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.
Some people look at a mountain and see a party. Ben Coombes used to be one of them: magnums of rosé at lunch, shots on the chairlift, and more near misses than he can count. Then he tried something nobody in a ski resort does. He did a sober season.
Now Ben runs Soberski, alcohol-free chalet weeks in Méribel in the French Alps, and he’s our newest Sober Curator contributor. Alysse and Tamar (a snowboarder, it turns out) talk with him about what happens when you keep the mountain and lose the après.
In this episode:
Ski, work, or drink: pick two. Ben’s seasons driving guests for a luxury chalet company
The sober season that became an Instagram page, then a business
The first booking came from New Jersey, and Ben thought it was a scam
Never skied? Ben’s guest who went from zero to flying around the mountain in about six hours of lessons
Private chefs, cold plunges, daily yoga, and evening workshops
The January 22 to 29, 2027 week in Méribel, and who it’s for (sober, sober curious, or just done with hangovers on holiday)
Ben’s pick for your queue: “The Gentlemen” on Netflix
Why Ben didn’t build a support group on a mountain. He built a room.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Cold open
01:29 You got sober. Now what?
04:06 Falling for the mountains at 21
05:13 Ski, work, or drink: pick two
06:36 The sober season experiment
08:43 Tamar’s 20-year-old snowboarder brain
09:36 Rosé at lunch, shots on the chairlift13:41 A word from our sponsor: Aura House
14:30 January 2027 in Méribel
15:34 North Americans welcome
18:06 Never skied? Start here
24:39 Watching strangers become friends
28:53 Pop culture pick: The Gentlemen
31:36 The Sober Swap, new in Backstage
35:13 Yoga, cold plunges, evening workshops
37:48 He didn’t build a support group. He built a room.
38:37 Where to find Soberski
Sober Shots:
“If I can not drink in a ski resort, then I can probably not drink anywhere.” (Ben Coombes)
“You are allowed to go somewhere ridiculous and beautiful to find him or her.” (Alysse Bryson)
Mentioned in this episode:
– Soberski | Instagram @s0berski
– Backstage with The Sober Curator: https://thesobercurator.com/backstage-with-the-sober-curator/
– The Sober Swap, our new October Backstage hang
– Krysty Krywko, “Skiing Sober: Rewriting Après-Ski Without Alcohol”
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: – Meet the Contributors – 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.
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.
