Stay Curious Show

JW Wiseman

The Stay Curious Show explores the culture and business of the sober-curious movement. Hosted by the creator of Curious Elixirs, the world's first booze-free craft cocktails, The Stay Curious Show features the leaders and insiders who are changing the way we drink socially.

Episodes

  1. 05/21/2025

    Josh the Non Alcoholic (Ocean Beach Cafe): Building Booze-Free Business

    Joshua James, the founder of Ocean Beach Café and the voice behind @JoshTheNonAlcoholic, joins The Stay Curious Show to talk about recovery, ritual, and reshaping how we drink. From launching one of the country's first booze-free bottle shops to building community through education and tasting experiences, Josh shares how one article turned a soft opening into a movement—and why the future of drinking is more inclusive than ever. ✨🥂 About Joshua James: Joshua James is the founder of Ocean Beach Café and the voice behind @JoshTheNonAlcoholic, a leading figure in the nonalcoholic beverage space. Drawing on his hospitality roots, Josh built a space that celebrates booze-free wine, spirits, and cocktails in a vibrant, inclusive way. Through tastings, events, and educational content, he's making mindful drinking more accessible, flavorful, and fun. Follow Joshua & Learn More: Instagram: @joshthenonalcoholic & @ocean.beach.cafe Website: www.oceanbeachcafe.com 🎧 Tune in every other Wednesday and discover what it means to embrace curiosity in your life. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and Stay Curious! Follow on Instagram: @staycuriousshow Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-curious-show ✨ Follow Curious Elixirs: Instagram: @curiouselixirs Facebook: Curious Elixirs TikTok: @curiouselixirs ✨ Drink Curious With Us! Explore booze-free craft cocktails, exclusive content, and more: curiouselixirs.com This episode was recorded in Fall 2024, and any references to events or dates reflect that timeframe.

    42 min
  2. Chef Jae Lee (Nowon): Serving with Soul

    05/07/2025

    Chef Jae Lee (Nowon): Serving with Soul

    Chef Jae Lee, the visionary behind NYC's Nowon, joins The Stay Curious Show to talk flavor, identity, and building a more intentional dining culture. From growing up Korean-American to designing a beverage menu with 25% zero-proof pairings, Jae shares how food, sobriety, and community collide in his work... and why hospitality starts from within.  🍜✨ ✨ About Chef Jae Lee: Chef Jae Lee is the founder of Nowon in NYC's East Village and Bushwick, where he's redefining Korean-American cuisine through bold flavors and storytelling. A Culinary Council member at The Sylvia Center and sober since 2021, Jae is building a more creative, wellness-centered restaurant culture from the inside out. 📍 Follow Chef Jae Lee & Learn More: Instagram:  @yo.jaelee | @nowon.usa Websites: chefjaelee.com | nowonusa.com 🎧 Tune in every other Wednesday and discover what it means to embrace curiosity in your life. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and Stay Curious! Follow on Instagram:  instagram.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-curious-show  ✨ Follow Curious Elixirs: Instagram:  instagram.com/curiouselixirs Facebook:  facebook.com/curiouselixirs Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@curiouselixirs  ✨ Drink Curious With Us! Visit our website to explore booze-free craft cocktails, exclusive content, and more: https://curiouselixirs.com/ *This episode was recorded in Fall 2024, and any references to events or dates reflect that timeframe.

    22 min
  3. 04/25/2025

    Ivy Mix (Speed Rack): Serving with Purpose

    In this episode, Curious founder JW Wiseman sits down with Ivy Mix -- award-winning mixologist, author, and co-founder of Speed Rack -- to talk about her journey behind the bar and beyond. From launching her bartending career in Guatemala to creating spaces like Whoopsie Daisy and FIASCO! Wine & Spirits, Ivy shares what it means to serve with purpose, build inclusive bar culture, and make room for the sober and sober-curious in hospitality. ✨ About Ivy Mix: Ivy Mix is a trailblazing mixologist, author, and hospitality changemaker. As the co-founder of Speed Rack and owner of Brooklyn's Whoopsie Daisy and FIASCO! Wine & Spirits, she's built a career championing creativity, equity, and booze-free inclusion behind the bar. From launching her bartending journey in Guatemala to writing Spirits of Latin America and raising over $1.75 million for breast cancer research, Ivy is redefining what it means to serve—with purpose. 📍 Follow Ivy & Learn More: Instagram:  @ivymix | @speed_rack | @whoopsiedaisybarx | @fiascobrooklyn Websites: ivymix.com | speed-rack.com | whoopsiedaisybk.com | fiascobk.com 🎧 Tune in every other Wednesday and discover what it means to embrace curiosity in your life. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and Stay Curious! Follow on Instagram:  instagram.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-curious-show  ✨ Follow Curious Elixirs: Instagram:  instagram.com/curiouselixirs Facebook:  facebook.com/curiouselixirs Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@curiouselixirs  ✨ Drink Curious With Us! Visit our website to explore booze-free craft cocktails, exclusive content, and more: https://curiouselixirs.com/ *This episode was recorded in Fall 2024, and any references to events or dates reflect that timeframe.

    48 min
  4. Mickey Bakst (Ben's Friends): Healing Hospitality

    04/09/2025

    Mickey Bakst (Ben's Friends): Healing Hospitality

    In this episode, Curious founder JW Wiseman sits down with Mickey Bakst, veteran hospitality leader and co-founder of Ben's Friends, to talk about building sober community in an industry known for its culture of excess. From nearly five decades in restaurants to helping launch a nationwide movement, Mickey shares how connection can be a lifeline for hospitality workers facing addiction—and why showing up for each other matters more than ever.  ✨ About Mickey Bakst: Mickey Bakst is a longtime hospitality professional and co-founder of Ben's Friends, a national support network for food and beverage workers navigating sobriety. With over 40 years in the industry and sober since 1982, Mickey has become a leading advocate for mental health and recovery in restaurants. Through Ben's Friends, he's helping to destigmatize addiction and create a more compassionate, supportive industry for all. Follow Mickey & Ben's Friends: Instagram: @mickeybakst @bensfriendshope Facebook: @bensfriendsnational Website: https://www.bensfriendshope.com/  🎧 Tune in every other Wednesday and discover what it means to embrace curiosity in your life. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and Stay Curious! Follow on Instagram:  instagram.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-curious-show  ✨ Follow Curious Elixirs: Instagram:  instagram.com/curiouselixirs Facebook:  facebook.com/curiouselixirs Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@curiouselixirs  ✨ Drink Curious With Us! Visit our website to explore booze-free craft cocktails, exclusive content, and more: https://curiouselixirs.com/ *This episode was recorded in Fall 2024, and any references to events or dates reflect that timeframe.

    33 min
  5. Sober in Central Park: Building Sober Spaces

    03/26/2025

    Sober in Central Park: Building Sober Spaces

    In this episode, Curious founder JW Wiseman sits down with Sober in Central Park to talk about what it really means to build sober community. Rachel opens up about her own journey with sobriety, including the moment she was accidentally served alcohol after two years sober, and how that experience reaffirmed her mission to create safer, more inclusive spaces. From recovery to advocacy, this conversation explores the real-life challenges and joys of choosing connection over alcohol. ✨🍸 ✨ About Rachel: Rachel Hechtman is a sober coach, event consultant, and founder of Sober in Central Park, a community initiative supporting alcohol-free living. As Head of Events & Partnerships at Soft Bar + Cafe, she creates vibrant, booze-free social experiences. Since getting sober in 2021, Rachel has been on a mission to make sobriety more accessible, inclusive, and celebrated. 📍 Follow Sober in Central Park: instagram.com/soberincentralpark  📍 Follow Soft Bar Cafe: instagram.com/soberincentralpark  🎧 Tune in every other Wednesday and discover what it means to embrace curiosity in your life. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and Stay Curious! Follow on Instagram:  instagram.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-curious-show  ✨ Follow Curious Elixirs: Instagram:  instagram.com/curiouselixirs Facebook:  facebook.com/curiouselixirs Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@curiouselixirs  ✨ Drink Curious With Us! Visit our website to explore booze-free craft cocktails, exclusive content, and more: https://curiouselixirs.com/ *This episode was recorded in Fall 2024, and any references to events or dates reflect that timeframe.

    31 min
  6. Patty Diez (Eater): The Future of Dining & Drinks

    03/12/2025

    Patty Diez (Eater): The Future of Dining & Drinks

    In this episode, Curious founder JW Wiseman sits down with Patty Diez, an expert in booze-free cocktails, nostalgic food trends, and experiential dining, to explore how food and beverage culture is evolving. From working in New York City restaurants and wine shops to leading dynamic sponsorships at Eater, Patty shares her insider perspective on where the industry is headed.🍸🎶 ✨ About Patty Diez: Patty Diez is an expert in booze-free cocktails, nostalgic food trends, and experiential dining. As Eater's associate director of network development, she bridges sales and editorial to craft dynamic and timely sponsorships and opportunities. She joined Eater in 2015 after developing a deep knowledge of the industry working in New York City restaurants and wine shops. 📍 Follow along: instagram.com/pattydiez 🎧 Tune in every other Wednesday and discover what it means to embrace curiosity in your life. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and Stay Curious! Follow on Instagram:  instagram.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/staycuriousshow Listen on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-curious-show  ✨ Follow Curious Elixirs: Instagram:  instagram.com/curiouselixirs Facebook:  facebook.com/curiouselixirs Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@curiouselixirs  ✨ Drink Curious With Us! Visit our website to explore booze-free craft cocktails, exclusive content, and more: https://curiouselixirs.com/ *This episode was recorded in Fall 2024, and any references to events or dates reflect that timeframe.

    29 min
  7. Derek Brown (Mindful Drinking): A New Era of Cocktails

    02/26/2025

    Derek Brown (Mindful Drinking): A New Era of Cocktails

    In this episode, Derek Brown, award-winning mixologist, author, and mindful drinking pioneer, comes on to discuss his journey from crafting the best martini in the U.S. to revolutionizing the non-alcoholic cocktail scene. From mixing drinks for royalty to creating booze-free cocktails that rival the classics, Derek shares how hospitality, culture, and mindful drinking intersect... plus, hear how he crafted a martini fit for the Queen!  ✨ About Derek Brown: Derek Brown is an award-winning mixologist, author, and mindful drinking advocate. Once known for crafting GQ's "Best Martini in the U.S.," he's now pioneering the non-alcoholic cocktail movement. As the founder of Positive Damage, Inc., Co-Founder of Mindful Drinking Fest, and author of Mindful Mixology, Derek is redefining how we drink—proving that great cocktails don't need booze. Follow all things Derek Brown! Positive Damage: positivedamage.substack.com substack.com/@positivedamage  Instagram: instagram.com/positivedamageinc Mindful Drinking Fest: https://www.mindfuldrinkingfest.com/   Instagram: http://instagram.com/mindfuldrinkingfest  Podcast: spotify.com/mindfuldrinkingpodcast 🎧 Tune in every other Wednesday and discover what it means to embrace curiosity in your life. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and Stay Curious! Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/staycuriousshow See it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/p5L1poQKoyw  ✨ Follow Curious Elixirs: Instagram: instagram.com/curiouselixirs Facebook: facebook.com/curiouselixirs Tiktok: tiktok.com/curiouselixirs ✨ Drink Curious With Us! Visit our website to explore booze-free craft cocktails, exclusive content, and more: curiouselixirs.com *This episode was recorded in Fall 2024, and any references to events or dates reflect that timeframe.

    38 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Stay Curious Show explores the culture and business of the sober-curious movement. Hosted by the creator of Curious Elixirs, the world's first booze-free craft cocktails, The Stay Curious Show features the leaders and insiders who are changing the way we drink socially.