Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma
Episodes
Joe Sealey: Cocaine Addiction, Alcohol and Recovery Behind the Real Housewives Of Cheshire
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Joe Sealey joins us to discuss cocaine addiction, alcohol misuse, grief, and r...
Struggling to Stop Drinking? What Michelle Heaton Learned About Recovery
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of Believe in People Extra, our new spin off miniseries, Michelle Heaton speaks openly about what it feels like to want to stop d...
Alcohol, Relapse, Women’s Recovery Spaces & Breaking Generational Patterns
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Patti reflects on a lifetime shaped by silence, trauma, and survival. Growing ...
Andy Woodward (Part Two): Trauma, False Accusation, Alcohol Recovery and Rebuilding Life After Collapse
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we conclude our two-part conversation with Andy Woodward, who reflects on the ...
Andy Woodward (Part One): Childhood Trauma, Football Abuse and the Silence That Hid a Predator
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we begin the first of a powerful two-part conversation with Andy Woodward, the...
Taz Hussain: Racism, Culture, Trauma and Addiction Recovery as a British-Pakistani Muslim
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we are privileged to sit down with Taz, whose life story spans racism, identit...
Katie Price & Kerry Katona: Cocaine Addiction, Recovery, Motherhood and Surviving Fame
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Katie Price and Kerry Katona sit down for a raw, unfiltered conversation about...
Mel Barrett: Alcohol Misuse, Cocaine, Identity, Boxing and Building a Recovery Toolbox
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Mel shares a powerful and deeply honest account of her journey through alcoho...
Emma Hardy MP: Ketamine Harm, Mental Health, Flood Risk and Community Recovery in Hull
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Emma Hardy MP returns to the podcast to discuss some of the most urgent challe...
Elly Mortimer: Harm Reduction, Hepatitis C Elimination and 30 Years of Public Health Experience
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Elly returns for her third appearance to share more than 30 years of insight f...
Henry Beercock: Sobriety, Binge Drinking Recovery and Building the AlcoHull Free Movement
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we meet Henry Beercock, founder of Hull’s rapidly growing sober movement Alc...
Alexis Ffrench & Matthew Butler: Trauma, Recovery and the Story Behind “Believe” for Apple Music
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we present a unique collaboration with Apple Music and the Radio Acade...
Young Lee: Life After Addiction, Spiritual Recovery and Rebuilding a Self That Lasts
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Young Lee returns to explore what happens after the chaos of addiction — whe...
Ross McAndrew: Suicide Bereavement, Alcohol & Cocaine Recovery and the Power of Men’s Peer Support
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Ross shares an extraordinary journey from personal tragedy to public advocacy ...
Woody Albrow: Addiction, Spiritual Recovery and Leading with Lived Experience at Change Grow Live
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt speaks with Woody Albrow, the National Connecting Communities Lead at Cha...
Chris De Banks: Music, Sobriety and Building Not Saints for Artists in Recovery
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt speaks with Chris De Banks, founder of Not Saints - the UK’s only not-...
Daniel Ramson: Tough-Love Recovery, Radical Accountability and Life After Psychosis
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt sits down with Daniel Ramson, known online as TalkToBigDan, for a raw, pr...
John Levesley: Sobriety, Binge Drinking Recovery and Creating Hull & Yorkshire Daily Through Clarity
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, John shares a powerful story of quiet transformation - a shift from binge drin...
Paul Haley: Heroin & Crack Cocaine Recovery, Lived Experience Leadership and Driving National Change
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Paul Haley shares his extraordinary journey from the depths of heroin and crac...
Amy Goldberg & Caitlin Morrison: Believe in People America - Matthew Butler Meets the Matthew Perry Foundation
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful transatlantic collaboration of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, host Amy Goldberg welcomes UK host Matt Butler in...
Tom Fitzsimons: Alcohol Recovery, Ultramarathons and Running 3,073 Miles Across America
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt sits down with ultramarathon runner Tom Fitzsimons, whose extraordinary j...
Sarah Hicks (Part Two): Sexual Trauma, Justice Failures and Survivor-Led Advocacy for Reform
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we continue the second part of a powerful two-part conversation with Sarah Hic...
Sarah Hicks (Part One): Addiction, Coercive Control, Grief and Reclaiming Life After Trauma
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt begins the first part of a deeply personal two-part conversation with Sar...
Chris Tait: Music Industry Addiction, Alcohol Recovery and Building Passenger Recovery for Creatives
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt speaks with Chris Tait - keyboardist for Electric Six and founder of Pass...
Shev Nuttall: Single Motherhood, Alcohol Recovery, Family Trauma and Rewriting Your Story
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt jumps straight into a heartfelt and unflinching conversation with Shev, w...
Tom Norcliffe: Psychosis, Paranoia & Cocaine – Battles with the Bottle & The Will To Live
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Matt for a gripping and emotional conversation with Tom, a former talent agent whose high-flying lifestyle in central London masked a devastating...
Ollie Dent: Cannabis, Withdrawal & Waking Up – Isolation & the Quiet Strength of Recovery
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by Ollie for a raw and introspective conversation tracing his journey from early childhood trauma to recovery. After losing his mother ...
Andre Edmund: Murder, Addiction & 31 Years Inside – Gang Violence, Redemption & Corruption
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Matt for an extraordinary conversation with Andre, whose story spans over three decades in a Los Angeles prison following convictions for armed...
Emma Plant: Ecstasy to Overdose – Heroin, Maternal Struggles & Naloxone Awakening
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Matt as he sits down with Emma, whose powerful and unflinching account traces a journey through addiction that began at just 11 years old. Growin...
Johnny Borrell: Razorlight & Recovery – Teenage Heroin & Championship Manager
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Johnny Borrell - guitarist, singer, and frontman of Razorlight - joins Matt for an honest and introspective conversation about teenage heroin addictio...
Adam Maxted: Life After Love Island, Steroids & Wrestling - Big Flex Fame, WWE & Mental Health Advocacy
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Maxted - professional wrestler and Love Island reality TV star - joins Matt for an unfiltered conversation about life in the spotlight, the pursu...
Ambrose Brown: Hep C, Heroin & Hope – Prison, Peer Support & The Micro-Elimination Mission
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt sits down with Ambrose, a leading voice in the recovery community, for a powerful conversation tracing his journey from severe substance misuse t...
Harriette Cantona: Alcohol Aged 10, Self-Harm Survival, Sexual Abuse, Discovering Autism, Overcoming Trauma & A Future In Conservation
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
WARNING: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, including graphic descriptions of violence and trauma.Starting to drink at just 10 years...
Chris Sylvester - Heroin Aged 12, Crime, Trauma, Accountability, Hepatitis C, Cocaine, Manipulation, Homelessness, Drug Dealing, Working the 12 Steps & The Power of Second Chances
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is in conversation with former child heroin addict and Getting Clean founder, Chris Sylvester, whose descent into addiction began at just 12 year...
Michelle Heaton: Fame, Fear & Fighting Back – Addiction, Body Shaming & Sobriety Survival
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emmy and BRIT award-winning singer Michelle Heaton returns to Believe in People to mark three years of sobriety with a candid and inspiring conversati...
Amy Jo Johnson: Alcohol Free & Loving Life – Pink Power Ranger To Wellness Advocate
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by Amy Jo Johnson - actress, singer, writer, and filmmaker best known as the original Pink Ranger from the 90s phenomenon Mighty Morphi...
Young: Heroin, House Music & Healing – Smuggling, Acid House & Spiritual Surrender
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is in conversation with Young, whose powerful and chaotic journey through addiction began at just 11 years old and spiralled into a life fuelled ...
Grand Dame Carol Black: UK Drug Policy, Recovery Pathways, Addiction Workforce Challenges, Mental Health Integration & Trauma Informed Care
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt welcomes back Professor Dame Carol Black for her second appearance on the Believe in People Podcast.Dame Carol, recently awarded the prestigious ...
Ruth: Alcohol Dependency, Cancer, Triggers, Drinking Behaviours & Exclusive Access To Her Personal Alcohol Diary
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt delves into Ruth's courageous journey battling alcohol dependency while facing the formidable challenge of a cancer diagnosis.From the casua...
Claira Hermet: Social Anxiety, Sober Nights Out, Misogyny Grifting, Eating Disorders, The Orgasm Gap & Her Role as a Social Media Influencer
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Claira embark on a profound exploration of the human experience in this episode, delving into the intricate dynamics of social anxiety, navig...
John Thurston: Heroin Addiction, Trauma, Stigma, Prison, Withdrawal, Harm Reduction & Injecting Heroin Into His Penis
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt delves into a heartfelt conversation with John, a resilient Hull native whose journey transcends addiction to embody the essence of resilience. ...
Robin Ince: Bibliomaniac, Moomins, ADHD, Writing Comedy, Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Ricky Gervais, Octopus Sex Arms & Talking About Suicide Openly
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt delves into Robin's remarkable talent for blending comedy with science, all while championing rational inquiry through candid discussions on...
Kevin Kennedy: Coronation Street, Alcohol Recovery and Building Kennedy Street for Peer Support
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt is joined by Kevin Kennedy - actor and musician best known for playing C...
Bea Wood: Transgender, Neurodiversity, Addiction, Recovery, Wheelchair & Living with Tourette's
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by Bea, a Transgender woman, former Miss Transgender UK, and activist for Trans, neurodiversity, and disability rights. In this candid...
Pete Garner: Heroin, Drug Culture, Trauma, The Great Binge & The Hierarchy of Drug Users.
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by Pete and they candidly discuss the journey throughout his addiction to heroin and his lifestyle in recovery, They discuss the moder...
Nadine Balmer: Parenting, Partying, Autism, Methadone, TikTok, Trauma & A 17 Year Heroin Addiction
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by Nadine and they candidly discuss the journey throughout her addiction to heroin and her lifestyle in recovery, including; becoming a...
Michelle Heaton: Recovery, Relapse & Reality TV – Liberty X, Menopause & Mastering Boundaries
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by Emmy and BRIT Award-winning singer Michelle Heaton, best known as a member of the pop group Liberty X. In April 2021, Michelle brave...
Darren: The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, Opiate Addiction & Championing Recovery
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matt talks to Darren about his journey from taking his first substance aged nine - right through to present day and his time with Narcotics Anonymous ...
Mark Moody: Addiction, Recovery, Stigma, Scotland, The Heroin Epidemic & Being CEO of the UK's largest Drug & Alcohol Charity
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matt is joined by Mark Moody, CEO of the UK's largest Drug & Alcohol Charity, Change Grow Live. Mark candidly discusses his rise from an ent...
Millie Gooch: Sober Girl Society, Addiction, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Sober Dating, Sober Sex, Boozeless Brunches, Mental Health, Sober Curiosity & Being Millie
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matt talks to Sober Girl Society's founder, Millie Gooch, about why she quit drinking - and how it's changed her life.They discuss; binge dr...
Professor Dame Carol Black: An Independent Review of Drugs, Stigma, Treatment & Recovery
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2019 Dame Carol was commissioned by the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care to undertake a 2-part independent review of drugs,...