“I literally felt like my cells were rearranging themselves because now I was complete.”
Margy Schaller
What happens when people stop hiding their sobriety — and start celebrating it out loud? For Margy Schaller, that shift felt like a physical transformation. After 18 years of sobriety lived mostly in silence, she finally came out publicly — and found freedom through Sober Life Rocks, the community she co-founded with Laura Nelson.
Together, they’re now leading something bigger: Amplify Sober Voices, a conference debuting at Podfest 2026 designed to unite sober creators, coaches, writers, and leaders from every corner of the alcohol-free world.
The mission? Simple but powerful: to turn isolation into inspiration.
From Silence to Spotlight
As Margy shares in the episode, “I wasn’t lying — but I wasn’t telling my whole truth.” For decades, stigma kept her quiet. Today, she’s helping others find their voice sooner. The Amplify conference isn’t just an event; it’s an antidote to loneliness — the kind that often lingers even after recovery.
Laura Nelson adds, “We’re creating a space where you’re not the only one in the room not drinking — you’re one of many.”
Collaboration Over Competition
Fellow guest Shane Ramer, host of That Sober Guy, reminds listeners that “time is irrelevant in recovery.” Whether someone’s been sober for 60 days or 20 years, every voice matters. That spirit of inclusivity fuels the conference’s mastermind-style sessions — where attendees swap stories, insights, and even mistakes to lift each other higher.
The Ripple Effect
For Alysse Bryson, founder of The Sober Curator and this episode’s host, collaboration has always been the heartbeat of sober culture. “We’re not gatekeeping sobriety,” she jokes. “We’re curating it — together.”
With contributors, podcasters, and creators across the world, Bryson’s work proves that recovery and creativity can coexist — and thrive. The Amplify event takes that idea off-screen and into real life.
A Movement in Motion
As Tamar Routly, co-host and podcast producer of The Sober Curator podcast, points out, “Call it sober, alcohol-free, mindful drinking — I don’t care. What matters is community.” And that’s exactly what Amplify Sober Voices is building: a movement of authenticity, joy, and belonging.
When hundreds of sober creators gather in Orlando this January, it won’t just be a conference — it’ll be a declaration. Sobriety isn’t quiet anymore.
“It’s not the end of the party,” Alysse says with a grin. “It’s just the start of a better one.”
🎧 Listen to Episode 38 now on The Sober Curator Podcast, and learn more about the Amplify Sober Voices Conference at Podfest 2026.
JUST ANNOUNCED 11/19/25: A Very Special Guest Is Joining AMPLIFY… and You’re Going to Want to Be in the Room – Annie Grace
Annie Grace, bestselling author and creator of This Naked Mind, is making a special appearance at AMPLIFY Sober Voices.
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.
What happens when sobriety finally clicks — not just in the body, but in the soul? In this powerful episode, Alysse Bryson sits down with recovery advocate and community leader Jonathan Gildart to talk about incarceration, identity, and finding true belonging in LGBTQ+ recovery spaces. With over 11 years of continuous sobriety, Jonathan shares how service, accountability, and queer community didn’t just help him stay sober — they helped him build a life worth staying for.
Key Takeaways
Why sobriety without community often isn’t enough
How LGBTQ+ recovery spaces create safety, accountability, and joy
The myth of “I don’t have a drinking problem” — and how it unravels
Why service is one of the most powerful relapse-prevention tools
How recovery housing builds responsibility, dignity, and connection
Key Timestamps
[01:26] Meet Jonathan Gildart & his sober origin story
[03:00] Incarceration as the unexpected turning point
[05:10] “I thought I could just drink” — relapse myths
[08:00] Acceptance, identity, and the search for belonging
[12:00] Recovery housing & rebuilding adult life skills
[15:00] Service, leadership, and the Gay & Sober Conference
Notable Resources & Mentions
Oxford House recovery housing
Gay & Sober Conference – “The Year of Love” (2026)
Love this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to know they’re not alone in sobriety.
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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, The Sober Curator Podcast delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.
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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.
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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.
