In a world once dominated by alcoholic beverages, a new wave is redefining how we socialize and indulge without compromising our sobriety. As more people explore non-alcoholic options, the Sober Curator Podcast stands at the forefront of this revolution, offering insights and reviews through its Happy Every Hour section. Host Alysse Bryson and contributors Justin Lamb, Ashley Sunderland, and Kim Parsley dive deep into the trends, benefits, and personal journeys that shape this burgeoning industry.
Breaking Down Barriers in Social Settings
Alysse recounts the challenges faced by non-drinkers in social settings where alcohol reigns supreme. With a background in event production, she emphasizes the anxiety of being an afterthought at events with limited non-alcoholic options, often defaulting to water or soda. The podcast highlights the importance of creating inclusive, alcohol-free drink recipes to elevate the experience of sober individuals without sacrificing social acceptance.
Redefining the Alcohol-Free Market
Sober Curator Senior Contributor Justin Lamb, known for his extensive reviews of non-alcoholic beers, shares his excitement about the industry’s growth. Once restricted to limited, uninspiring choices, the market has exploded with innovative brewing techniques delivering IPA and stout experiences sans alcohol. This evolution has made it possible for beer lovers to savor their favorites without compromising their sobriety. For Justin, the fun is discovering the science behind non-alcoholic brewing and sharing this journey with others.
Kim Parsley brings a unique perspective with her concept of “trail angels,” offering non-alcoholic cocktails and treats to adventurers. Emphasizing the artistry involved in crafting these beverages, she discusses the merit of bottle shops and how they contribute to educational opportunities and personalized experience. Her passion for elevating craft cocktails, without the alcohol, resonates with a growing audience seeking quality without consequence.
Another significant topic in the episode is the rise of sober bars and bottle shops, which have become havens for those seeking non-alcoholic options in a traditionally alcohol-dominated culture. Ashley Sunderland is championing the beverage scene from the heart of the Twin Cities. These venues not only provide alcohol-free alternatives but also serve as educational hubs, helping people understand the nuances of non-alcoholic beverages and why they’re a valuable addition to social experiences.
Trend Waves: Dry January and Sober October
The podcast team explores the effects of popular trends like Dry January and Sober October. While these initiative-driven months foster awareness and reduce stigma, they also provide individuals with the opportunity to evaluate their relationship with alcohol. Opinions vary on their effectiveness, but the consensus is that they serve an important role in introducing the benefits of sobriety to a wider audience.
Bottle shops dedicated solely to non-alcoholic beverages have become pivotal in transforming how sobriety is perceived. Highlights from the podcast discuss the significance of these spaces, offering a variety of products without the pressure or temptation found in traditional liquor stores. From Justin’s experience at Pittsburgh’s Open Road to Ashley’s involvement with Lucille’s in St. Paul, these venues create welcoming environments for education and exploration.
Surprising Discoveries and Innovations
Reflecting on their experiences, The Sober Curator team shares lessons learned from creating content for the Happy Every Hour section. From the complexities of non-alcoholic beer production to the intricate craftsmanship of cocktails, the knowledge gained is substantial and ever-evolving. With a commitment to exploring new products and sharing authentic reviews, they inspire listeners and readers to embrace non-alcoholic options as part of their lifestyle.
As the sober landscape continues to grow, the Sober Curator Podcast remains a guide for those looking to enhance their alcohol-free living. Through engaging discussions and insightful reviews, they challenge the norm and prove that sobriety enriches rather than restricts. With each episode, listeners are invited to join the party, where taste and experience are paramount, and sobriety is celebrated as the ultimate lifestyle choice.
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/
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.
Resources & Links
- Happy Every Hour on The Sober Curator
- The Happy Traveler Vintage Traveler Bars
- Justin Lamb: Instagram
- Lucille’s Bottle Shop: Located in downtown St. Paul
- #MINNYSOBER Page by Ashley Sunderland
- Meet the Contributors
- Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
- Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
- LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
HAPPY EVERY HOUR: Welcome to the hub for all things NA, featuring reviews of alcohol-free beers, ciders, wines, spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink), NA recipes, and so much more from behind the bar. #becausedrunkneverlooksgood
Recovery is hard 24/7, 365 – Please know that 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. If your life or someone else’s is in imminent danger, please call 911. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call: 988.
