Sober Curator Podcast

In this laugh-out-loud edition of Hot Takes, Alysse Bryson, Lane Kennedy, and Tamar Routly tackle the ultimate sober pop-culture curveball: a New Zealand company launching “alcohol-free wine” for pets. From “Pinot Meow” wordplay to capitalism’s cuteness complex, the trio debates whether sobriety has gone too far—or just gone mainstream. Expect irreverent humor, quick-witted banter, and a reminder that the sober movement is officially everywhere… even in your dog’s water bowl. 

Takeaways: 

• Pet-friendly “non-alcoholic wine” is a real (and weird) thing. 

• The sober movement is booming—and marketers are cashing in. 

• Capitalism meets cuteness in the new sober-product craze. 

• Sometimes sobriety needs a sense of humor to stay grounded. 

• • Staying sober matters—but laughing about it matters, too. 
  
  

  Key Timestamps: 

   00:00 Sobriety has gone to the dogs – literally. 

   04:00 Pet wine, Prozac for dogs, and the marketing of “calm.” 

   06:00 Gluten-free lip gloss? Alysse draws the line. 

   09:00 Lane’s pet stroller confession (and public scandal). 

   12:00 Can recovery culture jump the shark? 

   15:00 Final take: Sobriety is officially cool—maybe too cool. 

  Notable Mentions: 

  • “Mutley” Alcohol-Free Pet Wine (New Zealand) 

  
  

  • Liquid Death – the sober cool-kid water brand 

  
  

  • The Sober Curator’s “Happy Every Hour” segment 

  
  

  CTA: 

  Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your favorite weird sober news stories at ⁠[email protected]⁠. 

  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 limited-edition Sober Curator fanny pack! 

  Send Feedback: 

   Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ — we’d love to hear your stories or see your weirdest sober finds. 

  Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. 

In this laugh-out-loud edition of Hot Takes, Alysse Bryson, Lane Kennedy, and Tamar Routly tackle the ultimate sober pop-culture curveball: a New Zealand company launching “alcohol-free wine” for pets. From “Pinot Meow” wordplay to capitalism’s cuteness complex, the trio debates whether sobriety has gone too far—or just gone mainstream. Expect irreverent humor, quick-witted banter, and a reminder that the sober movement is officially everywhere… even in your dog’s water bowl. 

Takeaways: 

• Pet-friendly “non-alcoholic wine” is a real (and weird) thing. 

• The sober movement is booming—and marketers are cashing in. 

• Capitalism meets cuteness in the new sober-product craze. 

• Sometimes sobriety needs a sense of humor to stay grounded. 

Sugar cravings in early sobriety are real — and sometimes they look like a pint of cookie-dough chaos. Alysse, producer T-Boog (Tamar), and Curators Megan Swan and Amy Liz Harrison dish on the nostalgic pull of ice cream, why alcohol can act like “liquid dessert” and how to find a saner sweet spot without losing the fun. From church-basement trail mix to daiquiri ice cult followings, this one’s a heaping scoop of honesty with sprinkles of pop culture.   

Takeaways: 

• Alcohol often functions like “liquid dessert,” so sugar cravings can spike when you quit.  

• Nostalgia foods (hello, ice cream truck!) can be grounding — and also a slippery slope.  

• Early recovery grace is legit; long-term, aim for awareness over all-or-nothing.  

• Rituals help: go out for a scoop (limited portion) vs. keeping a pint at home.  

• Share the dessert (sometimes) and share the joy (always).  

Key Timestamps: 

[01:41] Welcome to The Sober Scoop — sprinkles, sass and sober fun  

[04:06] Meet today’s crew: Megan Swan & Amy Liz Harrison  

[06:13] “Liquid dessert”: why sugar cravings erupt in early sobriety  

[07:12] Amy’s rehab story, sponsor advice, and the sugar spiral  

[14:58] Three slices of cake > one glass of wine (and staying sober)  

[20:14] Favorite flavors, froyo phases & the case for cones  

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 

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: 

If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected]. 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.   

Sugar cravings in early sobriety are real — and sometimes they look like a pint of cookie-dough chaos. Alysse, producer T-Boog (Tamar), and Curators Megan Swan and Amy Liz Harrison dish on the nostalgic pull of ice cream, why alcohol can act like “liquid dessert” and how to find a saner sweet spot without losing the fun. From church-basement trail mix to daiquiri ice cult followings, this one’s a heaping scoop of honesty with sprinkles of pop culture.   

Takeaways: 

• Alcohol often functions like “liquid dessert,” so sugar cravings can spike when you quit.  

• Nostalgia foods (hello, ice cream truck!) can be grounding — and also a slippery slope.  

• Early recovery grace is legit; long-term, aim for awareness over all-or-nothing.  

• Rituals help: go out for a scoop (limited portion) vs. keeping a pint at home.  

• Share the dessert (sometimes) and share the joy (always).  

Key Timestamps: 

[01:41] Welcome to The Sober Scoop — sprinkles, sass and sober fun  

[04:06] Meet today’s crew: Megan Swan & Amy Liz Harrison  

[06:13] “Liquid dessert”: why sugar cravings erupt in early sobriety  

[07:12] Amy’s rehab story, sponsor advice, and the sugar spiral  

[14:58] Three slices of cake > one glass of wine (and staying sober)  

[20:14] Favorite flavors, froyo phases & the case for cones  

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 

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: 

If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected]. 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 intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music. 

*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.   

In this fiery debut of Hot Takes, Alysse Bryson, Tamar Routly (AKA T-Boog), and new co-host Lane Kennedy unpack SNL’s controversial “Non-Non-Alcoholic Beer” sketch. Was it harmless satire or tone-deaf comedy at the expense of sober folks? The trio digs into stigma, humor, and timing — with personal stories, laughter, and a few very real emotions along the way. 

Takeaways: 

• Why the SNL sketch sparked such mixed reactions in sober circles. 

• The fine line between dark humor and damaging stereotypes. 

• How comedy can both start conversations and reinforce stigma. 

• The reality of “non-alcoholic” drinking for those in recovery. 

The Curator crew dives into Netflix’s new Charlie Sheen documentary with zero-proof sass and sober clarity: from the infamous “winning” tour and media exploitation to codependency, father-son dynamics and the surprising Karate Kid near-miss — all through the lens of recovery, empathy and accountability. 

Takeaways: 

• “Winning” wasn’t winning — how exploitation and audience appetite fed the spiral.  

• The doc’s big reveal felt small; what we craved was deeper accountability.  

• Shame metaphors landed — but begged for lived insight and humility.  

• Denise Richards, love, and codependency: when care becomes self-erasure.  

• Nepo-baby guilt, sports and the friend named Tony — protective factors and the people who stay.  

Key Timestamps: 

]01:11] — Show open: glam, sass and the Sheen setup 

[04:17] — Spoiler alert + first impressions 

[08:22] — Ferris Bueller love + Karate Kid “what if”  

[10:01] — Shame, North Star/Death Star metaphor 

[30:21] — Denise Richards, parenting, and compassion vs. codependency 

Resources & Links: 

-Netflix: "aka Charlie Sheen" 

-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 

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: 

If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected]. 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 intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music. 

*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.   

What happens when you swap a six-figure tech career and a dangerous addiction for a backpack, a plane ticket and a sober second chance? Meet Ryan Lee, founder of Capsule Adventures — curated group trips where the drama stays home and the booze stays out. From a meth spiral and a hospital scare to Machu Picchu treks and off-grid connection, Ryan shares how he vets travelers (no “one beer after the hike” vibes), why his itineraries are jam-packed and all-inclusive, and how sober travel became his survival — and his business. 

Takeaways : 

• Sober travel ≠ boring: replace nightlife with adventure, nature and deep connection.  

• Fit matters: short “vibe check” interviews keep the group drama-free and aligned.  

• All-inclusive flow: airport pickup to drop-off, activities, guides, meals, lodging — handled.  

• First trips can be small — prove the concept, then scale (hello, Machu Picchu).  

• Future vision: expand guides and build a nature-based recovery retreat. 

Key Timestamps: 

[00:00] - Cold open: “If there’s one shithead…” — why Ryan vets every traveler.  

[02:26] - From $300K tech path & addiction to sober travel reboot.  

[08:43] - The idea: alcohol derails a group trip — so build a sober one.  

[11:31] - What’s included: the “silver-platter” itinerary.  

[18:58] - Who comes: ~60% women, median age ~33, safety matters.  

[25:57] - Alysse-friendly trip? Bali + Komodo (yacht, mantas, hot springs). 

Resources & Links: 

-Capsule Adventures: Website, Instagram, Facebook 

-Ryan Lee: LinkedIn  

-Listeners can use code CAPSULE500 for $500 off Machu Picchu trip (10/25-11/2) and code CAPSULE200 for $200 off South Africa trip (March 2026). 

-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 

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: 

If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected]. 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 intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music. 

*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. 

Recovery meets pop culture with Alysse & T-Boog’s Top 5 Buzz-Free Headlines: a recovery-lens look at The Bear, a Sober October Gift Guide you’ll actually want, 72 hours at Bethpage Black with Soba Golf, our Fake Sponsor of the Week (🧴 People Pleaser Repellent™), Sober Celeb shoutout to Questlove, and the Breaking Weird legend: Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel. Plus: a stopwatch sprint through sober events and a T-shirt-worthy one-liner. 

Chapters: 

• Intro: Emotional Support Squirrel Energy 

• Big Story #1: The Bear — Birth Order, Family Roles & Addiction Genetics 

• Big Story #2: Sober October Gift Guide 2025 

• Big Story #3: 72 Hours at Bethpage Black with Soba Golf 

• Quick Hits: Suzanne Warye’s The Sober Shift + Greenlights review 

• Thu 10/9: Drag Bingo — Sober AF Tacoma (Alysse attending) 

• Fri 10/10: Stop the Shuffle — Wilmington DE International Film Festival 

• Sat 10/11: “Just F**ing Write” virtual w/ Tawny Lara 

• Thu 10/16: Virtual Risotto Class — Teetotal Initiative Pittsburgh 

• Fri 10/17: BigVision Acoustic Series — NYC 

🎬 This Just In – Broadcasting from the land of the Goonies in Astoria, OR! 

This week’s sober pop culture round-up includes: 
✨ 3 Big Stories: 

• SoberScopes kick off Sober October 🌌 

• Ripple’s plant-based vapes 🌿 

• Alcohol-free perfumes 💐 

⚡ 2 Quick Hits: 

• DIY Zero-Proof Mocktail: The Wednesday 🍸 

• 2025 Sober October Gift Guide 🎁 

🍫 Fake Sponsor of the Week: Trigger Treats Chocolate – “Therapy you can eat.” 

🌟 Celeb Spotlight: Denzel Washington — nearly 10 years sober. 

🐻 Breaking Weird: A porch-pirate bear in Washington State steals a package. 

📆 Sober Events Stopwatch Challenge: Five events in 30 seconds, from San Francisco to Boulder. 

👕 Put That On a T-Shirt: “One-Eyed Willy’s treasure map is less confusing than Ripple vapes trending on TSC.” 

🎤 Outro Reminder: Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. 

📲 Links & Resources 

• Watch the porch pirate bear: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=786442787701285 

• Full list of sober events & retreats: [link to TSC calendar] 

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and tag us @TheSoberCurator. 

In this episode of The Sober Curator Podcast, host Alysse Bryson welcomes Chris Marshall (founder of Sans Bar and longtime sobriety advocate) and Anne Skriba (former college basketball player, coach and founder of Clean Play Coaching) from the Clean Play Podcast. The group dives deep into the intersection of athletics, sobriety and wellness, sharing personal stories and insights about how sports analogies can make sense of the daily devotion required in recovery. Listeners will hear how both sports and sobriety foster community, resilience and the pursuit of excellence — on and off the court. 

Takeaways: 

• Devotion Is a Daily Game: Sobriety, like sports, is all about showing up and putting the work in every day. 

• Community = Superpower: Teams, sober tailgates and online squads remind us: connection beats isolation. 

• Recovery Out Loud Is Bold: When icons share their stories, it opens doors for everyone. 

• Sports Arenas Are Going Sober: Zero-proof sections, NA tailgates and new merch are catching fire! 

• Fun Isn’t Missing—It’s Retooled: Dance, travel, and yes, even bedazzling, get even better sober. 

Key Timestamps: 

[00:00] – Why sports & sobriety are a perfect match 

[05:36] – Favorite podcast guests: Lauren Anderson and more 

[10:01] – Sober events in sports stadiums & changing culture 

[12:53] – The powerful benefits of mixing sports and recovery 

[27:12] – Explaining sports & recovery to non-sports folks 

[31:34] – Community: The secret sauce of sports & sobriety 

[35:32] – The evolution of alcohol-free options at sporting events 

[38:41] – What’s next for Clean Play and the Tchotchke of the Week 

Resources & Links: 

-Clean Play Podcast: Website & Instagram 

-Anne Skriba: Clean Play Coaching & LinkedIn 

-Chris Marshall: Sans Bar & LinkedIn 

-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 

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: 

If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected]. 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 intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music. 

*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.