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

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]

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]

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]

With a career background that has included stops at medical supply and equipment behemoth, McKesson [https://www.mckesson.com/], as well as executive roles at a variety of life sciences companies, Botanical Sciences [https://botanicalsciences.com/] CEO Gary Long [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-long-a9908b5/] knows healthcare. While his background may not seem like a traditional fit for the medical and hemp-derived cannabis world, his arrival along with other outsiders signal a transformation underway in a category becoming known more for its positive lifestyle impacts than for previous negative stereotypes. In our conversation we talk about what led him to the industry, what he sees as opportunities and threats, and how cannabis has slowly become part of the growing health and wellness movement that continues to unfold across the country. Mentioned in this episode: Botanical Sciences [https://botanicalsciences.com/] ONE59 [https://one59ga.com/] Traktion Talks Podcast [https://traktiontalks.buzzsprout.com/] Special thanks to Go Brewing [https://gobrewing.com/] / Easy Man [https://drinkeasyman.com/] for being a show sponsor! Use code NATION15 at checkout for either brand to get 15% off your order. We'd love your feedback! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2305451/open_sms]

When De Soi/Amass Co-Founder Morgan McLachlan was growing up in British Columbia, Canada, making booze for a living wasn't on her radar. But a love of botany and the alchemy of beverage making drew her in, and eventually she became one of the few female master distillers in the world. In our conversation with Morgan we talk first about her journey into the world of alcohol, and why expanding into the non-alcoholic realm became a priority. We also touch on her thoughts of the burgeoning THC drinks scene, and how the partnership with Katy Perry grew from a potential investor relationship into co-founding De Soi together. Mentioned in this episode: De Soi [https://drinkdesoi.com/] AMASS Botanics [https://amass.com/]  Photo Credit/Cover: De Soi We'd love your feedback! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2305451/open_sms]