Megan Wilcox is the founder of the SobahSistahs Empowerment Club, where she helps women embrace alcohol-free living with confidence, joy, and sisterhood. Coming up on five years of sobriety, she’s a powerhouse coach, retreat leader, and a featured voice in an upcoming documentary on the sober movement set to release later this year. Megan is also currently writing her first book, continuing her mission to make sobriety a true celebration of life.
You can hear Megan and me together on the Sobriety Is the New Epic Virtual Speaker Series, launching November 10th — follow my registration link to save your spot!
Sober is the New Epic - Speaker Series:
speakerseries.soberadventurecollective.com/melissa
Follow Megan and the Sobah Sistahs on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sobahsistahs/
Lisa is a women’s empowerment and running coach based in upstate New York. Through her coaching and her Ella Go Podcast, she inspires women to find strength, confidence, and community through movement—both on and off the pavement. Lisa leads both virtual and in-person running groups, helping women tap into their inner power and resilience.
In this episode, Lisa opens up about the moment she realized a friend’s drinking had crossed a line—and the courage it took to speak up. What began as a difficult and emotional conversation led to unexpected healing and transformation, not only for her friend but for Lisa herself.
Together, Melissa and Lisa explore what it takes to lovingly confront someone who may be struggling with alcohol, why so many people avoid these conversations, and how compassion and courage can change everything.
Lisa's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ellagocoaching/
Ella Go Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ella-go-podcast/id1508916576
In this episode, Melissa sits down with playwright and director Sean Daniels, the creative force behind The White Chip and Executive Director of the Recovery Arts Project. Sean shares how his own journey through addiction and sobriety inspired his groundbreaking play and how he’s using the arts to challenge stigma and spark new conversations about recovery. It’s an honest, funny, and deeply human conversation about storytelling, healing, and the power of turning pain into purpose.
Follow Sean on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/seanddaniels/
Donate to Recovery Arts Project:
https://www.bigvision.nyc/recovery-arts-project
Recovery Horror Film Reading:
https://www.bigvision.nyc/calendar/horror-film-reading
Just 30 days after quitting drinking, Dr. Sheri Lake survived a head-on collision that nearly took her life. That experience not only deepened her sobriety, but opened a powerful connection to her intuition and the spiritual world. Today, Sheri shares how self-trust guides her healing — and how her journey led her to offer angel readings that help others find clarity and hope.
Listen in for a story of resilience, spiritual awakening, and the extraordinary life that sobriety makes possible.
Sheri's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/drsherilake/
Get in touch:
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:
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!
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:
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:
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=42b08379bf1040b2
Follow him on Instagram:
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:
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.
Abby Calabrese – Podcast Host, Content Creator & Alcohol-Free Rule Breaker
Abby Calabrese is a podcast host, content creator, and unapologetic voice in the alcohol-free space. As the host of The Alcohol-Free Rebellion, she invites women to break the rules, ditch the expectations, and finally question the “normal” that never felt right.
In our conversation, we laughed, we reflected, and we celebrated the radical choice to walk away—not because we hit rock bottom, but because we knew we didn’t have to. For Abby, that moment came when she began recognizing patterns that echoed the behavior she witnessed growing up. Instead of letting history repeat itself, she made the powerful decision to rewrite the story—not just for herself, but for her children.
Abby’s message is clear: you don’t have to wait for things to fall apart to know it’s time to walk away. She’s living proof that you can exit before the impact, embrace your wild, waiting self, and live fully without the numbing.
Be sure to follow her on Instagram!
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!
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:
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/
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:
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.com
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: