The Sober New Yorker

What happens when one alcohol-fueled decision changes the course of your life forever? In this powerful conversation, speaker, author, and advocate Martin Lockett shares his journey from rock bottom to redemption. We talk about accountability, forgiveness, sobriety, and what it takes to rebuild a life after unimaginable consequences. While Martin's story is extraordinary, the heart of this epi...

Nine years ago, Allie Clark walked into rehab wearing a tennis skirt, unaware that one decision would completely change her life. In this episode, Allie shares how healing childhood trauma—including the effects of growing up with a narcissistic mother—became the foundation of lasting sobriety. Today, she's an alcohol-free and trauma coach helping others find the same freedom she did. We talk a...

What if the key to freedom isn't admitting you're powerless—but discovering just how powerful you really are? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Lauren Fay—author of Blurred Lines , alcohol-free empowerment coach, Reiki Master Teacher, former collegiate athlete, and eight years sober —to challenge traditional recovery narratives and explore a different way of thinking about alcohol. T...

Lisa Smith is the author of the acclaimed memoir Girl Walks Out of a Bar , a candid and powerful account of her journey from addiction to recovery. A former high-powered New York City attorney, Lisa struggled with a high-functioning alcohol and cocaine addiction before finding lasting sobriety. Now 22 years alcohol- and drug-free, Lisa is a leading voice in the recovery community. She is the award...

This week, I'm joined by Jon Gustin—better known as The Tired Dad and author of the new book The Tired Dad: 100 Reflections on Showing Up for What Matters Most . Jon opens up about his journey from numbing with alcohol to living with intention, honesty, and presence. We talk shame, sobriety, mental health, fatherhood, and what it really takes to stop escaping and start feeling your life again....

Adriana is a liver failure survivor who was given a second chance at life after alcohol nearly took everything from her. Now alcohol-free, she uses her social media platform to break the stigma around recovery, inspire others to step out of the shadows, and share why sobriety has been the best gift she's ever given herself and her family. A proud New Yorker, Adriana brings grit, honesty, and p...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brett Kessler — former President of the American Dental Association, triathlete, husband, father, and a man whose life has been completely transformed through recovery. Now almost 28 years sober, Dr. Brett shares his journey from addiction and self-destruction to becoming a powerful force for healing and service. We talk about the role recovery played in rebuil...

In this episode, Sydney shares the many layers of rock bottom that ultimately led her to an alcohol-free life — including the unexpected moment that finally clicked for her: realizing there was a bar car on the train she was taking. What once felt normal suddenly became impossible to ignore. Now over two years sober, Sydney has completely transformed her life. She’s embraced running, built a huge...

Karolina Rzadkowolska is a bestselling author, alcohol-free empowerment expert, and founder of Euphoric, a global movement helping women transform their relationship with alcohol. She is the author of Euphoric and has helped thousands of women create healthier, more fulfilling lives without alcohol. On a personal level, Karolina is also my mentor and the woman I completed my coaching certification...

Today I’m joined by Christina, a San Diego–based embodiment coach and somatics practitioner who helps women reconnect with themselves, rebuild self-trust, and feel more at home in their bodies. In this episode, we talk about Christina’s personal journey, what led her to this work, how she’s doing today, and the healing power of embodiment, connection, and movement. We also talk about the importanc...

Melissa (The Sober New Yorker) and Rachel (Sober in Central Park) are fresh off their very first NYC sober retreat—and still buzzing. In this episode, they share the magic of a weekend that brought women from around the country together for connection, laughter, breakthroughs, and experiencing New York City fully alcohol-free. This is just the beginning. ✨ Want to join a future retreat? Fill out...

Jaime Anderson is an alcohol-free coach based in Seattle, Washington, who helps women build confidence and create a life they genuinely love without alcohol. Three and a half years alcohol-free herself, Jaime believes that letting go of alcohol isn’t about losing something—it’s about gaining everything. Through her group programs and one-on-one coaching, she supports women in redefining their rela...

Nicole is a Northern California-based mom of five, recovery advocate, and a woman approaching four years of sobriety. After losing her father to alcohol use disorder, she made the courageous decision to change the trajectory of her own life in the middle of raising a busy family. Through working the steps and committing fully to her recovery, Nicole has built a life grounded in resilience, honesty...

Andy Ramage is a leading voice in the alcohol-free movement, entrepreneur, and co-founder of OneYearNoBeer , a global platform helping people take a break from alcohol and transform their lives. After leaving a high-pressure career in finance, Andy has dedicated his work to helping others unlock more energy, clarity, and purpose without alcohol. He is the bestselling author of Let’s Do This! and t...

In this episode, I’m joined by Nikki Brown—a young mum from Sydney, writer, and social media pro—who’s breaking the mold of “wine mom” culture. After years of early exposure to drinking, solo nights at home, and the cycle of stopping and starting, Nikki made the decision to quit for good. Now 4.5 years alcohol-free, she’s showing young moms they don’t have to drink to cope, connect, or belong. Fol...

Meg Geisewite is a mom, speaker, and award-winning bestselling author who is redefining the narrative around mommy wine culture and our pro-drinking society. After beginning her sober curious journey in 2019, her passion for science led her to uncover the truth about alcohol and break free from grey area drinking. In her debut book, Intoxicating Lies , Meg challenges the beliefs that keep women st...

Sara Kaufman-Bradstreet is the founder of No More Wasted Days and has been alcohol-free since May 2019. She quit drinking on her own, not believing she had a “problem”—but two years into sobriety, she realized just how much alcohol had been impacting her life. Today, she helps others take breaks from alcohol through 30- and 100-day challenges, showing them what’s possible on the other side. After...

Chris Tompkins is a therapist, author, and speaker originally from Tucson, Arizona, now based in Los Angeles. He’s passionate about helping people heal shame and build self-worth from the inside out. After nearly 15 years of numbing pain with alcohol and drugs, Chris got sober in 2014—a turning point that continues to shape both his life and his work. Today, his recovery fuels his mission to help...

Toni Will is a professional hockey executive, speaker, coach, and podcast host who is redefining what leadership can look like without alcohol. As the former General Manager and Governor of a men’s professional hockey team—an environment where drinking culture runs deep—Toni chose an alcohol-free lifestyle to gain clarity, strengthen her boundaries, and perform at a higher level. In this episode,...

Marci Hopkins is the host of Wake Up with Marci and the author of Chaos to Clarity . After overcoming a chaotic childhood and years of personal struggle, she is now 10 years sober and committed to helping others turn their pain into purpose. Through her show, podcast, and writing, Marci shares stories of resilience, recovery, and transformation. Marci's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wak...

I met Chris on a hike in Hollywood and within minutes we discovered we were both sober. Chris is retired, leads hikes in LA, has two grown sons, and has been in AA for 35 years. In this episode, I ask him all the AA questions I’ve always wanted to ask — about meetings, sponsorship, long-term sobriety, and what actually keeps someone alcohol-free for decades. Chris shares openly, with wisdom, humil...

Dave Wilson (Sober Dave) joins me for an honest, no-BS conversation about choosing an alcohol-free life. We talk about how sobriety becomes something you get to do—not something you have to do—plus how we met in London, had some great laughs, and yes… there’s a funny story about my husband in there too. If you’re curious about what’s possible on the other side of drinking, this episode is for you....

Bri is a sober mom from Indiana who’s here to flip the script: sobriety isn’t something to whisper about—it’s something to celebrate out loud. Living an active, healthy life with her husband and two sons, she’s learned that the secret sauce to staying sober is helping others along the way. Bri is all about honest, real-deal conversations that spark connection, confidence, and a whole lot of pride...

Patrick is the founder of Zero Proof Pass, Milwaukee’s first non-alcoholic passport program, launched in July 2025. Based in downtown Milwaukee, he created Zero Proof Pass to challenge the idea that alcohol is required to fully experience the city. Through partnerships with bars, cafés, breweries, cocktail lounges, and nightclubs, the program makes zero-proof options more visible, accessible, and...

Frank Scarso lost everything to alcohol and drug addiction—his marriage, his children, his home, and his career. After a 20-year run on Wall Street ended in collapse, he slowly crawled his way back. Now over eight years sober, Frank is the CEO and Founder of Avanza Capital Holdings, a funding platform that has deployed more than $250M to small businesses across 48 states. He’s also a leading voice...