Father’s Day often brings a heartfelt mix of nostalgia, pride, and maybe even a bit of trepidation for many dads—especially those on a journey of sobriety. On The Sober Curator’s “Bonus Buzz – Father’s Day Special,” hosts Jason Mayo and Tamar Routly were joined by Stephen Kimball, creator of the Sober Dad Crew Podcast, for a raw and relatable discussion about what it means to parent (and cringe at dad jokes) fully present and alcohol-free.
Rediscovering Presence: The Sober Dad Advantage
One of the resounding themes from Jason and Stephen’s dialogue is the gift of true presence that sobriety can offer fathers. Stephen reflected on those blurry early days of parenting: “If you’re defining parenthood, fatherhood… the big job is to be present for your kids and show them that you love them. Not tell them, show them.”
Both Jason and Stephen got sober when their kids were young enough not to remember the darkest moments of addiction, a fact they count as a blessing but also a motivator. Jason shared, “My oldest was seven and my youngest three when I got sober. Thinking back on those years, it’s tough to remember who I even was. I was a different dad then—definitely not as present.”
What stood out was the duo’s focus on forgiveness—for themselves and each other. The classic struggle: Do you regret your ‘before’ years, or do you accept them as part of your journey? Stephen candidly admitted regret, especially as someone who had a ‘second shot’ at fatherhood in a blended, now sober family. But both dads emphasized that grace and growth trump perfectionism.
Jason highlighted the “progress, not perfection” philosophy: “I want to be a little bit better every day. That came from sobriety… and when you look at it as progress, it’s easier to give yourself—and your kids—grace.”
The Joys and Chaos of Sober Parenting
The podcast wasn’t all heavy topics. Laughter is fuel for sober families, and parenting, it turns out, can be downright hilarious. From waking up reluctant teenagers (Jason confessed to blasting Megadeth in his daughter’s bedroom) to the punchlines of groan-worthy dad jokes, embracing the ridiculous is sometimes the saving grace: “I think in my best moments,” said Stephen, “I’m a little bit ridiculous, very dad-jokey. In our family, everything’s on the table. We’ll talk about any topic—even if it’s meth or pimple woes!”
Their candid stories about teenagers judging their social media fame (“micro-celebrity status” according to Jason) reinforced that sober dads are all about showing up—even if it means being the butt of a joke.
For sober parents, “projecting” is a persistent battle—spotting echoes of their own struggles in their children, whether it’s with anxiety, sadness, or even substance experimentation. Jason admitted, “It’s hard not to look at every issue and think, ‘Will she turn out like me?’” Stephen agreed, especially after his daughter’s battle with an eating disorder.
Their solution: Be honest, be open, and, above all, let go. “You have to let kids have their own journey,” Stephen explained. “Guide them, show up, and sometimes, that’s all you can do.”
Hope for Sober or Sober-Curious Dads
To dads who still feel lost in addiction or new to sobriety, both Jason and Stephen had a powerful message: There’s always light—a way back, even after big mistakes. “Rebuilding trust takes time,” Stephen said. “You have to show, not just tell your kids you’ve changed. It’s easy to lose trust, and super hard to rebuild it. But it’s possible.”
Sobriety, they concluded, is about intentional living—choosing to be better not just for yourself, but for the people who matter most.
The episode finished, fittingly, with a flurry of terrible (and amazing) dad jokes and shoutouts to all the resilient, fun-loving, and sometimes “needy” dads out there.
So here’s to the sober dads—the ones relearning how to parent, joke, love, and show up. To those navigating blended families, rough patches, or just another ordinary school morning: you matter, and you’re doing better than you think.
Happy Father’s Day. And remember, “Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.”
BONUS BUZZ: Dad Jokes and Real (Sober) Talk with Jason Mayo and Stephen Kimball – TSC Podcast
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.
In this heartfelt episode of The Sober Curator, host Alysse Bryson is joined by a full lineup of Sober Curator contributors—Amy Liz Harrison, Alexandra Nyman, Megan Swan, Kim Parsley, and Dr. Sarah Michaud—to explore the life and legacy of Matthew Perry through a newly released documentary. The conversation delves into the documentary's focus on Perry's addiction battles, his recovery efforts, and his lasting impact. The episode also touches upon how Hollywood treats addiction and the role of documentaries in shaping these narratives.
Timestamps:
[00:00] – Introduction & Alysse Bryson's connection to Matthew Perry
[02:01] – Overview: Matthew Perry and the documentary
[03:16] – Key highlights of the documentary: addiction and recovery themes
[15:04] – The financial aspect of rehabilitation and its exploitation
[21:13] – Conversations about Big Pharma and harm reduction
[31:00] – Codependency within the circle of celebrities
[34:44] – The documentary's mixed narrative and impact on the community
[38:06] – Remembering Matthew Perry's legacy and the humor amidst tragedy
Resources & Links:
-Documentary: Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy
-Organization: Matthew Perry Foundation
-Review: ”Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by Alysse Bryson
-Review: ”Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by Amy Liz Harrison
–Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
–Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
–LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
Connect with Us:
-Website: www.thesobercurator.com
-Facebook: @The Sober Curator
-Instagram: @thesobercurator
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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, 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 intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music.
*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.
Sober Dad Crew: A Safe Haven for Sober Fathers and Those in Recovery
Sober Dad Crew Podcast: Episode 50 Jason Mayo
#ADDTOCART: Sober Dads Gift Guide
🔗TSC Podcast on Apple Podcasts
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🔗 TSC Podcast on YouTube – 👀WATCH THE SHOW! 📺
Recovery is hard 24/7, 365 – Please know that 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. If your life or someone else’s is in imminent danger, please call 911. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call: 988.
