The Wall Street Skinny 131. Drugs & Alcohol on Wall Street + the Business of Beverages w / Carl Radke from Bravo's Summer House!
This week, Jen and Kristen dive into the intersection of Wall Street culture, substance use, and sobriety. Joining the conversation is none other than Carl Radke, star of Bravo’s Summer House and entrepreneur reshaping the way we socialize. From his personal journey through addiction and sobriety to launching New York City’s first alcohol-free bar, Soft Bar, Carl brings candid insights and powerful stories to the table.
The episode kicks off with surprising statistics about shifting drinking habits among Gen Z and a discussion about how Wall Street’s reputation for excess has evolved over the years. Jen and Kristen reflect on their own experiences in the high-stakes finance world—where client dinners, endless vodka sodas, and late-night martinis were once the norm. But times are changing, and Carl offers a fresh perspective on creating meaningful social experiences without alcohol, inspired by his own four-year sobriety journey.
Carl shares behind-the-scenes stories from Summer House, his role in launching Loverboy’s non-alcoholic offerings, and his vision for Soft Bar—a revolutionary space for mindful socializing. He also touches on broader cultural shifts in client entertainment, wellness trends, and the importance of fostering genuine connections in both business and personal life.
Whether you’re sober-curious, a reality TV fan, or just love a good story about reinvention, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what it means to mix business with friendship.
Learn more about 9fin HERE
Shop our Self Paced Courses:
Investment Banking & Private Equity Fundamentals HERE
Fixed Income Sales & Trading HERE
Wealthfront.com/wss. This is a paid endorsement for Wealthfront. May not reflect others’ experiences. Similar outcomes not guaranteed. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. Rate subject to change. Promo terms apply. If eligible for the boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, the boosted rate is also subject to change if base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period.The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of 11/7/25, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY. Sources HERE.