Author: Alysse Bryson

If you’ve been following my sober style journey, you already know I love a bold accessory moment. Sunglasses, eyeglasses — they’re not just vision tools, they’re statements. That’s why I’m obsessed with GlassesShop — an online destination that’s rewriting the rules on how we see (and show up in) the world. Whether you’re a bookworm, a boardroom boss, or a brunch-loving bestie, the right eyewear can completely change your vibe. GlassesShop makes it easy (and affordable) to curate your own eyewear wardrobe without sacrificing style. Prescription Eyeglasses That Actually Feel Cool We’re talking about frames that say I’m in charge…

Sober October isn’t just a trend — it’s a full-on glow-up for your mind, body, and vibe. Whether you’re in it for the month, the milestone, or a lifetime of booze-free brilliance, you deserve more than just a pat on the back. You deserve presents. Enter our Sober October Gift Guide 2025: a hand-picked lineup of cheeky, chic, and downright delightful finds that celebrate the joy of living alcohol-free. These aren’t your grandma’s “congrats” gifts — they’re playful, stylish, and perfect for anyone living their best sober life. 🎨 Ghost in Bloom Paint-By-Number Get meditative, get spooky, and get creative…

If you’re a sober music lover (or just a fan of epic rock shows with heart), clear your calendar for Saturday, October 18, 2025. The Rock 2 Freedom Benefit Concert at the iconic Hollywood Palladium is bringing together powerhouse artists, In-N-Out Burger’s legendary Cookout Trucks, and a community dedicated to breaking chains—literally and figuratively. This isn’t just another night out. It’s a high-voltage evening where rock and recovery collide to support the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation, a nonprofit on a mission to free people from being enslaved to any person or substance. About the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation Founded in…

If you’ve ever drafted a list of moderation rules — no drinks on Tuesdays, only wine, never tequila — you know the quiet contortion act that props up a relationship with alcohol. In our conversation with creator and author Suzanne Warye, those rules get exposed for what they are: a workaround keeping the real question at bay. Not “How can I drink right?” but “What if alcohol isn’t a privilege at all?”  Suzanne’s story resists the old script. She didn’t wake up inside a classic bottom. She woke up inside a life she valued — new baby, career, marriage —…

Welcome back to THIS JUST IN: Top 5 Buzz-Free Headlines! The only segment where we spill tea without spilling drinks. This week, Alysse and T-Boog are serving up prayer upgrades, messy memoirs, Presley family pain, podcasts that keep your commute sober, and nonprofits that actually know what to do with your donations. Then we’ll toast Davina McCall, ride shotgun with a man in a Barbie Jeep, and share the hottest sober events happening this weekend. Fake Sponsor of the Week: 🎧 Tune in for all this plus fake sponsor of the week: Unsolicited Advice-Proof Earbuds™ – now with judgment-canceling technology.…

Three days. Two nights in the parking lot. One of the hardest tee times in golf. That’s the backdrop for Soba Golf’s latest story: capturing the raw, unfiltered energy of Bethpage Black before it shut down to prepare for the Ryder Cup. This isn’t just another golf vlog. It’s a love letter to one of the sport’s most iconic public courses—and to the people who line up, camp out, and swap stories for a chance to walk the same fairways as Tiger Woods, Lucas Glover, and Brooks Koepka. For a modest green fee, you’re stepping onto hallowed turf—proof that Bethpage…

September is National Recovery Month, and I’m thrilled to invite you to something truly special. This Sunday, September 21, 2025, I’ll be going live as part of the “Keep Coming Back” Livestream-A-Thon — a day-long virtual gathering created to celebrate recovery, amplify voices, and connect our amazing community. 📅 When: Sunday, September 21, 2025⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Pacific Time)🎥 Where: Click here to watch live 🌟 What You’ll See We’re bringing you seven straight hours of panels, interviews, and special segments leading up to the upcoming narrative drama Keep Coming Back. Hosted by Mrs. Kasha Davis with…

“Once you can laugh at yourself, that’s when true healing can begin.” Brent Ogburn doesn’t present it as a mantra so much as a memory — an insight shaped by a day in rehab, then hammered into a film script that wouldn’t let him go. His short, “Turnoff,” unfolds across a single day: a father named Ryan, the fluorescent hush of detox, the unsteady shuffle into a communal space where strangers become mirrors. The cast? Archetypes you’ll recognize if you’ve ever tried to restart your life in public. The tone? Surprisingly funny. Because humor, properly aimed, isn’t a dodge; it’s…

Live from the land of lukewarm coffee and hotter-than-your-sponsor’s-new-boyfriend gossip, Alysse Bryson and sober sidekick/producer Tamar “T-Boog” Routly are serving up your weekly buffet of buzz-free culture. Today’s plate: a law-drama letdown, two must-save binge lists, a heavyweight HBO gut-check, IG sobriety all-stars, Fergie’s recovery arc, a man racing backward in heels, and five sober events from your couch to coast to coast. Fake Sponsor of the Week: The Gratitude Gavel Brought to you by The Gratitude Gavel™ — for smashing pity parties into perspective. Ages 4 and up. Powered by petty, perfected by perspective. Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 Review:…

Hey Sober Squad — mark your calendars! 📅 On Wednesday, September 17 at 7 PM EST / 4 PM PT, our friends at Workit Health are hosting a free virtual event you’re going to want to catch. It’s called “Still Here: A Recovery Roundtable” and it’s streaming on Zoom and YouTube. This isn’t your typical “panel discussion.” Think real talk about the many ways people heal — from harm reduction to 12-step, recovery apps to yoga. Five powerhouse voices from our community, plus a thoughtful moderator, all ready to go there. Who’s at the Table? Amy Dresner – Journalist, speaker,…

“Bob and the Monster” is an award-winning documentary that charts the wild, heartbreaking and ultimately redemptive journey of Bob Forrest, the former frontman of Thelonious Monster who became an unconventional drug counselor. Directed by Keirda Bahruth, the film blends archival concert footage, candid interviews and present-day sequences to explore a man who lived on the edge of addiction before emerging as one of the most outspoken figures in recovery. For some viewers, Forrest’s name may draw different associations. To many, it’s “Bob who?” Others recall him as the lead singer of Thelonious Monster, and still others know him as the…

“Hangovers are canceled; fun is mandatory.” It’s a cheeky promise, but in episode 29 of The Sober Curator Podcast, that line becomes a thesis about what we really chase when we chase more — more money, more status, more thrill. The panel — hosts Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly, and contributors Sarah Alaimo, Carolyn Bunn Lane Kennedy, Dr. Sarah Michaud and Megan Swan — gathered to unpack Apple TV+’s “Your Friends & Neighbors,” a sleek neighborhood drama where the crimes sparkle as much as the kitchens, and where the pursuit of “enough” looks suspiciously like addiction with better shoes.  From…

Looking for a way to wear your sobriety with swagger? Meet The Undead Club, a recovery apparel brand that fuses rebel style with resilience. Forget blending in—this is about standing out, staying sober, and looking fierce while you do it. When I sat down with Amanda Taylor, one of the co-founders of The Undead Club, I knew I wasn’t just interviewing someone about a new fashion label—I was about to step into a conversation about identity, resilience, and rewriting the rules of what recovery looks like. The Undead Club isn’t just about hoodies and tees (though they’ve got those dialed…

This week on This Just In, your sober newscasters Alysse Bryson and T-Boog turn the mic inward with a lineup that proves The Sober Curator’s own channels are overflowing with buzz-free brilliance. From glossaries and crafts to books and booze-free cocktails, we’ve got your sober entertainment needs covered—plus a Mary J. Blige spotlight, a raccoon rescue straight out of TMZ, and five sober events you won’t want to miss. Fake Sponsor of the Week: Brought to you by Boundary Balm™ — rub it on before any family gathering. Now fortified with SPF 50 against guilt trips and unsolicited opinions. Top…

What happens when a Nike superfan with 20+ pairs of sneakers, a rhinestone obsession, and a history of bedazzling her AA Big Book takes on a shoebox? Chaos, comedy, and craft therapy collide. From binge-watching The Gilded Age with my mom to finding gems on my dog, this project proves that in sobriety, the real swoosh is forward momentum. Sobriety: Just Do It. When I sat down with a plain Nike shoebox, 20,000 orange and white gemstones, and a whole lot of glue, I wasn’t just making a craft project—I was making a statement piece. Days later, multiple Gilded Age…

Ten years. Countless stories. Too many laughs to track. And more dumb sh*t than anyone can reasonably measure. Welcome to DopeyCon Six—the annual gathering of the Dopey Nation, where recovery gets real, comedy cuts deep, and everyone knows the difference between clean time and screen time. On Saturday, October 4, Dopey host David Manheim will take the stage at the Church of the Holy Apostles in NYC to celebrate a full decade of the podcast that has made addiction, recovery, and ridiculousness its permanent brand. And because this is Dopey, the evening won’t just be a show—it’s a three-and-a-half-hour collision…

As the seasons shift from pumpkin spice everything to twinkling lights and fresh-start energy, it’s the perfect time to ask yourself: How do I want to close out this year and step into the next? For many of us living alcohol-free, the answer is simple—with clarity, connection, and maybe a little downward dog. We’ve curated a list of 15 incredible wellness retreats happening this Fall and Winter—from the mountains of North Carolina to the sacred valleys of Peru. While not all of these retreats are explicitly alcohol-free, every single one places a strong emphasis on health, wellness, and intentional living.…

In Episode 28 of The Sober Curator podcast, host Alysse Bryson welcomes musician Pete Droge for an honest and evocative conversation about sobriety, creativity and self-discovery. The singer-songwriter, known for his 1990s alternative rock hit “If You Don’t Love Me, I’ll Kill Myself” from the film “Dumb and Dumber,” opens up about how living a sober life has fueled his transformation, both personally and professionally. Fame, Addiction and a Turning Point Droge’s journey launches from his experiences in the roaring alt-rock era. He describes the surreal moment of hearing his song in a packed theater, only to realize the validation…

Forget happy hour—this week it’s headline o’clock, and sobriety is stealing the spotlight. Here’s what’s making waves in sober pop culture: Drew Barrymore’s Sober Squad Daytime TV queen Drew Barrymore is using her platform to amplify stories of sober celebrities. With guests like Demi Lovato and Rob Lowe, her show is quickly becoming the Sober Oprah couch—where clarity is mandatory and vulnerability is celebrated. This visibility helps normalize sober living in mainstream media and gives fans real, relatable role models. Armchair Expert’s 33 Sober Guests On the podcast front, Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert has featured 33 sober guests, including Jason…

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — When the Silver Bridge collapsed on Dec. 15, 1967, 46 motorists lost their lives in an instant. The cause was one critical failure — a corroded eyebar link — and the result was sweeping change. Just months later, the federal government enacted the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968, launching a national bridge inspection program. That act has saved countless lives ever since. Today, America spends billions each year on bridge safety. Routine inspections of more than 600,000 bridges cost between $4,500 and $10,000 per span. Beyond inspections, about $14.4 billion annually goes toward repairing, rehabilitating or…

In this episode, host Alysse Bryson and co-host Tamar Routly join Sober Curator contributors Amy Liz Harrison and Dr. Sarah Michaud for a thoughtful, spoiler-free review of the Amazon Prime adaptation of the young adult novel “We Were Liars.”  But this conversation is more than a show breakdown. It’s an insightful discussion about addiction, family patterns, the illusions of wealth and the excitement and meaning behind living a sober lifestyle. Whether you’re considering recovery, searching for community or looking for perspectives on intergenerational healing, you’ll find valuable takeaways here. Why “We Were Liars”? Why Now? “We wanted to talk about…

A Spiritual Toolkit for Recovery When I got sober, I wasn’t looking for religion—I was looking for relief. You see, I grew up in a religious home. Both of my grandfathers were Nazarene pastors. I spent my elementary and junior high years in private Christian school. I had a belief system deep in my DNA, but once I started drinking alcoholically and introduced drugs into my system, I could no longer access the spiritual connections that I had with my higher power, whom I choose to call God, the big Guy, or the Boss. The strong connections I experienced as…

Drew Barrymore isn’t just Hollywood royalty — she’s also one of the most relatable sober voices in the spotlight. She’s been open about her recovery for years, and on her daytime talk show, she’s made it her mission to create conversations that are equal parts candid, heartfelt and sometimes laugh-out-loud awkward (in the best way). What makes The Drew Barrymore Show stand out is how often Drew welcomes celebrities who are willing to talk about sobriety, resilience and everything in between. For those of us who live alcohol-free — or are just sober curious — seeing these stories play out…

Put down the clickbait and pick up your non-alcoholic bevie of choice—this is TJI: your weekly dose of sober pop culture. Like Entertainment Tonight, but with fewer scandals and way more sparkling water. And fueled this week by our fake sponsor: Fomo Be Gone—scented with lavender and pure self-worth. Finally, a fragrance that says, “I don’t need your party, Karen.” 🔥 Top 5 Buzz-Free Headlines 1. Shuffle: Behind the Curtain on Addiction Treatment – Movie Night with The Sober Curator An unflinching look at the darker corners of the addiction treatment industry. Less Hollywood glam, more raw truth bombs. Think…

All the party, none of the hangover — and honey, the vibes are immaculate. SOBER AF Zero Proof Bottle Shop has officially landed in Tacoma, WA, and it’s not just a store—it’s a whole mood. Tucked away on South Tacoma Way, this gem is redefining what it means to go out without the booze. Whether you’re deep in your sober era or just flirtin’ with a little less alcohol in your life, this place is where fun and flavor collide—with zero judgment and zero proof. ✨ Meet the Maven Behind the Magic: Stephanie Stephanie, the powerhouse founder of SOBER AF,…

The Sober Curator podcast welcomes Sean Daniels — an internationally acclaimed theater director, playwright and executive director of the Recovery Arts Project — who is on a mission to reframe addiction recovery through the transformative power of the arts. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about modern sobriety, the evolution of recovery narratives and how honest storytelling can save lives. Why Sean Daniels? Why the Sober Lifestyle? Sean Daniels isn’t just a theater powerhouse — he’s a living testament to the life-changing force of recovery. As the creative mind behind the off-Broadway and now London play “The White…

Breaking news from the land of lime wedges and mocktails—it’s TJI: serving the headlines straight up, no chaser. Coming up: Depeche Mode detox diaries, a teen songwriter who makes Billie Eilish look like a Girl Scout, and enough sassy one-liners to get you through your next awkward family barbecue. Brought to you by our fake sponsor of the week: Coffee & Resentments Co. — Brewing Bold Flavor since Step 4. We’re serving up headlines, hot takes, and the energy of someone who’s already had three oat milk lattes. 🔥 Top 5 Buzz-Free Headlines 1. Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode’s Inspiring…

When filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty set out to document the world of addiction recovery, he didn’t expect to uncover a billion-dollar system built on exploitation. His new award-winning documentary, SHUFFLE, is already being hailed by critics as “inherently shattering and enraging” (Variety), “almost biblical” in its portrayal of corrupted good intentions (IndieWire), and “81 damning minutes of tight filmmaking, great storytelling, and riveting investigation” (AV Club). Premiering at SXSW earlier this year and taking home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature, SHUFFLE is as gripping as it is disturbing—an intimate, unflinching look inside a for-profit addiction treatment model where…

The movie kicks off with Mark Twain’s sly observation: “I’ve suffered a great deal of pain in my life, most of which never happened.” It’s a wink to the audience—and a jab at James Frey’s infamously “embellished” memoir—that sets the tone for what could’ve been a self-aware, gritty recovery drama. Instead, it’s more like buying sham weed: you’re waiting for the hit… but it never comes. The Setup: Balconies, Benders, and Broken Teeth Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s adaptation opens strong: a hypnotic, naked-on-crack dance to Smashing Pumpkins, a cigarette, and a swan dive off a balcony. At the Minnesota rehab…

Welcome to “Sober and Hot Flashing: How Gen X Women Are Owning Menopause,” a standout edition of The Sober Curator podcast that boldly intertwines the themes of sober living and menopause. This unique conversation, guided by host Alysse Bryson and co-host Tamar Routly, along with guests Megan Swan and Amy Liz Harrison, is a hilarious, honest and insightful exploration of what it means to navigate midlife — while living alcohol-free — as your hormones and real life clash. Midlife, Mischief and the Courage to Be Sober At its core, this episode addresses a reality many women face: how menopause and…