SOBER CURATOR PODCAST

Drink Soirée: The Glam Revolution of Sober Living with Margaret Josephs & Lexi Barbuto

When The Real Margaret Josephs tells you she’s “always been the designated driver — and the life of the party,” you know she means it. Alongside her best friend and business partner Lexi Barbuto, she’s rewriting what it means to celebrate with Soirée — a luxury non-alcoholic drink brand that’s part beverage, part movement. Soirée isn’t just a pretty can — it’s a vibe. 

Plus, we spill the sobriTEA on their new deal with Caesars Palace in Sin City and Bravocon 2025. Buckle up, Bravo Fans! You’re in for a treat.  

HAPPY EVERY HOUR

Soirée: Elevate Your Alcohol-Free Party with Vibrant, Delicious Beverages

Soirée believes in the power of unity and celebration, and they stand by the conviction that your choice of drink should never be a reason for exclusion. They recognize that non-drinkers have often been relegated to dull, unhealthy, or uninspiring drink options at parties. Soirée will liberate you from the monotony of iced tea and other lackluster beverages. Can I get an ‘Amen’?!?!

SOBER POP CULTURE

Sobriety in the Spotlight: Redefining Reality TV’s Narrative

Reality television, known for its drama, excess and moments of unrehearsed authenticity, offers a peculiar, sometimes uncomfortable reflection of society’s values and assumptions. Within this mix, the portrayal of sobriety — or its lack — often becomes a focal point for both viewers and producers. The recent episode of The Sober Curator Podcast saw hosts and guests dive deep into the representation of sobriety in reality TV, notably in the “Real Housewives” franchise. This podcast episode offers a lens into the intersections of media narratives, societal norms and the challenges individuals face within these televised stories.

SOBER POP CULTURE

Dear Andy Cohen: It’s Time to “Bravo, Bravo, Fing Bravo” a New Drinking Narrative by Anne Marie Cribbin 

Dear Andy, 

First of all, let me start by saying: I love this messy little empire you’ve built. The “Real Housewives” franchise is a masterpiece of absurdity and opulence, a symphony of Birkin bags, surprise lawsuits, sprinkle cookies, and women fighting over who said what at whose charity gala. It is, at its best, an intoxicating blend (pun fully intended) of glamour, camp, and deep, deep pettiness. 

Where else can we get a woman hurling a prosthetic leg across a dinner table (Aviva Drescher, you are forever unhinged in our hearts), a socialite snarking, “If I give you a Chanel necklace and you choke on it, that’s your problem,” (Lisa Barlow, never change), and one of the greatest cinematic moments of our time: “Receipts! Proof! Timeline!” (The Reality Von Tease reveal). The Housewives are a cultural institution. The kind of chaos they deliver is, quite frankly, my happy place. 

And yet, for all the depth the franchise has found in its most vulnerable moments — women navigating fertility struggles, sexual assault, grief, divorce, and even federal prison — the one topic that still gets treated with a high-gloss, Bravo-filtered sheen is alcohol. Read the rest of the letter HERE. 

SOBER POP CULTURE

Mary Cosby Just Taught a Masterclass in Compassion

“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” isn’t typically where viewers go looking for lessons in recovery. More often, it’s known for icy confrontations, quick-witted clapbacks and the drama of friendship fallouts. But in Season 6, Episode 2, the show paused long enough to capture something rare: a mother and son in the thick of an honest, tender conversation about addiction. 

SOBER POP CULTURE

Braunwyn Windham-Burke Brings Some Real Reality to Reality-TV

Applause for Braunwyn Windham-Burke, cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 15, for finally bringing reality to reality TV. If I had a reality TV spirit animal, it would be Braunwyn. You may wonder why I am authorized to make such a grand statement for a woman I have never met. Let me break it down for you.