Designing A Year Without Alcohol

Designing A Year Without Alcohol

Author: Mike Hardenbrook & Cloud9 January 20, 2026 Duration: 9:00

What if alcohol isn’t the main character this year?

For years, alcohol has played a starring role in how we celebrate, unwind, and cope. But as priorities shift, many people are quietly realizing they want more energy, clarity, and presence than another drink can offer.

In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores:

• How alcohol became the default in so many moments
• Why it can start feeling louder as your life changes
• What happens when energy, sleep, and focus matter more than a buzz
• How shifting the spotlight — without quitting or labels — can change everything
• Why support and recovery matter when alcohol steps out of the lead role

🎧 Tap play to explore a new chapter — where alcohol doesn’t run the story, and feeling better takes center stage.


Mike Hardenbrook, a best-selling author, hosts The Alcohol Reset by Cloud9, a podcast that feels more like a series of thoughtful, evidence-based conversations than a prescriptive program. It sits at the intersection of health, nutrition, and mental well-being, offering a grounded approach to rethinking one of the most common social habits. The focus here isn't on preaching abstinence or promoting extreme challenges, but on providing a clearer understanding of how alcohol interacts with your brain and body. Each episode is deliberately concise, breaking down concepts from neuroscience and habit formation into actionable insights you can apply immediately. You'll find discussions on managing cravings, improving sleep quality, and subtle shifts in daily routines that collectively foster a greater sense of control. This isn't about adding another layer of stress or rules to your life; it's about equipping you with knowledge and practical strategies to make choices that genuinely align with your overall wellness goals. Tuning into this podcast feels like getting reliable, no-nonsense advice from a well-informed friend who understands that real, lasting change is built on understanding, not willpower alone. It's a resource for anyone curious about creating a more intentional and healthier relationship with alcohol, one small, sustainable step at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Alcohol Reset by Cloud9
Podcast Episodes
Drinking Makes Everything Louder Inside [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:22
Ever drink to quiet your mind… but wake up feeling even louder inside?Alcohol can feel calming in the moment, but afterward, many people experience amplified anxiety, racing thoughts, emotional sensitivity, and that wire…
Alcohol Is Ruining Your Vitality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:59
Alcohol doesn’t just steal your night — it steals your energy.Even if you’re not hungover, alcohol can quietly drain your motivation, focus, and stamina the next day. That tired, foggy, low-drive feeling isn’t just “gett…
Rise and Shine Without the Wine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:50
What if mornings felt easier without alcohol?For a lot of people, the hardest part of drinking isn’t the night, it’s the next morning. The brain fog, low energy, anxious mood, and feeling like your day starts on hard mod…
What Confidence Looks Like Without a Drink [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:32
What does confidence look like without a drink?For many of us, alcohol has been a shortcut to feeling bold, relaxed, or socially at ease. But what happens when confidence comes from presence instead of a buzz?In this epi…
You Don’t Have to Quit, You Just Have to Notice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:06
You don’t have to quit — you just have to notice.January isn’t about drastic changes or all-or-nothing decisions. It’s about quiet awareness. With the noise of the holidays gone, patterns around sleep, stress, and drinki…
The Trade-Off Nobody Talks About [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:40
What if feeling better mattered more than drinking?Most people don’t drink because they love alcohol — they drink because they’re chasing a feeling. Calm. Relief. Better sleep. A break from stress. But what happens when…
Drinking Smarter, Not Smaller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:01
What if this year isn’t about drinking less… but drinking smarter?Most people don’t want to quit drinking — they just want to feel better afterward. Better sleep. Clearer mornings. Fewer regrets. More energy.In this epis…
When the Party’s Over — Why Are You Still Pouring? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:41
Is drinking still the same when there’s nothing to celebrate?We tend to think of alcohol as something reserved for parties, milestones, and special occasions. But what happens when the drinks show up on ordinary nights —…
The Silence After the Holidays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:41
Now that the holidays are over, what actually changed?In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores the quiet shift that happens after the season ends — when routines return, the noise fades, and patterns around stress, sle…
January 1 and Your Relationship With Alcohol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:04
Why does January 1 make you question your relationship with alcohol — even if nothing “bad” happened?In this New Year’s Day episode, Mike Hardenbrook explores why the quiet after the holidays brings clarity, reflection,…