Hull Episodes

As the home of the Believe in People podcast, Hull is a city rich in history, resilience, and community spirit. This category shines a light on the unique challenges and opportunities Hull faces in addressing addiction and supporting recovery. Episodes explore the local services available, the stories of Hull residents navigating addiction and recovery, and the city’s role as a hub for innovation in harm reduction and treatment. By grounding these discussions in the local context, the podcast celebrates Hull’s community-driven efforts to tackle addiction and reduce stigma while providing inspiration for other regions.
Feb. 16, 2025

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...

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Jan. 22, 2025

60 | Amy Goldberg & Caitlin Morrison: Believe in People America – Matthew Butler Meets the Matthew Perry Foundation

In this powerful transatlantic collaboration, Believe in People host Amy Goldberg welcomes our UK counterpart Matt Butler into the guest seat alongside special guest host Caitlin Morrison - sister of the late Matthew Perry an...

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Dec. 20, 2024

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...

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Dec. 19, 2024

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...

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March 22, 2024

#42 - Kirsty: Escaping Abuse, Overcoming Addiction, Building Self-Worth & Paying Her Lived Experience Forward

WARNING: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault including graphic descriptions of violence, trauma & abuse Matt explores Kirsty's journey through amphetamine addiction and the challenges of navigating complex rel...

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Dec. 1, 2023

#34 - Andy Pea: Imposter Syndrome, Community Murals, Co-Production, Representing Hidden Voices & 10 Million People A Year Seeing His Artwork

Matt engages in a dynamic discussion with Hull's esteemed community artist, Andy Pea. Together, they embark on a journey through Andy's remarkable artistic evolution, peeling back the layers of his murals that have transforme...

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Nov. 24, 2023

#33- John: Heroin Addiction, Trauma, Stigma, Prison, Withdrawal, Harm Reduction & Injecting Heroin Into His Penis

Matt delves into a heartfelt conversation with John, a resilient Hull native whose journey transcends addiction to embody the essence of resilience. Now serving as a Harm Reduction worker, John's decade-long battle with heroi...

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Aug. 23, 2023

#28 - Elly: Harm Reduction, Crack Use, Snowballing, Safer Injecting, Cannabis, Ketamine & Drug Myth Busting

Matt and Elly embark on an exploration into the realm of harm reduction. With nearly three decades of invaluable experience in the Drug & Alcohol sector, Elly provides insightful perspectives that shed light on the complexiti...

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Aug. 1, 2023

#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...

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July 21, 2023

#26 - Andy Train: Embracing Body Image, Catfishing, FOMO, Addiction, The Living Statue World Championships, InterPride & Pride in Hull

Matt talks to Andy Train , Creative Director & Vice Chair of Pride in Hull, an InterPride Global Advisory Council Member for the British Isles, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and the current The Living Statue World ...

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July 7, 2023

#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 ...

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May 11, 2023

#22 - Braidey: Newly Qualified Nursing, Student Placements, Work-Life Balance, Professional Expectations & Nursing in the Community

Matt is joined by Braidey, a newly qualified nurse in addiction services. Braidey gives a compelling and honest account of becoming a nurse and gives practical advice for those looking to enter this profession for the first t...

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March 24, 2023

#20 - Pete: Heroin, Drug Culture, Trauma, The Great Binge & The Hierarchy of Drug Users.

Matt is joined by Pete and they candidly discuss the journey throughout his addiction to heroin and his lifestyle in recovery, They discuss the modern history of addiction, drug culture, heroin chic and how his personal exper...

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Feb. 24, 2023

#19 - Nadine: Parenting, Partying, Autism, Methadone, TikTok, Trauma & A 17 Year Heroin Addiction

Matt is joined by Nadine and they candidly discuss the journey throughout her addiction to heroin and her lifestyle in recovery, including; becoming a new parent, understanding her autism and sharing her lived experiences wit...

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Jan. 31, 2023

#18: Emma Hardy MP: Stigma, Addiction, Education, Parliament, Endometriosis & Poverty Premium

Matt is joined by Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle. Emma candidly discusses her background in teaching to becoming politically active in 2011 and using her profile and influence to tackle stigma. Emma and Matt discuss: Stigma, addiction, recovery and education in Hull.The RE:Uniform campaign, reverse advent calendar and poverty premium.Emma's involvement with Endometriosis and Menopaus'ull.Click here to text our host, Matt, directly! 🎧 Enjoyed this episo…

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