Podcast
The SHIFT
Hosted by Mike Marshall · EN
The Shift — hosted by U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance CEO Mike Marshall — is a podcast about truth, stories, and change. Each episode, we bring together lived experience, community voices, and the latest research to unpack alcohol's impact and explore the policies that can protect our health and communities. Join us as we transform America's alcohol culture.
7episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Sweetest Lie in the Alcohol Aisle | The Shift | Season 1 Episode 6
1w ago00:21:38Tap to summarizeWhat looks like a fruity drink in a colorful can may actually contain the equivalent of a six-pack of beer — and most people have no idea. In this episode of The Shift, USAPA CEO Mike Marshall explores the hidden dangers of supersized "alcopops" — sugar-sweetened, high-alcohol products designed to go down easy but hit hard. Joined by alcohol researcher Dr. Matthew Rossheim, they unpack how these products are marketed, who they reach, and why they're linked to some of the most concerning alcohol-related harms in the U.S. Guest Bio Dr. Matthew Rossheim is a public health researcher and expert in alcohol marketing and policy. His work focuses on high-alcohol-content products like alcopops and their disproportionate impact on youth, injury, and violence. Key Takeaways ✅ Alcopops are designed to taste like soda or energy drinks — making it easier for young and inexperienced drinkers to consume large amounts of alcohol quickly. ✅ Some products contain up to six standard drinks in a single can — the equivalent of a binge-drinking session. ✅ Research shows underage drinkers disproportionately prefer these products due to their taste, price, and availability. ✅ Supersized alcopops are among the cheapest sources of alcohol per drink — increasing risk among youth with limited income. ✅ Emerging research suggests these products may play a role in alcohol-related violence, including sexual assault involving minors. ✅ Policy solutions — including limiting alcohol content, restricting availability, and increasing price — can significantly reduce harm. Resources & Links 📩 Subscribe to the USAPA Newsletter 💙 Donate to USAPA 📄 Transcript of this Episode 🔗 Follow USAPA: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok X Facebook
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The Biggest Alcohol Myths EXPOSED | The Shift | Season 1 Episode 5
Feb 1200:32:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Shift, USAPA CEO Mike Marshall explores common myths surrounding alcohol. Joined by physician and alcohol policy researcher Dr. Tim Naimi, they dive into the evidence on alcohol's health impacts, its role in violence and chronic disease, and the policies that could meaningfully reduce harm. Guest Bio Dr. Tim Naimi, M.D., M.P.H., is a physician and leading alcohol epidemiologist. He previously worked at the CDC and Boston University and is currently based at the University of Victoria in Canada, where his work focuses on the population-level impacts of alcohol and evidence-based policy solutions. Key Takeaways ✅ Alcohol contributes to an estimated 178,000 deaths each year in the U.S., making it a leading cause of preventable death. ✅ Alcohol increases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, challenging the myth that drinking is good for heart health. ✅ The economic costs of alcohol far exceed the revenue it generates, with taxpayers covering much of the difference. ✅ Policies that reduce affordability, availability, and acceptability of alcohol are proven to lower harm but remain underused. 📩 Subscribe to the USAPA Newsletter 💙 Donate to USAPA 📄 Transcript of this Episode 🔗 Follow USAPA: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok X Facebook
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What Big Alcohol Doesn't Want You to Know | The Shift | Season 1 Episode 4
Oct 2900:26:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Shift, USAPA CEO Mike Marshall explores Ireland's groundbreaking step toward requiring cancer warning labels on alcohol. Joined by Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, they unpack how Ireland became the first country in the world to mandate labels that tell the truth about alcohol's health risks, and what it could mean for U.S. policy. This conversation reveals why warning labels matter, how the alcohol industry fights to suppress them, and what advocates everywhere can learn from Ireland's playbook. Guest Bio Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, and is a leading advocate in Ireland who focuses on reducing alcohol harms. She is a member of the Public Health Alcohol Research Group established by the Minister for Health in Ireland to advise on alcohol policy evaluation research. Key Takeaways ✅ Alcohol warning labels make a difference — Studies show that clear health warnings reduce consumption, inform public debate, and shift cultural norms. ✅ Industry pushback is fierce and strategic — Big Alcohol uses delay tactics, misinformation, and economic arguments to stall implementation. ✅ Advocates can learn from Ireland's success — Build coalitions, gather public polling data, and keep the issue visible in the media to maintain momentum for change. Resources & Links 📩 Subscribe to the USAPA Newsletter 💙 Donate to USAPA 📄 Transcript of this Episode 🔗 Follow USAPA: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok X Facebook
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"Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?"| The Shift | Season 1 Episode 3
Oct 2200:19:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Shift, USAPA CEO Mike Marshall explores the hidden link between alcohol and breast cancer—a connection too few people know about. Joined by Stephanie Mencimer, senior reporter at Mother Jones, they unpack Stephanie's personal journey through a breast cancer diagnosis and her groundbreaking 2018 investigation, "Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?" Together, they examine how the alcohol industry has downplayed the science, shaped public perception, and even "pinkwashed" its products in the name of breast cancer awareness. Guest Bio Stephanie Mencimer is a staff reporter at Mother Jones. In 2017, Stephanie was diagnosed with breast cancer and while going through treatment wrote, "Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?" Key Takeaways ✅ Alcohol is a known carcinogen, and evidence linking it to breast cancer has been clear for decades—yet most women are never told this by their doctors. ✅ The alcohol industry has invested heavily in shaping research and public messaging, emphasizing "personal responsibility" and the myth of health benefits while minimizing known risks. ✅ Knowledge is power—as Stephanie's story shows, being informed about alcohol's real risks gives people the freedom to make choices about their health based on truth, not marketing. Resources & Links 🎙️ Subscribe to this Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@usalcoholpolicy?sub_confirmation=1 📩 Subscribe to the USAPA Newsletter → https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/ZjD6FbS/usapapodcast 💙 Donate to USAPA → https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3FALCUVKPLLTQ&source=url&ssrt=1703743018896 📄 Transcript of this episode → https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dYhLcZAuuLMyyIITepJD0ryzWvMDR-Cg/view?usp=sharing 📚 Read Stephanie's article "Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?"→ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/ 🔗 Follow USAPA: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-alcohol-policy-alliance/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/usalcoholpolicyalliance/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@usalcoholpolicyalliance X https://x.com/usalcoholpolicy Facebook https://www.facebook.com/USAlcoholPolicy/ If you found this conversation valuable, please subscribe to The Shift wherever you listen to podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear the truth.
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Cecily Mak: Alcohol, Breast Cancer, & Me | The Shift | Season 1 Episode 2
Oct 1300:26:59Tap to summarizeOn this episode of The Shift, U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance CEO Mike Marshall talks with board member, attorney, operator, investor, and advisor to start-ups and organizations across tech and wellbeing Cecily Mak about her breast cancer journey — from what she wishes she knew before she was diagnosed to the work she's doing to help people make informed choices about the role of alcohol in their lives. About Our Guest Cecily Mak, one of our USAPA board members, is an entrepreneur, author, and mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 40s. Cecily shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery and how it changed the way she thinks about alcohol, health, and the messages we're all surrounded by. It's an honest, powerful conversation about vulnerability, strength, and shifting the way we talk about breast cancer prevention. Key Discussions ✅ Cecily's cancer journey and how she learned about the link between alcohol and breast cancer. ✅ How the alcohol industry is working to prevent people from knowing the truth about their products' harms. ✅ Cecily's commitment to helping people make informed choices and change their habits or their tendencies or their relationship with alcohol or any other thing that's taking them away from presence and clarity. Alcohol was my primary one. From the inside out, from an intentional and conscious way. Resources & Links 📩 Subscribe to the USAPA Newsletter 💙 Donate to USAPA 📄 Transcript of this Episode 🌐 Cecily Mak's Website 👤 Cecily Mak's Bio 🔗 Follow USAPA: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok X Facebook
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Dr. Priscilla Martinez Explains Why You Should Drink Less for Your Breasts | The Shift | Season 1 Episode 1
Oct 800:26:11Tap to summarizeWelcome to the first episode of The Shift, the podcast where we want to shift the national narrative about alcohol. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, 40,000 American women die due to breast cancer. Of those deaths, 2,500 are directly attributable to alcohol. This episode features a conversation between host Mike Marshall and scientist Priscilla Martinez. It's really fascinating … and somewhat scary. And it started off with her talking about the science and the link between alcohol and breast cancer. About Our Guest Priscilla Martinez, MPHIL, PHD is a scientist and Deputy Scientific Director at the Alcohol Research Group with over 15 years of experience in public health research and alcohol research, specifically. She is the lead Co-Director of the National Alcohol Survey, the longest-running alcohol survey in the US. At ARG, Martinez has led several NIH- and state-funded studies examining changes in alcohol use and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the development and dissemination of health communication strategies related to alcohol and breast cancer risk, and alcohol's effects on inflammation. Her work has contributed to understanding US drinking patterns, participation in mutual-help groups, and public awareness of alcohol's health effects. She has also contributed to innovations in survey methodology, including the integration of biomarkers into population-based research and strategies for reaching populations less likely to participate in health surveys. Key Discussions ✅ How alcohol causes breast cancer. ✅ Pink washing by the alcohol industry, particularly during the October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month ✅ The Surgeon General's most recent warning about the need to increase understanding and education around the link between breast cancer and alcohol. ✅ What Drink Less for Your Breasts is doing to raise awareness for the alcohol-breast cancer link. Episode Links 📩 Subscribe to the USAPA Newsletter 💙 Donate to USAPA 📄 Transcript of this Episode 🌐 Drink Less for your Breasts 👤 Dr. Martinez's Full Bio 🔗 Follow USAPA: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok X Facebook If you found this conversation valuable, please subscribe to The Shift wherever you listen to podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear the truth.
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Kicking Off The Shift: Cecily Mak Interviews Mike Marshall
Oct 800:10:45Tap to summarizeThe Shift is a podcast that explores the hidden link between alcohol and the harm it causes, drawing from lived experience, community perspectives, the latest evidence, and the policies that can create change. In this inaugural episode, USAPA Board Member Cecily Mak interviews USAPA CEO Mike Marshall to answer the big questions – what is The Shift, and why are we launching now? Episode Links 📩 Subscribe to the USAPA Newsletter 💙 Donate to USAPA 📄 Transcript of this Episode 🔗 Follow USAPA LinkedIn Instagram TikTok X Facebook If you found this conversation valuable, please subscribe to The Shift wherever you listen to podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear the truth.
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