This is NOT a Trend; This is a MOVEMENT

In this episode of Nosedive, we delve into the cultural movement of sober curiosity, exploring its significance across generations and its impact on personal health and social dynamics. We discuss the growing trend of reduced alcohol consumption, the importance of open conversations about alcohol's effects, and the necessity of finding community and support in this journey. We emphasize the evolving definition of health, which now encompasses mental and emotional well-being, and encourage listeners to embrace curiosity as a catalyst for change.

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Transcript

Renee Adams (00:01)
Hey Mara.

Mara DeMauro (00:03)
Hi Renee.

Renee Adams (00:06)
Welcome back to Nosedive, the podcast. I'm so excited to be here with you today. As always, today we are going to get into why people are even interested in sober curiosity. think generationally, the age gaps that we kind of see, I think just looking into it culturally, what it means for us kind of maybe going through some of our own.

Stories behind this this movement. I definitely think it's a movement I don't think that it's a trend and that's what we're gonna get into today You know personally I think kind of going off of what we said in the last episode about you know going through this try dry and dry January with the group of people that you have together and Just the variety of people that were in this sort of this group atmosphere

was really cool to see. And not only is it Gen Z and our generation, but I think generations past us as well, know, the baby boomers and really just people in general of all walks of life who are interested in this movement. What do you think?

Mara DeMauro (01:19)
Yeah, this topic was inspired by one, some news outlet here, local in Charleston, reach out to me and they asked me a question of why do you think more people are into this? And I just really started thinking about that. And I think, you know, bigger pictures zooming out, I think it's because more and more people are feeling called to connect with themselves on a deeper level.

And they want deeper connections with others and they are starting to look around and realize what are the barriers to that happening. And just like you said, this is not a trend, just like working out is not a trend. That is something that will forever be healthy for us. Just as looking at our relationship with substances will.

continue to be more of this just knowing and movement more so than a trend, but sometimes things start as a trend and I think that's super cool. That's okay. So.

Renee Adams (02:33)
Yeah, I I think I read somewhere, I can't remember which health organization it was, but something like 49 % of Americans in 2025 are going to drink less. And that's huge. I mean, there are major companies that are investing in non-alcoholic beverages, companies that are like...

of major companies who are investing in this sort of niche. I really don't think, while I don't think these alcohol companies should be the ones who are sort of making the moves, but to see companies like that at that caliber who are making these multimillion dollar investments in non-alcoholic beverages and different functional beverages that don't include alcohol.

is a pretty big deal. I don't think that they would invest in something if they didn't think that they would get something back from it. So I think we are in this, again, another kind of gray area, which is kind of funny because it's this conundrum. Not only when you are stepping into sober curiosity is it usually a gray area for some people, it's in itself.

still in its infancy. think it's been around, yes, for a long time, but for someone who's like me, who has only been in this space for maybe two and a half years now, it's still something that is, I think, a fairly new sort of lifestyle that people are looking into and is taking off, which is super exciting.

Mara DeMauro (04:09)
It is exciting. And yeah, there are so many, yeah, different companies investing resources and time and doing research on how to support people through this journey. And sure, yeah, there is money involved there. And I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. But I do think it's it's cool that I think this movement

is about building bridges and finding the commonality. You know, how can we go to, how can we still go to a bar where there are people who are drinking alcoholic beverages, but also be able to socialize with those people and enjoy our time too, without having to buy an alcoholic beverage. And so it's, it's finding common ground. It's finding alternatives for this just to be a nice experience for.

Everyone involved.

Renee Adams (05:09)
for everybody, which I think is huge. I think we are unlearning and maybe not even unlearning, but it is a learning process to be able to be super inclusive. I know that when I go to a restaurant and I see a specific brand that I like that is NA, it completely changes my experience, my dining experience, my social experience to feel included and to be seen.

And there's also this sort of like little excitement, like, ⁓ this restaurant, this establishment recognizes what I'm trying to do in my life. And it doesn't necessarily always have to be that serious, but that's kind of what I feel when I go into different restaurants and different places that I like to be able to see something on there that doesn't force me to make this sort of mind game decision on whether or not.

I should drink while I have my own tools of, okay, if I go into a restaurant and they don't have something, I have sort of my backups that I like. But to be able to see something on that menu that includes me is a big deal. It makes me feel a certain type of way.

Mara DeMauro (06:24)
Yeah, I agree. I love, it just feels like an openness and, ⁓ acknowledging that there's a wide variety of ways people want to navigate this life. And I, I'm curious, like, how do you think the perception has shifted in society over time? Like even in just the past decade?

Renee Adams (06:53)
Like around alcohol, mean? Yeah, think there's still, because we are sort of in our own little bubble in this space, I like to think that we are making some pretty big moves. But then when you step into areas and maybe different places in America, there are still a lot of common misconceptions, I think.

Mara DeMauro (06:56)
Mm-hmm.

Renee Adams (07:21)
around alcohol, I think we've definitely shifted to a space of, okay, this isn't good for us. Let's talk about it. I think there's a lot that goes to having the sense of communication and being able to talk openly about how alcohol is affecting people on a lot of different levels. And so I think that's something that maybe has changed in the past decade. There are different ways to connect.

that do not include alcohol. And for a lot of people, especially for me, growing up, it was a huge part of my culture, my family culture, especially being an athlete. I think it's something that's not even really talked about how bad it is for your body. And again, I don't like putting alcohol on this sort of pedestal or demonizing it because

Some people can enjoy it mindfully. However, I don't think we're on this sort of honesty level on what it actually does to your body. Because there's no way that we are having conversations when I was an undergrad playing sports on top of being 18 on my own, going to class and doing some pretty intense

workouts and practices. Alcohol wasn't even really a mention, but it was something that you did on the weekend socially and how much that was actually damaging probably my progress. So I think having open conversations about that now and really just understanding what it actually does to your body is opening a lot of people's minds.

Because I think the overall is like, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know alcohol is not good for me. But when you really start to understand what it does in the process once you actually consume it and how long it stays in your body, all of the effects that come from it and how many areas it actually touches, not just, okay, I'm hung over, but it's like your sleep, your brain, your mood, your anxiety, your...

weight your there there's just so many other areas that it actually touches other than just being like yeah i know it's bad for me

Mara DeMauro (09:56)
Yeah. It, it is really interesting. And I think you mentioned this too, when you shared your story that, and this is very common for a lot of people, we don't even realize how much we are actually consuming. Sometimes we think, yeah, I just drink like socially, whatever. And it, you know, it doesn't really impact me. Okay. I want to give you a challenge then if you are someone who's listening to this and that's like your first, like kind of

reaction, or you feel a little triggered by some of the topics we talk about or something. I challenge you then give yourself some space and then reintroduce it and see, see what you start to notice in your body and how it affects you because it touches so many different aspects. I, gosh, like I shared this too, that I think I was like seven years old at, you know, maybe even younger when I, when I went to my first AA meeting with my stepdad and.

just seeing how much my scope and perspective of this journey and what sober-ish means and what sober curiosity encompasses has shifted since then. You know, I was in, I was, we called them, it's alcoholics anonymous, you know, as something to be, this is shameful of, we're not gonna, when I saw, I see people outside of the quote unquote room, I was like, hey, that's so and so from,

the room and you know, they're like, yo, yo, like we don't just announce that. I'm like, wait, why? Like this, you know, in my mind, I was like, this is such a cool space. Everyone comes here. Like I learned so much about humility and honesty and determination and growth in those rooms at such a young age, listening to these people's stories. But then when we stepped outside of that room, we weren't allowed to talk about that or to acknowledge that. And I know that's not necessarily the...

Renee Adams (11:46)
Hmm.

Mara DeMauro (11:52)
the culture of those spaces now. And that's kind of my point is that it is evolving, that we don't need to have shame around our personal growth and what is healthy for us, and the struggles we go through. And that's why I love this space. And that's what Nose Dive is about, is like, let's talk about this shit. Let's even experiment with it. Yeah, you might fucking face plant.

And you're gonna get up and we're gonna dust it off and we're gonna talk about it and we're gonna keep going because that's what we do. We don't just like give up. We're here to explore and experiment and be curious. And that's what I love about how this, you know, like where this trajectory is going.

Renee Adams (12:21)
Yeah. Yep.

Absolutely. So for me, like you were saying, once I, with this challenge, like you said, it's kind of like, well, I don't really drink that much. I don't, because I was that person. It's almost like you're speaking to me directly when you said that because I was a hundred percent that person. did not hit a rock bottom. I didn't get a DUI. I didn't. I mean, luckily I didn't. There are definitely some times where the grace of whatever was looking after me, but

I was that way. I was functioning. I felt like in terms of society and what society deems as successful, I was checking all of those boxes. And I said to myself, eh, I'm good. I don't drink that much. I'm not an alcoholic. Then when I hired a nutrition coach in parallel with working with you, I had to face myself in actually writing it down.

and seeing how much I was actually consuming. And when I saw those numbers in front of my face, that was the biggest reality check. I was drinking something like, and this is, think, conservative, during the week, 15 to 20 drinks a week. And that's not really counting the weekends. The weekends, it was probably more. But seeing the sheer number on top of

Mara DeMauro (13:59)
Yeah.

Renee Adams (14:09)
the calories because I was again with that wellness, seeing how I could shift food around to try and get that glass of wine in. It didn't feel great. It didn't feel good. And so that sort of reality check to myself and taking that anonymity out of it, because when you're by yourself, you can talk yourself into anything. You can talk yourself into, it's not that bad. But then when you start writing it down,

even for yourself, yes, I guess when you're alone, but when you start having a third party, and this is why I love having a coach because, and just the community, is because you can be fully honest with no judgment, but also it is a third party who is sort of like, look at this. You're gonna look at it face on, and it doesn't feel great sometimes. It's that uncomfortableness.

But seeing it, bro, that makes all the difference. It's like a big fucking reality slap in the face. But then being able to like, yeah, wow.

Mara DeMauro (15:18)
Like, good ol'

Yeah.

Renee Adams (15:23)
Yeah, but then it's also really great. You know, I could have easily looked at that and had a fuck it moment and been like, hey, I'm gonna keep fitting it. I'm gonna keep doing what I'm doing and expect a different result. But I didn't, because I think having the support from you as a coach and again, this community is like, no, let's do something else with it. Like you feel like shit.

This is why you can see now why I think that's kind of been that missing piece to why you aren't able to reach certain goals. Now what are we gonna do with that? And I think that's the beautiful thing of this experiment is being able to really be honest with yourself and see where you are. And now you have this information, this data point, now what are you gonna do with it?

and being able to remove it and really see all of the gains that come from it is incredible. And I think that's why it's becoming a movement because people are, one, being honest with themselves, two, wanting to find this deeper connection, not only with other people, but with themselves. But when they do start doing the things that they say that they're gonna do,

Mara DeMauro (16:26)
Mm. Yeah.

Renee Adams (16:46)
those goals come a lot quicker. Like they are a lot closer to your day-to-day reality than way down the line, years from now, I'm gonna do this. I think you start seeing the benefits pretty quickly when you start actually creating that space.

Mara DeMauro (17:09)
Yeah, I totally agree. And, you know, it's kind of reminding me of, ⁓ in the try dry challenge, you know, I had a weekly challenge of let's write a letter to our younger selves of what we wished was spoken to us about alcohol substances in general. And, you know, going back to my story about sitting in these rooms,

at, you know, an AA with my stepdad and hearing all these stories, I was just kind of painted this picture that it was a space only for people to re-examine if it was something that like was such a huge quote unquote problem causing a problem in their life. You know, and like you said, you didn't have DUIs, weren't, you know, you had all great job, you got married, you had all the check, check, check, whatever.

But what I wish, you so I grew up believing like, okay, this isn't something that I even have to like really look at. It's not a problem for me. And I just think that is just one of the biggest misconceptions is that alcohol doesn't have to be a problem.

Renee Adams (18:18)
Mm.

Mara DeMauro (18:28)
You know, for you to want to redefine how it actually impacts you and your relationship to it. And I think it, I'm so grateful for those moments in, those rooms, because I really do think it, it lent me just so much opportunity for learning and like empathy and this interesting understanding of addiction and compassion for people who really struggle with that because I have, you know,

My heart has a very soft spot for people who struggle in that way, but also down the line somewhere, you know, I got this like intuitive hit, like yo, yo, yo, like just because you don't struggle in that way, doesn't mean you shouldn't pay attention to if it like is impacting you. And so that's how my old journey unraveled was like by listening to that little whisper. And that's what I want to encourage anyone. you're, if you're hearing that.

Trust it, explore it. What's the absolute worst that can happen?

Renee Adams (19:35)
Right. Yeah. And I think just culturally, like you said, for me growing up, it was around, it was accepted. I think it's also a means of being socially accepted. And that is something that I've had to really work on and recognize is that we are these people, the same fun people, the same

courageous people and learning these things about ourselves to strengthen those things without the alcohol. And I think that's been the biggest shift for me is because

I was also predisposed to addiction on both sides of my family. And it wasn't something that was talked about. It was something that was how we bonded. It's how I bonded with my dad. It's how I bonded with my grandfather. It's something that was a tradition. And so when you take that away, it can be

a little daunting to figure out, okay, well, how do I connect with my family on a different level? And I think it can get a little deep, of course, but I wish that we had talked about how much it affected both sides of my family growing up. Because I think if I understood, and don't get me wrong, there is definitely talks about it. It's not like,

Mara DeMauro (21:10)
Mm-hmm.

Renee Adams (21:17)
We didn't talk about it at all. But I think what I would have wanted is more conversation around what even happened. All I knew was that, okay, both sides of my family, there's alcohol addiction and addiction in general. Okay, what am I supposed to do with that? What does that mean for me? And...

Mara DeMauro (21:40)
Right, what does that mean for you?

Renee Adams (21:45)
Yeah, I mean, I think it's something that I do wish that we had more conversations around. But again, that comes back to just the generational thing where you didn't talk about those things. And if you did have a problem, you brush it under the rug or you linked anonymity to it. And I think there is sort of a protection, of course, and just your own personal preference on how much you want to share. think some things, they are nice to

to hold private into your own groups. But there's also, I don't like the sense of suffering and silence. And so recognizing these elements of finding a community, finding a coach, whatever that, I mean, whatever that means for you, whatever you feel comfortable with, but being able to talk to somebody else about it, to know that you're not the only one is,

comforting.

Mara DeMauro (22:46)
Absolutely. And I resonate with, and I think a lot of people can too, like addiction is everywhere. does not, it doesn't pick and choose. It's not picky. It doesn't matter what your career path is, how much money you have, where you live. No, you know, it's a bigger overarching mental health concern. I mean, growing up, like on my dad's side, we never talked to, like,

There was nothing to talk about about addiction, know, and mental health in general and wellness and that kind of stuff. And I'm not saying, you know, ⁓ they're, you know, my family terrible for not doing that. That's not what this is about. And it's just about recognizing the evolution of like how these conversations are actually changing and the impact that this can have and how.

Renee Adams (23:17)
Yeah. Yeah, you don't talk about that shit.

Same. Right.

Mara DeMauro (23:46)
you know, they're doing the best they could at that time with information that they had. And now we are the evolved versions of our family unit and we're like, okay, cool. You know, like just like how they, I'm sure had things from their parents, you know, and so it just keeps happening. And so that's what I want to also make clear is that when we reflect on, you know, our upbringings and stuff like that, I think it's fair to feel upset, you know, validate how you feel.

Like what you wish you had, ⁓ but also recognize that like potentially your job now is to alchemize that and recognize that and change the narrative if that's what you want. And, you know, on the flip side at my mom's house, addiction was talked about, but also like from a place of, of panic, ⁓ kind of, and

Renee Adams (24:28)
Mm.

Chaos.

Mara DeMauro (24:46)
chaos of this is, this is don't do that. This is really bad, you know? So it leaves you wondering like, what do I do and what does this mean? ⁓ so yeah, I just, I think there, this is so multifaceted and I really just am grateful for this space to be able to dissect these conversations without there being judgment. And also knowing that just because

You have found a group that can talk about this. If you try to go and approach your family about it, they just might not get it. And you have to be ready that that might be the truth. Just because you get it and it means something to you doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to resonate with them. And that's a hard pill to swallow.

Renee Adams (25:22)
Yeah.

Yeah, for sure.

Yeah, and I think that's where the compassion comes in is yes, you're gonna be on this sort of, I think they call it what, the pink cloud that you kind of ride. You're feeling invigorated, like you can fucking do anything in this world and you just wanna spread the love and be like, I don't know, I'm tell you about everything, like sober curiosity. But it's like, you can't force that on anyone just like you wouldn't want someone to force anything.

on you and while I think it's fantastic to feel empowered and to feel good for once and to just feel really in a knowing of yourself and getting to know yourself, I think it's also something that can be a challenge as you said when you bring it to your different friend groups and your family who are so used to seeing you.

as a drinker or seeing you as sort of a different person who may indulge in certain things. And so they have this, comfortable aspect of knowing what to expect from you. And so when you come into these holidays or when you go home or when you're traveling with friends and all of a sudden you're saying no to stuff that you used to say yes to.

people are like, huh, why? And it's usually a projection on themselves, but it'll get better, I think, at least for my experience. Again, this is not anything that's on my family or anything like that, but I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to connect with certain people in my family anymore.

And that is something that I had to sort of come to terms with because I have my own goals and I don't think that it's selfish for me to want myself to be the best version of me in terms of my wellness, in terms of my happiness, to please somebody else. And I think that's something in a concept that you have to work through.

Mara DeMauro (27:54)
Yeah.

Renee Adams (27:59)
And you can't put that on someone else and you have to be okay with other people not getting it, at least for a while.

Mara DeMauro (28:05)
Yeah.

I think it brings up that question. You know, when you start to feel like if you're going into a situation, you're like, should I drink? Do I want to drink or do I not? da. Ask yourself, who are you drinking for? You know, is it, is it actually for you because that's something you actually want to do. And if so, okay, cool. Go for it. But if you feel like, no, I just feel like I'm going to do that because

I know that my family won't ask me questions or think I'm weird or, my friends won't say anything. Then maybe that's a time to just kind of step back and know deeply know that you deserve to choose what feels best for you. Like this is your life. No one else is living it for you. And yeah, maybe just

Experiment with that little question, who am I drinking for?

Renee Adams (29:05)
And I think that's what gets me so excited about the generations that are coming after us is that they have this sense of confidence of being okay with being like, nah, dude, I'm good. I've had a couple of experiences with just some coworkers who are in a different generation and they are, and again, I don't wanna,

what's the word, put them all in one group. Like nobody's the same. You know, I get that. But it excites me because of the fact that I think we are evolving and I think the next generation is being set up for just different areas that are so much more positive. I think mentally, I think physically and their generation feeling so comfortable with actually being like, no, I'm okay. Or no, have, I'm,

working out the next day or just being more conscious about their physical being and mental and spiritual wellbeing is exciting.

Mara DeMauro (30:16)
Yeah. I think that, you know, the whole health, quote unquote health movement all started from external, you know, like, Ooh, we need to like work out to look physically fit or be physically fit, you know, look good, attract a mate, like all of these things. And over the years, our definition of health is expanding. And that means so much more than just physical health. It's, you know, that

the connection with ourselves, our spiritual connection, the clarity we receive, the internal vitality that we truly want to feel. We want to feel energized. We want to be able to wake up and be like, okay, I feel good. I feel energized and I can be productive today or I feel good and I'm just going to relax on the couch. know, whatever that is, people are seeking more of that ease and just that

like feeling good. And so now we're starting to really go internal and start working in the heart space, which is really, really fun, but also, you know, for some people extremely uncomfortable. And I think it's just important to meet yourself where you are, you know, be honest about where you are and also know that it's okay.

to feel a little bit uncomfortable because you have to allow yourself to feel that so that you can build, like we were talking about before, that internal resiliency so that you can create more capacity. And it just takes a little bit of time, but you have to be open. I think, you know, it's just like curiosity is the start of change.

Renee Adams (32:11)
Ooh, I like that.

Mara DeMauro (32:12)
Able.

Yeah. If you're able to just start there, just trust that and follow that.

Renee Adams (32:19)
Yeah, dude, absolutely. So excited for what's to come, what's happening now. You know, we did, like I said in the last episode, finishing up January. We're moving into February. I've got a February low and slow challenge, reducing removing alcohol for 28 days. I promise you, you will find some kind of transformation, whether that is mentally, physically, emotionally. I really challenge you to, if something's nudging you, to...

to try this, let's do it. Let's get after it. I'll put something in the show notes on where you can sign up for that. Mara, where can they find you?

Mara DeMauro (32:58)
Yeah, you can find me on Instagram at Mara DiMaro. And we definitely have some fun things in the works here through Nosedive. and I are working on bringing something together that can really help you through this journey. If this is something you're serious about wanting to explore, we are working hard at creating something that's going to really help you with that. So we will share more on that later.

But in the meantime, reach out to us. Let us know how these messages are resonating with you. What questions are coming up? What's like irking you? What's making you excited? We want to hear from you. So message us on Instagram. We'd love to hear from you. Share this with someone that you also think would benefit. Let's create this momentum and help keep supporting people who are interested in this and who can find value and support.

Renee Adams (33:44)
Yeah.

Hell yeah. And I'll put it in the show notes as well. If you have any topics that come up that you want us to dive into, you can email us at nosedivethepod at gmail.com. We'll take any recommendations, any questions that you guys have and we will address those. Thanks y'all.

Mara DeMauro (34:15)
Yee.

Cheers.