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- ⏪ Friday Flashback 11/07: Sex, Sobriety, and Self-Discovery: Lessons from “Tiny Beautiful Things,” Hannah Sward’s “Strip,” and the Power of Gratitude⏪
⏪ Friday Flashback 11/07: Sex, Sobriety, and Self-Discovery: Lessons from “Tiny Beautiful Things,” Hannah Sward’s “Strip,” and the Power of Gratitude⏪
Powerful stories, messy truths, and one really good NA blonde—because recovery never stops being real.
Alysse Bryson
November 07, 2025
FROM THE DESK OF THE FOUNDER (*that is covered in tchotchkes)
This Flashback Friday, we’re diving deep into the raw, messy, and magnificent corners of recovery storytelling. From Hulu’s “Tiny Beautiful Things”—a whirlwind of sex, love, and self-sabotage—to Hannah Sward’s soul-baring memoir “Strip”, this week’s lineup explores what happens when we stop numbing and start feeling. With Gratitude Month in full swing, we’re also hitting pause to reflect on how thankfulness can transform recovery (and maybe even your Thanksgiving table). And because balance is everything, we’re rounding it out with a sip of Bravus Blonde—an NA brew with just enough sweetness to remind you that joy is still on tap.
Now let’s get to it…
— Alysse Bryson (*AB, That’s Me💋) / Founder / Seattle, WA 🌃05.01.2006
THE MINDFUL BINGE
“Tiny Beautiful Things” is a Wild Ride Filled with Sex, Love and Addiction
After power-watching Hulu’s critically acclaimed series “Tiny Beautiful Things”, I am spent. But in a good way, that leaves me contemplating life. This emotional roller coaster ride is filled with extreme highs, lows, and sex around every bend. In typical Kathryn Hahn leading role fashion, the protagonist, Claire Pierce, is hyper-focused on sex. Most of her escapades seem to be a coping mechanism for dealing with emotions surrounding death, family, marriage, and raising a teenage daughter. The series on self-discovery is raw, honest, and highly recommended.
#QUITLIT
Stripped Down to the Soul Understanding Hannah Sward’s Journey in Strip
If you’ve ever wondered about the resilience of the human spirit, Hannah Sward’s memoir, “Strip,” offers an intimate look at how she navigated life’s adversities. Set against the backdrop of the bohemian seventies, Sward’s story is a raw and unflinching exploration of innocence lost and strength gained. Her tale is a testament to the complexity of human experiences, especially when life throws curveballs at you. Let’s take a deep dive into this emotionally charged narrative and see what it reveals about survival, addiction recovery, and the power of storytelling.
SOBER NOT MATURE
Gratitude Month: The How & Why Gratitude Impacts Recovery
In the recovery world, November is Gratitude Month and as one of those people, gratitude is critical to my recovery.
You can probably find hundreds of definitions of what gratitude is and what it means, but simply put, gratitude is the appreciation of the good things in our lives, big or small. It’s also an action word.
It is a powerful emotion that can have a positive impact on our mental and physical health, as well as our relationships. For people in recovery, gratitude can be a particularly helpful tool and as mentioned before, it’s critical for many of us.
SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
24 Ways to Cultivate Gratitude
Reframing your mindset to focus on gratitude during Thanksgiving can significantly enrich the holiday experience. Sober, not sober, sober curious, and everything in between, here are 24 ways to shift your perspective.
HAPPY EVERY HOUR
Do Blondes Have More Fun? Bravus Blonde Offers Up Hints of Banana & Sweet Malt
This week’s NA craft brew comes to us from Anaheim, California, and Bravus Brewing Co. Bravus has been in the non-alcoholic craft beer game for longer than others. However, they are still in their infancy, celebrating six years since their 2015 founding by Philip Brendes.
See You Monday!
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