This week, we are drinking Dark & Gourdy by Athletic Brewing. Dark & Gourdy is Athletic Brewing's take on a festive fall beer. Unlike some of the milder lighter pumpkin ales, you see this time of year, Athletic Brewing went with a porter-style brewing technique for this one but kept in all the familiar spices. The expectation is dark and spicy, but in the sexy pumpkin way, not the hot pepper way.

As someone with long-term recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders, reading Laura McKowen's 'We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life' felt like an intimate heart-to-heart with a dear friend who truly understands the journey. McKowen's book is not just a memoir and how-to. It's a raw, honest, and profound exploration of life in sobriety.

Risky Drinking, from HBO and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, takes a case-study look at the hazards of alcohol use and details the ways the medical community views and treats "risky drinkers." Nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. engage in problem drinking at some point in their lives. Health professionals assess drinkers at risk on a spectrum ranging from low-risk to an alcohol use disorder ranging from mild to severe. Risky Drinking challenges viewers to recognize when their drinking may be putting them at risk and offers information to help millions of Americans lead healthier lives.

In Emily in Paris season 4, episode 3, titled "Masquerade," the show taps into a cultural shift that's been quietly bubbling up for years: the sober curious movement. In a brainstorming session at her boutique marketing firm, Emily suggests that their wine client, Champère, create a non-alcoholic version of their product. This sparked a conversation about the rise of alcohol-free alternatives and wellness-focused lifestyles.

Naturally, the French scoff, calling Emily's idea "the antithesis of French culture." However, for once, I have to admit that Emily is undeniably on-trend.

The sober movement is gaining momentum, and for good reason. Many are choosing to explore life without alcohol, discovering that it can lead to increased well-being and deeper fulfillment. One of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in this lifestyle is to experience it while traveling. Welcome to our Sober October Travel Tips, highlighting some of the best Sober Travel Destinations offering Alcohol-Free Resorts and Wellness Getaways.