Mocktails with Marina

In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the refreshing world of botanical beverages, focusing on the launch of Lumenade—a brand that marries all-natural ingredients with essential electrolytes. Hosted by Marina Castillo and Tessa Morris, the discussion starts with a peek into Tessa’s hectic life balancing real estate duties with her passion for crafting a unique drink option aimed at millennial women. 

Tessa introduces us...

In this enriching episode of "Mocktails with Marina," Marina sits down with Eddie Higginson, a Kavatender with extensive experience in community building within the kava bar scene.

Eddie recounts his personal journey into the kava industry, shedding light on the calming effects of kava and its potential to enhance community interactions. He reflects on the transformative role of kava bars in offering diverse beverage choices and fo...

In this engaging episode of "Mocktails with Marina," we sit down with the passionate Ellie St. Aubin, the visionary owner and operator behind the lifestyle brand Dry in the Desert. Known for its focus on promoting a sober lifestyle and providing a plethora of non-alcoholic options, Dry in the Desert aims to revolutionize socializing in Phoenix and beyond.

Marina kicks off the conversation by expressing her excitement about collabor...

Welcome to a special episode of "Mocktails with Marina," where we blend the themes of sobriety, community, and the unique allure of kava bars into a refreshing conversation. Today, our host Marina delves into the intriguing world of kava bars with the help of Ariana Foshag, who brings a wealth of experience from her journey from traditional bartending to embracing the kava culture.

Ariana opens up about her search for a work enviro...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," the host, Marina, delves into the critical topic of responsible serving sizes for popular botanicals, emphasizing the importance of serving kava and speciosa safely and responsibly. Marina shares her extensive experience and passion for creating safe, sober spaces and highlights the dangers of inappropriate dosages.

She offers detailed serving size guidelines for both kava and speciosa, d...

Episode 13: Sober Las Vegas: How Easy It Is To Fail in Sin City If You Give into the Vices," the podcast explores the unique challenges and opportunities of maintaining sobriety in a city famous for indulgence. The episode begins with an introduction to the theme, emphasizing the importance of navigating Las Vegas' party atmosphere without succumbing to alcohol. It then delves into the city's general perception as a hub of nightlif...

In this enlightening episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo delves deep into the concept of "Dry Tripping," exploring the increasing trend of alcohol-free vacations and the burgeoning opportunity for entrepreneurs in the realm of sober lounges and kava bars. 

Marina begins by encouraging listeners to join the mailing list at marinamars.com for the latest in industry news, recipes, and more, setting the stage for a c...

In an incredibly informative episode of "Mocktails with Marina," host Marina explores the innovative world of non-alcoholic brewing with Jody and Keith Villa, the pioneering founders of Ceria Brewing Company. Keith Villa, celebrated for creating the renowned Blue Moon beer and possessing a wealth of experience and a Ph.D. in brewing from the University of Brussels, alongside his partner Jody, a skilled civil engineer, embark on a p...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," host Marina welcomes Heidi and Charles from the podcast "Kava and Kettlebells" for a crossover episode to discuss all things related to kava. Heidi and Charles share their journey of starting their podcast, driven by their passion for kava and a desire to provide unbiased reviews and information about kava and other botanicals. They emphasize the importance of kava in their lives, particu...

In the latest episode of "Mocktails with Marina," we dive deep into the heartwarming and inspirational story behind Parch Non-Alcoholic Agave Spirits with our guest, Catherine, the Director of E-commerce and Customer Ops at Parch.

The episode unfolds the journey of Parch, initiated by co-founder Rudy Aldana's life-changing health scare due to a sudden cancer diagnosis. This moment of adversity led him to reassess his life choices, ...

Join Marina on the latest episode of "Mocktails with Marina" as we dive into the effervescent world of Odyssey Elixir with the company's director, Max Surprenant. In this illuminating conversation, we uncover the roots of Odyssey's journey, beginning as a pioneering cannabis company from 2017 to 2020, to its evolution into a trailblazer in the RTD functional mushroom beverage space. Discover how founder Scott Frohman's passion for ...

Join Marina as she dives into the vibrant world of non-alcoholic beverages for various special occasions. Marina opens the episode with an exciting announcement about the upcoming Odyssey interview and reveals a sneak peek into future episodes featuring interviews with diverse companies. She also encourages listeners to join her mailing list at marinamars.com for the latest updates on mocktail recipes, courses, workshops, and more.

In this captivating episode of "Mocktails with Marina," host Marina shares her unique journey through the nightlife scene as both a performer and an event producer, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to supporting business owners in creating collaborative and inclusive spaces.

From her early days as a dance instructor to producing shows with Cirque Du Soleil members, Marina's story is one of passion, resilience, and...

Join Marina in the latest episode of "Mocktails with Marina," where she delves into the intriguing world of kava bar culture and its growing presence in modern social life. Marina starts by inviting listeners to join her community through her website, emphasizing the wealth of knowledge, recipes, and industry insights available. She sets the stage with a disclaimer about her personal journey and beliefs in natural healing and herba...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," join host Marina as she delves into the intricate world of bar management, drawing on her 12 years of experience in the service and nightlife industries. Marina's insights transcend traditional business perspectives, offering a unique blend of practical advice and personal stories from her time managing bars, including challenges like a construction site impacting her bar Lacuna Phoenix a...

In this captivating episode, "Mixology and the Foundations of a Balanced Mocktail," Marina dives deep into the art and science of mixology, unraveling the secrets behind crafting the perfect mocktail. The episode starts with an exploration of the essential elements of mixology, such as understanding the balance of flavors like sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami, and how to harmoniously blend these to create a delightful mocktail...

In this episode of "Mocktails with Marina," host Marina delves into the world of zero-proof living, examining both personal and professional perspectives. The episode begins with a comprehensive overview of what 'zero-proof' means, highlighting its growing trend and debunking common misconceptions. Marina then explores the multifaceted benefits of adopting a zero-proof lifestyle and running a zero-proof business, touching on physic...

In the debut episode of "Mocktails with Marina," Marina takes you on a personal and professional journey that's as diverse as it is inspiring. From her roots in various service industries to her transformative experiences in nightlife and entertainment, Marina's story is a testament to the power of passion and resilience.

Discover how Marina's life took a dramatic turn during the pandemic, leading her to sobriety and a new path as ...