Are you ready to step into the world of Ari Welkom? Get comfortable as we navigate his compelling journey of musical inspiration, personal transformation, and spirituality. In our latest episode of the Sober Curator Podcast, we sat down with Ari and discussed everything from his musical heroes to his latest projects. This is not just any podcast episode; it’s an invitation to explore a life transformed by sobriety and creativity.
Musical Inspirations and Artistry
Ari Welkom’s views on music and expression are nothing short of profound. Inspired by legendary rock icons like Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie, Ari emphasizes the significance of finding one’s authentic voice. He appreciates modern artists’ transparency in writing about personal experiences, and it’s evident that Welkom’s music serves as a central medium for swiftly expressing impactful stories.
Personal Journey and Songwriting
Ari’s journey through personal transformation and spirituality was one of the most compelling aspects of our conversation. With songs like “Fighter,” discussing his battle with bullying and learning karate, Ari brings his audience closer by sharing personal stories behind his tracks. His song “High Like This” reflects a profound rock-bottom moment, encapsulating spiritual themes and personal growth.
Navigating Social Media and Content Creation
In a digital era, Ari knows the importance of sharing the context behind his songs. With profiles on Instagram and TikTok under the name @AvatariWorld and a YouTube channel named @avatari, he uses social media to deepen connections with his fans. His stories provide the context that enriches the listening experience, making his narrative even more compelling.
Battling Stigma in the Music Industry
Sobriety in the music industry often carries a stigma, but Ari is breaking down those barriers. He openly embraces his sobriety, weaving it into the very fabric of his music. This openness helps diminish the stigma and encourages other musicians to be transparent about their journeys.
Long-Term Sobriety and Personal Growth
In our chat, Ari spoke at length about the significance of long-term commitments. He initially found anything over a week daunting. Now, he sees the importance of community and the growth and responsibilities of sobriety. Describing family life as growing several new hearts, he acknowledges the profound impact of having children and responsibilities.
Humorous Insights and Creativity
Our episode was rich with light-hearted banter, from discussing The Karate Kid reboot series to the conversation about Funko Pop figures. Ari even joked about how he hadn’t watched the reboot series, despite his karate background, while we all shared laughs over the unboxing experience of Funko figures.
Hosted by Alysse Bryson & Tamar Routly, and produced by Podcast Impact Studio, The Sober Curator Podcast brings sober lifestyle, pop culture, & recovery to the mic. Alongside Alysse & Tamar, rotating global contributors join as co-hosts to explore zero-proof drinks, sober travel, quit lit, entertainment, & mental health. This is sober media with personality, perspective, & a glitter bomb of honesty. Sober-curious or living alcohol-free, we’ve got you! We’re not here to help you get sober. We’re here to help you live sober: and love it.
It starts in a hotel lobby in Orlando. It ends with an invitation to Scottsdale. In between: inflatable walkers, a steam-filled hotel bathroom, Dollywood in full Dolly drag, sumo suits bought in bulk, and every sober travel hack we actually use.
Alysse and Tamar are joined by ride-or-die Sober Curator Amy Liz Harrison (50+ articles, 8 kids, airline-executive husband, carry-on always over the weight limit) for a masterclass in traveling sober and loving it. Because here's the thing about sober travel: you remember everything. Including the reason you got kicked out.
In this episode:
The Golden Girls incident at PodFest Orlando, and how Amy steamed an entire hotel bathroom trying to inflate a walker (ADHD time blindness is real, friends)
Dressed as Dolly at Dollywood. You would think there would be more of us. You would be wrong.
The airport hack every sober traveler should know: asking the gate agent to page ”a friend of Bill W.” Tamar has done it three times. People showed up.
Amy's research on 26 airports with interfaith prayer rooms, meditation spaces, and sensory-friendly quiet rooms, born from wishing recovery had its own USO
Why wearing sober merch while traveling turns strangers into your people (it's a team jersey, and your team is sober)
Travel hacks: Amy's secret-compartment vest, Tamar's carry-on conversion, and the time we got kicked out of the Neon Museum gift shop with our arms full of merchandise
THE BIG ONE: Cover Story, The Sober Curator's first-ever retreat
Cover Story Retreat: October 15 to 18, 2026
You didn't get sober to sit in the back row. Four days and three nights at the brand-new Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas in Paradise Valley (Scottsdale), Arizona, in partnership with Evolve Retreats. All meals and NA beverages included. A 30-minute on-location photo shoot with photographer Barbie Hull. B-roll captured for you all weekend. A costume outing (it's Sober October, we will deliver). A group-built Sober in Scottsdale city guide. A live podcast recording. Sound baths and hikes for the wellness people, shopping and art galleries for the rest of us.
$3,299 single / $2,700 double. Prices go up August 21. Small group, think dinner party, not conference.
➤ Details + booking: https://evolveretreats.co/cover-story
Sober Shots from this episode:
”I've never had so much fun traveling as I have as a sober person because, wait for it, I remember everything.” (Alysse)
”What do we feel like doing today? Let's get in sumo costumes.” (Amy)
”It's the same thing as wearing a jersey. It's just your team sober.” (Amy)
”We don't need a lot of reason to do something dumb. Very little runway and we're taking off.” (Alysse)
”You didn't get sober to sit in the back row.” (Alysse)
Links + Goodies:
Cover Story Retreat: https://evolveretreats.co/cover-story
The Sober Curator luggage line (40% off for Backstage members): https://shopthesobercurator.com
Amy's 26 Airports article: https://thesobercurator.com/sober-travel-airport-quiet-rooms/
Golden Girls outing reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTjw5wpjUzB/
Inflatable walkers affiliate link, because of course: https://amzn.to/3S2r85s
The Sober Curator Rolodex: https://thesobercurator.com/the-sober-curator-rolodex/
The Sober Sip newsletter: https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/
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Keep it real, keep it fun, and keep it sober.
Music Credits: Positive Vibes, Artist: MoodMode – Storyblocks https://www.descript.com/terms-storyblocks
Avatari – P#RN
Sober Curator Fun Fact: Does this song sound familiar? If you’ve been listening to any of our other recent interviews, you will notice Avatari has given The Sober Curator permission to use this song as our theme song.
Avatari – High Like This
Avatari on Spotify
Welcome to the Ultimate Hub for Sober Entertainment! Discover a world where sobriety meets entertainment at The Sober Curator. Our library is your go-to resource for insightful book reviews across three captivating genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, and Self-Help.
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