Alysse Bryson, co-host Tamar Routly, and The Sober Curator crew dive into Apple TV+’s "Your Friends & Neighbors" — a glossy, suburban caper that doubles as a case study in dopamine, status, secrets and the kind of “more, more, more” thinking recovery warns us about — through a sober pop-culture lens that’s equal parts smart, spicy and fun.  This episode's contributors: Sarah Alaimo, Carolyn Bunn Lane Kennedy, Dr. Sarah Michaud and Megan Swan. 

Takeaways: 

-Addiction isn’t just substances—status, wealth, control, and adrenaline can be addictive too.   

-Loss of job = loss of identity: the show nails how quickly “high-high-high” becomes the spiral down.   

-Repressed anger and detachment fuel bad decisions (and some very expensive chaos).   

-Dopamine-chasing shows up as bingeing—on shopping, sex, TV, and even risk.   

-Beneath the glamour, real connection beats gold toilets and glass trophy shelves every time.   

Key Timestamps:  

[29:57 ] — Decompress & don’t overthink: Accept what was, then rest.   

[01:10 ] — “Hangovers canceled, fun mandatory”—show intro & premise.   

[02:23 ] — Why "Your Friends & Neighbors?" The setup + panel roll call.   

[12:36 ] — Wealth, identity, and the slippery slope after losing it all.   

[21:57 ] — "Big Little Lies" × "Succession" vibes; addiction beyond booze.   

[34:39 ] — Star ratings + lightning-round snacks & sober sips.   

Resources & Links: 

-The Sober Curator Review: "Your Friends & Neighbors" 

-Watch on Apple TV+: "Your Friends & Neighbors" 

-Meet the Contributors 

-Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide 

-Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide 

-LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide 

Connect with Us: 

-Website: www.thesobercurator.com  

-Facebook: @The Sober Curator 

-Instagram: @thesobercurator 

-X: @thesobercurator 

-YouTube: @thesobercurator 

-Pinterest: @thesobercurator 

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If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you! 

About: 

Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more. 

The intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, check out his website: https://www.avatariworld.com/music. 

*The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open and honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. While we celebrate all paths to a sober lifestyle, some topics discussed may be sensitive or triggering for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re in recovery or exploring sobriety, please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.