How Marketers Made Mothers into Alcoholics (Podcast)

It’s no secret that alcohol brands target women differently with their marketing messages, but the extent to which this occurs is truly outrageous. As a mother myself, I find the notion that alcohol is a viable solution to the challenges of motherhood not only offensive but dangerously misleading.

The concept of “mommy juice” is a glaring example of how the industry has normalized the consumption of alcohol as a casual, everyday activity, particularly for mothers seeking solace from the stresses of parenting.

Today I’m digging into this phenomenon in the first episode of a series with bestselling author Ann Dowsett Johnston. Our conversation unearthed the unsettling truths about how alcohol is marketed to women, particularly mothers, and the profound impact this has on families and relationships.

Ann Dowsett Johnston is the bestselling author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol, named one of the top 10 books of 2013 by The Washington Post. An award-winning journalist with more than 30 years of experience, Ann is a prominent voice on the issue of women and risky drinking, winning many awards for her advocacy, including an honorary degree from Queen’s University. Now a psychotherapist working primarily with women, Ann also leads a dynamic memoir workshop called Writing Your Recovery, designed to help would-be writers mine the story within.

In this episode, Ann and I talk about:
00:00 The marketing of alcohol to women
01:30 The pinking of the alcohol market
03:00 The problematic marketing of alcohol
07:36 The impact of alcoholism on families
10:35 Personal struggles with alcohol
13:30 Healing and reconciliation
15:16 Navigating Shame and Guilt
16:11 Healing and Moving Forward
18:23 Impact on Children
20:13 Transformative Power of Love
21:30 Supporting Loved Ones
22:16 Healing and Reconciliation with Family
24:06 Marketing and Social Justice
29:25 Impact on Black Mothers
30:37 Alcohol Marketing Targeting Women
31:12 Public Reaction to Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
32:19 Challenges in Changing Drinking Culture
33:14 Appeal for Responsible Alcohol Marketing
34:07 Upcoming Topics and Event

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Host:   / veronicajvalli  
Guest:   / anndowsettjohnstonofficial  
Editing & Thumbnail:   / paulstennettlive