The Sober Sip

Tommy Ward

Welcome to The Sober Sip, where host Tommy Ward explores the real, raw, and uplifting stories of sobriety. Each episode brings you honest conversations with people who've chosen the alcohol-free path, sharing their struggles, victories, and everything in between. Whether you're sober curious, on your recovery journey, or looking for a supportive community, join us as we pour out inspiring stories that prove you're never alone in choosing a life of sobriety.

Episodes

  1. 03/09/2025

    Sober Tea in the City with Rachel Hechtman

    In this episode of The Sober Sip, we’re joined by Rachel Hechtman, a content creator, coach, events consultant, and the Founder of Sober in Central Park, LLC. Rachel’s journey to sobriety began on January 3, 2021, and since then, she has been a powerful advocate for living an alcohol-free life. Her mission is to advance the sober movement and prove that you don't need alcohol to have fun. Rachel spills the sober tea on everything from her early days of sobriety in New York City to her plans for opening a non-alcoholic bar with a reality TV star. We discuss the power of authenticity on social media, the challenges of staying sober in a city like NYC, and the importance of building a supportive community. Rachel also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her journey of leaving the corporate world to pursue her passion for sober living full-time. Key Topics Covered: Rachel's sobriety journey and the moment she knew she had to make a change.The role of Central Park in her healing process.How sharing her story on Instagram turned into a platform for sober advocacy.The evolution of the sober movement and the rise of non-alcoholic social spaces.Building a business and a community around sobriety.The impact of coaching and creating resources for those exploring an alcohol-free lifestyle.Upcoming projects, including the launch of a non-alcoholic bar in NYC. Key Quotes: “There’s so much beauty around us—we just have to be present and look for it.” — Rachel Hechtman“I wasn’t trying to build a brand—I just wanted to hold myself accountable.” — Rachel Hechtman Connect with Rachel: Instagram: @soberincentralparkWebsite: soberincentralpark.com Episode Resources: Quit Like a Woman (mentioned by Rachel as an influential book).Sans Bar: A traveling non-alcoholic bar experience.Big Vision Events: A non-profit organization supporting sober social spaces in NYC. Connect with Tommy Instagram: @thetommyward Join the Conversation:If Rachel’s story resonated with you, share this episode and tag us on social media! Don’t forget to follow Rachel for daily inspiration on living an alcohol-free life.

    32 min
  2. 03/02/2025

    Spilling Real Talk, Real Recovery with Frank Squadrito

    In this episode of The Sober Sip, Tommy is joined by the energetic and inspiring Frank Squadrito. Frank, a high-energy spin instructor who works in the sober field, shares his journey to sobriety, approaching eight years alcohol-free. With his infectious positivity, Frank opens up about the challenges and triumphs of sober living, the pivotal moments that led to his decision to get sober, and how his life has transformed since. Key Topics Covered: Frank’s Sobriety Journey: The moment that pushed him to seek help and his experience at Bradford Recovery Center. How embracing sobriety became the proudest achievement of his life. Living Sober & Having Fun: Busting the myth that sobriety is boring and sharing how life without alcohol can be more fulfilling. The empowerment of navigating social settings sober, from weddings to bars. Support Systems and AA: Finding the right meetings and the impact of community support. Balancing traditional AA practices with a modern, personalized approach to recovery. Sober Relationships: Frank’s relationship with his husband John, who is not sober, and how they navigate it with respect and understanding. Advice for the Sober-Curious: Starting with small, achievable goals. The power of finding relatable sobriety stories on social media. Frank's favorite mantra: "Why give up everything for one thing when you can give up one thing for everything?" Connect with Frank: @efffstop Connect with Tommy: ⁠@thetommyward Meeting Guide The App

    37 min
  3. 02/09/2025

    Spilling the Herbal Tea: When Choosing Sobriety Comes from Curiosity

    In this episode, education leader and school counseling expert Dr. Meredith Chamberland shares her unique perspective on sobriety as someone who chose to stop drinking not from hitting rock bottom, but from a place of conscious choice and curiosity. She discusses how this decision has improved her mental health, enhanced her work with students, and opened her eyes to society's deep relationship with alcohol. Episode Highlights: Journey from law school to finding her true calling in education and counseling The emotional impact of losing her father at age 12 and how it shapes her choices today Making the decision to stop drinking from a place of wellness rather than crisis Navigating social situations and friendships while choosing sobriety Observations about alcohol's pervasive presence in media and society The intersection of anxiety, mental health, and alcohol consumption How personal experience enhances her ability to support students Key Quote:"I literally woke up in November... I just might not drink anymore. And nothing happened. There wasn't a fight, I wasn't wasted. I just was curious - I've drank for several decades of my life. What if I just didn't?" About Meredith: Meredith is a wife and mother to two boys above all else. She has worked in the field of school counseling for twenty years as both a counselor and a director. Meredith completed her undergraduate degree at Villanova as a psych major, masters in school counseling from Bridgewater State, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Boston University. Meredith is very interested in the intersection of nutrition and mental health and also has a certificate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York. In her spare time, you can find her coaching boys basketball, hiking, or road tripping across the country in a quest to see all the National Parks. Connect with Meredith:📸 Instagram: @eyeingadventure Connect with Tommy:📸 Instagram:@thetommyward

    32 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Sober Sip, where host Tommy Ward explores the real, raw, and uplifting stories of sobriety. Each episode brings you honest conversations with people who've chosen the alcohol-free path, sharing their struggles, victories, and everything in between. Whether you're sober curious, on your recovery journey, or looking for a supportive community, join us as we pour out inspiring stories that prove you're never alone in choosing a life of sobriety.