Check Out Non Drinking Buddies’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Non Drinking Buddies.

Hello Non Drinking Buddies, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
Rebekka Johnson: I am a comedian, actress, writer and director who is most known for my work on the Netflix series, GLOW. I have been performing sketch and improv comedy for years and was a fan of Anne’s work from afar. 

Anne Gregory: I’m also a comedian, actress and writer who worked on shows like PUNK’D and PARKS AND RECREATION. I was a fan of Rebekka’s from the LA comedy scene and bumped into her at school drop-off. It turns out our kids go to the same elementary school. 

Rebekka: We started walking after drop-offs and made each other laugh. Not too long later, we came up with ideas for ways to work together because we were having so much fun together. 

Anne: We wrote a feature comedy together, came up with TV show ideas, and then created our live comedy variety show, THE RETREAT. 

Rebekka: The Retreat lampoons a kickoff event for a corporate retreat where Anne and I play delusional She-E-O’s. After gaining a following at The Lyric Hyperion here in LA, we took the show to the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe, where it enjoyed a five-star, sold-out run and was listed as THE GUARDIAN and TIMEOUT UK’S “top picks of the Fringe.” 

Anne: While all this was going on, both Rebekka and I decided to quit drinking on THE EXACT SAME DAY, but for different reasons. I quit drinking because I would get these terrible multi-day migraines. 

Rebekka: And I quit because I was, well… an alcoholic. Ha! 

Anne: I was definitely your stereotypical Wine Mom. 

Rebekka – And I was the Party Mom, and we didn’t want to tell each other that we weren’t drinking at first because it was such a part of our identity. 

Anne: But then Rebekka texted me, admitting that she quit drinking, and I was like, “No way! I also quit.” And since that time, we have helped each other navigate this crazy world without booze. 

Rebekka: Because we helped each other to quit drinking, we started a podcast called NON DRINKING BUDDIES where we interview teetotaling guests about how they find the fun in a booze-free life. 

Anne: We have been able to talk to incredible people like Jason Ritter, Dr. Drew, Kate Siegel, and John Ross Bowie. 

Rebekka: The show drops weekly on all podcast platforms. 

Anne: You can follow us on Instagram, @nondrinkingbuddies, to see who is coming up next! 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Anne: NOT drinking alcohol has been a net positive in my life for sure. However, it hasn’t always been the easiest thing. For instance, going to parties without liquid courage has been tricky… particularly if I’m talking to a boring person. 

Rebekka: Luckily, I’m not boring! RIGHT ANNE!?! 

Anne: Duh! That’s why we are comedy partners. We have fun. 

Rebekka: That’s what our NON DRINKING BUDDIES podcast is about- finding the fun in a booze-free life. 

Anne: Speaking of fun, remember when we were in Edinburgh for the Fringe and shared a moldy studio apartment? 

Rebekka: How can I forget! My bed was next to the stove. 

Anne: Good times. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Anne -: We are known for bonkers, subversive comedy that tackles dark subject matter with levity. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Rebekka: AI, baby! That’s why Anne and I have both become robots. 

Anne: That’s the real reason why we don’t drink anymore. 

Rebekka: We would totally rust! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/non-drinking-buddies/id1721677857
• Instagram: @nondrinkingbuddies
• Youtube: @nondrinkingbuddies

Image Credits
Clay Larsen