In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, we're joined by Hilary Sheinbaum, the brains behind GoingDry.co and author of The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month. Hilary’s been a sober-curious advocate since 2017, and she’s all about helping people have a great time without alcohol. She’s back with a new workbook, Going Dry: A Workbook: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More, which just launched on September 3rd, 2024.
Hilary opens up about how her life took a turn after her first Dry January in 2017 and how that experiment led to a whole new career. We dig into what it’s like to organize non-alcoholic events, how to navigate social settings without a drink in hand, and her tips for making dry months fun, not restrictive. We also touch on questions like: What’s the deal with non-alcoholic cocktails? How can going dry improve your life (hello, better sleep and glowing skin)? And how do you keep your social life intact without alcohol?
This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone curious about cutting back on drinking. Hilary shares her go-to non-alcoholic drinks, her experiences hosting dry events, and why it’s okay to slip up and start again. You’ll learn about how to swap out your favorite drinks for non-alcoholic options, build better social habits, and make dry months something to look forward to—not dread!
Hilary also lets us in on some personal stories, from her days interviewing celebs on the red carpet to throwing spin classes with non-alcoholic happy hours. You’ll hear how giving up alcohol for just one month totally changed her life and what she’s learned along the way.
This is Sisters in Sobriety, the community that helps women rethink their relationship with alcohol. Be sure to check out our Substack for more tips, resources, and support.
Highlights:
[00:00:00] - Introduction to Hilary Sheinbaum and her journey into the sober-curious movement.
[00:01:16] - GoingDry.co’s mission to create fun, alcohol-free experiences through non-alcoholic parties and events.
[00:02:05] - Hilary shares her first experience with Dry January in 2017, which led to lasting changes in her career and life.
[00:04:43] - Hilary’s bet with a friend to stay alcohol-free for January and how it became a life-changing experiment.
[00:05:28] - Transitioning from a red carpet reporter covering celebrity events to embracing a sober-curious lifestyle.
[00:06:23] - Discussion on how non-alcoholic beverages have evolved, especially in comparison to their alcoholic counterparts.
[00:07:21] - The surprising benefits Hilary experienced from Dry January, including better sleep and reduced anxiety.
[00:08:39] - Hilary talks about how her skin improved and the financial savings that come with cutting back on alcohol.
[00:09:36] - How Hilary’s friendships and relationships evolved after going dry, including weeding out connections based solely on drinking.
[00:10:27] - Hilary’s approach to drinking less while still socializing, without using alcohol as a crutch.
[00:12:00] - The creation of GoingDry.co and how it turned into a platform for organizing non-alcoholic events and experiences.
[00:14:54] - Hilary’s mission to make non-alcoholic options available at bars and restaurants, and the importance of inclusive menus.
[00:16:01] - Hilary opens up about the challenges she faced when first starting her dry journey, including the awkward questions from others.
[00:18:32] - Partnering with upscale hotels like Four Seasons and Fairmont to offer curated non-alcoholic beverage options.
[00:19:57] - How non-alcoholic pop-up events differ from regular ones—hint: no one gets belligerent!
[00:22:58] - Hilary explains her process for curating non-alcoholic menus for venues, from mocktails to beers and wines.
[00:24:00] - The growing popularity of non-alcoholic beers and why Athletic Brewing Co. is leading the charge.
[00:26:41] - Funny stories from Hilary’s non-alcoholic cocktail classes, including a participant accidentally taking a shot of non-alcoholic gin.
[00:33:00] - Hilary’s favorite non-alcoholic drinks, including Free Spirits and her “French 89” mocktail.
[00:43:00] - Teasing Hilary’s new workbook, Going Dry, and how it’s designed to help readers reflect on their sober-curious journey.
Links:
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Going Dry in Style: How Hilary Sheinbaum Redefines Socializing