In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, I sit down with Stephanie Styll, owner of Killjoy, for an honest and thoughtful conversation about alcohol, behavior, and why more people are choosing to step away from drinking.

Stephanie and I both bring a unique perspective to this conversation — I’ve been alcohol-free for over six years, and Stephanie for five. That lived experience allows us to dig deeper into the why behind shifting drinking habits, beyond trends or challenges like Dry January.

We talk about the science and psychology of drinking, how alcohol affects mood, sleep, anxiety, and performance, and why more people are re-evaluating their relationship with it. We also explore how these changes are showing up in restaurants and bars, and what it means for hospitality operators who want to meet guests where they are.

🧠 Topics We Explore:

• The behavioral and neurological effects of alcohol

• Why more people are choosing to drink less — or not at all

• The connection between alcohol, anxiety, sleep, and mental clarity

• How social norms around drinking are changing

• Why alcohol-free choices aren’t a trend — they’re a shift

• How Killjoy approaches hospitality for all guests, drinkers or not

• What restaurants can learn from changing consumer behavior

This episode isn’t about telling anyone what to do — it’s about understanding ourselves and our guests better, and recognizing that hospitality is evolving alongside culture and health awareness.

🎧 Whether you’re alcohol-free, sober-curious, or simply interested in how guest behavior is changing, this is a meaningful conversation worth hearing.