Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Museums are supposed to preserve the past—but what happens when the past doesn’t want to stay quiet? Haunted museums don’t just collect—they contain. They don’t display—they dare. Within these cursed corridors are relics that whisper, paintings that blink, and artifacts that refuse to be understood. With Dreamina’s AI image generator, you’re not just building a museum—you’re conjuring one. Let’s explore what it means to design for the unseen, the unliving, and the unbelievably haunted. Rooms that remember you A few of the exhibits can do without tour guides—they remember their visitors. In ghost museums, architecture is not a container—it’s a…

NEW NOTIFICATION. SOMEONE LIKES YOU. You feel a rush and begin to wonder, ‘Will this be the one?’ Or, ‘Maybe we will have a real connection?’ You open the app, and that hit of dopamine is balanced out with a dose of reality. Disappointment is a fleeting feeling before you are onto the next one… and then the next one… and then the next one. My recovery looks different from my colleagues’ here at The Sober Curator. I can’t exactly pour my addiction down the drain or toss it away. For the past twelve years, I have lived with the shame and…

Sober content creators are leading a powerful movement—redefining what connection, resilience, and joy look like in recovery. Whether you’re sharing your story, offering tools for sober living, or building a digital recovery community, the quality of your video content matters now more than ever. Gone are the days when raw uploads and basic edits could cut through the noise. Today’s audiences expect clean visuals, compelling stories, and thoughtful delivery. That’s where CapCut Web’s AI video maker comes in—an intuitive, powerful, and fast platform that helps creators like you bring your sober message to life, without requiring advanced editing skills. A…

My addiction was a drunken, cocaine-fueled weekend that stretched across years, a house party with no music left and no one real enough stay. It was sharing beds with strangers That was mistaken for connection. It was pushing away the ones who tried to reach me through the fog. It was my ego on the throne and my spirit bound, gagged by denial. Addiction didn’t want love it wanted me alone. It drank all the liquor the night before, knowing I’d need it in the morning. Leaving me dry-mouthed, shaking, sick. I hadn’t even opened my eyes, and I was…

All my life, I’ve felt haunted. Haunted by ancestors past, whose abuse would have devastating effects for generations. The two people responsible for raising me would each be plagued by their respective familial traumas— shadowed by the demons of addiction and mental illness for their— and my— entire life. I stood in my mother’s house, the house I grew up in, and I shivered. For the second time in five years, I was confronting the not-so-friendly ghosts of my childhood; complex memories wafted in and out of every dusty nook and cranny. An only child, now essentially an orphan (one…

A cocktease pours a glass of waterCocktail he would call this drinkSipped from a tale too tallthat the man himself couldn’t trick his ACCTraced out the name of a long lost lovein the frost ‘neath the rim where his lips would meetBubbles from bastardsPhantom fizzforced his beguiled cheeks to freezeNeon lights by the bar stayed sharplike an image fixed in post for screensNot a familiar glimpse—that alone pulled the rug from beneath his feetJukebox screams Sweet Carolinewith a bah bah bahHe’s counting sheepFire sparks in a lonely cornerSprinklers drench his cotton sheetsTaking coverhe dips downand rests his temple upon a…

For any patient dealing with fractures, dislocations, or concussions, recovering from a stroke, or trying to overcome addiction, rehabilitation is a part of recovery. The goal of rehab is to help patients regain, maintain, or improve physical, mental, or cognitive abilities that they need for daily life. According to WHO, rehab helps children, adults, and seniors to be as independent as possible in everyday activities. Rehab after injury, medical condition, or addiction can be hard. Pain, discomfort, the need for consistent effort even when progress seems slow, and the mental hurdle of adapting to a new routine while your body…

“Why do I still feel like crap even though I quit drinking?” If you’ve ever asked yourself that question in early sobriety, you’re not alone. Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is one of the most misunderstood (and frustrating) parts of the recovery process. It’s not just about getting through the first few days or weeks without alcohol — it’s the lingering mental, emotional and physical symptoms that can show up months into sobriety. And if you don’t know what’s happening, it can feel like you’re doing something wrong. In Episode 7 of “You’ve Been Selected,” we dig into PAWS: what it…

“Recovery isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold — it’s about finding what sets you free.” In Episode 6 of “You’ve Been Selected,” I break down my personal recovery framework — one that’s built on experience, humor and the hard-won lessons of sobriety. I call it the Faucets of Freedom, and it’s not some secret cure or magic trick. There’s no shortcut to sobriety — just a willingness to show up and do the work. WHAC is simply an acronym I put together to highlight key components that have helped me along the way. At its core, WHAC stands for…

“Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a messy, beautiful, deeply personal journey.” When I first got sober, I needed structure. I needed something to hold onto, a place to go, people who understood. AA saved my life. It gave me a foundation when I had nothing else. Sitting in those rooms, I learned about surrender, honesty and the power of shared experience.  But as I started to rebuild my life, I got curious. My background in nursing and my natural love of research made me start digging deeper. I wanted to understand addiction — not just from a personal standpoint, but from…

Why I Keep Telling This Story (and Why I Always Will): If you watched my recent speech, first—thank you. Thank you for caring enough to show up and listen to a conversation that, for far too long, has been whispered about, ignored, or misunderstood. I opened that talk with a very real moment—my six-year-old daughter getting sick in the middle of the night. Not the glamorous kind of storytelling kickoff, I know. But that moment reminded me of something so important: I used to be the guy you couldn’t call in the middle of the night. And now, I’m not…

TikTok has taken the world by storm, with millions of people sharing short, creative videos daily. Its algorithm makes it easier for videos to go viral, offering endless opportunities for sober creators to grow their audience. Whether it’s dances, challenges, or fun tips, TikTok is a platform where creativity shines. However, if you want to make your TikTok videos unique and stand out to the sober and recovery-based communities, CapCut desktop video editor is the perfect tool. This free video editor offers powerful features like text-to-speech, voice changer, background removal, and many more, which help you create engaging and shareable videos. In…

Welcome to the sober HR Lady’s corner, where all questions are good questions, and nothing is off limits!  As a person in recovery who is proudly recovering out loud in both my personal and professional life, I often get questions about how to navigate it all. I know that it can feel overwhelming at the beginning. When I first got sober, I had a second pending DUI, was navigating outpatient treatment, getting meeting slips signed, worried about a job I loved, and (feel free to laugh) still trying to figure out how to date among all of this mess. Here…

Finding Strength When Life Falls Apart I had no intention of naming this podcast episode Resilience: Embracing the Suck, but my husband’s old military term kept popping into my head when I was recording. Because when it comes to building resilience — whether in recovery or just life in general — sometimes you really do have to embrace the suck. And if you know me, you know I don’t sugarcoat things. I recorded this episode after receiving the news that I was losing my job. Because sometimes life throws you a curveball, and all you can do is figure out…

One of my absolute favorite discoveries of 2025 is Cameron Whitcomb. This 22-year-old, self-taught singer and songwriter, whom I now call “The Canadian Cowboy,” is currently on tour, selling out shows worldwide.  I stumbled upon Cameron Whitcomb when I found Jonas Conner, the incredible 15-year-old who writes and sings songs about losing his family members to addiction. It turns out that Whitcomb is the producer of Conner’s songs, Father in a Bible, and Peace with Pain. They co-created these two incredible songs over just two days in Nashville. Whitcomb is only 22 and spends his time fostering the talent of an astonishing 15-year-old…

I’m completely obsessed with the new documentary on YouTube by Loic Prigent, “Her Dior.” If you haven’t watched it yet, drop everything and do it now—seriously, it’s that good. It takes you inside Maria Grazia Chiuri’s game-changing impact at Dior, and let me tell you, it’s pure magic. But pro tip: turn on the captions because it’s mostly in Italian (which only makes it even hotter). Let’s talk about Maria Grazia Chiuri. The first woman to head Dior in its entire history—because, of course, it took until 2016 for a woman to run one of the most famous luxury fashion…

Let’s celebrate Sober St. Patrick’s Day! Check out this throwback from Tonix Mocktails circa 2021, powering up an oh-so-creative mocktail called “We are the Luckiest” to celebrate our love of #QUITLIT, Sober St. Patrick’s Day, and the Reading Rainbow Theme Song. ???? We love, love, love the book “We Are the Luckiest” by Laura McKowen. This one’s an ode to you, Laura! What’s in the mix with the “We are the Luckiest” Inspired Lucky Lemonade Mocktail by Nik Popkow @Tonix.Mocktails this week? Ingredients: “This is the singular, hard truth I come up against every day: I am the only one responsible for my experience.” — Laura McKowen, We…

Waking Up to the Truth: My Skin Was Screaming for Help  I used to think makeup could cover everything—dark circles, acne, dryness—but no concealer could hide the damage alcohol was doing to my skin. My skincare routine was nonexistent, my diet was a disaster, and my hydration levels were practically zero. I’d fall asleep in a full face of makeup, barely drink water, and fuel my body with Captain and Coke instead of real nourishment. My skin wasn’t just dull; it was desperate for change. What I didn’t realize was that the real glow-up wouldn’t come from expensive serums or…

Episode 2 of You’ve Been Selected is deeply personal for obvious reasons. The phrase “You’ve Been Selected” is burned into my memory, thanks to the bright red letters on the infamous app that dictated my life during the nursing monitoring program. And now? It’s the name of my podcast, the title of my Sober Curator column, and possibly my next tattoo. In this episode, I share the unfiltered truth about my rock bottom and the long road to redemption. From the psych ward to a DUI, a marriage hanging by a thread, and the nursing commission stepping in, I was…

Wearing green and traditionally indulging in alcoholic beverages are staples of St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday celebrated every March 17th that pays homage to Ireland’s patron saint. This day, which is deeply rooted in Irish history and Christianity, has blossomed into a global celebration of Irish culture. The festivities include dazzling parades, an abundance of green attire, and, due to the lifting of Lenten restrictions, the customary enjoyment of alcohol. However, the essence of the holiday goes beyond alcohol, focusing on celebrating Irish heritage, exploring its rich culture, and enjoying the company of friends and family. For those in sobriety,…

“This is it; this is the end.” The warning was sudden and clear. It wasn’t a bellow nor a whisper, just a matter-of-fact voice in my head. I’d say that it startled me, but I’m not sure I even registered it until after I reflexively countered. “No way, I’m not ready yet!” Though I had no idea where the voice came from, I knew it referred to my drinking. It was 1 AM in Moab, Utah, the first night of a 10-day trip through the southwest. I’d had one beer at dinner—a low-alcohol beer, at that—and yet I’d woken up…

When I launched You’ve Been Selected, I knew I was putting my story out there. I hoped people would listen—but, if I’m being honest, I secretly hoped they’d be strangers I’d never have to see in real life. Then came the messages. Childhood friends. Old colleagues. “Hey, I listened to your podcast—I had no idea.” Going all in on a public platform doesn’t just mean shouting your story into the void. It means walking into Starbucks and realizing that the person from high school in line behind you knows you shit your pants, lost your teeth, and burned your career…

When I first got sober, I had two sugar daddies. I had quit my job at a law school where I spent most of my time in the bathroom sitting on the toilet, crushing lines on top of a bar review book. My solution to finding another job was posting a headless picture of myself on Craigslist in heels and red garters. “Sugar Daddy Wanted.” I met two nice men. Omar, the Iranian, and Harry, the Orthodox Jew. It was two weeks after my very first meeting that Harry and I had our sixth date downtown at The Georgian. He…

sunrise sobriety soul by soul gathering together as one in a room with no walls and waves that gently greet the morning sun wayfarers trudging the road to happy destiny day after dutiful day some stringing together hours other stringing years all as one one for all on the beach at popoia breathing new day air oblivious to things that can’t be changed searching for wisdom in this one hour of spiritual healing that is being passed one to another in the most gentle…

Sam Lansky’s Broken People explores a young man’s search for healing from self-induced anxieties driven by a constant, judging inner dialogue. This semi-autobiographical novel shines a light on human vulnerability—an honest and often humorous look at self-discovery’s messy, complicated process. Doing the math, the real-life Sam would have been around seven years sober when this book was published. The story centers around Sam, a young writer trying to navigate a history of addiction, heartbreak, deep emptiness, and self-loathing. At a party, he overhears about a mysterious shaman who claims to perform “open-soul surgery”—a healing technique that promises to erase emotional…

Rewired by Erica Spiegelman challenges traditional addiction recovery paradigms and offers a fresh perspective tailored to the modern age. Spiegelman is a licensed substance abuse counselor and is recovering from substance abuse herself. The book purports to provide a new, holistic way to navigate recovery. She has a thriving counseling practice and seems to have helped many recover.   One of the things I liked about the book was the conversational tone and honesty about her journey. The writing is clever and relatable. Spiegelman acknowledges that recovery is not one size fits all. I find that true for this book as…

Jessica and I first bonded over missing teeth—a not-so-glamorous side effect of blackout drinking. When I met her in 2021, she was hosting an online meeting for the virtual sobriety group @sobermomssquad. It was my first time connecting with recovery friends through internet meetings, where I logged into Zoom, stared at tiny square icons, and told complete strangers my life story. What stood out wasn’t just the vulnerability—it was the laughter. Hard, belly-aching, trust-filled laughter with another woman I had just met online. As we got to know each other, we realized our connection went beyond being drunk and toothless.…

Recovery is about rebuilding balance in your life and restoring your physical and mental health while creating healthy routines. Or what I like to call the Re-Birth of the Self. I have worked in this field for seven years and have been in recovery for 16 years. With all the tools we are taught regarding our newfound health in recovery, there is something I have not heard discussed: the topic of Light. It has been long overlooked not only in the field of addiction recovery but in the medical field at large. I am here to shed light, if you…

We at The Sober Curator do our best to keep you updated on all the amazing things happening in the sober space. This feels like early access to a rising star on a mind-blowing trajectory. I recently discovered viral sensation Jonas Conner, a singer-songwriter from Chattanooga, TN, who has been called “the future of country music.” And I can’t stop listening. With over 3 million streams/521k followers on Spotify, 696K views on YouTube, 496k on IG, and over 485k followers on TikTok (watch how these numbers will all jump by the time you finish reading this post), Jonas Conner’s two original…

What is Soba Golf? It’s the Intersection of Sobriety, Wellness, and Golf. At its core, Soba Golf is a wellness company that bridges the gap between the sober or sober-curious individual and the game of golf. It is a community where like-minded people come together to share their love for golf while prioritizing mental health, physical wellness, and ongoing recovery. Golf has long been associated with social drinking—whether it’s grabbing a beer with friends after a round or engaging in the casual drinking culture that surrounds many courses (we’re not saying there’s anything wrong with that). But for individuals who are sober…