Thank you for an incredible weekend!
What an inspiring few days. Full of fresh insights and forward-thinking conversations about the future of alcohol moderation.
A huge thank you to our MM staff, volunteers, panelists, prize donors, and every attendee who made the Moderation Mindset Virtual Summit such a success. Your energy, openness, and ideas are what keep this movement growing.
We’re also grateful to our sponsors, OAR Health and Sunnyside, for helping make this event possible.
Keep an eye out for announcements about next year’s Summit. Bigger, bolder, and even more insightful.
Until then, thank you for being part of the moderation movement.
Moderation Mindset 2025 Agenda
Saturday
| Time | Session | Description |
| 12:30-12:45 EST |
Opening |
Andrea Pain sets the stage for two days of innovation, insight, and the evolving future of alcohol moderation. |
| 12:45-1:45 EST |
Moderation Roundtable |
Hear from diverse voices in the moderation movement as Cynthia Hoffman, Rivka Lapidus, Beej Christie Karpen, and Jennifer Fernandez share their professional perspectives. |
| 1:45-2:45 EST |
Mixology |
Join Lila Volkas for an uplifting session on crafting delicious, alcohol-free drinks that make mindful choices feel celebratory. |
| 2:45-3:00 EST | Break | |
| 3:00-4:00 EST |
Meet the Volunteers |
Moderation Management runs on the passion of its volunteers—get to know the people behind the organization and hear their stories. |
| 4:00-5:00 EST |
Technology of Moderation |
Explore how tech is reshaping alcohol moderation with Oar Health, Sunnyside & SOBRsafe. |
Sunday
| Time | Session | Description |
| 12:30-1:30 EST |
The Off Switch |
Anna Charles explores the mindset shifts and practical tools that help people find their personal “off switch” with alcohol. |
| 1:30-2:30 EST |
New Paths Forward |
This panel brings together leaders in cutting-edge approaches to alcohol consumption—Dr. Michael Bremmer on GLP-1 research, Julia Ross on amino acid therapy & Amanda Johnson, LCSW on psychedelic-assisted treatment—to explore promising new pathways for reducing drinking and reshaping habits. |
| 2:30-2:45 EST | Break | |
| 2:45-3:45 EST |
Journeys in Moderation |
Real stories, real strategies: Hannah S., Eva M. and DM O., share their experiences using Naltrexone to support their unique paths toward moderation. |
| 3:45-4:45 EST |
Future of MM |
Moderation Management leaders Andrea Pain, Jen Lima, Lisa Litt, and Nehal Vadhan discuss the organization’s direction and what’s next for the community. |
| 4:45-5:00 EST |
Closing |
Andrea Pain wraps up the summit with gratitude and reflections on the future of moderation. |
Moderation Mindset 2025 Speakers
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman
CEO, Oar Health
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman founded Oar Health in 2021 to simplify access to a daily pill to drink less or quit. Since then, more than 50,000 people have started medication-assisted treatment through Oar Health, the majority pursuing a goal of moderation.
Amanda Johnson LCSW, SEP
Integrative Somatic Relationship Therapist, Amanda Johnson, LCSW
I help individuals and couples move beyond survival mode into deeper connection using trauma-informed approaches like EMDR, Safe and Sound Protocol, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. My work explores the root causes of emotional pain and addictive patterns through nervous system healing, relational repair, and practical skills for lasting change.
Anna Charles
90 Days Later
Anna Charles is the Alcohol Freedom Coach. She helps people feel in control of alcohol, drink less and make it irrelevant in their lives. Known for her simple, doable approach, Anna shows clients how to become true take-it-or-leave-it drinkers while living full, rewarding lives. She is the bestselling author of The Off Switch and creator of the companion Off Switch app and hosts the 90 Days Later podcast.
Beej Christie Karpen
Insight Out Coaching
Beej Christie Karpen, of Insight Out Coaching, is an intuitive transformational coach, certified through New York University and specializing in problem drinking. Beej is a Certified Level 3 IFS Practitioner and Program Assistant for IFS Therapist Trainings. She’s also certified in Somatic Experiencing Trauma Healing, Clinical Hypnosis, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. In 2020 she created Mindful Drinking 101, a Six-Session Group Coaching Support Series, and is currently running the 35th session of these workshops. Beej recently presented on Mindful Drinking at the 2025 IFS Therapist Conference, as it’s her passion to raise awareness for therapists of the grey area of Harm Reduction.
Cynthia Hoffman, LMFT, CST
Founder and Director, You Rule Therapy
Cynthia has been practicing, teaching, and supervising using the principles of Harm Reduction Therapy for 25 years. She has run Harm Reduction Therapy groups for those 25 years, with 14 of those years offering group therapy for clients in a private practice setting. Cynthia is committed to working with people who use substances, have sex- and drug-linked behavior, or other compulsive sexual behavior using this compassionate, relevant and effective set of interventions and relational approach.
David Gandini
CEO and Chairman of SOBRsafe
David Gandini, CEO and Chairman of SOBRsafe, is a serial entrepreneur and has spent his career identifying and seizing opportunities in telecommunications, technology, software, and automated packaging. At SOBRsafe, he leads the charge in developing groundbreaking alcohol-detection technology designed to enhance safety, support recovery, and promote accountability. Gandini is responsible for capital creation, new business acquisition, business strategy, and partnership revenue generation, playing a pivotal role in the company’s growth. Under his leadership, SOBRsafe has become a trusted name in the sobriety tech industry, offering life-saving solutions that empower individuals and organizations to maintain sobriety with dignity and care.
Erica Mallery + ShameOver
Mindful Drinking Coach
Erica Mallery is a mindful drinking coach helping deeply feeling women discover a healthy relationship with alcohol so they can ditch the shame, feel amazing, and enjoy their wine while fully showing up in their life. *No sobriety required
Erica loves sports, traveling, escape rooms, and is an audible aficionado. She and her family are located in Denver, CO.
Hannah Sorenson
Educational Liaison, Institute of Addiction Medicine
Hannah Sorenson is a Psychotherapist in private practice and also focuses on addiction neuroscience research, clinical trials and advocacy work. She is passionate about supporting individuals to gain information about options available for moderating and / or abstaining from alcohol, as well as collaborating with clinicians and health care systems to ensure best practice care for people with AUD. Nearly 3 decades of personal experience offers keen awareness and understanding of the diversity of struggles with alcohol in all stages of one’s life.
Jennifer Fernández, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, California Center for Change
Jennifer is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Founder of the California Center for Change where she provides support to people impacted by addiction and trauma.
Jennifer Lima, MPH, NBC-HWC
Jennifer Lima serves on the Board of Directors for MM and acts as an advisor on grants and research initiatives. She brings over two decades of experience as a Research Project Director at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute’s Division of Substance Use Disorders. Jennifer holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology and is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). She is deeply committed to supporting individuals on their wellness journeys, encouraging self-acceptance, and empowering people to thrive by embracing where they are each day.
Jodi Spitzley
Owner, Jodi Spitzley LLC
Jodi Spitzley is a compassionate life coach who helps individuals reduce or minimize their alcohol consumption so they can create healthier, more balanced lives. With a supportive, non-judgmental approach, Jodi guides clients through personalized strategies, mindset shifts, and practical tools to make lasting changes. Her mission is to empower people to take control of their drinking habits, build confidence, and rediscover joy in everyday life.
Julia Ross, MA, NNT
Julia Ross Cures
Julia Ross, MA, NNT, is a pioneer in the field of addiction recovery and a world expert in the new field of nutritional psychology. Her book,The Mood Cure, an international publishing phenomena for over 20 years,describes how brain-targeted nutrients stop cravings for alcohol and other addictive substances at their neuro-chemical sources. She directs a virtual clinic and a training program for health professionals and has been featured frequently at conferences, in the media ,and online.
Lila Volkas, Certified Nutrition Consultant
The Mocktail School
Lila Volkas is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and workshop facilitator based in Oakland, California. She brings joy and connection to individuals and corporate teams through interactive food, beverage and wellness experiences. Inspired by her own healing journey, she blends holistic health with a balanced, approachable perspective, empowering participants to make informed choices while enjoying the sweet things in life. Lila is also the co-creator of The Mocktail School, a live virtual course that teaches you how to craft complex, balanced non-alcoholic cocktails with confidence.
Lisa Caren Litt, Ph.D
Lisa Caren Litt, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and recognized expert in the integrated treatment of traumatic stress and substance use. Her new book, co-authored with Dr. Denise Hien and published by Guilford, is Treating Traumatic Stress and Substance Misuse: A Guide to Integrative Practice. She previously co-authored Trauma Services for Women in Substance Abuse Treatment (APA Press, 2009). She is currently Director of the Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling in the Department of Psychology at The New School for Social Research, where she is an Associate Professor. Dr. Litt is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Moderation Management and a member of the Executive Committee and President-Elect of the New York State Psychological Association Division on Addictions. Additional Adjunct Faculty appointments include the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Adelphi University, and Teachers College, Columbia University. She has been a consultant, trainer, and clinical supervisor of behavioral intervention studies funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Dr. Litt maintains a private practice in New York City.
Dr. Michael Bremmer, PhD
Dr. Michael Bremmer, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). He earned his doctorate in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Current research investigates the potential for repurposing GLP-1 medications for the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders. He is a co-author of the first published RCT of semaglutide for alcohol use disorder.
A full list of publications can be found here.
Dr. Vadhan
Dr. Vadhan is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Molecular Medicine and Psychology (adjunct) at Hofstra University. He is the Director of the Human Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory (HNPPL), Co-Director of the Center on Psychedelics Research and Treatment (CPRT) and Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Services and Personalized Interventions Research (CASPIR), at Northwell’s Zucker Hillside Hospital and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. His research focuses on the neuropsychological effects and mechanisms of substance use in individuals with and without psychiatric illness, and cognitive-behavioral treatments for substance and alcohol use disorders, as well as therapeutic psychedelics.
Rivka Lapidus, Ph.D. LMHC
Rivka offers small weekly groups as an alternative to traditional recovery methods. Groups are moderation-friendly, harm-reduction oriented, and non-judgmental.
Visit RivkaLapidus.com to learn more.
