Alcohol Minimalist: Change Your Drinking Habits!

• More Dry July Didn't Go as Planned...& That's OK

  Episode Summary: In this honest and reflective episode, Molly shares her personal journey with More Dry July and what it really means when your outcome doesn’t match your original goal. She walks through her mindset shift from chasing perfection to reinforcing identity, and how 21 alcohol-free days—rather than the planned 24—still powerfully reflect the systems she’s built as an Alcohol Minimalist.Drawing from James Clear’s Atomic Habits and Elizabeth Benton’s Chasing Cupcakes, Molly explores how honest tracking, identity-based change, and keystone habits can keep you aligned even when things don’t go perfectly. She also shares a powerful metaphor that reframes each alcohol-free day as a building block in the foundation of a peaceful relationship with alcohol.Whether your July was a success by the numbers or felt a little off-track, this episode will remind you that your next decision matters far more than your last one—and that progress is always possible when you stay connected to who you are becoming.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why prioritizing alcohol-free days matters more than perfectionHow “alcohol-free-ish” thinking can undermine honest accountabilityThe difference between tracking outcomes vs. living your identityWhat it means to own your behavior without excuses or shameWhy each AF day is like stacking a brick in your foundationResources and Links:Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsChasing Cupcakes by Elizabeth Benton: https://amzn.to/3KXh2xQStart your Sunnyside trial: https://www.sunnyside.co/mollyWork with Molly or learn more: https://www.mollywatts.comQuote of the Week: "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." – James ClearLow risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:Healthy men under 65:No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.Abstinence from alcoholAbstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.Benefits of “low-risk” drinkingFollowing these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work. ★ Support this podcast ★

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• World Brain Day: 5 Habits to Keep Your Brain SHARP

  Episode Summary: In recognition of World Brain Day (July 22), this Think Thursday episode is a deep dive into the powerful, daily practices that shape your brain’s future. While most of us worry about cognitive decline, far fewer realize how much influence we actually have. Molly introduces SHARP—a simple, science-backed framework for protecting and enhancing your brain’s longevity, clarity, and resilience. From reducing dementia risk to boosting neuroplasticity, this episode gives you the tools to keep your mind vibrant for years to come.What You'll Learn – The SHARP Framework:S – Sleep & Stress Regulation: Sleep is when your brain clears out toxins linked to Alzheimer’s. Chronic stress, meanwhile, shrinks memory-related regions and floods your system with cortisol. Molly shares realistic strategies to optimize both sleep and stress management.H – Health Management: Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol aren’t just heart issues—they directly impair blood flow to your brain. Molly encourages listeners to know their health metrics and embrace preventive care, not just reactive treatment.A – Activity (Physical & Cognitive): Regular movement and mental challenge increase BDNF and hippocampal volume—both key for memory and learning. Learn how to find the right mix of cardio, strength, and cognitive novelty to protect your brain.R – Relationships & Recovery: Human connection is vital for long-term brain health. So is purposeful mental rest. Molly outlines ways to build deeper relationships while incorporating daily mental “micro-rests” to reset your attention and creativity.P – Plant-Forward Nutrition & Preventive Living: Diets like MIND and Mediterranean are clinically linked to younger brain age. Molly explains how building meals around plants, healthy fats, and fiber—while minimizing alcohol and ultra-processed foods—can provide neuroprotective benefits.Mini Challenge: Pick just one area of the SHARP framework to focus on this week. Your brain will thank you—and it will reward you with energy, clarity, and peace of mind.Resources & Mentions:Mel Robbins Podcast featuring Dr. Vonda WrightOfficial MIND Diet WebsiteStay Connected:Website: www.mollywatts.comJoin the Facebook Community: Alcohol Minimalists – Change Your Alcohol HabitsInstagram: @alcoholminimalist ★ Support this podcast ★

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• GLP-1's & Alcohol Use Disorder with Dr. Brooke Scheller

  In this insightful episode, Molly sits down once again with Dr. Brooke Scheller, clinical nutritionist and founder of Functional Sobriety, to discuss one of the most buzzed-about topics in the health and wellness space: GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Wegovy). Originally developed for treating Type 2 diabetes and now widely prescribed for weight loss, these drugs are increasingly being talked about for their potential to reduce alcohol cravings.Together, Molly and Dr. Scheller unpack the growing curiosity (and concern) surrounding the off-label use of GLP-1s by those trying to moderate or change their drinking habits. They dive deep into both the science and the speculation—discussing small but intriguing studies, anecdotal feedback from clients and community members, and what it really means to find a “magic pill” for reducing desire.But this episode doesn’t stop at surface-level discussion. They explore the bigger picture: sustainable behavior change, the role of nutrition in alcohol use, and whether it's possible to replicate the effects of GLP-1s with food, lifestyle, and mindset shifts alone.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What GLP-1 medications are and how they workWhy they might reduce alcohol cravings—and what the science says so farWho might benefit most from GLP-1s—and who should be cautiousCommon side effects and risks associated with these drugsNatural strategies to support craving reduction and metabolic healthWhy addressing core beliefs about alcohol is critical to long-term changeLinks & Resources Mentioned:Dr. Brooke Scheller’s program: Functional SobrietyDr. Scheller’s book: How to Eat to Change How You DrinkConnect with Molly: Website: www.mollywatts.com Instagram: @alcoholminimalist Join the Private Facebook Community: “Alcohol Minimalists: Change Your Drinking Habits”Want to Change Your Drinking? Download Molly’s free guide “Alcohol Truths 2023” and learn how to identify your personal safe level of drinking at mollywatts.com/resourcesLow risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:Healthy men under 65:No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.Abstinence from alcoholAbstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.Benefits of “low-risk” drinkingFollowing these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work. ★ Support this podcast ★

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• Think Thursday: Chronic Stress & Your Memory

  Welcome back to Think Thursday, where we explore the intersection of neuroscience, behavior change, and mindset, all in service of your beautifully brilliant human brain. In today’s episode, we’re diving into brand-new research from UCLA that uncovers how chronic stress physically alters the brain—and why that matters deeply for your habits, memory, and sense of self.You’ll learn:Why your brain doesn’t record life as one continuous stream, but as segmented “chapters”The critical role of a tiny brainstem region called the locus coeruleus in organizing your memoriesHow chronic stress dulls your brain’s ability to mark important transitions—leading to foggy recall, disorientation, and burnoutWhy this memory blurring reinforces old, unhelpful habits (and what to do instead)Actionable strategies to reset your brain and support better event segmentation, focus, and resilienceThis isn’t just neuroscience—it’s deeply relevant to anyone trying to make meaningful change, especially around alcohol. If stress is hijacking your ability to grow and evolve, this episode will help you see why—and what’s in your power to shift.Resources Mentioned:Recent UCLA study on stress and the locus coeruleus (via Neuroscience News)Monday’s main podcast episode on chronic stress and emotional burnoutThink Thursday: How Stress Changes the BrainThink Thursday: Where Burnout LivesAction Steps You Can Take Today:Support event segmentation: Create natural breaks in your day—change environments, move your body, shift tasks.Reduce background stress: Focus on consistent, gentle actions that help your nervous system downregulate.Practice attention shifts: Mindfully mark transitions between tasks and environments.Embrace restorative structure: Build routines that signal safety and meaning to your brain.A Final Thought: You’re not broken. Your brain isn’t lazy. Chronic stress can disrupt your memory, your sense of meaning, and your progress—but you have tools to restore clarity and control. Let’s keep building better brain health together. ★ Support this podcast ★

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• What Happens When "I Just Don't Care Anymore"

  In this episode, Molly dives deep into a topic that’s both emotionally resonant and neurologically relevant: what’s really going on when we feel like we “just don’t care anymore” about our drinking habits or goals. This isn’t about laziness or lack of willpower—it’s often a sign of emotional burnout, a condition that physically alters our brain and chips away at our motivation and executive function.Molly explores how summer routines, vacations, and social gatherings can disrupt our usual anchors and lead to identity drift, making it harder to stay committed to alcohol-related goals. She breaks down the neuroscience of burnout, clarifies common misconceptions about decision fatigue, and introduces default reward thinking as a key player in why we revert to old habits.Key Topics Discussed:The true meaning behind the phrase “I just don’t care anymore”The neuroscience of emotional burnout and its effect on decision-makingWhat recent studies really say about decision fatigueWhy summer can be a sneaky trigger for identity driftHow to reconnect with your identity as an alcohol minimalistFive Strategies to Reignite Motivation and Realign with Your Goals:Track Your Patterns – Pay attention to emotional and behavioral cues that precede drinking.Tweak Your Environment – Anticipate high-risk moments and set up better decision conditions.Create Identity Anchors – Align your choices with the kind of person you want to become.Practice Mindful Decision-Making – Make key decisions in advance and reinforce them.Take Micro Breaks – Restore your emotional energy to avoid burnout-induced apathy.Molly’s Takeaway:Feeling like you don’t care anymore doesn’t mean you're broken. It means your brain is overloaded and you need to reconnect with your intrinsic identity. Motivation doesn’t come from white-knuckling your way through—it comes from alignment, awareness, and intentional identity shifts.Low risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:Healthy men under 65:No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.Abstinence from alcoholAbstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.Benefits of “low-risk” drinkingFollowing these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work. ★ Support this podcast ★

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