HAPPY EVERY HOUR
Having It All Without Alcohol: How Calgary’s Concorde Group Is Reimagining Mocktail Culture

“Have it all without alcohol” isn’t just a catchy phrase for Makina — it’s her mission statement. As she explains the ambitious alcohol-free initiative rolling out across all Concorde Group venues in 2025, I quickly understand this isn’t about offering token alternatives. This is about fundamentally reimagining what it means to enjoy a night out in Calgary, regardless of whether you’re drinking alcohol. 

#QUITLIT
Cameron Douglas’ “Long Way Home” – A Gripping Memoir of Descent, Destruction, and Redemption

In “Long Way Home,” Cameron Douglas — scion of Hollywood royalty — steps out of the shadows cast by his father, Michael Douglas, and grandfather, Kirk Douglas, to narrate a deeply personal and, at times, difficult-to-read story. His memoir is as much a portrait of privilege as it is an exploration of self-sabotage, addiction, and ultimately, redemption. Douglas writes candidly about his substance use disorder, crime, and imprisonment, offering readers a raw, unvarnished account of his life.

ENTERTAINMENT
“Paradise” (Season 1): Finding Clarity in a World Seeking Numbness 

In the post-apocalyptic landscape of “Paradise,” one of the most striking and consistent undercurrents is how alcohol becomes a societal crutch — a means of collective escape from the harsh realities of survival. The show presents a nuanced portrayal of how even leadership, including the president, succumbs to this method of coping while our protagonist stands alone in his commitment to clarity.

RECOVERY PODCASTLAND
Sobriety in the Spotlight: Redefining Reality TV’s Narrative

Reality television, known for its drama, excess, and moments of unrehearsed authenticity, offers a peculiar, sometimes uncomfortable reflection of society’s values and assumptions. Within this mix, the portrayal of sobriety — or the lack thereof — often becomes a focal point for both viewers and producers. The recent episode of “The Sober Curator” podcast saw hosts and guests dive deep into the representation of sobriety in reality TV, notably in the “Real Housewives” franchise. This podcast episode provides a lens into the intersections of media narratives, societal norms, and the challenges facing individuals within these televised stories.

SOBER EVENTS
Celebrating Collegiate Recovery Week 2025: 15 Years of Growth and Resilience 

Collegiate Recovery Week, an annual celebration organized by the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE), will take place from April 14-18, 2025. This year marks the 15th anniversary of ARHE, and the theme, “15 Years of Growth: Rooted in Support, Branching into the Future,” highlights the progress and impact of Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) over the past decade and a half. 

#WEDORECOVER
Jason Isaacs Marks 25 Years Sober: "I Liked Not Being Myself"

Jason Isaacs, best known for portraying Lucius Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” series and most recently Timothy Ratliff in “The White Lotus,” is celebrating a major personal milestone: 25 years of sobriety. The 61-year-old actor recently opened up about his decades-long struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol, describing how substances provided a temporary escape from his deep discomfort with himself. “I always felt uncomfortable in my own skin,” Isaacs said on Rob Brydon's podcast. “When we were all high or drunk, it was like an equalizer — I loved the equalizer.”

Despite maintaining a successful acting career through his addiction, Isaacs describes his personal life during those years as hollow and isolating. He began using at 12, chased the high for over two decades, and finally found his way out through a 12-step program in 1998. He credits that decision — and the support of his longtime partner and now-wife Emma Hewitt — with saving his life. Today, Isaacs speaks candidly about his past not to glamorize it, but to shine a light for others in similar pain: “It was die or live — and I chose to live.”

For anyone struggling, know that help is available: 📞 1-800-662-HELP (SAMHSA Helpline).

HAPPY EVERY HOUR
“Free Spirit Cocktails” by Camille Wilson

Non-alcoholic cocktail recipe books are as wide-ranging as cocktails themselves. I appreciate the diversity, as sometimes I want to create something new and complex featuring non-alcoholic spirits, and other times I want to create something from what I’ve got in the fridge. “Free Spirit Cocktails” contains 40 non-alcoholic drink recipes that do not rely on store-bought NA or zero-proof spirits. However, you will need to create a handful of syrups utilizing fruits or herbs. But these are simple to make and contribute a lot to flavor.

CURATED CRAFTS
Fun with Patches!

Fast forward a few weeks: I’m at the NW Event Show with my ride-or-die and BEATS WORKING – Winning the Game of Events podcast co-host, Libby Sundgren. We stumbled across this incredible booth called Mobile Apparelist, where they were customizing t-shirts, trucker hats, beanies, and tote bags with pins and patches on the spot. (Sober Curator Fun Fact! One of the owners is over 30 years sober!)

SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
Aligning Clarity of Vision

Recurring classy problems are usually caused by one of two failures: The failure of clarity in vision. OR the failure to act in alignment with the clarity of vision. How can clarity and alignment solve your classy problems?

ENTERTAINMENT
1 Million Strong: Changing the Tune on Sobriety at Festivals

It’s a movement uniting music, sports, and entertainment to create inclusive, sober-supportive spaces at the biggest festivals and events. It’s about resilience, real talk around mental health and recovery — and making sure NO ONE feels alone in a sea of thousands. Think of it like this: Curious minds. Kind souls. Music that weaves us all together. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just here to sip a killer mocktail and dance your face off, you belong at 1 Million Strong.

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Anxiety Is a Sneaky Bastard 

Last week, I found myself struggling to breathe — not from exertion, but just sitting still. It happened at work, in the car, even while watching “Baylen Out Loud” with my daughter, which requires zero effort. That’s not normal for me. Neither is lying awake until 4 or 5 a.m., staring at the ceiling, waiting for sleep that never comes. I was running on empty, my heart was racing, and my body felt completely off. Something wasn’t right.