Author: Alysse Bryson

Who says coloring books are just for kids? Grab your colored pencils, glitter pens, or those squeaky-clean markers you’ve been saving for a rainy day—because it’s time to unleash your inner child and your inner Zen master. Let’s be real. Adulting is hard. Bills to pay, emails to write, random group texts to ignore (or not!). Sometimes we need a break that doesn’t involve screens or scrolling. Enter: the humble coloring book, a ticket to a stress-free mental vacation, no passport required. And if you’re anything like me, keeping my hands still is a challenge. Why Coloring Isn’t Just Child’s…

Laughter, Recovery, and Sober Shenanigans: Highlights from The Sober Curator’s June 24th weekly episode of THIS JUST IN. From tchotchke showdowns to sober cruises, Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly deliver a dose of much-needed lightness and insight for the recovery community. Introduction: Finding Light in Recovery Sobriety is serious business—but, as Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly show in the latest episode of THIS JUST IN on The Sober Curator podcast, that doesn’t mean it has to be somber. With their trademark wit, a sprinkle of pettiness, and a heaping helping of heart, these two hosts invite listeners into a world where…

In recent years, the conversation surrounding sobriety, addiction, and mental health has become more open and essential than ever before. The popular podcast Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard is one platform with many sober celebrity interviews. Known for his candid and empathic interviewing style, Shepard dives deep into the personal lives of his guests, many of whom are public figures who have bravely shared their journeys with sobriety and mental health challenges publicly. If you are part of the sober community, a fan of Armchair Expert, or a mental health advocate, this curated list of episodes is for you. We’ve gathered some…

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy Welcome to Beechwood Island: pristine beaches, champagne brunches, coordinated family outfits, and a thick cloud of generational trauma disguised as New England perfection. Amazon Prime’s YA thriller We Were Liars serves up an intoxicating cocktail of memory, privilege, and the deep wounds we carry—some self-inflicted, others inherited. As I watched this dreamy, yet disorienting tale unfold, I found myself spellbound by the sheer aesthetic of it all. Sun-drenched sailboats, lemon hunts, white linen, and ocean views as far as the eye can see.…

From plant-based vapes to Depeche Mode’s decades-long sobriety, The Sober Curator’s latest episode dishes out the top stories, events, and celebrities redefining recovery with wit, style, and plenty of zero-proof bubbles. The Rise of Plant-Based Vapes: More Placebo than Puff Daddy? This week, The Sober Curator crew, Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly, dive straight into the world of Ripple Vapes—plant-based, buzz-free alternatives claiming to offer all the spa-like relaxation with none of the substance-based consequences. They describe these vapes as “spa day in your mouth,” but with “zero actual effects, like vibes only. No buzz.” It’s a gentle reminder that…

I was sitting in seat 11C on my flight home from Las Vegas, and I found myself staring at the window seat just two seats over to my left, when I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The man who walked away from seat 11A on Air India Flight 171. The only survivor. The one who lived. Maybe it was the altitude. Or the exhaustion after spending nine full days in Las Vegas—the City of Sin, the capital of overindulgence and escapism—completely sober. Nine days navigating the chaos with clarity. Nine days in the heart of temptation, knowing exactly who I…

Alright, my sober darlings—grab your B-7000 glue, those glittery rhinestone kits, and that HomeGoods candle because we’re about to take your DIY game to an all-new level of sparkle. Welcome to my world: the Home Edit of rhinestones, where “diamond painting” meets “upcycled HomeGoods treasures.” Is that a thing? It is now! You’ve heard me rave about diamond painting—yes, from those mini Taylor Swift Funko Pops to giving my BIG BOOK the full bedazzled treatment. Like any good little addict, I’m all about taking things a tad too far. Let’s just say I’m always one sequin away from a total…

Join us as we light up the airwaves with a fresh, upbeat take on sobriety. Our infectious energy, paired with a tongue-in-cheek TMZ-style news delivery, hopefully offers our listeners an empowering glimpse into the ever-evolving world of sober living. This short episode is more than a roundup of alcohol-free products and sober-friendly events; it celebrates resilience, personal growth, and the vibrant community that supports and inspires a sober lifestyle. Key Takeaways and Highlights Sober Pop Culture & Wellness Trends We dish on the hottest alcohol-free trends, introducing listeners to must-try products and empowering media depictions. This week’s buzz-free headlines include:…

I recently sat down with Shari Leid for her podcast, An Imperfectly Perfect Life – Life Unscripted, and let me tell you—it was an empowering deep dive into sobriety, connection, and the often-misunderstood concept of codependency. Shari is a masterful guide for anyone in the midst of reinvention, especially in their 50s. She’s not only a mindset coach and national speaker but also the author of the Friendship Series and the brand-new book Table for 51, which chronicles her 50-state journey to foster belonging. In this episode, we unpack some of the biggest myths around sobriety, starting with the idea that social events without…

At The Sober Curator, we’re always looking for stories that crack open the complexities of addiction, recovery, and family dynamics. Jessica Guerrieri’s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea dives headfirst into these turbulent waters, offering a raw, unflinching portrait of a woman teetering between the safety of what she knows and the murky pull of what she wants to forget. The title itself is a nod to that age-old idiom: stuck between two equally rough choices, like being trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea. In Leah O’Connor’s case, it’s the tension between clinging to her…

Feel Good (2021-2022), created by the brilliant Mae Martin, is one of those rare gems that shines a light on the messy, complicated reality of recovery and relationships without pulling any punches. Over two tight and tantalizing seasons (only six episodes each), this series captures the highs, the lows, and everything in between—like a stand-up set you can’t stop thinking about long after the mic has dropped. A Non-Binary Journey That Hits All the Feels At the heart of Feel Good is Mae, a non-binary stand-up comic (played by Martin themselves) navigating love, identity, and addiction recovery. Their relationship with…

In a world obsessed with cocktails and wine culture, finding your tribe of like-minded, sober-curious friends isn’t always easy. Thankfully, The Sober Curator has your back every week with a fresh episode of THIS JUST IN—a no-B.S. roundup of all things inspiring, surprising, and delightfully alcohol-free. From jaw-dropping personal transformations to exclusive events that don’t require a designated driver, this week’s episode, hosted by Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly, is packed with reasons to celebrate sobriety as a vibe, not just a lifestyle. In this recap, we’ll unpack the week’s top stories, gift guides, must-attend events, and so much more—from a…

RSRV Collective Kenshō Cocktails are expertly crafted to give you the experience of luxury and sophistication without the negative side effects of alcohol. So, sit back, pour yourself a glass, and enjoy the world’s first cocktail designed to help you stay calmly and confidently centered as the most authentic you. The Movement In 2022, RSRV Collective introduced the world to a brand-new beverage — Kenshō Cocktails. It is the perfect blend of premium ingredients and refined adult flavors without the alcohol. With every sip, they’re confident you’ll feel calmer, centered, and courageous. And the truth is, we all need to feel…

The Sober Curator brings you the annual Sober Dads Gift Guide. Please enjoy this curated list of unique gift ideas that are 100% fun and zero-proof. Don’t worry; there is something for everyone at a variety of price ranges. The best part? It’s ok if you spot something you want to treat yourself with too! #ADDTOCART is our cardio and retail therapy, and it feels good when we are gifting it to our inner circle of sober peeps. Plus, we’ve curated ideas from small business owners who are also in recovery. How cool is that? You have to give it away…

Just as the East Coast elite dust off their linen pants and oversized sunglasses for another Hamptons summer, Amazon Prime drops a thriller that’ll keep you glued to the couch, no matter how perfect the weather outside. In my case, I was quite literally glued to the couch while working on a new art project involving buckets of rhinestones and glue. Don’t worry. I’ll soon feature that finished project in our Curated Crafts section of The Sober Curator. The Better Sister, based on Alafair Burke’s domestic noir novel, invites us into the sparkling, scandalous world of Manhattan’s power players and…

If shopping is your cardio and you enjoy recovering out loud and celebrating Pride Month, this is your curated #ADDTOCART list. At The Sober Curator, we love nothing more than supporting everyone in our recovery community. Love is love. Let’s celebrate the LGBTQ+ community all month long! We think we have curated some great finds from small businesses catering to our recovery community. Plus, many of these small business merchants are also in recovery. How cool is that? PRIDE PLAYLIST: Check out The Creative Sober Pride Playlist on Spotify by Mei McKintosh, Founder of The Creative Sober. That’s right, this…

Netflix’s new hit series Sirens has already made waves. In my opinion, it’s because of the enthralling performance by Meghann Fahy as Devon, the older sister to Simone (played by the always electric Milly Alcock from House of Dragons). Best known for her role as Daphne in The White Lotus (Season Two), Fahy once again delivers a tour de force performance—this time as a woman grappling with her self-destructive tendencies and a tenuous grip on sobriety. Devon: A Hot Mess and a Mirror for Our Messiness From the moment we meet Devon, she’s stumbling out of jail after her second…

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is hosting a powerful and inspiring event for children ages 7–12 impacted by addiction in the family. The Bellevue Children’s Program, held June 21–22 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day, is a FREE two-day workshop designed to empower kids to recognize that addiction is not their fault and to help them build resilience and express their feelings in a safe, supportive environment. Taught in a kid-friendly and engaging way, this donor-funded program uses games, role-playing, artwork, and storytelling to create an open, welcoming space where kids can feel seen, heard, and valued. Through…

Let’s get one thing straight—mocktails have officially moved out of the “sad soda water with a lime” phase and into their main character era. And leading the charge with flavor, flair, and all the fun (none of the fog), is Better Than Booze, a sparkling lineup of spirit-free craft cocktails that prove you don’t need a buzz to have a blast. From their flirty fizz to their elevated ingredients, these sippers are doing the most in the best way possible. Gluten-free? Check. Vegan? You bet. Low-calorie and plant-based? Absolutely. Delicious enough to fake out even your pickiest cocktail connoisseur friends?…

What happens after the pink cloud fades? Tiffany Jenkins has the answers—and they’re raw, real, and ridiculously relatable. When the PR rep from Random House slid into my inbox offering an early copy of Tiffany Jenkins’ latest memoir, A Clean Mess, I nearly dislocated my clicker finger hitting “YES.” I’ve been a Tiffany Jenkins fan since High Achiever—a title I reviewed ages ago for our OG #QUITLIT Library. Here’s the link if you missed it. That book was gripping, gritty, and hilarious—and I’m happy to report her follow-up is just as binge-worthy. But A Clean Mess isn’t about getting clean. It’s about…

File under: Not Your Mama’s Quit Lit 📚 So apparently everyone but me knew who John Crist was. Yeah, that guy from that viral video. I was over here sipping my LaCroix and minding my sober business in the Pacific Northwest while the rest of the world was LOLing at this ex-Chick-fil-A-working, homeschooled, ex-evangelical-turned-stand-up-legend. Well, thanks to my North Carolina bestie (hi, Jennifer 👋), I’ve officially caught up. And let me tell you—Delete That is like scrolling through your most cringe-worthy Instagram posts… but in paperback form. With jokes. 🎭 What’s It About? Crist pulls no punches as he drags…

Let’s get one thing straight: this ain’t my first rodeo at SOBER AF Bottle Shop in Tacoma—and I guarantee it won’t be my last. Why? Because the space is hella cool, the vibes are immaculate, and Stephanie (the fearless founder and Chief Curator of All Things Fun) has built a sober sanctuary that gives Studio 54 a run for its money—minus the hangover and questionable life choices. And, okay fine, it’s also 20 minutes from my house. So yes, I’m biased. And yes, I will absolutely keep writing about it. Feel free to send all complaints to my curated Lego…

In CBS’s 2024 reboot of Matlock, Kathy Bates delivers a compelling performance as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a seasoned attorney who reenters the legal arena under the guise of a widowed lawyer seeking employment. However, beneath this facade lies a deeper motive: Matty is on a personal quest to uncover the truth behind her daughter’s tragic death due to opioid addiction. She suspects that someone within the prestigious law firm Jacobson Moore concealed critical evidence that could have curtailed the opioid crisis years earlier. Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman reimagines the classic series by intertwining Matty’s personal vendetta with weekly legal cases,…

Let’s talk about summer for a sec. It’s the season of endless light, rooftop hangs, and nature at its most lush. But if you’re anything like me (and let’s be real, you probably are if you’re reading this), summer can bring a complicated mix of excitement and anxiety—especially in sobriety. Gone are the days of hazy happy hours and regrets that burn brighter than the sun. So what replaces that? What does it actually look like to “make the most of summer” now that you’re living life clear-eyed and intentionally? If your inner compass has been a little wobbly lately,…

Seattle’s First Curated Sober Happy Hour That Pops with Color, Creativity, and Connection Tired of the same old “happy hour” that’s all buzz and no substance? Enter Happy Every Hour: Mocktails + Murals, a vibrant new limited-run event series hosted by The Sober Curator (that’s me, Alysse Bryson!) in collaboration with the Henry Mural Tours and booze-free bevy badassery from NOPE. This is not your average city tour. This is your new favorite Thursday night. 🎨 THE EXPERIENCE: ART MEETS SOBRIETY, WITH STYLE Hop aboard a decked-out, wheelchair-accessible Henry Mural Tours bus for a 90-minute guided ride through the most…

What does redemption look like?Sometimes it looks like a guy who’s hit rock bottom.Sometimes it looks like a broken system, a bruised spirit, and a bottle of pills.And sometimes—miraculously—it looks like a dog. In My Life with Karma, Travis Sackett doesn’t just tell his story. He offers it up. Raw, real, and stripped down to the soul, this memoir took me on a ride from childhood innocence to a hellscape of addiction, a run-in with the criminal justice system, and ultimately, a path paved—bit by bit—by empathy, second chances, and the four-legged love of a rescue dog named Karma. I…

On Friday, May 9, 2025, the soul of Seattle will take the stage. Dreaming in Analog isn’t just a concert—it’s a celebration of legacy, music, and the man who helped define the voice of a generation: Charles R. Cross. If you’ve spent any time immersed in Seattle’s music scene—or simply devoured the pages of Heavier Than Heaven or Room Full of Mirrors—you know the name Charles R. Cross. A towering figure in music journalism, Charley was more than just a writer. He was a connector, a truth-teller, a community-builder. He told the stories others couldn’t—or wouldn’t—with humanity, heart, and an…

We’re poppin’ bottles (of non-alcoholic bubbly, of course) because The Sober Curator just brought home some serious hardware from the 31st Annual Communicator Awards—and we’re over the moon to share the news with YOU, our incredible sober community. We’ve been recognized in not one, not two, but THREE categories: 🏆 EXCELLENCE in Website General – Causes & Awareness🥈 DISTINCTION in Website General – Publishing🥈 DISTINCTION in Website General – Community That’s right, friends. We’re being celebrated for the heart and hustle we pour into showcasing that a sober life is anything but boring. And while these shiny accolades make us…

Perfect for People in Recovery, the Sober Curious, and Anyone Who Loves a Dramatic One-Liner Welcome to the Sober Curated Bravo-verse of Sobriety: Where Recovery Meets Reality TV Glam! Who says getting clean means giving up the drama? Whether you’re sipping sparkling water from a crystal flute or manifesting miracles instead of hangovers, you deserve a tagline that SLAPS. Inspired by the iconic Real Housewives intros (you know, those fabulous one-liners said while twirling in gowns and throwing shade), I’ve created a collection of sobriety-powered opening lines for the reality star in all of us. From champagne-free sass to full-on…

In a galaxy not so far away, The Sober Curator emerged as a beacon of light in the vast universe of sober pop culture. As a child of the 80s and a young adult of the 90s, my fascination with all things pop culture led me to launch The Sober Curator in 2020, with a vision to bring together a community of storytellers. The epic saga of Star Wars may not directly touch upon alcohol or substance struggles. Yet, its portrayal of the eternal battle between dark and light mirrors my journey from the shadows of the past to the…