FROM THE DESK OF THE FOUNDER
There's a professor at Notre Dame who built an entire university course around how movies sold us the idea that drinking is glamorous, hilarious, and practically a personality requirement.
His name is Ted Mandell. His course is called Drunk on Film. And I wish this class existed when I was twenty-two, sitting in a dark bar, fully convinced I was living a Bud Light commercial.
Ted is coming to BACKSTAGE tonight (6/10/26 @ 6pm PT) for Media Night. We are going to unpack the psychology behind the sell, with the clarity that only comes from being on the other side of it. BACKSTAGE members RSVP free. This is the room you want to be in.
We've also got Euphoria's final season through a sober lens, Brené Brown dropping 30 years sober like it was nothing and then saying the thing nobody says about joy, Pete Davidson and MGK in a garage, and Giesen 0% crashing Pride House LA for World Cup weekend.
Recovery Podcastland is loaded this week. Let's go.
—Alysse Bryson, *AB That’s ME 💋/ Founder / Seattle, WA 🌃05.01.2006
🎟️BACKSTAGE with The Sober Curator
Media Night | Drunk on Film with Ted Mandell
BACKSTAGE welcomes Ted Mandell from the University of Notre Dame, co-creator of Drunk on Film, one of the most talked-about university courses in the country. The class analyzes how alcohol consumption is portrayed in movies and advertising, and examines the psychology behind why we were sold the idea that drinking is glamorous, hilarious, rebellious, and essential to a good time. BACKSTAGE members RSVP for free HERE.
THE MINDFUL BINGE
Euphoria Grows Up, but Nobody Gets Better: A Sober Take on the Final Season
Sober Curator Contributor Sarah Alaimo reviews the third and final season of Euphoria through a sober lens, unpacking its five-year time jump, Rue’s darker trajectory, Ali’s grounded recovery wisdom, and the show’s clearest argument yet: everyone is addicted to something.
SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
Giesen 0% Brings Non-Alcoholic Wine to Pride House LA/West Hollywood for World Cup Kickoff Weekend
Giesen 0% is bringing non-alcoholic wine spritzes to Pride House LA/West Hollywood’s World Cup kickoff weekend, celebrating Pride Month, LGBTQ+ athletes, and mindful drinking in one major cultural moment.
🎧 FEATURED PODCASTS OF THE WEEK
“The Pete Davidson Show” Netflix Review: A Sober Take on Pete and MGK’s Garage Hang Listen Here
Brené Brown Just Quietly Hit 30 Years Sober. Then She Said the Thing Nobody Says About Joy. Listen Here
A Sober Girls Guide Listen Here
THE SOBER CURATOR x PODCAST IMPACT STUDIOS COLLAB
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Learn more.
Are You a Sober Business Owner?
The Sober Curator Rolodex is a curated directory of sober-owned and alcohol-free businesses across wellness, creativity, hospitality, and professional services. Consider it sober main street. If you built something without alcohol at the center, this is your invitation to be seen.
See you Friday, Okuuurrr
