Wise Bartender with code LOWNODRINKERMAGAZINE
https://wisebartender.co.uk/lownodrinkermagazine *
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*Some links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.
Welcome to the Mindful Drinking Advent Day 20. The countdown to Christmas has begun. There are only five days left till the big day itself. The kids have finished school. The in-laws are coming around for a visit or to stay. Don't worry, it won't last forever. And everything now is fully family focused when it comes to getting yourself through the next few days on up to the big day and beyond. And it's a lot of pressure. And you might be thinking, oh my god, I've got to deal with all of these people in my house all of the time. I have to tidy up after them, I have to entertain them, I have to feed them and water them and provide for them. There's so much to do. And if you are the primary caregiver in your home, it can feel like a relentless, never-ending onslaught of picking up after everybody else, but with added tinsel. And in times like that, it can be very easy to slip back into old habits and just think, oh, if I just had this drink, then it would take the edge off. And look, if you choose that you want to consume alcohol, then by all means go ahead. If you are having alcohol as a stress reliever, um, out of habit, or because you think it will make things better, then that is when I want you to take a moment and think about today's theme, which is uh as cheesy as it sounds, the gift of presence. That's with a C, not a T. Because what your family really needs is for you to be present, is for you to be with them, is for you to enjoy this festive season. And yes, I know, I know it's really difficult when the house is in an absolute mess, when the shopping hasn't been put away or even hasn't been done properly, when you've still got to run around and get gifts for Aunt Sally and Uncle Bob. You know, there's still so much to do. But if there's one bit of advice that I could give you that I think really would make the difference is to give yourself a break. It really doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if your kids have got the best gift, it doesn't matter if you spent the most money on your your your present for your other half, it doesn't matter if your mother-in-law really appreciates uh the effort that you've gone to to make the dinner. None of it matters. All that matters is that you are there, you are present, you are participating, you are joining in and you are enjoying yourself because when you do that, everybody else will fall in line as well. If they see you relaxing and having a good time, then your kids will relax and have a good time and be uh less demanding. Your other half will know that this is a time that you can just be together as a family. The in-laws will realize that they can just get up and go make their own cup of tea by themselves. So be kind to yourself. Give yourself a break. Don't try to be the perfect parent, the perfect spouse, the perfect host. This season, when the kids are being chaotic, instead of fighting a losing battle to calm children of any age at Christmas, join in with them. Why not? If they're jumping around and dancing to jingle bells or whatever crazy song is on the latest Christmas movie, then then join in and have a have a boogie with them. When the in-laws are pushing your button, just remember that in hopefully a few just a few days, they'll be gone. As the saying goes, this too shall pass. And give yourself, if you do need a bit of time out, then give yourself some micro escapes. My favorite is simply to go for a walk. A walk around the block does you wonders. If you have a park nearby, even better, go and get some fresh air in nature. Um, but you know, little things that you could do. Take the bins out and and and have two minutes outside to yourself, whatever it is. Uh, phone a friend who is also dealing with uh the family onslaught, have a little uh moan together and stand in solidarity of the fact that you are not gonna let this season go the same way as all the others. You are going to enjoy yourself and you're going to have a good time because damn it, you deserve it too. Now, today's drinks in your mindful email are a selection of fun, easy drinking, fruit forward um beers and ciders that can just add a little bit of levity and joy to your drinking experience. So do go and check those out. And I will see you tomorrow for day 21. And until then, you know how it goes. Cheers to a Christmas less intoxicated.
