Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

By Contributor Sonia Kahlon Over time, connecting with others in recovery has become a significant part of my lasting sobriety. When I initially stopped drinking, I didn’t tell anyone. I had been covering up my problem with alcohol for so long and so well that mentioning I was ‘getting sober’ would have been like hanging a sign around my neck indicating there had been an issue in the first place. With hidden bottles in closets, I poured wine into sports bottles. I went to the bar to do a shot when no one was looking. Drinks and more drinks are…

The interior was spacious and welcoming at Daylight Studios in Hudson Yard on Saturday, 2/12/23. My mind flashed to Carrie Bradshaw the first time she entered her & Mr. Big’s massive New York high rise, “So this is where they keep the light.” I was a bit self-conscious because I did a rushed job shaving my legs that morning, assuming it would be a dimly lit studio space. #urbanjungle The light was glorious yet masked no flaws. There were no shadows to hide in. The studio was a beautifully raw space with whitewashed walls that made me feel a tad…

“Joe”, the new single from Luke Coms is dedicated to his fans who are struggling with addiction.

Virtual fellowship, panels and workshops at the 59th International AA Women’s Conference for only $10

Sober days in the Pacific Northwest are nothing short of beautiful. From Tacoma, you can look at all four directional points and see something completely different. You may want to bring a rain jacket or hat and don’t forget your sunglasses. Let’s start in downtown Tacoma. The Tacoma Art Museum (the TAM) always has wonderful exhibits. It provides discounts for students, military personnel, UW Alumni, and EBT card holders. Because of its location—right across from the University of Washington, Tacoma campus—there are many places to park and multiple ways to get there. Also nearby is the Train station, a historical…

This year Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, celebrated forty years of helping people recover from substances. Betty Ford was a courageous voice in the recovery community and stood loud and proud when she recovered from her addictions to alcohol and prescription medications. After detoxing on my own, I went to the BFC in November of 2020 and went straight into their residential sober living homes on Daisy Lane, about a mile from the BFC. There I participated in high-intensity outpatient treatment for my alcoholism while living in a house with five other women. I was there for three…

Dry January spotlights the zero-proof lifestyle more than any other month. Granted, I am hyper-aware, but I have been sober for eight years and can’t remember when the conversation has been louder or more frequent. And I love it! Beyond Booze Beverage Co Startup in Dallas “Give Dry a Try,” #HawaiiDryO, “Make it a Mocktail,” “Start it Sober,” “Dry January and Beyond” – so many taglines and promotions. As a marketer and a sober person, there can never be too many for me. Brands are leaning in, companies and influencers are emerging, and we have NA pop-ups! Beyond Booze Beverage…

Kiola Raines is a Precision Nutrition certified coach, and a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified trainer. https://www.kiolaraines.com Kiola earned her BS in Kinesiology at CSU Fullerton and her MS in Exercise Psychology at CSU Long Beach. Over the past 12 years, she has developed a coaching philosophy based on building a knowledge base for her clients. Kiola’s intention in coaching is for her clients to gain confidence in their nutrition and fitness programs, so much confidence that they will never need to hire another professional after her. In addition, Kiola wants her clients to LEARN and gain wisdom to…

Zero Proof Experiences hosted its 3rd Sober in the City event in Austin, Texas, in November of 2022. The official check-in began at the Hyatt Place Hotel Friday afternoon, November 11th, 2022. Amidst thunder and lightning, volunteers set up shop to welcome the Sober in the City guests. Friday Night Shenanigans There were reunions and many new introductions as the group marched to Revolucion Coffee & Juice to listen to the Friday evening panel. The panel included: Victoria Towery, Beth Bown, and Cathy Charles. Thanks to Friday’s sponsors, Jeff Graham (@bac.2.zero) and Dry Drinkery (@dearatx). Grüvi (@getgruvi) showed up loud…

Leave no one behind is a phrase I heard hundreds of times during my days in the Army. I served from 1996 to 2016 in some of the best units around—storied units, the 10th Mountain Division, 1st Armored, and finally the 1st Special Forces group. For the most part, we lived that mantra. Never left a fellow soldier on the battlefield. We searched for almost two years for Fouty and Jimenez in Iraq. We made sure that they were not left behind and returned home. But something happened as America’s longest war dragged on. When a person experiences trauma and…

From Macklemore to Blondie. Sober songs from this edition of Play It Again is how you can add holiday cheer to your sober playlist.

A while back, I was sitting at my monthly sober babe’s brunch, holding the audience of my girlfriend’s captive. I was discussing the casting process for runway fashion shows and some of the nuances of the modeling world. We laughed hysterically, and like always, I was using humor to get some things off my chest. In today’s climate, while the feminist march to fight the objectifying of a woman’s body, I am standing on a platform begging to be judged. Never would I imagine asking a judge of strangers to critique my physical features and decide whether I am worthy.…

7 ways to spend your sober days in Santa Fe. Exploring art, cuisine, spirituality and nature for a memorable getaway.

JUST GO NUTS For Recovery and #ADDTOCART!

“I intended to go back to drinking after the medications were finished,” Harley told me, “But I was so happy with my life. By then, I had made so much progress that I decided to stay sober.” Meet Harley from @styledandstressed, a 28-year-old career professional whose resume is as packed full as her closet. She quit drinking on 4/21/21 and has not looked back. Since that day, she has hit some significant milestones. She married her partner and finished grad school. Harley also came out as sober on social media to confirm her stance on living booze-free. Styled and stressed…

Producer and DJ are just a couple of Tommie Sunshine’s passions that lead his life. Also, count on him being involved in activism, teaching at NYU, being a husband, and sober for the last 16 years! Tommie takes us through some of his journeys as a world-traveling DJ, what convinced him to get sober, and what he is doing to contribute to making a difference for the greater good. Tommie Sunshine Official Bio: Tastemaker to tastemakers, curator, and shapeshifter, Tommie Sunshine is renowned for his reputation of being consistently ahead of the curve bridging the worlds of Rave, Disco, House,…

Josh James, a career bartender, took a year off drinking to see what would happen. His result was realizing his full potential and reviewing NA Beverages as Josh the Non-Alcoholic on YouTube and Instagram. After creating 30 videos, he walked into a deli establishment that happened to be closing in 1 week. 3 months later and 11 months into being a non-drinker, Josh opened Ocean Beach Cafe to build the largest non-alcoholic beverage selection in the country! The response has been massive in the booming industry as he continues to take this ride to the moon! Instagram: @joshthenonalcoholic Website: oceanbeachcafe.com…

Are you alcohol-free? You’re in the right spot! Subscribe to Relatable AF for FREE and you’ll get the goods delivered directly to your inbox on the first Monday of each month with: AF Tips (alcohol-free)Updates from meResources and RecommendationsAnd discounts on my favorite brands! But wait…There’s more! For only $8 per month, you get emails every single Monday filled with all the goodies that come in the monthly subscription and so. much. more. You’ll get BONUS resources, tips, and advice….and you’ll get them more often. AND – Weekly in-depth Q&As and my personal essays exclusive to Relatable AF subscribers. PLUS – Get involved! Join the community discussion threads to…

Philip Speer is the Chef and Owner of Comedor, an award-winning Mexican restaurant in downtown Austin. Starting his culinary career at 17 as a baker, Philip moved swiftly into esteemed Pastry Chef positions at Austin’s most innovative restaurants. After struggling through years of addiction, Philip made a profound recovery. He found a renewed motivation by changing his life habits to focus on running, healthy eating, sobriety, and honest dialogue in the restaurant community. Philip now works as a change advocate in the culinary sphere, offering resources and opportunities for peers and employees to engage in a healthier lifestyle. Philip heads…

Chelsie Cahoon aka The Sober Raver is an entrepreneur, business owner, published model, singer/songwriter, and content creator who travels all over the country with her work. She is the founder and owner of the company Music Is The Drug which is a non-judgmental company that aims to show the world that whether you use substances or not, music is the ultimate drug that unites us all. She chose to live a sober life from a very young age and has been completely drug and alcohol-free her entire life. Her mission is to show people that you can literally get high…

Arlina Allen, Host of the One Day at a Time Podcast and Founder of the Sober Life School brings you the ultimate resource guide that is perfect for the first 100 days in recovery. Sober Curator Pro Tip: Even if you’ve been sober longer, you are still going to love this list! About Arlina Allen There was a time when I thought I was just a fun party girl. To say I was proud of the fact that I could drink men twice my size under the table was an understatement. For a long time, I had A LOT of fun.…

A story about how falling in love made me feel like I had relapsed katie MACK Seven years ago I was sitting in AA because I was in trouble with my boyfriend, or I guess, he was my ex-boyfriend? I was always in trouble with one ex-boyfriend/boyfriend/ex-girlfriend/girlfriend or another (being queer has increased my chances for more failure opportunities). This was why I was always drying out for one to two months for my third (or fourth?) time in this relationship, and why I was sitting in my fifth AA meeting of the week. Sponsor-less and step-less, I was still well…

Non-alcoholic beverages seem to be all the rage, so I was pumped to try Nashi Orchards Korean Giant Non-Alcoholic Perry which just so happens to be LOCAL!???? (to the Pacific Northwest) Welcome to Nashi Orchards on Vashon Island, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary! I got to meet the owners (husband and wife duo) Cheryl Lubbert and perry maker Jim Gerlach, for the launch of their first non-alcoholic line coined the “Hana” series. The first release is a sparkling perry made from 100% Korean Giant Asian pear juice, with no added flavoring. It seriously tastes like Asian pear in a…

Richard Gallardo Ozuna has one of those looks that stops you dead in your tracks. There is an element of mystery yet warmth behind his eyes. Leading to a person to contemplate if is he the scariest person in the room or the most welcoming? The latter is quickly evident after a few moments with Ozuna. His booming voice is inviting and full of hope. Its immediately evident he is comfortable in his own skin and aims to put you at ease. When we talked on the phone a few weeks back he cut right to the chase. As a…

It’s not hard to be content in the lap of luxury in Miami when seated poolside at the luxurious Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The venue for the spring 2022 She Recovers convention, was housed on a golf course/country club for the many elite retirees in sunny Florida. The hotel/resort is spectacular with Versace-esq motif and plenty of gilded corners to discover. Yet there is too much art, culture and cuisine offered up by Miami to indulge in vs. sitting still on idle sober hands. Between the art and culture, cuisine, and shopping, Miami is a literal hotspot for foodies,…

A few months ago, I stumbled on a coffee table book that is quite possibly one of my favorite purchases this year. It tells the story in glossy pictures of a world I already lived in. Beige is Not a Color by Carlos Mota, a Venezuelan-born interior decorator, stylist, and artist. Mota describes the importance of vibrant colors in his life and how they infiltrate his home décor, personal style, and overall aesthetic. When flipping through the pages of the book (edge-painted in crimson red) I am thoroughly inspired. Selections for my home and my closet are confirmed as I am…

Katie Mack brings a refreshing approach and vitality to storytelling through her craft of acting, writing, and Webby award-winning podcast F*cking Sober: The First 90 Days Podcast, described as an “unflinching semi-comedic mostly nonfictional narrative podcast about the first 90 days of being f*cking sober.” Over a decade of experience in theater, TV, and film, Katie not only elevates the stage with her creative input, but she is also outward about her addiction recovery and reaching two years of sobriety. Follow Along with Katie Mack: Follow along with Mei McIntosh in all of the digital spaces and places Support +…

Despite what society wants you to believe, being overwhelmed and burnt out isn’t normal and no, not all the cool kids are doing it. Being burnt out can have a negative effect on our health. It can cause elevated stress, insomnia, depression, memory issues, increased irritability, weakened immune system, and lack of productivity, just to name a few. Who knew that trying to overwhelm yourself with more tasks can actually yield opposite results! Before you know it, you’re snapping at your loved ones, can’t remember where you left your glasses (have you checked the top of your head?) and your…

Mother’s Day is special to me because…I’m a mom. But not only that, it reminds me of why I decided to cut alcohol from my life. If I hadn’t had my son, I’m not quite sure that I’d be a non-drinker today. In fact, I’d probably be going out to bars regularly and trying to relive the glory days of my early 20s. I had a blast back then – but I’m glad I’ve moved on and that I’m living my life alcohol-free. So, back to Mother’s Day – most people who take on the mother role in a child’s…

“Whose bag is this!?” I shouted to the room one Sunday at a sober gal’s brunch in Seattle. I slung the Louis Vuitton Multi-Pochette over my shoulder and began playing with it. “It’s mine,” said Nicole Ghazal with a laugh. I should have known as she was impeccably dressed in notable yet understated style. Ghazal graciously took the time to show me how all three accessory pouches were detached serving to maximize the bag’s use. It was obvious this was a very intentional purchase. “It was kind of expensive,” she told me. “But I bought it resale and I did…