2024 British Podcast Award Winner & 2025 Radio Academy Award Nominated Podcast

Stigma Episodes

Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to recovery, perpetuating shame and discouraging people from seeking help. This category addresses the harmful stereotypes and societal judgments that surround addiction and recovery. Through thought-provoking conversations, the podcast explores how language, media, and cultural attitudes shape perceptions of addiction. Personal stories shed light on the lived experience of stigma, while advocacy efforts and actionable strategies aim to foster empathy and create a more inclusive society. By breaking down stigma, these episodes help pave the way for understanding and change.
Nov. 21, 2025

Andy Woodward (Part Two): Trauma, False Accusation, Alcohol Recovery and Rebuilding Life After Collapse

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , we conclude our two-part conversation with Andy Woodward , who reflects on the long-term psychological effects of childhood trauma and how those experiences...

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Nov. 21, 2025

Andy Woodward (Part One): Childhood Trauma, Football Abuse and the Silence That Hid a Predator

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , we begin the first of a powerful two-part conversation with Andy Woodward , the former professional footballer whose bravery exposed one of the biggest safe...

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Nov. 13, 2025

Taz Hussain: Racism, Culture, Trauma and Addiction Recovery as a British-Pakistani Muslim

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , we are privileged to sit down with Taz , whose life story spans racism, identity conflict, culture, trauma, addiction, and the long path to redemption. Born...

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Sept. 8, 2025

Emma Hardy MP: Ketamine Harm, Mental Health, Flood Risk and Community Recovery in Hull

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Emma Hardy MP returns to the podcast to discuss some of the most urgent challenges facing Hull and the wider UK – including rising ketamine harm , worsening...

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Feb. 16, 2025

John Levesley: Sobriety, Binge Drinking Recovery and Creating Hull & Yorkshire Daily Through Clarity

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , John shares a powerful story of quiet transformation - a shift from binge drinking, late nights and emotional exhaustion to clarity, creativity and meaningf...

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Jan. 31, 2025

Paul Haley: Heroin & Crack Cocaine Recovery, Lived Experience Leadership and Driving National Change

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Paul Haley shares his extraordinary journey from the depths of heroin and crack cocaine addiction to a position of national leadership within Change Grow Li...

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Jan. 14, 2025

Tom Fitzsimons: Alcohol Recovery, Ultramarathons and Running 3,073 Miles Across America

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Matt sits down with ultramarathon runner Tom Fitzsimons , whose extraordinary journey from alcohol addiction to running 3,073 miles across the United States...

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Nov. 28, 2024

Chris Tait: Music Industry Addiction, Alcohol Recovery and Building Passenger Recovery for Creatives

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Matt speaks with Chris Tait - keyboardist for Electric Six and founder of Passenger Recovery , a Detroit-based organisation supporting musicians and creativ...

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Aug. 30, 2024

Johnny Borrell: Razorlight & Recovery – Teenage Heroin & Championship Manager

Johnny Borrell - guitarist, singer, and frontman of Razorlight - joins Matt for an honest and introspective conversation about teenage heroin addiction, the road to recovery, and the stigma surrounding substance use in the mu...

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Nov. 24, 2023

John Thurston: 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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