Tchotchkes, Sobriety, and Sparkle: Inside The Sober Curator’s Hilarious Tchotchke Showdown New Gameshow

From bedazzled big books to a beloved dog named Karma, discover how pop culture collectibles and personal stories come together to celebrate sobriety with flair.

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Introduction: Where Recovery Meets Sass and Collectibles

If you imagined a mashup of “Antiques Roadshow,” “Comedy Central,” and a sober support group, you’d land squarely in the glitter-filled chaos that is The Sober Curator’s Tchotchke Showdown. Hosted by the ever-charismatic Tamar Routly (aka T. Bouge), the podcast’s first-ever showdown pulled together eclectic treasures, competitive storytelling, and a panel of lively sobriety experts.

Packed with laughter, nostalgia, and moments that tug at the heartstrings, the showdown proved that recovery can be bold, sparkly, and never short on fun.

Meet the Cast: Sober Stars and Celebrity Judges

The Tchotchke Showdown pitted reigning Queen of Tchotchkes, Alysse Bryson (Sober Curator-in-Chief), against story-rich author and advocate Travis Sackett (“My Life with Karma”). These two weren’t just toting knick-knacks—they brought pieces of their soul wrapped in thrifted finds, cherished childhood relics, and heartwarming stories of growth.

Judging their wares was a trio that spanned continents and sensibilities:

• Amy Liz Harrison: Heartfelt and generous with her scoring.
• Megan Swan: Canadian kindness and a keen eye for storytelling.
• Alexandra Nyman: The “ruthless” New Yorker dishing out the sass (and an unexpected Grease grudge!).

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The Rules: Scoring for Sparkle, Story, and Sobriety

Each contestant had three items to present, each sharing the story behind their tchotchke in two minutes or less. Judges rated them on five categories, blending whimsy and earnestness:

Scoring Categories: 

• WTF Factor 🤯 – Unexpected, wild, or wonderfully weird 
• Storytelling 🎭 – Funny? Moving? Engaging? 
• Sobriety Relevance 💪 – Tied to recovery journey or mindset 
• Pop Culture Bonus 🎬 – Connection to TV, celebs, nostalgia 
• Presentation & Flair 💃 – Confident delivery, creative energy, and extra sparkle  

🎯 Judges use this scale per category: 

• 20 points – Nailed it! Showstopper 
• 15 points – Strong effort, well done 
• 10 points – Solid, with some sparkle 
• 5 points – Missed the mark 
• 0 points – Didn’t hit the vibe 

Not only were the tchotchkes judged, but so were the stories—and the ability to tie it all back to recovery in clever, heartfelt ways.

Sober Curator Fun Fact: The scoring system closely resembles The Sobees scoring system we use for review books, podcasts, TV series, movies and more.

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The Showdown Highlights: Bedazzled Books, Soccer Heroes, and Life Lessons

The competition kicked off with Travis sharing a weathered miniature of a drunkard climbing a light pole—a literal and symbolic reminder of his past and the journey he’s chosen in sobriety. “It’s a reminder on my desk to play the tape out if I’m thinking about doing something foolish,” he shared.

Travis Sackett’s Drunkard on a Light Pole: 
Travis opens with a 1970s figurine of a drunken man clinging to a lamppost — a hilarious yet stark reminder of his past in active addiction. “This little guy serves as a reminder to play the tape out if I’m ever tempted,” Travis shares. It’s a metaphor for his commitment to not repeating unhealthy patterns, showing recovery isn’t just abstinence — it’s self-awareness in action. 

Alysse Bryson’s Bedazzled Big Book: 
Alysse counters with a DIY bedazzled Alcoholics Anonymous “The Big Book,” now sealed shut by rhinestones — a sparkling symbol of how far she’s come since “[her] sparkle was pretty much narkle.” The sheer creativity paired with a story of personal transformation elevates this beyond mere kitsch; it’s a testament to reclaiming joy and identity in sobriety. 

David Beckham Soccer Card: 
Travis brings out a limited-edition Beckham card representing more than fandom — a homage to his son and the second chance he’s been given in sobriety. “It reminds me why I keep my family together,” he explains. His connection to sport and family underscores the purpose and renewed motivation a sober life can bring. 

Alysse’s HomeGoods Motorcycle: 
A heavy metal miniature motorcycle marks another of Alysse’s pivotal moments: breaking old chaotic relationship patterns and reminding herself she’s “riding sober, riding single and moving forward” — literal and figurative movement through life’s obstacles, this time with clear eyes. 

Karma the Rescue Dog: 
Perhaps the most emotional reveal is Travis’s story of Karma, the rescue dog he found chained up while in the depths of addiction. Karma became a turning point, teaching Travis to love selflessly and to find purpose in caring for another being: “She taught me not only could I love an animal, but eventually I could love people, too.” 

Alysse’s Barbie & Luke Perry Duo: 
Closing strong, Alysse intertwines pop culture and personal milestones with a Working Woman Barbie and a Luke Perry action figure, representing both her reclaimed identity and bittersweet reminders of life’s fragility and the importance of post-recovery self-care. 

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Why These Stories Matter 

What’s so compelling about this episode isn’t just the tchotchkes — it’s the deeper why. Each contestant’s collection tells a bigger story: transformation, resilience and joy reclaimed through sobriety. 

Alysse’s exuberant crafting and collecting highlight how recovery isn’t a dull or restrictive lifestyle. Instead, it’s technicolor, alive, full of fun and second chances — she’s not just living sober, but celebrating it. 

Travis reminds listeners that even broken things — whether it’s an old iPod filled with angry music or a “weathered” figurine — can become reminders of change, of battles survived, and of the better life built one day at a time. 

Key Takeaways for Anyone Curious About Sobriety 

• Recovery can be creative and joyful. Sobriety isn’t just about not drinking — it’s about finding new ways to express yourself and honor your growth. 

• Every object can have deeper meaning. The simplest tchotchke becomes powerful when it’s connected to your journey. 

• Emotional honesty draws people together. Vulnerability and humor go hand-in-hand, breaking down stigma and showing that everyone’s path is unique. 

• Pop culture nostalgia can be healing. Whether it’s a Barbie, an 80s soccer idol or the memory of E.T., familiar icons can serve as touchstones for hope and identity after addiction. 

• Giving back is key. Through advocacy, storytelling or simply sharing with a podcast audience, these guests embody the principle that “getting sober matters, staying sober matters more — with flair.” 

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The Final Showdown: Sudden-Death, Sober Style

In a dramatic tie, both contestants revealed their tiebreakers: Travis with an iPod loaded with the angry music of his addiction years (and symbolic survival), Alysse with her childhood E.T. plushie—a nod to alienation, phoning home, and how recovery helped her “come out of the closet” and connect.

The judges cast their final votes—factoring in not just the tchotchkes, but how the stories exemplified the transformation, humor, and sparkle of sober living. Alysse reclaimed her title, but the competition was so close, it felt like a win for everyone.

Conclusion: Sobriety with Sparkle—Why These Stories Matter

The Sober Curator’s Tchotchke Showdown was more than just a battle of quirky collectibles. It was proof that recovery isn’t just a journey out of darkness—it’s a full technicolor extravaganza filled with laughter, nostalgia, vulnerability, and plenty of sass.

If you have your own tchotchkes (and tales), the glittery gauntlet is down: who will step up next? Email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com to become a contestant.

Remember: Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more—with a little (or a lot!) of flair, that’s the real flex.

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Common Synonyms For Tchotchke:

These are widely used, especially in casual conversation:

• Doohickey – informal term for a small object or gadget whose name you don’t know
• Knickknack – small decorative object
• Bauble – trinket, usually showy but of little value
• Trinket – small item of little value, often sentimental or decorative
• Gizmo – small gadget or mechanical item, sometimes quirky
• Curio – often used for unique or antique decorative items
• Junk – Items considered useless, broken, or of little value.
• Crap (colloquial) – Informal and often crude term for something of poor quality or not worth keeping.
• Dust collector – A sarcastic term for an item that just sits unused, gathering dust—implying it’s pointless or purely decorative.
• Thingamabob – A vague, informal word used when you don’t know or can’t remember the name of an object.
• Whatchamacallit – Similar to thingamabob, it’s used as a placeholder name for something whose real name is forgotten or unknown.

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CURATED CRAFTS: Bedazzling My Big Book: Because Recovery Deserves Rhinestones

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#QUITLIT: #QUITLIT BOOK REVIEW: My Life with Karma by Travis Sackett

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Resources Are Available

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