Rephonic
Artwork for Journey to the Sunnyside

Journey to the Sunnyside

Sunnyside
Mindful Drinking
Alcohol Moderation
Mental Health
Sunnyside
Sober Curiosity
Negotiation
Anxiety
Alcohol Consumption
Community Support
Addiction Recovery
Harm Reduction
Sober October
Alcohol Awareness Month
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Mixology
Addiction Treatment
Neuroscience
Mindfulness
Neurohacking
Health and Wellness

Journey to the Sunnyside is a top 1% podcast, reaching over 500,000 listeners every week. It’s your guide to exploring mindful living with alcohol—whether you're cutting back, moderating, or thinking about quitting. While Sunnyside helps you reduce your drinking, this podcast goes further, diving into topics like mindful drinking, sober curiosity, moderation, and full sobriety. Through real storie... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes233Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSelf-ImprovementMental HealthHealth & Fitness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Journey to the Sunnyside

Latest Episodes

In this episode I talk about one idea from my conversation with Nir Eyal that I think is genuinely useful for anyone trying to drink less. He made a point about pain and signal that applies directly to what happens when a craving shows up — and it's ... more

Nir Eyal is the bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable, and he has a new book out called Beyond Belief. What I liked about this conversation is that it gets at why so many people stay stuck, even when they already know what to do. We talk ab... more

YouTube

Over the last few years I've had the chance to sit down with researchers who study drinking behavior from a lot of different angles — psychology, neuroscience, habit formation, public health. And the thing that keeps striking me is how often what the... more

Welcome back to Journey to the Sunnyside. Today I’m joined by Merrilee Burke, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in alcohol moderation, trauma, and eating disorder recovery. Merrilee reached out be... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Andrea Pain
Executive Director of Moderation Management
Moderation Management
Episode: Before Mindful Drinking, There Was Moderation Management w/ Andrea Pain
Jenny Williamson
Executive Director, Options Save Lives
Options Save Lives
Episode: Cravings vs Habits: Understanding How Naltrexone Really Helps w/ Jenny Williamson
Jen Kautsch
Founder of Sober Sis, community for women questioning their relationship with alcohol
Sober Sis
Episode: Stuck in the Detox to Retox Loop w/ Jennifer Kautsch
Marcy Axelrod
Performance intelligence expert and author
Choose to Show Up
Episode: Your Secrets Are Making You Sick w/ Marcy Axelrod
Arlina Allen
Sober for over 30 years and expert on alcohol moderation and recovery
Episode: When 30 Years of Sobriety Leads to a More Flexible Approach w/ Arlina Allen
Billy Grady
Co-founder and CEO of Kava Haven
Kava Haven
Episode: Can Kava Replace Your Nightcap? w/ Billy Grady
Zoa Conner
Ph.D. in Physics and functional wellness expert
Episode: Wired, Tired, and Looking for Relief w/ Zoa Conner
Marci Hopkins
Host of Wake Up with Marci and author of Wake Up, You're Not Broken
Episode: The First 30 Days and That “I Feel Amazing” Phase w/ Marci Hopkins
Claudia Christian
Actress, author, and advocate for evidence-based approaches to alcohol use disorder.
Episode: Why “Just Quit Drinking” Never Worked for Me w/ Claudia Christian

Host

Mike Hardenbrook
Host of Journey to the Sunnyside; neuroscience-informed mindfulness advocate; long-running host

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 206 ratings
  • Educational and Supportive

    I listen to most of the 10 minute Monday podcasts and many of the longer ones. I find the content to be inspirational, educational and helpful. I love the non judgmental approach and that the topics are so relevant to someone on a mindful moderation journey. I always come away with additional perspective and a feeling of being supported and understood.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PegsterD
    United Statesa month ago
  • What 1,2,5 drinks can do

    Perfect information for me - will keep up my couple dry days and really limit drinks to “2” on drinking days.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Get to 15/wk
    United Statesa month ago
  • WOW! The timing of this episode was 'spot-on'

    I've been part of Sunnyside for almost 10 months. This program has been very helpful. I listen to 10 minute Mondays every week, And each one gives me education, solace and support.

    Today's episode, was addressing an issue that I've really been struggling with in the last 2 weeks.

    Up to this point I have felt very good and proud of my progress with moderation (slow and steady).But in the last 2 weeks I've been struggling with sticking to my plan. What was discussed today was actually what I'd be... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Div46592
    United States2 months ago
  • Why Just Quit Drinking Never Worked For Me

    Perfect! Claudia was great. Thanks, Mike - another terrific and helpful podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Get to 15/wk
    United States3 months ago
  • Science based and positive

    I love the short episodes that dive into a topic or science or habit change. The guests can be interesting but I do feel like it’s heavy on the fully sober crowd (which is fine!) and that can be a little alienating if you intend to moderate or only drink socially.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    listener215
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback notes that a fully sober emphasis can feel alienating to listeners aiming to moderate.
Guests and host offer relatable stories without shaming those choosing moderation or sobriety.
Sponsorships feel aligned with the mindfulness mission and add credibility.
Listeners appreciate the non-judgmental, science-based approach to mindful drinking.
The show provides practical, bite-sized guidance that fits into busy schedules.

Top Mental Health Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Not an Alcoholic. Still Not Fine w/ Jennifer Kautsch
Q: How do labels impact women who are trying to change their drinking habits?
Labels tend to create stigma and resistance; women often resist being boxed into terms like addict or alcoholic, which can make it harder to seek help or own a healthier identity, so focusing on behaviors, goals, and a sober-minded approach is more empowering.
Not an Alcoholic. Still Not Fine w/ Jennifer Kautsch
Q: What makes the gray area harder to leave than rock bottom?
The conversation reveals that for many women, the gray area feels safer because it isn't tied to a strict identity, yet it can trap them in habitual patterns; reframing this as a question of sobriety of mind and personal values helps shift the path toward intentional change.
Your Secrets Are Making You Sick w/ Marcy Axelrod
Q: What would you want people to understand about themselves and about what's next?
Marcy advises that people should recognize they have countless opportunities to choose how they show up in the world, implying that this choice influences their life experiences significantly.
Your Secrets Are Making You Sick w/ Marcy Axelrod
Q: Can you share your own story and how it led you to the work that you're doing today?
Marcy shares her experience of childhood stuttering and the emotional pain tied to it, which inspired her to develop her framework for helping others. She emphasizes that our hidden secrets can affect our ability to live authentically and can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
When 30 Years of Sobriety Leads to a More Flexible Approach w/ Arlina Allen
Q: How do you help people figure out what kind of support they need without pushing them too hard?
Meet them where they're at, help them define their goals, and support them as they run their experiments with moderation or abstinence.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Journey to the Sunnyside

What is Journey to the Sunnyside about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on mindful approaches to alcohol, exploring strategies for cutting back, moderating, or stopping altogether. Episodes mix science-backed insights, practical tips, and real-world stories from guests and hosts to help listeners rethink their relationship with drinking. Topics frequently cover neuroscience of craving, habit change, identity around alcohol, and alternatives to alcohol in social settings. A notable through-line is non-judgmental guidance that blends behavioral science with mindfulness, often with sponsor integrations that align with the mindful-drinking mission. This combination of expert perspectives, actionable habits, and a compassionate tone is likely to appeal to listeners seeking flexible pathways to healt... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Journey to the Sunnyside?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Journey to the Sunnyside. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Journey to the Sunnyside and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Journey to the Sunnyside get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Journey to the Sunnyside, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Journey to the Sunnyside?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Journey to the Sunnyside, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Journey to the Sunnyside have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Journey to the Sunnyside has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Journey to the Sunnyside?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Journey to the Sunnyside:

1. Take a Break from Drinking
2. The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women
3. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
4. The Mel Robbins Podcast
5. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

How many episodes of Journey to the Sunnyside are there?

Journey to the Sunnyside launched 2 years ago and published 233 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Journey to the Sunnyside?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Journey to the Sunnyside?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Journey to the Sunnyside from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Journey to the Sunnyside?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Journey to the Sunnyside. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Journey to the Sunnyside?

Recent guests on Journey to the Sunnyside include:

1. Andrea Pain
2. Jenny Williamson
3. Jen Kautsch
4. Marcy Axelrod
5. Arlina Allen
6. Billy Grady
7. Zoa Conner
8. Marci Hopkins

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days