In this captivating episode of the Sober Curator Podcast, Founder, and Host Alysse Bryson invites comedian Sam Miller and Sober Curator Contributor Tamar Medford for an insightful and heartwarming discussion. This episode explores the intersection of comedy and sobriety, with Sam sharing deeply personal stories about his journey, professional endeavors, and life as a sober comedian.
Sam Miller’s Unique Brand of Comedy
One of the standout aspects of Sam Miller’s brand is his ability to blend humor with the intricacies of recovery. His comedy is not just about getting laughs; it’s about creating a sense of community and relatability among those who have walked similar paths. Sam’s humor is a testament to the potential for joy and laughter in sobriety, a crucial element in breaking down the stigma associated with addiction.
LaCroix and Leveraging Social Media
Sam’s candid discussion about his love for LaCroix sparks a light-hearted moment in the episode. Tamar Medford humorously points out Sam’s frequent double-fisting of drinks, often including LaCroix. Sam admits he can drink up to seven or eight cans of LaCroix during a long drive. Alysse Bryson chimes in, revealing she’s on the LaCroix product list and occasionally receives promotional items. This leads to a broader conversation about leveraging social media to connect with brands like LaCroix for potential collaborations.
Social media plays a vital role in Sam’s career, allowing him to draw audiences to his live comedy performances. His presence on Instagram, Facebook, and his website is pivotal in maintaining and growing his fanbase. Sam’s story underscores the importance of utilizing digital platforms to expand reach and build personal connections with audiences and brands.
The Evolution of Sam Miller’s Career
Before diving into comedy full-time, Sam worked as a chemical dependency counselor. His background in counseling deeply influenced his approach to comedy, particularly when addressing themes of addiction and recovery. Despite his successful career in counseling, issues like ADHD and scheduling conflicts with his growing comedy commitments led him to resign from his counseling position earlier than anticipated.
The episode highlights Sam’s fulfillment in his comedic career despite the challenges. His dedication to comedy has paid off with growing public recognition, as evidenced by people occasionally taking pictures of him without asking. His first comedy special, “Round Trip,” is available on YouTube, Amazon, and Tubi, further attesting to his rising popularity.
The Importance of Humor in Sobriety
Humor has played a significant role in Sam’s processing of challenging emotions and navigating social interactions post-sobriety. Reflecting on his journey, Sam notes that while he was funny before sobriety, much of his humor was intertwined with tumultuous times and substance use. Now, he leverages his comedic talents to celebrate sobriety and cope with its associated stigma.
Engaging with the Community: Magnet Fishing and Advocacy
Beyond comedy, Sam engages in various hobbies like magnet fishing, humorously likening it to a “tweaker activity” despite being sober. His involvement in community activities and passion for advocacy are evident throughout the episode. He shares a prank involving humorous posters in Olympia, providing him with pride and community support.
A Life of Sobriety and Gratitude
Sam’s story is a compelling narrative of resilience and transformation. With 16 years of sobriety under his belt, Sam’s journey is a testament to the power of humor, community, and heartfelt dedication to embracing a sober lifestyle. Both Sam and Alysse reflect on the limited non-alcoholic options available during the early years of their sobriety, highlighting the evolving landscape of sober living today. Their experiences emphasize the importance of alternatives and support systems when embarking on a sobriety journey.
Supporting Recovery Through Entertainment
The episode wraps up with a discussion about the role of entertainment in supporting recovery. Alysse Bryson recommends a dramedy series set in Seattle, Loudermilk, about a peer leader in a recovery group, available on Amazon, which blends comedy and drama. Sam, who prefers NBA content, acknowledges that he might check out the show as his life calms down.
This episode offers valuable insights into living a fulfilling, sober life while pursuing one’s passions. Sam Miller’s story is about overcoming addiction and thriving in recovery, using humor as a powerful tool to connect, heal, and inspire others.
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.
This podcast episode by The Sober Curator is a must-listen for anyone interested in the interplay between comedy and sobriety. It offers a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of individuals who’ve found joy and purpose in their sober journeys. Tune in to future episodes of The Sober Curator for more inspiring stories and practical tips on living a sober lifestyle.
Follow Sam Miller in all of the digital places and sober spaces:
- Sam Miller YouTube Channel
- @sammillercomedian on IG
- Sam Miller Website
- X (formerly known as Twitter)
- TICKETS to upcoming shows by Sam Miller
- The Tarp Report podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts, YouTube Channel
Sam Miller: Meth Walk Joke
The Tarp Report podcast w/ Comedians Sam Miller & Jes Anderson
THE MINDFUL BINGE: Loudermilk – He Puts The S.O.B. In Sober
HAPPY EVERY HOUR – READY TO DRINK: Deck The Halls: Unique LaCroix-Themed Miniature Christmas Tree Takes Holiday Decor To A New Level | The Sober Curator
SOBER IN SEATTLE: Get ready to dive into Seattle’s sober scene—where zero-proof and sober-curious vibes are as iconic as our city’s Space Needle! We’re your go-to guide for all the coolest spots to enjoy elevated, alcohol-free experiences.
Picture this: vibrant venues where unforgettable moments happen, from chic NA bottle shops to electrifying recovery game nights with the Seahawks or Mariners. Our community is shaking up social norms and turning wellness-focused lifestyles into the new trend.
Whether you’re a Seattle native, just passing through, or somewhere in between, everyone’s welcome to raise their glass—without the booze. Discover why Seattle’s sober scene is as refreshing as a sunrise over the Puget Sound. Trust us, you’re in for an amazing time!
Got an event, product, restaurant, experience, or story rooted in the Emerald City? We’re all ears! Drop us a line at thesobercurator@gmail.com or slide into our DMs on social media.
SOBERSCRIBE NOW!
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.
