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 is one thing—but staying sober? That’s where the real adventure begins.
Hosted by Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly, The Sober Curator Podcast is where the AF lifestyle meets pop culture, sass, and storytelling. Celebrity interviews, zero-proof finds, and bold convos with the coolest creatives in the sober community—delivered with irreverent charm and a glitter bomb of honesty.
Sober, sober-curious, or just here for good vibes without the hangover—we’ve got you.
We’re not here to help you get sober.
We’re here to help you live sober—and love it.
Season 1 was the proof of concept. Season 2 is the proof of life.
Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly are back, and this season is everything the Sober Curator has always been — bold, irreverent, pop-culture-soaked, and built for the person who is done white-knuckling and ready to actually LIVE their sober life.In this first episode, Alysse and Tamar pull back the curtain on what's coming in Season 2: sober entrepreneurship, the Aura House debut, mindful binging (yes, that's a thing — and yes, it involves Euphoria), fresh merch, and the kind of guests who make you remember why you followed your gut and chose this life. They also get into the funemployment era. If you know, you know.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
– Season 2 goes deeper on the sober lifestyle — the living part, not just the getting-there part
– Mindful binging is real: consuming pop culture with intention and a zero-proof drink in hand
– Alysse's funemployment era is officially open for business — and it's giving main character energy
– New merch, new guests, and new reasons to love your sober life are all on the way
We've got MERCH for Season Two: https://shopthesobercurator.com/
This episode was also brought to you by Aura House, Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link: https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200
SC RESOURCES & LINKS
– Meet the Contributors: thesobercurator.com/contributor-directory
– Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide: thesobercurator.com/resources
– Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide: thesobercurator.com/nonprofit-recovery-resources
– LGBTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide: thesobercurator.com/lgbtq-recovery-resources
CONNECT WITH US
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RATE & REVIEW
If this episode made you laugh, cringe in the best way, or text a clip to your best sober friend — leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 60 seconds and it genuinely helps more people find this show.
SEND FEEDBACK
Have a story, a guest recommendation, or just want to say hi? Email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com. We actually read every single one.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host Tamar Routly, The Sober Curator Podcast delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn't suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. Some topics may be sensitive for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.
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)
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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.
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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!
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