About this episode

The episode explores the role of alcohol in social events and offers insights on building confidence and joy without it.

Why does alcohol feel essential to parties, celebrations, and big social events? And what’s really at stake when you rethink your drinking in those spaces? Anna Donaghey is joined by Evan Cudworth, a self-described “party coach,” who shares his personal journey through alcohol-fueled confidence, alter egos, and radical new rituals. Together, they explore why we outsource energy and confidence to booze, how nostalgia can keep us stuck, and why the real “party” has to start within. Evan Cudworth breaks down his unique framework for building confidence and joy without alcohol and offers stories from both wild raves and deep silence at Burning Man. Whether you’re worried you can’t party sober (or just curious how presence can replace performance), this episode shares new possibilities. Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: The myth that drinking is the party 01:16 Why parties without alcohol feel unimaginable 07:21 Creating alter egos: who are we trying to access? 09:31 The “alcohol is a credit card” analogy 11:42 How social norms & culture shape drinking 14:44 Parties as rituals: St. Patrick’s Day and celebration engines 20:30 The act of doing shots and what it really signifies…

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