Ever wondered what it truly means to create spaces where everyone feels welcome, whether they drink or not? Join Michelle O'Brien on the Upward Spiral podcast as she dives deep with Chris Cardone, an award-winning mixologist and beverage expert, to redefine drinking culture! 

In this powerful episode, Chris shares his personal journey with alcohol, the challenges of navigating social situations as a sober bartender, and his vision for an inclusive, alcohol-free future. We explore the rise of sophisticated non-alcoholic options, the concept of 'zebra striping' 🦓 in drinking habits, and how you can advocate for inclusive drinking in your own life.

Key Takeaways:

• Small shifts in mindset can lead to extraordinary transformations. ✨

• The drinking culture is evolving, with Gen Z and millennials leading the charge. 🚀

• Discover how to create memorable, alcohol-free moments without compromise. 🍹

• Learn why inclusive drinking is essential for social and corporate events. 🤝

• Crafting non-alcoholic cocktails enhances the dining experience and boosts restaurant sales. 📈

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What inclusive drinking really means and why it matters.

• How to navigate social situations without alcohol.

• The importance of offering sophisticated non-alcoholic options.

• Practical steps to advocate for inclusive drinking practices.

• The business case for non-alcoholic beverages in the hospitality industry.

Keywords:

inclusive drinking, alcohol-free, social culture, sobriety, personal journey, bartending, community, mental health, alcohol alternatives, socializing, non-alcoholic drinks, sober curious, drinking culture, zebra striping, corporate events, craft cocktails, inclusivity, hospitality industry, sophisticated beverages

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

06:04 Personal Journey with Alcohol 

12:00 The Turning Point: Quitting Alcohol 

17:56 Navigating Social Situations as a Sober Bartender 

24:04 Understanding the Baseline of Happiness 

30:09 Defining Inclusive Drinking 

35:50 The Impact of Alcohol on Relationships 

36:35 The Rise of Sophisticated Non-Alcoholic Options 

39:00 Understanding Zebra Striping in Drinking Culture 

41:46 Misconceptions About Non-Alcoholic Drinks 

45:16 The Value of Craft Non-Alcoholic Cocktails 

47:56 The Business Case for Non-Alcoholic Options 

54:05 Inclusive Drinking at Corporate Events 

01:07:03 Advocating for Inclusive Drinking Practices

Chris Cardone, the principal owner of Continuous Beverage Solutions, brings over 24 years of bartending, hospitality, and nightlife experience. Learn more about Chris and his work:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-cardone-77033214/

• Website: https://www.continuousbev.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/chriscard0ne/?hl=en 

Join Michelle as she explores the power of positive change and continuous improvement. Let's unlock your potential and create a life of momentum and fulfillment, one intentional step at a time!

Connect with Upward Spiral:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UpwardSpiralPodcast

• Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theupwardspiral 

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-upward-spiral-with-michelle-obrien/id1746250079

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upwardspiral.podcast/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@upwardspiral.podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please SHARE it with a friend, leave us a REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations! What are your thoughts on inclusive drinking? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

#InclusiveDrinking #AlcoholFree #Sobriety #PersonalGrowth #UpwardSpiralPodcast #ChrisCardone #NonAlcoholic #CraftCocktails #Mindset #HospitalityIndustry