What happens when sobriety finally clicks — not just in the body, but in the soul? In this powerful episode, Alysse Bryson sits down with recovery advocate and community leader Jonathan Gildart to talk about incarceration, identity, and finding true belonging in LGBTQ+ recovery spaces. With over 11 years of continuous sobriety, Jonathan shares how service, accountability, and queer community didn’t just help him stay sober — they helped him build a life worth staying for.

Key Takeaways

• Why sobriety without community often isn’t enough

• How LGBTQ+ recovery spaces create safety, accountability, and joy

• The myth of “I don’t have a drinking problem” — and how it unravels

• Why service is one of the most powerful relapse-prevention tools

• How recovery housing builds responsibility, dignity, and connection

Key Timestamps

[01:26] Meet Jonathan Gildart & his sober origin story

[03:00] Incarceration as the unexpected turning point

[05:10] “I thought I could just drink” — relapse myths

[08:00] Acceptance, identity, and the search for belonging

[12:00] Recovery housing & rebuilding adult life skills

[15:00] Service, leadership, and the Gay & Sober Conference

Notable Resources & Mentions

• Oxford House recovery housing

• Gay & Sober Conference – “The Year of Love” (2026)

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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, The Sober Curator Podcast delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.