On a recent episode of The Sober Curator Podcast, hosts Alysse Bryson welcomed country music’s Aaron Goodvin for an unfiltered conversation about all things sobriety, creativity, fatherhood, and life in the spotlight. Much more than a “rock bottom” origin story, Aaron’s journey highlights the ongoing, everyday pivot points that make lasting recovery possible—and how sobriety has completely re-engineered his approach to both life and art.
Aaron Goodvin is no stranger to success: with 13 CCMA nominations, a Juno nod, over 100 million streams, and writing credits for Luke Bryan and Jon Pardi, his career is enviable by any measure. But, as Aaron shared, the real shift occurred when sobriety became part of his identity—not just in life but in music.
He describes how themes of recovery naturally started to appear in his songwriting after he got sober, culminating in his latest EP, Drinkin’ Hand. “As a product of this is my life now… ideas started showing up, like song titles, because that’s just where I was,” Aaron explains. Sobriety is no longer a thing he hides or simply copes with in private—it’s front and center, both in his lyrics and his conversations with fans.
Beyond the “First Sober Day”: Relapse, Learning, and Real Talk
One of the powerful takeaways from Aaron’s candid chat is that sobriety is rarely a straight line. His story includes several attempts, a few run-ins with the law, and a lot of “white knuckling” before finding a lasting path forward. “I thought I was going to have to lose everything,” he admits, echoing the experience of many who struggle with addiction.
Crucially, he emphasizes that “getting sober and staying sober” are two very different challenges—a perspective that resonates strongly with listeners. The humility and humor he brings to this topic, especially his willingness to call out the myth of one-and-done recovery, offers hope and realism in equal measure.
Life on the Road, on Stage, and Sober
The myth of booze as a creative muse or a performance enhancer is alive and well in the music industry—something Aaron is quick to debunk. For years, he felt his best shows had to be fueled by alcohol, only to discover after quitting that he’s a better musician, writer, and friend when he’s sober.
He’s also open about the evolving sober culture in country music. “I found so many people in the music industry that I didn’t even know were sober,” he says, highlighting the shift taking place among both artists and audiences. These connections, often made after simply disclosing his own sobriety, have shown him that he’s far from alone.
Importantly, Aaron stays active in spaces where alcohol is present—sometimes, he’s the only Diet Coke in a sea of old-fashioned cocktails—but does so with newfound confidence and ease. “I’m actually more fun now, because I’m so okay with not doing that part,” he shares, driving home the point that thriving in sobriety is not just possible but joyful.
Sober Dad, Sober Creative, Sober Human
Fatherhood is another theme that anchors Aaron’s sobriety. “I love that my daughter never has to meet that guy [I was when drinking],” he says emotionally. Being fully present for his family is the greatest gift of recovery—a sentiment that will ring true for many listeners.
Creatively, authenticity is now Aaron’s North Star. He speaks of moving beyond the pressure to perform or people-please, and into a space where being unapologetically himself is the goal—on stage, at home, and everywhere in between. Sobriety has given him “the biggest gift… realizing that who I am is okay.”
True to The Sober Curator spirit, the conversation isn’t all serious. Aaron and Alysse riff about fountain Diet Coke, comedy specials, and quirky gift shop finds. Humor, connection, and a dash of sparkle (in the form of a disco ball cowboy hat) remind listeners that sobriety and fun are not mutually exclusive. The episode also highlights the growing presence of sober spaces, from local venues serving non-alcoholic options to full-blown alcohol-free bars.
Follow Aaron in all of the digital places and spaces:
- IG @aaronjgoodvin
- Aaron Goodvin Amazon Music
- Aaron Goodvin Drinkin’ Hand
- @AaronGoodvin on YouTube
- Website aarongoodvin.com
- Aaron Goodvin touring scheduled on Bandsintown
- Facebook, TikTok, X
Aaron Goodvin “Drinkin’ Hand” Official Lyric Video
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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.
In this hilariously unfiltered episode of The Sober Curator, the crew peels back the layers (yep, banana pun intended) on what it’s really like being a sober influencer in today’s social media circus. Hosts Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly — joined by Jason Mayo, Dr. Sarah Michaud, Megan Swan, and Kate Vitela — get vulnerable about dopamine fixes, chasing likes, authenticity and the wild quirks of sober life. The key takeaway? Sobriety isn’t boring — it’s bananas (in the best way), and sometimes the best way to serve is to keep it weird and keep it real.
Timestamps:
[00:00] – Dopamine hits & going bananas (literally)
[02:00] – Meet the bunch & why everyone’s in costume
[06:00] – Nutrition Corner: Why bananas are so good for you (thanks, Megan!)
[09:00] – The real story behind Kate’s banana reels
[12:00] – Sober influencers, chasing likes & losing the plot
[15:45] – Performing sobriety vs. living authentically
[18:30] – Sober Curator’s true north: quality over quantity
[22:10] – Social media comparisons, dopamine and boundaries
[25:00] – Gender & harassment in the online recovery space
[32:00] – Codependency, addiction and social media’s double-edged sword
[40:00] – Motives, authenticity and what’s next
[51:00] – Quick-fire “banana” round
Resources & Links:
–Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
–Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
–LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
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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.
Getting sober is one thing, but staying sober? That’s where the real adventure begins. Welcome to The Sober Curator Podcast, where ditching booze doesn’t mean ditching fun, pop culture, or your social life. Hosted by Alysse Bryson and joined by the MANY Sober Curator Contributors—media powerhouse and queen of making sobriety cool—each episode brings bold conversations, pop culture deep dives, and insider tips for thriving in a zero-proof lifestyle. From celeb interviews to zero-proof cocktails, expect laughs, honesty, and zero preachy vibes. Sober or sober-curious? Pull up a seat—this party’s just getting started!
PLAY IT AGAIN: Music can instantly transport you to another state of mind and alter your mood in a heartbeat. This section features select songs that represent some part of our journey and serve as sobriety anthems in reminding us to stay the course. These are the ones that have us saying “PLAY IT AGAIN” and always end up on repeat. No decade or genre is off-limits. Happy listening!
What’s your sobriety theme song? If there is a song you think should be on our playlist, we want to hear about it. Send your requests to thesobercurator@gmail.com
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.
