U.S. of N/A: Non-Alcoholic and Mindful Drinking

Seven Questions About The Federal Hemp Ban

When signed into law on November 12th, 2025, a bill ironically known as the "Government Shutdown Prevention Act," included language that would all but shut down the multi-billion dollar hemp industry, of which beverages are a major piece. In this bonus episode we dive into seven questions that define what's next for an industry picking itself off the mat, and how consumers might respond. Questions we address include: 1) How will the hemp industry, accustomed to playing defense against state legislative banning efforts, shift their focus to going on offense?  2) With November, 2026 as the timetable for the new restrictions, will that allow enough time to lobby the federal government to change course?  3) Will a large number of consumers pursue a medical cannabis card to continue access to products they have become used to buying in traditional retail stores?  4) How might this impact efforts to re-schedule cannabis from a Schedule I controlled substance?  5) Will hemp beverage brands turn to other functional ingredients to try and fill the void? Ashwagandha, l-theanine, Lion's Mane and other nootropics have been promoted for their functional benefits, which aren't nearly as obvious as THC. 6) Are unhappy consumers likely to turn their focus toward legalizing recreational cannabis in more states? 7) How might this impact the overall non-alcoholic beverage space? Want to comment on our LinkedIn discussion [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7394724088721858562/?actorCompanyId=99083178]?  Also mentioned in this episode: Free Spirits Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-d07gQL1YU] (interview with HBA's Chris Lackner) Gary Long, Botanical Sciences [https://www.usofna.com/2305451/episodes/17815345-the-mainstreaming-of-cannabis-wellness-culture] (past U.S. of N/A episode) We'd love your feedback! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2305451/open_sms]

Has Mindful Drinking Finally Become Aspirational?

We know mindful drinking supports wellness and healthier choices. But has it also finally become something the cool kids are into? That was the question we posed to Sam Bail, Founder of Third Place Bar, who has been running pop-up events in New York City for three years. What's been different lately in her business? Getting calls from brands in fashion and beauty, wanting to feature non-alcoholic drinks at various industry and launch events. It's part of a broader trend of NA continuing to show up in places beyond the dusty cabinet where bars and restaurants used to keep the O'Doul's. Mentioned in this episode: Third Place Bar [https://www.thirdplacebar.nyc/] Anti Hangover Drinking Club [https://thirdplacebarnyc.substack.com/] (Sam's Substack) Where To Drink When You're Not Drinking? [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRKUxehEiRH/?igsh=MW8zMmxscDJtNjc3cg==] (IG video series) We'd love your feedback! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2305451/open_sms]

The State of Non-Alc, Featuring the Modern Substitute

A lot can happen in eighteen months, and we re-visited our season one conversation with The Modern Substitute's Myles Faulkner to discuss the state of the non-alcoholic category. In a follow-up to that original interview we talk about the rise of hemp-infused beverages, a continuing stream of celebrity-backed brands, and a mid-strength category that probably isn't getting enough attention yet. We also talk about some of Myles' faves, what he'd like to see from a hospitality perspective at the bar and restaurant level, and we end with a little global football talk less than a year away from the World Cup coming to North America. Mentioned in this episode:  The Modern Substitute [https://www.themodernsubstitute.com/] (home page) Asahi 0.0 [https://www.themodernsubstitute.com/p/super-dry-is-super-fly] 10 Barrel NA Apocalypse IPA [https://www.themodernsubstitute.com/p/drinking-in-a-cascade-apocalypse] Almave Blanco and Ambar [https://www.themodernsubstitute.com/p/driving-the-blue-agave] Tweedle [https://www.themodernsubstitute.com/p/tweedle-botanicals-hemp-spirit-rising] Lucky Frog Repose [https://www.themodernsubstitute.com/p/listen-to-the-women] We'd love your feedback! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2305451/open_sms]

Cannabis For Grownups: Why Boomers Are An Ideal THC Market

Repeat entrepreneurs who have just entered their seventies, Pharos Brands [https://pharosbrands.com/]' co-founders Mary Eggers Bernuth and Rhyno Stinchfield are no rookies to starting something new. They're equally unabashed in their enthusiasm for introducing fellow baby boomers to the benefits of consuming cannabis beverages. We sit down with Pharos' Mary Bernuth to talk about what led her to expanding beyond a successful psychotherapy practice to enter the exciting, if unpredictable world of cannabis. We also talk about her passion for introducing that new world to a generation of her peers, and how they're investing in the category for the long haul. Mentioned in this episode: Pharos Brands [https://pharosbrands.com/] We'd like to thank our sponsor, Go Brewing! Use code NATION15 to get 15% off your order on either their delicious N/A beer [https://gobrewing.com/], or their THC brand, Easy Man [https://drinkeasyman.com/]. We'd love your feedback! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2305451/open_sms]

REWIND: Is Mid-Strength ABV Having A Moment?

On the season premiere of ABC's iconic, entrepreneurial series Shark Tank [https://abc.com/show/535e2b07-18a9-4d94-9803-9ed8257b9d23], Dad Strength Brewing [https://dadstrengthbrewing.com/] co-founders Ryan Kutscher and Craig Carey scored investments from not one, but THREE of the show's sharks; Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Rashaun Williams.  In this bonus episode we replay clips from both our August, 2024 conversation with Dad Strength's Ryan Kutscher, and our February, 2025 one with Brandon Joldersma, CEO of low-ABV Arlow Wines. It's worth revisiting a trend that seems to be finding a middle ground between non-alcoholic and full-alcohol, as consumers look for other ways to moderate their alcohol consumption (or, "malternating", as Dad Strength's Kutscher calls it). Mentioned in this episode: Dad Strength Brewing [https://dadstrengthbrewing.com/] Arlow Wines [https://drinkarlow.com/] Surely Wines [https://www.drinksurely.com/] Oceano Wines [https://oceanowines.com/] Andiamo Brew [https://www.andiamobrew.com/] Full Episodes: Ryan Kutscher, Dad Strength Brewing [https://www.usofna.com/2305451/episodes/15602537-creating-a-dad-powered-moderation-movement] (released August, 2024) Brandon Joldersma, Arlow Wines [https://www.usofna.com/2305451/episodes/16734587-the-mindful-merlot-navigating-low-and-no-alcohol-wines] (released March 2025) We'd love your feedback! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2305451/open_sms]