From Rock Bottom to Broadway: Sean Daniels on Addiction, Arts, and Living Sober

Host Alysse Bryson and contributor Alexandra Nyman sit down with acclaimed theater director, playwright, and executive director of the Recovery Arts Project, Sean Daniels. Together, they dive into the power of storytelling in addiction recovery, discuss how pop culture shapes public perceptions around sobriety, and explore Sean’s celebrated play, The White Chip. You’ll hear why “showing, not telling” changes the narrative, what’s next for recovery representation in the arts, and how lived experience and humor can open doors for deeper conversations about addiction, relapse, and long-term recovery. 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] – What never gets people sober (hint: Nancy Reagan) 

[03:37] – Meet Sean Daniels: acclaimed theater director and recovery advocate 

[05:18] – The inspiration behind The White Chip and Sean’s journey to sobriety 

[10:05] – Science vs. shame: How sober conversations could and should change 

[14:18] – Flipping the script: Destigmatizing recovery and lessons from the LGBTQ+ community 

[17:26] – How pop culture is (finally) shifting its portrayal of sobriety 

[21:36] – Why comedy and authenticity matter in recovery storytelling 

[26:47] – What mainstream messages get wrong — no more teaching, just demonstrating 

[31:37] – The White Chip in London: Going global, community partnerships & cultural tweaks 

[39:22] – Licensing the play, big cities, and the hope for wide impact 

[44:18] – Sober Shots: Diet Coke devotion, musical vibes, and sober celebrity shoutouts 

[49:17] – New ways to keep recovery real 

Resources & Links: 

-Recovery Arts Project 

-Sean Daniels: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook 

-The White Chip  

-Meet the Contributors 

-Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide 

-Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide 

-LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide 

Connect with Us: 

-Website: www.thesobercurator.com  

-Facebook: @The Sober Curator 

-Instagram: @thesobercurator 

-X: @thesobercurator 

-YouTube: @thesobercurator 

-Pinterest: @thesobercurator 

 

Follow & Subscribe: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. Plus, the first 50 reviews on Apple Podcasts can win a sleek, limited edition Sober Curator fanny pack! 

Send Feedback: 

If you have a story, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [e-mail]. We’d love to hear from you! 

About: 

Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more. 

The intro and outro music for this episode is proudly featured with permission from Avatari. All rights reserved to the original creators. For more of their work, ch