If you’ve ever wondered whether travel and sobriety can truly go hand in hand, episode 10 of the Sober Curator Podcast, “Hooked Travel with Darci Murray,” is about to open your eyes—and your heart. In this vibrant, laughter-filled discussion, host Alysse Bryson and co-host Tamar Routly welcome Darci Murray, founder of Hooked Alcohol Free Travel, for an inside look at adventuring around the globe—without booze.
Darci’s journey to sobriety is deeply personal, but her passion for redefining travel experiences is universal. As a mom of four boys and a veteran travel agent, she reached a pivotal moment when alcohol simply stopped serving her—and began hindering her day-to-day life, especially as a parent. Her decision to embrace sobriety wasn’t only about removing alcohol, but about actively choosing a fuller, richer life: “If I want to be the best mom possible, I need to quit drinking,” she says. This clarity led Darci not only to shed shame, but to channel her expertise and entrepreneurial spirit into creating Hooked Alcohol Free Travel—an inclusive community where like-minded explorers can discover the world, remember the journey, and truly enjoy every moment.
How Hooked Alcohol Free Travel Began
Hooked was born from a coffee date where Darci and a friend realized there was a gap in the travel industry for sober adventurers. Why should sober trips be limited or exclusive? Darci’s answer was simple: “Let’s launch like a completely sober travel company.” Given her 20-year background as a travel agent, creating unforgettable itineraries was already her forte. Hooked quickly grew, launching its first group trip after the pandemic lockdowns in 2022, and is now celebrated for its vibrant, inclusive approach to global exploration.
Through Hooked, Darci champions travel that isn’t about bar-hopping or waking up hungover, but rather about immersing yourself in new cultures, savoring authentic experiences, and forging deep connections with fellow travelers. In her words, “We all have that commonality, and it just kind of goes from there. It’s really a remarkable thing to watch.” Every trip—whether it’s Tanzania for safari adventures, the Maldives for stunning seascapes, or even vibrant Vegas—emphasizes true presence, genuine connection, and all the pinch-me moments that travelers actually remember.
Darci also dispels any notion that sober travel is limiting or less fun. She shares that sober travelers want the same adventurous destinations as anyone else—be it Ireland, Greece, or all-inclusive cruises—but with the support of a like-minded community. It’s about inclusion, adventure, and the joy of memory-making.
Upcoming Adventures and the Sober Love Boat
One of the major highlights discussed is the upcoming Sober Love Boat cruise to Alaska in 2025, with Alysse Bryson (celebrating her 50th) joining the festivities. Princess Cruises has leaned into the sober movement by offering outstanding alcohol-free beverage options, including Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz line and a variety of zero-proof spirits and mocktails. For Hooked travelers, this means the freedom to enjoy world-class amenities and dazzling destinations—minus the booze—with themed parties, games nights, group excursions, and even a murder mystery experience in the works.
Darci also reveals plans for other group trips, including a dry grad adventure to Thailand with an elephant sanctuary experience, and an alcohol-free wine tour through Germany and Austria—proving the demand and excitement for sober travel is on the rise.
Darci’s enthusiasm is palpable. Founding Hooked let her trade private shame for public pride: “Opening Hooked has completely changed me as a person…I’ve created a space for like-minded people to enhance their lives through travel.” For her, sobriety isn’t about giving things up, but gaining everything: family connection, adventure, laughter, and real memories. Her travel brand is about saying yes—to the world, to new friends, to wild experiences, and, most of all, to herself.
Ready to Join the Sober Adventure?
Learn more about upcoming Hooked trips (like the legendary Alaska Sober Love Boat cruise, Thailand dry grad, or the Germany-Austria alcohol-free wine experience) by heading to Hooked Alcohol Free Travel’s website or following Darci on Instagram at @hooked.alcoholfreetravel.
Listen to the Episode Now
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/
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Contact: thesobercurator@gmail.com
Everybody has the same advice for a bad job: just leave. Great. Where are you going? In 2026, most people aren’t choosing between a bad job and a good job. They’re choosing between a bad job and no job.
Work navigation strategist Lynnae Brown (1,000+ days sober) burned out in 2018, couldn’t leave, and figured out how to stay without losing herself. She and our resident sober HR lady, Sarah Alaimo, join Alysse for the episode on the job you have, not the one you want.
In this episode:
- Why “get a new job” is lousy advice right now (and why it works as dating advice)
- Burnout stories: Alysse’s heart surgery at 40, Lynnae’s $149,000 reason to stay
- Navigate, don’t negotiate: why you don’t argue with the map
- The micromanager who wrote every email with her, and how she still left at 5
- Do you even want a promotion? The invisible labor you can quietly put down
- The 7-to-7 experiment, and why acceptance is not agreement
CHAPTERS
00:00 “Just leave.” Great. Where are you going?
01:38 Meet Lynnae Brown and Sarah Alaimo
03:29 Why “get a new job” is lousy advice
06:17 Burnout: heart surgery at 40 and $149K in loans
08:44 Navigate, don’t negotiate
11:40 The boss who wrote every email with her
14:35 Gen Z, boundaries and advocacy vs. results
20:19 The path of least resistance
22:59 Three things to try this week
25:33 Irritant becomes information
32:07 Do you want to be right or happy?
36:03 Where to find Lynnae + BACKSTAGE
Sober Shots:
“You don’t argue with the map.” (Lynnae Brown)
“A paycheck is also structure, insurance, and a reason to put pants on at 8:00 AM.” (Alysse Bryson)
Find Lynnae:
– lynnaebrown.com – LinkedIn – Substack
Mentioned in this episode:
— S2E10 Recovery Friendly Workplace
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.
WHAT A TRIP! Discover the Serenity of Alaska on the Boozeless Cruise with Hooked on Travel – July 2025 – CABINS STILL AVAILABLE!
SOBER UNBUZZED FEED: 25 Reasons Not to Miss the 2025 A.A. International Convention in July…Even if You’re Not in A.A.
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 Adventures Wanted!
Have you taken a trip without the booze but with all the epic vibes? Did you hike majestic trails, sip fancy mocktails poolside, or just find a quiet corner of the world where your soul could exhale? We want the juicy details (and the jaw-dropping pics)! The Sober Curator is putting together the ultimate sober travel guide—and your story could be the highlight.
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