If you were hoping for a sober podcast that whispers about withdrawal in hushed tones, you haven’t met The Sober Curator. In Episode 20, the crew donned banana costumes, sipped on slushies with comically oversized straws, and tackled the very unpeeled (pun heavily intended) realities of sharing sober lives online. In a world where one viral banana-chomping Instagram story can change your digital trajectory, it’s clear sobriety today is about much more than staying away from happy hour.
So, why get silly to talk about something as serious as recovery? As Dr. Sarah Michaud shared, “It is a balance… you can own and identify pain and tough times and still have fun and be light.” For many, humor and creativity are the ultimate tools for smashing stigma and showing that sober life is about presence, connection, and, yes, big laughs.
When the Algorithm Goes Bananas: Sober Content and Attention Addiction
A recurring theme throughout the episode was the tricky relationship between sobriety, social media, and attention. The crew—Alysse, Tamar, Kate, Megan, Jason, and Dr. Sarah—opened up about the tension between creating authentic content and being swept up by likes, follows, and, sometimes, internet creeps.
Kate’s tale is a cautionary (and hilarious) one. What started as posting daily “banana reels” to keep up with Instagram trends led to unexpected attention and a sobering realization: “I’ve actually done like four or five reels with a banana before I even realized it was becoming a bit… but I got lost in the sauce.” Her account soon drew the wrong audience, with messages bordering on harassment. For Kate, the reset meant starting a new, intentionally sober-themed page: “I put the word ‘sober’ in there for a reason. It’s like, follow me if you want this content.”
The reality? The dopamine hit of social media engagement can be addicting—something every recovering addict knows. Tamar put it bluntly, “I have a dopamine deficiency. I will do anything, even drink a slushie and wear a monkey costume.” Social media metrics easily fill the void once occupied by substances, but the episode’s message was clear: posting with intention and boundaries is the way forward.
Navigating Sober Advocacy in a Performative World
The episode wasn’t all jokes—there was real reckoning over what responsible advocacy looks like. As Alysse noted, “It’s so easy to get caught up in the quantity that we can lose sight of the quality… if we save the life of a couple of people, that will have made it worth it.” The group agreed: the temptation to chase viral moments or “influencer” status is strong, but the goal is genuine connection and hope.
Jason, reflecting on his own experiences, said, “My motives are in a much better place… I’m putting it out there for a specific reason… now I’m helping people in recovery.” Social media can highlight the best and worst parts of our nature—comparison, codependency, and craving for validation—but it can also be an unparalleled tool for service and solidarity.
Getting sober is one thing—but staying sober? That’s where the real adventure begins.
This show is for you if you’ve ever wondered:
– Where can I find inspiring sober podcasts, apps, and creators?
– How do I give back or stay plugged into the sober community
– What are the best sober-friendly drinks and travel tips?
– Where do I find the good NA drinks that don’t taste like regret?
The Sober Curator is your go-to for sober pop culture, booze-free travel, apps, creators, and community.
We’re not here to help you get sober.
We’re here to help you live sober—and love it.
Alysse & T-Boog dish on: a Lincoln Lawyer S3 recovery letdown, two mega binge lists (TV + movies), HBO’s opioid exposé, the Top 75 sober IG accounts, Fergie’s resilience, a heels-first world record, and 5 sober events (virtual + IRL).
Brought to you by The Gratitude Gavel™
Links + more: https://thesobercurator.com
In this episode:
TV & Film: Lincoln Lawyer S3 whiffs on recovery 👉 https://thesobercurator.com/lincoln-lawyer-season-3-review/
Binge List: 50+ TV shows with addiction/recovery (updating for 2025) 👉 https://thesobercurator.com/the-35-best-tv-shows-featuring-addiction-recovery/
Docs: HBO’s The Crime of the Century hits hard 👉 https://thesobercurator.com/the-crime-of-the-century-a-hbo-documentary
Community: Top 75 sober IG accounts (updating) 👉 https://thesobercurator.com/top-75-sober-instagram-accounts-to-follow-2024
Movies: 95+ recovery films (updating) 👉 https://thesobercurator.com/top-95-movies-featuring-addiction-recovery/
- Sober Sip Spotlight: Fergie — from psychosis to powerhouse
- Breaking Weird: Backward 100m in heels (16.55s!) 👉 https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/09/08/spain-Guinness-World-Records-fastest-100-meters-backward-high-heels/3371757345636/
Events:
Sept 17 (Virtual): Still Here Roundtable — https://thesobercurator.com/event/still-here-a-recovery-roundtable-workit-health/
Sept 19 (NYC): LGBTQ Game Night — https://thesobercurator.com/event/sober-and-socializing-lgbtq-game-night-social-mixer
Sept 21 (CA): Sober Musicians Picnic — https://thesobercurator.com/event/28th-sober-musicians-picnic-fundraiser/
Sept 21 (Virtual): KEEP COMING BACK Stream — https://thesobercurator.com/event/keep-coming-back-film-live-stream-for-national-recovery-month/
Sept 25 (SEA): Standing in the Gap 2025 — https://thesobercurator.com/event/standing-in-the-gap-2025-recovery-cafe-seattle-wa/
Hosts: Alysse Bryson & Tamar “T-Boog” Routly
Listen on: Apple | Spotify
More: https://thesobercurator.com
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK at The Sober Curator is your audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. We’re your bee-zy sober podcast enthusiasts, curating the best shows that educate, inspire, and entertain in the alcohol-free space.
Our archives are neatly organized so you can easily explore Recovery Podcastland—featuring our favorite recovery-based podcasts from across the globe—and the TSC Podcast Network, where we share our own original shows on sober lifestyle, pop culture, travel, entertainment, and more.
Whether you’re seeking practical recovery tips, personal stories, or uplifting inspiration, this is your go-to listening guide.
HAPPY EVERY HOUR – NA BEERs + 90s: Do Blondes Have More Fun? Bravus Blonde Offers Up Hints of Banana & Sweet Malt
SOBER LIFESTYLE: Laughing Without Liquor: 11 Hilarious Inventions to Tickle Your Sober Fancy – INCLUDING A BANANA SLICER!
Help is Available
Addressing the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and substance use requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the unique challenges faced by this community. By advocating for inclusivity and expanding resources, we can create recovery environments where all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can find support and healing. Click Here for a list of LGBTQ+ Recovery Resources.
