Author: Stephen Kimball

Every episode of Sober Dad Crew is a chance to sit down with someone who’s walked a unique path in sobriety, and this week I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Michael Valarelli. Michael’s story starts in Florida, but really takes shape in Westchester, New York, where he grew up as a punk rock kid. Music wasn’t just a phase for him — it was a lifestyle, a lifeline, and a driving force that carried him through his teens and into his 30s, playing in bands and living the DIY spirit of punk. These days, Michael has traded in…

On the Morning of July 14, 2025, my father called to tell me that my mother had died. My mother died the day after her 85th birthday. In reality, she went to sleep the night of her 85th birthday and went wherever you go when you die. It was also one day shy of a year since she moved into a memory care facility, as her needs had become more than my dad was able to safely manage. My mom’s death was the end of a 10-year journey since she’d been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. It is a cruel disease.…