If you're questioning your relationship with alcohol, you're not alone—and you don't have to figure it out by yourself. A growing community of authors, coaches, podcasters, and advocates are changing the conversation around drinking, especially for adults over 40 who don't fit the traditional "alcoholic" narrative but know something needs to change.
These aren't voices preaching abstinence or shame. They're thoughtful, nuanced perspectives that meet you where you are—whether you're sober curious [blocked], exploring gray area drinking [blocked], or simply want to drink less and feel better.
Here are 12 voices worth following.
The Science-Based Educators
These voices bring research, data, and neuroscience to the conversation—helping you understand why you drink and how to change.
Annie Grace — This Naked Mind
Where to find her: @thisnakedmind on Instagram | thisnakedmind.com
Annie Grace's book This Naked Mind has become the unofficial bible of the sober curious movement. What sets her apart is her science-based, growth-oriented approach. Rather than using fear tactics or shame, she helps readers understand the neuroscience of alcohol addiction and rewire their beliefs about drinking.
Her work is particularly valuable for people who've tried moderation and failed, or who intellectually know they should drink less but can't seem to make it stick. She addresses the unconscious beliefs that keep us reaching for a drink even when we don't want to.
Start with: Her book This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life, or her podcast of the same name.
Jolene Park — Gray Area Drinkers
Where to find her: @grayareadrinkers on Instagram | grayareadrinkers.com
Jolene Park is a functional nutritionist who coined the term "gray area drinking [blocked]"—the space between rock-bottom alcoholism and occasional social drinking where millions of adults find themselves. Her TEDx talk on the subject has been viewed millions of times and resonates deeply with people who don't have a dramatic drinking story but know their relationship with alcohol isn't serving them.
Her NOURISH method focuses on replenishing neurotransmitters and supporting the nervous system—a body-first approach that addresses why we crave alcohol rather than just white-knuckling through cravings. She's been featured on NPR, CBS Morning News, HuffPost, and Forbes Health.
Start with: Her TEDx talk on Gray Area Drinking, then explore her podcast and coaching programs.
Molly Watts — Alcohol Minimalist
Where to find her: @alcoholminimalist on Instagram | mollywatts.com
Molly Watts hosts the Alcohol Minimalist podcast, specifically designed for daily habit drinkers, adult children of alcoholics, and anyone stuck in the gray area of alcohol use. What makes her perspective unique is her focus on moderation and mindfulness rather than complete abstinence.
As someone who grew up with an alcoholic mother, Molly brings personal experience alongside practical strategies. Her approach is about creating a "peaceful relationship with alcohol"—which might mean drinking less, drinking differently, or not drinking at all, depending on what works for you.
Start with: Her podcast Alcohol Minimalist: Change Your Drinking Habits! and her book of the same name.
The Community Builders
These voices have created spaces where people can connect, share, and support each other through the journey of changing their drinking habits.
Laura McKowen
Where to find her: @lauramckowen on Instagram | lauramckowen.com
Laura McKowen is the author of We Are The Luckiest and founder of The Luckiest Club (TLC), a recovery community that has helped thousands of people find support in sobriety. What sets Laura apart is her raw honesty about the ups and downs of recovery—she doesn't pretend it's easy or glamorous.
Her writing is deeply personal and relatable, especially for women navigating sobriety while managing careers, relationships, and motherhood. She's not afraid to talk about rock bottom, but she also emphasizes that you don't need a dramatic story to deserve support.
Start with: Her book We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life, then consider joining The Luckiest Club if you're looking for community support.
Millie Gooch — Sober Girl Society
Where to find her: @milliegooch on Instagram | sobergirlsociety.com
Millie Gooch founded Sober Girl Society, a UK-based community that describes itself as "the sisterly safe space for sober and sober curious women who are changing their relationship with alcohol." What's remarkable about Millie is that she quit drinking at 26—proving that you don't need to wait until you're "old enough" to have a problem.
Her content is fresh, modern, and particularly resonant for women who feel like they should be able to drink "normally" but find themselves constantly overdoing it. She addresses the unique pressures women face around drinking culture.
Start with: Follow her Instagram for daily inspiration, then explore the Sober Girl Society community and her book The Sober Girl Society Handbook.
Sober Motivation
Where to find them: @sobermotivation on Instagram
With over 270,000 followers, Sober Motivation is one of the largest sober-focused Instagram accounts. The account posts daily motivation, quotes, and community support for people at every stage of their journey with alcohol.
What makes this account valuable is its consistency—every day, you'll see content that reinforces your decision to drink less or not at all. It's like having a supportive friend in your pocket who reminds you why you're making this change.
Start with: Follow the account and turn on notifications for daily motivation. They also have a podcast worth checking out.
The Mindful Drinking Advocates
These voices focus on intentionality and awareness rather than strict rules—meeting people where they are.
Ruby Warrington — Sober Curious
Where to find her: @rubywarrington on Instagram | rubywarrington.com
Ruby Warrington literally wrote the book on being sober curious. Her 2018 book Sober Curious helped launch a movement by giving a name to people who weren't alcoholics but were questioning whether alcohol was serving them. The subtitle says it all: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol.
Ruby brings a spiritual and wellness-oriented perspective to the conversation, connecting sobriety to broader themes of consciousness, presence, and personal growth. Her work is especially resonant for people interested in holistic wellness.
Start with: Her book Sober Curious, then follow her Instagram for ongoing insights.
Nick Allen & Ian Andersen — Sunnyside
Where to find them: sunnyside.co
Nick Allen and Ian Andersen are the co-founders of Sunnyside, a mindful drinking app that uses behavioral psychology and technology to help people drink more intentionally. Unlike apps focused on complete sobriety, Sunnyside is designed for people who want to cut back without necessarily quitting entirely.
Their approach is data-driven and non-judgmental, helping users track their drinking, set goals, and build healthier habits over time. It's a great option for people who respond well to tracking and accountability.
Start with: Download the Sunnyside app and try their free trial. Listen to Ian's appearances on podcasts like Alcohol Minimalist for deeper insights.
Rachel Hart — Take a Break
Where to find her: rachelhart.com
Rachel Hart is a life coach who hosts the Take a Break from Drinking podcast. Her approach is rooted in cognitive behavioral techniques, helping listeners understand the thought patterns and beliefs that drive their drinking.
What's refreshing about Rachel's work is her focus on the "why" behind drinking. She helps people understand that willpower isn't the answer—changing your relationship with alcohol requires changing your thinking. Her podcast is particularly valuable for people who've tried to cut back through sheer determination and failed.
Start with: Her podcast Take a Break from Drinking, especially the early episodes that lay the foundation for her approach.
The Wellness Integrators
These voices connect alcohol reduction to broader health and wellness goals.
Sarah Rusbatch — Grey Area Drinking Coach
Where to find her: sarahrusbatch.com
Sarah Rusbatch is a certified Grey Area Drinking Coach based in Australia who brings a holistic wellness perspective to alcohol reduction. Her work addresses the intersection of drinking with anxiety, stress, and overall wellbeing.
Sarah is particularly valuable for people who use alcohol to cope with stress or anxiety and need to develop alternative coping strategies. She offers coaching, courses, and a supportive community for people ready to change.
Start with: Her blog and social media content, then explore her coaching programs if you're looking for personalized support.
Holly Whitaker — Tempest
Where to find her: @hollylwhitaker on Instagram | tempestlifestyle.com
Holly Whitaker is the author of Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol and founder of Tempest (formerly Hip Sobriety). Her work takes a feminist lens to sobriety, examining how alcohol culture particularly harms women and how the recovery industry has historically been designed by and for men.
Holly's perspective is provocative and challenging—she doesn't just help people quit drinking, she helps them question the entire system that normalized their drinking in the first place. Her work is especially powerful for women who feel like they've been sold a lie about wine being self-care.
Start with: Her book Quit Like a Woman, which will fundamentally change how you think about alcohol culture.
Your Sober Pal (Laura)
Where to find her: @yoursoberpal on Instagram and TikTok
Sometimes you need serious support, and sometimes you need to laugh. Your Sober Pal provides the latter—hilarious, relatable content about sober life that proves you don't have to be boring to be alcohol-free.
With over five years of sobriety, Laura creates content that normalizes not drinking while keeping things light and fun. Her Reels and TikToks are perfect for those moments when you need a reminder that sober life can be joyful, not just virtuous.
Start with: Follow her on Instagram or TikTok for daily laughs and relatable sober content.
Finding Your People
One of the most powerful things about these voices is that they prove you're not alone. Millions of people are questioning their relationship with alcohol, and a vibrant community exists to support you—whatever that looks like for you.
You don't need to hit rock bottom to deserve support. You don't need to commit to never drinking again to start making changes. And you don't need to figure this out alone.
Whether you're sober curious [blocked], exploring gray area drinking [blocked], dealing with alcohol and menopause [blocked], or simply want to drink less after 40 [blocked], these voices offer wisdom, community, and practical tools to help you on your journey.
Start by following a few that resonate with you. Listen to a podcast episode on your commute. Join a community. Read a book. Small steps lead to big changes.
Ready to start tracking your own journey? Download ClearDays and join thousands of adults who are drinking less and living better.
