Think flea market energy, but we’re swapping the stuff currently making life better, weirder, tastier, louder, or more interesting.
Sober Swap is taking over BACKSTAGE on the third Sunday of every month from 4–5pm ET / 1–2pm PT / 2–3pm MT / 3–4pm CT.
One hour. One theme. Bring your current favorite. Make your case for why the rest of us need to know about it. Then shamelessly steal everyone else’s recommendations.
Your first three swaps:
🎵 OCTOBER: MUSIC SWAP 10/18/26
Bring one song you cannot stop playing right now. The one you keep restarting before it’s even over. The one you’ve already forced three friends to listen to. The one that has no business hitting this hard.
We’ll build the BACKSTAGE soundtrack together, live. Come with one song. Leave with a queue full of where the hell has this been all my life?
✨ NOVEMBER: OBSESSIONS SWAP 11/15/26
This is your permission slip to talk about The Thing.
The podcast that changed your brain chemistry. The Substack you’re forwarding to everyone. The show you inhaled in 48 hours. The weird hobby. The app. The rabbit hole. The niche internet drama. The $14 object you now believe everyone should own.
And yes, if you’ve developed an intense relationship with a particular brand of frozen dumplings, we need the full report.
🍪 DECEMBER: RECIPE SWAP 12/20/26
What’s in heavy rotation in your kitchen right now?
The 20-minute dinner saving your butt. The mocktail you actually make twice. The Christmas cookies that disappear before they make it into the tin. That cream cheese and crab dip everyone hovers around at the party. Your grandmother’s soup. The recipe you’ve become completely insufferable about.
Bring the recipe. Bring the story. Bring your strong opinions about why yours deserves a spot in everybody else’s kitchen.
One theme. One hour. An entire room of excellent recommendations you didn’t get from an algorithm.
Bring the thing you can’t shut up about.
We want in. FREE TO ALL BACKSTAGE MEMBERS
Hosted by Senior Sober Contributor, Anne Marie Cribbin
Not a BACKSTAGE member yet? JOIN HERE
You’re not new to this. You’re ready for what’s next.
And not everyone gets here.
You’ve done the hard part.
You’re sober. You’re clear.
You’ve built a life that no longer revolves around alcohol.
Now you’re ready for something more.
You want better conversations.
More connection.
More culture.
More expansion.
You’re not looking for another recovery meeting.
You’re looking for a room that reflects who you are now.
This is for you if this sounds like you:
- You’re sober and stable.
- You’ve outgrown. traditional recovery spaces.
- You want more than support — you want connection, culture, and momentum.
- You’re ready for what comes after survival.
That’s exactly what BACKSTAGE was built for. LEARN MORE AND JOIN US TODAY →
SOBER EVENTS at The Sober Curator keeps you in the loop on alcohol-free gatherings happening nationwide. From sober comedy shows and non-alcoholic tastings to festivals, retreats, and sporting events, we highlight vibrant, community-driven experiences from coast to coast. Our goal? To keep you entertained, inspired, and connected—no matter where you live. Need more sober time than one event? We’ve got your back with our Sober Retreat Calendar.
📅 Submit a Sober Event: NA tastings, sober socials, recovery conferences, fitness meetups, alcohol-free festivals, virtual gatherings, and events of all kinds. Anything that gives our readers something worth showing up for. Submit your event →
🏝️ Submit a Sober Retreat Recovery-focused, wellness, spiritual, creative, and adventure retreats. Listings start free. Featured and Sponsored placements available for retreats that want full editorial coverage. Submit your retreat →
You don’t need a sobriety date to be here.
Sober, sober-curious, “just taking a break,” California sober and questioning it… The Sober Sip doesn’t check IDs at the door.
If you want the culture without the lecture, get on the list. Free, three times a week.
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.
