Holly Whitaker is a writer, thought leader, and one of the most influential voices challenging the cultural role of alcohol in modern society.
She is the author of the bestselling book Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol, a groundbreaking work that reframes alcohol use through the lens of culture, gender, and systemic influence rather than individual failure or addiction.
Before becoming a leading voice in the sober-curious movement, Holly spent years working in technology and media while privately struggling with alcohol use. As she began examining her own relationship with drinking, she noticed something that extended far beyond personal behavior: alcohol was deeply embedded in social rituals, advertising, gender expectations, and corporate influence.
Her research led her to explore the broader forces that shape drinking culture — including marketing, social conditioning, and the ways alcohol is normalized as a coping mechanism, particularly for women.
In 2014, Holly founded Tempest, an online recovery and support platform designed as an alternative to traditional abstinence programs. Tempest offers modern recovery tools, community support, and education rooted in behavioral science and personal empowerment.
Through her writing and advocacy, Holly has helped expand the conversation around alcohol beyond addiction and into a broader cultural critique. Her work asks a fundamental question: if alcohol causes so many social and health problems, why is it treated as an unquestioned part of everyday life?
In Please Drink Responsibly, Holly brings a powerful cultural perspective to the conversation, examining how alcohol became so normalized — and why more people are beginning to question that normalization.
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