“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.
This week on The Sober Curator, Alysse sits down with rising pop powerhouse Ella Collier—singer, songwriter, producer, and sober Gen Z glitter bomb of honesty. From Atlanta rap influences to emotional sobriety, heartbreak breakthroughs, and the pop-star fantasy she both lives and parodies, Ella shares how sobriety amplifies—not restricts—her creativity. They talk anxiety, artistry, community, Muppet Recovery memes (yes, really), bedazzling disasters, and the real-life glow-up that happens when you ditch alcohol and reclaim your energy.
This episode is hilarious, heartfelt, hyperpop-coded, and filled with quotable moments that prove—once again—sobriety is the start of a way better party.
Takeaways:
Emotional sobriety changed Ella’s creative process. She channels heartbreak, internal tension, and joy directly into her lyrics and content with radical honesty.
Sobriety = glow-up. Better skin, more money, more libido, more energy. Ella calls it “the ultimate anti-aging hack.”
Pop-star fantasy meets real life. Ella loves the glam—but also pulls back the curtain on crying between takes, breakups, and imperfect reality.
Connection is part of the work. She hosts Zoom sessions with fans for each new release to build authentic community.
Creativity thrives in sobriety. Both Alysse and Ella bond over being ”painfully self-aware,” driven, and joyfully obsessive about their creative platforms.
Recovery memes are culture. Muppet Recovery = required viewing. Ella immediately writes it down.
Key Timestamps:
00:00:24 — Ella opens up about anxiety, “addiction to problems,” and survival-mode energy from childhood
00:01:53 — Alysse introduces Ella’s music career: Love Island, NBA2K, X Games, and Spotify’s SALT playlist
00:10–00:20 — Sobriety, self-expression & Ella’s relationship to emotional growth
00:29:00 — Social awkwardness in sobriety + finding community anywhere you go
00:38:00 — Bedazzled books, Barbie mishaps & the joy of crafting sober art
00:41:00 — Pop-star fantasy vs. real life: humor, heartbreak & honesty online
00:49:00 — Ella’s single-release strategy & the “I Don’t Do Drugs” moment
Resources & Links:
Ella Collier Music — https://ellacolliermusic.com
Instagram: @ellacollier
Spotify: Ella Collier
TikTok: @ellacollier
Muppet Recovery article: https://thesobercurator.com/nostalgia-memes-and-sobriety-how-muppet-recovery-on-instagram-became-a-beloved-gem/
–Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
–Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
–LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
Connect with Us:
-Website: www.thesobercurator.com
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Send Feedback:
If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!
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, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.
*The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open and honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. While we celebrate all paths to a sober lifestyle, some topics discussed may be sensitive or triggering for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re in recovery or exploring sobriety, please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.
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.
