On this compelling episode of the Sober Curator Podcast, host Alysse Bryson and co-host Tamar Routly engage in a meaningful conversation with Chris Rosburg—husband, father, entrepreneur, faithful man, and the visionary behind Sober City USA. Chris has been living alcohol-free since March 2010, and his journey reveals not only the personal growth found in recovery but also the powerful transformation available through service, daily routines, and vibrant sober communities.
Chris’s entry into the sober lifestyle, like many, began with a moment of spiritual awakening—a “burning bush” experience, as both he and Alysse describe candidly. The pivotal turning point wasn’t just about personal survival but about paying forward the hope and confidence he was given through his recovery journey.
Chris shares that early sobriety was filled with shame, guilt, and a sense of “Why me?” But as he started to rebuild his life, sobriety became synonymous with coolness, authenticity, and empowerment: “People are noticing that people want what I’ve got. We all work a program of attraction, not promotion, and I really embraced that.” This intrinsic shift—seeing sobriety as a badge of honor rather than a scarlet letter—fuels the Sober City USA brand and Chris’s mission.
The Power of Simplicity: How Sober City USA Helps Recovering Individuals Daily
One thing that sets Chris’s approach apart is his dedication to accessible, no-frills recovery tools. In the age of overwhelming, feature-dense apps, Chris built the Sober City USA app as a “simple daily reminder”—offering sober slogans, daily prompts, prayers or meditative exercises, and humor to lighten the journey. With over a thousand active users shortly after launch, the app exemplifies his belief in the power of routine, gratitude, and staying present.
His offerings began with tangible items like decks of cards—each card featuring powerful sober slogans and meditative guidance—before expanding to digital formats. The intention? To anchor users’ days with positivity and recollection of their “why,” making relapse less likely and joy more abundant.
Why Chris Rosburg is Excited About Staying Sober
For Chris, the transformation that came with sobriety wasn’t just internal—it burst outward into every area of life: family, entrepreneurship, community leadership, and personal gratitude. He says:
“I’m just working on being present. Being grateful for what I have…my life has been turned around upside down for the better because of sobriety.”
Instead of constantly looking to the next milestone, Chris is learning to “like what I have,” embracing the power and privilege in today’s challenges—what he and Alysse call “classy problems.” For him, life in recovery is an ongoing journey of personal growth, connection, and meaningful service:
“If I can just help someone get a little bit of happy for the day or help them right-size their mindset, that’s a win.”
Emotional Takeaway: The Heart Behind the Conversation
What makes this episode so compelling is the emotional honesty and pure humanity on display. Alysse and Chris talk openly about messy moments, self-doubt, and the humor necessary for endurance. The message is clear: sobriety is not only possible, it’s completely worth it, and it looks and feels better than most people imagine.
Their stories prove that being “sober” is not about missing out, but about finally being able to show up—for oneself, for loved ones, and for a higher purpose. The sense of relief, gratitude, and belonging is palpable. As Chris puts it, “Life gets exponentially better the longer I stay sober.”
The Sober City USA app, The Sober Curator Podcast, and stories of celebrity comebacks (like Nikki Sixx or Anthony Kiedis) remind listeners and readers that they’re not alone in this journey. These platforms connect, inspire, and serve as ongoing support systems.
How to Connect
Check out Chris’s work and download the Sober City USA app via sobercityusa.com, find resources at The Sober Curator, and dive into this and other inspiring episodes wherever you get your podcasts.
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. That’s the whole premise.
The Sober Curator Podcast brings sober lifestyle, pop culture and recovery to the mic with personality, perspective and a glitter bomb of honesty. Founder and host Alysse Bryson (sober since May 1, 2006, and self-described Kevin Bacon of Recovery) is joined by co-host and show producer Tamar Routly of Podcast Impact Studio, plus a rotating bench of global Sober Curator contributors who pull up a chair as co-hosts.
What we cover, episode to episode:
Happy Every Hour: zero-proof drinks, NA beer, spirits and cocktails, reviewed by people who actually drink them.
Health and Wellness: mental health, physical health and what recovery looks like on a Tuesday.
Lifestyle: dating, parenting, shopping, style and the everyday logistics of alcohol-free living.
Entertainment: quit lit, movies, TV, music, sports and celebrity sobriety, rated with our proprietary Sobees.
Spiritual Gangster: Jesus to astrology, stoicism to the Celtic calendar.
Travel: sober events, sober retreats, Sobriety in the City and global travel without a drink in hand.
We also review other sober podcasts on Recovery Podcastland, dig into sponsored product spotlights, and go deep with contributors on how they got sober and what keeps them there. New episodes drop as video on YouTube and audio everywhere you listen.
Want more? BACKSTAGE with The Sober Curator is our membership community with Media Nights, Studio Nights, Edutainment Nights and The Sober Curator Mixtape, a monthly mini-zine delivered in a cassette case. Details at https://thesobercurator.com/backstage-with-the-sober-curator/
Whether you’re sober curious or decades in, we’ve got you. We’re not here to help you get sober. We’re here to help you live sober and love it.
Rate, review and subscribe. It takes 60 seconds and we will love you forever.
Contact: thesobercurator@gmail.com
A.J. Daulerio got sober in the middle of the Hulk Hogan trial. Three months in, every defect of character he had was being read to a jury. He calls it fourth step dinner theater.
Then he built The Small Bow, the recovery publication Alysse was embarrassed she didn’t know about: literary essays, free Zoom meetings every day of the week, a podcast, and now a book. Two magazine people and a producer try to name the category they’re in, and mostly fail.
In this episode:
- Why AJ interviews himself in the car (and who he pretends is asking)
- “Sober BuzzFeed” vs. “literary meat”: what each of us is building and who it’s for
- The Harper’s story about AA that made AJ pay $100 a year, and why nobody writes for people who are past rock bottom and a little adrift
- Abstinence, sobriety, recovery: why 12-step is one of nine things AJ does
- The Hulk Hogan trial, the Uber driver who didn’t care, and the lesson in humility
- The Small Book, out Dec. 29
Heads up: this one goes to some dark places, including a reader AJ lost and a friend Alysse lost. Take care while listening.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The train, off the tracks
01:28 AJ interviews himself in the car
05:34 How Alysse found The Small Bow
11:39 “Chicken soup for the dark night of the soul”
14:40 Are we wellness? Sound baths and trust falls
15:19 Sober ten years, and the problems get classier
18:54 Abstinence, sobriety, recovery: 12-step is one of nine
26:35 The Harper’s story that started everything
29:58 Literary meat vs. sober BuzzFeed
41:15 Fourth step dinner theater: the Hulk Hogan trial
46:57 “I’m the writer. I’m the human.”
48:47 “So you met Hulk Hogan?”
57:17 What AJ would tell year one
01:01:59 “Fast-forward to the part they get sober”
Sober Shots:
“You’re allowed to build your whole life around a routine nobody will ever write a headline about.” (Alysse Bryson)
“All the things that I thought were being taken away from me were also the things I needed to let go of the most.” (A.J. Daulerio)
Mentioned in this episode:
– The Small Bow – The Small Book, out Dec. 29 – I’m The Sober Curator, and I Just Found The Small Bow – S2E17 with Paulina Pinsky – Backstage with The Sober Curator
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
SEASON 2 MERCH: https://shopthesobercurator.com/
SC RESOURCES:
– Meet the Contributors – Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide – Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide – LGBTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide – Family Resource Guide
CONNECT: www.thesobercurator.com | The Sober Sip newsletter: https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/ | @thesobercurator on Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube + Pinterest
Love the show? Rate, review + follow. It takes 60 seconds and helps more people find us. Feedback + guest ideas: thesobercurator@gmail.com
Hosted by Alysse Bryson with co-host + producer Tamar Routly. For informational and entertainment purposes only; not a substitute for professional advice.
Music: TSC S2 theme “Sober Shots” created by Alysse Bryson using Suno AI, under Suno’s commercial license.
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK at The Sober Curator is your audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. We’re your bee-zy sober podcast enthusiasts, curating the best shows that educate, inspire, and entertain in the alcohol-free space.
Our archives are neatly organized so you can easily explore Recovery Podcastland—featuring our favorite recovery-based podcasts from across the globe—and the TSC Podcast Network, where we share our own original shows on sober lifestyle, pop culture, travel, entertainment, and more.
Whether you’re seeking practical recovery tips, personal stories, or uplifting inspiration, this is your go-to listening guide. 🎧 Submit a Podcast for Review: Recovery Podcastland coverage and reviews. Shows that earn their place in our audience’s queue. Submit your podcast →
SOBER POP CULTURE at The Sober Curator is where mainstream trends meet the vibrant world of sobriety. We serve up a mix of movie, podcast, fashion, and book recommendations alongside alcohol-free cocktails, celebrity features, and pop culture buzz—all with a sober twist.
We’re here to shatter the “sobriety is boring” myth with a mash-up of 80s neon, 90s hip-hop edge, early 2000s bling, and today’s hottest trends. From celebrity shoutouts to red-carpet style inspo, this is where sober is as chic as it is fun. To the celebs using their platform for good—our Sober Pop Trucker hats are off to you!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
