Think Thursday: The Strange Psychology of Almost

What if changing your behavior wasn’t about getting it right—but about learning what works?In this revisited Think Thursday episode, Molly explores the iterative mindset, an approach to behavior change that replaces success-or-failure thinking with experimenting, assessing, and adjusting.You’ll learn:Why mistakes can provide valuable information for your brainHow perfectionism can interfere with sustainable behavior changeWhy struggle and effort are important parts of learningHow to treat each attempt as an experiment instead of a pass-or-fail testWhy compassion and curiosity can help you stay engaged when things don’t go according to planHow small adjustments over time can create lasting changeThe goal isn’t perfection. It’s staying in the process long enough to learn, adjust, and keep moving forward.Research mentioned:Work by researcher Jason Moser and colleagues examining how the brain responds to mistakes and learning. ★ Support this podcast ★

300 episodes. 600,000 downloads. Nearly six years of conversations about alcohol, neuroscience, mindset, and changing our relationship with drinking.In this milestone episode, I'm taking a moment to celebrate the journey of the Alcohol Minimalist podcast, reflect on how it all began in December 2020, and share some of the biggest lessons I've learned along the way.From the science of behavior change to the importance of curiosity, compassion, and intentional living, this episode is both a look back and a celebration of what's possible when we keep showing up.Most importantly, it's a chance to say thank you to everyone who has listened, shared an episode, or been part of the Alcohol Minimalist community.Here's to 300 episodes, 600,000 downloads, and everything still ahead!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 ★

Think Thursday: The Strange Psychology of AlmostWhy do Olympic bronze medalists sometimes appear happier than silver medalists? The answer reveals something fascinating about how our brains process disappointment, success, and the things that almost happened.In this episode of Think Thursday, we're exploring counterfactual thinking—our brain's tendency to imagine alternative outcomes and how those imagined possibilities influence our emotions.We'll explore:Why finishing second can sometimes feel worse than finishing third.How "if only" and "what if" thinking shape our emotional experiences.Why near misses can create surprisingly intense disappointment.The difference between learning from the past and getting stuck in regret.How becoming aware of our mental comparisons can help us appreciate our progress.The takeaway: What happened is only part of the experience. What we believe it means—and what we're comparing it to—plays a powerful role in how we feel.Research mentioned:Medvec, Madey & Gilovich (1995) — When Less Is More: Counterfactual Thinking and Satisfaction Among Olympic Medalists.Kahneman & Miller (1986) — Norm Theory: Comparing Reality to Its Alternatives. ★ Support this podcast ★

This week on The Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, I'm joined by Dean Chew, creator of AlcoLog, an alcohol tracking app designed to help you build awareness, recognize drinking patterns, and make more intentional choices about alcohol.Dean shares his personal journey with alcohol, including his experience with naltrexone and The Sinclair Method, and how his own struggles inspired him to create a tool to help others change their drinking habits.What I especially appreciate about AlcoLog is its flexible, nonjudgmental approach. Whether you're working toward moderation, adding more alcohol-free days, or choosing sobriety, the app helps you:Track your drinks and better understand your drinking patterns.Monitor your progress and recognize positive changes over time.Track medications, including naltrexone, alongside your alcohol consumption.Set personal goals that support your individual relationship with alcohol.Stay motivated with challenges and tools that encourage consistency.Dean also shares details about AlcoLog's free Sober October challenge, which you can join anytime during October.If you're looking for a practical, science-informed way to become more mindful about your drinking, this conversation is for you.Because changing your relationship with alcohol starts with awareness—and progress doesn't have to mean perfection.Resources:AlcoLog App:https://alcolog.app/Free Sober October Challenge: Available in the AlcoLog appLow 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 ★

Why do we sometimes struggle to follow through on our best intentions? The answer may have less to do with willpower and more to do with how easy—or difficult—we make our choices.This week on Think Thursday, we're exploring the behavioral science behind friction, default choices, and how our environment influences our habits.In this episode:Why our brains naturally favor choices that require less effort.How the default effect influences everyday decisions.What behavioral science teaches us about reducing friction.Simple ways to make healthier habits easier and unwanted habits less convenient.Why setting yourself up for success is often more effective than relying on discipline.The takeaway: Meaningful change requires effort, but unnecessary obstacles don't have to be part of the process. Sometimes making better choices starts with making those choices easier.Research mentioned:Johnson & Goldstein (2003), Do Defaults Save Lives? — ScienceBehavioural Insights Team (2014), EAST: Four Simple Ways to Apply Behavioural Insights ★ Support this podcast ★

What if drinking less starts with sleeping better?In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, Molly explores new research on the connection between insomnia treatment and alcohol use. The study found that among heavy drinkers with insomnia, improving sleep was associated with reductions in drinking—especially among women.Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it can also disrupt sleep later in the night. That can leave you more tired, stressed, and depleted the next day—making thoughts like I need a drink or I deserve it feel even more convincing.The key idea: sometimes the evening urge to drink is influenced by what happened the night before.This week, try tracking just a few things: your sleep quality, your late-afternoon energy, your desire to drink, and what you ultimately decide to do.You’re not trying to prove anything. You’re simply looking for patterns.Because drinking less isn’t always about more willpower. Sometimes it’s about making the decision easier by changing the conditions around it.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 ★

Why does change sometimes feel easier when we’re doing it alongside other people?In this Think Thursday episode, Molly explores the science behind shared goals, group support, and collective behavior change — and why being part of something can influence motivation, effort, identity, and persistence.In this episode:How social norms influence what feels normal and possibleWhy shared identity can make behavior change feel differentThe Köhler effect and how other people can increase effortWhy shared struggle helps normalize difficult daysHow group support can help without creating dependenceWhy behavior change is personal — but doesn’t have to be lonelySometimes the work is still yours, but doing it alongside others can change the environment in which that work happens. ★ Support this podcast ★

What if the goal of More Sober October isn’t a perfect calendar—but learning something about your relationship with alcohol?In this episode, Molly shares how to approach October as an experiment instead of an exam. Rather than measuring success solely by alcohol-free days, use the month to get curious about your desire to drink, practice experiencing urges without automatically acting on them, and notice what genuinely changes when you drink less.What You’ll Learn:How to choose a More Sober October goal that works for youWhat may actually be driving your desire to drinkWhy wanting a drink doesn’t mean you have to have oneHow Alcohol Core Beliefs influence your drinking habitsWhat to notice about sleep, energy, mood, and social situations when you drink lessWhy an off-plan day is information—not failureTry ThisChoose a goal for October and a question you want to answer.Maybe it’s: Does alcohol really help me relax? Can I enjoy Friday night without drinking? What happens to my sleep when I drink less?The goal isn’t to win October. It’s to finish the month understanding yourself—and your relationship with alcohol—a little better.Join More Sober October-The DailyLow 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 ★

World Alzheimer’s Day is a good reminder that the story around Alzheimer’s disease is changing.In this Think Thursday episode, Molly looks at what we know now about earlier diagnosis, blood-based biomarkers, newer treatments that can slow disease progression for some people, and the growing evidence that lifestyle factors may influence dementia risk.In this episode:How Alzheimer’s blood tests are changing diagnosisWhy earlier detection matters more than everWhat new Alzheimer’s medications can — and cannot — doThe 14 potentially modifiable dementia risk factors identified by the Lancet CommissionWhy cardiovascular and metabolic health are also brain healthWhat the U.S. POINTER and LatAm-FINGERS studies suggest about lifestyle and cognitionPractical ways to support long-term brain healthWhen changes in memory or thinking deserve medical attentionThe biggest takeaway: there may not be one single thing that protects the brain. Increasingly, the research points to the power of a pattern — movement, cardiovascular health, hearing and vision care, social connection, continued learning, sleep, and staying engaged with life.Alzheimer’s is still a complex and devastating disease, but the science is giving us more reason for hope — and more opportunities to influence the health of the brain we have right now. ★ Support this podcast ★

What does “drink less” actually mean?In this episode of the Alcohol Minimalist podcast, Molly explores the changing alcohol guidelines and why there isn’t one simple number that guarantees a “safe” level of drinking.She breaks down the difference between a standard drink and what’s actually in your glass, explains why alcohol-related risk exists on a continuum, and shares a more useful question than, “How much am I allowed to drink?”Instead, consider:What is the lowest amount of alcohol that still gives me what I value without creating consequences I don’t want?You’ll learn:What counts as a standard drinkWhy higher-ABV drinks can add up quicklyWhy alcohol guidelines aren’t guaranteesHow to think about alcohol risk more realisticallyHow to find your own “minimum effective dose”Why tracking your real drinking patterns can help you make better decisionsAlcohol Minimalism isn’t about following someone else’s perfect number. It’s about removing excess alcohol from your life so alcohol doesn’t remove you from your life.Until next time, choose peace.Resources Mentioned: More Sober OctoberSunnyside MedLow 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 ★