HAPPY EVERY HOUR
The Buzz Without the Booze: Spiritless Espresso Martini Pour + Share

Let’s be honest — few drinks scream “elevated indulgence” like an espresso martini. But for those of us navigating life beyond the booze, recreating that rich, bold, and slightly luxurious vibe can be… tricky. Enter the Spiritless Espresso Martini Pour + Share — a ready-to-pour, zero-proof cocktail that absolutely deserves a permanent spot on your bar cart.

#QUITLIT
Spirituality, Social Justice, Love & Connection: Ted Neill’s Latest Book, “My Name is Ted and I’m a Racist”

In the rooms of 12-step recovery, we’re taught that the path to healing starts with one core principle: rigorous honesty. And that’s exactly what Ted brings to the table. 

ENTERTAINMENT
Jon Hamm in “Your Friends & Neighbors” Explains Everything About Your Self-Destructive Patterns

In this column, I’ve always maintained that everything is spiritual — from the food we eat to the thoughts we think to the very genetic code that makes us who we are. Our DNA isn’t just biological data; it’s sacred information, a divine instruction manual written in the language of molecules and expressed through every choice we make, every craving we experience, every pattern we can’t seem to break.  

RECOVERY PODCASTLAND
Laughing, Living, and Loving Life After Booze | The Killjoy After Party Podcast

Rude and Goody were joined by the one and only Alysse Bryson, a trailblazing force in the sobriety space and the powerhouse behind The Sober Curator, a lifestyle site that proves sober doesn’t mean boring — it means boldly, beautifully, and hilariously alive. In an episode full of laughs (our cheeks actually hurt), real talk, and musical mischief, we dove headfirst into what makes life after alcohol so wild — and so worth it.

#WEDORECOVER
Nikki Sixx Celebrates 24 Years Sober

Nikki Sixx, the legendary bassist of Mötley Crüe, recently celebrated an extraordinary milestone: 24 years of sobriety. Once infamous for his near-fatal heroin overdose in 1987 and a chaotic lifestyle chronicled in “The Heroin Diaries,” Sixx now uses his platform to reflect on the hard-won lessons of recovery. In a powerful message on social media, he credited honesty, service, and a willingness to confront his past as key elements that transformed his life.

“Sobriety isn’t just about eliminating substances,” he wrote. “It’s about the ability to be honest with yourself and those around you.” Now 66, Sixx embraces each day with gratitude and clarity, acknowledging the profound internal shift that came from surrendering his ego and committing to a program of recovery.

Sixx’s journey has not been without pain, but his resilience is a beacon for those still struggling. He often speaks candidly about the loneliness of early recovery, the spiritual awakening that came from working the steps, and the importance of passing the message forward.

His sober anniversary posts over the years haven’t just marked time; they’ve served as rallying cries for others in the trenches. “You are not alone,” he’s said, reminding people that recovery is possible — and worth it. From rock bottom to rock legend, Nikki Sixx stands as living proof that even the darkest chapters can lead to a life of purpose, strength, and service.

For anyone struggling, know that help is available: 📞 1-800-662-HELP (SAMHSA Helpline).

SOBER EVENTS
BCB Industry After Party & Happy Hour at Mockingbird

On June 10th, Brooklyn’s only fully zero-proof bar, Mockingbird, buzzed with energy as hospitality pros, beverage insiders, and media gathered for a vibrant post-BCB after party hosted by Third Place Bar in collaboration with the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA). Although not officially affiliated with Bar Convent Brooklyn, this independently organized happy hour provided a much-needed space for connection, celebration, and a glimpse into what the alcohol-free future of hospitality looks like.

LIFESTYLE
I Tried ‘the feels’ So You Don’t Have To

I stumbled upon (well, was somehow directly targeted through social media advertising) “the feels.” Which touts itself as a somatic dating experience. I had no idea what exactly that meant. But $100 later, I was committed to going and seeing what this entailed.

SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
Classy Problems: Developing Courage Requires Action

Courage isn’t the absence of fear but taking action even though fear is present. Courage is understanding what is at risk and doing it anyway. Courageous action is the willingness to risk.

TRAVEL
Rediscovering & Remixing: Sober Travel in Melbourne

My husband is from Melbourne and we’ve been married for 27 years. He’s the oldest of five siblings, and since his entire family lives there, we’ve visited a lot — but for me, not always as a sober person. Now, fourteen years later, and with a number of sober Aussie trips under my belt, I realize how much growth has occurred as I’ve traded the slow death of alcohol — and the need to control people, places, and things I couldn’t — for a fully present, “live and let live” journey through Australia’s cultural heart.

RECOVERY PODCASTLAND

The Sober Curator Goes B-A-N-A-N-A-S 

If you were hoping for a sober podcast that whispers about withdrawal in hushed tones, you haven’t met The Sober Curator. In Episode 20, the crew donned banana costumes, sipped on slushies with comically oversized straws, and tackled the very unpeeled (pun heavily intended) realities of sharing sober lives online. In a world where one viral banana-chomping Instagram story can change your digital trajectory, it’s clear sobriety today is about much more than staying away from happy hour.