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

N/ATION Collaborative, LLC
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The U.S. of N/A podcast series is about the people and places putting mindful drinking and functional beverages on the map, one crafted sip at a time. In our video episodes we sit down with founders and innovators who are contributing to a beverage culture that is a bit more healthy, and a little less boozy. And in our new audio-only Quiet Pour series, we'll bring you authentic stories from all walks of life talking about what mindful drinking means to them. Brought to you by N/ATION Collaborative, LLC.

  1. 6d ago

    The Quiet Pour, with Vicente Ruiz

    Today's guest on The Quiet Pour is Vicente Ruiz, whose relationship with alcohol was shaped early by family gatherings well before he realized it had stopped serving him. Those experiences caused him to decide to stop drinking alcohol entirely. In this episode, Vicente talks about what led him to sobriety, and how that shift sparked an unexpected career move — first helping NA beverage brands with distribution, then co-founding his own kava beverage company with a close friend. Mentioned in this episode: Lacuna Kava Bar (Phoenix, AZ) Better Days Kava Bevs Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know! We'd love your feedback!

    The Quiet Pour, with Vicente Ruiz

  2. Jul 15

    Last Call For Hemp Beverages? The Path Beyond November

    Unless something changes, a looming November 12th deadline threatens to upend the entire industry surrounding psychoactive hemp. With such an existential threat on the horizon, we asked Dani Baranowski, Executive Director of the Florida Hemp Beverage Coalition and founder of Highspitality, to join us and break down the high-stakes legislative battle that will ultimately decide the future of hemp-derived THC drinks. We explore the reality of a federal "total THC" cap, what lawmakers get wrong about hemp, and how these shifts threaten the rising crossover between non-alcoholic and functional wellness beverages. Key Topics: The 0.4mg Cliff: The federal push that could decimate the category and whether an eleventh-hour fix is realistic.Educating Lawmakers: The biggest misconceptions legislators have about hemp versus traditional cannabis.The Three-Tier Debate: Whether regulating hemp beverages like alcohol protects consumers or simply hands control to a frequent adversary.The NA & Hemp Convergence: How a hemp ban directly impacts the wider non-alcoholic and mindful drinking movement.Mentioned in this episode: Florida Hemp Beverage Coalition Highspitality We'd love your feedback!

    Last Call For Hemp Beverages? The Path Beyond November

  3. Jun 3

    The Quiet Pour, with Cindy Pokriefka

    Today's guest on The Quiet Pour is Cindy Pokriefka, an avid (and accomplished) distance runner who re-discovered the sport in her mid-twenties, having completed six marathons in the past six years. In this episode, Cindy shares her thoughts on how running helped her during COVID, why it's so important to mental health, and how mindful drinking has helped her be present in social situations without feeling like she has to drink alcohol. She also shares her favorite (and simple) sparkly NA beverage that anyone can easily create.  Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know! Referenced in this episode: Ginger Gone Running Podcast We'd love your feedback!

    The Quiet Pour, with Cindy Pokriefka

  4. May 21

    The Quiet Pour, with Dave Zalatoris

    Our next guest on The Quiet Pour is no stranger to the craft beer scene, particularly in his hometown of Chicago. Dave was an early adopter of NA options when the quality took a big jump a few years ago, and he likes to rotate them in with his full-octane brews. In this episode, Dave shares his thoughts on why he enjoys talking about beer (listen to his podcast, Beer In Front), what's in his fridge, and how mindful drinking has impacted his drinking habits.  Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know. We'd love your feedback!

    The Quiet Pour, with Dave Zalatoris

  5. May 12

    The Expanding Occasions For Non-Alcoholic Beer

    The occasions for non-alcoholic beer are ever expanding, but so, too, is the competition. Best Day Brewing founder Tate Huffard has spent the last five years working to build a brand to last. We dig into what's been the secret sauce to their growth, from the brewing process to the retail shelf, and what has helped them to stand out in an ever-crowded field. We cover Tate's surf-culture origin story behind BDB, how the consumer occasion for NA beer has shifted since 2021, and where Tate sees the brand fitting in a market that's increasingly defined by wellness and fitness positioning, or celebrity fame. Key Topics: The Founder Story: Why a group of surfers missing morning sessions became the unlikely starting point for one of the country's few NA-only craft breweries with national distribution.The Evolving Occasion: How and where people are actually reaching for NA beer in 2026, and why the answer might surprise you.Crowded Market, Distinct Identity: With fitness brands and celebrity labels flooding the space, where does Best Day's long-term positioning actually live?Cracking Retail and Hospitality: The misconceptions distributors still hold, and how close we really are to seeing significant NA variety on restaurant menus.What's Next: After the launch of Wild American Pilsner, what's ahead for this Sausalito-based brand?Mentioned in this episode: Best Day Brewing We'd love your feedback!

    The Expanding Occasions For Non-Alcoholic Beer

  6. Apr 30

    The Quiet Pour, with Meagan Swingle

    For our very first Quiet Pour conversation we didn't have to go very far, and yes, there's a story there. Meagan Swingle (IG: untilallcanread) has always been happiest when she's outdoors near a lake or somewhere in nature, and in the past, certain social situations had a way of making her feel like she needed to be someone that she wasn't.  In this episode, Meagan shares her current go-to NA staples (i.e. what's always in the fridge), opens up on changing her relationship with alcohol, and explains how a clearer head has low-key provided even more benefits than she ever expected.  Want to be featured on this new series? Let us know. We'd love your feedback!

    The Quiet Pour, with Meagan Swingle

  7. Season 3, Episode 5 Trailer

    TRAILER: The Quiet Pour series

    What does mindful drinking actually look like in real life? The Quiet Pour is a new audio-only series featuring short, honest conversations with everyday people across the country. From going fully sober to simply cutting back or putting healthier drinks into their body, each voice will share a personal perspective on how a changing relationship with alcohol, or embracing functional beverages, has shaped their health, mindset, and daily life. These are not experts or influencers, just real people talking about what’s changed. More clarity, better performance, improved confidence, deeper presence, and a stronger sense of self. This trailer offers a first taste of what’s to come. Real people. Mindful drinking. One conversation at a time.  Want to be featured? Let us know at nationbeer.com/contact We'd love your feedback!

    TRAILER: The Quiet Pour series

  8. Mar 31

    Defining 'Proof' In The Evolution Of Beverages

    NA bottle shops have become an integral part of the moderation movement. After a creative career in video and production, Obreanna McReynolds and her husband Dean Peterson took a leap in 2024 to open what is now Los Angeles’ largest non-alcoholic bottle shop. In this conversation, we explore how Burden of Proof became a cornerstone of the San Gabriel Valley, moving beyond the binary of "sober vs. drinker" to create a premium retail experience for all. We dive into topics ranging from the strategic choice of South Pasadena as a hub for the movement, to the complexities of navigating California’s evolving hemp-derived beverage regulations. Obreanna also shares her vision for the next iteration of the store, and how she curates a world of adaptogens, nootropics, and premium NA wines for a diverse neighborhood clientele. Key Takeaways from our conversation: NA For All. Why Burden of Proof isn’t about condemning alcohol, but providing a sophisticated alternative for those looking to drink less, not just those who don't drink at all.Navigating the Functional Universe. Are customers more focused on flavor profiles, or specific physiological effects through botanicals and adaptogens?The Small Business Tightrope. Balancing the intimate feel of a neighborhood shop with pursuing growth amid shifting economics of the niche non-alcoholic market.NA Wine, Anyone? Why Obreanna sees this category as particularly poised for growth.Mentioned in this episode: Burden of Proof We'd love your feedback!

    Defining 'Proof' In The Evolution Of Beverages
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The U.S. of N/A podcast series is about the people and places putting mindful drinking and functional beverages on the map, one crafted sip at a time. In our video episodes we sit down with founders and innovators who are contributing to a beverage culture that is a bit more healthy, and a little less boozy. And in our new audio-only Quiet Pour series, we'll bring you authentic stories from all walks of life talking about what mindful drinking means to them. Brought to you by N/ATION Collaborative, LLC.

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