Entrepreneur, social worker, and person in long-term recovery, Alex Brown joins Dr. Dennis Rebelo in the Vault to reflect on a life shaped by family legacy, disruption, and deep care.

Raised in the iconic Berkshire property Blantyre and immersed in hospitality from an early age, Alex shares how his mother’s attention to non-drinking guests—mocktails, hot chocolate menus, and sparkling water tastings—inspired his own vision for inclusive hospitality. After battling addiction, losing his mother, and relapsing while traveling, Alex realized that for millions of people, hotels and restaurants feel like hostile environments.

That realization fueled the birth of Recover Hospitality—a company that certifies and markets sober-friendly venues, while also supporting hospitality staff in recovery. In this powerful conversation, Alex talks about stigma in the restaurant industry, Gen Z’s sober-curious mindset, and how redefining hospitality can be both profitable and deeply human.

This episode is a call to innovate, to welcome, and to reimagine the experience of being truly seen and supported—on the road, at the table, and in our lives.

Links:

Recover Hospitality: https://recoverhospitality.com/
Berkshire Innovation Center Accelerator Program: https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/accelerator-program
Narrative Research Group: https://narrativeresearchgroup.org/

For more information or to share a question or insight, please email Shannon [at] narrativeresearchgroup [dot] org

Produced by Nate Christy, BIC Studios