⏪ Friday Flashback: Scandals, Stories & Sober Celebrations ⏪

From Anna Paquin’s messy brilliance in Flack to Tiffany Jenkins’ raw #QUITLIT, plus a stylish NA sip and community moments you won’t want to miss — your weekend inspiration starts here.

Author

Alysse Bryson
September 12, 2025

FROM THE DESK OF THE FOUNDER (*that is covered in tchotchkes)

Hey Sober Sippers,

Welcome to another Flashback Friday Edition of The Sober Sip! We’ve pulled together a binge-worthy lineup that’s equal parts entertaining, inspiring and downright tasty. Whether you’re looking for your next TV obsession, a #QUITLIT page-turner or the perfect NA pour for happy hour, we’ve got you covered.

First up, let’s talk scandal. Amazon Prime’s hit series “Flack” delivers all the messy decisions and underlying addictions that keep us both cringing and glued to the screen. Robin (played by Anna Paquin) is a pro at cleaning up her clients’ chaos, but her own battle with sobriety makes for a raw and riveting ride.

If books are more your style, Tiffany Jenkins is back with “A Clean Mess” — a brutally honest, laugh-out-loud, sometimes heartbreaking look at what happens after you get clean and real life shows up with all its beautiful, complicated baggage. This one goes straight to the top of the #QUITLIT stack.

On the NA beverage front, we’re raising a glass to Figlia’s Fiore, a botanical blend that’s as stylish as it is sip-worthy. Add it to your NA bar cart and thank us later.

And because sober life is about connection, don’t miss our roundup of Sober Events happening across the U.S. and beyond — plus a special spotlight on Recovery Day at the Mariners this Sunday, Sept. 14 in Seattle. It’s a day of community, celebration and baseball that you won’t want to miss. The Sober Curator will be handing out clear crossbody totes to the first 800 guests to come through our booth.

So grab your favorite NA bevvy, kick back and dive in — this week’s Sober Sip is all about stories, sips and sober celebrations that will carry you into the weekend feeling inspired and connected.

Keep it real, keep it fun and keep it sober,

— Alysse Bryson (*AB, That’s Me💋) / Founder / Seattle, WA 🌃05.01.2006

charlie brown GIF by Peanuts

THE MINDFUL BINGE

Amazon Prime Hit Series “Flack” Has All Of The Terrible Decisions & Underlying Addictions That Make This A Binge-Watch Must

“Flack” is like “Scandal” with a twist — it’s scandalous, amplified by a dose of recreational charm. A heads-up to all you resilient souls out there: this series packs a punch with its raw and unfiltered portrayal, offering a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of Robin, played by Paquin, a master manipulator in celebrity crisis management. As she navigates her clients’ chaos, Robin’s own inner turmoil and precarious balance between sobriety and indulgence unfold in a mesmerizing dance of self-destruction and survival. Strap in for a binge-watch experience that’s equal parts exhilarating and introspective.

#QUITLIT

#QUITLIT Review: “A Clean Mess” by Tiffany Jenkins

When the PR rep from Random House slid into my inbox offering an early copy of Tiffany Jenkins’ latest memoir, “A Clean Mess,” I nearly dislocated my clicker finger hitting “YES.” I’ve been a Tiffany Jenkins fan since “High Achiever” — a title I reviewed ages ago for our OG #QUITLIT Library. Here’s the link if you missed it. That book was gripping, gritty and hilarious — and I’m happy to report her follow-up is just as binge-worthy.

But “A Clean Mess” isn’t about getting clean. It’s about staying clean. It’s the brutally honest, often hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking saga of what comes after the mugshot fades and the sober chips stack up. Think less “drugs and jail” and more “marriage, motherhood, anxiety, betrayal, and two pink lines” — all without the crutches, numbing agents or distractions we once leaned on like lifelines.

HAPPY EVERY HOUR

Figlia Fiore: A Must-Have for Your NA Bar | Happy Every Hour

I’ve been exploring the NA beverage category for about two years now. I’ve come across a few products that are sip-worthy on their own, but not many. I recently discovered Figlia’s Fiore, and I’m in LOVE!

SOBER EVENTS + RETREATS CALENDAR

Sober Events – Alcohol-Free Happenings Across the U.S. and beyond

SOBER EVENTS at The Sober Curator keep you in the loop on alcohol-free gatherings happening nationwide. From sober comedy shows and non-alcoholic tastings to festivals, retreats and sporting events, we highlight vibrant, community-driven experiences from coast to coast. Our goal? To keep you entertained, inspired and connected — no matter where you live. Need more sober time than one event? We’ve got your back with our Sober Retreat Calendar.

SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR

Recovery Day at the Mariners — Seattle, WA

📅 Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025
📍 T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA
⏰ Game Time: 1:10 PM

Join the Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA) and King County Recovery Coalition (KCRC), and The Sober Curator for a day of community, connection and celebration at the annual Recovery Day at the Mariners!

Start the day with an inspiring Recovery Rally at 10:30 AM in Occidental Square, featuring guest speakers, giveaways and a resource fair. Then, march to T-Mobile Park and enjoy an exciting pre-game event, including:
✅ Community Resource Fair
✅ Raffle Prizes & Interactive Activities
✅ Photo Booth Fun
✅ Special Recovery Day First Pitch

🎟️ Every ticket purchase includes an exclusive Mariners Recovery Day T-shirt!

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate the strength and resilience of the recovery community while cheering on the Seattle Mariners!

Happy Its Friday GIF by Degen Toonz

See You Monday!

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