Ward Richmond once epitomized the high-flying life of a commercial real estate broker, where client entertainment often revolved around excessive drinking. But the illusion that alcohol enhanced social skills and curbed anxiety caught up with him—fast. Richmond’s journey from an alcohol-reliant socialite to a spiritually grounded sober individual is both inspiring and relatable for anyone struggling with addiction.
In this interview, we will explore Richmond’s transformative story and how sobriety has reshaped his personal, professional, and creative life.
Sobriety and Spirituality: Richmond’s True North
Richmond’s tale of overcoming his addiction began in late 2015 when he made his first attempt at rehabilitation. At first, he viewed sharing his struggles in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with skepticism. However, he eventually found solace in the spiritual elements of sobriety through prayer and connecting with a higher power.
Sobriety Tips from Ward Richmond:
- Embrace spirituality: Finding strength through prayer or connection with a higher power can be a game-changer.
- Be open about your struggle: Sharing your journey reduces shame and encourages others to seek recovery.
The Illusion of Alcohol
Ward initially believed that alcohol made him better at socializing and helped with his anxiety. But the reality was far from it. What he thought was a social lubricant was masking deeper issues and delaying his personal growth.
Richmond underscores the trap many of us fall into—believing that substances enhance our abilities and sociability. It took a significant toll and a trip to rehab for him to see through this illusion.
The Roller Coaster of Relapse
Despite periods of sobriety, Richmond experienced relapses, notably a year-long period of excessive drinking, which culminated in a breakthrough: a spiritually guided decision to quit all substances. His last relapse, triggered by an unexpected drink on a flight, became a pivotal moment. His daughter’s innocent comment solidified his commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous and its steps.
Richmond’s Resilience: From Chaos to Peace
Richmond describes his ongoing journey not just as a battle against substance abuse but also as a quest for balance—a philosophy that he extends to his personal time and creative outlets. Maintaining balance, whether it’s work, gym, or even music production, is crucial.
Richmond’s Sobriety Journey – Key Takeaways:
- Daily Commitment: Sobriety is a daily choice that starts with an intention each morning.
- Community and Support: Surround yourself with a community that supports your sober lifestyle.
- Finding Peace: Prioritize long-term peace over short-lived chaos. Substance avoidance isn’t just about saying no to alcohol or drugs but about leading a balanced life.
The Role of Parenthood and Creativity
Richmond didn’t just stop drinking for himself. His role as a father significantly influenced his decision to stay sober. Songs like “Pay for the Bills,” inspired by moments with his children, testify how parenthood fuels his creativity and reinforces his resolution.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Truckin’ On with Ward Richmond Podcast
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