EP 35: From Bartender to Alcohol-Free Bar Owner: Josh James’s Story

I had the best time talking with Josh James, founder of Ocean Beach Cafe in San Francisco and a true pioneer in the alcohol-free movement. Josh’s story is wild in the best way: he went from being a bartender to opening one of the first non-alcoholic bars in the country. We talk about what really happens when you remove alcohol, not just from your body, but from your identity. Josh shares how taking a year off drinking helped him rediscover his productivity, heal his brain, and build something he never thought possible. And if you’re curious about non-alcoholic wines, functional beverages, or why the alcohol industry is overdue for disruption, this episode is packed with science, real talk, and inspiration. Josh and I also geek out on why alcohol crosses the blood-brain barrier (and mouthwash myths you won’t believe), plus the emerging future of sober socializing. 📝 In This Episode, We Talk About: How Josh went from bartending to owning an alcohol-free cafe Taking a year off drinking and the reality of brain healing The cultural pressure to drink and how it shapes identity Why alcohol is “all calories” and still sneaks into our health routines The real science behind distillation, ethanol, and non-alcoholic wine Why most non-alc reds are disappointing (but one Austrian wine changed everything) The rise of functional, adaptogen-based spirits—and why they’re the future Building Ocean Beach Cafe on a shoestring and making sobriety look and feel cool His dream for a six-part docuseries showing how alcohol is being disrupted globally 🔗 Connect with Josh: 🌐 Visit: Ocean Beach Cafe – San Francisco 📸 Instagram: @joshthenonalcoholic 📺 YouTube: Josh the Non-Alcoholic Home - Zeronimo Wine 💬 Want to learn more about the tools I offer? 👇 Am I Drinking Too Much Quiz   Six-Week Alcohol Reset Drink Less By Monday  Book a FREE Discovery Call Follow me on Instagram