Breaking news from the land of lime wedges and mocktails—it’s TJI: serving the headlines straight up, no chaser.
Coming up: Depeche Mode detox diaries, a teen songwriter who makes Billie Eilish look like a Girl Scout, and enough sassy one-liners to get you through your next awkward family barbecue.
Brought to you by our fake sponsor of the week: Coffee & Resentments Co. — Brewing Bold Flavor since Step 4.
We’re serving up headlines, hot takes, and the energy of someone who’s already had three oat milk lattes.
???? Top 5 Buzz-Free Headlines
1. Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode’s Inspiring Journey to Sobriety Since 1996 – Sober Celebs
Nearly three decades sober, Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan has turned recovery into his ultimate encore. After surviving overdoses and chaos fit for a rock ‘n’ roll cautionary tale, Gahan is proof that sobriety is a stage worth staying on.
2. A Breath of Relief or a Puff of Disappointment? The Füm Essential Oil Aromatherapy Inhaler – #ADDTOCART Product Reviews
No nicotine, no chemicals—just peppermint, lavender, and vibes. Some people say it’s calming; others think it’s basically sniffing a spa gift shop. Either way, it keeps your hands busy without balancing a Diet Coke and lime.
3. Haunting and Impactful Lyrics from Jonas Conner, Only 15 Years Old – Music
Meet Jonas Conner, a 15-year-old with lyrics that read like they’ve been through three divorces and a custody battle. Emotional depth at that age? Let’s just say Billie Eilish better guard her diary.
4. A Curated List of 33 Sober Guests on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard – Podcasts
Think of it as the Marvel Cinematic Universe of recovery storytelling—minus the capes, plus all the therapy receipts. Thirty-three inspiring stories, zero hangovers.
5. 24 Sassy One-Liners to Use at Parties When You’re Privately Sober – Sober Unbuzzed Feed
Tired of answering why you’re not drinking? From “I’m allergic to DUIs” to “Because I already know what I’ll regret tomorrow,” these comebacks are guaranteed to help you exit conversations faster than Chad exits child support court.
???? Sober Sip Spotlight – Celebrity of the Week
Elle Macpherson has been living alcohol-free since 2003, celebrating over 20 years of sobriety as a turning point in her life. The supermodel calls sobriety her “springboard” into wellness, authenticity, and a radiant, hydrated goddess energy that no champagne flute could deliver. From rehab to AA, Macpherson embraced discipline, persistence, and self-discovery—emerging with a glow that’s proof recovery is the ultimate supermodel hack.
???? Top 5 Sober Events
- Sip & Paint Park Slope – NYC, Tuesday, July 19
Because everyone’s a Picasso after a sparkling water. - The Future of Alternative Beverages – Minneapolis/St. Paul, Thursday, August 21
Think Shark Tank, but for kombucha. Contributor Ashley Sunderland will be there. - Kickback & Kayak – Pittsburgh, Saturday, August 23
Because nothing says recovery like trying not to flip a kayak while yelling “YOLO.” - A Summer Charmed Kinda Life | DIY Charm Bracelets – Tacoma, Saturday, August 23
Founder Alysse Bryson will be there handing out merch and pretending she knows how to use pliers. - Happier Hour Zero Alcohol Launch – Omaha, Thursday, August 28
Finally, a happy hour where the only blackout is from bad lighting.
???? Want more sober fun? Check out our full Events + Retreats Calendar packed with happenings across the country and around the world.
???? Closing Words
This is your sober scoop from TJI—kind of like E! News, but with more kombucha. Remember: sobriety isn’t boring—it’s badass. Keep it real, keep it fun, and keep it sober.
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. That’s the whole premise.
The Sober Curator Podcast brings sober lifestyle, pop culture and recovery to the mic with personality, perspective and a glitter bomb of honesty. Founder and host Alysse Bryson (sober since May 1, 2006, and self-described Kevin Bacon of Recovery) is joined by co-host and show producer Tamar Routly of Podcast Impact Studio, plus a rotating bench of global Sober Curator contributors who pull up a chair as co-hosts.
What we cover, episode to episode:
Happy Every Hour: zero-proof drinks, NA beer, spirits and cocktails, reviewed by people who actually drink them.
Health and Wellness: mental health, physical health and what recovery looks like on a Tuesday.
Lifestyle: dating, parenting, shopping, style and the everyday logistics of alcohol-free living.
Entertainment: quit lit, movies, TV, music, sports and celebrity sobriety, rated with our proprietary Sobees.
Spiritual Gangster: Jesus to astrology, stoicism to the Celtic calendar.
Travel: sober events, sober retreats, Sobriety in the City and global travel without a drink in hand.
We also review other sober podcasts on Recovery Podcastland, dig into sponsored product spotlights, and go deep with contributors on how they got sober and what keeps them there. New episodes drop as video on YouTube and audio everywhere you listen.
Want more? BACKSTAGE with The Sober Curator is our membership community with Media Nights, Studio Nights, Edutainment Nights and The Sober Curator Mixtape, a monthly mini-zine delivered in a cassette case. Details at https://thesobercurator.com/backstage-with-the-sober-curator/
Whether you’re sober curious or decades in, we’ve got you. We’re not here to help you get sober. We’re here to help you live sober and love it.
Rate, review and subscribe. It takes 60 seconds and we will love you forever.
Contact: thesobercurator@gmail.com
A.J. Daulerio got sober in the middle of the Hulk Hogan trial. Three months in, every defect of character he had was being read to a jury. He calls it fourth step dinner theater.
Then he built The Small Bow, the recovery publication Alysse was embarrassed she didn’t know about: literary essays, free Zoom meetings every day of the week, a podcast, and now a book. Two magazine people and a producer try to name the category they’re in, and mostly fail.
In this episode:
- Why AJ interviews himself in the car (and who he pretends is asking)
- “Sober BuzzFeed” vs. “literary meat”: what each of us is building and who it’s for
- The Harper’s story about AA that made AJ pay $100 a year, and why nobody writes for people who are past rock bottom and a little adrift
- Abstinence, sobriety, recovery: why 12-step is one of nine things AJ does
- The Hulk Hogan trial, the Uber driver who didn’t care, and the lesson in humility
- The Small Book, out Dec. 29
Heads up: this one goes to some dark places, including a reader AJ lost and a friend Alysse lost. Take care while listening.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The train, off the tracks
01:28 AJ interviews himself in the car
05:34 How Alysse found The Small Bow
11:39 “Chicken soup for the dark night of the soul”
14:40 Are we wellness? Sound baths and trust falls
15:19 Sober ten years, and the problems get classier
18:54 Abstinence, sobriety, recovery: 12-step is one of nine
26:35 The Harper’s story that started everything
29:58 Literary meat vs. sober BuzzFeed
41:15 Fourth step dinner theater: the Hulk Hogan trial
46:57 “I’m the writer. I’m the human.”
48:47 “So you met Hulk Hogan?”
57:17 What AJ would tell year one
01:01:59 “Fast-forward to the part they get sober”
Sober Shots:
“You’re allowed to build your whole life around a routine nobody will ever write a headline about.” (Alysse Bryson)
“All the things that I thought were being taken away from me were also the things I needed to let go of the most.” (A.J. Daulerio)
Mentioned in this episode:
– The Small Bow – The Small Book, out Dec. 29 – I’m The Sober Curator, and I Just Found The Small Bow – S2E17 with Paulina Pinsky – Backstage with The Sober Curator
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
SEASON 2 MERCH: https://shopthesobercurator.com/
SC RESOURCES:
– Meet the Contributors – Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide – Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide – LGBTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide – Family 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.
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. 🎧 Submit a Podcast for Review: Recovery Podcastland coverage and reviews. Shows that earn their place in our audience’s queue. Submit your podcast →
All the cool kids go to rehab…
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.
