The Venn diagram of sober-curious folks and wellness fanatics is nearly a perfect circle. We’ve traded the three-hour martini lunch for stabbing a $20 salad with a biodegradable fork and washing it down with a $10 “functional” soda that promises to lower your blood sugar, reduce inflammation and take the edge off, no alcohol needed.

A true artist takes risks. When a new writer types prompts into an AI bot to “help them write,” the only risk taken is an opportunity cost. They miss the chance to find their true writing voice, at the cost of sounding like an amalgamation of the entire internet. LLMs are designed to homogenize your writing so it sounds like an algorithm—not more like you.

Our Fall 2023 issue features our exclusive interview with Tawny Lara, Sober Sexpert, and author of the new book Dry Humping. Other articles include All About Tea by US Champion Tea Mixologist, Adrienne Etkin and Sugar Cravings in Sobriety

In this episode of Recovery Rocks, Tawny and Lisa chat with Melissa Urban, co-founder and CEO of Whole30. They discuss the evolution of Whole30, the importance of setting boundaries, and Melissa’s personal journey in long-term recovery.

“Knowing that Art Alexakis wrote a song about an absent father validated my pain. His being a fellow rock star somehow helped, but I can’t fully explain why. Art made it to the other side of that emotional devastation by writing about it, so maybe I could, too.” 

“I battle my own addictions. I don’t work a program, but I’m really taking a new look, for myself, at sobriety. I know there’s this new movement called sober curious and I definitely find myself in that category.”

“Meritocracy is a myth—especially if you’re an indie entrepreneur.” In this candid essay, Tawny Lara reflects on the challenges of building (parentheses), a non-alcoholic spirit brand, without venture capital. She shares how her recovery journey parallels entrepreneurship, emphasizing resilience, community, and staying true to her mission despite financial constraints.

Sober couple Tawny Lara and Nick Mechak created (parentheses), a duo of intense N/A spirits. The aperitif (Before) leans bitter, while the digestif (After) tastes smokier.

Parentheses After is a non-alcoholic botanical aperitif priced at around $27. Made with kelp vinegar, turbinado cane sugar, and botanical extracts, it features angelica, cherry bark, marshmallow root, black cardamom, peppermint, lemon balm, calendula, chamomile, and lavender, herbs traditionally associated with calming and digestive benefits. It’s meant to be consumed after eating — a non-alc digestif, if you will — and has a “Before” counterpart. 

Parentheses Before is a non-alcoholic, vinegar-based botanical aperitif crafted by the (parentheses) brand, founded by Tawny Lara, a writer in recovery and advocate for the sober curious movement, and her husband, Nick, a fermentation expert with sommelier skills. The brand has a “Before” and “After” expression — one meant to be consumed before a meal and the other following. Before features gentian, ashwagandha, prickly ash, cardamom, citrus and rose. A bottle is priced at around $27. 

In this episode of Elevator Talk, founders from Pecana, KEY, Vigie Limoncello, (parentheses), and Water Plus Supplements pitch their innovative beverage brands, sharing their unique stories and product offerings. 

Discover a curated selection of top-tier spirits and wines perfect for holiday gifting. This guide highlights exceptional bottles that cater to various tastes, ensuring your gifts are both thoughtful and delightful.

“Now that I’m sober, my performances are a lot more connected.” Seth Gamble shares his journey from addiction to sobriety, detailing how overcoming substance abuse transformed his career in the adult film industry.

Instead of placing emphasis on one big, sex talk, parents can establish lasting trust which holds space for what should be dubbed “The Recurring Conversation.” Here are a few tips I learned from my mom and ones we can pass along to all children.

You Don’t Need ‘Liquid Courage’ to Have Good Sex — Tawny and SELF

For more than a decade, I relied on alcohol to feel less awkward on dates, more confident in bed, and even to psych myself up to try something sexual that I’d never do sober. The thought of dating or hooking up without so-called liquid courage was so terrifying that it was part of the reason I stayed active in my alcohol use disorder—despite the many negative impacts drinking had on my life. All those years, I thought post-happy-hour hookups were helping my sex life, but it turns out they were actually hindering it.

How to Start Sober Dating — Tawny and Women’s Health

Dating without drinking is awkward at first, but it can be wildly rewarding. You skip the buzz and go straight to connection. That means no wasted time pretending to vibe with someone just because you’re tipsy. It also means learning to deal with nerves — and rejection — with your whole heart intact.

In this Business Insider article, Tawny Lara—The Sober Sexpert and author of Dry Humping—shares her insights on maintaining sobriety during the holiday season. Drawing from her seven years of experience, she introduces the concept of a “sobriety tool kit,” a personalized collection of strategies and items designed to help individuals navigate alcohol-centric festivities. Lara emphasizes the importance of addressing basic needs, such as ensuring adequate rest and nutrition, and suggests incorporating comforting physical objects, like a cherished keepsake, to provide grounding during stressful moments. She also advises practicing responses to social pressures, advocating for clear communication of one’s boundaries, and highlights the value of having an accountability partner to offer support. Through these practical tips, Lara offers a compassionate guide for those seeking to uphold their sobriety amidst the challenges of holiday gatherings.

In this Business Insider article, Tawny Lara—The Sober Sexpert and author of Dry Humping—shares strategies for navigating the emotional aftermath of a breakup without turning to alcohol. She challenges the cultural narrative that promotes drinking as a coping mechanism, emphasizing the importance of facing emotions head-on. Lara offers practical alternatives to common numbing behaviors, such as engaging in lighthearted reading, experimenting with new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing bath. By choosing presence over intoxication, she illustrates how sobriety can lead to deeper self-understanding and resilience during times of heartache.

In this Business Insider essay, Tawny Lara—known as The Sober Sexpert—shares how launching the non-alcoholic beverage brand (parentheses) with her husband, Nick, deepened their relationship. Initially hesitant to mix business with pleasure, they found that their shared sobriety and strong communication skills, honed through recovery, made them ideal business partners. Their journey illustrates how mutual support and understanding can transform both personal and professional collaborations.

In this candid Business Insider essay, Tawny Lara—The Sober Sexpert—shares how hiring a virtual assistant transformed her professional and personal life. Initially hesitant to delegate, Tawny recounts the turning point when multitasking led to a burnt pot of beans, symbolizing her overwhelmed state. Embracing assistance allowed her to focus on meaningful work, leading to the completion of her book and the launch of her business. She discusses the emotional challenges of asking for help, the process of finding the right assistant, and the profound impact of shared responsibilities on productivity and well-being.