Author: Alysse Bryson

“I wasn’t addicted to drugs. I was addicted to acceptance.” Jonathan Gildart That sentence lands like truth usually does — quietly, then all at once. In Episode 48 of The Sober Curator Podcast, Jonathan Gildart doesn’t tell a redemption story wrapped in shiny sobriety clichés. He tells a human one. A story about identity, incarceration, and what happens when recovery finally becomes more than just abstinence. For Jonathan, addiction wasn’t born from rebellion or recklessness — it was born from longing. The longing to belong. To not be the awkward kid. To be accepted without explanation. Substances didn’t just numb pain; they created instant connection. Until they didn’t. After relapse, federal prison, and facing…

(Plus: NA drink pairings because we’re classy like that.) Let’s retire the myth that you need alcohol to be interesting. If that were true, every airport bar would be filming a Netflix special. This list is my public love letter to comedians who are sober, in recovery, or who’ve publicly said: “I quit drinking.” Because comedy is already a high-wire act. Doing it without a chemical safety net? That’s next-level. Why the NA drink pairings? Because comedy and drinking have been glued together for decades, like a two-person improv team that refuses to break up. When you quit drinking, you…

Because not everyone can come with you… and that’s okay. One of the most unexpected parts of sobriety isn’t the not drinking.It’s the way your friendships rearrange themselves like your life is a new season of a show and the writers decided to switch the cast. Some friends surprise you with depth, loyalty, and a new kind of closeness.Others disappear quietly, like they were only here for the party version of you. And listen… that can hurt.But it can also be the beginning of something better. Because sober friendships are different.They’re built on actual connection, not shared hangovers and “remember…

Let’s talk about one of my favorite things in the sober universe: a drink that looks like a whole vibe but doesn’t come with a side of anxiety, dehydration, or waking up at 3:17 a.m. to replay something I said at dinner. Enter: Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Ready-to-Drink Cocktails. These are premium premixed NA cocktails in cans, and honestly? They understood the assignment. Lyre’s doesn’t just do “a drink for people who don’t drink.” They do the drink… just without the giggle juice. Lyre’s built its entire brand on a quest to make the impossible possible: freedom to drink your drink, your…

I’ve loved thrifting for as long as I can remember. Not in a casual, “let’s pop in and see what’s cute” kind of way. I thrift the way people train for marathons, study fantasy football stats, or hunt down Taylor Swift Easter eggs. I thrift as a sport. 🏁🛒 And if you’ve ever felt that electric jolt of spotting the perfect denim jacket, a vintage mug with exactly the right vibe, or a hardcover coffee table book that looks like it’s been patiently waiting for you since 1987, then you already know: thrifting is not just shopping. It’s a scavenger…

There’s a moment in this conversation when filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty describes parents walking out of his documentary screenings with tears in their eyes — not because the film retraumatized them, but because, for the first time, they realized what happened to their family wasn’t their fault. That moment says everything about why this episode matters. Benjamin’s work sits at the intersection of storytelling and systemic exposure. He’s not just making a film; he’s building a mirror large enough for families, loved ones, policymakers, and the entire recovery ecosystem to look into. And people are seeing truth — painful, freeing, clarifying truth. The Recovery Industry No One Wants to Talk About …

Because “just don’t drink” is not a plan. It’s a suggestion. Sober parties can feel like walking into a reunion where everyone speaks a language you used to be fluent in. And at first, your brain will do that thing where it whispers:“Maybe just one wouldn’t matter…” That’s not your truth talking. That’s your nervous system bargaining. So here’s your alphabet of tools, laughs, and reality checks for staying sober in a room full of “Cheers!” energy. A–Z: Sober Party Survival A — Arrive with a drink in your hand. It’s social armor. Walking in already sipping something keeps people…

And Why I’m Partnering with Far Point Strategy to Help Sober Businesses Grow I’ve been dreaming about this page for a long time. Today, I’m officially introducing The Sober Curator Rolodex: a curated business directory designed to spotlight sober-owned and alcohol-free businesses across wellness, creativity, hospitality, professional services, and everything in between. Think of it as a sober main street. Or your go-to contact list when you want to hire, collaborate with, or support businesses that are building something meaningful without alcohol at the center. If you’re a business owner, consultant, creative, founder, or solopreneur and you’re sober or alcohol-free,…

We’re always curating sober pop culture with you in mind. But let’s be honest: “with you in mind” only works if we actually know what you want more of. (And less of. And never again. And immediately, please.) That’s why we created The Sober Curator 2026 Readership Study. It’s a quick survey that helps us understand what’s landing, what you’re craving, and how we can better serve this wildly smart, hilarious, resilient community we love so much. And yes… we made it worth your while. ✨ Take the Survey Here The survey is hosted on Typeform and takes about 7…

Somewhere along the way, sobriety got mislabeled as boring. As if choosing not to drink automatically means choosing early bedtimes, beige personalities, and zero fun at parties. Anyone actually living sober knows that’s nonsense. What does happen is this: you become hyper-aware of social dynamics, weird rituals, and the exact moment a room tips from charming to chaotic. Sobriety doesn’t drain the color from life. It sharpens it. And when you start noticing those moments, you start needing words for them. You know the moment. Someone offers you a drink. You say no.They say WHY like they’re about to crack…

If you’ve been craving an evening that feels alive (not performatively polished, not painfully small-talky), TEDxPortland is starting 2026 with something special: a Salon event centered on addiction, recovery, and the kind of courage that doesn’t fit neatly into a 60-second Instagram caption. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, TEDxPortland is taking over Wieden+Kennedy for a night of three all-new talks, live music, and complimentary food and drinks. It’s a gathering designed to make you think, feel, and maybe even text your best friend mid-talk: “Okay, wow… I needed this.” And yes, you read that right: free Café Yumm. Portland is…

Dessert in a can, fermented with confidence. Some kombuchas taste like they’re trying to punish you for having organs. Han’s? Han’s is here to flirt with your taste buds, compliment your outfit, and leave your gut feeling like it just got a spa day. The flavor I tried, All Tied Up Cherry Pie, was a limited edition release in 2025, and I’m still thinking about it the way people think about summer romances or how I feel about perfect thrift-store finds. It’s one of those rare drinks that makes you pause mid-sip and go: Wait… why is this so good?…

Wellness travel has officially entered its “main character era.” Gone are the days when a resort could toss a cucumber water station in the lobby and call it transformation. Today’s travelers want meaning with their massage, purpose with their pool time, and a reason to come home feeling different. And that’s exactly why this announcement from Wellness Marketing Ltd. matters: the boutique agency (known for helping resorts speak fluent “wellness traveler”) is expanding its Resort Wellness Programming for 2026 and launching a refreshed platform: Evolve Retreats. Wellness isn’t an amenity anymore. It’s the whole plot. Founder Tammy Petersen put it…

There’s a moment early in the episode when pop artist Ella Collier says something so deeply Gen Z, so emotionally fluent, and so unintentionally poetic that you can practically hear the internet quietly nodding in recognition. “I think I’ve always been addicted to a problem,” she tells Alysse. “Survival mode was my baseline.” And there it is: the thesis statement for an artist who builds sparkling, hyperpop worlds while writing lyrics that feel like torn-out diary pages. Ella exists at the intersection of glitter and grit—pop fantasy and radical self-awareness—which makes her sobriety not just a lifestyle choice, but an artistic catalyst. Because for Ella,…

If you’ve ever sipped a non-alcoholic drink that felt like it was auditioning for the role of “real alcohol,” you know the experience. It’s giving: Look at me! I’m basically a craft beer! Thanks, but no thanks. But the NA drinks I keep coming back to, the ones worth writing about, are the ones that don’t want to be alcohol. They want to be delicious. That was the consensus at our recent Good Day Sauna x The Sober Curator New Year Cold Plunge event: STEM Zero NA Ciders are the real deal. This wasn’t a massive crowd. It was 15…

Because flirting is hard enough without a hangover. Sober dating is its own genre.A romantic comedy where you’re also the director, the lead actor, and the person reminding everyone that sparkling water is not a cry for help. It’s a brave new world: you’re showing up fully yourself, fully aware, and fully capable of noticing red flags instead of mistaking them for “chemistry.” So let’s alphabetize the chaos. A–Z: Sober Dating A — Attraction hits different when you’re not squinting through tequila. Attraction in sobriety is wild because you can actually see what you’re falling for and it’s not just…

A sassy (but spiritually grounded) Step 4–5 workbook for anyone who wants freedom in 2026. If you’re starting the New Year with “I want to be better,” I have excellent news: you don’t need a personality transplant. You need a plan. And maybe… a place to put your emotional receipts besides your nervous system. That’s why I created Receipts & Recovery, a printable + fillable Step 4–5 inventory workbook supplement designed for anyone working a 12-step program and craving structure, clarity, and momentum. Because let’s be honest.New Year’s resolutions are cute.But freedom is a better goal. Why Step 4 &…

If you’ve ever walked into a bar and felt that awkward thud in your chest—the one that says you don’t belong here just because you’re not drinking—you’re not alone. In fact, that exact experience planted the seed for one of the most joyful, colorful, and wildly inclusive brands in today’s beverage scene: Cheeky Cocktails, created by bartender-turned-educator-turned-founder April Wachtel. But this isn’t just a story about mixers. It’s a story about belonging. Because while the world debates whether alcohol culture is dying, evolving, or simply being rebranded, April is quietly (and cheekily) building something that transcends all of it—a product line designed for connection first, and consumption second. The Spark: When a Bar Becomes a Gatekeeper …

Because recovery doesn’t mean you lose your personality. It means you get it back. If you’re new to sobriety (or just sober-curious and cautiously sniffing the lifestyle like it’s a suspicious leftover in the fridge), you might have one big fear: “If I stop drinking… will I become boring?” First of all: rude.Second of all: absolutely not. Sobriety doesn’t take away your sparkle. It just removes the part where your sparkle spills red wine on someone’s white couch and then cries in an Uber. The truth is, living alcohol-free can be hilariously human, wildly freeing, and surprisingly fun, especially when…

Your 0.0% non-alcoholic anytime cider companion 🍒✨ If you’ve ever wanted a drink that feels like a joyride through outer space but keeps your feet firmly planted on planet Earth, Schilling’s Excelsior Ground Control 0.0% Cherry is your co-pilot. This non-alcoholic cherry cider is scientifically crafted for those of us who want the full flavor experience without even a whisper of a buzz. It’s made with fresh-pressed cider apples + tart cherry juice, with no artificial flavoring and no added sugar, which is basically the NA beverage equivalent of “no drama, just vibes.” First Sip: A Flavor Face-Punch (In a…

The Terrence McNally Foundation (TMF) and The Recovery Arts Project have announced the second cycle of the Terrence McNally Recovery Commissions: two annual $10,000 commissions created to support playwrights in recovery from a substance use condition while honoring the legacy of the late, legendary playwright Terrence McNally. This program is built on one of recovery’s most powerful pillars: sponsorship. Each year, two commissioned playwrights, one established and one early-career, are paired together in a creative and personal partnership, supporting each other through a yearlong process that blends mentorship, community, and craft. The experience includes: At that final showing, audiences will…

“People think it’s all about misery and desperation and death,” Renton says. “But what they forget is the pleasure of it.” That line hits differently when you’re sober. Thirty years after “Trainspotting” splashed onto screens with all its chaotic brilliance, the film still feels like a cinematic punch to the throat—one part humor, one part horror, and one part honesty so sharp it refuses to dull with time. Watching it again, especially through the lens of sobriety, is like revisiting an old wound you’ve learned how to live with, but never fully forget. On The Sober Curator podcast, Alysse, Tamar, and Tony Harte gather for a roundtable…

#QUITLIT, WRITTEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Celebrating the Sober Curator Contributors Who Literally Wrote the Book(s) on Recovery There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when people who’ve lived it decide to write about it. Not polish it.Not sanitize it.Not turn it into a tidy redemption arc with a bow on top. Just… tell the truth. That’s the connective tissue running through this collection of books written by Sober Curator contributors who also happen to be published authors. Different voices. Different paths. Different genres. Memoir, guidebook, workbook, philosophy, humor, journaling, children’s literature, annotated classics, road trips, rescue dogs, yoga…

Every year, the holidays show up wearing twinkle lights and carrying a grudge. For people in recovery (and people still suffering), this season can be brutal. Mark Howley opens this episode of The Mark Howley Show with that truth front and center, explaining why he dedicates this time of year to recovery conversations. He shares his own origin story of getting help in late December and sets the tone: this isn’t “holiday cheer”; it’s holiday survival. Then we do what two sober people do best when you give them microphones: we laugh, we tell the truth, and we accidentally turn…

There’s a particular kind of joy in finding a gift that doesn’t just fill space. It gets someone. Not the novelty mug. Not the emergency candle. However, I do love a good candle, particularly if it’s also funny. I’m talking about the kind of gift that quietly says, “I know what you love. I know what you’re choosing. And I’m cheering you on.” Enter: NA Beer Club. If you have a sober bestie, a sober-curious partner, a Dry January dabbler, or if you are proudly, peacefully alcohol-free yourself and still love the taste of hops, this is one of those…

Television loves addiction. It loves the chaos, the spirals, the late-night benders framed as genius fuel or tragic poetry. What it loves far less is what comes after. Rock bottom makes for compelling TV. Recovery, apparently, does not. We get the typical relapse. The tortured genius monologue delivered at 2 a.m. over a drink that’s doing a lot of narrative heavy lifting. What we almost never get is what happens after the chaos stops being cinematic and starts being exhausting. Recovery, apparently, is where writers fear ratings go to die. But here’s the thing. Sobriety isn’t boring. It’s destabilizing. It…

From gut struggles to gut strength. That’s not just a catchy phrase. It’s the lived experience behind Good Wolf, a Pacific Northwest–born, alcohol-free probiotic soda that feels right at home in the Happy Every Hour lineup here at The Sober Curator. When Good Wolf owner Nathan Keane set out to create the probiotic drink of all probiotic drinks, he wasn’t chasing a trend. He was chasing relief. After years of dealing with gut issues that dictated what he could eat and how he felt day to day, Nathan discovered that introducing probiotics into his routine was a turning point. Symptoms…

There’s a moment in the conversation when Adam Nimoy says something so simple, so clean, so spiritually efficient that everything else seems to orbit around it: “You can be right, or you can be happy.” It lands with that unmistakable click of truth — the kind you don’t just hear, but feel. And in many ways, it’s the heartbeat of Adam’s entire story: the years of tension with his father, the decades of medicating uncomfortable emotions, the slow, stubborn climb toward emotional maturity, and the radical work of reconciliation. But to understand the wisdom, you have to understand the wreckage — and the rebuilding. Growing Up in the Shadow of a Legend …

I somehow missed “Being Charlie” when it came out in 2016. That was a year of transition for me, the kind where survival takes precedence over curiosity. Looking back, I’m not surprised this movie slipped past me. I don’t think I was ready for it then. Meaning I wasn’t in a place where I could fully appreciate it. I watched it now because of the recent news surrounding Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. Out of curiosity, yes, but also out of that familiar, heavy pull that comes when addiction resurfaces in public view. Headlines blasting across every web browser…

There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when two creative people get sober and refuse to become boring about it. Not “I discovered hiking and now I only wear fleece” sober. I mean the kind of sober where the personality comes back online, the colors return, and the dark little goblin of humor that kept you alive in the worst years becomes… marketable. Wearable, even. That’s what’s happening with Christie from Hopejunkie.org and Aaron from Clean AF Clothing. Two recovery apparel brands. Two second acts. Two ex “tortured artist” types who took the thing that nearly took them out…