Alchemy Social with Sujean

A Sober Members Club Redefining Social Life | Founder of the Maze, Justin Gurland

New York City has no shortage of members clubs. But only one has decided to go completely alcohol-free, and to make connection among its members the entire focus. Join Sujean in the studio for a conversation with Justin Gurland, founder and owner of the Maze, New York's first sober members club. Opened in Flatiron in November 2025, The Maze has a food and beverage program overseen by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, and offers its members diverse programming most nights of the week – from mahjong and trivia to breathwork and speakers – all in a beautifully designed space. Justin's own story is inseparable from what he has built. Once a heroin addict, he's now nearly two decades sober. Through his career as a social worker and therapist, he realized the power of community to heal, which in turn inspired him to open the Maze. In this episode of Alchemy Social, Sujean and Justin discuss: * Why community is so important for anyone on the recovery path, and why simply removing the substance isn't enough; * What a members club is able to deliver that consumers might not gain from a public meeting space like a café; * How removing alcohol from the experience may actually make it easier for members to form deeper connection; * Lessons from recovery that are applicable to anyone seeking community; and * The one piece of advice Justin would give anyone trying to build a community-based business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, sober-curious, or simply looking for more meaningful ways to connect with others, this conversation is for you. Follow Sujean and Alchemy Social: * Newsletter: Alchemy Social [https://sujeansong.substack.com/subscribe] * Instagram: @sujeansong [https://www.instagram.com/sujeansong/] * YouTube: @sujeansong [https://www.youtube.com/@sujeansong?sub_confirmation=1] Thank you for being here.

WORLD CUP 2026 Is Here | Footballco's Jason Wagenheim Breaks It Down

World Cup 2026 is here. Join Sujean in the studio for a deep dive with Jason Wagenheim, the North American CEO of Footballco, the largest soccer media company in the world. Jason has spent the last two years preparing for this very moment: the first-ever World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Millions of people are showing up from over 100 countries to celebrate their shared obsession for football. Jason previously led Bustle Digital Group as President and Chief Revenue Officer. Now he's helping to grow soccer fandom in the U.S. at FootballCo, a TPG-backed business, which today has a social media following of 100M across its channels and reaches nearly 700M fans worldwide. In this episode of Alchemy Social, Sujean and Jason discuss: * Why football fans are so incredibly devoted - and diverse; * What the 2026 World Cup actually means for American culture (and how to experience it like an insider); * Why Footballco hired a women's lifestyle media veteran to crack American soccer fandom - and why it's working; and * How in-person experiences matters more than ever when building real community. Whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or new to the game, or simply interested in learning how the strongest communities get built, this episode is for you. The Alchemy Social podcast is all about the people and brands building community, so please stay connected: * Newsletter – Alchemy Social on Substack [https://sujeansong.substack.com/subscribe] * Instagram – @sujeansong [https://instagram.com/sujeansong] * YouTube – @sujeansong [https://www.youtube.com/@sujeansong?sub_confirmation=1] Thank you for being here!

Redefining Rest & Relaxation | ResortPass CEO Michael Wolf on Luxury Daycations and Building Consumer Brands for Modern Wellness

This is how you DAYCATION. Join Sujean in the studio for a conversation with Michael Wolf, the CEO of ResortPass, which lets you experience the perks of luxury hotels (think poolside lounging, spa days, and mini wellness escapes) without having to book an overnight stay. Hello micro-getaways! Michael is a seasoned operator known for scaling beloved wellness companies. He previously helped build ClassPass as Global Head of Operations, and he and Sujean both grew their careers in the world of New York City-based consumer and lifestyle brands. Today, Michael is leading ResortPass with a focus on talent and team, like-minded investors, and self-awareness as a superpower. In this episode of Alchemy Social, Sujean and Michael discuss: • Why you should take more daycations, and why it's different from vacation; • How you can enjoy the amenities of luxury hotels and resorts without spending the night; • What it's like to be an operator versus a founder; • A powerful tool called "back-channeling" and other hiring and leadership hacks; and • How to find investors you love. (Michael proves it's possible.) Whether you're craving more accessible luxury experiences, interested in new wellness rituals, or growing a modern consumer brand, this episode is for you. Follow Michael and ResortPass: • Michael on LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/4rgSUYM] • ResortPass on Instagram: @resortpass [https://www.instagram.com/resortpass?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] • ResortPass website [https://bit.ly/49EijWa] Follow Sujean and Alchemy Social: • Instagram: @sujeansong [https://bit.ly/3KoJHNh] • YouTube: @sujeansong [https://www.youtube.com/@sujeansong?sub_confirmation=1] • Newsletter [https://sujeansong.substack.com/subscribe] We'd love to stay connected, so please subscribe. And thank you for being here!

How to Design Beautiful Spaces with Soul: Interior Designer Shelly Lynch-Sparks on Comfort, Career, and Connection

What actually makes you feel comfortable in a space? Join Sujean in the studio for a conversation with Shelly Lynch-Sparks, a celebrated interior designer known for creating versatile spaces with soul, from stunning residences and restaurants to offices and wellness studios. Shelly is the founder of New York-based interior design firm Hyphen & Co., whose work has been featured everywhere from Architectural Digest to The New York Times. Before venturing out on her own, she held design roles at HGTV, Anthropologie, and Homepolish. She and her wife are also the owners of One Trick Pony, a café and cocktail bar that has become a vibrant hub for community in the Hamptons. In this episode of Alchemy Social, Sujean and Shelly chat about: * The secret behind designing spaces that FEEL as good as they look; * Three simple design changes to transform your home; * How an IRL (podcast) conversation or coffee can build community; * What it means to feel fully present in your career, instead of chasing "what's next;" and * The messy truth about starting something - and why it's totally worth it. Whether you're designing your dream home, starting a company, or simply looking for design inspiration, this conversation is for you. Follow Shelly on Instagram: * Shelly: @shelly_sparks [https://bit.ly/3X4D4m5] * Hyphen & Co.: @hyphen [https://bit.ly/438z7jX] * One Trick Pony: @onetrickponycoffee [https://bit.ly/3JzlMKR] Follow Sujean: * Instagram – @sujeansong [https://instagram.com/sujeansong] * YouTube – @sujeansong [https://www.youtube.com/@sujeansong?sub_confirmation=1] * Newsletter – Alchemy Social on Substack [https://sujeansong.substack.com/subscribe] We'd love to stay connected, so please subscribe. Thank you for being here!

More Buzz, Less Booze: Molly Fienning on Mindful Drinking and Building a Brand for the Sober Curious

Join Sujean in the studio for a conversation with Molly Fienning, a serial entrepreneur who is reframing our relationship with alcohol. Molly is the co-founder of Sipland, a drinks-obsessed consultancy that is helping companies and consumers make sense of the booming $13B no- and low-alcohol market through experiences, drinks curation, and content. Molly previously co-founded Babiators, the stylish sunglasses and accessories brand for kids; and Red Clay, a line of premium Southern-inspired hot sauces. From majoring in computer science at Harvard (where she and Sujean first met) to building three very different - and thriving - companies, Molly shows us what's possible when you trust your intuition. In this thought-provoking episode of Alchemy Social, Sujean and Molly chat about: * How Sipland helped organize the world's first 100% non-alcoholic Octoberfest ("No-toberfest") in Boston, and how you can get tipsy drinking zero-proof cocktails; * The rise of the no- and low-alcohol and sober-curious movement, and how brands are responding; * Why consumers (and companies) are craving richer, more meaningful in-person experiences; * The surprising ways motherhood and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand; and * Why listening might just be the ultimate superpower for success. Whether you're starting a business, interested in hospitality, or rethinking your relationship with alcohol, this conversation will inspire you. Follow Molly and Sipland on Instagram: • Molly – @mollyfienning [http://bit.ly/4gRF1eU] • Sipland – @sipland.co [http://bit.ly/4nA0bke] Follow Sujean and Alchemy Social: • Instagram – @sujeansong [https://instagram.com/sujeansong] • YouTube – @sujeansong [https://www.youtube.com/@sujeansong?sub_confirmation=1] • Newsletter – Alchemy Social [https://sujeansong.substack.com/subscribe] • Linktree – linktr.ee/sujeansong [https://linktr.ee/sujeansong] Thanks for being here. I'd love to stay connected, so please subscribe, and share this episode with a friend. Yours, Sujean