“Today I am sober and you are sober.”
That’s how the episode ends — two grown women wearing alien headbands, debating whether the ocean is actually space. Because let’s be honest, sobriety doesn’t mean you stop asking weird questions. It just means you remember to hydrate between them.
The internet is currently losing its collective mind over something called 3I Atlas — apparently the third interstellar visitor to enter our solar system. Detected in July 2025, moving like it knew where it was going, and then—because drama loves a plot twist—it vanished for 19 seconds before popping back up. Cue NASA’s website going dark during a government shutdown and voilà: TikTok had content for days.
Tamar and I did what any sober Gen X women would do: laugh first, then ask better questions.
The Dread We Used to Drink About
Let’s call it out: cosmic dread used to be a drinking cue.
Aliens, elections, wars, climate doom, or that one headline about “scientists discovering something mysterious in space”—all solid excuses to pour another glass.
“I used to drink to avoid dread,” Alysse says. “Because dread feels like powerlessness.”
And nothing makes humans feel more powerless than the idea that something massive, ancient, or off-planet is headed our way and we have zero say in it.
So we do what we’ve been conditioned to do: doom scroll, obsess over 19-second YouTube clips, and convince ourselves we just need to know what’s really going on. “It’s a probe.” “It’s a psyop.” “It’s Project Blue Beam.” “It’s fallen angels.”
Because once you can name it, it feels smaller.
The Recovery Reframe
Tamar nails it: if aliens were coming, would some people drink over it? Absolutely.
Not because aliens are terrifying—but because they were already looking for a reason.
“Those are people who were gonna drink anyway,” is what you’ll hear me say in this video. “There’s something they haven’t made peace with on the inside.”
That’s the heartbeat of sober pop culture: the world will always hand you a reason to escape. Sobriety just keeps whispering back—choose clarity.
Space vs. The Sea: We’re the Ants
And here’s where it gets deliciously humbling: we claim to know what’s out in space, yet 90% of our own ocean remains unexplored. “We know more about space than the ocean, we’re basically ants trying to explain the galaxy.”
But there’s freedom in that. Ants don’t run the universe. They just do the next ant thing.
That’s recovery energy right there: stay present, stay curious, and stop pretending we’re supposed to control the cosmos.
The Sober Superpower of 2025
We’re living in a world where AI can fake space footage, government sites crash at inconvenient moments, and viral creators can build a cult following off 11 minutes of “research.”
Discernment is a recovery tool now.
Be careful, friends. There’s a lot of fake out there.
That’s not paranoia. That’s sobriety.
Final Landing
Uncertainty isn’t a relapse cue.
We don’t have to drink just because the universe is big.
Curiosity can be sober.
You can stream UAP documentaries and sip a tinfoil mocktail.
Presence still wins.
“Today I am sober and you are sober.”
That’s the whole ballgame.
So if the UAPs show up wearing top knots, great.
If it’s just a rock, also great.
If it’s a psyop—well, we’ll podcast about it.
Either way, we’re meeting it with clear eyes and no hangover.
Come for the conspiracy. Stay for the clarity.
And if the aliens put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us… We’ll save them a seat on the sober side.
MAY THE SOBER FORCE BE WITH YOU SPECIAL SECTION: Check out our special Star Wars curated section featuring the Star Wars + Yoda versions of the 12 Steps, and much more!
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Getting sober is one thing—but staying sober? That’s where the real adventure begins.
This show is for you if you’ve ever wondered:
– Where can I find inspiring sober podcasts, apps, and creators?
– How do I give back or stay plugged into the sober community
– What are the best sober-friendly drinks and travel tips?
– Where do I find the good NA drinks that don’t taste like regret?
The Sober Curator is your go-to for sober pop culture, booze-free travel, apps, creators, and community.
We’re not here to help you get sober.
We’re here to help you live sober—and love it.
What happens when sobriety finally clicks — not just in the body, but in the soul? In this powerful episode, Alysse Bryson sits down with recovery advocate and community leader Jonathan Gildart to talk about incarceration, identity, and finding true belonging in LGBTQ+ recovery spaces. With over 11 years of continuous sobriety, Jonathan shares how service, accountability, and queer community didn’t just help him stay sober — they helped him build a life worth staying for.
Key Takeaways
Why sobriety without community often isn’t enough
How LGBTQ+ recovery spaces create safety, accountability, and joy
The myth of “I don’t have a drinking problem” — and how it unravels
Why service is one of the most powerful relapse-prevention tools
How recovery housing builds responsibility, dignity, and connection
Key Timestamps
[01:26] Meet Jonathan Gildart & his sober origin story
[03:00] Incarceration as the unexpected turning point
[05:10] “I thought I could just drink” — relapse myths
[08:00] Acceptance, identity, and the search for belonging
[12:00] Recovery housing & rebuilding adult life skills
[15:00] Service, leadership, and the Gay & Sober Conference
Notable Resources & Mentions
Oxford House recovery housing
Gay & Sober Conference – “The Year of Love” (2026)
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About:
Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, The Sober Curator Podcast delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK at The Sober Curator is your audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. We’re your bee-zy sober podcast enthusiasts, curating the best shows that educate, inspire, and entertain in the alcohol-free space.
Our archives are neatly organized so you can easily explore Recovery Podcastland—featuring our favorite recovery-based podcasts from across the globe—and the TSC Podcast Network, where we share our own original shows on sober lifestyle, pop culture, travel, entertainment, and more.
Whether you’re seeking practical recovery tips, personal stories, or uplifting inspiration, this is your go-to listening guide.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
