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Announcing AMPLIFY Sober Voices 2026
In January 2025, our founders, Laura Nelson and Margy Schaller, attended Podfest Expo, one of the world’s largest podcasting conferences.
Both were speakers at Dental Podfest, a concurrent event, and while they were there, they recorded a special episode to take listeners behind the scenes. They reflected on their journey so far and shared an exciting vision for the future.
Celebrating One Year of the Sober Life Rocks Podcast
When we launched the Sober Life Rocks Podcast on January 11, 2024, neither of us were seasoned podcast listeners, let alone hosts. The idea of starting a podcast felt daunting, but Margy’s natural ability to lead engaging conversations quickly made the show a success.
Over the past year, we’ve welcomed more than 30 guests—ranging from professionals like attorneys and dentists to even a hockey team owner. More recently, our focus has expanded to highlight advocates working to create sober-friendly workplaces. It’s been an incredible year of storytelling, learning, and community-building.
For this special anniversary episode, Laura took over as host and put Margy in the hot seat!
#image_title
What Made Podfest Expo 2025 So Special?
Podfest Expo is known for its vibrant mix of content creators, industry experts, and networking opportunities. This year felt especially meaningful as we discovered how well it catered to a diverse range of attendees, including those in the sober community.
Here are a few standout experiences:
A New Approach to Networking
Large conferences often revolve around social events with food and alcohol, which can be overwhelming for many attendees. Podfest 2025 took a different approach by hosting a pre-conference networking event—without food or drinks.
At first, this might seem unusual, but it created a unique opportunity for genuine connection. Without distractions, conversations became more meaningful, and Margy found this to be one of the most impactful parts of the event. It was a refreshing reminder that networking doesn’t require a cocktail in hand to be effective.
Icebreakers That Actually Work
Dental Podfest introduced an innovative way to spark conversations—custom name tag stickers. Upon check-in, attendees were asked to write three questions on their name tag that others could ask them.
Laura’s tag included, “Where did I wake up on Tuesday?”—a fun way to share that she had been in Hawaii just days before arriving in Orlando. These personalized prompts encouraged curiosity and made it easy to start conversations, even for introverts.
Inclusive Spaces for Everyone
Podfest made a conscious effort to create environments suited to different preferences. Some evening spaces included alcohol, while others were alcohol-free. Some rooms had loud music, and others offered a quieter atmosphere.
For us, having the option to spend time in a sober-friendly space was invaluable. Margy particularly appreciated being able to fully engage in the experience without feeling out of place. These thoughtful details made the event more welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Technology That Builds Community
One unexpected highlight of Podfest was its event app, which helped attendees connect before, during, and after the conference. Margy listed herself as a sober podcaster in the app, and that simple action led to an invitation to a private sober dinner.
Although she wasn’t able to attend, the connection itself was a powerful reminder of how technology can foster community. It was proof that meaningful relationships can be built even in large, bustling events.
Big Announcement: AMPLIFY Sober Voices 2026
Now for the most exciting news!
We are thrilled to announce that Sober Life Rocks will be hosting a one-day, concurrent conference at Podfest 2026 designed specifically for sober influencers and content creators.
AMPLIFY Sober Voices will take place on January 15, 2026, and our theme is: “We Can Do More Together.”
This event is for podcasters, speakers, writers, influencers, and anyone using their platform to promote sober choices. The day will focus on two key areas:
Whether you’re just starting out or already established, AMPLIFY Sober Voices will provide inspiration, education, and meaningful connections.
Why This Matters
For us, creating this event is a dream come true. The sober community deserves a dedicated space where we can learn, grow, and support each other. Too often, those who choose sobriety feel isolated or underrepresented—AMPLIFY Sober Voices is here to change that.
Mark your calendar for January 15, 2026, and get ready for an incredible day of learning and connection.
To Learn More or Register: https://amplify.soberliferocks.com
Thank you for being part of this journey. Be sure to subscribe to the Sober Life Rocks Podcast on Youtube or Spotify for more updates, and we’ll see you at AMPLIFY Sober Voices 2026!
The post Announcing AMPLIFY Sober Voices 2026 first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.
View all episodes
By Sober Life RocksIn January 2025, our founders, Laura Nelson and Margy Schaller, attended Podfest Expo, one of the world’s largest podcasting conferences.
Both were speakers at Dental Podfest, a concurrent event, and while they were there, they recorded a special episode to take listeners behind the scenes. They reflected on their journey so far and shared an exciting vision for the future.
Celebrating One Year of the Sober Life Rocks Podcast
When we launched the Sober Life Rocks Podcast on January 11, 2024, neither of us were seasoned podcast listeners, let alone hosts. The idea of starting a podcast felt daunting, but Margy’s natural ability to lead engaging conversations quickly made the show a success.
Over the past year, we’ve welcomed more than 30 guests—ranging from professionals like attorneys and dentists to even a hockey team owner. More recently, our focus has expanded to highlight advocates working to create sober-friendly workplaces. It’s been an incredible year of storytelling, learning, and community-building.
For this special anniversary episode, Laura took over as host and put Margy in the hot seat!
#image_title
What Made Podfest Expo 2025 So Special?
Podfest Expo is known for its vibrant mix of content creators, industry experts, and networking opportunities. This year felt especially meaningful as we discovered how well it catered to a diverse range of attendees, including those in the sober community.
Here are a few standout experiences:
A New Approach to Networking
Large conferences often revolve around social events with food and alcohol, which can be overwhelming for many attendees. Podfest 2025 took a different approach by hosting a pre-conference networking event—without food or drinks.
At first, this might seem unusual, but it created a unique opportunity for genuine connection. Without distractions, conversations became more meaningful, and Margy found this to be one of the most impactful parts of the event. It was a refreshing reminder that networking doesn’t require a cocktail in hand to be effective.
Icebreakers That Actually Work
Dental Podfest introduced an innovative way to spark conversations—custom name tag stickers. Upon check-in, attendees were asked to write three questions on their name tag that others could ask them.
Laura’s tag included, “Where did I wake up on Tuesday?”—a fun way to share that she had been in Hawaii just days before arriving in Orlando. These personalized prompts encouraged curiosity and made it easy to start conversations, even for introverts.
Inclusive Spaces for Everyone
Podfest made a conscious effort to create environments suited to different preferences. Some evening spaces included alcohol, while others were alcohol-free. Some rooms had loud music, and others offered a quieter atmosphere.
For us, having the option to spend time in a sober-friendly space was invaluable. Margy particularly appreciated being able to fully engage in the experience without feeling out of place. These thoughtful details made the event more welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Technology That Builds Community
One unexpected highlight of Podfest was its event app, which helped attendees connect before, during, and after the conference. Margy listed herself as a sober podcaster in the app, and that simple action led to an invitation to a private sober dinner.
Although she wasn’t able to attend, the connection itself was a powerful reminder of how technology can foster community. It was proof that meaningful relationships can be built even in large, bustling events.
Big Announcement: AMPLIFY Sober Voices 2026
Now for the most exciting news!
We are thrilled to announce that Sober Life Rocks will be hosting a one-day, concurrent conference at Podfest 2026 designed specifically for sober influencers and content creators.
AMPLIFY Sober Voices will take place on January 15, 2026, and our theme is: “We Can Do More Together.”
This event is for podcasters, speakers, writers, influencers, and anyone using their platform to promote sober choices. The day will focus on two key areas:
Whether you’re just starting out or already established, AMPLIFY Sober Voices will provide inspiration, education, and meaningful connections.
Why This Matters
For us, creating this event is a dream come true. The sober community deserves a dedicated space where we can learn, grow, and support each other. Too often, those who choose sobriety feel isolated or underrepresented—AMPLIFY Sober Voices is here to change that.
Mark your calendar for January 15, 2026, and get ready for an incredible day of learning and connection.
To Learn More or Register: https://amplify.soberliferocks.com
Thank you for being part of this journey. Be sure to subscribe to the Sober Life Rocks Podcast on Youtube or Spotify for more updates, and we’ll see you at AMPLIFY Sober Voices 2026!
The post Announcing AMPLIFY Sober Voices 2026 first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.