Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

I am not the kind of person to attend a still art show. I appreciate fashion shows and moving art. Maybe because I move constantly and don’t slow down enough to take it all in. So, when I take the elevator up to the 5th floor at the Bendix building in DTLA, I am surprised at how moved I am standing still. The room is crowded, full of people standing around in the summer night heat with a slight breeze blowing through a fan in the window. The artist, Catherine Just, is smartly dressed in an oversized blazer with the…

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending a preview of a play called Shower Chair before Ben Fallaci and his producers took it to the Edinburgh Fringe. The play is an autobiographical performance that charts the protagonist’s coming of age in Cape Cod and the influence that substances and problematic friendships had on his journey. I was lucky enough to interview Ben about the play, his artistic process, and his sobriety. Read on to find out about Ben’s experience of being sober in London (hint: it’s not always easy), what it’s like to get naked on stage, and his…

Sober spotlight on Jenny Teeters coving coaching, recovery resources, and her new book, Every Day is a New Day: A Story of Faith

In the last couple of years, around 5.4 million Americans decided to make a fresh start overseas, trading in the hustle of life in the U.S. for new adventures abroad. Whether it’s the lure of different cultures or just a change of pace, living outside the U.S. offers people a chance to explore new horizons and experience life from a different perspective. From sunny beaches to charming European cities, Americans are saying yes to the opportunity to hit the reset button and build a new chapter in exciting locales around the world. But with that excitement comes a challenge for those in…

In The Hope Dealer—A Recovery Story by Drew Broadhurst, we dive deep into David’s life and struggles as he navigates the turbulent waters of addiction, recovery, and the tenuous path back to normalcy. This short film showcases the raw and often heart-wrenching journey of addiction and the glimmers of hope that keep individuals moving forward. Trigger Warning: This short film may be sensitive material for those in early recovery. A Card Game as a Metaphor for Life The opening scene starts with Rosie engaging in a card game with her stuffed animals, which becomes a powerful metaphor throughout the film.…

Since joining The Sober Curator, I’ve become increasingly aware of the drinking-related cultural differences between the U.S. and the U.K. It’s not so much that drinkers over here are “worse” or that more British people suffer from alcohol use disorder and addiction. It’s more that the attitude and societal view of drinking are different. I don’t think it’d be unfair to say it’s pretty toxic over here. The U.S. seems to have a bit more awareness about the harmful impacts of drinking alcohol, or they are at least less guilty of normalizing harmful drinking, so there appears to be more…

Over eighteen months ago, my business partner, Susie Streelman, founder of Zeroproof Experiences (ZPE), told me she had decided to arrange an alcohol-free trip to Bali. I thought, “Oh, that’s nice,” deciding then and there that this would be one event I would most definitely pass on. After all, as the Chief Connections Officer for ZPE, I was fully immersed in the events we had already hosted and planned to host all over the US, but traveling to a country more than halfway around the world had no appeal to me whatsoever. This was a place way outside of my…

Our UK Sober Curator, Eve Michell, was invited to watch a preview of Shower Chair. Written and performed by Ben Fallaci, the solo performance orbits around the eponymous shower chair set in the middle of the stage, a device the audience later learns is necessary as the narrator has a broken ankle. Here’s what Eve thought… Ben Fallaci’s one-man comedy show, Shower Chair, presents a bold, vulnerable, and frequently hilarious exploration of a life shaped by the unique milieu of Cape Cod – and the people who party there. This autobiographical performance bravely enacts the trials of growing up as…

The Sober Curator stays up late to bring you this Mindful Binge of Season 3 of The Bear

I could talk for hours about this, I thought to myself. I am surprised more people in recovery or seeking sobriety don’t seem to have a lot of knowledge about what to expect throughout the phases of their recovery. But then again, until I was going through it, I didn’t care much to know either. At about two years sober, when I found myself still experiencing mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and periods of anhedonia, I hit the books. Why was everyone else on a “pink cloud,” and I was in a rainstorm? I needed to understand. That’s about when I…

Did you know that roughly 20% of college students meet the criteria for having an alcohol use disorder (AUD)? That’s about one in five students who could be struggling with serious drinking issues. Also, about 60% of college students aged 18 to 22 admitted to drinking. Of those drinkers, nearly two out of every three engaged in binge drinking. What’s also astounding is that the average age at which young people (aged 12-20) first try alcohol is about 13.9 years. It’s a topic that often stays under the radar and rarely makes headlines, but ignoring it doesn’t diminish the urgency to address…

Summer can be a real test, especially when you’re trying to stay cool without reaching for a drink. But hey, there’s no need to sweat it! We’ve got some great tips to keep you chilled out right from the comfort of your own home. Think DIY mocktail, a refreshing dip in the pool, or even just kicking back with a good book in the shade. Here’s how to make this summer a blast—without the booze! Beat the Heat with Cool Eats Summer is the perfect time to switch up your eating habits with lighter, cooler meals. Instead of hot dishes,…

Do you desire MORE now that you have been sober for longer? Alysse got sober before all the “sober luxuries” that are available now just weren’t available. She was still very young, and her social and professional life revolved around drinks. Thankfully, immediately, she enjoyed some of the benefits of not drinking. However, she still made many of the same bad decisions in dating and managing life. After a few years of not drinking, she knew she didn’t want to go back to substances, but the depression she was experiencing set in deeply. She experienced a sober bottom of around…

I remember the first time I came across Kristi Coulter’s essay, “Enjoli,” the second essay in her book, “Nothing Good Can Come From This.” It took me right back to when the Enjoli commercial debuted on television. I was only thirteen then, and I couldn’t help but dream of becoming a version of the twenty-four-hour woman portrayed in the ad – flashy, skilled in the kitchen, and oozing with sex appeal. I’d watch the commercial, then unfairly compare the glamorous model to my mother, who took us to the grocery store in curlers.  I figured out quickly which woman I…

Sarah Michaud’s *Co-Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction* is a compelling blend of memoir and self-help that invites readers into the profoundly personal journey of a psychologist grappling with her struggles with codependency and addiction. Through a quick-witted and relatable narrative, Dr. Sarah Michaud shares her story and provides readers with the tools to embark on their paths of self-discovery and healing. Michaud’s writing is strong because she balances vulnerability with professional insight. As she recounts her experiences, readers are given a raw and unfiltered look into the life of someone who has faced significant challenges yet emerged…

I never heard of Grayson Murray until a few days ago. I’m not a golfer. The last time I picked up a golf club heavier than a putter was in the eighth grade. I took a five iron and chunked a divot from the Urban Middle School gym floor. Grayson Murray was a two-time PGA Tour winner. According to social media, he had just gotten his card back shortly after he became sober, on May 1st, 2023. So, he had just about a year in. But one thing we do have in common, besides our alcoholism, is that we are…

First things first, let me tell you about this book: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl is a transformative book that offers insights into the human experience and the search for purpose and meaning in life. This book is always on the MUST-READ lists of all the self-help gurus and book recommendation accounts I follow on various social media platforms, so of course, I had to read it. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, explores his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and how he managed to find meaning and purpose even in the most dehumanizing circumstances. He argues…

Hosted by Carrie May, Founder of Brave and Mary Tilson, Founder of Sun & Moon Sober Living  Both Carrie and Mary are Certified Recovery Coaches through the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC) with She Recovers Designations. We are a dynamic team combining our professional training with our long-term individual sobriety, extensive history of retreat hosting and a shared passion to continuously empower sober women. We will be gathering in a luxurious mountain home in Evergreen, Colorado for a long weekend of hiking, nourishing meals, awe-inspiring natural beauty, restorative yoga, guided meditation, sound healing, workshops, hot tubbing, laughter…

I am a person who talks about neuroplasticity by day and shamelessly watches reality TV at night. So, let’s get that out there right from the start. I have been fascinated by the show Vanderpump Rules lately in an oddly voyeuristic sense, like not being able to look away from a train wreck, coupled with amusement of the human psyche. I also want to see what La La Kent is wearing. For those of you who aren’t fans, VPR is a show that follows a group of young men and women who, in their early twenties, worked in the restaurant…

Living my best sober life isn’t just about staying grounded, improving myself, and having sober fun. It’s also about respecting and loving my body, mind, and spirit. It’s about running towards myself and with myself, not away, not trying to escape the experience of living. Nothing could revive my whole self the way road races have, like the Philadelphia Love Run Half Marathon (13.1 miles) I just raced in April. There’s something magical about the whole experience, from training through to the finish line and even as I hobble on painful legs into the Coffee Corner for my after-race brunch…

Here in Chicago, spring is springing! I am loving the longer days, sun and flowers poking through the fresh ground. I am one of those people who is energized by the joy of spring. I also recognize that some of you may still have the darkness of winter on your shoulders. Chinese Medicine honors both the dark (yin) and light (yang) that lies within each of us and in nature. You have all seen the Yin/Yang symbol, right?  Do you really know what it means? The Yin-Yang theory is a concept from ancient Chinese philosophy that describes how opposite forces…

I wasn’t a big drinker when I joined the military many years ago. I was a binge drinker. Train hard, party harder. That’s been military culture since before Roman soldiers marched on Gaul. If you couldn’t hang, were you even a man? I was young, strong, impressionable, and a bit lost. I went on to spend 30 years of my life repeating that cycle. A clean week followed by a dirty weekend. Once, I got into the wrong car and drove away. Once, I slept in a train station in Berlin because I missed the last train out. I don’t…

Sarah Hepola’s “Blackout: Remembering The Things I Drank To Forget” is less like a stroll down memory lane and more like a bumpy ride through a colorful life punctuated with potholes (not plot holes, mind). Hepola shares a spectrum of stories in her award-winning memoir, some familiar to your everyday drinker—think college parties and boozy dinners. Some, though, might not be so familiar—think stealing beer as a pre-teen to drink alone or waking up in a Parisian hotel just hours before a flight and no passport. Blackout drinking is not reserved for the alcoholic. Plenty of us have experienced a…

This #Quitlit review features This Naked Mind, by Annie Grace, which has ignited a movement across the country, helping thousands of people forever change their relationship with alcohol.

Amidst the fervent buzz of New York Fashion Week, designer Tyrone Chablis stood as a visionary, presenting his thought-provoking collection “Armageddon” at Break Free on February 12th, 2024. As I sipped my Red Bull, Chablis unveiled his latest collection, a synthesis of eco conscious couture and storytelling through fashion. “Fashion is about not being afraid; it is about being bold. You make a statement when you have something to say with your wardrobe. When it comes to putting clothes on my clothes are not easy. When you put them on you have to have confidence. Its strong design and either…

April Serenity Point #1 It’s Officially SPRINGTIME! Time to AWAKEN your Recovery through Acupressure! What does Spring mean in Chinese Medicine? In Chinese Medicine, springtime represents the Wood element and is associated with the Liver and Gallbladder organs. It’s a time of renewal, growth, and cleansing, both physically and emotionally. During the Spring, I see a lot of people who tell me they feel like they are coming out of the fog of winter. This is a common response to longer days, more sun and a little more warmth (depending on where you live). However, while some people THRIVE when…

Something I’ve been struggling with lately is staying up too late. It’s a vicious cycle. I wake up in the morning feeling exhausted after telling myself I’m going to bed at a reasonable time so I can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on my day. I’ve noticed that my lack of productivity is directly related to staying up too late either working, scrolling social media channels, binging Netflix shows (that I might not even like), or going down the YouTube rabbit hole. Regardless of what I’m spending my time on, I’ve been stuck in the insanity of…

Facing the aftermath of a relapse can feel like walking through a once serene forest that has been touched by storm. Trees might be down, and the path may not be as clear as it once was, but the beauty of the forest remains, ready to flourish again with a bit of care and time. Dr. Henry Cloud once said, “Trust is the fuel for all of life,” highlighting how essential trust is in nurturing and sustaining our relationships. When a loved one relapses, it’s as though a storm has passed through, and the clearing up process involves mending that…

Welcome to the World of Acupressure for Recovery. I am so grateful to share this healing practice with you each month! This will be a bi-weekly section on The Sober Curator! What to expect:  Each month I will cover 2 points that you can do at home to support your recovery. Let’s start with the basics. What is Acupressure? Acupressure is a small part of traditional Chinese Medicine that involves applying manual pressure to specific points on the body to stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities. It is based on the same principles as acupuncture but uses pressure instead of needles.…

For some odd reason I have been thinking about this Keep On Truckin’ t-shirt I had in the late 70’s during the heyday of the roller-skating era. I had it made at the mall, at a store called Shirt Barn where all the cool kids went. I remember waiting while they put the decal on the front of the shirt and my name on the back. I wore that shirt every Saturday to the USA Roller Rink. All I needed was that t-shirt, my skates, and a disco ball to make me happy. And a ride. I needed a ride. …