Remember the days when people didn’t think drinking water was essential? GenX and Boomers – we’re talkin’ to you. For Justin Hoffman, not drinking enough water led to extreme dehydration and a life-changing wake-up call.
Justin, a multi-talented entertainer from San Jose, found his way to sobriety partly due to a severe dehydration episode. Let’s dive into his story and why hydration is crucial for anyone in recovery, especially if you’re a creative.
Why Hydration Matters in Recovery
Dehydration is more than just a nuisance; it can be life-threatening. For Justin, this reality hit hard. After a trip to the hospital, he vowed never to neglect his hydration again. Staying hydrated is vital for overall health, mental clarity, and creative productivity, making it particularly important for those in recovery.
Gallon Gear: A Game Changer
Enter Justin’s current hydration hero: Gallon Gear. This BPA-free plastic jug is more than just a water bottle. It’s a statement.
- Environmental Friendliness: Made from BPA-free plastic, it’s a sustainable choice for the planet.
- Convenience: Features like pockets for keys and wallets make it a one-stop shop for essentials.
- Hydration Emphasis: Carrying a gallon of water reminds you to take those essential sips throughout the day.
Midnight Snacks and Creative Energy
Justin isn’t just about hydration; he’s a nacho king after midnight. Nachos, especially air-fried, provide that quick satisfaction, much needed after a creative marathon session. Midnight munchies aside, staying hydrated helps sustain the energy required for those late-night creative bursts.
Music and Recovery: A Safe Haven
Justin turned to music, drawing inspiration from legends like Tupac, Biggie, and his ultimate icon, Mac Miller. For him, music isn’t just a career; it’s therapy. His song “Hi, My Name is Justin” vividly narrates his struggles and aspirations.
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
Every October, half the internet finds out what it’s like to be the one holding a club soda at a party. Some of us have been doing Sober October for years, and the drinks have gotten a lot better since the O’Doul’s days.
This week, Alysse and Tamar sit down with the two people who know exactly what to pour: Kim Parsley and Justin Lamb, who hold down The Sober Curator’s Happy Every Hour section. Kim covers NA spirits and cocktails. Justin is roughly 150 NA beer reviews in and still can’t find a non-alcoholic single malt scotch.
In this episode:
– Sober October, Dry January, and “the always forgotten Dry July”: eye roll, gateway drug, or marketing?
– Justin’s fall NA beer list from 2024 still pops off, and some of the breweries on it are gone
– Why celebrity NA beer brands might not want sober customers (and why there should be room at the table)
– The “drink as prescribed” rule for trying NA spirits for the first time
– Kim builds Justin an NA Negroni and Alysse a pink Barbie Cosmo on the spot
– The one drink each of us is pouring for the rest of fall, plus what we’re eating with it
CHAPTERS
00:00 Club soda at the party
02:01 The Sober Curator Mixtape
04:16 Sober October: eye roll or gateway drug?
09:44 From craft beer to NA beer
13:36 Kim’s piano bar and Tanqueray 0.0
17:55 The 2024 fall beer list, two years later
20:22 “The War on Alcohol” and the SNL sketch
23:37 “They don’t want recovered addicts”
25:23 TOMONOTOMO: drink as prescribed
29:30 What drink are you?
30:57 Which NA spirits can you sip neat?
33:41 “I drink Diet Coke”
37:48 One drink for the rest of fall
TSC Articles mentioned in this episode:
– Justin’s Top 10 Non-Alcoholic Beers for Fall
– Kim’s TOMONOTOMO Tobalá review
– SNL’s “Non-Non Alcoholic Beer” sketch, pro or con
– “It’s Always Sunny,” NA Beer and the Joke That Didn’t Land for Me
– The Sober Curator Mixtape (Sober Snail Mail)
– Backstage with The Sober Curator
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
SEASON 2 MERCH: https://shopthesobercurator.com/
SC RESOURCES:
– Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
– Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
– LGBTQ+ Recovery 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.
Young Hoff – Hi, My Name is Justin Video
Hydration and Creative Mindset
Seeing a pattern? Hydration plays a significant role even in the creative processes:
- Clarity: A hydrated brain is a focused brain.
- Endurance: Peaks in creative energy can be maintained longer with proper hydration.
- Health: Reduced headaches and fatigue help keep the creative juices flowing.
Embracing Solitude in Recovery
Early recovery often involves spending a lot of time alone. Justin embraced this solitude to create art, finding comfort in connecting with other sober artists. Groups like Project X Alliance have been instrumental.
Shifting Perspectives and Building Skills
Justin’s journey involved more than just getting sober. He learned to harness his addictive energy into creative projects—repairing guitars, video editing, directing, and more. These new skills didn’t just save him money; they expanded his horizons.
Overcoming Social Challenges: Sobriety in the Creative World
Justin opens up about the social challenges he faces being sober, especially when those around him continue to party. However, his clarity of mind and focused goals keep him grounded. He mentions connecting with other sober artists, particularly in the hip-hop scene, and finding community through initiatives like Project X Alliance. This sense of belonging is crucial for anyone navigating sobriety, especially within creative industries.
Crafting a New Life: From Addiction to Creation
Justin’s post-sobriety journey is marked by a notable shift in focus from addictive habits to creative energy. He discusses repairing guitars as a project he started during COVID-19, a skill taught by his father. This newfound passion for restoration is more than a hobby; it’s a form of artistic and emotional expression.
Rewired Thinking: A New Perspective on Life
Channeling addictive energy into creative pursuits has been a game-changer for Justin. From video editing to directing, he has developed a myriad of skills that not only serve his artistic vision but offer new opportunities for professional growth. This rewired thinking is a testament to the power of sobriety in unlocking one’s true potential.
Tattoos and Sobriety: Personal Stories Shared
The conversation includes light-hearted yet meaningful discussions on tattoos. Justin shares a story of a regrettable, drunken tattoo decision, highlighting the contrast with his current state of mind. Alysse amusingly recalls almost getting a Grey Goose bottle tattoo, expressing relief that she didn’t. These stories underscore the evolutions in their journeys and the growth that sobriety brings.
Emotional and Therapeutic Power of Art
Art and music remain therapeutic outlets for Justin. He creates two types of music: “timeless” music aimed at emotional connection and “moment” music capturing current trends. This balance lets him stay true to his experiences while engaging with his audience. His favorite song by Mac Miller, “When in Rome,” is so significant to him that he even has it tattooed on his body.
Young Hoff on Spotify
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PLAY IT AGAIN—SOBER MUSIC & ARTISTS: Explore a curated collection of songs that serve as powerful sobriety anthems, capturing the essence of recovery journeys and uplifting spirits. From timeless classics to contemporary hits, these tracks can transport you to another state of mind and evoke a range of emotions. Discover the melodies that have us hitting “PLAY IT AGAIN” and hitting repeat, regardless of decade or genre. Happy listening!
What’s your sobriety theme song? If there is a song you think should be on our playlist, we want to hear about it. Send your requests to thesobercurator@gmail.com
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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.
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