When The Real Margaret Josephs tells you she’s “always been the designated driver—and the life of the party,” you know she means it. Alongside her best friend and business partner Lexi Barbuto, she’s rewriting what it means to celebrate with Soirée—a luxury non-alcoholic drink brand that’s part beverage, part movement.
Soirée isn’t just a pretty can—it’s a vibe. Vintage prints, glamorous design, and flavor profiles that whisper Palm Springs and confidence. Think cucumber-mint lychee, watermelon-basil, or the new Café Spritz launching for Dry January. Each sip says: you belong here, no explanations needed.
For Margaret, the inspiration came from watching her mother’s complicated relationship with alcohol and realizing early on that fun doesn’t need a chaser. “There’s no stigma in not drinking,” she says. “You can still have a great time—and a great drink.”
That mindset drives Soirée’s mission: to end the awkwardness. No more whispering “what are you drinking?” at parties. No more soda water in plastic cups. With Soirée, everyone’s glass looks elevated, everyone feels included, and no one misses out.
Beyond the fashion and fizz, the women behind Soirée are focused on impact. They dream of bringing their brand to college campuses, giving young women an alternative to blackout culture. “We want a Soirée Society,” Margaret says, “where confidence is the buzz and safety is the standard.”
Their movement is also cultural. With Caesar’s Palace bringing Soirée to its Las Vegas venues just in time for BravoCon, it’s a sign of the times: even in Sin City, sober is in. “The party girls and the party boys deserve options,” Lexi says. “It’s not about restriction—it’s about freedom.”
By the end of the interview, it’s clear: Soirée isn’t selling drinks. It’s selling permission—to shine, to show up, to feel glamorous without the glass of regret.
As Alysse Bryson puts it: “The best kind of buzz is the one you remember.”
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
Everybody’s seen Intervention. Darren Hobbs is one of the guys who knocks on that door. Back in 2010, he was the guy behind it, eating jail bologna sandwiches and waiting on a sentence.
Now a board-certified interventionist on A&E’s Intervention and founder of The Firm Addiction Consulting in Nashville, Darren joins Alysse and Tamar to talk about what sober life hands you once you’re on the other side of the door. Honey buns at a prison picnic table. The stranger in khakis he hated, then trained with every morning for 11 years. And the knock that made him want to do this for a living.
In this episode:
- A fifth step at a prison picnic table (honey buns cut with an ID card)
- The halfway house that kept his last $1,000
- The stranger in khakis who became his best friend
- His first knock: “Daddy, what took you so long?”
- Why his job is helping families make it hard for their kid to die
- What an interventionist does when he needs a break
CHAPTERS
00:00 One of the guys who knocks on the door
01:57 What changed after getting sober?
03:11 A fifth step at a prison picnic table
07:19 The halfway house that kept his last $1,000
11:12 Are we less tough now?
14:05 The stranger in khakis
16:31 Onsite and his first “piece of work”
23:34 The first knock
26:36 Burn the boats
30:27 Matador of chaos
33:13 Intervention, with cameras
36:26 Mob TV and Uncle Jackie
39:35 When the helper needs a break
45:38 “Are you AI, Tamar?”
46:28 Knock gently
Sober Shots:
“You don’t have to have the perfect story or one ounce of talent to be useful.” (Alysse Bryson)
“Your family’s given me full permission to make it hard for you to die.” (Darren Hobbs)
Find Darren: – The Firm Addiction Consulting – Instagram + TikTok: @thedarrenhobbs – Die Sober podcast
Mentioned in this episode: – BACKSTAGE with The Sober Curator: https://thesobercurator.com/backstage-with-the-sober-curator/- S2E16 with Ben Coombes of Soberski: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWV0Tt6YXpg&t=82s – Our Matthew Perry bonus episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyo1cjpfLNs&t=500s
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
SEASON 2 MERCH: https://shopthesobercurator.com/
This episode is brought to you by Aura House. Save 10% with code TSC10: https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200
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.
Follow along with Margaret & Lexi in all of social places and digital spaces:
- Website drinksoiree.com
- Website margaretjosephs.com
- On the ‘Gram: @drinksoiree @therealmargaretjosephs @thelifeofmrsb
HAPPY EVERY HOUR: Soirée: Elevate Your Alcohol-Free Party with Vibrant, Delicious Beverages (2024)
SOBER ENTERTAINMENT: Pop Culture Meets Sobriety: The Real Housewives Drama Analyzed
SOBER POP CULTURE: 40 Real Housewives-Inspired Taglines for the Sober and Fabulous
SOBER POP CULTURE: Dear Andy Cohen: It’s Time to “Bravo, Bravo, Fing Bravo” a New Drinking Narrative by Anne Marie Cribbin
Welcome to HAPPY EVERY HOUR, your go-to hub for all things NA (non-alcoholic). We review alcohol-free beers, ciders, wines, spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink), and share NA cocktail recipes that taste just as good—if not better—than the boozy originals. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just taking a break, this is where great taste meets zero proof.
TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Always read labels. Please hydrate responsibly … #becausedrunkneverlooksgood.
🛍️ Submit a Product for Review NA beverages, sober-friendly tools, alcohol-free brands, and products built for the way our audience actually lives. Submit your product →
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.
