Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss: Recent Episodes
Ashleigh Butterss
In a world full of social media promoting "perfect lives", many of us are afraid to show our true authentic selves. The good, the bad and the ugly. Behind the Smile with Ash Butterss is a podcast that aims to reveal the truth that lies behind the masks we wear.
As a recovering alcoholic, Ash is on a mission to remove the stigma behind addiction, mental health and trauma, by not only sharing her own story but by sharing the stories of others who have faced adversity, and now live a life of freedom in recovery.
In this final episode of Behind the Smile with Ash Butterss, I find myself caught between waves of emotion, from sadness to gratitude to a deep sense of excitement. They say all good things must come to an end, but within that ending lies the seeds of new beginnings.
Throughout this journey I’ve always emphasised the importance of practicing what I preach, being guided by my intuition and leading with vulnerability. Now I’m taking my own advice, as I step into this next chapter.
Behind the Smile has been so much more than a series of episodes; it’s been a life-changing experience. I’ve had the privilege of shining a light on taboo conversations that for so long were kept in the dark. Yet with each conversation, I believe we moved one step close to removing the stigma around mental health, trauma and addiction.
To you, the listeners, who tuned in week after week, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your dedication and passion for the show fuelled this journey for me and made it all the more meaningful. I’m truly humbled by the messages you’ve sent and the stories you’ve shared with me.
As I say farewell to you all, I want to remind you to continue stepping out from behind the smile and sharing your truth. Because when we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence.
In this episode I talk about:
- A Journey of Connection – 1:24
- The Mission – 2:20
- Embracing Change – 7:20
- The Highlights – 9:30
- Trusting Your Intuition – 14:39
- How To Start a Podcast – 18:18
- Listener Love – 21:32
- Where to Next – 24:36
If you’re not on my weekly newsletter list, be sure to sign up at www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources to stay connected and up to date on exciting announcements to come!
You can follow Ash on IG here: @ashbutterss
This week I sat down with Lissie Turner, also known as Mel Bampton from Triple J’s ‘Mel in the Morning’ and creator of ‘Like a Version’. Now an author, speaker, founder of The Prana Project and internationally accredited senior yoga teacher and therapist, Lissie shares her profound journey from a life of prominence and partying to one of sobriety, dedicated to compassionate living, mental health, and yoga therapy.
Lissie offers an unflinchingly honest look at her personal trials, including redefining her identity post-fame, navigating the complex responsibility of motherhood and dealing with what life throws at you.
Lissie also shares an intimate crossroads moment and how meditation, yoga, and love allowed her to heal her relationship with her children.
Some of the highlights from this conversation include:
- Spiritual Fitness - 3:21
- A Wild Ride - 9:58
- Coloring Outside the Lines - 28:09
- The Path to Radio - 34:58
- Refinement with Age - 41:47
- Creation of ‘Like a Version’ - 44:29
- Sobriety and Loss of Identity - 52:24
- The Yoga Framework - 58:54
- Healing Relationships - 1:04:38
- “There Is Nothing Absolute, and Everything Is Relevant” - 1:13:56
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Lissie Turner using the links below:
Instagram: @_the_prana_project and @lissieturner
Website: https://www.thepranaproject.com/
In this week’s episode, I sat down with Dr. David Wiss, a registered dietitian nutritionist who specialises in treating eating disorders and substance abuse.
David shares his journey from hustling in the streets of West LA in the 90’s, his experience during the opioid epidemic, drug abuse and incarceration to becoming a thought leader in the intersection of nutrition and mental health. He provides insight into his work, exploring topics such as the impact of adverse childhood experiences on eating habits, the controversial concept of food addiction, and the relationship between diet culture, body positivity, and overall health.
David also shares his inspiration to launch Wise Mind Nutrition, an app that provides evidence-based nutrition education that tracks lifestyle patterns and co-creates a customised plan to help improve overall health.
In this conversation we talk about:
- Counterculture - 6:22
- The Real David - 9:41
- Childhood Influences - 11:20
- The Hustle Begins - 14:05
- Navigating the Opioid Epidemic - 15:40
- From Supermax to Second Chances - 18:35
- Nutrition In Recovery - 26:21
- Food Addiction - 33:29
- Cross Addiction - 41:19
- Practical Advice for Nurturing Recovery Through Nutrition - 44:30
- Personal Reflections - 50:36
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterssYou can find Dr. David Wiss using the links below:
Wise Mind Nutrition
Tiktok: @wise_mind_nutrition
Website: https://wisemindnutrition.com/
Instagram: @wisemindnutrition
Dr. David Wiss
Instagram: @drdavidwiss
Website: https://www.nutritioninrecovery.com/
Tiktok: @drdavidwiss
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:•A healthcare professional•Alcoholics Anonymous•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)•CheckPoint (global)If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this studio episode, I’m joined by Empowerment Specialist Laura Corcoran who is known for assisting women in boosting their energy, confidence, and magnetism. With a background in psychology, Laura merges conventional therapeutic methods with holistic healing modalities.
Deeply rooted from her own experiences, Laura talks us through the essential practice of embracing stillness, establishing personal boundaries, articulating personal truths, and the critical role of mentorship in the journey of healing.
She also generously shares her narrative of metamorphosis, turning life's hurdles into stepping stones for development, and underscores the importance of self-investment.
In this conversation we cover a range of topics including:
- Having a Daily Routine: 7:15
- Manifestations: 11:34
- Unpacking Core Beliefs - 15:58
- People Pleasing and Attachment - 27:32
- “Psychologists become Psychologists to Heal Themselves” - 37:21
- Vulnerability is a Strength - 47:33
- Finding the Balance - 50:30
- The Role of Mentorship in Personal Growth and Healing - 59:02
- Self-care Practices - 1:02:00
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Laura Corcoran using the link below:
Instagram: @hersuccessfulmind
Website: https://www.lauracorcoran.com.au/
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:•A healthcare professional•Alcoholics Anonymous•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)•CheckPoint (global)If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this studio episode, I sit down with David Titeu - a mindset coach, mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the mental health support app, Linkmate.David takes us through his personal journey, from struggling with the weight of parental expectations and trying to fit in, to his battles with substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Throughout our conversation, David and I talk about the significance of initiating open and candid dialogues surrounding mental health, the importance of self-care, and the profound impact of cultivating a positive self-image.David also talks about the differences in mental health between men and women, the challenges men face in expressing their feelings, the persistent stigma surrounding seeking help, and the transformative influence of fostering connections and receiving peer support. Parental Expectations and Career Struggles - 9:37 Coping Mechanisms - 14:37 Memories That Shape Our Adulthood - 16:11 Seeking Help - 23:44 Linkmate - 28:16 Addressing the Stigma in the Corporate World - 32:10 Mental Health: Men vs. Women - 41:45 Personal Check-Ins - 47:35 Showing Love, Conscious Control, and Healthy Habits - 55:42You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterssYou can find David Titeu using the links below:Website: https://www.thedmtexperience.com.au/intro-to-coachingInstagram: @davidtiteuIf you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:•A healthcare professional•Alcoholics Anonymous•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)•CheckPoint (global)If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode, I sat down with recovery and social justice warrior, Nicole Obrigavitch.
Nicole went from being a practicing lawyer, wife and mother, to dealing drugs and having a price on her head. A police operation led to her eventual arrest and conviction which saw her spend three years in prison.
Since getting clean and sober in 2018, Nicole has fought to rebuild her life and give back.
Today, as the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatoon, Nicole works tirelessly to support women and gender diverse people that have come into conflict with the justice system
Nicole is living proof of the power in recovery and emphasises the importance of transparency, accountability, and resilience in her journey to redemption.
In this conversation we covered a range of topics including:
- Childhood and Early Exposure to Alcohol - 04:34
- Relapse and the Impact on Her Life - 08:44
- Progression from Alcohol Abuse to Drug Trafficking - 15:11
- Incarceration and Rehabilitation - 37:05
- The Struggle with Intimate Partner Violence - 43:10
- The Fight Against Systemic Racism - 45:51
- Second Chances - 52:54
- Non-Negotiables - 59:11
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterssYou can find Nicole Obrigavitch using the links below:Instagram: @not_anonymous_nic
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this episode, I’m joined by Dom McKenna – a husband, father, business owner, and fitness advocate from Melbourne.
Dom candidly shares his struggles with substance abuse, shedding light on the pivotal moments that led him towards recovery. With raw honesty, he reflects on the ongoing challenges he faces in combating his 'isms' and how they continue to shape his life.
But that's not all - Dom also offers invaluable insights into managing a successful business alongside his wife, the crucial role of habits in achieving success in all aspects of life, the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, and the unwavering dedication required to uphold sobriety, nurture relationships, prioritise health, and thrive in business.
We touched upon a range of topics, such as:
- Dating in Early Sobriety - 5:04
- Held Hostage by Addiction - 8:08
- The Role of Environment in Addiction - 11:44
- Reflections on Anonymity and Recovery - 35:17
- Dealing with Criticism and Opinions - 39:35
- Navigating Relationships in Recovery - 41:12
- Work-Life Balance is BS - 56:16
- Non-negotiables - 1:10:00
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
Head to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the show notes.
You can find Dom McKenna using the links below:
Instagram: @dommckenna
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s solo episode, I’m celebrating four years of continuous sobriety and in the spirit of stepping out from behind the smile, I wanted to reveal the reality of what this journey has looked like. Let’s call it, the not so sexy side to sobriety. I’ve divided the years into eras, with each era being a rollercoaster of challenges and growth. From those early days in rehab, to navigating recovery in a global pandemic, losing a baby, a divorce, a toxic situationship, to discovering my true self, falling in love and undergoing a complete transformation of mind, body and spirit, these past four years have been quite the journey. To say it’s been easy would be misleading, but I don’t regret getting sober for one minute. It’s hands down been the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. To those of you who’ve played a part in my recovery, big or small, I deeply thank you.You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterssHead to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the show notes.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:•A healthcare professional•Alcoholics Anonymous•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)•CheckPoint (global)LISTEN TO THE BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST HEREListen on Apple Listen on Spotify If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee: SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE HERE
In this studio episode, I sit down with Jess Jackson, a meditation teacher and founder of the Bondi born skincare brand 'Good Living Only'.
Jess talks openly about her initial hesitation towards sobriety and the challenges she faced in accepting her new lifestyle. She also reflects on the experiences that led her to make this transformative decision and how making the decision to truly own her sobriety has freed her from the shame she once felt.
We also explore her move to Sydney, her Singapore setback, and the role meditation plays in her life. Jess emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, communicating boundaries, and focusing on self-care practices.
Some of the key topics covered include:
- Grounding Yourself - 7:40
- External Validation - 13:10
- Band-Aid Fix - 22:47
- Embracing Change - 31:21
- Stepping into a New Identity - 36:00
- Being Vulnerable - 46:14
- 10 Steps Forward, 20 Steps Back - 49:33
- Creating Space - 54:42
You can find Jess Jackson using the links below:
Website: https://www.goodlivingonly.com/
Instagram: @jessinbondi, @goodlivingonly
Tiktok: @goodlivingonly
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
LISTEN TO THE BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST HERE
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee:
SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE HERE
In this episode, I sat down with Sabrina Zohar, a wildly successful entrepreneur, podcast host, and dating coach. In this candid conversation we spoke about mental health, relationships, and the not so sexy reality behind success.
Sabrina is one of the most authentic humans I’ve ever met and was so open sharing her journey from battling depression post-breakup, finding solace in her work, and redefining interpersonal relationships.
Emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional resilience, Sabrina also spoke about how she managed to detach from behaviors that no longer served her and how she did the work to create a healthy loving relationship.
As a dating coach, I had to ask Sabrina about Attachment Styles - a topic that’s hotly debated and discussed right now.
Some of the highlights from this conversation include:
- Accountability - 6:56
- Struggles and Triumphs - 7:40
- Drinking to Fit In - 15:59
- First Impressions - 20:49
- Sitting with Anxiety - 24:09
- Attachment Theory - 29:53
- Non-Negotiables - 38:24
You can find Sabrina Zohar using the links below:
Tiktok: sabrina.zohar
Instagram: @sabrina.zohar, Do The Work Podcast
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
LISTEN TO THE BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST HERE
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee:
SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE HERE
In this week’s episode, I sat down with Joe Fishburn, a psychiatric mental health nurse with extensive experience working in hospital systems, community response teams, ED and primary health care settings. Joe talks about the undercurrent of stigma faced by those experiencing mental health challenges and the impact developmental trauma has on the development of complex personality disorders. Joe shared his thoughts on how we can support children in their early years to prevent complex mental health disorders arising and why divorce doesn’t need to have a negative impact on families. We also discussed the increase in ADHD diagnoses, and the challenges faced in receiving treatment. To round things out, Joe reaffirmed the importance of lived experiences in care provision, and the power of peer support.In this conversation we touch on: Joe's Role at First Step - 2:58 Legal Support - 11:34 The Stigma Around Mental Illnesses - 19:18 Nature vs. Nurture - 23:59 Neurodiversity - 27:53 ADHD - 32:18 Medication during Addiction Recovery - 34:24 The Impact of Mental Illness and Addiction on Families - 51:46You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterssHead to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the show notes.You can find more about First Step here: https://www.firststep.org.au/If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:•A healthcare professional•Alcoholics Anonymous•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)•CheckPoint (global)If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Christina Galbato, a dynamic entrepreneur and the brains behind 'Create Her Empire.' She opens up about her journey from a secret alcohol addiction to embracing life in sobriety.
Christina shares how her addiction resulted in both mental and physical health problems, affected her relationships, and damaged her self-esteem. Despite achieving huge success in her career, she was fighting a secret battle, all the while hiding behind a smile.
Today, at almost three years sober, Christina is priortising her personal development and is committed to her recovery more than ever before.
We spoke about a range of topics including:
- Drinking Habits - 7:30
- Keeping Up Appearances - 11:15
- It Works Until it Doesn't Anymore - 18:19
- Endless Cycle - 23:54
- Bargaining with Yourself - 26:18
- The First 90 Days - 29:32
- Moving and Growing - 39:15
- Staying on the Path - 41:51
- Dating in Sobriety - 44:01
- Sobriety Comes First - 53:02
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
Head to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the show notes.
You can find Christina Galbato using the links below:
Website: https://christinagalbato.com/
Instagram: @christinagalbato, @createherempire
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this episode, I talk to Sara Schley, an organizational consultant, spiritual leader, author, entrepreneur and bipolar human, about her journey with Bipolar II. Sara speaks about her experiences with cognitive dysfunction, her late diagnosis (25 years later), and the importance of the correct medications in the successful management of bipolar disorder. Sara also shares how medical misdiagnoses can lead to further complications. Drawing on personal experience and research, the conversation delves into some prominent triggers for bipolar disorder and the importance of overall health management. Sara also shares some key takeaways including her Emergency Mental Health Team (EMHT) system and advises on measures for supporting someone living with bipolar.
In this conversation we discuss:
- Living with a Bipolar Brain - 2:55
- The Spiral - 9:56
- Misdiagnosis - 17:30
- Feeling Like Yourself Again - 21:50
- The Power of Advocacy in Mental Health - 26:54
- Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II - 29:51
- Stigma Kills - 34:56
- Understanding Triggers - 41:54
- The Importance of Support Networks in Mental Health - 50:16
- Self-Care - 53:45
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
Head to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the show notes.
You can find Sara Schley using the links below:
Website: https://saraschley.com/
Book: Brainstorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this episode, I'm joined by Jeremy Lipkowitz, a meditation teacher, coach, and porn addiction recovery expert. Jeremy shares his personal recovery story and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and self-compassion in overcoming addiction.
He talks about the harmful effects porn can have on mental health, relationships, and self-esteem, as well as the broader implications of the porn industry.
Jeremy discusses his approach to recovery, which involves understanding the neurological aspects of addiction, cultivating healthy habits, and creating supportive communities. He stresses the importance of treating oneself as a friend in the healing journey and how shame can impede recovery.
Despite the stigma associated with porn addiction, Jeremy encourages open conversation around it and urges those struggling to treat these issues as obstacles on the path to a fulfilling life.
We touched on a range of interesting topics, including:
- How Addiction Works - 5:45
- The Benefits of Meditation Retreats - 9:16
- Escapism - 18:20
- The Impact of Porn on Perception and Intimacy - 27:25
- The Novelty Trap - 30:32
- What Defines a Porn Addict? - 34:18
- The Role of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion in Recovery - 45:52
- Learning How to be Your Own Best Friend - 52:56
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
Head to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the show notes.
You can find Jeremy Lipkowitz using the links below:
Instagram: @jeremylipkowitz
Podcast: Unhooked: Breaking Porn Addiction
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with Doctor of Nutrition and Author, Dr. Brooke Scheller. Dr. Scheller is on a mission to help people heal their relationship with alcohol through nutrition, and her new book How to Eat to Change How You Drink is full of helpful tips and information to support anyone looking to change their drinking habits.
In this conversation, Dr. Scheller discusses the role of nutrition in mental health and how nutrients can impact mood and the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin. She explains how alcohol depletes key nutrients and can contribute to anxiety and depression.
We discuss the role of supplements such as B vitamins, amino acids, and magnesium to support alcohol recovery, along with exploring the negative effects of alcohol on sleep and the cravings for carbs and sugar that often follow disrupted sleep.
Finally, we talk about the importance of community in sobriety and Dr. Scheller shares her three non-negotiables for a happy, joyous, and free life: community, self-development, and wellness.
Some of the key points we cover include:
- Hiding Behind a Smile – 8:30
- A Family Disease – 15:00
- How Nutrition Helps Us Heal in Recovery – 19:00
- The Different Drinking Archetypes – 29:00
- Making A Choice Before You Can’t – 34:12
- Sugar Cravings in Sobriety – 35:30
- The Role of Nutrition in Mental Health – 40:50
- Supplements to Support Alcohol Recovery – 43:00
- Alcohol's Impact on Sleep and Cravings – 47:27
- The Importance of Community in Sobriety – 52:00
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
Head to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the show notes.
You can find Brooke using the links below:
Instagram: @drbrookescheller
Website: www.functionalsobriety.com
Book: How to Eat to Change How You Drink
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
To kick off the New Year, I’m sitting down with Trauma and Addiction Specialist Diane Young to discuss all things New Year’s Resolutions!
In this conversation we explore the concept of setting intentions instead of New Year's resolutions and the benefits of taking small steps towards change. The conversation delves into the differences between heavy drinkers and grey area drinkers and the continuum of drinking behaviour. It also addresses the connection between childhood trauma and eating disorders, as well as the role of boundaries in relationships.
Some of the ideas we cover include:
- Increased Awareness of Mental Health – 4:23
- Setting Intentions Instead of New Year's Resolutions – 6:15
- Taking Small Steps Towards Change – 8:45
- Differentiating Heavy Drinkers and Grey Area Drinkers – 10:32
- Understanding Heavy Drinkers and Grey Area Drinkers – 15:03
- The Benefits of Alcohol-Free Challenges –21:00
- The Impact of Alcohol on Mental Health – 24:06
- The Connection Between Childhood Trauma and Eating Disorders – 28:28
- Setting Intentions for Food and Body Image – 31:44
- Healing Childhood Trauma and Filling the Inner Void – 37:50
- The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Body Image – 39:07
- The Importance of Boundaries in Relationships – 41:36
- The Power of Self-Care and Self-First – 45:02
- Setting Intentions for the New Year – 50:47
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Diane using the links below:
@dianeyoungandassociates
Diane Young Website
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
It’s my birthday this week and I’m turning 36, so to celebrate I wanted to give you all a gift! In this week’s solo episode, I’m sharing with you all my 36 game changing lessons that have made a huge impact on my life!
These lessons span across all facets of the human experience including relationships, mindset, career and health. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Behind the Smile episode without discussing recovery, but these lessons are really applicable to anyone wanting to expand their mind and step into the very best version of themselves.
As this is also the final episode for 2023, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for you continued support for the show this year. Let’s continue to normalise the conversation around mental health, trauma and addiction, because when we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence.
Until next time.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
Head to ashbutterss.com/behind-the-smile-podcast for the episode show notes.
Get your free guided meditations with Ash Butterss!
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with registered counsellor, alcohol coach and podcast host Isabella Ferguson.
Bella identifies as having been a “grey-area” drinker throughout her 20-year drinking career, which came to an abrupt halt in February 2020 after entering a rehab facility.
Today, Bella’s life couldn’t look more different. She’s left her former industry of law and is now a corporate wellness speaker as well as heading up a busy counselling practice focusing on helping people address their relationship with alcohol and regain balance in their lives.
In this conversation we covered a range of topics including:
- Stress Reduction – 2:00
- Hiding Behind a Smile – 9:23
- The Need to Fit In – 15:30
- Corporate Drinking Culture – 24:20
- The Flashing Red Drinking Zone – 31:30
- The Opportunity to Start Again – 42:30
- Finding Your Voice – 50:00
- Sober Rock Bottoms – 53:00
- Non-Negotiables – 55:15
Check out Bella’s Behind The Smile photo on Ash’s website here.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Bella using the links below:
Instagram: @alcoholandstresswithisabella
Website: Isabella Ferguson
Podcast: Not Drinking Today
Podcast: De-Stress For Success with Isabella Ferguson
Book: Drink by Anne Dowsett Johnston
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with Sober Coach, Teacher’s Aide and mum of three, Megan Webb.
From early childhood, Meg experienced crippling anxiety and by the age of 17, she’d developed a social phobia. Made worse by alcohol, Meg fell into a terrible cycle of self-medication which only fuelled her crippling mental health condition.
After years of unsuccessfully trying to manage her drinking, Meg knew she needed to make a change. She felt unfulfilled and knew deep down that there was so much more to life. This is what led to Meg making the decision to quit drinking for the final time on the 31st of December 2021.
In this conversation we covered a range of topics including:
- Detoxing from alcohol – 2:17
- Hiding Behind a Smile – 8:50
- Anxiety and Social Phobia – 16:55
- Managing Alcohol and Relationships – 27:33
- Drinking away the pain – 33:00
- The turning point – 35:00
- Life Changes and Spiritual Connection – 41:12
- The Importance of Kindness and Understanding – 44:36
Check out Meg’s Behind The Smile photo on Ash’s website here.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Meg using the links below:
Instagram: @glassfulfilled
Website: Glass Fulfilled
Podcast: Not Drinking Today
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with New York Times Best Selling Author, Prison Reform Advocate and mother of four, Lara Love Hardin.
Lara’s recently released memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love, recounts her slide from soccer mum, to opioid addict, to jailhouse shot caller and her unlikely comeback to becoming a highly successful ghost writer and published author.
Lara’s journey from shame to redemption is now inspiring others as she works to help previously incarcerated women rebuild their lives.
We spoke on a range of topics including:
- Secrets make you sick – 5:30
- Self-medicating with prescription pills – 10:37
- The moment Lara’s life changed forever – 19:00
- Losing the power of choice – 24:30
- Shedding the shame – 30:00
- Surviving an impossible system – 35:30
You can check out Lara's Behind the Smile photo here at www.ashbutterss.com
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Lara using the links below:
Instagram: @laralovehardin
Website: Lara Love Hardin
www.thegemmaproject.org
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with Aussie Ranger and single mum, Ali Burke.
After spending decades immersed in a celebrated drinking culture, Ali reached a point in her life where she knew something had to change.
Ali got sober curious which then led her down the path of hypnotherapy and a commitment to take one year off the booze. Six months in, the numerous benefits she experienced were enough for her to want to ditch the drink forever.
Ali radiates a glass half full attitude and chooses to look at sobriety through the lens of what she’s gained rather than what she’s given up.
Hearing Ali share her story with so much positivity was an absolutely joy. Now at two and a half years sober, Ali hopes to inspire other people like her, to take the leap and step into a sober life.
We chatted about a range of topics including:
- Identifying triggers – 8:30
- Marrying your drinking buddy – 18:00
- When your life revolves around drinking – 24:22
- The impact of growing up too fast – 30:00
- Anxiety, depression and low self-esteem – 41:40
- Subconscious healing – 51:00
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with Spiritual Advisor, Clinical Counsellor and Motivational Speaker, Fausto Castellanos. Known as “the hope dealer,” Fausto has found a way to turn his pain into his purpose by helping others along their own paths of recovery and healing.
Fausto is an amazing speaker with incredible insights but what struck me most about this conversation was his openness and vulnerability around topics people tend to shy away from. This conversation is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.
Please note, Fausto shares openly about his traumatic childhood, which some listeners may find confronting. Tune in with caution.
We spoke on a range of topics including:
- Compassion fatigue – 5:00
- Building self-esteem – 11:00
- Child sex abuse – 15:30
- Experimentation to acceleration – 24:00
- Finding relief and identification – 34:00
- Consciously designing your future – 38:00
- Codependency, celibacy and carried trauma – 46:20
- Dope dealer to Hope Dealer – 56:20
- Manifestation – 59:00
Trigger Warning: This conversation includes discussions around sexual abuse, drug abuse and suicide.
You can find Fausto using the links below:
Instagram: @hopedealerfausto
LinedIn: Fausto Castellanos
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with Recovery Coach, Yoga Teacher and host of the Sun and Moon Sober Living podcast, Mary Tilson.
Mary has been sober for over a decade and is passionate about helping others find freedom from addiction so they can live fulfilling lives substance-free.
Combining holistic principles such as meditation, breath work and yoga, Mary has discovered the healthy way to be naturally high and happy.
Mary and I connected on a range of topics including:
- Our secrets make us sick – 7:40
- How honesty heals – 12:15
- The high achieving party girl – 19:15
- Drinking on knowledge – 26:14
- Supporting a loved one until they’re ready – 33:30
- The similarities between Yoga and Recovery – 37:30
- Deep connection through breath work – 46:00
You can check out Mary's Behind The Smile photo at www.ashbutterss.com
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Mary using the links below:
Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving
Podcast: Sun and Moon Sober Living with Mary Tilson
Website: Sun and Moon Sober Living
Additional Resources:
Yoga and 12 Step Recovery
Books:
Trauma and the 12 Steps
The wisdom of Yoga
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with musician, running enthusiast and sobriety advocate, Luke Bayliss.
From a young age, Luke experienced bullying at school which triggered debilitating anxiety and an eating disorder. Always feeling uncomfortable in his own skin, when Luke discovered alcohol, he found his insecurities melted away.
Luke had a troubled relationship with booze from the outset which would later lead him to a near fatal car accident and multiple admissions into psych wards.
It wasn’t until Luke went into treatment again in 2022 that he was correctly diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar 3. Since this time, Luke has managed to stay sober and is now passionately sharing his story, so that it doesn’t become yours.
Luke talks passionately on a range of topics including:
- Bullying and developing an eating disorder – 13:00
- Childhood anxiety – 19:00
- Surviving a near fatal car crash – 25:00
- ADHD, Bipolar and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria – 30:00
- Why routine is a game changer – 46:30
- Finding strength in vulnerability – 52:00
Check out Luke's Behind the Smile photo on the Ash Butterss Website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Luke using the links below:
Instagram: @llukebayliss and @soberlifeguides
Podcast: I have ADHD with Kristen Carder
DRYY Community
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with life and sobriety coach Michelle McDonald. Since getting sober in 2021, Michelle has been on a mission to support other people in recovery through the creation of connection and community.
Michelle believes connection is everything and she credits her sobriety for not only developing a deeper connection with her loved ones, but even more so, a deeper and more meaningful connection with herself.
In this conversation we spoke about topics including:
- The importance of connection – 5:30
- The absence of a rock bottom – 10:00
- Modelling healthy habits – 21:22
- The benefits of taking a break – 27:30
- Embracing change in relationships – 36:15
- Connecting to the real you – 43:00
You can check out Michelle's Behind The Smile photo on Ash's website here.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Michelle using the links below:
Instagram: @thesoberconnection
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with Australia’s foremost Blues Musician, Ash Grunwald.
On the 1st of January 2018, Ash, (persuaded by his wife Danni Carr), decided to ditch the booze for 12 months. What happened in the year that followed would change the trajectory of Ash’s life forever.
In sobriety, Ash tapped into his superpower and developed a mindset that enabled him to go from striving to thriving in all facets of his life. It’s now been over five years since he took his 12-month sobriety pledge and he’s never looked back!
We chatted across a range of topics including:
- The detox “re-tox” cycle – 9:50
- Life on the road – 17:00
- Taking a year off the booze – 32:17
- Making sobriety your superpower – 37:10
- The practicality of manifesting 42:00
- Mastering your mindset – 51:45
You can find Ash Grunwald using the links below:
Website: Ash Grunwald
Instagram: @ashgrunwald
Facebook: Ash Grunwald Music
Buy the book: Surf by Day, Jam by Night
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
· A healthcare professional
· Alcoholics Anonymous
· Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
· CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m joined by Courtney Anderson, a Sober Coach, Podcast Host and the author of Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in your first three months without alcohol.
Courtney is the founder of National Sober Day and the founder of Sober Vibes, an online community for the sober and sober curious. She believes in empowered sobriety and breaking stigmas of addiction and recovery.
We spoke about a range of topics including:
- How to prioritise sobriety as a busy parent – 5:00
- Seeing life in colour – 13:20
- Childhood trauma and growing up quickly – 18:00
- The progressive nature of addiction – 22:00
- A life-saving ultimatum – 28:00
- Why a label is helpful not harmful – 34:47
- Protecting your energy – 39:15
- Staying in your lane – 48:00
To see Courtney’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Courtney using the links below:
Instagram: @sober.vibes
Podcast: Sober Vibes Podcast
Buy the book: Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m joined by Addiction, Trauma and Codependency Coach Drew Wild.
Drew is on a mission to change the conversation around addiction, challenging people to approach the understanding of these compulsions through the lens of trauma. He believes trauma underpins most dependencies and is prevalent for those who are unable to process their emotions.
With his own lived experience in drug and alcohol addiction, Drew speaks from a place of understanding and embodiment while living a recovered life in his own unique way.
We spoke about a range of juicy topics including:
- Playing the chameleon – 9:00
- Not tracking your sobriety date – 15:00
- Developmental trauma – 23:00
- The origin of attachment styles – 43:00
- Somatic Healing – 49:23
- Healthy relationships and the key to communication – 54:14
- Changing the landscape of addiction education – 1:06:20
To see Drew’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Drew using the links below:
Website: Line In The Sand
Instagram: @drew_wild
Free Course: Drawing A Line In The Sand
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m chatting with sobriety hype girl and host of the Happiest Sober podcast, Madeline Forrest.
Having made the decision to get sober at 27 years old, Maddy is now on a mission to inspire others to create an awesome alcohol-free life. Maddy is so full of energy and epitomizes the positive changes you can expect when you choose to live life sober. When she’s not running her online community, you’ll find her hosting sober retreats all around the world.
This conversation was just like having a cuppa with your sober bestie so sit back and relax as we cover a range of topics including:
- What to expect on a sober retreat – 1:50
- Enjoying concerts sober – 7:00
- Growing up around alcoholism – 9:00
- Hangxiety – 18:50
- The honest truth that sobriety can be hard – 28:30
- Getting sober in your twenties – 33:15
- Sober dating – 37:33
- The edge of your comfort zone – 45:23
To see Madeline’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Maddy using the links below:
WEBSITE: www.happiestsober.com
Instagram: @happiestsober
Happiest Sober Podcast
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST!
In this week’s episode I sat down with worldwide speaker, best-selling author, and facilitator for Access Consciousness, Brendon Watt.
Brendon specialises in helping others to overcome addiction, as he too walks the path of recovery and sobriety.
We touched on a range of interesting topics including:
- Happiness being an inside job – 2:30
- Accessing consciousness – 10:00
- Showing up authentically – 21:00
- Not being ruled by your thoughts and emotions – 28:28
- Being blindsided by relapse – 39:11
- Sitting in discomfort – 42:45
- Making it stick – 51:40
To see Brendon’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Brendon using the links below:
Website: https://www.brendonwatt.com
Instagram: @accessbrendonwatt
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/brendonwattcfmw/
Rising from the Ashes Video Series
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with Coach, Mentor and mum of two Karina McKenna.
Karina was just 23 years old when she gave up drinking and has spent the past 13 years navigating how to do life sober.
In this conversation Karina shares how she’s managed to face adversity without anything to blunt the edges and the lessons she’s learnt in the messiness of life.
We dove into a range of topics including:
- Running away from reality – 6:14
- Generational Trauma – 14:30
- Surviving a car accident – 23:30
- Internal Family Systems Therapy – 29:00
- Continuing to show up – 35:00
- Having a spiritual barometer – 44:12
- Living in the day – 48:15
To see Karina’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Karina on Instagram: @kjaymck
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
•Butterfly Foundation
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with host and creator of the Sober Friend’s podcast Matt Jerr. Despite being exposed to heavy drinking and the negative impacts of addiction from a young age, Matt struggled to admit he had a problem with alcohol because he wasn’t a daily drinker.
As someone who was high-functioning and good at hiding their drinking, Matt disguised his habit behind the label of “wine connoisseur,” until his mental health started to decline and there was nowhere left to hide.
Through the support of 12-Step, Matt has been sober for over nine years now and is dedicated to supporting others through their own recovery journey.
He is also the nicest person on the internet!
- In this conversation we cover a range of topics including:
- Questioning your conditioned thought – 3:17
- Attraction not promotion – 6:00
- Wine connoisseur or alcoholic? – 14.32
- Anxiety and Childhood Trauma – 19:14
- High Functioning Alcoholic – 29:11
- The danger of mixing anti-depressants with alcohol – 37:49
- Your first 12 Step meeting experience – 40:10
- Giving it away to keep it – 49:25
To see Matt’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Matt using the links below:
Website: Sober Friends Podcast
Instagram: @soberfriendspod
Listen to the Sober Friends Podcast here
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m joined by multi-talented actress and former model Brandy Ledford. There’s a high chance you’ve seen Brandy on your screens as she’s appeared in critically acclaimed movies and TV series including Baywatch, Modern Family and Rat Race.
Yet Brandy’s focus today goes beyond her successful acting career. With over 11 years of sobriety, Brandy’s ultimate goal is to spread positivity and use her experiences to make a difference within the recovery community.
This is a spiritual conversation and I encourage you to tune in with an open mind.
We spoke across a range of topics including:
- Hiding behind a smile in Hollywood – 4:35
- Going to jail as a teenager – 10:15
- Doing the drill on a daily basis – 14:27
- Developing faith in a Higher Power – 23:11
- The “isms” – 30:00
- Rebuilding your life after relapse – 40:43
- Staying rigorously honest – 48:13
To see Brandy’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Brandy using the links below:
Website: www.brandyledford.com
Instagram: @brandyledford
Philanthropy: Red Song Bird and Friendly House
The upcoming event for Friendly House will be running on October 28th - see link above for details.
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with PhD student and fellow sober human, Aaron Thomas. Aaron Is currently working in the field of Clinical Psychology – specifically, looking at behavioural neuroscience, or put simply, why people make decisions.
Some of Aaron’s most fascinating research is around the hereditary nature of addiction which he explains can be highlighted through the study of genetic mutations. Aaron shares why addiction is in fact scientifically proven to be a disease and how scientists are researching impulsivity as a marker for predisposition.
Just as interesting as his work, is Aaron’s own personal story of addiction and recovery, which he shares with us in this conversation.
Now this episode is a little longer than usual but there was just so much to gain from this conversation and I know you’ll benefit from having learned something too.
During this chat we cover a range of topics including:
- Carrying existential guilt – 9:42
- How alcohol impacts us differently – 13:00
- Being medicated as a child – 20:00
- An overdose, a psych ward and a spiritual awakening – 30:00
- Addiction is not a moral failure – 41:00
- Building a BIG life in recovery – 45:00
- The second surrender – 50:00
- Unpacking the neuroscience of addiction – 1:00:49
- Psychedelic treatment – 1:13:20
To see Aaron’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down Health and Wellness Coach Deb Masner. Deb is a mum of two, a registered nurse, podcaster and a self-proclaimed alcohol free badass. She’s also the founder of Alcohol Tipping Point – a place where you can find free resources to support your sober journey.
As a registered nurse Deb has a deep understanding of the negative impact alcohol has on the body and she’s sharing these insights here with us on the podcast.
After years of trying to moderate, Deb made the decision to quit drinking on the 1st of January 2020 and has made it her mission to help other people find freedom in living alcohol-free.
In this conversation we chat about:
- Trying to be the perfect parent – 6:10
- Generational trauma – 11:30
- Taking a break and Alcoholidays – 23:15
- The lesser-known health implications of drinking – 36:45
To see Deb’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Deb using the links below:
Website: www.alcoholtippingpoint.com
Instagram: @alcoholtippingpoint
Podcast: www.alcoholtippingpoint.com/podcast
Email: deb@alcoholtippingpoint.com
STEP OUT FROM BEHIND THE SMILE MASTERCLASS WITH ASH BUTTERSS
When: Tuesday 29th August
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm AEST
Get your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/step-out-from-behind-the-smile-how-to-stop-pretending-and-start-thriving-tickets-700554426147?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m chatting with Matt Pink, an alcohol-free coach and entrepreneur. Matt quit drinking in April 2020 and since that time has taken the sober world by storm. He’s not only published a best-selling book but is also the co-founder of Dryy – an online and offline community that welcomes anyone wanting to try an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Matt’s life today couldn’t be more different than the one he was living 10 years ago. After experiencing a life-changing tragedy in 2013, Matt found himself self-medicating with drugs and alcohol for many years. A chance encounter with a complete stranger on the streets of London helped Matt to open his eyes and change the direction of his life.
From losing everything, to rebuilding a life where he’s the happiest he’s ever been, Matt’s story is one of hope and strength.
We chatted about a range of topics including:
- Staying open to spirituality – 14:00
- Using drugs to manage your drinking – 21:00
- Find happiness on the inside – 26:40
- Sobergasms – 31:00
- Sober Parenting 33:40
- Sober Entrepreneurship – 37:18
To see Matt’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Matt using the links below:
Website: Better Life Guy
Website: Dryy
Instagram: @better_life_guy
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
It’s an extra special episode this week as we celebrate one whole year of Behind The Smile, and to mark the occasion I’ve invited back to the show, my dad Rod.
Dad was the first ever guest to join me on Behind The Smile and his episode (Ep 2. From Manic to Mindful) is still one of the most popular episodes to date!!
This time, we decided to hand the power over to you and have answered some of the brilliant questions you, the listeners sent in.
Here are the questions we covered in this chat:
- What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in starting the podcast and becoming an entrepreneur?
- What’s been the hardest thing to overcome outside of sobriety?
- What’s your mental health journey been like over the years, and what are your thoughts on medication in recovery?
- Was there a big drug taking culture at your high school? Did your friends do it too?
- As a parent, what advice would you give to others raising children in regard to addiction awareness?
- Growing up in an alcoholic home, what would you have wanted your parents to have done differently?
This was a deep conversation that at times felt like a low-key family therapy session. What I love about my conversations with dad is that we speak openly and from the heart, leaving nothing unsaid.
To everyone that has supported Behind The Smile over the past 12 months, I can’t thank you enough. Each of you are in my heart and together we will continue to remove the stigma around mental health, trauma and addiction.
When we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence. xoxo
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Rod using the links below:
LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodbutterss/
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with sobriety speaker, author and fitness coach Justine Whitchurch.
Justine made the decision to quit drinking after developing an unhealthy relationship with alcohol while trying to self-medicate her mental health.
Making the decision to get sober changed the course of Justine’s life and she’s spent the best part of the last decade finding her purpose in fitness and helping others.
Today, Justine is a passionate sobriety advocate, promoting a booze free lifestyle and working to create a world where being sober is just as normal as being a drinker.
We had an awesome conversation and covered a range of topics including:
- Self-medicating your mental health – 5:30
- Living with OCD – 12:00
- Escaping with alcohol – 16:30
- Normalising sobriety – 26:00
- The lengths we go to – 32:30
- Finding fitness and purpose – 39:43
To see Justine’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Justine using the links below:
Website: Justine Whitchurch
Instagram: @jusswhitchurch
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m chatting with AOD support worker and sober human Ian Burchall.
Ian made the decision to get clean and sober on the 15th of December 2016 after his dependence on substances took him to his darkest hour. In recovery, Ian found what he’d been searching for all along, a spiritual solution and a deeper connection to self.
From living a life driven by fear to finding himself on a continual path of growth, Ian’s story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
We covered a number of topics including:
- Shifting your perspective – 7:00
- Being in collision with your values – 21:05
- Switching the witch for the bitch – 28:00
- Calling off an engagement – 39:39
- Seeking spirituality – 49:51
- Clearing up the wreckage 58:36
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics including suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners.
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
To see Ian’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In today’s bonus episode I’m joined by a returning guest and friend of the show, Alcohol and Binge Drinking Coach Kathryn Elliott, to discuss some heavier topics relating to sobriety. Neither Kath nor I had any idea when we booked this interview that the topics would be so relevant to the place Kath would be in at the time of recording.
Navigating grief and hard conversations is a whole new experience in sobriety and Kath was so gracious to join me for this episode, to share with you all her experience relating to this in real time.
If you know someone who would benefit from hearing this episode please share with love.
When we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence xx
You can find Kath using the links below:
Website: The Alcohol Mindset Coach
Instagram: @thealcoholmindsetcoach
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m chatting with mother of two and business director Deb Pascoe.
Deb describes how she drank for the best part of 35 years however her relationship with alcohol started to unravel when she moved to Singapore in her late 40s. Deb was self-medicating her declining mental health with booze, but struggled to see her drinking as problematic as she was holding down a job and her relationship.
It wasn’t until concerned family members intervened that Deb took an honest look at her life and made the decision to go to rehab. Now seven years sober, Deb is the most content she’s ever been as she’s finally found the peace she’d been searching for all along.
- We laughed our way through a list of topics including:
- Pseudo Spirituality – 3:45
- Being born an alcoholic 9:30
- A progressive disease – 17:30
- When the wheels fall off – 22:00
- Denial runs deep – 31:54
- Enlarging your spiritual life – 41.00
- Drop the rocks – 45:20
- Being a grateful alcoholic – 49:15
To see Deb’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m chatting with Australia’s leading masculinity mentor Tyran Mowbray.
Tyran started his recovery journey nine years ago when he gave up porn. Six years after that he stopped using drugs and as of 2021 he reframed his relationship with alcohol.
Tyran is doing powerful work in supporting men to break down their walls and barriers of self-criticism and eliminate shame around their natural healthy masculine expression.
Tyran’s personal journey has taken him from the mountains in India to a sex-cult in New Zealand and we talk about it all in this epic conversation.
Some of the topics we covered include:
- Having an alter-ego – 12:00
- Changing generational patterns – 15:47
- Experiencing a breakdown in your twenties – 21:10
- Porn Addiction, tantra and intimacy – 29:30
- Shattering the masculine archetype 48:15
To see Tyran’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Tyran using the links below:
Instagram: @tyran.mowbray
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TyranMowbray1
Website: Tyran Mowbray and The Advanced Man Academy
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In today’s bonus episode we’re kicking off Season 3 of Behind The Smile Podcast! And to say a big thank you I’ve decided to share with you all the secret sauce that makes up my morning routine.
Over the past few years, I’ve had countless people ask me “what’s your secret?” The truth is, there’s a number of ingredients I put into the recipe I call life, but one of the key elements is my morning routine.
If there’s a question or topic you’d like me to cover in future episodes, be sure to let me know by reaching out on my socials.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with mum of three, podcast host and sober coach Teri MacGilbert, aka @SassySoberMum.
Teri grew up in an environment where daily drinking was the norm. As an adult she came to find herself being drawn to alcohol as a way to comfort and manage stress. After a few short sober stints, Teri ditched the drink for the last time in April 2019 and hasn’t looked back.
In choosing the sober path, Teri has broken a generational drinking cycle and is now an example to her daughters that she can be proud of. Teri’s life has grown exponentially over the past four years and her story is proof that you truly can do it all in sobriety!
Some of the topics we cover in this conversation include:
- Gaining extra hours and how to maximise them – 7:25
- The normalisation of booze – 18:48
- Finding comfort and consequences – 25:00
- Being a dry drunk – 29:09
- Making peace with relationships – 33:50
- Being a sober and present mum – 39:35
To see Teri’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Teri using the links below:
Website: Sassy Sober Mum
Instagram: @sassysobermum
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with drug and alcohol counsellor Benn Veenker. Benn made the decision to get clean and sober on the 31st of August 2012 and has made it his life’s work to help other people rehabilitate from addiction.
Benn shares openly about his journey to rehab and the steps he took to turn his life around. His story is a heart-warming testimony of the healing that can occur when you choose to show up every single day in your recovery. How even loved ones lost can re-emerge and how life can blossom beyond your wildest dreams.
Some of the topics we discussed include:
- Having no off switch – 7:00
- Connecting to true purpose – 16:40
- Choas and consequences – 21:30
- Addiction and mental health darkness – 25:40
- Working your recovery – 36:15
- Abstinence and harm reduction – 44:25
- Healing “lost” relationships – 47:35
To see Benn’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find out more about First Steps using the links below:
WEBSITE: www.firststep.org.au
Instagram: @firststepstkilda
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In today’s bonus episode, I’m joined by AA member Robert P, to discuss the evolution of a movement known as Secular AA.
I knew very little about this topic before speaking to Robert and jumped at the opportunity to learn more about an alternate approach to sobriety.
As a passionate member of AA with over thirty years sobriety, Robert offers great insights into this lesser-known branch of a worldwide organisation.
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m chatting with author, podcaster and mum of three Victoria Vanstone.
Vic grew up in the UK, in an environment where drinking and socialising went hand-in-hand. As a result, Vic developed an identity as “the party-girl,” and was forever surrounded by people who drank the same way she did.
Vic continued drinking and partying into her thirties however the impact on her mental health was starting to take its toll. Crippled with anxiety and a looming sense of guilt and shame, she knew she needed to take a break from booze.
On the day she quit drinking, Vic started writing and she hasn’t stopped. Five years on, Vic has created an online sober community called Cuppa and is the co-host of the wildly hilarious podcast, Sober Awkward.
Through sharing her story, Vic shows that you don’t have to hit rock bottom to change your relationship with alcohol.
We had a brilliant chat and covered a range of topics including:
- Hiding your truth and people pleasing – 4:22
- Wearing different masks – 13:00
- Being a socially acceptable binge drinker – 23:27
- Anxiety and mental health wobbles – 27:30
- Asking for help and starting a new life – 34:15
- Loneliness in sobriety – 40:30
To see Vic’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Vic using the links below:
Website: Drunk Mummy Sober Mummy
Instagram: @drunkmummysobermummy
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with best-selling author, former professional heavyweight boxer and Ted X speaker, Ed Latimore.
Growing up in the projects, Ed was exposed to numerous adverse childhood experiences, and turned to alcohol in his teenage years as a way to be socially accepted.
Ed knew he had a problem with drinking when he found himself turning to the bottle in an attempt to change the way he felt. Unable to hide behind a smile any longer, he made the decision to get sober in December 2013.
Ed likes to say he’s lived four different lives, with his most recent chapter in sobriety being his most rewarding yet. Ed is on a mission to teach people what he’s learned the hard way, so that they can live a better life themselves.
In this conversation we talk about:
- Addiction being the disease of denial – 10:00
- Growing up in the projects – 19:30
- Internal scars and resentments – 23:30
- The social pressure to drink – 35:00
- Relapse and recovery – 44:09
- Labels and identification – 51:30
To see Ed’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Ed using the links below:
Website: Ed Latimore
Twitter: Ed Latimore Twitter
Instagram: @edlatimore
Facebook: Ed Latimore Boxer
LinkedIn: Ed Latimore on LinkedIn
Ted Talk: Addiction and Identity
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In today’s bonus episode, I’m joined by my friends Mitch and Gab to share with you all what really goes on inside the walls of a rehab.
Having all had our own unique experiences in rehab, we chat about everything from what an average day looks like, to the things you least expect and also our biggest lessons.
If you love Behind The Smile and want to support the show you can do this easily by hitting FOLLOW in your podcast app and leaving a review!
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to donate to the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with Cole Chance, an American yoga teacher who now calls Australia home. Cole has been a seeker all her life. This journey has taken her to the depths of addiction, all around the world and now onto the path of yoga and recovery.
As a trauma-informed yoga teacher with over nine years sobriety, Cole shares a wealth of experience and wisdom.
In this conversation we talk about:
- Wearing a crown and a smile to rehab – 7:00
- Life as a seeker – 15:00
- Discovering the golden ticket – 20:00
- Trauma and shame – 22:50
- The blurry bottom – 30:00
- The turning point – 40:00
- Yoga and spirituality – 45:00
- Compassionate Inquiry – 49:50
To see Cole’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Cole using the links below:
EMERGE RECOVERY
WEBSITE: Cole Chance Yoga
YOUTUBE: Cole Chance Yoga CCY
Instagram: @colechanceyoga
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m speaking with ex-military, fitness and sobriety coach Jon Wynn.
Jon grew up in regional Australia and was exposed to drinking at a young age however he didn’t start abusing alcohol and other drugs until he joined the military.
After receiving a gunshot wound on tour in Afghanistan, he returned home with a sense of invincibility coupled with an insatiable urge to drown out the noise in his head. Struggling with PTSD, Jon felt as though he couldn’t ask for help for fear of stigma and potentially losing his job.
The greatest fight for his life began when Jon left the military and started his long road to recovery. Today, Jon is free from the nightmare of PTSD and is living a fulfilled life clean and sober.
Jon shares his story in the hope that it can help remove the stigma and support other people struggling with mental health conditions.
Some of the topics we cover in this conversation include:
Rehab Intervention – 7:30
Coping Mechanisms – 12:40
Joining the Military – 19:23
The mental impact of being shot in battle – 23:48
Losing your identity – 28:40
Mental health stigmatisation – 33:08
Self-medicating PTSD – 38:05
The fight to live – 42:18
Fitness and recovery – 48:13
To see Jon’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Jon using the links below:
Website: Jon Wynn Fitness and Sobriety
Instagram: @jonwynnfitnessandsobriety
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode, I sat down with actress, singer, dancer and international DJ, Dena Amy. Best known for her role as Abigail in the Netflix series Dance Academy and playing to thousands of people at Coachella, Dena’s life on the outside looked like a dream. But the truth was, Dena was self-medicating with prescription pills to ease the pressure of life as a global performer.
After realising she’d developed an addiction to Xanax, Dena set about her long and often painful journey to recovery which has spanned the last six years. Today, Dena is over 12 months clean and is just a couple of weeks away from starting her next big journey into motherhood.
Some of the topics we cover in this conversation include:
The dark side of show business – 7:00
The impact of childhood trauma – 15:50
Benzos and World Tours – 21:00
The nightmare of withdrawal – 28:32
Holistic Healing – 36:30
Life after rehab – 40:15
To see Dena’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Dena using the links below:
Website: Dena Amy
Instagram: @denaamy
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I’m joined by Mindset and Leadership Coach Lewis Huckstep.
As a young boy Lewis was diagnosed with asperges and struggled with anxiety, resulting in him feeling uncomfortable in his own skin. In an attempt to seek approval from his dad, he chased the dream of becoming a professional athlete and was contracted to a pro club by the time he was 15 years old. By age 18, he knew his calling was in business and so he turned his attention to entrepreneurship.
Lewis achieved great success at a young age, but found he wasn’t fulfilled or happy as the work he was doing wasn’t in alignment with the person he wanted to be.
Today, Lewis finds joy in helping business owners scale their businesses and build fulfilling intimate relationships. He’s on a mission to heal and improve the consciousness of humanity and he joined me on the show to share his story.
In this conversation we discuss:
Practicing detachment – 9min
Childhood Trauma – 14:00
Exploring your consciousness with weed & psychedelics – 23:00
Shattering limiting beliefs – 27:30
Finding your purpose and values – 35:00
Workaholism – 42:00
Being triggered in relationships 44:00
The resources mentioned in this episode include:
Change your Thoughts Change Your Life – Wayne Dyer
The Body Keeps The Score – Bessell Van Der Kolk
You’re Not Broken – Dr Sarah Woodhouse
To see Lewis’ Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Lewis using the links below:
Instagram: @lewishuckstep
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-huckstep-74a42618b/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LewisHuckstep
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you'd like to support the show you can Buy Me a Coffee by following the link below:
YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST
In this week’s episode I sat down with Sober Coach and mum of two Jen Hirst, who recently celebrated ten years of sobriety! Jen shares how she went from being an anxious perfectionist and workaholic who used alcohol daily to manage stress and social anxiety, to a sobriety coach, speaker and founder of Lighthouse Sobriety.
I absolutely loved this conversation with Jen and we covered a lot including:
- Perfectionism – 5:00
- Hiding Behind The Smile – 17:08
- Self-medicating with Adderall – 28:30
- The gift of desperation – 31:13
- Her experience in rehab – 36:46
- Learning how to fill your time in sobriety – 39:58
- Identification and shame reduction – 42:40
- Tools for recovery – 47:09
- Cross-addiction – 51:20
- Healthy Habits in Sobriety – 56:50
- Doing the work in the off season – 62:53
To see Jen’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can find Jen using the links below:
WEBSITE: www.joinlighthousesobriety.com
INSTAGRAM: @jenleehirst
FREE WOMEN'S SOBRIETY GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330194347765026
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
Life has been super busy lately with lots of exciting things happening so I’m sliding in with a cheeky bonus episode to keep you all up to date with my world.
For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that last week I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Gabby Bernstein on stage at her Melbourne show. This was a total “pinch me” moment and I took away so much from the wisdom she shared (which I’m of course passing onto you!)
I also recently attended the Australia and New Zealand Addiction Conference and was privileged to hear Dr. Gabor Mate’s opening address. He spoke about the connection between trauma and addiction and the disconnection we experience as a result of unresolved traumas.
Lastly, I’m sharing a little life update on the home front xx
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee:
SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE
In this week’s episode I sat down with Luc Zoratto, an alcohol-free life coach and marathon runner from Toronto, Canada.
Luc and I talk about the challenge of giving up alcohol when you’ve created an identity and a life revolved around drinking.
Luc shares how he spent years trying to moderate and control his drinking, while constantly disappointing people, having to apologise for his actions and hiding the amount he was drinking (even from his therapist).
On New Year’s Eve of 2016, Luc finally had the realisation that his life wasn’t going to change unless he changed and with that, he made the decision to stop drinking. At first Luc was ashamed of his sobriety and he kept it hidden for the first five years of his recovery. Today however, Luc is proud to share his story and now helps other men and women to live a fulfilled alcohol-free life.
In 2019, Luc started running and soon after set himself the goal of running a marathon. He now trains for marathons daily and explains how this hobby has given him the discipline and connection that supports him to grow and improve each and every day.
Here are some of the topics we cover:
- The Sunday Scaries – 10min
- Creating a personality around alcohol 14min
- Vicious Cycle of Addiction – 17min
- Early Sobriety – 25min
- Loud and Proud in Sobriety 30min
- Navigating a relationship when your partner drinks and practicing boundaries 37min
- The mental game of running 43:50
- Staying close to your WHY 48.35
You can find Luc on his website and download your free guide “How to become the life of the party sober” here: Marathon2Sobriety
You can follow Luc on IG here: @marathon2sobriety
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode I sat down with Kath Elliott, the Alcohol Mindset Coach.
Kath’s world was completely rocked when just six weeks after making the decision to take an extended break from alcohol, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
This shocking discovery led Kath down a vigorous path of research as she sought to understand more about the link between alcohol and breast cancer. What she uncovered confirmed her worst fears. Hundreds of studies highlighted a direct link between low to moderate alcohol consumption and breast cancer.
This discovery and her own unique personal experience inspired Kath to become an advocate to promote awareness around the dangers of drinking so that more women could be armed with the necessary information.
Today, Kath is cancer free and shares how her diagnosis gave her the opportunity to slow down and become present – to focus on all of the ordinary beautiful moments that we often take for granted.
Kath shares how the decision to remain alcohol free has given her a profound shift in her perspective in life and has allowed her to develop a real appreciation for herself. She describes it as “finding home in your heart.”
To see Kath’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can find Kath on here website The Alcohol Mindset CoachYou can follow Kath on IG here: @thealcoholmindsetcoach
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint(global)
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee:
SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE HERE
In this week’s episode, I sat down with ultra-endurance athlete and father of two, RJ Singh.
RJ shares how he went from being a promising Olympian, to bouncing in and out of juvenile detention once he was introduced to drugs and alcohol.
After fleeing the US to avoid further criminal charges, RJ landed in Australia, which would later become the epicentre of his recovery.
In this conversation, we discuss the profound personality change that occurs when an addict takes a drink or a drug and how the idea of going back isn’t even an option.
RJ shares how he managed to tap into “a desire to live” which has helped keep him sober for over thirteen years.
He also highlights the power of example and the importance of surrounding yourself with strong sobriety and we also discuss how he’s learnt to navigate romantic relationships in recovery.
As the founder of Ultra Habits, RJ is no stranger to pushing his body to the limit and he shares how facing physical challenges has helped him battle his mental demons and protect his recovery. RJ is all about designing your habits around a vision of who you want to become which, when looking at the turn around in his life today, is something he clearly embodies.
To see RJ’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can find RJ using the links below:
Website: https://ultrahabits.co/
Instagram: @ultra.habits
LinkedIn: RJ Singh
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee:
SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE HERE
My guest this week is the extremely talented Laura Cathcart Robbins. Laura is the host of the brilliant podcast, The Only One in The Room, and has recently added author to her bio, with the release of her memoir Stash – My Life in Hiding.
Laura made the decision to get clean and sober in August 2008 after battling an addiction to Ambien, a prescribed sleep-aid. At almost 15 years sober, Laura continues to work a daily program of recovery and credits this as the reason she lives an incredible life today.
Laura’s addiction took her to her darkest days, yet in recovery she’s found freedom and a deep connection to self that she’d never experienced before.
Throughout her life, Laura has often been “the only one in the room” and this was no exception when it came to her experience in recovery. She was inspired to write her story after realising there wasn’t a single book written by a person of colour that spoke to her.
Today, Laura advocates and continues to show up so that she can be a familiar face and a beacon of hope for other minorities in recovery.
To see Laura’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
Laura’s website: www.theonlyonepod.com
Buy Stash on Amazon
You can check out Laura’s IG here: @lauracathcartrobbins
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
•A healthcare professional
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
•CheckPoint (global)
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the show you can buy me a coffee:
SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE HERE
In this week’s episode I sat down with Josh, a lawyer and father of three who made the decision to quit drinking on the 23rd of July, 2015.
Josh was terrified at the idea of having to give up alcohol, but he knew if he didn’t, he could face losing everything and everyone he loved.
In choosing sobriety, Josh embarked on a journey that would require him to honestly face his "self-centred fears" and reframe him entire outlook on life.
In this conversation, Josh shares how his most painful lessons have gifted him the greatest opportunity for growth while simultaneously levelling out his ego.
Tune in this week to hear how this high-flying solicitor turned his life around and now lives a life based in spiritual principles.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode, I sat down with sober coach and fellow podcaster Casey McGuire Davidson. Casey recently celebrated 7 years of sobriety and joined me to share her personal experience and expertise through helping hundreds of women get sober.
In this conversation we cover:
- Drinking Highlights and Lowlights (24min)
- Mommy Wine Culture (31min)
- Our different opinions on using the label “alcoholic” (36min)
- What to expect when working with a Sober Coach (43min)
- The biggest mistake people make when they’re trying to quit drinking (53min)
To see Casey’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
You can find Casey using the links below:
Casey's Website: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/
Free 30-Day Guide To Quitting Drinking - 30 Tips For Your First Month Alcohol Free https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/30-day-sober-guide/
The Hello Someday Podcast: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/podcast/
The Sobriety Starter Kit Online Course: https://www.thesobrietystarterkit.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloSomeday
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseymdavidson/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeVIxEe2MC9sPUaDh74sdWQ
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
Mike Faria is lucky to be alive. In January 2020, he was taken to hospital in the back of an ambulance and placed in an induced coma to prevent his vital organs from shutting down. He had been drinking himself to death and he hadn’t even realised how serious his condition had become.
After making a miraculous recovery, Mike was brought out of his coma and sent home to regain his strength however doctors weren’t sure if he’d make it to the end of the year due to the extensive damage to his liver.
In this conversation, Mike and I talk about the progressive nature of addiction and how alcoholism crept up on him slowly over a number of years.
Mike shares openly about the setbacks he’s encountered in recovery and compassion shows himself after a relapse. Today Mike continues to fight for his recovery, finding strength in his faith and his passion of spreading awareness around alcohol addiction.
In this episode we also discuss:
- Showing signs of addiction from an early age (13min)
- Using different drugs to fill different voids (17min)
- Processing emotions in sobriety (19min)
- Physical signs of alcohol poisoning and dependency (38min)
- Being given a second chance at life (50min)
- Returning to alcohol (53min)
- How to maintain your recovery (60min)
To see Mike’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can check out Mike’s IG here: @jerzeymike
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode I sat down with breakfast radio and podcast host, Maz Compton.
From landing her dream job as an MTV VJ to becoming the host of Sydney’s top breakfast radio show, Maz was living a fast-paced life fuelled by parties, celebrities and booze. Maz has interviewed everyone from Alicia Keys to Dave Grohl, all the while playing a role to suit her environment. Working in entertainment media, Maz was often required to put on a smile and get the job done, which over the years, created a deep divide between the person she was presenting to the world, and how she was really feeling on the inside.
In this conversation, Maz talks about her problematic relationship with alcohol and how she knew if something didn’t change, she would inevitably hit rock bottom. Choosing a different path, Maz made the decision to quit drinking for good in January 2015 and hasn’t looked back.
In this episode we discuss what it means to reconnect with your authentic self in sobriety and how to remove the fear and lean into the unknown. Maz also shares what the most annoying part of being sober is (hint: avoiding the d**kheads).
You can follow Maz on IG here: @mazcompton
You can follow Last Drinks on IG here: @lastdrinkspod
Listen to Last Drinks Podcast here
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode I sat down with fellow sober podcaster Will Hitchins to chat about his road to recovery. Will is one half of the awesome duo that makes up Last Drinks, a sobriety podcast he created with his mate Mitch Ford.
Will quit drinking on the 1st of February 2020, however this isn’t his first stint at sobriety. In this conversation, he explains how an overwhelming sense of disconnection led him to relapse after being sober for two years.
We talk about the change in personality that alcoholics experience when they drink alcohol and how this often leads to regrettable behaviour that hurts the ones we love most.
We also discuss the cycle of addiction where you drink to numb out feelings of guilt and shame, only to cause more harm as a result of more drunken behaviour.
Will also talks openly about the negative impact alcohol played on his mental health, along with an honest insight into where he’s at with his recovery today.
You can follow Will’s on IG here: @willhitchins
You can follow Last Drinks Podcast on IG here: @lastdrinkspodcast
Listen to Last Drinks Podcast HERE!
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode, to celebrate my three-year sobriety milestone, I’ve put myself back in the interview seat and invited my BFF Georgia back onto the show to ask all the questions.
My life has once again changed significantly over the past twelve months and I’m here to share with you how I’ve navigated these situations sober.
We talk about how I handle triggers when they arise, letting go of perfectionism and remaining open to growth. We also discuss dating in recovery, my relationships and recent journey with egg freezing.
I love recording these Ask Me Anything episodes because it opens up the space for honest and vulnerable conversations. This episode is no different, I hope you all enjoy x
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
Or check out all of the episode show notes on Ash's website here.
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
· A healthcare professional
· Alcoholics Anonymous
· Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
· CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode I sit down with recovered alcoholic Simon who shares his story of addiction and sobriety. Simon has a way of describing vividly the way alcoholism manifests in the mind and how alcohol became the “solution” to his alcoholic thinking.
Simon and I talk about the turning point most alcoholics reach when you realise you can’t live with alcohol and you can’t live without it and the mental torment of trying to give up booze without a support network.
We also discuss alcoholism as being the “disease of wanting more” and how sobriety shifts your perspective to find contentment in simplicity.
Over the past six and a half years Simon has rebuilt his life and is today chasing his dreams of becoming a medical doctor. Simon’s story is one of hope and possibility for anyone looking to step into recovery.
To see this week's Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
When we think of addiction, most of us go straight to thoughts of alcohol or drugs, but what if I told you that you could be addicted to love?
And that Love Addiction can be just as harmful to a person’s life as drinking or drugs?
In this week’s episode, I sat down with trauma and addiction specialist Diane Young, to discuss the topic of Love Addiction. Diane outlines clearly the definition of love addiction, where it comes from and the different characteristics that define a love addict’s behaviour.
This is a fascinating conversation for anyone who finds themselves attracting the same “type” of person or for those who have difficulty maintaining romantic relationships.
To find out more about Diane Young you can visit her website here.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss or visit Ash's website here.
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with Brad Mcleod, the genius behind one of Instagram’s most popular recovery pages, Sober Motivation.
Brad made the decision to get clean on the 11th of January 2010, after years of battling with addiction. It was a stint in jail and a lifetime ban from the US that gave Brad the motivation he needed to turn his life around.
In this conversation Brad shares the profound impact sobriety has made on the person he is today. We talk about the process of rebuilding self-esteem and rediscovering your integrity in recovery.
Brad is now a father of three and is helping people to change their lives by getting clean and sober. His passion is building a community of likeminded sober people who are there to celebrate and support one other. He credits this community as being the foundation of his recovery.
You can follow Brad’s account Sober Motivation here: @sobermotivation
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
For more episode show notes head to Ash's Website.
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
Danni Carr is a trauma-informed sobriety coach and podcast host who celebrated 5 years of sobriety on the 1st of January, 2023.
Danni met her husband, musician Ash Grunwald, in her early 20s and they spent the next decade travelling the world living the “Rockstar” lifestyle. But eventually, the partying caught up with Danni and alcohol started to erode what was most important in her life including her relationships and her health.
In this conversation, Danni shares the turn of events that led her to finally make the decision to quit alcohol and how since that day, she’s embarked on a journey of deep inner work.
Danni and I were laughing a lot throughout this chat as we realised we shared many similar experiences both in our drinking stories and our sobriety journeys.
In this chat, we discuss the inner contentment of choosing a life rich in quality over quantity as well as busting the myth that booze helps you to create deep connection with others.
Since getting sober, Danni, has been able to quieten the inner critic that once led her to drink and has learnt how to sit in uncomfortable feelings instead of reaching for the bottle.
This is her story.
To see Danni’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can check out Danni’s podcast and coaching at How I Quit Alcohol.
You can follow Danni on IG here: @howiquitalcohol
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
Carlo La Marchiesa is lucky to be alive. During his 18 years of heavy drinking and IV drug use, Carlo made over 40 attempts to get clean. Today, he is closing in on 15 years of continuous sobriety.
In this conversation, Carlo talks about the resilience required to never give up on his recovery and the many lessons he’s learned along the way.
Now working as a clinician dedicated to helping other addicts get clean and sober, Carlo shares his insights into why some people make it in recovery and why sadly, others don’t.
We also discuss the complex topic of mental health crossed with addiction and the difficulty these people have seeking treatment. It is widely known that people who experience depression and anxiety have a high chance of becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs as they seek to self-medicate, while in turn, substance abuse can lead to mental illness.
Carlo shares openly and honestly with the aim that other people can find hope in identification. This is his story.
Carlo is the Clinical Director and General Manager at Harmony House Health, Wellness and Recovery Centre.
If you would like to contact Carlo directly you can do so on +61 415 203 645
To see Carlo’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode I’m speaking with Mandy Manners, a trauma-informed wellbeing and sobriety coach from France.
Mandy has been in recovery for over five years and in that time has become an activist and advocate for sobriety and mental health.
In this conversation, Mandy opens up about the traumatic experience that led her down a path of self-medication with alcohol and drugs. Yet, through extensive trauma recovery work, Mandy has been able to properly process these events and in turn, heal her life.
Mandy’s story is raw and powerful with an underpinning of hope. In recovery she has been able to let go of the shame and finally forgive herself.
This episode contains topics that could be triggering. If your mental health is triggered and you are based in Australia, please reach out to a support group such as Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
For other countries, you can visit CheckPoint for your specific country details.
To see Mandy’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
If you’d like to know more about Mandy’s coaching business you can visit her website here.
You can check out Mandy's books, Love Yourself Sober and Love Your Sober Year on Amazon here.
You can follow Mandy on IG here: @mandymannerscoach
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
A healthcare professional
Alcoholics Anonymous
Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
CheckPoint (global)
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Dave Wilson, aka Sober Dave to discuss his journey into recovery.
Dave got sober on the 7th of January 2019 and since then has become a certified grey-area drinking coach and leading voice within the online sober community.
Dave shares the epiphany he experienced that led to him finally giving up alcohol after years of struggling with addiction and the incredible way in which his life has changed.
In this conversation, Dave and I discuss the importance of getting truly honest with yourself when it comes to your relationship with alcohol and the freedom you experience when you decide to step off the hamster wheel.
We also talk about the power of mindset, the importance of community and finding out who you really are in sobriety.
To see Dave’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
If you’d like to know more about Dave’s coaching business you can visit his website here.
You can listen to Dave’s podcast One For The Road here.
You can purchase his book, also called One For The Road on Amazon.
You can follow Dave on IG here: @soberdave
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
- A healthcare professional
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
- CheckPoint (global)
To kick off season two, I’m answering all of your burning questions.
A big thank you to everyone that sent in questions over Instagram last week!
In this week’s episode I’ll be talking about the catalyst that drove me to rehab, how to protect your sobriety throughout Summer, why I choose to work an abstinence-based program, how to respond to people when they question why you’re not drinking, why it’s important not to make any big decisions in the first 12 months of sobriety and finally, what to do if you’re experiencing loneliness.
If you love this week’s episode and know someone who might benefit from listening, I’d be grateful if you could pass it on.
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss and join the Facebook Group.
For all episode show notes, check out Ash’s website.
To close out what has been an incredible debut season, I’m sharing with you all a few of my favourite magic moments from some of the most popular episodes of 2022.
I wanted to say a huge thank you to the loyal BTS community and everyone who has listened, shared or reviewed the podcast.
Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss was created out of a deep desire to change the conversation around mental health, addiction and trauma.
I truly believe the most effective way to challenge the current archaic stigma is to keep talking, keep educating and keep sharing stories from those in recovery.
Since launching the podcast in August, I’ve received countless messages from many of you sharing your own personal experiences and how the show has helped you reflect on your own lives.
To know this podcast is helping people all over the world, makes this work so meaningful and I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity.
Next year’s show is already shaping up to be outstanding with some incredible guests locked in. I can’t wait to continue the journey with you all.
For now, wishing you all a safe and happy Holidays.
xoxo Ash
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
For all episode show notes, check out Ash's website.
For my final solo episode of the year, I wanted to share with you all some key strategies to help navigate what can be a challenging time of year for many of us.
In this episode, I’ll be touching on a few key topics including:
- How to navigate family dynamics: watching out for triggers and how you can self-regulate once you’ve been activated.
- Travelling sober: helpful strategies you can implement to help protect your recovery.
- New Years resolutions: creating a solid plan to set you up for success.
To check out Ash’s latest post on travelling sober, you can head to The Recovery Blog on Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash on IG here: @ashbutterss
In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with the host of the Sober Powered Podcast, Gill Tietz, to discuss all things “Emotional Sobriety”.
Gill started her podcast shortly after getting sober in 2019 with the idea of looking at sobriety through the lens of science. With a background in biomedicine, Gill has extensively researched the impact of alcohol on the brain and on our human behaviours.
In our conversation, Gill shares her own journey into sobriety before we dive deep into the meaning of “Emotional Sobriety”. We discuss the impact of alcohol on the development of our emotional intelligence, along with different techniques to develop your emotional sobriety once you enter recovery.
Whether you’re in recovery or not, I believe everyone can benefit from some of the key takeaways discussed throughout this episode.
If you’d like to know more about Gill’s Sober Powered podcast, you can visit the website here.
Or listen on Apple Podcast here:
You can learn more about Gill’s media network, Sober Powered Media, here.
You can follow Gill on IG here: @sober.powered
You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss
In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Sobriety and Grey-Area Drinking Coach, Sarah Rusbatch.
Sarah made the decision to give up alcohol in April 2019 after reaching a point where she could no longer control her drinking. Disturbed sleep, anxiety and waking up hungover each day was finally enough for Sarah to realise she wanted a better life for herself.
Fast-forward to today and Sarah runs her own Sobriety Coaching business and has helped women all across the globe to ditch the booze and step into a life full of passion, purpose and alignment.
As an accredited Grey-Area Drinking Coach, Sarah works with people who don’t identify as being alcoholic, yet they struggle to control and manage their drinking.
In our conversation Sarah explains exactly what it means to be a Grey-Area drinker and offers helpful solutions to support people who are looking to give up alcohol for good.
To see Sarah's Behind The Smile photo, click through to Ash's website here.
If you’d like to know more about Sarah’s coaching business you can visit her website here.
You can follow Sarah on IG here: @sarahrusbatch
You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss
To kick off this week's episode I'm sharing myTop 5 Tips to help you prepare for the Silly Season!
We then dive into another powerful guest episode as I sit down with 46yr old, mother of three boys, Lucy Chapman.
Lucy gave up drinking on the 1st of March, 2021 after almost losing everything. For years she had thought her substance use was “under control” until she found herself drinking around the clock and unable to leave her son’s bedroom.
At one year sober, Lucy was diagnosed with cancer and the second battle for her life begun.
Lucy credits her recovery program as to why she’s been able to face life’s challenges whilst maintaining an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
You can view Lucy’s BTS Photo on the website HERE.
You can connect with Ash on IG here: @ashbutterss or through the website ashbutterss.com
If you enjoy Behind The Smile, then click subscribe to be notified for the release of our next episode.
In this week’s episode, I’m speaking with Lucy Quick, the founder and CEO of Thrivalist, a company dedicated to helping women change their relationship with alcohol and heal their lives.
Lucy began her sobriety journey on the 1st of January 2019 after deciding she’d had enough of the chaos and carnage that proceeded her drinking. Since then, she has dedicated her life to building Thrivalist and creating a range of programs to help thousands of women navigate their sober journeys.
In this conversation we discuss a broad range of topics including:
- How to navigate friendships as they evolve in sobriety
- Learning how to reconnect with your authentic self
- Rebuilding your self-worth
- Manifesting your dream life
If you'd like to know more about Thrivalist you can follow the links below:
- Thrivalist Website
- Thrivalist Instagram
You can follow Lucy on IG here: @lucyquick_
You can connect with Ash on IG here: @ashbutterss or through the website ashbutterss.com
If you enjoy Behind The Smile, then click subscribe to be notified for the release of our next episode.
In this week’s episode I sit down with Robbie Shaw, host of Champagne Problems, a podcast that examines sobriety through the lens of health and wellness.
After growing up in an alcoholic home, Robbie decided to quit drinking on May 5th, 2006, however this wasn’t the last time he experimented with other mind-altering substances.
Over the past 16 years, Robbie has navigated through his sobriety journey, dipping in and out of being “California Sober”. However, 9 months ago Robbie decided to abstain from all drugs, including marijuana and hasn’t looked back since.
Along with his personal lived experience, Robbie also has a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counselling and is the Founder/CEO of Eventide, an organisation dedicated to helping people recover from addiction and substance abuse.
In this conversation, Robbie shares not only what it was like, but what he’s learnt over the past sixteen years and the tools he uses to maintain his recovery today.
To check out Robbie's BTS photo click HERE.
To listen to Champagne Problems podcast click HERE.
You follow Champagne Problems here: @champagneprobspodcast
You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Yoga Teacher and mentor Nat Commons as she shares her own personal story of recovery. From an early age, Nat experienced trauma that resulted in the development of a range of harmful coping mechanisms.
After years of self-afflicted punishment, Nat came to a life changing decision that led her down a path of self-compassion and healing. The moment she stopped running and made the decision to face her fears was the moment she became free.
Nat’s story is a demonstration of the powerful message that your trauma does not define you.
This episode contains topics that could be triggering. If your mental health is triggered and you are based in Australia, please reach out to a support group such as Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
For other countries, you can visit CheckPoint for your specific country details.
For additional support relating to eating disorders and body image issues, you can visit Butterfly Foundation
You can find Nat here: @natcommons
You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss
In this week’s episode I sit down with Toby Lawrence, the CEO of Arrow Health, one of Australia’s leading treatment centres for drug and alcohol addiction.
Toby shares a firsthand account of the damaging impact addiction has, not just on the addicted person, but on the family system as a whole. In this conversation, we discuss how to support a loved one in active addiction, where to go to seek out help and why our mental healthcare system is broken.
Toby talks openly about how his perspective of addiction has drastically changed and why he is now a passionate advocate for removing the stigmatisation surrounding this disease.
For more information on Arrow Health you can visit:
Arrow Health Website
Arrow Health Facebook
You can find Toby on LinkedIn here.
You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Patrick, a 29-year-old recovering alcoholic who began his sobriety journey on the 27thMay, 2021.
Pat shares openly about the moment he was “pushed into a corner with nowhere else to go” and how that moment led him to acknowledge his struggles with alcohol addiction.
Since hitting rock bottom, Pat has realised it’s ok to experience struggle and that there’s no shame in asking for help. Throughout his recovery journey, he has learnt to look for the similarities instead of differences and is now challenging himself to let go of control and stop trying to run the show.
This is his story.
To see Patrick’s Behind The Smile photo head to ashbutterss.com
To follow Patrick and his K9 friends visit: @pks_pack
You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss
This week, I’m sitting down with Psychotherapist and Trauma/Addictions Specialist Diane Young, to discuss the impact of childhood trauma and how this often leads to the development of codependent traits in adulthood.
Codependency is very similar to other process addictions such as gambling or eating disorders, and often develops as a result of experiencing trauma throughout childhood. In this week’s episode, Diane explains the characteristics of a codependent along with outlining Pia Mellody’s Developmental Model of Immaturity, which details the basic needs of a child and what happens when these needs are not met.
To hear more from Diane you can find her here:
Diane Young Website
Diane's LinkedIn
Diane's Instagram
For more information about South Pacific Private you can head to the website here.
To follow Ash on IG: @ashbutterss
Read Ash's recent blog on Codependency here.
In this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Psychologist and mum of two Chantal, who got sober while living in Dubai back in May 2017.
Chantal shares how she lived in denial for many years as a high-functioning alcoholic and hid behind her successes as a way of denying she had a problem.
In this conversation we talk about how alcohol is glorified in our society and how binge drinking can still allow you to qualify as an alcoholic.
Chantal now has over 5 years of sobriety and shares with us the tools she implements to maintain her recovery on a daily basis.
To see Chantal’s Behind The Smile photo head to Ash's website HERE
You can follow Ash here: @ashbutterss
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Psychotherapist and Yoga Teacher Zoe Klein to talk about how we can implement simple tools to positively impact our overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re in recovery or not, life can at times be challenging. In this conversation, Zoe shares her key tips that will help to improve your quality of life.
Zoe’s Top Tips include:
- Live a life aligned to your values
- The importance of practice
- Invest in your relationships
- Use the breath as an antidote to stress and burn out
- Treat life like an experiment
You can find Zoe here: @zoekleinyoga or Zoga.com
Find Ash here: @ashbutterss or ashbutterss.com
Additional Notes:
The book Zoe and I spoke about is called Breath by James Nestor.
In this week’s episode, I’m talking to Gabs, a 39-year-old recovering alcoholic, who started his sobriety journey on the 19th October 2019.
We discuss the dark days that led to Gabs entering recovery and how he believes he was “born an alcoholic.”
Gabs shares what he’s learnt about himself in sobriety and tells us his three non-negotiables for living a life of freedom in recovery.
To see Gabs’ Behind The Smile photo head to: ashbutterss.com
You can also find me here: @ashbutterss
In this week's episode, I'm putting myself in the interview seat and have invited my best friend of 25+ years, Georgia, onto the show to ask the questions.
Georgia lives in Europe and at the time of recording we hadn't seen each other in over two years (thanks to Covid19). The last time we'd been together I was still drinking and my life was a mess. Watching my journey into recovery from afar, Georgia naturally had a lot of questions and we agreed that nothing was off limits in this conversation!
Georgia and I discuss everything to do with my recovery including: the importance of AA in my life, my relationship with a Higher Power, my deep connection to yoga and my commitment to ongoing therapy.
You can find me here: @ashbutterss
Check out the episode show notes at Recovery with Ash Butterss
In this week's episode, I sit down with Monique, a Nurse and mum of four who gave up alcohol on the 28th December, 2019. We discuss Mon’s journey into sobriety and what she’s discovered about herself since choosing to live life sober.
Mon talks openly about the pressure she felt to be “perfect” from a young age and how she used alcohol to self-medicate until she wasn’t able to control it anymore.
Today, Mon is proudly sober and credits giving up alcohol as the reason she's able to show up as a wife and mother in her fullest capacity. Mon shares how she found the strength to quit drinking and the deep sense of presence and connection that she's found in sobriety.
You can connect with Ash here: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com
In this week’s episode, I talk about the stigma that surrounds the disease of alcoholism and why this is preventing people from reaching out for help.
Before coming into recovery, my perception of an alcoholic was someone living rough, drinking around the clock and consuming spirits out of a brown paper bag. And because I didn’t identify with this stereotype, I didn’t think I qualified as an alcoholic.
In sobriety I’ve learned that addiction does not discriminate. And while the common stereotype can certainly become a reality for alcoholics who continue to drink, for those who seek recovery, it doesn’t have to be.
Alcoholism is a disease that is self-diagnosed. So, to help people identify, I’ve come up with seven signs that might suggest you have a drinking problem. If multiple signs resonate with you, it might be time to take a closer look at your relationship with alcohol.
**This list is suggestive only. Please seek out additional support if you need help.
Additional Resources Below:
Global:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Addiction Centre
Australia:
LifeLine
South Pacific Private
Find Ash: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com
In this episode, I’ve invited my ex-husband and dear friend Max on to share his story of recovery.
Max talks candidly about his personal struggles with addiction and what it took for him to finally reach out for help. There’s no holding back in this episode as we speak openly about a range of personal topics, including the breakdown of our marriage.
It’s my hope that by drawing back the curtain on this personal conversation, other people who have shared a similar experience might find comfort in knowing they’re not alone.
This episode contains topics that could be triggering. If your mental health is triggered and you are based in Australia, please reach out to a support group such as Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
For other countries, you can visit CheckPoint for your specific country details.
Find Ash on Instagram: @ashbutterss or check out her website here!
In this episode, I talk about my life long struggle with perfectionism and how this developed as a result of certain conditioning throughout childhood. I discuss the reason why I view perfectionism as being a vice as dangerous as addiction and why I needed to treat this core issue before tackling my underlying substance abuse.
This episode contains topics that could be triggering. If your mental health is triggered and you are based in Australia, please reach out to a support group such as Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
For other countries, you can visit CheckPoint for your specific country details.
Find Ash: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com
For this debut guest episode, I’ve invited my dad Rod to share his story of recovery and hope. Rod started his recovery journey in 2010, however this is not his current sobriety date. For the first time, Rod speaks publicly about his recent relapse and how he made the journey from his darkest days, to now experiencing joy beyond his wildest dreams.
Find Rod: www.linkedin.com/in/rodbutterss
Find Ash: www.ashbutterss.com / @ashbutterss
In this debut episode of Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss, host Ash shares her own experience and journey into recovery.
From an early age, Ash learnt to hide her true emotions behind a big smile. She used this mask as a way of keeping herself protected and continued doing so all throughout her twenties. On the outside, Ash looked as though she was living a "normal" life but by the age of 30, addiction had taken hold and she was slowly dying on the inside.
Since checking into rehab on the 24th February 2020, Ash has remained sober and is now on a mission to remove the stigma around mental health and addiction by normalising the conversation. Join Ash each week, as she discusses topics relating to recovery and speaks to others in recovery about the time in their life when they too were hiding behind the smile.
Find me: @ashbutterss / ashbutterss.com