Put down the clickbait and pick up your non-alcoholic bevie of choice—this is TJI: your weekly dose of sober pop culture. Like Entertainment Tonight, but with fewer scandals and way more sparkling water.
And fueled this week by our fake sponsor: Fomo Be Gone—scented with lavender and pure self-worth. Finally, a fragrance that says, “I don’t need your party, Karen.”
🔥 Top 5 Buzz-Free Headlines
1. Shuffle: Behind the Curtain on Addiction Treatment – Movie Night with The Sober Curator
An unflinching look at the darker corners of the addiction treatment industry. Less Hollywood glam, more raw truth bombs. Think The Wizard of Oz—but when the curtain pulls back, it’s all insurance paperwork and shady practices.
2. Happy Gilmore 2 – Movie Night with The Sober Curator
Adam Sandler dusts off his nine iron for the long-awaited sequel. This time, booze isn’t just a joke—it’s hidden everywhere, from golf bags to sand traps. Part comedy, part Easter egg hunt (if the eggs were mini bottles of Jack).
3. 18 Top Sober Musicians – Music
From Macklemore to Demi Lovato, these sober artists prove you don’t need a bottle to hit the high notes. Bonus: they actually remember their lyrics after the show.
4. Sober Scents: A Guide to Alcohol-Free Perfumes – #ADDTOCART
Spritz this, not that. A roundup of perfumes crafted without alcohol—think sandalwood, jasmine, and botanicals that don’t smell like frat house floor.
5. This Naked Mind by Annie Grace – #QUITLIT
A cornerstone in the quit-lit canon, Annie Grace’s This Naked Mind is more than a book—it’s a Ctrl+Alt+Delete for drinking habits.
🌟 Sober Celeb Spotlight: Stephen King
The king of horror has been sober since the late 1980s after a family intervention. King once described early sobriety as feeling “evicted from life,” but today, it’s the foundation of his creativity. Proof that recovery doesn’t kill art—it fuels it.
SOBER EVENTS at The Sober Curator keeps you in the loop on alcohol-free gatherings happening nationwide. From sober comedy shows and non-alcoholic tastings to festivals, retreats, and sporting events, we highlight vibrant, community-driven experiences from coast to coast. Our goal? To keep you entertained, inspired, and connected—no matter where you live. Need more sober time than one event? We’ve got your back with our Sober Retreat Calendar.
📅 Top Sober Events
- The Unbuzzed Club Sober Social – Austin, TX, Friday, August 29
Austin nightlife vibes—minus the 2 a.m. tequila decisions. - Soberfest Ohio – Hillard, OH, Sunda,y August 31
A full-day festival with music, speakers, vendors, and family-friendly fun. - Recover OUTloud Music Festival – Colorado Springs, CO, Monda,y September 1
Live sober music under the Colorado sky—think Red Rocks energy with more hugs and no beer breath. - Non-Alcoholic Drink Tasting with Moment – Lake Tahoe, CA, Friday, September 5
Mocktail flights + lakeside views = an evening you’ll actually remember. - Rally for Recovery – Madison, WI, Saturday, September 6
A massive community rally celebrating sober strength.
👉 For these and more, check out our Events + Retreats Calendar.
🎤 Outro
“This is T-Boog and that’s the scoop from TJI—think of us as Page Six, but with more mocktails and less scandal. Thanks for hanging out with us. Sobriety isn’t just about saying no—it’s about saying yes to a better story.” – Alysse Bryson
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.
This week on The Sober Curator, Alysse sits down with rising pop powerhouse Ella Collier—singer, songwriter, producer, and sober Gen Z glitter bomb of honesty. From Atlanta rap influences to emotional sobriety, heartbreak breakthroughs, and the pop-star fantasy she both lives and parodies, Ella shares how sobriety amplifies—not restricts—her creativity. They talk anxiety, artistry, community, Muppet Recovery memes (yes, really), bedazzling disasters, and the real-life glow-up that happens when you ditch alcohol and reclaim your energy.
This episode is hilarious, heartfelt, hyperpop-coded, and filled with quotable moments that prove—once again—sobriety is the start of a way better party.
Takeaways:
Emotional sobriety changed Ella’s creative process. She channels heartbreak, internal tension, and joy directly into her lyrics and content with radical honesty.
Sobriety = glow-up. Better skin, more money, more libido, more energy. Ella calls it “the ultimate anti-aging hack.”
Pop-star fantasy meets real life. Ella loves the glam—but also pulls back the curtain on crying between takes, breakups, and imperfect reality.
Connection is part of the work. She hosts Zoom sessions with fans for each new release to build authentic community.
Creativity thrives in sobriety. Both Alysse and Ella bond over being ”painfully self-aware,” driven, and joyfully obsessive about their creative platforms.
Recovery memes are culture. Muppet Recovery = required viewing. Ella immediately writes it down.
Key Timestamps:
00:00:24 — Ella opens up about anxiety, “addiction to problems,” and survival-mode energy from childhood
00:01:53 — Alysse introduces Ella’s music career: Love Island, NBA2K, X Games, and Spotify’s SALT playlist
00:10–00:20 — Sobriety, self-expression & Ella’s relationship to emotional growth
00:29:00 — Social awkwardness in sobriety + finding community anywhere you go
00:38:00 — Bedazzled books, Barbie mishaps & the joy of crafting sober art
00:41:00 — Pop-star fantasy vs. real life: humor, heartbreak & honesty online
00:49:00 — Ella’s single-release strategy & the “I Don’t Do Drugs” moment
Resources & Links:
Ella Collier Music — https://ellacolliermusic.com
Instagram: @ellacollier
Spotify: Ella Collier
TikTok: @ellacollier
Muppet Recovery article: https://thesobercurator.com/nostalgia-memes-and-sobriety-how-muppet-recovery-on-instagram-became-a-beloved-gem/
–Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
–Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
–LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
Connect with Us:
-Website: www.thesobercurator.com
-Facebook: @The Sober Curator
-Instagram: @thesobercurator
-X: @thesobercurator
-YouTube: @thesobercurator
-Pinterest: @thesobercurator
Send Feedback:
If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!
About:
Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.
*The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open and honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. While we celebrate all paths to a sober lifestyle, some topics discussed may be sensitive or triggering for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re in recovery or exploring sobriety, please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.
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.
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.
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