Journey to the Sunnyside | Mindful Drinking & Alcohol Health

Latest Episodes:

10 Cognitive Distortions That Tell You “You’re Not Getting Better” Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

You can stick to your plan most of the week, make better choices, feel more aware—and still wake up after one off night and think, “Nothing’s changing. I knew I’d end up right back here.” That moment has less to do with the drinking, and more to do with the thoughts that rush in after. In psychology, these are called cognitive distortions—mental habits that make a single slip feel like proof you don’t actually have control, or that your progress isn’t real. In today’s episode, we go through ten of the most common distortions that show up around drinking, including why your brain zooms in on the bad night and ignores the good ones, why feeling guilty doesn’t actually mean you’re off track, and why these thoughts tend to show up strongest right when real change is happening.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Visit https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial of the Sunnyside digital app.
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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

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ABOUT SUNNYSIDE: Sunnyside is the #1 alcohol moderation app that helps you drink less without any shame, guilt, or pressure to quit. Optimize your alcohol habits to achieve benefits like sleeping better, losing weight, feeling more energy, and saving money. We know that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t work for everyone, so we focus on helping you set your own goals, celebrate small wins, and build a lasting system of accountability. As a result, 96.7% of our members see a big drop in their drinking after 90 days.

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.

The Four Pillars of Letting Go Without Going All-or-Nothing w/ Jeanette Hu Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

When most people hear the word sobriety, they think labels, meetings, or giving something up. For Jeanette Hu, it meant something very different. She spent years drinking daily— and when she tried to change, she didn’t fully connect with the traditional path. So she became a psychotherapist and started studying belief, identity, and the emotional role alcohol plays in our lives. That led her to build what she calls the Four Pillar Sobriety System—not based on willpower or labels, but on understanding why alcohol has a hold in the first place. Let's get into it.

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The Emotional Levels Behind Why You Drink Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

We all drink for different reasons — stress, relief, habit, escape, connection — but underneath those behaviors is something deeper: the emotional level we’re operating from. Today, I’m using the framework from Power vs. Force by Dr. David Hawkins to break down why we drink from shame, anxiety, anger, desire, and pride… and why we feel worse afterward. Then we look at what happens when you rise into higher states like courage, neutrality, acceptance, and love — and how your relationship with alcohol shifts without forcing anything. This episode is about seeing your drinking through a new lens — not as a flaw, but as a reflection of your emotional altitude. Once you understand that, everything changes.

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Real Stories from Sunnyside Med - Using Medication to Quiet the Voice w/Ian Andersen Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Today we're continuing the conversation around Sunnyside Med - I’m joined again by co-founder Ian Andersen to talk about what’s new, his own personal experience taking medication, and what members are actually seeing in the real world. We get honest about what the typical experience looks like — the wins, the challenges, and even the side effects — so if you’ve ever thought about getting a little extra help to quiet that voice that says just one more, this is a conversation worth hearing.

Learn more about Sunnyside Med at https://www.joinsunnysidemed.com.

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The False Summit: When One Is Never Enough — Part 1 Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

I used to say, “I don’t want a beer — I want a six-pack.” It always got a laugh, but underneath that joke was something real: one never felt like enough. In this episode, I unpack why we keep chasing that next drink even after the good feeling has already arrived—and how learning to spot that moment can completely shift your relationship with alcohol.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Visit https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial of Sunnyside.
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Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

How One Mom Cut Her Drinking in Half with Sunnyside w/ Ada Avdic Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Today I’m talking with Ada Avdic — a full-time content creator, mom, and beauty expert who thought she didn’t really drink all that much. But once she started tracking with Sunnyside, she realized she was drinking more than she thought — and that small changes could make a big difference. In this episode, Ada shares how she cut her drinking in half, rethought corporate and “mommy-wine” culture, and found real balance — without giving up the glass completely.

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9 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays Without Losing Control Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

The holidays can test even the strongest intentions — parties, family, travel, and constant pressure to drink or “let loose.” In this 10-Minute Monday, Mike shares 9 ways to stay balanced, protect your peace, and actually enjoy the season. You’ll learn how to plan ahead, handle tough moments, and start the new year proud of how you showed up — clear, confident, and in control.

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How Parents Can Show Up When Alcohol Enters the Picture w/ Joanna Lilley Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Once you understand what drinking looks like through a young person’s eyes, the next question is… what can you actually do as a parent? These years can feel like walking a tightrope — you want to guide and protect them, but you also don’t want to push them away. In this episode, I talk with therapeutic consultant Joanna Lilly about how parents can build trust early, respond instead of react, and set real boundaries without closing the door on connection. She shares what she sees most often from families — the fears, the common missteps, and the small shifts that make a big difference. If you want to support your teen or young adult without losing that connection, this conversation will help you approach it with more calm and clarity.

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Why Teens Really Start Drinking w/ Joanna Lilley Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

For most young people, their first drink isn’t about getting drunk — it’s about feeling like they belong. When we see it through that lens, the whole conversation changes. In this episode, I talk with therapeutic consultant Joanna Lilly about what’s really driving early drinking — identity, belonging, and pressure to fit in. We talk about how experimentation can start early, what signs can signal something more serious, and why giving young people realistic options, like a simple 90-day pause, can open the door to change. If you’re a parent or someone who cares about a teen or young adult, this conversation will help you see the world through their eyes.

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Could a Daily Pill Help You Drink Less? Let's Chat About Naltrexone Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Today I’m sharing something that more people should know about… but most still don’t. It’s called naltrexone — a prescription medication that can actually help reduce how rewarding alcohol feels. That “buzz” or dopamine spike? This blunts it, making it easier to drink less without relying on willpower alone.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through:

What naltrexone does in your brain
Why it’s not about quitting, but changing your relationship with alcohol
And how it fits into our newest offering at Sunnyside — Sunnyside Med

This is the first time we’re offering medical support alongside behavior change. And while naltrexone isn’t a magic pill, when combined with planning, tracking, and coaching, it can be a powerful tool for making moderation easier and more sustainable.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t want to drink tonight”… and then poured one anyway, this might be worth exploring.

You can learn more at https://www.joinsunnysidemed.com. Sunnyside Med provides access to naltrexone via a compounded medication (Naltrexone 50mg + B6 5mg). As always, none of this is medical advice — just information to help you stay curious on your path.

Want to drink less with no pressure to quit? Go to https://ctbk.co/4doo5dq for a free 15-day trial.
--
Listen to Journey to the Sunnyside Podcast: https://bit.ly/4bxCqT3
Subscribe to Sunnyside’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3zuoID4

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE SUNNYSIDE BLOG:

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