The Reset by Sam Delaney

My guest this week is the musician Damon Minchella – legendary bassist, founding member of Ocean Colour Scene, and a man who lived through the wildest years of Britpop and beyond. In his new book, You’d Look Good on a Donkey: Brit Pop, Bass Lines and Bad Decisions, Damon tells the story of going from being broke and on the dole to sudden wealth, fame, and full‑tilt rock and roll excess.We talk about what that does to your head: the pressure, the burnout, the drugs, the insanity of being recognised everywhere, and the challenge of coming back to normal life. Damon is brutally honest about his own bad decisions, the perils of rock and roll, and how he’s managed to find a healthier balance along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Reset, I’m joined by Peter Hooton – frontman of The Farm, co‑founder of legendary Liverpool fanzine The End, writer, activist and lifelong Red. It’s a conversation about how music, football and humour can keep you afloat when the world’s trying to drag you under.We get into The Farm’s rise as a proper ‘street band,’ the snobbery they faced from the music press, the madness of early 90s fame and how close he came to burning out. Peter also opens up about being at Hillsborough, the guilt he carried for years and the long fight for justice.It’s funny, political, emotional and full of heart.The Farm are on tour in 2026 - dates and tickets here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I’m chatting to Professor Paul Eastwick, one of the world's top thinkers on love, attraction, and relationships, and the author of “Bonded by Evolution: What We’ve Got Wrong About Love and Connection.”We get into loads of stuff: why your “type” probably isn’t real, how dating apps can fry your brain, why chemistry matters more than tick-box lists, and how the whole Tate-adjacent manosphere view of women and relationships is nonsense once you look at the actual science.We also talk about vulnerability, anxiety, being liked, and how relationship chaos bangs up against our mental health – whether you’re single, married, divorced or just confused.If you enjoy this, there’s an archive of over 140 other interviews, plus hundreds of my essays and articles, at samdelaney.substack.com. Go and have a look. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New year, new series. My first guest on The Reset in 2026 is Jason Williamson from Sleaford Mods. Known for his furious, funny and brutally honest lyrics about post-austerity Britain, masculinity, class, love and more, Jason has helped build one of the most passionate fanbases in British music over the past decade. We met at his label’s London offices just before Christmas for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation covering everything from Andrew Tate to Amazon shopping, family estrangement and getting sober. The sound’s a little raw in places (sorry about that), but Jason is thoughtful, open and completely compelling. I loved the chat — I hope you enjoy it too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Connolly had a chaotic childhood. By the time he hit his twenties, he was contemplating suicide. Now, he is one of the country’s most influential voices on mental health, using his own experiences to help others. I chatted with him about why men struggle to share emotions, growing up around alcohol and how he wants to de-stigmatise conversations about suicide.For more on Josh’s work, click hereDonate to CALM's Stay Tuned fundraiser here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elliot Sweeney has been a psychiatric nurse for over two decades. Now he has written a book about his experiences: ‘We Don't Use Words Like Crazy - A Life On The Frontline Of Mental Health.’ His moving, and often funny, memoir pulls back the curtain on what the job’s really like, showing why we need more compassion for people who are struggling and the professionals who try to help them every day.To donate to my fundraiser for CALM’s Stay Tuned Campaign, please click this link.Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK. Sparing a few quid for CALM helps them fund their essential service to help bring that rate down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ziyad Marar draws on psychology, philosophy, literature and even the films of Quentin Tarantino to demonstrate the strange business of noticing things. His new book (Noticing - How We Attend To the World And Each Other) contends that our enjoyment of life is shaped by what we choose to notice in the world around us.**********Please donate here to my fundraiser for CALM. CALM is an outspoken, innovative suicide prevention charity offering life-saving services and smashing the stigma around mental health. With STAY Tuned 2025, I’m using my podcasts to raise money for CALM. Together we can help people end their misery, not their lives. If you can, sling a few quid their way. Cheers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Reset is back after a hiatus! Thank you for your patience; it’s been a busy year.Throughout September, I will be backing the Stay Tuned 2025 campaign by the brilliant mental health charity, CALM.Stay Tuned is all about raising awareness about mental health and raising money to pay for CALM’s life-saving support services.You can donate to my fundraiser page here. Every penny counts (but for anyone who can spare a larger amount, there are some special incentives and rewards on offer).To help me kick off the campaign, I am joined on this week’s pod by Callum Goodall from CALM. He told me more about the amazing work they are doing to save lives - and shared his own moving experience of coping with a suicide attempt in his family.There will be more episodes coming throughout the month, so stay in touch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Harrington has lived a life that is familiar to many Reset listeners: getting into trouble as a kid, raving hard in his teens and twenties, devoting his life to work in his thirties….then hitting a brick wall and developing dangerous drug habits in his forties. Now, Paul is in his late fifties, sober and fitter than ever. He joined me on the pod to tell me about a life of beautiful chaos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean McNicholas overcame a traumatic childhood to become a successful club entrepreneur. But the high life burnt him out and, eventually, he decided to get sober and help other men with similar problems. Now he is a qualified therapist and ADHD expert who joined me to discuss his extraordinary story - and his mission to help men turn their lives around.Find out more about Sean’s work here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Manston has spent a lifetime raving. With partner Danny Gould he built Clockwork Orange into the definitive Ibiza club brand. But all the partying came at a price. A year ago, Andy finally decided it was time to pack in the drink and drugs. Now, for the first time, he tells his inspirational sobriety story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a young police officer, Leon MacFayden experienced extreme trauma that forced him out of his job and tormented him for the next twenty years. After years of failed treatment, he finally found a way to heal himself. He shares his inspirational story via his excellent newsletter From Trauma To Strength. I was very pleased to chat with him on this week’s pod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dee C. Lee is a soul singer, pop icon, and trailblazer. In the 1980s, she first found fame as part of Wham! Then, she jumped ship to take a starring role in The Style Council before scoring her own solo hits. In this honest and frank chat, she talks about her incredible career, the emotional toll of fame, and music's role in her mental health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruby Wax has been raising awareness of mental health issues and fighting stigma for decades now. She shares her own experiences to help others. I was honoured to speak to her about her excellent charity Frazzled and her latest book ‘I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was.’Funny, clever, compassionate and insightful: Ruby was everything I hoped and expected her to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruth Whippman is a writer and author of ‘Boy Mum - Raising Boys In An Age Of Toxic Masculinity.’ It’s a great read by a mum of young lads who wants to understand the constant pressures and often dodgy influences surrounding young men growing up. How can we stop our sons from falling under the spell of people like Andrew Tate and Donald Trump? I really enjoyed discussing this and more with Ruth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After recovering from alcoholism, Lucy Da Silva gained a masters in psychotherapy and now specialises in the use of ketamine and psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders. She joined me to discuss this fascinating new area of therapy and her own powerful story of childhood trauma, addiction and recovery.Find out more about Lucy’s work here https://silvawellness.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Mann is the UK’s top dog trainer, a great broadcaster and a prolific author. His new book, ‘Another Day, Another Collar - Confessions Of A Dog Trainer’ is a memoir of dogs he has known and the impact they have had on his life. I’m a big beleiver in the power of dogs to help with people’s mental health (I know my dog, Cookie, manages to put a smile on my face every day). Steve is a top bloke with loads to say about dogs, happiness and life. I really enjoyed talking with him for this week’s pod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Hyman started Bloomsbury Football in London to provide top level coaching and facilities to everyone, whatever their background, resources or ability. Now, there are hundreds of kids across the capital whose lives have been changed by Bloomsbury. Charlie joined me to explain the positive impact football and helping others can have on anyone’s mental health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD, addiction, toxic relationships…Dr Natalie Cawley encountered patients with all of these issues and more during her first year working as a psychotherapist. Simultaneously, she was trying to cope with her own emotional pressures, as she adapted to a new job in a new city after the breakdown of a long term relationship. Now, she has written a moving and funny memoir about that time: ‘Just About Coping - A Real-Life Drama From The Psychotherapists Chair.’ She joined me to discuss the fascinating and challenging work of a mental health professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Reisinger is an Australian born, award-winning filmmaker. His new movie ‘& Mrs’ is a romantic comedy-drama starring Aisling Bea and Tom Hanks. It’s about a bride-to-be coping with the sudden death of her fiancé just weeks before their planned wedding. For Daniel, the film had a special resonance as he lost his mother shortly before going into production. He talks about processing his grief while trying to make his first movie, what he learned about bereavement and why he thinks we should all get more comfortable talking about death.If you are dealing with a bereavement, find support at The Good Grief Trust (as mentioned in this episode) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Tyler is a former west end star turned therapist. A few years back, he received a shock cancer diagnosis and was given just three months to live. But he defied his diagnosis and still fights on today. Now he has written a memoir - As A Kite Falls - in which he details what he has learned about living in the face of adversity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Kerridge grew up on a council estate in Gloucestershire before working his way up through the restaurant business and opening the Hand And Flowers in Bray - the only double Michelin starred pub in the world.When he turned 40, he decided to quit alcohol and has never looked back. In this entertaining chat he tells me about the stress of working in a kitchen, sobriety, fatherhood and how he manages to keep his edge as he gets older.His new book, Tom Kerridge Cooks Britain, is out now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A revealing and honest chat with one of my broadcasting heroes. Adrian talks about a life in football, the pressures of life on the road, the family secret that plagued him for years and his decision to quit drinking alcohol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allie Bailey thought that running would save her from her demons. She started running to stop drinking but found herself addicted to both things simultaneously. While running - and often winning - ultra-marathons all over the globe, Allie was often drunk and almost always hungover. Soon she realised she couldn’t outrun her bad habits. Following lockdown, a breakdown and an attempt to take her own life, she finally found a way of getting and staying sober . Allie tells me her story with honesty, humour and tons of swearing.Buy her book - There Is No Wall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janey Lee Grace is best known as a broadcaster on BBC Radio 2 - especially as the long-time co-host of the legendary Steve Wright In The Afternoon show. After a lifetime of fun-filled adventures in pop music, Janey quit alcohol in 2018 after realising she was stuck in ‘the grey zone.’ Now she helps others quit booze and live happier lives through the brilliant Sober Club communityYou can listen to Janey’s podcast, Alcohol Free Life, here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Mike, Tim and Andy lost their young daughters to suicide they felt lost, alone and engulfed by grief. Then they found each other, became firm friends and decided to walk across the UK raising suicide awareness. Inspirational, strong and funny, these are the three of the most incredible blokes I’ve ever interviewed. I hope you enjoy listening to their important and powerful story.Buy their book Three Dads Walking - 300 Miles Of Hope hereFind out more about their forthcoming walk hereFind out more about Papyrus, the suicide awareness charity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After finding fame as a child actor in the sixties, David Charkham fell foul of showbiz temptations and sank into addiction. After seeking treatment and getting sober in the eighties, he put his efforts into helping others on their own recovery journeys. As well as working for years in the NHS, he has helped some of the biggest stars of entertainment get, and stay, sober, including Ozzy Osbourne. He joined me this week to share his incredible life story, his experiences of working on the road as a sober coach with global rock tours - and all of the wisdom he has picked up along the way.David now works with The Cabin, a luxury rehab centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand.He is also a patron of the Outside Edge Theatre Company, helping people get sober through creativity and performance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Cope has a Phd in positive psychology meaning he gets to actually call himself a doctor of happiness. A prolific author, in-demand speaker and founder of training company the Art Of Brilliance, Andy has spent years helping people get happy. Energetic, funny and bullshit free, he’s the perfect Reset guest.Click her to find out more about Andy’s work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Fletcher is a therapist - but not the weird type. Down to earth, funny and plain-speaking, he is on a mission to show people that therapy isn’t all about sitting on a chaise long and talking about fancying your mum. His new book ‘And How Does That Make You Feel?’ is a frank and entertaining guide to what a therapist actually does - and involves some brilliant anecdotes about his own adventures in therapy.To buy the book click hereAnd if you’re interested in finding a therapist then check out these directories:Counselling Directory UKPsychology Today directory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gary Stevenson left his trading career behind - after if almost sent him mad. He became the youngest trader in the city of London and soon he was the most successful too. But the fast living, long hours, high pressure and iffy ethics soon took its toll. On this week’s episode, he tells me his breathtaking life story.Buy Gary’s incredible memoir The Trading game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave was polishing off a bottle of vodka a night in his late forties. His career and his relationship were on the verge of collapse. But he thought he couldn’t live without booze. Then a call from a friend changed his life forever.Listen to Dave’s podcast One for the Road and read his bestselling book of the same name. Follow Dave on Instagram @SoberDave.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louis Weinstock is a psychotherapist who specialises in working with young people. He joined me to talk about his new book, in which he outlines the myriad pressures and strains that our kids are under in the modern world. Parenting is tough - especially when your kids are teens. Louis offers some beautiful insights and tips on how to support your kids mental health without sending yourself mad.SharePrevious Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Turner is co-founder of the excellent music and culture site The Quietus and a contributor to the Guardian, NME, Vice and many more.As a child, Luke was obsessed with the Second World War. His new book, Men At War, examines how the war stories he loved shaped his ideas of masculinity.He joined me to discuss what it means to be a modern man.Buy Men At War here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They call him Paul 'Dangerous' Danan for good reason. Compulsive, obsessive and adventurous, Paul often finds himself in exciting but life-threatening situations. In this episode, he reveals a fall from a building that damaged both his mental and physical health in 2023. Paul's charity Paul's directorial debut on video for 'Follow' by Phil Mac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you really get to know someone? How do you show them that you see and understand who they really are? This is what David Brooks, best-selling author and New York Time columnist, sets out to discover in his new book How To Know A Person. It contains some life changing lessons in empathy, friendship and communication. David joined me on this episode to talk about all that stuff and his own personal growth from cold fish to warm-hearted empath. Something for us all to aspire to!Buy his excellent book here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we all riddled with animalistic sexual urges that only society’s manners stop us from acting upon? Or is sex a bit more complicated and nuanced than that? These are the sort of questions Darian Leader tries to answer in his new book, Is It Ever Just Sex?It’s not often we’ve had the chance to discuss hanky-panky on The Reset but Darian has some brilliantly smart ideas on the subject that he explains with real clarity and humour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jules Evans is a writer, historian and practical philosopher. His first book, ‘Philosophy For Life - And Other Dangerous Situations’ was a Times book of the year and was translated into numerous languages. It broke down some of the big ideas of ancient philosophy, in particular stoicisim, and showed how they could apply to everyday, modern life. It was extremely readable and very helpful to people all over the world. He’s a fascinating bloke and his personal story is incredible too. I was really pleased to welcome him onto the podcast and especially enjoyed this chat.Find out more about Jules and his work here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Patterson is an addiction counsellor grew up with an alcoholic dad who collected him from school drunk. He knows about the pain and insecurity felt by the people who surround addicts. Now he helps them via the family therapy programme he runs at rehab centre, The Cabin in Thailand.His story is raw, honest and painful but his insights are really helpful to anyone who is living with an addict in their life.For free support visithttps://al-anonuk.org.uk/For more about Jordan’s work visit The Cabin’s website here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Wharmby was 34 when he got diagnosed as autistic. Suddenly, big aspects of his life finally started making sense: including his struggles with mental health.While autism isn’t an illness, it presents challenges that often damage your mental health. In his bestselling book, Untypical, Peter paints a vivid picture of how being neurodivergent impacts his life.Peter was a great guest and really challenged so many of the common stereotypes about autism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When doctors tested award winning novelist Daan Heerman Van Voss for stress hormones, they found a record breaking level in his bloodstream. This effectively made him the most anxious man in the world. He’d had enough of living with constant worry and decided to deep dive the problem. The result is his first non fiction book, The Anxiety Project, in which he investigates the roots of his condition, the social and economic factors that contribute and the possible ways out.It’s a brilliant book and I was delighted to discuss it with him on this week’s pod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barrie ‘Baz’ Rice was a veteran of New Zealand’s SAS before joining the world of the private security contracter. In 2004, his firm - Blackwater - became famous around the world when two of its operatives were hijacked and murdered in Iraq. What followed was a brutal and bloody conflict in post-war Iraq between security firms and insurgents. Barrie was caught in the middle of a fight that nearly cost him his life and his sanity.Buy his book - We Were Blackwater - here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katy Georgiou is a practising psychotherapist and host of the excellent music and mental health podcast Sound Affects. How does music impact our moods and our minds? Is there really a connection between hedonism and creativity? And how can music help us in our darkest hours? I loved discussing all of this and more with Katy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congressman Adam Smith seemed to have everything sorted: a high-flying political career plus a loving wife and kids. Then, in his forties - seemingly without any warning - his body and mind broke. Chronic pain and crippling anxiety almost incapiciated him completely. He joined me to explain how this crisis led him to seek help, open his mind to therapy and become a stronger, happier man in his fifties.Buy Adam’s book - Lost And Broken - My Journey Back From Chronic Pain And Crippling Anxiety - here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noel McDermott has been a mental health professional for over 25 years. You may have heard me as a recent guest on his excellent Wellbeing Show. A regular commentator in the media on mental health matters, Noel has his own experiences of dealing with PTSD and addiction as a younger man. He was kind enough to share his inspiring life story with me for this week’s episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best-selling author, much-loved columnist and ubiquitous presenter: Danny Wallace is the epitome of the freewheeling Renaissance man. But on this week’s pod, he opened up about some of the mental challenges he has faced: from the sense of awkwardness he writes about so entertainingly, to the anxiety of parenthood to the pain of losing his dad two years ago.This is a rare insight to the mind of one of the nation’s favourite funny blokes.Buy Danny’s books hereListen to the Manatomy podcast here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this special centenary episode I am joined by one of my all time heroes: hip-hop pioneer and voice of a generation, Chuck D. We spoke about the relationship between art and mental health, his activism, his music career and the reasons behind his lifelong sobriety.Plus, his secret life painting nudes.Buy Chuck’s new book of illustrations Livin’ Loud here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susanna Hoffs scored a series of hits in the 1980’s with her all-girl band, The Bangles. She has since become a solo artists and recently published her first novel, This Bird Has Flown - a romantic comedy about a one hit wonder.She joined me on the show to discuss how quitting drink changed her life for the better, why she took a therapist on the road with her and her life-changing relationship with Prince. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Waterson trains some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, from Daniel Craig to Tom Hiddlestone to Chris ‘Captain America’ Evans. He joined me to talk about his military background, the relationship between mental and physical health and what it’s like working with James Bond.This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Olympic Studios in Barnes.Buy Simon’s new book “The Ten Week Intelligence Fitness Challenge” here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glen Oliver was leading a pretty conventional life until a weekend in Ibiza changed his worldview forever. He quit his job in the police force and start using drugs - but things eventually got out of hand. Glen had to get sober, rebuild his life and start focussing on helping others. He talked to me about booze, trauma and his use of psychedelics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Owen is an extraordinary bloke. In his late thirties he quit a well paid career as an investment banker in order to run St Giles Trust - a charity that helps rehabilitate inner city gang members. He spends his spare time undertaking extreme physical challenges - from climbing Everest to trekking the Antarctic. I spoke to him about why he decided to sacrifice riches for charity work and what drives his passion for adventure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.