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PODCAST

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma

Believe in People is the UK’s leading podcast dedicated to addiction, recovery, lived experience storytelling, and the power of peer support in transforming lives. Produced by ReNew, the series brings honest, unfiltered conversations with people who have faced addiction, homelessness, trauma, stigma, prison, relapse and recovery and found a way forward.Hosted by Matt Butler and produced by Robbie Lawson, each episode provides real insight into the experiences behind substance use, the roots of

education

All Episodes

70:32

Taz Hussain: Identity, Islam & Addiction - Racism,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/11/14

Born in Britain to Pakistani parents, Taz grew up between cultures - facing racism, violence, and confusion over faith and identity. Forced into an arranged marriage, his life descended into addiction and prison before self-reflection, therapy, and honesty led him toward redemption. A raw story of culture, trauma, and rebuilding with compassion. In this conversation, Taz unpacks the clash between culture and religion, the weight of expectation, and how misunderstanding faith can fractur...

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40:48

Katie Price & Kerry Katona: Addiction, Cocaine &...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/11/06

Recorded live behind the scenes at Hull City Hall during their tour, Katie and Kerry sit down together for a raw, unfiltered conversation about cocaine use, recovery, motherhood, and the double standards women face in the public eye. They talk candidly about addiction, ADHD, bipolar diagnosis, self-medication, the role of fame, toxic circles, and how accountability changed everything. You’ll hear how their friendship became a lifeline, why owning your story beats gossip, and what ...

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67:52

Mel Barrett: Triplets, Trauma & Transformation -...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/10/01

Mel shares her powerful journey from growing up as a triplet in a family where drinking was the norm, to finding recovery through boxing, community, and addressing her mental health. She opens up about identity struggles, belonging in pub culture, escalating substance use in Brighton, dangerous encounters with dealers, and the moment of clarity in Spain that changed everything. From cannabis use after quitting alcohol to finding strength in 12-step fellowships, boxing, and medication, Mel’s s...

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55:02

72 | Emma Hardy MP: Floods, Ketamine & Community -...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/09/08

Emma Hardy MP joins Believe in People for the second time to discuss Hull’s triple flood threat, the rise of ketamine harm, and the cost of living’s toll on mental health. From sewage systems to social housing, she tackles some of Britain’s biggest challenges. We also talk about the need for transparency in government to rebuild public trust, the role of innovation in solving long-term challenges, and why political leadership must prioritise bringing people together over exploiting division. ...

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51:22

71 | Elly Mortimer: Three Decades in Harm Reduction –...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/07/27

Elly returns for her third appearance on Believe in People to share insight from over 30 years working in harm reduction, with a focus on eliminating Hepatitis C. She explains how treatment has progressed from year-long courses with severe side effects to today’s short-course tablets that are 96 percent effective. Elly draws on decades of professional experience, making this an essential listen for anyone interested in how public health services respond to complex and evolving challenge...

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79:45

70 | Henry Beercock: Binge Drinking, Business,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/07/14

In this energising and unfiltered conversation, we meet Henry Beercock, founder of Hull’s growing sober movement Alcohull Free. After nearly two decades of heavy binge drinking, Henry made a bold decision: he gave up alcohol, left his corporate career, and radically transformed his life from the inside out. What followed was more than personal recovery, it was the beginning of a cultural shift. Alcohull Free was built for people who are tired of drinking culture but still want to connect, so...

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14:26

69 | Alexis Ffrench x Believe in People Podcast...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/07/03

Apple Music x Believe in People: A Classical Connections Feature In this special collaboration, Believe in People host Matthew Butler is featured on Classical Connections, the Radio Academy Award-winning podcast hosted by renowned pianist and composer Alexis Ffrench. Originally broadcast on Apple Music, this episode forms part of the acclaimed 60-Second Sonata segment, where Alexis listens to a personal story and responds by composing a bespoke piece of music. Inspired by Butler’s refle...

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79:21

68 | Andy Woodward - The Whistleblower Who Changed...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/07/01

In the first of a powerful two-part conversation, Andy Woodward joins Believe in People to recount the beginning of a journey that would ultimately expose one of the biggest scandals in British sporting history. A former professional footballer, Andy was the first to go public with his experience of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Barry Bennell, a youth coach whose crimes were concealed for decades by a culture of silence within football. With striking honesty, Andy describes how...

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71:28

67 | Young Lee: Recovery vs. Recovered - Fatherhood,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/05/26

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, Young shares how losing everything forced him to rebuild from scratch — not just a life, but a self. Through daily spiritual practice, honest service, and the quiet discipline of presence, he’s found a deeper kind of freedom — one rooted not in status or success, but in being

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75:11

66 | Ross McAndrew: Suicide & Sobriety – From Losing...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/05/23

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 alcohol and cocaine to suppress overwhelming grief, endured multiple suicide attempts, and reached a pivotal moment of clarity during hospitalisation. His recovery story is rooted in the transformative impact of sobriety and the critical role of peer support. Through his in...

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62:26

#65 - Woody Albrow: Recovery Through Connection,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/04/10

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 substance use in his teens and the emotional undercurrents that led him to rely on substances as a coping mechanism. He discusses his progression through various drugs, including butane gas, cannabis, hallucinogens, and ultimately alcohol, which became his most destructiv...

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42:32

#64 - Chris De Banks: Not Saints, Music & Recovery,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/03/18

In this episode, Matt speaks with Chris De Banks, the founder of Not Saints, the UK’s only not-for-profit record label dedicated to supporting musicians in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Chris shares his personal journey through addiction, from growing up in the music-fuelled 90s drug culture to battling alcohol dependency and substance use in the music industry. He discusses the myths surrounding creativity and addiction, the glamorisation of substance use in media and pop culture...

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48:07

#63 - Daniel Ramson: Talk2BigDan, Addiction...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/03/04

In this controversial and unfiltered episode of Believe in People, Matt sits down with Daniel Ramson - better known as TalkToBigDan to explore his unconventional approach to recovery. Unlike traditional services, Dan skips waiting lists, therapy rooms, and medical interventions. Instead, he delivers straight-talking and tough-love coaching rooted in his own lived experience. From partying with rock stars and being sectioned to becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after addiction coaches...

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63:00

#62 - John Levesley: Hull And Yorkshire Daily, Binge...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/02/16

John’s story is one of transformation, self-awareness, and the pursuit of authenticity. Once caught in the cycle of binge drinking and substance-fuelled nights, he reached a turning point—a moment of realisation at five in the morning, surrounded by people and a lifestyle he no longer resonated with. Though he never identified as an alcoholic, John recognized that alcohol had a profoundly negative impact on his life, pushing him toward change. With a newfound clarity, John embraced sobr...

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68:17

#61 - Paul Haley: Heroin Addiction, Lived Experience...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/01/31

Paul Haley’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and purpose. Once caught in the grips of heroin and crack cocaine addiction, Paul reached a devastating rock bottom - an injecting injury that nearly cost him his arm. Faced with the harsh reality of where his addiction had taken him, he made the life-altering decision to turn things around.With sheer determination, Paul rebuilt his life, channelling the same relentless drive that once fuelled his addiction into something positive. He...

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34:01

#60 - Matthew Butler: Believe in People...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/01/22

🎙️ Believe in People: A Special Collaboration Episode 🌟In this special transatlantic collaboration, Amy Goldberg, host of Believe in People America, welcomes Matt Butler, host of the UK’s Believe in People podcast, into the guest seat for a heartfelt discussion on recovery, resilience, and belief in change. Joining them as today’s special guest host is Caitlin Morrison, a dedicated advocate and sister of the late Matthew Perry, who shares powerful insights into the ongoing mission of the

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80:54

#59 - Tom Fitzsimons: 3,073 Miles in a 100 Day...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2025/01/14

Matt sits down with Tom Fitzsimons, an ultramarathon runner whose awe-inspiring story of resilience and recovery has touched lives worldwide. From battling stigma and enduring unimaginable physical challenges to running 3,073 miles across the United States in 100 days, Tom shares how running became more than a sport - it became his lifeline and a means to rewrite his identity.Tom takes us through his remarkable journey, beginning with his struggles with alcohol addiction and a life-chang...

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52:11

#58 - Sarah Hicks (Part 2): Surviving Sexual Assault,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2024/12/20

In the second part of this two-part episode, Matt continues his conversation with Sarah Hicks as she reflects on her journey through trauma, recovery, and advocacy. Sarah shares the harrowing experience of surviving sexual assault, the long-term psychological impact, and her path to seeking justice. She candidly discusses the systemic challenges she faced during the investigation and legal proceedings, highlighting the critical need for change in how victims of sexual assault are treated...

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57:57

#57 - Sarah Hicks (Part 1): Emotional Manipulation,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2024/12/20

In this comprehensive two-part episode, Matt sits down with Sarah Hicks to explore her life story, touching on a wide range of themes that include addiction, trauma, abusive relationships, grief, and recovery. Sarah reflects on her early experiences with substance use, the impact of coercive control and emotional manipulation in her relationships, and the challenges of coping with profound loss and abandonment.The conversation delves into the generational and societal influences that shaped S...

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34:49

#56 - Zoe: Self Sabotage, Toxic Relationships,...

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma ·

2024/12/19

In this episode, Matt speaks with Zoe about her journey through substance misuse, mental health struggles, and recovery. Zoe candidly shares her experiences of growing up in an environment where substance use was normalized, starting with cannabis at the age of 12 and progressing to recreational use of other drugs like pills and alcohol. She reflects on how societal pressures, childhood challenges, and undiagnosed ADHD shaped her behaviours, leading to patterns of self-sabotage and an escape ...

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94 results

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