

Journey to the Sunnyside
Sunnyside
Journey to the Sunnyside" is a top 2% podcast, reaching over 400,000 listeners every week. It’s your guide to exploring mindful living with alcohol—whether you're cutting back, moderating, or thinking about quitting.
While Sunnyside helps you reduce your drinking, this podcast goes further, diving into topics like mindful drinking, sober curiosity, moderation, and full sobriety. Through real stories, expert insights, and science-backed strategies, we help you find what actually works for your journey.
Hosted by Mike Hardenbrook, a #1 best-selling author and neuroscience enthusiast, the show is dedicated to helping people transform their relationship with alcohol—without shame, judgment, or rigid rules.
This podcast is brought to you by Sunnyside, the leading platform for mindful drinking. Want to take the next step in your journey? Head over to sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in our episodes do not necessarily represent those of Sunnyside. We’re committed to sharing diverse perspectives on health and wellness. If you’re concerned about your drinking, please consult a medical professional. Sunnyside, this podcast, and its guests are not necessarily medical providers and the content is not medical advice. We do not endorse drinking in any amount.
While Sunnyside helps you reduce your drinking, this podcast goes further, diving into topics like mindful drinking, sober curiosity, moderation, and full sobriety. Through real stories, expert insights, and science-backed strategies, we help you find what actually works for your journey.
Hosted by Mike Hardenbrook, a #1 best-selling author and neuroscience enthusiast, the show is dedicated to helping people transform their relationship with alcohol—without shame, judgment, or rigid rules.
This podcast is brought to you by Sunnyside, the leading platform for mindful drinking. Want to take the next step in your journey? Head over to sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in our episodes do not necessarily represent those of Sunnyside. We’re committed to sharing diverse perspectives on health and wellness. If you’re concerned about your drinking, please consult a medical professional. Sunnyside, this podcast, and its guests are not necessarily medical providers and the content is not medical advice. We do not endorse drinking in any amount.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 27, 2024 • 24min
Myth-Busting: Top 5 Myths about Alcohol Moderation w/ Mike Hardenbrook
Join expert Mike Hardenbrook as he debunks myths about alcohol moderation, such as needing willpower to cut back and the stigma around questioning drinking habits. Learn about socializing without alcohol and handling judgment from friends on your journey to a healthier relationship with alcohol.

Jun 20, 2024 • 39min
Can Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Help You Drink Less? w/ Dr. Sam Zand
Today, we're thrilled to have an esteemed guest with us, Dr. Sam Zand, a Johns Hopkins trained psychiatrist who teaches holistic psychiatry and psychedelic medicine at UNLV and several other universities. His innovative approach combines emerging neuroplastic therapies like Psychedelic Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with traditional therapeutic interventions and holistic modifications, all aimed at helping individuals become the best versions of themselves.In this episode, we dive into the future of psychiatry and discuss the effectiveness of ketamine-assisted therapy in treating PTSD, depression, trauma, and alcohol use.Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended as medical advice, and the views of the guests may not represent the views of Sunnyside. If you’re concerned about your health or alcohol use, please consider seeking advice from a doctor.Let's get started with our insightful conversation with Dr. Zand.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

Jun 13, 2024 • 33min
A Therapist's Approach to Mindful Drinking w/ Merrilee Burke
Today, we're thrilled to have Merrilee Burke, a distinguished therapist specializing in mindful drinking and moderation. Merrilee brings a wealth of experience from her practice, focusing on holistic and practical approaches to help individuals transform their relationship with alcohol. In this episode, we dive deep into her therapeutic techniques and explore how they can support your journey toward mindful drinking. Tune in as we uncover valuable insights and actionable strategies from Merrilee's expertise.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

Jun 6, 2024 • 26min
Sunnyside Customer Journey to Better Health w/ Corey Boehs
Today, Cory Boehs shares his success story using Sunnyside. His incredible health transformation and significant money savings are sure to inspire current Sunnyside users and those considering a more mindful approach to their drinking. Tune in to hear about his journey from drinking more than he wanted, to achieving remarkable health improvements and setting future goals for a healthier lifestyle.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 30, 2024 • 35min
Change for Growth, Not Because of Problems w/ Amanda Kuda
Today, we're joined by Amanda Kuda, author of 'Unbottled Potential,' a book dedicated to helping women transform their relationship with alcohol. In this episode, Amanda shares her journey into "elective sobriety", discusses the challenges she faced and breakthroughs she achieved, and offers key strategies from her book. We'll also explore her insights on mindful drinking, navigating social dynamics without alcohol, and how choosing sobriety can become a superpower. Tune in to learn how to transform your life and improve your relationship to alcohol. While Sunnyside generally focuses on alcohol moderation and mindfulness, on our podcast we want to explore a diverse set of views and perspectives. We support all paths when it comes to alcohol. Only you can decide if mindfulness, moderation, or sobriety is right for you.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 23, 2024 • 50min
The Mammal Brain Code to Happiness w/ Loretta Breuning
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Loretta Breuning as we dive into the intricacies of the mammal brain and its profound impact on our emotions and behaviors. Breuning unravels the roles of key neurotransmitters—dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin—in driving our actions and shaping our happiness. She challenges the popular narrative that happiness comes effortlessly and emphasizes the importance of understanding our biological foundations to build healthier habits and achieve true happiness. Explore the fascinating intersection of biology and politics in shaping our beliefs and gain practical advice for cultivating happy skills.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 16, 2024 • 1h 10min
From Mommy Wine Culture to Soberish Success w/ Katie Nessel
Today’s guest is Katie Nessel, known as SoberishMom. Katie shares her journey of navigating the mommy wine culture and finding a balanced, soberish lifestyle. She’ll discuss the pivotal moments that led her to reassess her relationship with alcohol, tips for starting a moderation journey, and why traveling soberish is her secret weapon to fun. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to change their drinking habits.Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 9, 2024 • 54min
A Sommelier's Wine Hacks & Mindful Drinking! w/ Matthew Kaner
In this episode, sommelier Matthew Kaner reveals how travel and mindful drinking elevate the wine experience. He reveals emerging trends like orange wine, emphasizes the value of context and personal connections, and shares his journey in the industry. Tune in to discover insider tips, wine travel stories, and his excitement for the industry's future!Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://sunnyside.co for a free 15-day trial.

May 2, 2024 • 1h 8min
Bright Days, Clear Nights, Better Sleep - w/James Swanwick
Former ESPN anchor James Swanwick shares insights on reducing alcohol consumption, benefits of blue light blocking glasses, and debunking myths about alcohol and sleep. Dive into strategies for socializing without alcohol, embracing sobriety, and optimizing sleep quality. Learn about Project 90, living alcohol-free, and the importance of intentional bedtime routines for better sleep. Explore the connection between alcohol and sleep patterns, and the significance of orange lens blue light blocking glasses for melatonin production.

Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 6min
Deep Dive into Mindful Drinking w/ Sunnyside Co-founder Ian Andersen
Co-founder Ian Andersen of Sunnyside discusses mindful drinking and personal alcohol journeys. They explore breaking generational patterns of alcohol dependency and navigating alcohol, anxiety, and mindful drinking. The podcast also touches on platform development, customer engagement, the weight of labels, sobriety options, and habit change strategies.