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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: [email protected] 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.

Sober is having a moment. NA beer is outselling the real thing in some markets, Dry January is an industry, and everyone is saying "gray area drinking" like it's new slang. So we brought in two people who've been in this conversation from opposite ends: Ruby Williams spent 20 years in the wine industry. Susan Larkin spent 20 years at Yale School of Medicine. They met as This Naked Mind coaches, became meditation partners, and now host the Sober & Lit podcast, 140 episodes deep. Same landing spot, two totally different rooms. Alysse and Tamar wanted to know what the collision looked like. In this episode: RAIN (recognize, allow, investigate, nurture), and why the same practice works whether you invite God or the universe Why they renamed the show to reclaim the word "sober" How mommy wine culture normalized a bottle a night, from play-date teacups to swim-meet water bottles Reverse purse wine: the NA bottles Susan brings to parties (Oddbird, Tomorrow Cellars, Jøyus, H2o), and what happened when Tamar poured hers in a tumbler "If you go to the barber, you're gonna get a haircut," and why NA wine works for some people and not others Alysse's Mad Men martini dining room, Ruby's stacks of "rosé all day" shirts, and the dad who replaced a wine club with National Geographic The nurse at the cardiologist who said "if I miss, I owe you a drink" Normal drinkers don't justify: Tamar's one-line test CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: sober is having a moment 01:41 How Ruby and Susan met 03:07 RAIN: recognize, allow, investigate, nurture 05:34 God or the universe, same practice 06:40 Why they renamed it "Sober & Lit" 11:27 A word from our sponsor: Aura House 12:15 The trends that made them cringe 18:04 Mommy wine culture: play dates, teacups, swim meets 21:54 Supersize my wine: the 13-ounce pour 24:02 NA wine picks: Oddbird, Tomorrow Cellars, Jøyus, H2o 26:56 Tamar's four bottles and the placebo effect 31:44 "Keep the ritual, ditch the alcohol" 33:00 Alysse's Mad Men martini dining room 34:39 Rosé all day: Ruby's wine-industry purge 35:39 Susan's dad, the wine club, and National Geographic 40:06 Hayden Panettiere and Brad Pitt, same week 41:14 Yale, gray area drinking, and doctors who prescribe wine 43:00 The pitcher plant: don't wait for rock bottom 44:17 "I owe you a drink": the cardiologist story 46:44 Normal drinkers don't justify 48:24 Would you pass around cigarettes at church? 50:55 Backstage, and why sober is the new trench coat Nothing in this episode is medical advice. If your relationship with alcohol worries you, talk to a licensed professional. SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Mentioned in this episode: Sober & Lit podcast (Ruby Williams + Susan Larkin) Backstage with The Sober Curator Our bonus episode on Hayden Panettiere and Brad Pitt  Justin Kinney on kratom for The Sober Curator The Sober Curator Mixtape (Sober Snail Mail) SEASON 2 MERCH: 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: thesobercurator.com | The Sober Sip newsletter | @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: [email protected] 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.

A Toronto mixologist spends years building other people’s nights out. COVID moves her cocktail classes onto Zoom, the kits sell, and she has never been less happy. So she books a one-way ticket to Mexico. Amanda Chen went from Tulum to a 10-day silent meditation retreat on the Oaxacan coast, walked out with no desire to drink, white-knuckled it for two years, and then found her people on a stranger’s patio at her first meeting. Then she did the thing nobody does: she stayed in the world of drinks and built TOMONOTOMO, a non-alcoholic agave spirit distilled by hand on a copper still in Oaxaca City, with real Tobalá agave and no shortcuts. Alysse met her at the Sans Bar Academy Awards in Austin, where they both took home trophies. In this episode: The one-way ticket, Tulum’s hedonism, and why she left at the top of her game Ten days of silence in Mazunte and the backpack she wasn’t ready to drop off the cliff Two years of avoiding every room with mezcal in it, which in Oaxaca is every room The first meeting: an emailed address, a doorbell, and a woman who described herself as “batshit sober” Why “do you want a drink?” used to feel like an attack, and the fiancée who called it Copper stills, palenques, and the day mezcaleros started asking to live like her What “tomo” and “no tomo” mean, and the Pride label with about 10 bottles left Carrie Bradshaw, cosmos, and why “Sex and the City” did not age well Watching “Ted Lasso” from midnight to 5 a.m. while the still does its work Sober Shots: “That’s not a pivot, friends. That is a plot twist, and I love a plot twist.” (Alysse Bryson) “I’m ready to drop the ball, I’m not ready to drop the bag.” (Amanda Chen) Mentioned in this episode: TOMONOTOMO or #ADDTOCART ON AMAZON Kim Parsley’s TOMONOTOMO Tobalá review on The Sober Curator Backstage with The Sober Curator 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 | @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: [email protected] 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.

You know the exact thing that would help. The phrase, the reframe, the tool your therapist gave you that one time. And in the moment your brain gets loud, it goes blank. Emily and Lindsay Stetzer are sisters. They both live with OCD and anxiety, and during COVID, in matching sweatsuits, they built a company called Presently that puts the reminders from therapy on your wrist, your keys, and your bathroom mirror. Alysse and Amy Liz Harrison met them at OCDCon in Seattle, bought one of everything, and brought them on to talk about why "good vibes only" is the enemy, why everyone has these thoughts, and what it is like to run a business with your sister when one of you has the 'tude. In this episode: - The OCDCon origin story: stickers, fidget spinners, and then a disco light at the end of the tunnel - Lindsay on lining up shoes and light switches, and Emily on the anxious kid who confessed to things that didn't need confessing - Why OCD is not about cleanliness, and why every single person has had these thoughts - Alysse's green-light rule, Amy's 20 lightsabers, and the "border hoarders" theory - The "Good vibes only" sign over Emily's bed, and why those mantras hand OCD exactly what it wants - The six phrases, whiteboarded: passing clouds, embrace uncertainty, brave the uncomfortable - Feelings are like gas (clouds are a nicer way to say it) - The iPad quiz, why Presently is the name, and the invisible brother - What we're watching: "Ted Lasso" season four, Hilary Duff, "Silo," and why a scary show is good exposure therapy CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: the reminder you can't remember 01:58 Why sobriety doesn't fix the blank 02:58 Meet Emily and Lindsay Stetzer 03:10 OCDCon and the disco light at the end of the tunnel 05:21 Amy buys one of everything 06:40 Lindsay: shoes, light switches, existential OCD 09:38 Emily: the anxious kid and relationship OCD 11:22 A word from Aura House 12:12 Alysse's green-light rule and magical thinking 14:01 Why this is on a sobriety podcast 14:57 Border hoarders and 20 lightsabers 16:49 "What if" and the need for certainty 19:08 Not a live, laugh, love situation 20:36 The "Good vibes only" sign over the bed 24:41 The matching sweatsuit pitch 27:17 The six phrases, whiteboarded 30:39 Feelings are like gas 31:18 Why "Presently" 39:04 Working with your sister 41:52 What they didn't see coming 44:27 Watching: "Ted Lasso," Hilary Duff, "Silo" 46:29 ERP: facing the fear on purpose 47:38 Backstage, and why merch starts conversations 49:29 Where to find Presently Sober Shots: "We are not in a live, laugh, love situation here, okay?" (Alysse Bryson) "Every single person has had the same thoughts that we have. It's just to the extreme that you take them to." (Lindsay Stetzer) Mentioned in this episode: - Presently Bracelets - Take the Presently "find your reminder" quiz  - Alysse's feature on Presently - Backstage with The Sober Curator   - International OCD Foundation Presently's products are reminders, not treatment. If you think you might have OCD or anxiety, talk to a licensed professional. 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 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: [email protected] 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.

Three shows, three different flavors of "a sober person definitely wrote this" or "definitely did not." A basketball dynasty imploding over fake sobriety. Two women in very good coats who may or may not have killed their best friend. A suburban thief with a cocaine problem next door. Alysse's TV ride or dies are here: Lane Kennedy, Patti Clark (making us global from Portugal), and co-host Tamar Routly. Spoilers for everything, on purpose. Each show gets scored on The Sobees, fulls and halves only, and one panelist tries to file a 4.75 and is denied. In this episode: "Running Point" season two: Cam says "I'm sober now," nobody believes him, and the urine swap ("Anyone ever bought fake urine? Just me?") Why you can't buy sobriety, no matter how expensive the rehab Chet Hanks, sober on screen and IRL, and the love-addicted couple that deserves a spin-off "Your Friends & Neighbors" season two: Owen Ashe, the loud music, and the scene of all scenes (no spoilers here, plenty on mic) Perimenopause rage, the neighbor's dog, and Ali as the family's designated screw-up "Imperfect Women": the top-shelf alcoholic, the codependent nobody could stand, and why a three is a feeling Alysse vs. Elisabeth Moss, and the Rotten Tomatoes score that backs Lane up The strike, the attorneys, and "I'm gonna get Claude to reach out to you" Sober Shots: "You can't buy sobriety. Doesn't matter how much money you have. You could maybe buy a pee test, but you can't buy sobriety." (Alysse Bryson) "A low score doesn't necessarily mean don't watch it. It's just our feelings about it, and a three feeling is a feeling." (Alysse Bryson) The Sobees, panel average: "Running Point" S2: 3.5. "Your Friends & Neighbors" S2: 4.5. "Imperfect Women": 3.5. Mentioned in this episode: Backstage with The Sober Curator (media nights, the Mixtape):  https://shopthesobercurator.com/products/the-sober-curator-mixtape-monthly-zine-subscription Running Point season 2 review: https://thesobercurator.com/running-point-season-2-review-netflix/ Imperfect Women review: https://thesobercurator.com/imperfect-women-review/ Patti Clark, Recovery Road Trip: https://thesobercurator.com/recovery-road-trip-quitlit-book-review/ 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: https://thesobercurator.com/contributor-directory Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide: https://thesobercurator.com/resources/ Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide: https://thesobercurator.com/nonprofit-recovery-resources/ LGBTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide: https://thesobercurator.com/lgbtq-recovery-resources CONNECT: https://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: [email protected] 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.

You hit publish, and right in the pit of your stomach it lands: someone you have never told is about to hear it anyway. In this house, that feeling has a name. We call it Wednesday. This week Alysse and Tamar take on the hazards of podcasting sober. Sober podcasters do not get the blackout excuse, and "radical honesty" was never supposed to mean unfiltered. Alysse tells the story of the episode her mom should have heard from her first, Tamar tells the story of what her parents said the morning after they read her book, and both of them admit the stories that land at a sober meeting do not always land on a first date. Then it gets practical: how to pitch a podcast without embarrassing yourself, the mic that survived Goldilocks and the three mics, why real beats AI in 2026, and the single best hazard-reducer any host can have. A co-host. IN THIS EPISODE: "We call it Wednesday": the cold-open feeling every sober podcaster knows The story Alysse's mom heard on a podcast instead of from her daughter Tamar's parents read her book. Both called the next morning. Know your audience: the dating stories that killed every second date How to pitch a podcast (and the seven "top 50" sober podcasts that are quietly dead) Tech talk: mics, video, Riverside, Descript, and the AI image a celebrity asked Alysse to take down Get a co-host, wear a costume, keep it fun Backstage with The Sober Curator, plus The Sober Curator Mixtape: seven mini zines in a cassette case, mailed monthly SOBER SHOTS:  "Because we're sober, we can't blame being blacked out on saying something stupid. We just have to own that we said something stupid." (Alysse)  "You're allowed to say the true thing before you've rehearsed it into something safe." (Alysse) MENTIONED: Backstage with The Sober Curator The Sober Curator Mixtape (free for Backstage members, just cover shipping):   Podcast Impact Studio, Level Up Labs + the Off Script course Tamar's book: Beyond Recovery - Discover your purpose, embrace your authentic self, and live up to your true potential 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: thesobercurator.com | The Sober Sip newsletter | @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: [email protected] 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.

You spend at least 40 hours a week at work. For a lot of people in recovery, that's 40 hours of navigating a culture that doesn't know you exist, or worse, doesn't care. Eliza Zarka is changing that. She runs the National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute, which certifies employers as recovery friendly, and she took an idea that started at a New Hampshire ski resort and turned it into a national movement with bipartisan federal backing. Alysse and Sober Curator contributor Sarah, a fractional HR consultant in long-term recovery, get into what it actually takes to make a job safe to be sober in. In this episode: Why "there are already people in recovery that are working for you" is the sentence that changes an employer's mind The four pillars of Recovery Friendly Workplace certification: culture, hiring, benefits, and education How to bring this to your HR department without disclosing your own recovery Alysse on 2006 versus 2026: why she hid it for years, and the 2016 job interview where she said it out loud on purpose The company that made the first hour of its holiday party completely alcohol-free, with leadership required to be there Why the holiday gift bottle of wine tells you the company knows nothing about you Coffee tastings, tea tastings, dirty soda tastings: team building that isn't a wine flight Pop culture close: "The Office," "Parks and Rec," and the true crime documentary habit that may be a problem Sober Shots: "There are already people in recovery that are working for you." (Eliza Zarka) "When you're in an interview, you're interviewing the company just as much as they're interviewing you." (Alysse Bryson) Mentioned in this episode: National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute: https://rfwinstitute.org Backstage with The Sober Curator: https://thesobercurator.com/backstage-with-the-sober-curator/ The Sober Curator Business Rolodex, free listings for sober business owners: https://thesobercurator.com/the-sober-curator-rolodex/ Nothing in this episode is legal or HR advice. Talk to an employment attorney about your specific situation. 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: [email protected] 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.

A note before you listen: we recorded this episode in late July, several weeks before Hayden Panettiere died on August 16 at the age of 36. We are publishing it as recorded rather than editing her out. Her cause of death has not been released and we are not speculating. We recorded a separate conversation about her death, and it is the episode right before this one. If this is landing hard for you: 988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call or text. SAMHSA's National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357, free and confidential, 24/7. Three memoirs. Three completely different humans. One question: what does it cost to numb yourself when the whole world is watching? Alysse and Tamar pull three of The Sober Curator's most avid readers into a panel on the year's biggest quit lit: “Famesick” by Lena Dunham, “We Did OK, Kid” by Anthony Hopkins, and “This Is Me: A Reckoning” by Hayden Panettiere. Nobody read all three. Everybody has opinions. Sobee scores at the end, and house rules say you cannot score a book you didn't read. In this episode: - Amy Liz Harrison's book hack from her 10th grade English teacher days: first paragraph, last paragraph, skim the middle, finish in an hour - Why The Sober Curator was almost called The Sober Critic, and the epiphany that killed the name - “Famesick”: medical trauma, opioids, and a memoir that flatly refuses to be a before-and-after - “We Did OK, Kid”: the blackout drive Anthony Hopkins had to be told about afterward - Patti Clark and Alysse on what actually stops you, and it isn't what you'd do to yourself - “This Is Me: A Reckoning” Hayden Panettiere on acting at 11 months old, a mother who was also the manager, and postpartum depression nobody names out loud - The Sobee score lightning round, plus a quarter-point scoring controversy Sober Shots: "Quit lit used to mean one shelf on a bookstore nobody browsed on purpose." (Alysse) "There are books that I just wanna eat like a really juicy nectarine and just bite into it and just get sticky." (Patti) Mentioned in this episode: - Mixtape with The Sober Curator zine:  https://shopthesobercurator.com/collections/the-mixtape - Cover Story Retreat, November 1-4, Scottsdale: https://evolveretreats.co/cover-story-hermosa-inn/ - Anne Marie Cribbin's Famesick review: https://thesobercurator.com/famesick-lena-dunham-review-addiction-recovery/ - Toni Will, Rebellious Success: https://amzn.to/4x65SeD 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: [email protected] 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.

Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 36. Her cause of death has not been released. Police have said their preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play, and the coroner's office says the cause and manner remain pending further testing. We are not going to speculate past that. In the same seven-day cycle, and completely separately, Brad Pitt told Esquire he is drinking again after seven years sober. Two different stories. One conversation this community keeps getting wrong. Alysse, Tamar and Amy Liz got on the phone within 24 hours and recorded this, because the Quit Lit book club episode dropping right behind it contains their review of Hayden's memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, recorded in July, scored the highest of the three books. This is not an obituary and it is not a hot take. It is three women with combined 49 years of lived experience and a lot of hard-won opinions between them, talking about who gets to grade somebody else's recovery. In this episode: - What we actually know, what we don't, and why the difference matters - Why “he relapsed” is not our word to use when he didn't use it himself - Taking inventory of other people's programs, and the person 30 days in who is listening - Amy Liz on postpartum depression, and the comparison trap that talks you out of your own experience - Mental health systems that make you fail two or three times before they'll help you - Alysse falls off a ladder and turns it into the best analogy in the episode - The disco ball Sober Shots: “That's it. That's all we know. Everything else would be speculation, and we're just not going to go there.” (Alysse) “The bottom line is we don't care how you got here, but we do care that you are here.” (Alysse) If this one is landing hard for you, that is a normal reaction and you are not being dramatic. 988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call or text, 24/7. SAMHSA's National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357, free and confidential. Our full resource guides are linked below. And if a hotline isn't your thing, text one sober person today. Just one. That counts. Mentioned in this episode: - Quit Lit book club episode, including our review of This Is Me: A Reckoning, dropping Wednesday, August 19th - Backstage, our private culture club: https://thesobercurator.com/backstage-with-the-sober-curator/ Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. 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: [email protected] 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.

How do you create when inspiration seems gone? Sabyn Mayfield joins Alysse Bryson to chat about retreats, new music, and life changes. This episode dives into the writing process behind his latest song "Worthy", the peace of silent retreats, and unexpected health journeys. It's about finding inspiration in unexpected places. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sabyn discovered new musical inspiration during a silent monastery retreat. Alysse shares creative projects like a zine cassette celebrating sobriety. Facing health challenges can lead to holistic lifestyle changes. GUEST BIO Sabyn Mayfield is a multi-talented artist known for his music and unique creative approach. His journey in both sobriety and artistic expression continuously evolves, often revisiting themes of resilience and rebirth.   Season 2 Merch - We've got MERCH for Season Two: ⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠ Mentioned in This Episode - This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link: ⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200  SC Resources & Links:  -⁠Meet the Contributors⁠  -⁠Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide⁠  -⁠Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide⁠  -⁠LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide⁠  - We've got MERCH for Season Two: ⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠ - This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link: ⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200  Connect with Us: -Website: ⁠www.thesobercurator.com⁠   -The Sober Sip newsletter: https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/ -Facebook: ⁠@The Sober Curator⁠  -Instagram: ⁠@thesobercurator⁠  -X: ⁠@thesobercurator⁠  -YouTube: ⁠@thesobercurator⁠  - Pinterest: ⁠https://www.pinterest.com/thesobercurator/ -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sober-curator-inc -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesobercurator Rate & Review If this episode made you laugh, cringe in the best way, or text a clip to your best sober friend — leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Like, comment, and subscribe here on YouTube. It costs you nothing and takes only 60 seconds of your time, genuinely helping more people find this show. Send Feedback:  Have a story, a guest recommendation, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]. We actually read every single one. About the Show: Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host + producer Tamar Routly, 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 — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. Some topics may be sensitive for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed. Original Theme Music: The Sober Curator Podcast Season 2 theme song"Sober Shots" was created by Alysse Bryson using Suno AI, and is usedunder Suno's commercial license.

What's it really like to be a sober business owner? Join Alysse and Tamar as they chat with Preston Peterman about the unique challenges and strengths of sober entrepreneurs. Discover how AI tools streamline business processes and hear real stories about facing fears and finding freedom in sober entrepreneurship. KEY TAKEAWAYS - The influence of sobriety on entrepreneurial success. - AI tools can reduce work time dramatically. - Access to a supportive sober business community. GUEST BIO Preston Peterman is a seasoned consultant and sober entrepreneur who has guided many through scaling businesses. With a passion for helping others succeed, he shares insights from his journey and practical advice on leveraging AI in business. Website: ⁠https://farpointstrategy.com/⁠ Season 2 Merch- We've got MERCH for Season Two:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠⁠Mentioned in This Episode- This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link:⁠ ⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200 ⁠SC Resources & Links:  -⁠⁠Meet the Contributors⁠⁠  -⁠⁠Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide⁠⁠  -⁠⁠Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide⁠⁠  -⁠⁠LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide⁠⁠  - We've got MERCH for Season Two: ⁠⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠⁠ - This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link: ⁠⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200 ⁠ Connect with Us:-Website: ⁠⁠www.thesobercurator.com⁠⁠  -The Sober Sip newsletter: ⁠https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/⁠ -Facebook: ⁠⁠@The Sober Curator⁠⁠  -Instagram: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  -X: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  -YouTube: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  - Pinterest: ⁠⁠@thesobercurato⁠⁠r -LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sober-curator-inc⁠- TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thesobercurator⁠ Rate & ReviewIf this episode made you laugh, cringe in the best way, or text a clip to your best sober friend — leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Like, comment, and subscribe here on YouTube. It costs you nothing and takes only 60 seconds of your time, genuinely helping more people find this show. Send Feedback: Have a story, a guest recommendation, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]. We actually read every single one.About the Show: Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host + producer Tamar Routly, 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 — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. Some topics may be sensitive for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed. Original Theme Music: Created with Suno AI. Used under commercial-use rights.

Are you ready to build something that truly reflects who you are? Monica Madrid shares her incredible journey from losing a record deal to Tupac to creating a women's football media empire. Her story is one of transformation, resilience, and the power of sobriety to fuel true passion and success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sobriety can be a foundation for building your dreams. Gratitude can transform your perspective and life. Embracing your identity leads to personal and professional growth. GUEST BIO MonicaMadrid is the CEO and founder of Football Is Sexy, a women-led football media brand and podcast where women talk and teach football, giving women a place to feel seen and heard. Where they are appreciated for their fandom, passion and knowledge. She’s also the author of The Next Quiet Voice, a memoir about addiction, recovery, reinvention, and finding purpose after hitting rock bottom. Monica has been sober since February 26, 2008, and is passionate about helping others realize it’s never too late to rebuild your life. From sports, entrepreneurship, and recovery, resilience, and starting over at 50+, Monica brings honesty, humor, vulnerability and real-raw life conversations. Website URL: www.footballissexy.com (Being updated this week) Instagram URL: @footballissexy LinkedIn URL: Linkedin/monicamadrid and linkedin/footballissexy Facebook URL: @footballissexy Season 2 Merch - We've got MERCH for Season Two: ⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠ Mentioned in This Episode - This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link: ⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200  SC Resources & Links:  -⁠Meet the Contributors⁠  -⁠Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide⁠  -⁠Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide⁠  -⁠LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide⁠  - We've got MERCH for Season Two: ⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠ - This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link: ⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200  Connect with Us: -Website: ⁠www.thesobercurator.com⁠   -The Sober Sip newsletter: https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/ -Facebook: ⁠@The Sober Curator⁠  -Instagram: ⁠@thesobercurator⁠  -X: ⁠@thesobercurator⁠  -YouTube: ⁠@thesobercurator⁠  - Pinterest: ⁠@thesobercurato⁠r -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sober-curator-inc -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesobercurator Rate & Review If this episode made you laugh, cringe in the best way, or text a clip to your best sober friend — leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Like, comment, and subscribe here on YouTube. It costs you nothing and takes only 60 seconds of your time, genuinely helping more people find this show. Send Feedback:  Have a story, a guest recommendation, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]. We actually read every single one. About the Show: Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host + producer Tamar Routly, 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 — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. Some topics may be sensitive for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed. Music Credits: Positive Vibes, Artist: MoodMode - Storyblocks ⁠https://www.descript.com/terms-storyblocks⁠

Why do so many films glorify binge drinking? In this episode, Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly dive into how media impacts our perceptions of alcohol, aided by insights from Professor Ted Mandell. They explore how movies and TV shows depict alcohol consumption, often glamorizing binge drinking while ignoring the dangers. With a mix of nostalgia, frustration, and hope, the discussion uncovers the powerful but sometimes harmful narratives ingrained in our culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS Films often portray binge drinking as glamorous and without consequence. Media can influence and normalize unhealthy drinking habits. Cultural and media narratives surrounding alcohol are often unrealistic. Season 2 Merch - We've got MERCH for Season Two:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠⁠ SC Resources & Links:  -⁠⁠Meet the Contributors⁠⁠  -⁠⁠Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide⁠⁠  -⁠⁠Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide⁠⁠  -⁠⁠LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide⁠⁠  - We've got MERCH for Season Two: ⁠⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠⁠ - This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link: ⁠⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200 ⁠ Connect with Us: -Website: ⁠⁠www.thesobercurator.com⁠⁠   -The Sober Sip newsletter: ⁠https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/⁠ -Facebook: ⁠⁠@The Sober Curator⁠⁠  -Instagram: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  -X: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  -YouTube: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  - Pinterest: ⁠⁠@thesobercurato⁠⁠r -LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sober-curator-inc⁠ -TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thesobercurator⁠ Rate & Review If this episode made you laugh, cringe in the best way, or text a clip to your best sober friend — leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Like, comment, and subscribe here on YouTube. It costs you nothing and takes only 60 seconds of your time, genuinely helping more people find this show. Send Feedback:  Have a story, a guest recommendation, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]. We actually read every single one. About the Show: Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host + producer Tamar Routly, 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 — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. Some topics may be sensitive for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed. Music: TSC S2 theme "Sober Shots" created by Alysse Bryson using Suno AI, under Suno's commercial license.

Can community make sobriety creative and fun? In this episode, Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly share the magic of The Sober Curator community. Discover how creativity thrives when sobriety becomes a lifestyle, with engaging stories from contributors who are transforming their sober journeys into inspiring art and connection. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Sober Curator is a vibrant, creative community for sober living. Finding a supportive community enriches and enlivens the sober lifestyle. Contributors find joy and purpose through storytelling and collaboration. Season 2 Merch - We've got MERCH for Season Two:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠⁠ SC Resources & Links:  -⁠⁠Meet the Contributors⁠⁠  -⁠⁠Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide⁠⁠  -⁠⁠Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide⁠⁠  -⁠⁠LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide⁠⁠  - We've got MERCH for Season Two: ⁠⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠⁠ Connect with Us: -Website: ⁠⁠www.thesobercurator.com⁠⁠   -The Sober Sip newsletter: ⁠https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/⁠ -Facebook: ⁠⁠@The Sober Curator⁠⁠  -Instagram: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  -X: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  -YouTube: ⁠⁠@thesobercurator⁠⁠  - Pinterest: ⁠⁠@thesobercurato⁠⁠r -LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sober-curator-inc⁠ -TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thesobercurator⁠ Rate & Review If this episode made you laugh, cringe in the best way, or text a clip to your best sober friend — leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Like, comment, and subscribe here on YouTube. It costs you nothing and takes only 60 seconds of your time, genuinely helping more people find this show. Send Feedback:  Have a story, a guest recommendation, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]. We actually read every single one. About the Show: Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host + producer Tamar Routly, 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 — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. Some topics may be sensitive for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed. Music: TSC S2 theme "Sober Shots" created by Alysse Bryson using Suno AI, under Suno's commercial license.

Every club has a velvet rope. Ours just doesn't have a bar. Alysse Bryson and Tamar Routly pull back the curtain on Backstage — The Sober Curator's membership community for people who want their sober life to come with actual people, actual events, and actual fun. Media Nights. Studio Nights. Edutainment Nights. If you've been wondering where the stylish, creative, slightly chaotic sober people hang out, the answer is: right here. Key Takeaways Backstage is built on three pillars: Media Nights, Studio Nights, and Edutainment Nights Backstage events fund the free content — joining is how you keep the lights on for everyone Whether you're three weeks or three decades sober, Backstage has a seat for you Season 2 Merch - We've got MERCH for Season Two:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://shopthesobercurator.com/⁠⁠ Mentioned in This Episode - This episode was also brought to you by Aura House,  Save 10% by using code: TSC10 and #ADDTOCART using link:⁠ ⁠https://go.shopmy.us/p-64140200 ⁠ SC Resources & Links:  - ⁠Meet the Contributors⁠⁠  -⁠⁠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 Rate & Review If this episode made you laugh, cringe in the best way, or text a clip to your best sober friend — leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It takes 60 seconds and it genuinely helps more people find this show. Send Feedback:  Have a story, a guest recommendation, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected]. We actually read every single one. About the Show: Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host Tamar Routly, 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 — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open, honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. Some topics may be sensitive for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please take care while listening and seek support from trusted Music: TSC S2 theme "Sober Shots" created by Alysse Bryson using Suno AI, under Suno's commercial license.