Join us as we light up the airwaves with a fresh, upbeat take on sobriety. Our infectious energy, paired with a tongue-in-cheek TMZ-style news delivery, hopefully offers our listeners an empowering glimpse into the ever-evolving world of sober living. This short episode is more than a roundup of alcohol-free products and sober-friendly events; it celebrates resilience, personal growth, and the vibrant community that supports and inspires a sober lifestyle.
Key Takeaways and Highlights
Sober Pop Culture & Wellness Trends
We dish on the hottest alcohol-free trends, introducing listeners to must-try products and empowering media depictions. This week’s buzz-free headlines include:
- Ripple Plant-Based Vapes: No nicotine, no THC—just caffeine, aromatherapy, and a “bougie air” alternative for those seeking a ritual without the substances. “A scented puff of superiority,” Justin jokes.
- Netflix’s Sirens & Megan Faye’s Devin: Alysse raves about a sober anti-hero shattering stereotypes and proving you don’t need booze to be a badass. “Sober, savage, and stealing hearts.”
- Alcohol-Free Perfumes: Why should your signature scent double as a cocktail? Explore luxury, hangover-free fragrances for sober sophistication.
- The Better Sister Miniseries: Family drama gets real with a sober twist, centering addiction and recovery in a relatable, binge-worthy format.
- Cameron Whitcomb’s Journey: From Canadian crooner to sober superstar, Cameron’s open dialogue about recovery and mental health resonates with listeners seeking vulnerability and hope.
Sober Slay of the Week: Frankie Grande
Frankie Grande, sober since 2017, is celebrated for ruling recovery with “Broadway flair and a glitter canyon of gratitude.” Alysse highlights Frankie’s role not just as Ariana’s brother, but as a sober icon who uses his platform to champion mental health, creativity, and self-love, showcasing that “sober really is the new fabulous.” The emotional resonance here is clear: sobriety doesn’t diminish sparkle; it amplifies authenticity and joy.
Sober Events Nourish Community and Fun
The episode spotlights a range of engaging, buzz-free events across the United States—from Phoenix’s “Sober Summer Rave” to drag queen pageants, zero-proof grand tastings, a stand-up show in LA, and a competitive basketball tournament in NYC. Each event is curated for connection, laughter, and celebration, with hydration stations. The excitement isn’t just about what’s missing (alcohol); it’s about what’s gained: belonging, shared experiences, and unforgettable moments.
Humor, Honesty, and Empowerment
Humor runs throughout—the fake sponsor “Spite Water,” playful product reviews, and pop culture references remind listeners that sobriety isn’t somber; it overflows with fun, sass, and style. Tamar and Alysse embrace their quirks, poking fun at themselves while exuding gratitude for second chances and personal growth. Their candidness models vulnerability and community for anyone, at any stage, seeking support in recovery.
Emotional Draw: Why They’re Excited to Live Sober
What truly sets this episode apart is its authentic passion for sober living. I recorded from Sin City, and with her sharp wit and warmth, Tamar embodies the realization that sobriety is abundance, not sacrifice. We love celebrating every sober milestone, invite you, our listeners, to step boldly into their own stories, and champion the idea that anyone can recover out loud.
Sobriety is about “keeping it real, keeping it fun, and keeping it sober.” It’s about exchanging regret for genuine experience, shame for pride, and loneliness for belonging. Whether it’s a glam squad pageant, a night of comedy, or just “a hit of calm without the chaos,” the excitement lies in shared empowerment and the promise that recovery brings possibility.
Hosted by Alysse Bryson & Tamar Routly, and produced by Podcast Impact Studio, The Sober Curator Podcast brings sober lifestyle, pop culture, & recovery to the mic. Alongside Alysse & Tamar, rotating global contributors join as co-hosts to explore zero-proof drinks, sober travel, quit lit, entertainment, & mental health. This is sober media with personality, perspective, & a glitter bomb of honesty. Sober-curious or living alcohol-free, we’ve got you! We’re not here to help you get sober. We’re here to help you live sober: and love it.
You know the exact thing that would help. The phrase, the reframe, the tool your therapist gave you that one time. And in the moment your brain gets loud, it goes blank.
Emily and Lindsay Stetzer are sisters. They both live with OCD and anxiety, and during COVID, in matching sweatsuits, they built a company called Presently that puts the reminders from therapy on your wrist, your keys, and your bathroom mirror. Alysse and Amy Liz Harrison met them at OCDCon in Seattle, bought one of everything, and brought them on to talk about why ”good vibes only” is the enemy, why everyone has these thoughts, and what it is like to run a business with your sister when one of you has the 'tude.
In this episode:
– The OCDCon origin story: stickers, fidget spinners, and then a disco light at the end of the tunnel
– Lindsay on lining up shoes and light switches, and Emily on the anxious kid who confessed to things that didn't need confessing
– Why OCD is not about cleanliness, and why every single person has had these thoughts
– Alysse's green-light rule, Amy's 20 lightsabers, and the ”border hoarders” theory
– The ”Good vibes only” sign over Emily's bed, and why those mantras hand OCD exactly what it wants
– The six phrases, whiteboarded: passing clouds, embrace uncertainty, brave the uncomfortable
– Feelings are like gas (clouds are a nicer way to say it)
– The iPad quiz, why Presently is the name, and the invisible brother
– What we're watching: ”Ted Lasso” season four, Hilary Duff, ”Silo,” and why a scary show is good exposure therapy
CHAPTERS
00:00 Cold open: the reminder you can't remember
01:58 Why sobriety doesn't fix the blank
02:58 Meet Emily and Lindsay Stetzer
03:10 OCDCon and the disco light at the end of the tunnel
05:21 Amy buys one of everything
06:40 Lindsay: shoes, light switches, existential OCD
09:38 Emily: the anxious kid and relationship OCD
11:22 A word from Aura House
12:12 Alysse's green-light rule and magical thinking
14:01 Why this is on a sobriety podcast
14:57 Border hoarders and 20 lightsabers
16:49 ”What if” and the need for certainty
19:08 Not a live, laugh, love situation
20:36 The ”Good vibes only” sign over the bed
24:41 The matching sweatsuit pitch
27:17 The six phrases, whiteboarded
30:39 Feelings are like gas
31:18 Why ”Presently”
39:04 Working with your sister
41:52 What they didn't see coming
44:27 Watching: ”Ted Lasso,” Hilary Duff, ”Silo”
46:29 ERP: facing the fear on purpose
47:38 Backstage, and why merch starts conversations
49:29 Where to find Presently
Sober Shots:
”We are not in a live, laugh, love situation here, okay?” (Alysse Bryson)
”Every single person has had the same thoughts that we have. It's just to the extreme that you take them to.” (Lindsay Stetzer)
Mentioned in this episode:
– Take the Presently ”find your reminder” quiz
– Alysse's feature on Presently
– Backstage with The Sober Curator
– International OCD Foundation
Presently's products are reminders, not treatment. If you think you might have OCD or anxiety, talk to a licensed professional.
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
SEASON 2 MERCH: https://shopthesobercurator.com/
This episode is brought to you by Aura House. Save 10% with code TSC10: https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200
SC RESOURCES:
– Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
– Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
– LGBTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
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.
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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.
