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Sober Curator Podcast

Sober Curator Podcast

Written by: Alysse Bryson
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About this listen

 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.Alysse Bryson Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Year of Love: Gay, Sober, and Finding Home in Recovery with Jonathan Gildart

    The Year of Love: Gay, Sober, and Finding Home in Recovery with Jonathan Gildart
    Jan 21 2026

    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.

    Connect with Us:

    • Website: www.thesobercurator.com

    • Facebook: @The Sober Curator

    • Instagram: @thesobercurator

    • X: @thesobercurator

    • YouTube: @thesobercurator

    • Pinterest: @thesobercurator

    Follow & Subscribe:
    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. Plus, the first 50 reviews on Apple Podcasts can win a sleek, limited edition Sober Curator fanny pack!

    Send Feedback:
    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, 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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    55 mins
  • Behind the Rehab Machine: What “Shuffle” Director Benjamin Flaherty Wants Every Family to Know

    Behind the Rehab Machine: What “Shuffle” Director Benjamin Flaherty Wants Every Family to Know
    Jan 14 2026
    In this gripping episode, Alysse sits down with filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty for a powerful conversation about the business behind addiction recovery — and why too many families are left carrying shame, confusion, and financial devastation while trying to save their loved ones. Benjamin’s documentary exposes the economics, ethics, and emotional fallout inside the modern treatment industry, while also honoring the parents, advocates, and survivors who continue fighting for change. From medically assisted treatment debates to the insurance inequalities that shape who gets quality care, this episode goes deeper than most sober conversations dare to go. It’s raw, urgent, and grounded in truth — the kind of discussion that can only happen in a space built for honesty. Takeaways: Families aren’t alone. Many parents attend screenings thinking their child’s exploitation or treatment experience was “their fault” — Benjamin’s film shows the systemic patterns behind the pain. Recovery has an economic engine. Benjamin describes the shocking moment he realized how profitability shapes care, access, and outcomes in the treatment world. Insurance determines who gets humane care. Both Benjamin and Alysse reflect on how “good insurance” gave them safe recovery environments — an advantage many don’t have. Pop culture shapes our understanding. Films like Dopesick, Painkiller, Pain Hustlers, Body Brokers help raise awareness but flatten nuance; documentaries add back the complexity. Conversations spark courage. When parents meet each other at screenings, shame lifts and the real healing begins. Key Timestamps: 00:06:40 — Benjamin’s turning point: quitting alcohol & cocaine in high-pressure advertising 00:07:45 — The myth of “the next milestone” that will magically fix everything 00:08:20 — Why treatment is the only major health process most people don’t understand 00:26:26 — Parents finding relief and validation through the film 00:27:00 — The economics of recovery: what families aren’t told 00:28:00 — Alysse shares her own insurance-based experience and privilege in treatment access 00:28:20 — Pop culture portrayals of recovery & exploitation (Body Brokers, Painkiller, Dopesick) 00:41:56 — The media Benjamin loves — and what representations resonate most Resources & Links: Website / Film https://www.stoptheshuffle.com/ Instagram: @benjaminflaherty YouTube Trailer: OFFICIAL TRAILER | SHUFFLE -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 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.  
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    49 mins
  • Ella Collier on Sobriety, Stardom & The Pop-Star Fantasy—Unfiltered

    Ella Collier on Sobriety, Stardom & The Pop-Star Fantasy—Unfiltered
    Jan 7 2026
    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/ -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 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.  
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    57 mins
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