Pathfinder's Michael Toscano Talks Sober Nightlife and Non-Alcoholic Trends

This episode of The Sober Curator features Michael Toscano — a Brooklyn-based hospitality pro whose journey from world-class bartender to sober advocate and Pathfinder’s East Coast Regional Director will get you thinking differently about zero-proof cocktails and life after alcohol. Host Alysse Bryson and contributor Alex Nyman join Michael to swap stories on the future of NA drinks, his path to sobriety (and why it takes real work), and practical tips for making sober spaces feel just as inviting as their boozy counterparts. Plus, Michael gets candid about his career, his love story with wife Brooke from Brooklyn, and how authentic connections are at the heart of hospitality — sober or not. 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] – Michael on NA drinks evolution: “Death to the juice box” 

[01:21] – Introducing The Sober Curator Crew & today’s guest 

[04:44] – Pivotal moments post-sobriety: it’s about more than not drinking 

[07:20] – From Woodford Reserve to Pathfinder: how Michael made the leap 

[11:31] – Break Free NY Fashion Week, finding sober community 

[15:57] – Why Michael keeps loving Pathfinder (& a story about reaching fellow bartenders) 

[18:53] – Is NA/low-ABV going mainstream? Trends, predictions, and “zebra striping” 

[24:35] – Meet-cute: Michael & Brooke’s origin story 

[29:18] – Creating one of Esquire’s Top 25 Martinis, & a sober version concept 

[31:01] – Pathfinder’s new ready-to-drink Negroni (and NA product innovation) 

[33:38] – Sober Shots rapid-fire: comfort shows, favorite NA brands, perfect night in Brooklyn 

[37:03] – Dreaming up a Sober Curator signature mocktail 

[39:05] – Where to find Michael & Pathfinder 

Resources & Links: 

-Michael Toscano: LinkedIn and Instagram 

-Pathfinder 

-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 

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