Believe in people podcast

#65 - Woody Albrow: Recovery Through Connection, Butane Gas & Hallucinogens, Family Breakdown, Alcohol Dependency, Spiritual Recovery, Peer Mentoring, Stigma in Professional Settings & Leading with Lived Experience

Matt speaks with Woody, the National Connecting Communities Lead at Change Grow Live, who shares a candid account of his journey through addiction, recovery, and professional development. Woody reflects on the early signs of substance use in his teen…

#64 - Chris De Banks: Not Saints, Music & Recovery, 90s Drug Culture, Alcohol Dependency, The Creativity Myth, The Stigma of Addiction & Building a Sober Music Community

In this episode, Matt speaks with Chris De Banks, the founder of Not Saints, the UK’s only not-for-profit record label dedicated to supporting musicians in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Chris shares his personal journey through addiction,…

#63 - Daniel Ramson: Talk2BigDan, Addiction Accountability, Pervert Powder, Drug-Induced Psychosis, The Power of Discipline, Personal Responsibility & Why Rehab Isn’t His Answer

In this controversial and unfiltered episode of Believe in People, Matt sits down with Daniel Ramson - better known as TalkToBigDan to explore his unconventional approach to recovery. Unlike traditional services, Dan skips waiting lists, therapy roo…

#62 - John Levesley: Hull And Yorkshire Daily, Binge Drinking, Strength in Solitude, Social Media Impact on Connection, Cosmetic Transformation & Authenticity in a Digital World

John’s story is one of transformation, self-awareness, and the pursuit of authenticity. Once caught in the cycle of binge drinking and substance-fuelled nights, he reached a turning point—a moment of realisation at five in the morning, surrounded by…

#61 - Paul Haley: Heroin Addiction, Lived Experience Catalyst, Challenging Stigma, Imposter Syndrome & Advocacy In Recovery Services

Paul Haley’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and purpose. Once caught in the grips of heroin and crack cocaine addiction, Paul reached a devastating rock bottom - an injecting injury that nearly cost him his arm. Faced with the harsh re…

#60 - Matthew Butler: Believe in People Collaboration, Amy Goldberg, Caitlin Morrison, Stigma, Rock Bottom Threshold & The Matthew Perry Foundation

🎙️ Believe in People: A Special Collaboration Episode 🌟In this special transatlantic collaboration, Amy Goldberg, host of Believe in People America, welcomes Matt Butler, host of the UK’s Believe in People podcast, into the guest seat for a heartfelt…

#59 - Tom Fitzsimons: 3,073 Miles in a 100 Day Ultramarathon Across America, Alcoholism Redemption, National Day of Sobriety, Free Wi-Fi in McDonalds & A Cowboy Pastor on a White Horse

Matt sits down with Tom Fitzsimons, an ultramarathon runner whose awe-inspiring story of resilience and recovery has touched lives worldwide. From battling stigma and enduring unimaginable physical challenges to running 3,073 miles across the United …

#58 - Sarah Hicks (Part 2): Surviving Sexual Assault, Systemic Failures, Victim-Blaming Culture, Advocacy for Change, Violence Against Women and Girls & Societal Transformation

In the second part of this two-part episode, Matt continues his conversation with Sarah Hicks as she reflects on her journey through trauma, recovery, and advocacy. Sarah shares the harrowing experience of surviving sexual assault, the long-term psyc…

#57 - Sarah Hicks (Part 1): Emotional Manipulation, Coercion, Self-Worth, Societal Stigma, Domestic Violence, Addiction, Trauma, Abuse, Codependency, Gaslighting, Generational Influences, Parenthood, Abandonment and Overcoming Adversity

In this comprehensive two-part episode, Matt sits down with Sarah Hicks to explore her life story, touching on a wide range of themes that include addiction, trauma, abusive relationships, grief, and recovery. Sarah reflects on her early experiences …

#56 - Zoe: Self Sabotage, Toxic Relationships, Normalising Substances, British Teenage Expectations, ADHD Challenges, Hospitality Industry Pressures, Addiction & The Journey to Recovery

In this episode, Matt speaks with Zoe about her journey through substance misuse, mental health struggles, and recovery. Zoe candidly shares her experiences of growing up in an environment where substance use was normalized, starting with cannabis at…