The Sober New Yorker

Shaz is a proud member of the Sober Motivation community who has transformed his life by choosing sobriety. Once a self-proclaimed White Claw aficionado, he reached a point where his drinking was hurting his wife, his family, and himself. Having also lost his father and uncle to alcohol-related causes, Shaz knew it was time to break the cycle.
Since then, I’ve watched him blossom in the Sober Motivation squares and become an incredible source of honesty, encouragement, and inspiration. He credits much of his sobriety to the connection and support he found within this community. Today, Shaz is doing the thing—and living proof that when you get out of your own way, the magic is yours to be had.

Follow Shaz:
https://www.instagram.com/shazman07/

Join the Sober Motivation Community:
https://sobermotivation.net/

Chris Marshall is 19 years sober—and the life he’s built on the other side of alcohol is nothing short of remarkable. As the founder of Sans Bar, North America’s first non-alcoholic bar, Chris has turned his own journey of feeling different and searching for belonging into a mission centered on connection and community.
In this episode, we talk about growing up, never quite feeling like he fit in, learning to embrace who he truly is, and how removing alcohol opened the door to a life he could never have imagined. It’s a conversation about sobriety, authenticity, belonging, and what becomes possible when alcohol is no longer taking up space in your life.

Follow Chris and Sans Bar:
https://www.instagram.com/sans_bar/

In this episode of The Sober New Yorker, I sit down with Rachel—a mom, podcast host, and outspoken recovery advocate who transformed her life after addiction to Xanax and alcohol.
Rachel shares how she went from numbing herself to reclaiming her health, discovering a passion for exercise, and losing 80 pounds along the way. We talk about addiction, motherhood, recovery, and what happens when you start channeling your energy into becoming stronger—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Rachel’s story is proof that recovery isn’t just about what you give up. It’s about everything you gain when you finally start showing up for yourself.

Follow Rachel:
https://www.instagram.com/realtalkwithrachie/

In this episode of The Sober New Yorker, I sit down with Marissa Cherepanov—leadership executive, author, recovery advocate, and CEO of No Girl Left Behind—for a powerful conversation about going from surviving to leading.
Marissa shares how sobriety became a catalyst for healing, resilience, and stepping into her own power. We talk about rebuilding confidence, finding your voice, and how our hardest chapters can shape us into the women we’re meant to become.
This conversation is about more than getting sober. It’s about what happens after—when you stop surviving and start creating a life of purpose, confidence, and possibility.

Follow Marissa:
https://www.instagram.com/m_cherepanova_/

Melissa sits down with fellow New Yorker Wendy Behar—a licensed therapist, addiction expert, author, and powerhouse in recovery since 1998. Wendy shares why sobriety is about more than putting down the drink. It’s about emotional healing, healthy boundaries, self-awareness, and creating a life you genuinely love. Together, they explore what it takes to break old patterns, live by your own rules, and build a fulfilling life on your terms.
Follow Wendy on Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/addiction_therapist_wendy/

Get her Book!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NRZ93XN?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback