Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Some books leave a quiet yet profound impact on their readers, and Alex’s poetry collection, I Learned How to Love From Heroin, does precisely that. From first glancing at the title and dedication, I felt a deep connection to this work. As a person in recovery, these seemingly simple elements were powerful enough to ground me in a shared experience before I even turned the first page. The collection begins with a foreword that acts as an introduction and an invitation—a call to use this poetry as a springboard for self-expression. Alex encourages readers to take this journey with him while simultaneously…

Today was another difficult day. I woke up with the nausea that had been hounding me for weeks, preventing me from getting the sustenance I needed to feel happy. Everything felt off from the beginning, as it has been, as I am again afraid it will be forever. You see, the darkness has become ever more painful because my life is filled with light. I’ve done the things I’m supposed to do, become the man I’m supposed to be… I am living unmasked… I am living unmasked? I am living another lie. After yet another argument with the love of…

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…

Welcome to the Classy Problems weekly mash-up for Monday, November 25 – Sunday, December 1, 2024. Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding. November 25 – Developing Courage Courage isn’t the absence of fear but taking action even though fear is present. Courage is understanding what is at risk and doing it anyway. Courageous action is…

Picture of Me, written by Thomas Laurence, is a 157-page journey through anger, grief, depression, and addiction told in poetry and drawings. It serves as a guide for emotions experienced by many and discussed by few. The brutal honesty in pieces like Dark Knight, No Help for the Wicked, and Monster in Me is jarring but necessary. Getting the emotion out helps get the author through to the other side. It is what makes this collection of works so relatable to those experiencing similar feelings. With titles like Dear God, Mercy, Mercy Me, and Gentle Rain wash away my tears, there is still hope in the disturbing but impactful writing.…

Fear didn’t think that I would show up today, But I did, and I’m here Hate thought I’d relate, but it’s the energy of love in which I resonate Anger tried to linger, but I sought out my peace Self doubt came about So I had to heal, let go, release Impatience tried to rush me, I spitefully decided to take my time Insecurity tried to break in So I had to reinforce my mind Trauma tried to hide in the shadows Til’ I decided to shed light on my past Uncertainty said to freeze, But my will and my…

I know that it’s hard Drinking for the day like it’s no tomorrow Through happiness and sorrow Drinking for the day like you don’t want to see tomorrow Or see your scars You fear what you feel when the bottle is gone I know that it’s hard Wake up and take a shot like it’s Tylenol Drown out the pain Make me feel sane Try to bury my demons Thinking maybe I’ll change But they got the reigns Saying, “Take just one more shot.” Until it’s all out of range Til’ you find yourself slipping because your body can’t hang…

Does life feel like an unsolvable puzzle, full of complexities, challenges, and opportunities? That’s because it is — we call that life’s ‘too much toomuchness’ here at The Intentional Course (TiC). We’re excited to announce TiC’s next series on navigating the unsolvable, beginning January 15th at 11a PT / 2p ET, weekly on Wednesdays (01/15, 01/22, 01/29) In this 3-week virtual series, we’ll meet for one-hour sessions to explore how to interact with the too much toomuchness. Here’s what you can expect: We believe life is revealed through our failed interactions with reality. It’s not about finding answers, but asking better questions, making decisions,…

I never had a father, Just a sperm donor Who acted like a father So that society would feed his narcissism. I am damaged and forgotten. I am my own father And whisper into my ears “You could have done better” I am my own father. I have assumed the feelings Of disappointment My father was never around to express. I have ruined myself. I have told myself “you are not enough” Enough times To believe it. I have continued his legacy Of forgetting me Of forgetting I am human Of forgetting my need to be loved. I never had…

Welcome to the Classy Problems weekly mash-up for Monday, November 4 – Sunday, November 10, 2024. Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding. November 4 – Securing Certainty Useful quantities of certainty don’t exist. Actual certainty can only be found in the extremes – in the profoundly trivial and absolutely critical. It doesn’t exist in the…

Welcome to the Classy Problems weekly mash-up for Monday, October 28th – Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding. October 28 – When More Awesome is Better Than Bigger As life becomes more complex, it’s increasingly important for us to be precise with our words. It’s easy to confuse a system with…

One day I awoke and told myself I was sad. Thus, my childhood died. I remember smiles; laughter from the simplest things… distant memories. I poured my essence into those I thought I loved instead of myself. Neglect, my great fear: Avoiding it from others, I found it inside. Why do I feel whole? Why does universal pain lead me to self-love? By Contributor: Andrew Littlefield

The Quiet Struggle I often write about my messy bottom as a nurse—those long, dark nights that ended with me face-planting into rock bottom. But what I rarely talk about is the five-year stint I had in pharmaceutical sales. Yep, as a career nurse, there was this whole chapter in my life that I almost pretend didn’t happen because I’m still a little ashamed of it. It was a time when I swapped my scrubs for suits, but I felt like I was constantly in disguise, hiding behind sales jargon and wine glasses. I wasn’t exactly a corporate superstar, but…

Models Strut Their Stuff in Support of a Cause By Contributor to The Sober Curator: TeQoa Griffith Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of covering a runway show in New York City that was more than just a fashion event. It was a powerful celebration of resilience, beauty, and the human spirit. The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, featuring a group of inspiring models who had all undergone breast amputations. The sponsors played a crucial role in making the event successful, providing financial support and raising awareness about their important work. The Break Free Foundation holds a show…

As a sobriety coach, I often receive questions from my clients regarding the challenges of living an alcohol-free life. In this blog post, I will answer the top five recurring questions that are frequently asked. We will address common concerns, such as whether or not one can still have fun without drinking and if thoughts of alcohol ever resurface. So, let’s dive in and explore the joys and struggles of sobriety together. Here are additional insights to support your journey towards a healthier and happier life. 1. Why can’t I moderate my drinking? (Pro Tip: It’s a trap, stay off…

Does life feel like an unsolvable puzzle, full of complexities, challenges, and opportunities? That’s because it is — we call that life’s ‘too much toomuchness’ here at The Intentional Course (TiC). We’re excited to announce TiC’s next series on navigating the unsolvable, beginning November 7th at 1p PT / 4p ET, weekly on Thursdays. (11/07, 11/14, 11/21) In this 3-week virtual series, we’ll meet for one-hour sessions to explore how to interact with the too much toomuchness. Here’s what you can expect: We believe life is revealed through our failed interactions with reality. It’s not about finding answers, but asking better questions,…

SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD!: The following is a piece written and submitted by Gary Schwind. This is the section of our website where our readers and contributors take center stage, sharing their transformative sobriety journeys. I’m new to the sober lifestyle, with less than a year of alcohol-free days. (I do know the exact number. I write it next to the date at the top of every journal entry.) However, while I can’t boast several years of sobriety, I have learned some things that I think are especially useful to those who are early on their journey of sobriety or those…

In today’s world, it’s easy to feel lost. Inflation is skyrocketing, housing costs are spiraling out of control, and we are still reeling from the aftermath of a global pandemic. We face an unrelenting drug epidemic, social media pressures, and an endless barrage of crises that make it feel like the world is stacked against us. There’s a deep sense of unfairness that hangs over our collective heads, leading many to question if life is as good as it used to be or whether it holds any hope for the future. I’ve spent a lot of time studying history, both…

Welcome to the Classy Problems weekly mash-up for Monday, September 30th – Sunday, October 6th, 2024. Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding. September 30 – Paradox of Observation Observation reveals what is AND obscures what could be. October 1 – The Leverage of Intersections Intersections represent essential moments where singular paths meet multiple routes, and…

Traveling is usually a great adventure—a dance with the unfamiliar that invites us to embrace new sights and sounds. Yet, for those on the path of sobriety, this exhilarating journey can hold its challenges. The allure of exploration often masks the lurking triggers and temptations that can arise in new places, which makes it all too easy to feel lost or adrift without the comfort of familiar support systems. This is why staying connected while traveling is vital for your recovery. In a way, it’s like carrying a fragment of home in your heart—a comforting reminder that the love and…

We are excited to share 5 powerful songs to add to your ultimate sober playlist. These songs represent a part of our recovery journey. This edition delivers a strong dose of redemption and grace because we could all use just a little bit of this. Enjoy the tunes!

For years I have dreamed of a project: To write everyone I loved and tell them why I love them, Tell them how they changed my life. Tell them which pieces of them left an imprint on me that I will carry forever. Tell them which pieces of me I was happy to surrender. There would be so many letters. First, I would write to the people I lost, to tell them what I miss most about their presence. To ask them how they want to be honored, instead of grasping at straws and hoping they like what I’m up…

Hubris. It’s a word we often associate with arrogance, with the idea that someone thinks they’re invincible. But in my experience, hubris is far more insidious. It doesn’t roar in my strongest moments; it whispers in my weakest. It creeps in when everything is going right, telling me that I, somehow, can single-handedly mess up everything I’ve built, everything that my higher power has laid out before me. I stand here today, a person in recovery, with a life that, by all accounts, should be a testament to grace and redemption. Yet, in the quiet of my mind, hubris has…

Welcome to the Classy Problems weekly mash-up for Monday, September 9th – Sunday, September 15th, 2024. Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding. September 9th – External and Internal Orientation The success of our predecessors teaches us that external orientation is key in survival moments. It’s about assessing external threats – what we need FROM our…

Let me break this down for you; here’s how this works. FIND THE TRAILERS, REVIEWS & SO MUCH MORE!​ Welcome to The Mindful Binge at The Sober Curator, where we explore TV series that intricately weave addiction, recovery, and mental health into their compelling storylines. Imagine us as your diligent, bee-zy TV series binge-watchers or the lively guardians of an alcohol-free visual storytelling sanctuary. Have you ever judged a TV series by its title or poster? In our buzzing hive, we’ve meticulously curated shows that delve into these themes, allowing you to flutter through captivating TV series displays. Our digital…

It’s Movie Night with The Sober Curator & The Sobees Rule the Silver Screen. Movie Night with The Sober Curator ????????️ Welcome to Movie Night with The Sober Curator, where we explore movies that intricately weave addiction, recovery, and mental health into their compelling storylines. Imagine us as your diligent, bee-zy movie concierges or the lively guardians of an alcohol-free visual storytelling silver screen. Have you ever judged a movie by its title or poster? In our buzzing hive, we’ve meticulously curated movies and documentaries that delve into these themes, allowing you to flutter through our captivating movie hive. Our…

British Adventurer, Mountaineer, and Guide Oliver Browne and Recovery Coaches Mary Tilson and Carrie May are teaming up to host an awe-inspiring epic guided adventure to Everest Base Camp from April 1 – 12, 2025. Oliver, Mary, and Carrie are all in long-term recovery and share a passion for creating transformational off-grid experiences for others. If ever there was to be a bucket list destination for the sober, adventurous spirit, Everest Base Camp would top the list. This expedition epitomizes the power of challenging oneself, resiliency, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Designed for individuals in recovery, recovery allies,…

Who have I become in the absence of superficial desires and the presence of a meaningful life? Once God finds you, you can never lose Him, yet can daily lose yourself. I imagined fulfillment producing more serotonin; vibrant, intoxicating, not a brightly colored Grey. I have always known that love is more than just a feeling, but now I can’t feel it. I am a Good person, I am humble, And I am afraid. By Contributor: Andrew Littlefield

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…