What happens when a pioneer in mixology decides to walk away from booze—and starts writing about mythical cats instead? This week, I sit down with Natalie Bovis, aka The Liquid Muse, and it’s a wild, funny, deeply heartfelt ride through festival burnout, artistic rebirth, and the unexpected magic of letting go.

Natalie is a true force to be reckoned with. There's no way I could capture everything she does in just one description, so I’ve linked to her About Page—make sure to set aside some time to really take it all in, it is a LOOOOT!

Natalie’s journey takes us from the heights of the mixology world—creating the first cocktail festival in New Mexico —to the quiet clarity of pandemic reflection, full-time caretaking, and rediscovering her creative soul. She opens up about leaving the alcohol industry, grappling with its dark undercurrents, and channeling her energy into something radically different and more fulfilling: writing about cats, gods, and the mystical intersections of art and nature.

Expect to learn about:

• How the pandemic helped her reset her life

• The evolution of her Cocktails & Culture Festival (and Taco Wars!)

• Starting Mind, Body, Spirits to promote balance in hospitality

• Writing “Cat Gods, Goddesses, Deities & Demons”—and launching a deck of oracle cards!

• Her upcoming children’s book and a retreat in Spain rooted in culinary and cultural healing

This is an episode about identity, transformation, and what it means to live in alignment with who you are—not just what you’ve done.

🎟️ Check out the Cocktails & Culture Festival and NM Cocktail Week HERE
📚 Get “Cat Gods, Goddesses, Deities & Demons” and the oracle deck
🐾 Learn more about Natalie at The Liquid Muse

If this kind of conversation speaks to you, please like, share, and subscribe—it really helps.

I talk to people in and around the service industry space, trying to make sense of this wild, beautiful mess of a life. You can find more of my work at ⁠my blog⁠, and all my social links are at the bottom of that page.

As always, I’m just here taking notes, trying to figure out what it all means.

Cheers