Journey to the Sunnyside | Mindful Drinking & Alcohol Health

Latest Episodes:

The Five Pillars That Help You Drink Less w/ Erica Mallery Sep 25, 2025

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We’re back with Erica Mallery, founder of Shameover and a coach who helps women transform their relationship with alcohol. In this second part of our conversation, Erica shares her five pillars for lasting change. You’ll learn how each step builds awareness, rewires habits, and helps you gain confidence in your choices. Erica also explains why harm reduction is more sustainable than all-or-nothing thinking, and how defining moderation for yourself can be the most freeing step of all.

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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 Subtle Signs It’s Time to Reevaluate Drinking w/ Erica Mallery Sep 24, 2025

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Today’s guest is Erica Mallery, founder of Shameover and a coach who helps women transform their relationship with alcohol. In this first part of our conversation, Erica shares the subtle signs that told her it was time to make a change — including the unforgettable moment when her toddler handed her a wine glass. You’ll learn why waiting for rock bottom can actually hold you back, how small habits like her gem-jar method can build momentum, and the role support systems play in making lasting change. And be sure to catch part two, where Erica walks us through her five pillars for lasting change.

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4 Hidden Costs of Drinking Beyond the Hangover Sep 22, 2025

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Most of us only think about drinking in terms of the night itself or the morning-after regret. But alcohol carries costs that sneak into the spaces between—affecting your patience, your relationships, your creativity, and even your sense of connection. In this episode, I unpack four overlooked ways alcohol leaves its mark long after the glass is empty.

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What Is Somatic EMDR? How Trauma Gets Trapped in the Body w/ Sonal Kalra Sep 18, 2025

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In Part 2, I’m joined again by Sonal Kalra, founder of Connect Meditation and a trauma-informed mindfulness teacher who blends Eastern wisdom with modern neuroscience. She breaks down the basics of somatic healing and EMDR, explaining how trauma and stress live in the body—not just the mind. We talk about how the nervous system can stay stuck in survival mode, how somatic practices help restore a sense of safety, and why healing often starts with small, body-based tools. If you’ve ever felt reactive or overwhelmed without knowing why, this episode will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and how to begin shift

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Mindfulness for People Who Don’t Meditate w/ Sonal Kalra Sep 17, 2025

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Hey, it’s Mike. Today I’m joined by Sonal Kalra—founder of Connect Meditation and a teacher who blends Eastern wisdom with modern science. She grew up with meditation as part of everyday life in India, but it wasn’t until the stress of business school and corporate HR that she realized how powerful it really was. Now she teaches trauma-sensitive mindfulness to schools, companies, and communities—and what I love is how accessible she makes it. You don’t have to be spiritual or in crisis to get value from this. In this episode, you’ll learn how mindfulness can actually fit into your life—even if you’ve never meditated—and why slowing down might be the upgrade your nervous system’s been waiting for.

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Why 3 p.m. Makes Drinking Harder (And How to Fix It) Sep 15, 2025

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Ever notice how cravings seem to sneak up in the late afternoon—right around 3 p.m.? That’s not just you, and it’s not random. It’s your body clock, blood sugar, and hydration all working against you at the same time. In this 10-Minute Monday, Mike breaks down the science behind the afternoon slump, why it makes alcohol more tempting, and the four simple moves that can stop it from hijacking your evening. Practical, science-backed, and easy enough to put into play today.

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How High Performers Can Fuel Energy Without Burning Out w/ Rob Tracz Sep 11, 2025

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In Part 2 of my chat with performance coach Rob Tracz, we go from personal story to practical tools. Rob walks us through his JEEP Framework—how to fuel your body, clean up your inputs, and create an environment that actually supports your goals. We get into energy, resilience, alcohol, and why trying to “power through” usually backfires. If you’re done with the all-or-nothing approach and want to feel better while still performing at a high level—this one’s for you.

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The Wake Up Call That Changed Everything for Rob Tracz Sep 10, 2025

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Rob Tracz is a performance coach to founders, athletes, and high achievers—but he wasn’t always living in alignment. At one point, he was doing 17 client sessions a day, 7 days a week, using alcohol just to shut his brain off. His health was slipping, relationships crumbling, and the hustle culture he thought was helping… was actually hiding what really needed to change. In this episode, Rob opens up about his breaking point, his experience using Sunnyside to bring awareness to his drinking, and the personal story that led him to redefine what success actually looks like. If you’ve been stuck in go-mode, this one will hit.

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The Strong Myth, Men, and Alcohol Sep 09, 2025

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Many men are taught that strength means staying quiet and handling stress alone. But silence often pushes stress toward drinking and distance at home. In this episode, Mike shares his personal story, explains what the research shows about how men and women cope differently, and offers practical ways couples can support each other without judgment—building healthier habits and stronger connections along the way.

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Cortisol, Sleep, and Drinking Smarter in Midlife w/ Dr. Christine Boev Sep 04, 2025

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Alright, we’re back with doctor Christine Boev—former ICU nurse and the founder of Master Menopause. If you haven’t heard Part One, we broke down what actually shifts after 35—hormones, workouts, body comp—and how to support yourself or your partner through it. In this second half, we start with Christine’s mic-drop moment: ‘alcohol is fertilizer for cortisol.’ We unpack what that means for stress, sleep, recovery, and why even one or two drinks hit harder as we age. You’ll get real tools if you’re not going fully alcohol-free—like what to choose, how to hydrate, how long it actually takes to bounce back, and what swaps are actually worth it. Let’s get into it.

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