Episodes
Chris De Banks: Musicians in Recovery, Sobriety, Addiction and the Drug Fuelled 90s Music Scene
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-for-profit record label dedicated to supporting musicians in recovery. Through C...
Daniel Ramson: Tough-Love Recovery, Radical Accountability and Life After Psychosis
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Matt sits down with Daniel Ramson, known online as TalkToBigDan, for a raw, provocative and unapologetically direct conversation about recovery, responsibil...
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...
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...
Amy Goldberg & Caitlin Morrison: Believe in People America - Matthew Butler Meets the Matthew Perry Foundation
In this powerful transatlantic collaboration of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , host Amy Goldberg welcomes UK host Matt Butler into the guest seat, joined by special guest host Caitlin Morrison — sister of t...
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...
Sarah Hicks (Part One): Addiction, Coercive Control, Grief and Reclaiming Life After Trauma
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Matt begins the first part of a deeply personal two-part conversation with Sarah Hicks , whose story spans addiction, trauma, abusive relationships, grief a...
Sarah Hicks (Part Two): Sexual Trauma, Justice Failures and Survivor-Led Advocacy for Reform
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , we continue the second part of a powerful two-part conversation with Sarah Hicks , who shares her courageous journey through trauma, justice and long-term r...
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...
Shev Nuttall: Single Motherhood, Alcohol Recovery, Family Trauma and Rewriting Your Story
In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma , Matt jumps straight into a heartfelt and unflinching conversation with Shev , who reflects on the emotional weight of adult responsibilities placed on her f...
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...
Ollie Dent: Cannabis, Withdrawal & Waking Up – Isolation & the Quiet Strength of Recovery
Matt is joined by Ollie for a raw and introspective conversation tracing his journey from early childhood trauma to recovery. After losing his mother at just eight years old and navigating the fallout of his father’s 22-year ...
Andre Edmund: Murder, Addiction & 31 Years Inside – Gang Violence, Redemption & Corruption
Join Matt for an extraordinary conversation with Andre, whose story spans over three decades in a Los Angeles prison following convictions for armed robbery and murder. Opening with a raw account of the grief, addiction, and ...
Emma Plant: Ecstasy to Overdose – Heroin, Maternal Struggles & Naloxone Awakening
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. Growing up in a family shaped by substance use - her father’s addiction and her g...
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...
Adam Maxted: Life After Love Island, Steroids & Wrestling - Big Flex Fame, WWE & Mental Health Advocacy
Adam Maxted - professional wrestler and Love Island reality TV star - joins Matt for an unfiltered conversation about life in the spotlight, the pursuit of physical perfection, and the emotional complexities behind public suc...
Ambrose Brown: Hep C, Heroin & Hope – Prison, Peer Support & The Micro-Elimination Mission
Matt sits down with Ambrose, a leading voice in the recovery community, for a powerful conversation tracing his journey from severe substance misuse to health, purpose, and advocacy. Ambrose candidly shares his experience wit...
Harriette Cantona: 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...
Chris Sylvester - Heroin Aged 12, Crime, Trauma, Accountability, Hepatitis C, Cocaine, Manipulation, Homelessness, Drug Dealing, Working the 12 Steps & The Power of Second Chances
Matt is in conversation with former child heroin addict and Getting Clean founder, Chris Sylvester, whose descent into addiction began at just 12 years old. Chris shares his candid experiences, revealing the allure and grip o...
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...
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....
Young: Heroin, House Music & Healing – Smuggling, Acid House & Spiritual Surrender
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 by crack, cocaine, alcohol, and eventually heroin. Immersed in the Acid Hou...
Grand Dame Carol Black: UK Drug Policy, Recovery Pathways, Addiction Workforce Challenges, Mental Health Integration & Trauma Informed Care
Matt welcomes back Professor Dame Carol Black for her second appearance on the Believe in People Podcast. Dame Carol, recently awarded the prestigious Grand Cross, the highest level in the order, and is awarded rarely and rec...
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, detailing her use of alcohol diaries to unravel her triggers and pave the path towards recovery. Ruth's unwavering commitment to maintaining sobriety amidst the adversity of her illness serves as a profound source of inspiration. Her story illuminates the virtues…