Oli Genn-Bash is one of the most interesting guests I’ve had the privilege to interview. He’s a fungi fanatic and a mycology maestro; aka he loves mushrooms!

In this deep dive episode into the true role of functional mushrooms in our drinks, Oli doesn’t hold back. He tells us what these fascinating fungi actually do in our bodies, how to identify quality suppliers and the truth about whether they’re actually having any impact when used inside low/no drinks.

This is definitely one of those episodes where I’m inviting you to strap on your listening ears and come along and learn with me.

===============

WE CHAT ABOUT

0:00 Coming up...

2:45 Oli's story

5:20 Historical & cultural use

7:01 Introducing the "Big 5"

7:28 Over-popularisation of Lion's Mane

9:57 Reishi: The mushroom of immortality

11:08 Motivation & energy from cordyceps

14:33 Olympic doping

15:35 Medicinal uses of cordyceps

17:31 How to consume functional mushrooms

20:38 Are there any side effects?

23:00 Are they effective in low/no drinks?

25:35 Zero regulations

26:27 How mushroom powder is made

28:14 Extract ratios

31:29 Will the laws change?

34:06 Turkey Tail: pharmaceutical grade cancer treatment

35:06 Chaga: not a true mushroom

37:04 Magic mushrooms for the psychotropic curious

41:41 Micro-dosing: What is it?

47:31 Why I invited Oli on the pod

48:31 The Fungi Consultancy

50:48 Find Oli

51:30 The BBQ-Q

53:39 Keep mycology alive

FIND OLI

THE FUNGI CONSULTANT.COM // @THE_FUNGI_CONSULTANT // LINKEDIN.COM/IN/OLI-GENN-BASH

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:

The Bristol Fungarium

jAGA*

BEST EPISODE TO CHECK OUT NEXT

#47 Psychotropic-curious with High & Dry

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

“Alcohol changes everything about how a drink feels and tastes and behaves.”

“There's a lot that goes on with alcohol inside a drink that is about far more than just getting you sozzled, and when you take that away, it's going to give you a different product.”

This week we cover:

0:00 Welcome to ep#68

0:26 But first, a big thank you!

2:13 The no.1 mistake

2:45 Managing expectations

3:19 Alcohol changes everything

4:47 The comparison game

5:55 Managing expectations

6:59 Tasting tips (wine)

8:07 Start simple

9:59 Don't go looking for alcohol

10:24 Give it time

10:48 Your palate will adjust

12:26 Perfect serves

13:29 Try something different

===============================

Best episode to check out next:

#66 Active vs Passive Moderation

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Matt Martin is the co-founder of MUUSH functional mushroom elixirs. A unique range of alcohol-free drinks that can be mixed and served hot, cold or added into mocktails – covering your functional needs though morning, noon and night.

But they’re not stopping there. Matt & Dan have also added an extension of kid-friendly drinks with their Mini Muush range, and wanting to ensure Generation A stays enthused and motivated, they’ve also launched a brand new docuseries called ‘One Small Step’, sharing the incredible feats of regular humans doing exceptional things.

Warm yourself up or cool yourself down with a MUUSH and settle in for a listen…

============

WE CHAT ABOUT

1:54 2025: A big year?

3:36 Matt's story

6:13 Land Rover events

7:24 Working with Asahi

9:10 The inspiration for MUUSH

12:14 What makes MUUSH unique

14:57 Adding functional mushrooms

18:08 Does it taste like mushrooms

22:22 Hot, cold & in mocktails

28:17 For the kids: Mini MUUSH

29:36 Carcinogenic concerns of sugar

32:02 One Small Step docuseries

34:17 Disrupting the alcohol market

42:07 Functional gains

47:25 Where to connect

47:55 One Small Step guests

51:15 The BBQ-Q

============

TRY MUUSH // @MUUSH.UK // MUUSH.CO

============

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:

Lucky Saint*

Guinness 0.0*

============
BEST EPISODE TO CHECK OUT NEXT

#64 FAQ: What do functional beverages do?

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

“It's a change in who you are. It's a change in the way you think. It's a change in the way that you act, and, most importantly, it's a change in your belief system.”

This week we're covering:

0:21 Active vs passive moderation

0:46 Warning: Not suitable for people with AUD

2:19 3 Es Framework

3:52 What is active moderation?

4:41 Setting the rules of active moderation

5:34 Pros of active moderation

7:30 Cons of active moderation

8:19 The final countdown

9:34 It's only temporary

10:23 Pros of passive moderation

12:13 Long-term sustainability

12:58 My passive moderation journey

13:53 Does alcohol serve you?

15:55 Cons of passive moderation

16:43 Understanding yourself

18:58 Which one is best for you?

20:52 Swapping between active and passive moderation

22:35 Mindful drinking parallels

23:01 From passive moderation to active

25:22 No right way

26:15 Questions to ask yourself

=============================================

Best episode to listen to next:

#63 FAQ: What exactly are zebra striping and bookending (& do they work)?

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Welcome to the show!!

Low No Drinker is the only twice-weekly podcast helping you find, understand and enjoy the drinks that help us all live a life less intoxicated!

Subscribe now to never miss an interview or solo episode that brings you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no and light alcohol revolution!

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Just past their two-year birthday, ZENO alcohol-liberated wines are a range of five (for now) hand-crafted wines, made “for wine enthusiasts when they choose to abstain”.

In this week’s conversation, I talk to co-founder David Hodgson about his transition from 25 years in traditional wine to launching an alcohol-free wine brand amidst the uncertainty of COVID, Brexit & a fledgling category presented to an unforgiving market.

We also touch on the inspirational philosophies behind the brand name, the growth of the non-alcoholic wine sector and ZENO’s plans for the development of both a new “serious” red wine and RTD wines in a can.

It’s a great convo with lots to sink your teeth into. Pour a glass, sit back and enjoy.

==========================================
WE CHAT ABOUT

0:00 Coming up...

2:10 David's story

9:33 3 years in the making

11:51 The only growth market

15:18 From traditional wine to alcohol-free liberation

16:10 Minimising the sugar content

17:01 Spanish winemaking

19:34 The ZENO range

27:08 RnD in frustrating times

29:19 A new 'serious' red wine

29:52 Non-alcoholic red wine challenges

33:04 Dealcoholised wine market predictions

35:16 Off trade / on trade / retail

36:45 International exports

38:31 Behind the brand name

41:01 A choice of moderation

42:17 The obstacle is the way

44:08 It's not about sobriety

45:22 Not a wine imitation

49:04 Finding ZENO

51:13 The BBQ-Q

52:44 ZENO's new RTD cans

==========================================
TRY ZENO* // @DRINKZENO // ZENOWINE.COM
==========================================

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:

KORE DRINKS

LUCKY SAINT IPA*

DRY DRINKER* (10% off with code LOWNODRINKERMAGAZINE)

WISE BARTENDER* (10% off with code LOWNODRINKERMAGAZINE)

THE ALCOHOL-FREE CO
CLUB SODA
AMATHUS

==========================================
BEST EPISODE TO CHECK OUT NEXT

#53 Creating a household legacy with NoughtyAF wines & Amanda Thomson

==========================================

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

=============================================
READ LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
=============================================

In this week's FAQ, we cover:

0:00 What are functional drinks?

1:17 Adaptogens

2:31 Nootropics

4:02 Other functionals

4:55 Natural vs synthetic ingredients

6:51 Reality check

8:18 Individual responses

9:24 Health warning

9:58 Getting started

11:35 Recommendations

=============================================

Best episode to listen to next:

#59 Plant-powered AF Brewing: On Beer

#45 - 5 brand new functional spirits from Smiling Wolf

=============================================

Also mentioned:

Sentia Red*

Impossibrew*

On Beer*

Smiling Wolf*

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

In this week's FAQ, we cover:

0:21 Where do the terms come from?

1:05 What is zebra striping?

2:17 What is bookending?

2:59 Is there any data?

3:52 Who zebra striping is good for

4:33 Who zebra striping is bad for

6:59 Honest personal reflection

7:53 Zebra striping as active moderation

9:05 When bookending works well

9:41 When bookending won't work

10:27 Final thoughts

12:14 Free access to Low No Drinker Magazine

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.