Hey y'all!

Today we are talking about Sober October and why this is the perfect month for a reset. I'm sharing some tips for getting the most out of your dry month!!

I'm also going to dive into some of the latest news on the impending 2025-2030 dietary guidelines that are due out before the end of the year and why alcohol is at the front of that discussion.

If you want to go deeper into that topic please check out the pieces I've written on Substack specifically about the 2025 alcohol guidelines, the controversy surrounding the reports used to inform them, and the players involved on all sides. It's fascinating!!

Also, if you want to hang in person I have two live events coming up later this month. I'll be in Tampa, FL on 10/25 and San Francisco, CA 11/1!! I'm sitting down for a conversation with sober writer, Jessica Guerrieri, to discuss alcohol in women's fiction. Join us for a literary salon, thoughtful discussion, and amazing non-alcoholic drinks. Message me on IG for more info and check out my posts for those events.

Happy Sober October!!

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co

Hey y'all!

Welcome back! I'm so honored to bring you a conversation with author, Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, today. Timothy is over four years sober and his memoir, Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging, is slated for May 5th, 2026.

Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez spent almost a decade in gay conversion therapy-all while working behind the scenes at some of the most influential Evangelical Christian megachurches. After embracing his identity as a gay Christian and stepping away from church work, he co-founded Church Clarity, an organization that helps queer people find affirming faith communities.

His story and work have been featured by NBC, VICE, Huffington Post, Religion News Service, and Newsweek. Born in the Midwest, he now calls New York City home. Timothy works as a writer, digital strategist, and advocate for queer people of faith.

Connect with Timothy on IG @timothy.s.rodriguez and Substack timothysrodriguez.substack.com

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co

Hey y'all!

I'm excited to bring you a conversation today with the lovely Shea Gomez, founder of No Booze Babes and The Drī Edit!

Shea is creating community and glamorizing the alcohol-free lifestyle through creative content, boozefree events, and a new newsletter all about the happenings within the non-alcoholic beverage space!

Shea shares her sobriety story with us as well as what her vision for No Booze Babes began as and where it's headed.

Follow Shea's beautiful work on IG and subscribe to The Drī Edit!

IG @noboozebabes and @thedriedit

thedriedit.com

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co

Hey y'all!

Today I'm speaking with my friend Natalia Lalonde, fashion model and certified folk herbalist.

When I started doing my research for a Substack piece about the resurgence of herbalism, I knew I wanted to talk to my friend Natalia! She studied at School of the Sacred Wild and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to plant medicine and herbal remedies.

Natalia offers suggestions for those on a sobriety journey looking to incorporate herbs into their wellness routine. From skincare to anxiety and digestive health, Natalia says "there's an herb for that."

I loved this conversation and hope you do too!

On this episode Natalia mentions the book, Plant Spirit Medicine, by Eliot Cowen and School of the Sacred Wild (schoolofthesacredwild.com)

Follow Natalia on socials @natalialalonde

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your physician or certified specialist before starting any new herbal remedies or experimenting with plant medicine.

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co

Hey y'all!

Meet Brian Larson! Brian is a writer, speaker, and finance professional whose work explores identity, addiction, and personal transformation. Now six years sober, Brian began writing to see himself, and other sober LGBTQ+ individuals, reflected in literature.

His debut nonfiction book, The Afterparty: A Queer Guide to Joy, Belonging, and Life After Drinking, is slated for 2027. Brian lives in New York City where he's also built a career in corporate America, challenging alcohol-centric workplace culture.

You can find him on IG @brian.reads where he shares insights on sobriety, books, and personal growth. Follow Brian on Substack as well @brianwrites

https://substack.com/@brianwrites

https://www.brian-larson.com/

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co

Hey y'all!

I'm excited to have my girl Daniela Scrima on the podcast today! Daniela is the host of the podcast, Broads Next Door. I've done a few episodes with her on that podcast about spooky stuff intersecting with sobriety which you should check out! I'm sure you've seen her sharp and witty memes and pop culture videos on Insta, she's brilliant.

Today we are talking about turning 40 (we both did this year!) and how it's so much different than we thought it would be, especially as women who are now living alcohol and drug free.

We discuss the societal pressures on women to remain youthful and why it's all such bullsh!t. We see 40 as a power move, just the beginning.

I hope you enjoy our conversation and be sure to give Daniela a follow on socials and listen to her podcast. Let me know what spooky topics you'd like to hear a couple of sober broads chit chat about too!

Daniela's podcast: Broads Next Door (all platforms) https://open.spotify.com/show/3bKRTDn9ws19tEmVUTwmqf?si=63b509a59c7948d6

IG: @danielascrima and @broadsnextdoor

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co

Hey y'all!

I'm so thrilled to bring you a very special episode today. I am speaking with Ambrosia Elixirs founder Valeria De La Pava and her chief strategy officer Carolina Kohn.

I met these ladies at a beverage convention in Brooklyn late this spring and was immediately intrigued, not only about the beautiful herbal elixirs I tried but also about Valeria's personal story and connection to plant medicine.

If you want to dive down that enthralling, inspiring, folklore-esque, path with me please read my full essay on Substack titled The Resurgence of Herbalism and The Return to Feminine Wisdom. (available now)

https://open.substack.com/pub/kristenbear/p/the-resurgence-of-herbalism-and-the?r=18jra0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

In this episode Valeria shares how her childhood in Colombia influenced her work and created a deep connection to the natural world. She learned by watching her mother and grandmother using herbs in the kitchen as well as working with indigenous communities in her home country.

The newly launched Ambrosia Elixirs is finding major success in the non-alcoholic beverage market and can be found in NY's Virgin Hotels as well as luxury spas and farm to table restaurants in The Hamptons.

Be sure to follow Ambrosia on IG @ambrosia_elixirs and check out their offerings now at www.ambrosiaelixirs.co

Enjoy!

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co

Hey y'all!

Today's episode features sober bartender and non-alcoholic beverage expert and ambassador, Björn Taylor. Based in Austin, Tx, Björn is known for shaping award-winning beverage programs in ATX's top venues like Otoko, Emmer & Rye, and Midnight Cowboy.

Since getting sober over five years ago he has become a passionate advocate for wellness and mindful hospitality. Recently, he's helped open Uptown Sports Club and The Equipment Room at Hotel Magdalena in Austin. Björn is a newly minted rep for Oddbird wines, as well.

Björn is a golden resource for anyone looking to learn more about the non-alc beverage market or upscale their hospitality to better serve the growing consumer base of non-drinkers.

If you are someone working in the bar or restaurant industry I highly encourage you to check out Ben's Friends, a recovery support community specifically tailored to those in the hospitality industry.

Follow Björn on IG @kingbjornce and @odd.bjorn where he would love to connect with you!

Connect with me on IG @creativesobriety and please follow along and subscribe to my Substack newsletter www.kristenbear.substack.com where you will also find The Creative Sobriety Method video workshop series!

Stay up to date with all upcoming events and offerings www.creativesobriety.co