Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Author, professional speaker, substance abuse counselor, and podcast host Mike Gliem shares his in-depth story about his 20+ years battling addiction and the depths it took him. This is a raw and real read. If you’re in recovery or know anyone who is, or who may be struggling this is a MUST read! Mike writes about his struggles, trials, and tribulations, the lessons he learned from them, and how to overcome them. “The MEANING of my life was to find my purpose, my PURPOSE of life is to give it away.” Break yourself free from the bondage of addiction. We…

Tuesday Tunes Song of the Week: Daisies Artist: Katy Perry Early recovery for me was a bit of a war zone sometimes. When I drove up the driveway to the treatment center, I had a feeling come over me that I just knew this was my one shot at a new life. I entered treatment with the plan to accept all the opportunities given to me there (not always with a smile on my face or gratitude in my heart, LOL). I wanted a better life, and I was willing to work for it. The naïve me didn’t know that…

I spent the past 12 months experiencing life without alcohol. While addiction isn’t a part of my story, I never truly realized what big role alcohol played in my life and the lives around me until I decided to give it up. The original plan was to do Dry January as solidarity to my friends in recovery and a challenge to myself. Every once in a while, I like to do challenges…I always discover new things about myself. Most of them are mental challenges, and interestingly enough, I learned that I’m much better at not doing something I want to…

Tuesday Tunes Song of the Week: Brighter Days Artist: Blessing Offor It’s here…2022. If you are anything like me, you have a little hope for the new year. I, for one, welcome this energy shift. 2021, I’m so read for you to be over. I felt the weight of the world for most of 2021. It became unbearable some days. Did anything horrible happen to me or my life, no but grief was a heavy backpack I wore most days toward the end. In my quest to be inspired for 2022 I found this song, Brighter Days by Blessing Offor. …

Hey Molly, It’s me… The one who comments on your Instagram posts. I’m the one who shares your harmful mommy-wine posts on my story and DMs you about your alcohol-centered approach to social media. I’m writing you this to try to get you to understand. Imagine for a minute that you’re a mom struggling with alcohol. The days pass by, and you try to do your best. Small (and big) humans depend on you for everything. You don’t have a person to clean your house or cook your meals for you. You don’t have anyone to take care of your…

This week’s song is a no-brainer. In anticipation of the big day, we dance to the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) Past, Present, and Future: Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You. The Queen of Christmas has me jiggling my jolly parts every time I hear this one. I hope you enjoy this holiday season, and my wish for you is peace, serenity, and JOY. TUESDAY TUNES with Lauren McLaughlin: Welcome to Tuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin, AKA @JoyfullySober, Your New Weekly Sober Dance PartyTuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin AKA @Joyfullysober – The Holiday EditionLET IT…

It’s time for TUESDAY TUNES, and I DARE YOU not to bust out some finger-snapping, head-bopping moves to this song. I can’t resist a good boy band holiday tune during this time of year, and N’Sync brings it big with this jam. Not only is it a catchy tune, but if you listen to the words, it hits home in many ways for me. Three Lyrics I love: “It’s a wonderful feeling, feel the love in the room, from the floor to the ceiling.” Sometimes we get so wrapped up in stress during this time of year it reminds me to…

Were you looking for a fun way to jazz up your festive DryBations this Holiday season? How about a Peppermint Bark-inspired rim!?! On this Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, Let’s rim some glasses! What you will need: How to: To operate a double boiler, fill the bottom vessel with about an inch or two of water. Do not fill all the way. Turn on the heat and let the steam from the boiling water melt your chocolate. Enjoy Safely! Remember, if you give this a go, tag @thesobercurator and me in your photos!!! Until Next Week! To Your Health! Xoxo -Nik…

The Holidays are in full swing and for some, this is the first holiday season to be sober. On my first holiday, I was 8 months sober and it was scary and overwhelming and if I am being honest very humbling. I was 28 years old, living in a sober living house, working at Bath and Body Works in the Mall of America. I couldn’t afford Christmas gifts and I didn’t have extra money to buy supplies to do any baking (nor did I have my own kitchen). There was no tree to decorate. I was embarrassed and angry…

Adding different flavor elements to your DryBations is a great way to elevate your garnish game!On this week’s, Just a Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make some tasty flavored foam! What you will need to make flavored foam: It’s as easy as adding a pinch of Versawhip to a small amount of your liquid and letting the milk frother do its thaaaaang! This lovely way to add dense foam that won’t deflate and adds an additional flavor element. How about a Lemonade with a Lavender Foam?Or a Mint Bevy with a Chocolate Foam!?Let your creativity take flight and tag me and…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and the beginning of the never-ending debate on when it is ok to put up your tree. Are you Team Before Thanksgiving or Team After Thanksgiving? I am Team After Thanksgiving. So this weekend I rocked out to Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson and got it done! Oh, and of course, I got a new Holiday Themed Housecoat! TUESDAY TUNES with Lauren Mclaughlin: Welcome to Tuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin, AKA @JoyfullySober, Your New Weekly Sober Dance Party PLAY IT AGAIN: Music can instantly transport you to another state…

Are you a hands-on shopper?Looking for a curated selection of NonAlc beverages? Well, I’m taking you virtual shopping, On This – Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!!! On the Eastside of Los Angeles… in the Indie/Hip part of town, in a city called Silverlake, a beautiful Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop has opened its doors! Let me introduce you to Soft Spirits! This bottle shop is a great introduction to NonAlc bevies!  Are you looking to try options but don’t want to commit to large quantities from Online Retailers for free shipping?  Or would you like to skip shipping in general? In-person shopping…

We are starting a new weekly segment: drumroll please……Introducing Tuesday Tunes! Let me introduce myself; I’m Lauren, a Sober Curator from the Chicago area (aka the suburbs). I am a person in long-term recovery; I celebrated 15 years in April of 2021. Music has played a massive part in my recovery. I got sober so long ago that iPhone, Spotify, Pandora weren’t even a thing yet! LOL, I had cases of CDs (see picture above). This one is not mine since I left all of my CDs in my drug den apartment that I evacuated when I got sober; maybe I…

Is it getting cold outside? Wanting to heat things up? Grab your crock pot and let’s get to the kitchen! On this, Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make a Hot Cider!!! What you’ll need: Directions: Cube your fruit and remove all rind and pith from your citrus and combine in your crock pot with spices and 7 cups of water.Cook on low for 8 hoursORCook on high for 4 hoursWith the last 30 minutes to and hour, smoosh your fruit in the crock pot.After carefully straining, add in your maple syrup and ENJOY!! This is a wonderful drink to…

As fall festivities approach, and we attend our Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving feasts, how will we toast with flavorful DryBations? Let’s get inspired with flavors of the season, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! Today, we will focus on one of my favorite fall fruits, pomegranate! The beauty about putting the focus on the pomegranate is there are so many products to incorporate for your non-alcoholic beverages!The Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants and vitamins with a tart and sweet flavor which supports so many amazing recipes! You can get already peeled fruit for garnishes, you can use the juice as a tart…

What are bitters?
What do bitters do?
Are they Non-Alcoholic?
Are they Alcohol-Free?

Inspiration is, quite literally, everywhere! We are going to the Candy Shop, @lolliandpops on this JUST A MERRY MOCKTAIL MONDAY! Don’t have a cotton candy maker at home? NBD, look at all these lovely options!! A variety in so many flavors … the possibilities to create something unique is nearly effortless!! If you’re looking for a simpler Garnish… they also carry gummy candy. Such a lovely treat on a Mocktail Pick. Makin’ a NonAlc Penicillin? Add some candied ginger! It’s a lovely treat for any festivity! Bonus, their packaging makes storage clean with a lovely aesthetic! Lolli and Pop have…

Introducing Farout Drinks from Trish Reynolds and Madison McCleary. These two sober babes from the land down under allow you to experience a good mood straight out of the can. With powerful plant ingredients, you can boost your energy and improve your focus or feel calmer and sleep better with their chill vibes. Check out their Crowdfunding video and see how you can show your support and be first in line to sample this new product line. How Does It Work? These Farout bevies are plant-based and science-backed! Here are some terms to help you get familiar with how they…

I’ve got some sweet little TRICKs for you (that are a real TREAT) on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! Wanna turn any DryBation into a spooky elixir!?! Just add a bit of activated charcoal!! Not only does it look WICKED but activated charcoal has some benefits as well! It helps detoxify the body and supports kidney function! Wanna level it up a little!? Add a pinch of edible glitter for a swirly, enchanted potion… How about a little over-the-top garnish!?! Let’s add Cotton Candy and Plastic Spiders!!! Now you have a decadent (and somewhat elaborate) Mocktail! Can we take…

Are you looking to add some creepy Halloween and easy to create garnishes to your alcohol-free beverages? We’ve got you covered!

Halloween meets Mocktail Monday with a #boozefreetiki twist!! Let’s have a little DryBation mixing fun, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!! Let’s make a twist on a classic Piña Colada with a little Spooky drizzle…

I’ve always felt like I was an observant person. Since I decided to quit drinking over three years ago, I’m more aware than I’ve ever been. Not only am I more self-aware, but I also notice the things that are happening around me. Sometimes I have fun with it. Sometimes I over-analyze situations. I see my awareness as a positive attribute, but my husband might beg to differ. I can’t not notice. My family and I recently went to an event where the booze was flowing. I noticed every person who was drinking, what they were drinking, and how much.…

Is festive glassware necessary for a good holiday time? Nooooo… but it sure helps!! 

Throwback to the Sober Pop Mock(tail) recipe that was created by @Tonix.Mocktails in the Spring of 2021. Nik created this clever beverage for the Sober Pop Club TV-themed night, where we discussed our favorite TV series that had addiction as an underlying storyline. We thought Sober October was the perfect time to bring this one back out of our sober archives. Sober Pop Mock of the Week: True Blood Ingredients You’ll Need: Movie Night with The Sober Curator Need some recommendations on what to watch? We’ve got you covered! Because it’s movie night and the feelings right, it’s movie night!…

Ranger Sauce, a wanderer who picked up a guitar and has been on an adventure or two. Interview + New Single “Gambler’s Road”

Mocktail Monday is BACK and complete with a simple yet dramatic garnish that will level up your presentation!

Grace Askew is a sixth-generation Memphian and a highway child. With seven studio albums and nearly a decade of touring under her belt, Askew has established herself as a relentlessly creative artist and a powerhouse of talent. She has become a festival favorite at eclectic live events and gained the attention of brands like Stetson, Wrangler, and Tecovas Boots, all of which have signed her on as a model/spokeswoman. She mostly hits the road accompanied only by her truck, Wanda. Still, she has also supported legends like Hayes Carll, Ray Wylie Hubbard, James McMurtry, Lisa Marie Presley, Marty Stuart, Paul…

“Freeway Rick Ross,” tells a story of a kid who had dreams like any other kid. However, his dreams were stolen by a school system that failed him. Instead of becoming the next great African American tennis player, Ricky’s life would take a totally different turn. 

Leah Martin-Brown is an Australian-born singer/songwriter and guitarist based in Los Angeles, CA but currently in Stockholm, Sweden. Leah started her career at age 13, playing in local pubs and clubs around Gold Coast, Queensland, where she formed her first project- Lilly Rouge. After completing her Bachelor of Popular Music at Griffith University’s Conservatorium of Music, Leah and Lilly Rouge began focusing on their professional music goals. They toured Australia, played the Gold Coast leg of the legendary Big Day Out tour, and supported international acts such as Everclear, Presidents of the United States, and homegrown favorites- The Getaway Plan.…

Here’s a fun Orange Garnish for you on this, Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! As long as you have a Cutting Board, Paring Knife, Y-Peeler, and a Large Orange, you are all set! How to Create This Clever Orange Garnish: Full transparency, I am just getting home from Tiki Oasis 2021 where I was the Presenter of the 90 Minute Mocktails & Garnishes Class and I am very very sleeeepy! Thank you for keeping up with me and thank you for understanding! Stay tuned for more awesome Tiki Oasis content! Until Next Week,To Your Health,Xoxo,-Nik Sober Curator Pro Tip: Curious…