The Sober New Yorker

Today I'm sitting down with one of the biggest badasses I know! Mary is a first generation woman born into a big Irish family that had plenty of drinking issues. In her late 50's, and sick of her own shit, she signed up for a Dry January. She started feeling the amazing benefits almost immediately and started to wonder "what if I kept going?" She did! and on New Years Day 2025 she will be celebrating two years sober. We both belong to an incredible sober women's empowerment group. If you're looking for group support, I highly recommend: https://www.instagram.com/sobahsistahs/ Be sure to give Mary some love if you enjoyed the episode: https://www.instagram.com/marleyreidy/

In this episode, Melissa and Brad share the magic of the very first Sober Motivation Community in-person meetup in Toronto, Canada. After years of connecting only through screens and social posts, the community finally gathered face-to-face, forging bonds that felt both immediate and deeply familiar. Together, Melissa and Brad swap stories from the weekend, reflect on the power of shared alcohol-free living, and explore how these meetups open the door to honest conversations we don’t always have in everyday life. It’s a celebration of connection, courage, and the freedom of choosing sobriety—together.Follow Sober Motivation and Brad on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sobermotivation/

This week I’m celebrating two milestones: my 50th episode and my 54th birthday. I’m reflecting on three birthdays—my "crashing" 19th, my shaky first sober one at six weeks alcohol-free, and today’s milestone fresh off an unforgettable sober meetup in Toronto.I’m beyond grateful to everyone who’s helped me get here—especially you, my listeners. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for tuning in, for sharing space with my stories and interviews, and for reminding me that sober storytelling matters. My hope is that these episodes inspire you to make bold choices and become the badass you already are.Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesobernewyorker/Sober Motivation - FREE 30 Day Trial:https://sobermotivation.mn.co/share/U8aWhgssczqJAikG?utm_source=manual

Melanie Curtis is a world-record skydiver turned keynote speaker and peak performance coach with over 12,000 jumps and 30 years of experience leading and coaching worldwide. Eight years sober, she shares openly about her journey and how psychedelic medicines played a powerful role in her healing. Today, she uses her platform to shift the narrative around their potential and to inspire transformation. With heart, humor, and real tools for growth, Melanie empowers audiences to rise into their untapped potential and take bold leaps—in life, in leadership, and in themselves.Follow Melanie on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/melaniecurtis11/Book her to speak!https://melaniecurtis.com/

Kim Bellas is the inspiring founder of Sober Is the New Cool, a global movement redefining what it means to live alcohol-free. Her journey began when her teenage son was diagnosed with epilepsy and told he would never be able to drink. Determined to support him, Kim promised to go alcohol-free herself—ironically while holding a glass of wine. What started as a 30-day challenge turned into 60 days, and eventually 12 years. Today, Kim stands as one of the leading voices in the sobriety space.Through Sober Is the New Cool, Kim has become a beacon of positivity, resilience, and empowerment, showing the world that living sober isn’t just healthy—it’s powerful, stylish, and, yes, the new cool. She’s a beautiful ray of sunshine who inspires countless people to embrace sobriety with pride, and it was truly an honor to sit down with her for this conversation.Be sure to follow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sober.is.the.new.cool/The beautiful book Kim mentioned in the podcast:https://www.amylizharrison.com/mybooks

Rachel Hechtman is a certified life coach, content creator, and founder of Sober in Central Park—a vibrant community redefining what it means to live alcohol-free.Since beginning her sobriety journey on January 3, 2021, Rachel has become a leading voice in the sober movement, using storytelling, mindset work, and social media to help others break free from limiting beliefs and create lives they love.She consults for non-alcoholic brands, hosts wellness events across NYC and The Hamptons, and is building Soft Bar—a non-alcoholic bar and event space designed to reshape how we connect, celebrate, and socialize.Follow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/soberincentralpark/Next time you're in Brooklyn, check out SoftBar:https://www.instagram.com/softbarcafe/

Steve is a Sarasota, Florida–based Physical Therapist Assistant who once lived and breathed the craft beer lifestyle. What started as a hobby turned into a habit—and eventually into major health concerns. At over 100 pounds overweight, Steve realized he was a ticking time bomb. On New Year’s Eve 2022, he made a life-changing decision: he set down his last craft beer.Now two years and eight months sober, Steve has transformed his life in remarkable ways. He recently celebrated his 58th birthday by joining The Sober New Yorker podcast, where he shared his story with humor, honesty, and plenty of laughs. Steve is also the host of The Craft Free Podcast, where he dives deep into sobriety, resilience, and current events—with the occasional conversation with his beloved dog, Cheeky Pint, just for fun.When he’s not podcasting, Steve immerses himself in Stoicism, travels with his fiancée, and fully embraces the beauty of a sober life. His journey is proof that change is possible, joy is accessible, and life outside the bar can be even more rewarding.Catch Steve's podcast on spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2FHzpQ3CnsNyiZbNbuvxF1?si=42b08379bf1040b2Follow him on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/craftfreepodcast/

Kate Vitela is a Certified Addiction and Mental Health Nurse and the founder of Rewired Sober. As a sobriety coach and podcast host, she helps people rewire their brains and thrive in recovery. After struggling with alcohol herself and receiving a DWI while working as a psychiatric nurse, Kate turned her life around and is now seven years sober. With medical expertise, lived experience, and deep empathy, she offers transformational coaching, supporting clients in building tools for lasting sobriety. A proud sober woman, Kate is a dedicated advocate for mental health, harm reduction, and long-term healing.Follow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/

In this solo episode, I’m celebrating two years alcohol-free and sharing what truly came alive for me in year two. I open up about my three biggest breakthroughs—and how each one was born from stepping beyond my comfort zone. From doing the things that scared me most to realizing that fear is often the signpost pointing toward growth, this year has been about expansion, courage, and joy I never thought possible. If you’ve ever wondered what’s waiting for you on the other side of fear, this one’s for you.

Ali, from Long Island, New York, is living proof of the transformation that’s possible through recovery. After years of struggle and multiple stints in rehab, she’s now three years of sober—with the help of AA and the 12 steps. Her journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and service, as she gives back through volunteering and supporting others on their own paths. Today, Ali’s life is filled with connection, purpose, and hope, offering an inspiring testament to what’s possible when you commit to change.

Kat made the courageous decision to share her sobriety journey publicly just three days after putting down her last drink. What began as an act of accountability quickly grew into a powerful message of hope and resilience. One year later, she has not only maintained her sobriety, but transformed nearly every aspect of her life—losing 30 pounds, completing a half marathon, and reconnecting with her role as a present, engaged wife and mother.Her honesty, vulnerability, and unwavering commitment to change have made her a relatable voice for anyone navigating early recovery. Kat is living proof that when you choose to show up—for yourself and the people you love—everything can change.Follow Kat on Instagram for daily inspo!https://www.instagram.com/iamkat_rose/

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Yonah is a proud alum of the University of Vermont and a graduate of Hofstra Law School. In his mid-30s, he made a bold move to Israel, where he built a life with his wife and together they are the proud parents of four incredible sons, ranging in age from 13 to 23.Though he maintained a professional and personal balance for much of his life, his relationship with alcohol began to shift in his 50s, evolving into a pattern of weekend binge drinking. He didn’t experience a traditional rock bottom, but a series of life circumstances compelled him to reevaluate his habits. That reflection led to a powerful decision: to take a break from alcohol.Since March 10, 2023, he has been living alcohol-free—embracing a journey of clarity, growth, and intention.Connect with Yonah:https://www.facebook.com/yonah.davidhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yonah-david/

Todd is an attorney and author who lives in Omaha, NE with his wife, four kids and three wiener dogs. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golf, hanging out with his family (when they let him) and spending an unhealthy amount of time and money supporting the Iowa Hawkeyes. He quit drinking in 2019 and considers it the best thing he's ever done for himself and his family.His memoir about his drinking, his decision to give it up and everything he learned in the process, was published in 2023. It's called I Didn't Believe It Either: One Dad's Discovery That Everything Is Better Without Alcohol. It is available on Amazon.https://www.instagram.com/tkinney111/https://www.toddkinney.com/

Destiny is a 27-year-old girl mom from North Carolina who’s on a mission to break the cycle of addiction and generational trauma. She got sober on May 2, 2023, after growing up in a home where substance use and mental health struggles were the norm—and where self-love was never taught.For years, she looked for peace in all the wrong places. Now, she’s reclaiming her story, rewriting the rules, and raising two daughters who will grow up knowing exactly what self-worth feels like.Destiny’s Self-Love Legacy is where she keeps it real about sobriety, motherhood, healing, and everything in between. Her message is simple but powerful: we are not what we come from—we are who we choose to become.Show Des some love on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/xo_des97/

Mike Savidant drank for over 30 years, with the habit becoming a daily ritual after his divorce. What started as a coping mechanism quietly evolved into a dependency—one he never saw coming. At 49, at what he calls his personal rock bottom, Mike found the courage to admit that alcohol had taken control. That moment of truth became a turning point. He hasn’t had a drink since October 29, 2022.Today, Mike describes himself simply as another alcoholic in recovery, showing up each day with the intention of making the next right choice.savidant.mike@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sobersavvy/

In this episode, Gabe shares his powerful journey from slipping to standing tall. A proud West Texan and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Gabe began his alcohol-free path in May 2024. After a slip just three months in, he now celebrates 10 months of continuous sobriety.From setbacks to strength, Gabe opens up about recovery, identity, and his dream of creating alcohol-free travel experiences and retreats. This is what resilience in recovery really looks like.Be sure to follow him on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/outandaboutaf/

Alvin Jones went from battling addiction to leading boardrooms—and never looked back. Now 25+ years sober, this Brooklyn-born strategist, NYU Stern MBA candidate, and President of New York Toastmasters shares how recovery fueled his rise. Tune in for hard-earned wisdom, unstoppable drive, and the story behind his powerful book Looking in the Mirror.https://www.instagram.com/raherakthy7/Alvin.Jones33rd@gmail.comLooking in the Mirror, now available on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Mirror-Self-Examination-Critical-Thinking/dp/0578868849/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0IGeAefyHnuWd0XarRhB_YR5mjaAnX-_F8w4Dh885LYK6ZPZeueIiQjtfNyQO3Q5xDK8pqZVIuridHWJ5CwN2vExoRw4cAsdZtF_jw8g5zEGKr9XMNjIFQYF8puJ8LLO1Dgl3EgnuYJBwxvdgfJokpf0rXzi6E8QUPlulxp2SlYVKQRRsxpSwnR5yTIX7fRY6A3ByeNacwQAtncqErxXluQAc3cQRUZZbnxh6LbkDMc.N1dVXgt8OJJG9xqBnhdyNwEDXQcVbh_F98RKiZptVhk&dib_tag=se&qid=1750093726&refinements=p_27%3AAlvin+Jones&s=books&sr=1-6

In this solo episode, I take you across the pond to London, where I spent a week with my daughter soaking up the sights—and observing just how deeply alcohol is woven into British culture. From cozy corner pubs on every block, to wine at the theater, to beer-soaked football matches, drinking isn’t just common—it’s expected. Once upon a time, I wondered if I could ever navigate a trip like this without alcohol. But experiencing it all sober—with clarity, presence, and my daughter by my side—turned out to be something truly special. Tune in as I reflect on the highs, the culture shocks, and the unexpected joys of seeing London through sober eyes.https://www.instagram.com/thesobernewyorker/

After drinking heavily from 2011-2022, Morgan chose sobriety on October 15, 2022 at the age of 31. After relocating across the country twice in 12 months, she finally realized that she couldn't outrun herself. Her drinking had escalated from bad to alarming and her body was screaming for it to stop. Since that day, she's worked hard to transform her life—from seeking any excuse to drink to embracing the realities of a completely sober lifestyle. She joined the Instagram community to not only learn from others, but to also share her story and serve as testament to the possibilities and beauty of a sober lifestyle.Be sure to follow her inspiring content on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/morgantaylorsober/

Today I am joined by Jane, who proves you don't have to hit rock bottom to decide you're worth a life free of alcohol fueled drama.Jane Ballard, LCSW-S, CEDS, PMH-C, is a licensed psychotherapist, wellness advocate, and founder of Jane Ballard Wellness, a practice dedicated to supporting women’s mental health across the lifespan. With over 20 years of experience, Jane is passionate about empowering women through life’s transitions, with a focus on the hormonal changes that impact well-being. She offers therapy, coaching, and clinical supervision in person in Dallas, TX, and virtually worldwide. Jane also leads Living Your Purpose Retreats in Bali and co-hosts Mindful Sobriety: The Podcast, creating space for honest conversations around mental health, sobriety, and self-care.https://www.janewballard.com/https://www.instagram.com/janewballard/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-sobriety-the-podcast/id1723723551If you're ever in Palm Springs, Kurt and his architecture tours are AMAZING!https://www.psmodsquad.com/