Alcohol Minimalist: Change Your Drinking Habits!

• Changing the Narrative: Mindful Drinking, Sunnyside Med & The Evolution of Alcohol Health with Ian Andersen

  This week, Molly welcomes back Ian Andersen, co-founder of Sunnyside, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on the evolving landscape of alcohol health and behavior change. Ian shares the backstory of Sunnyside’s growth from its origins during the pandemic to the recent launch of Sunnyside Med, a new initiative designed to support individuals seeking more structure and support in reducing their alcohol consumption.If you're feeling challenged during “More Sober October,” or you’ve ever felt like you're behind the curve while the media insists everyone is drinking less, this episode offers reassurance, insight, and practical next steps.What You’ll Learn:Why Sunnyside was founded and how its inclusive, non-prescriptive model fills a critical gap in alcohol supportWhat Sunnyside Med is and who it's designed to helpThe disconnect between public alcohol trends and personal strugglesHow the cultural narrative around moderation is evolvingWhy sustainable change requires systems, not shameThe psychological barriers that often prevent progress and how to overcome themQuotable Moments“We don’t want to be the food scale or calorie counter of alcohol. We want to be a guide, not a judge.” – Ian Andersen“Just because the news says people are drinking less, doesn’t mean you feel less stuck.” – Molly WattsResources and LinksLearn more about Sunnyside: www.sunnyside.coGet details on Sunnyside Med: https://www.joinsunnysidemed.com/Visit Molly’s site for courses and coaching: www.mollywatts.comLow risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:Healthy men under 65:No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.Abstinence from alcoholAbstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.Benefits of “low-risk” drinkingFollowing these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work. ★ Support this podcast ★

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• Think Thursday: Why Defensive Pessimism is Smarter Than You Think

  This week on Think Thursday, we’re exploring an idea that turns conventional wisdom on its head: defensive pessimism. While it may sound like a negative mindset, it’s actually a powerful, evidence-based cognitive strategy that helps anxious or overthinking brains perform better, reduce stress, and follow through on goals more effectively.Defensive pessimism isn't about catastrophizing or giving up. It's about anticipating obstacles and using those thoughts to prepare instead of panic. In this episode, you'll learn how this approach taps into the brain’s natural tendency to predict outcomes, and how making one critical shift — understanding the difference between prediction and probability — can dramatically improve your results.We’ll talk about:What defensive pessimism is and why it worksThe neuroscience of prediction and how it affects your behaviorWhy your brain’s “what ifs” might be trying to help youA simple three-step process to start using this strategy todayWhether you're trying to build a new habit, overcome self-doubt, or just want to feel more in control of your daily life, this mindset can help you stop overthinking and start planning with confidence.Want more support? Join the Alcohol Minimalist Facebook group or email Molly directly at [email protected]. We’d love to hear how you’re using defensive pessimism to create change. ★ Support this podcast ★

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• Understanding Your Two Drinking Selves

  In this week’s episode, Molly dives deeper into the More Sober October theme: Who are you without the drink? If you've ever felt like you're at war with yourself when it comes to drinking decisions, you're not imagining it. Molly unpacks the neuroscience behind this inner conflict and introduces listeners to the concept of our two selves—the automatic self and the intentional self.Referencing Daniel Kahneman’s book Thinking, Fast and Slow, Molly breaks down how System 1 (your fast, emotional, habitual brain) and System 2 (your slow, rational, goal-focused brain) influence your drinking choices. This science-backed framework explains why your default drinking habits feel so hard to break and why it’s absolutely possible to rewire your brain to make intentional, value-aligned decisions.Whether you’re navigating more alcohol-free days this October or simply trying to understand why it’s so hard to say no sometimes, this episode offers practical insight and compassionate encouragement.Key Topics CoveredWhy identity and habit formation go hand-in-hand with your drinking storyThe difference between your default (automatic) self and your intentional selfHow Kahneman’s System 1 and System 2 thinking applies to alcohol habitsWhy the brain resists effortful thinking and defaults to the familiarHow to start training your intentional self to become your new defaultResources MentionedBook: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanJoin More Sober October with Molly: More Sober October InfoLow risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:Healthy men under 65:No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.Abstinence from alcoholAbstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.Benefits of “low-risk” drinkingFollowing these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work. ★ Support this podcast ★

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• Think Thursday: Brain Time-Why The Mind Doesn't Experience Minutes The Way the Clock Does

  In this Think Thursday episode, Molly explores why the brain doesn’t experience minutes the way the clock does. Our perception of time is not fixed—it stretches and compresses depending on novelty, memory, attention, and emotion. That’s why childhood summers feel endless while adulthood years can seem to vanish.Molly unpacks the psychology and neuroscience of time perception, including how prospective and retrospective time work, why novelty sharpens attention and stretches moments, and how emotions like fear, boredom, and joy distort our sense of time. She also shares fascinating phenomena like the “stopped clock illusion” and highlights how mindfulness can expand our sense of presence and create richer memories, making life feel fuller and more meaningful.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The difference between prospective time and retrospective timeWhy childhood feels longer than adulthoodHow novelty, memory, and dopamine influence time perceptionHow emotions like stress, boredom, and joy distort our experience of timeWhy mindfulness slows down prospective time and lengthens retrospective memorySimple practices to stretch brain time and savor everyday momentsKey Quote:“Clock time is rigid—sixty minutes is always sixty minutes. But brain time is elastic. Two people can live the same number of years yet experience them very differently depending on how much novelty, presence, and emotion they build into their days.”References and Resources:Eagleman, D. (2009). Brain Time: The Temporal Dimension of ExperienceWittmann, M. (2016). Felt Time: The Psychology of How We Perceive TimeConsciousness and Cognition (2019): Mindfulness meditation and time perceptionPrevious Think Thursday episodes: The Power of Reminiscing, The Science of Awe ★ Support this podcast ★

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• When Drinking is a Part of Your Personality

  In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, Molly explores how deeply alcohol can become tied to our identity. Phrases like “wine mom,” “party girl,” or “craft beer enthusiast” may sound harmless, but they often reinforce the idea that drinking is part of who we are rather than something we do. Molly explains how self-schemas shape our beliefs, why identity disruption can feel unsettling when you change your drinking, and how to navigate the friction that comes with rewriting your personal story.You will learn about the psychology behind identity labels, the concept of status quo bias, and four evidence-based tools to help you separate fact from story, soothe the discomfort of change, and begin building a future identity that reflects your values.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why cultural labels around drinking can feel like part of your personalityHow self-schemas and alcohol expectancies reinforce drinking habitsWhy change can feel like loss and how to view it as growthThe role of status quo bias in resisting identity changeFour practical strategies to shift your identity and reclaim who you are without alcoholResources Mentioned:Studies on alcohol-related self-concept in Addictive Behaviors and the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs2015 article on identity disruption in the Journal of Substance Use and MisuseSunnyside app (recommended tool for tracking and building new drinking habits)Want to sign up for More Sober October?  Click here.Low risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:Healthy men under 65:No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.Abstinence from alcoholAbstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.Benefits of “low-risk” drinkingFollowing these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work. ★ Support this podcast ★

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