Alcohol Episodes
67 | Young Lee: Recovery vs. Recovered - Fatherhood, Identity & the Spiritual Path
In this gripping return to Believe in People, Young Lee opens up about what happens after the chaos of addiction — when the drugs are gone, the dust has settled, and the real work begins. Once a rising star in the music scene...
66 | Ross McAndrew: Suicide & Sobriety – From Losing His Father to Leading With Andy’s Man Club
Ross joins the podcast to share his powerful journey from personal tragedy to public advocacy, following the suicide of his father - a traumatic event that profoundly shaped his mental health. We explore how Ross turned to al...
65 | Woody Albrow: Butane, Breakdown & Belief – A Journey Through Trauma & Transformation
Matt speaks with Woody, the National Connecting Communities Lead at Change Grow Live , who shares a candid account of his journey through addiction, recovery, and professional development. Woody reflects on the early signs of...
64 | Chris De Banks: Not Saints, 90s Drugs & The Creativity Myth – Building a Sober Music Scene
Matt speaks with Chris De Banks, founder of Not Saints - the UK’s only not-for-profit record label supporting musicians in recovery - to explore the powerful intersection of music and sobriety. From navigating the drug-fuelle...
62 | John Levesley: Booze, Binge & Botox – Solitude, Social Media & Seeking the Real Self
John’s story is one of quiet transformation - trading binge drinking and chaotic nights for clarity, creativity, and connection. After a 5am moment of reckoning, he chose sobriety not because he identified as an alcoholic, bu...
59 | Tom Fitzsimons: 3,073 Miles to Redemption – Alcoholism, Ultramarathons & Cowboy Pastors
Matt sits down with ultramarathon runner Tom Fitzsimons, whose extraordinary journey from alcohol addiction to running 3,073 miles across the U.S. in 100 days is a powerful testament to human resilience. Through candid storyt...
58 | Sarah Hicks: Assault, Advocacy & The Fight To Change Systems – Violence Against Women
In the second part of this powerful two-part episode, Matt continues his conversation with Sarah Hicks as she reflects on her journey through trauma, justice, and recovery. Sarah shares her experience of surviving sexual assa...
56 | Zoe: Substances, Sabotage & ADHD – British Youth, Hospitality Culture & the Road to Recovery
Matt speaks with Zoe, whose powerful story charts a path through substance misuse, undiagnosed ADHD, and trauma toward recovery and renewal. Growing up in an environment where drug use was normalised, Zoe began using cannabis...
55 | Chris Tait: Detroit, Drink & Disconnection – Electric Six, Sobriety & the Music Industry Reckoning
What happens when the highs of the music industry collide with the depths of addiction? In this compelling episode, Matt speaks with Chris Tait - keyboardist for Electric Six and founder of Passenger Recovery - about his jour...
54 | Shev Nuttall: Pints, Parenthood & Patterns – Pub Culture & the Rise of Sober Festivals
Matt jumps straight in at the deep end as Shev opens up about the weight of adult responsibilities thrust upon her from a young age, including becoming a mother at just 17. In this heartfelt and unflinching conversation, Shev...
53 | Tom Norcliffe: Psychosis, Paranoia & Cocaine – Battles with the Bottle & The Will To Live
Join Matt for a gripping and emotional conversation with Tom, a former talent agent whose high-flying lifestyle in central London masked a devastating struggle with cocaine addiction. Tom recounts the harrowing moment he real...
#46 - Harriette: Alcohol Aged 10, Self-Harm Survival, Sexual Abuse, Discovering Autism, Overcoming Trauma & A Future In Conservation
WARNING: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, including graphic descriptions of violence and trauma. Starting to drink at just 10 years old, Harriette bravely recounts her youth in a household shattered by her...
44 | Michelle Heaton: Fame, Fear & Fighting Back – Addiction, Body Shaming & Sobriety Survival
Emmy and BRIT award-winning singer Michelle Heaton returns to Believe in People to mark three years of sobriety with a candid and inspiring conversation about recovery, resilience, and reinvention. Michelle opens up about the...
43 | Amy Jo Johnson: Alcohol Free & Loving Life – Pink Power Ranger To Wellness Advocate
Matt is joined by Amy Jo Johnson - actress, singer, writer, and filmmaker best known as the original Pink Ranger from the 90s phenomenon Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation....
#39 - Ian: Developing Alcohol Dependence In Retirement, Relationship Strains, The Physical Battle With Addiction & The Path To Recovery
Discover Ian's post-retirement journey in our latest episode. Dive into the challenges of newfound freedom and the silent battle against alcohol dependency. Join us as we uncover the layers of functioning alcoholism and the t...
#38 - Hannah: Sober Butterfly Collective, British Drinking Culture, Authentic Friendships & Healing Homes
Ever found yourself caught in the relentless cycle of social binge drinking and wondered if there's another way to live? That's the very crossroad our guest, Hannah from the Sober Butterfly Collective, encountered before tran...
#36 - Ruth: Alcohol Dependency, Cancer, Triggers, Drinking Behaviours & Exclusive Access To Her Personal Alcohol Diary
Matt delves into Ruth's courageous journey battling alcohol dependency while facing the formidable challenge of a cancer diagnosis. From the casual indulgence to the grip of addiction, Ruth candidly shares her experiences, de...
#35 - Claira Hermet: Social Anxiety, Sober Nights Out, Misogyny Grifting, Eating Disorders, The Orgasm Gap & Her Role as a Social Media Influencer
Matt and Claira embark on a profound exploration of the human experience in this episode, delving into the intricate dynamics of social anxiety, navigating sober nights out, and grappling with a decade-long battle against an ...
#27 - Maizie Williams, Ongina, Tinchy Stryder & Ash Palmisciano: Mental Wellbeing, Challenging HIV Related Stigma, Pride in Hull, Boney M, Emmerdale, Black Mirror & Transgender Awareness
Matt is backstage at Pride in Hull 2023. With over 50 years in the industry and an original member of Boney M, Maizie shares insights into her career with Matt as well as maintaining her mental well-being, and discusses Boney...
#25 - Jill: Alcohol Addiction, Suicide Attempts, Relapse, Rehabilitation, Recovery, Aftercare, Family Strength, The Forward Trust & Empty Nest Syndrome
Matt delves into Jill's profound journey of overcoming alcohol addiction, surviving suicide attempts, navigating relapse, and finding renewal through recovery. In this deeply personal and transformative podcast episode, Jill ...
#24 - Kevin Kennedy: Alcohol Culture, Addiction, Coronation Street, The West End & 25 Years in Recovery
Matt is joined by Kevin Kennedy, actor and musician, best known for playing the character Curly Watts for 20 years in ITV's long-running television soap opera Coronation Street. Kevin serves as director of Kennedy Street reco...
#23 - Connor Gregory: Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Alcohol, Recovery, Trauma & How Wrestling Saved His Life
Matt is joined by Connor Gregory, commonly known as British Wrestling stand out and current BWR Cruiserweight Champion, Scotty Rawk. Connor’s journey as an indie wrestler is not just about his physical abilities as a high-fly...
#21 - Bea: Transgender, Neurodiversity, Addiction, Recovery, Wheelchair & Living with Tourette's
Matt is joined by Bea, a Transgender woman, former Miss Transgender UK, and activist for Trans, neurodiversity, and disability rights. In this candid conversation, Bea opens up publicly for the first time about her struggles ...
#17: Michelle Heaton: Addiction, Recovery, Trauma, Boundaries, Stigma, Menopause, Liberty X & Dancing on Ice
Matt is joined by Emmy & Brit Award winning singer, Michelle Heaton, member of the pop group Liberty X. In April 2021, Michelle bravely checked into rehab to fight her battle with addiction and today, 21 months sober, Michell...