At five years sober, most people stop asking how to quit and start asking a question nobody warns them about: how do you stay engaged? The answer is structural, and it is the reason this entire brand exists.

I told you Stephanie showed up with a birthday kit. Here is exactly what was inside, and the summer starter pack you can build for yourself or the sober person in your life who deserves to be celebrated.

🎟️ BACKSTAGE THIS WEEK Two member-only events. Here's what you're missing.

WED MAY 20 · 6 PM PT · VIRTUAL Studio Night: Unpolished with Krysty Krywko Krysty Krywko brings her Unpolished column live to BACKSTAGE for the first time. One hour, a notebook, zero pressure to make it pretty.

THU MAY 21 · 6 PM PT · VIRTUAL Star Chart 101: Astrology Basics with Rhetta Rowland Yes, we are doing astrology. No, we are not going to make it weird. Bring your birth chart and one hour of curiosity.

Not a member? You are missing both. BACKSTAGE is our private culture club. Live events, member essays, brand drops, and a community of people deep into the long game. Join BACKSTAGE → Only $19/mo or $199/year (*includes two months free)

Every sober professional has been asked some version of it: "Doesn't that hurt your networking?" We pulled together what 20 years in advertising sales, two decades of client dinners, and a hard look at the data actually shows.

The MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak put cruise safety back in the news, and the questions started rolling in. Here is what we know, what we don't, and whether your sober summer cruise plans need a rethink.