This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor

He knew that what he was doing was wrong but he couldn’t stop until a life-changing incident set his life on a new course.22-year-old Jack from Dagenham in Essex joins us today. Working in the building maintenance industry, he has over a year's recovery under his belt.  Starting with ketamine use from age 16, then moving through other drugs and alcohol, Jack’s story could have ended in tragedy. Thankfully Jack is still with us today, talking about what led him down a very dark path. In the hopes of helping other young people, Jack speaks courageously, honestly and with great clarity about the grip his addictions had on him and how he managed to free himself.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Many many young people who have struggled with mental health, disordered eating or addiction have benefited from a guiding hand from our guest today.Alex Blatch initially trained as a Registered Mental Health Nurse and later as a Bereavement Counsellor working in CAMHS, Eating Disorders, Adult Acute and Addiction Services. Over the past 35 years, Alex has worked in and managed a variety of private mental health settings, including inpatient, daycare and outpatient services.Often using humour to connect with young people, Alex talks to us about the difficult topic of shame, shares her thoughts regarding the pressures on young men right now, and we find out exactly how disordered eating is defined and how to treat it. Alex offers up advice not only for young people who are struggling but she is also a wealth of knowledge for parents when it comes to identifying and seeking help for their children when they are facing challenges.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Top Charities & Support Services suggested by Alex: YoungMinds: Offers, information, and guides for young people, as well as a helpline for parents concerned about their child.  Place2Be: Provides counseling and mental health services directly within schools, focusing on early intervention. Stem4: Focuses on teenage mental health, providing clinically-validated digital apps (e.g., Calm Harm, Clear Fear) to manage anxiety, depression, and self-harm. The Mix: Offers confidential support, including counseling, for young people under 25 on various issues. Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention: Operates HOPELINEUK, providing practical advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts or those worried about them. Anna Freud Centre: Focuses on research, clinical care, and developing tailored mental health support in schools and communities.  YoungMinds +4 Digital & Specialized Services Kooth: Free, anonymous, online counseling and mental wellbeing platform for young people. Shout 85258: A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope. Selfharm UK: A dedicated project aimed at supporting young people impacted by self-harm. Students Against Depression: Provides resources and guidance specifically for students struggling with low mood and depression. Brent Centre for Young People: Provides specialized psychotherapy for adolescents, particularly in London, addressing anxiety and self-harm. 

We have an extraordinary young guest today, a real highlight for our youth and addiction series. Isa got sober as a teenager and is now an inspiring example of how you can turn your life around if you really work a recovery programme. Isa can trace the beginnings of her pattern of addictive behaviour back to unhealthy eating when she was just seven years old. Unhealthy eating led to full-blown addiction to drugs and alcohol, bringing Isa into rehab by the time she was 18 years old. This episode is especially powerful for young people struggling with addiction and a real source of hope for their parents too.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Today we welcome Melanie, a young woman working through the stages of recovery after growing up a child of an alcoholic. Melanie always felt different at school and struggled to make friends.  After learning as much as she could about alcohol and having had a spiritual awakening, she is now able to speak about her experiences and share her strength and hope for other young people who are living in households where alcoholism is present. Melanie speaks openly about how living with alcoholism shaped her early years and has some enlightening insight into how other young people can identify whether someone close to them might have a problem with alcohol.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Nacoa online https://nacoa.org.uk/Find NACOA on Instagram @nacoauk 

How do you manage to cut through the silence of a disengaged young man, engaging with those who seem the most disenchanted with the people around them?Today we are pleased to welcome an incredible guy who is doing life-saving work with vulnerable young people, getting them reengaged with school and with the world at large. Tom Paget is the operations lead for Reach Group Community Projects based in Essex, delivering bespoke projects and mentoring pathways to engage the most vulnerable young people in the county. Reach Group uses a blend of proven methodologies and physical activity to help those that have been pushed to the wayside for various reasons. Tom uses his life experience to successfully support the next generation through his guidance as a boxing coach and life-changing mentor.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

What power does a ten-year-old have in the face of a disease as insidious as alcoholism?We are so privileged to welcome the extraordinary Amelie and her mother, Lucy. Amelie sadly lost her father after a devastating battle with alcoholism when she was just ten years old. After losing her father, Amelie would write letters to him at night before she went to bed. As a result of writing these letters, Amelie felt compelled to write to the government and ask for change in how alcohol is sold and advertised and to ask for support for families of alcoholics. Lucy, Amelie’s mother tells us the story of Dan’s alcoholism but we also get a strong sense of an amazing father who loved his children very much and was taken away at the young age of 41 as a result of alcoholism. Lucy, Amelie and I hope that this conversation will help to raise awareness for other families of alcoholics and to let them know that they are not alone.    If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Nacoa online https://nacoa.org.uk/Find NACOA on Instagram @nacoauk Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

We have done something a bit different this time around and we are bringing you a really impactful new set of episodes. Our new season focuses on all of the different ways that addiction can affect young people. Joining us on the show will be some admirable guests who work with young people to support them through trauma, mental health challenges and addictive behaviours. We also feature brave guests who have struggled with addictive behaviours in their youth and young people coping with the challenges that come in life with an alcoholic parent. I can't wait to share these conversations with you. The first episode of the new season will be out on the second of April.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Today’s guest welcomes the tough times as an opportunity to grow. The tougher, in fact, the better.Ken Rideout is the fastest marathoner in the world over fifty and a former prison guard, Wall Street trader, and opioid addict. His life story has been chronicled in such publications as The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Outside. Since getting sober more than a decade ago, he has won some of the world's toughest races, including, at age fifty-two, the Gobi March—a 155-mile, self-supported race across the sweltering Gobi Desert in Mongolia—and a few months later, the Masters (50+) Marathon World Championships. Even though Ken places high value on health and physical fitness, he cuts through the wellness clichés. He’s blunt, practical, often provocative – and his philosophy is backed by lived experience rather than platitudes. Ken lives in Nashville with his wife and their four children.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Amazon link to Ken’s book here:https://amzn.eu/d/0chE06q5Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Happy New Year! Bring on 2026. This is a special episode of This Is Powerful. We haven't done a greatest hits episode in a while, and based on what you're telling us, we know a lot of you really enjoy these special episodes.So, as we look forward to another year, we thought it would be good fun to put together a bunch of our favorite nuggets of information and gems of experience that our guests have shared over the past two seasons. So sit back, relax, and take in some great advice, poignant moments and brilliant laughs.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Brandon Block is a name synonymous with dance floors worldwide. A true pioneer of the club scene, he has been an idol of Paul’s for quite some time! Brandon became the first resident DJ on Ibiza’s legendary Space terrace and has been getting parties going worldwide ever since. With residencies spanning Dubai, Marbella, Hong Kong, and beyond, his energy behind the decks is as infectious as ever but his hedonistic reputation is now just the stuff of legends. Brandon’s current story is one of growth and transformation, after difficulty in finding help in 1996. In this episode, Brandon talks about the highs and lows of fame, the joy of connection through music, and his journey into recovery and mental health work. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

In this holiday special, you’ll hear a practical, no-nonsense toolkit for staying alcohol-free during Christmas and beyond. From setting your intention early and handling awkward offers at the table, to bringing your own drinks, planning an exit strategy, and grounding yourself when things feel overwhelming, this episode is packed with real-world strategies that actually work.Whether you’re newly sober, sober-curious, or simply rethinking your relationship with alcohol, this episode meets you exactly where you are, with honesty, warmth, and encouragement. If the holidays feel daunting, consider this gentle reminder that you’re allowed to put yourself first. One Christmas at a time!Next week we won’t put a new episode out on our regular day, which is Thursday, but we will put a new episode out on Friday, which is Boxing Day. Best wishes to everyone as we wind down 2025, over the festive period.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Today we welcome Max and Chris, hosts of the Addicted to Recovery podcast. Reaching more than 20,000 listeners each month, the Addicted to Recovery podcast blends honesty, humor, and heart, diving into real-life stories of growth, resilience, and redemption.Christopher White is a 37-year-old podcaster and proud family man who’s been clean for five years through Narcotics Anonymous. With a background in construction, Chris brings a grounded, no-nonsense perspective to everything he does. Max Thomas is living proof that addiction doesn’t discriminate. Privately educated and raised in a loving, supportive family with no history of trauma, Max nevertheless found himself caught in the cycle of addiction. Today, Max is over six years clean, a devoted husband, father of two, and a successful business owner.We hit on some big topics like the new (and better) buzz that comes from helping people, pulling a manipulative ace card, and the hard work needed to finally admit true self-centredness.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Max and Chris on Instagram @AddictedtoRecoveryPodcast 

A former foreign correspondent and political journalist for the news agency Reuters, she reported from the Houses of Parliament and travelled the world with prime ministers but all the while she was binge eating, binge drinking, compulsively exercising and hurting herself and others in dysfunctional relationships. Today’s guest Katherine Baldwin is a trauma-informed love, dating and relationship coach, a midlife mentor, mental health and wellbeing speaker, a TEDx speaker and the author of 'How to Fall in Love'. Katherine openly shares her experiences of an eating disorder, alcohol abuse, unhealthy relationship patterns, workaholism and burnout in a high-profile journalism career. We speak about the tools Katherine acquired on her 22-year healing journey, now supporting others to overcome self-harm, love themselves, transform their relationships and find healthy love. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Katherine online: www.katherinebaldwin.com Find Katherine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherine.baldwin/ Find Katherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-baldwin-speaker-coach-author/

From professional actor, through extraordinary personal growth, to ordained Buddhist priest, his service to others kept focus on his sobriety. Tom Ratcliffe was born in London and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. His early life followed the familiar arc of a working actor, but then his encounter with legendary American acting teacher Sanford Meisner in the early ‘90s not only reshaped his craft but ignited his search for truth and his dedication to mindfulness and acceptance.From working in the Calais Jungle, to caring for family through illness, loss, and relapse, Tom’s story is one of radical compassion born from chaos. Now retired from teaching, he stands at another threshold. In this raw and intimate conversation between two friends, Tom reflects on what it truly means to live in service, to heal, and to begin again. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

‘ Hemingway was a drunk and we love that about him. He also put a shotgun in his mouth and ended his life, but somehow we leave that part out of it.’ In this frank and often funny conversation about getting sober and rediscovering your creativity, internationally known theater director, writer, and Artistic Director Sean Daniels challenges the myth that we often have to suffer in order to make great art.  Known for new work and innovative community-based leadership, Sean is the Executive Director of the Recovery Arts Project and a leading voice in the mission to use the arts to defeat addiction.Sean’s play, The White Chip has recently finished playing commercially in London. The NY Times Critics Pick play that doesn’t shy away from the messiness of recovery has been performed around the world as a catalyst for community conversation and connection.In the arts world, Sean has been named “one of the top fifteen up & coming artists in the U.S.” and “One Of 7 People Reshaping and Revitalizing The American Musical” by American Theatre magazine. We had a great conversation about addiction within the creative industries and why producing great things needn’t be a deal with the devil. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculforFind Sean online https://linktr.ee/seanddaniels

Andy grew up an only child, set up a property business at 21 and became a proud and very happy dad at 30. Over time, however, things became difficult. One daughter stopped attending school and disappeared from his life for some time while he became the sole-full time parent to his younger daughter. He later discovered that his daughters’ mother (his ex) had developed severe bipolar disorder and a drug addiction, which naturally caused complications.As a result of appearing on My Mum, Your Dad, ITV’s ‘relationship show with a difference’, Andy realised the value of opening up in men’s groups and talking through issues that men often bury, therefore embracing a new chapter in his life. Now he is able to be emotionally honest and resilient. Paul and Andy speak about the complexity of fatherhood, missed opportunities when pride gets in the way and how it is never too late to start addressing trauma from the past. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculforFind Andy on Instagram @andypearcea1

To fight an illness as powerful as addiction, he knows what’s needed: strong ammo and likeminded people who have felt the pain and have seen the dark side.Mark Dempster, published author and highly successful Harley Street practice counsellor with over 28 years of sobriety. Mark’s life started in Glasgow with an alcoholic father and a mother who worked long hours, leaving him to seek escape in alcohol, drugs, sex, fighting, and crime. His drive to become a major drug trafficker took him from Scotland, London, the Himalayas, Spain, Amsterdam, and Goa, with stints in prisons and interrogation rooms along the way. Eventually, the lifestyle left him homeless, addicted to heroin, and destitute on the streets.At his lowest point, Mark sought help and began the long journey of recovery. With determination and support, he turned his life around and has since dedicated himself to helping others forge the same path. Today, as a highly successful counsellor, he remains a committed member of a 12-step programme, using his lived experience to inspire and guide those still struggling with addiction.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculforFind Mark online https://markdempstercounselling.com/Find Mark’s book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-Declare-Confessions-Unsuccessful-Smuggler/dp/0957430507

She is one of the UK’s foremost voices on sex and pornography addiction.A Sexual and Relationship Psychotherapist with over three decades of experience, Dr Paula Hall has spent the last twenty years at the forefront of helping individuals, partners, and couples navigate the mysterious world of compulsive sexual behaviours.Dr Hall is the Founder and Clinical Director of The Laurel Centre, the UK’s leading therapy service for sex and porn addiction, and the driving force behind Pivotal Recovery, a not-for-profit making expert support free, low-cost, and accessible to anyone ready for change.In this conversation, we talk about what it means to express your sexuality mindfully, how to recognise when help might be needed, and how to navigate the heartbreak and healing that can follow when addiction becomes apparent in a relationship.  Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Dr Hall on Instagram @dr_paulahall - 

Her star shines so brightly for those in times of real darkness.  Amy Dickson is a trustee of Nacoa (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) and has been involved with the charity since 2020 shortly after her father died as a result of long term alcohol addiction.In 2024 she was asked to lead the Nacoa education outreach programme, an ambitious project that aims to address the problem of parental alcohol addiction with pupils and staff alike. This work is making a real difference to the children who Nacoa was established to support, and ensuring better outcomes for many of those affected. Amy is passionate about using her lived experience and her interest in education and social mobility to ensure that the next generation of COAs (children of alcoholics) have the support that she didn't. Amy tells her story and gives details of the resources in place if you are concerned about a child of a parent who might be struggling with addiction.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Amy on Instagram @coa_AmyFind NACOA on Instagram @nacoauk 

We have a wonderful guest in the studio today. Michaela, professionally known as Kayla Wild, has been clean and sober for 11 years and currently works in the adult industry. Going from a hostile upbringing then living in a woman's refuge, to now being a homeowner, Michaela is raising her son as a single parent, giving him the upbringing that she never had.Paul and Michaela speak about the power of honesty and Michaela’s dream of being a psychotherapist to those working in the sex industry. They have a real candid conversation and Michaela actually has quite a surprising truth bomb about her own sexuality.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Michaela on Instagram @iamkaylawild

She went from the brink of burnout to becoming "The Nervous System Whisperer;" a journey that taught her the transformative power of somatic movement.Today we welcome Nahid de Belgeonne. After nearly losing her life to a gangrenous appendix, she went on a mission to help others break free from the cycle of chronic stress and anxiety she knew all too well. Over two decades of experience and research led Nahid to develop The Human Method, her approach to rewiring the brain through movement. When she founded yoga and Pilates studios in central London, she saw so many high-achievers trapped in the same pattern she once lived: trying to think their way out of feeling states. Nahid’s work has been featured in the Oprah Newsletter, Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper, The Times, Sunday Times Style Magazine, The Guardian, Bazaar UK, Grazia and many others. Today we talk about practical advice you can use right now to ease anxiety, how our self image is not made up of cognitive thinking and how in terms of wellness, smashed avocado on sourdough and yoga alone just ain’t gonna cut it!Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Sign up to Nahid’s newsletter: https://nahiddebelgeonne.substack.com/Find Nahid’s book here:https://www.waterstones.com/book/soothe/nahid-de-belgeonne/9781800817111Download FREE guide 10 ways to regulate your nervous system :https://www.thehumanmethod.co.uk/thesootheprogrammeselfpacedThe Soothe Retreat in Lefkada, Greece 2026: https://www.thehumanmethod.co.uk/thesootheweekinlefkadagreece

Hi everyone. Welcome back to This Is Powerful season four. Can you Believe it? How wonderful. We've got some powerhouse guests this season and we can't wait to share these conversations with you starting next week. In the meantime, check out some of these great moments…

It is the end of season three and we are taking a break! But we'll be back...now is a great time to catch up on any episodes over the past year that you might have missed. See you back in time for Sober October.

He might have been an entrepreneur by 12, a boxing champion by 17, and now a familiar face in Hollywood blockbusters, but he didn’t truly believe in magic until he found sobriety.This week we welcome the powerhouse that is Tamer Hassan. The actor from the South East of London is best known for his role opposite Danny Dyer in The Football Factory, Tamer has also appeared in Layer Cake, Batman Begins, The Business, Kick-Ass, The Hooligan Factory, Game of Thrones and Snatch.Now in sobriety, Tamer talks about his life journey through boxing, films, his strong entrepreneurial streak from a young age and his renewed outlook on life.If you’ve enjoyed what we do, this is your chance to show it. Just head to www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor. It only takes a minute, and it would be huge for us to be recognised in this way. Voting closes on the eighth of September so please get voting!If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Tamer on Instagram @realtamerhassan

Privately educated from a young age, she was bullied at school for being both a geek and a hippy, but then went on to become one of the most successful glamour models, adhering many magazine covers over the course of her career. The notorious Jodie Marsh began glamour modelling in 2002, appearing on Page 3 of The Sun.  Since then, she has appeared on and produced several documentaries for television including her own reality show titled Totally Jodie Marsh.Also known for her fitness regime and natural bodybuilding, Jodie has recently found her happy place, in operating Fripps Farm, an animal sanctuary in Essex.If you’ve enjoyed what we do, this is your chance to show it. Just head to www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor. It only takes a minute, and it would be huge for us to be recognised in this way. Voting closes on the eighth of September so please get voting!Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Jodie on Instagram @frippsfarm and @jodiemarshtv

Spotted by a leading London modeling agency at just 13 years of age, she entered a world of glamour and fame, while quietly battling addiction and eating disorders. Today, Ebony Gilbert is a birth doula, published poet, and devoted mum to her son George, who lives with complex disabilities. With 18 years of sobriety, Ebony has walked an extraordinary path of recovery alongside her partner Steve, who has been sober for 21 years.Ebony opens up about raising George, navigating his multiple diagnoses, and the lessons she’s learned about self-compassion, ancestral trauma, and the healing power of asking for help. Ebony also shares the calming practices that keep her grounded and the inspiration behind her acclaimed new poetry collection, This Skin I’m In.If you’ve enjoyed what we do, this is your chance to show it. Just head to www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor. It only takes a minute, and it would be huge for us to be recognised in this way. Voting closes on the eighth of September so please get voting!Please also us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Ebony on Instagram @_ebonygilbert_Ebony’s book This Skin I'm In is available from @bloodmoonpoetrypress

In this episode we welcome special guest, Scott Barnhill, who's a long-term friend of Paul’s. Scott’s presence in the modeling world is iconic as one of America's models who shaped the fashion industry in the 90’s and the early 2000’s. He has fronted campaigns for luxury brands like Versace, Yves St Laurent, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and many, many more.Today, Scott's journey has taken a new creative direction as he leads the band Scott and the 1015. We were blown away by this conversation, especially when Scott talks about his dental odyssey, his awakening and his recovery.If you’ve enjoyed what we do, this is your chance to show it. Just head to www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting and vote for This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor. It only takes a minute, and it would be huge for us to be recognised in this way. Voting closes on the eighth of September so please get voting!Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Scott on Instagram @scott.barnhills Find Scott online:  www.scottandthe1015.com#scottbarnhill #scottandthe1015

His lowest point was that dreadful moment of clarity when he knew he had to stop drinking forever…now he knows that recovery is the new rock and roll. A British household face and name, Kevin Kennedy has appeared in many popular television series but is probably best known for his iconic portrayal of the “sex symbol” Curly Watts in Coronation Street. His West End credits and broader theatre work spans a wide and dynamic range. Beyond acting, Kevin has enjoyed a notable music career, beginning as the original bass player with the legendary band The Smiths, before forming his own group, Bunch of Thieves.Nearly 27 years clean and sober, Kevin is a proud and passionate advocate for recovery. His autobiography, The Street to Recovery, tells the powerful story of his journey through fame, addiction, and recovery, inspiring thousands. Kevin is also the Patron and Co-founder of Kennedy Street Recovery, a recovery hub founded by he and his wife Clare, which is dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by addiction. He actively uses his platform to champion recovery.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Kennedy Street online https://linktr.ee/Kennedystreet Find Kevin on Instagram @realkevinkennedy Find Kevin on Faceboook https://www.facebook.com/share/15XF4cYKWD/?mibextid=wwXIfr Kevin’s agent https://www.gavinbarkerassociates.co.uk/males/kevin-kennedy-

This former Buddhist monk helps men break free of porn addiction.Jeremy is a meditation teacher and coach who helps high-achieving men break free from compulsive behaviors and build lives of integrity, discipline, and deep fulfillment. Speaking to us today from Thailand, Jeremy is originally from the San Francisco area in California. With over 13 years of meditation experience and hundreds of days spent in silent retreat, Jeremy blends ancient wisdom with modern day science to guide individuals toward emotional resilience and personal freedom.This episode is like a free coaching session with Jeremy, from which I think anyone could take a bit away with them. He talks about why pleasure is not the same as happiness, he advises how you might be able to take back your power to choose and the silent taboos that don’t have to lead to destruction.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Jeremy on Instagram @jeremylipkowitzFind Jeremy online JeremyLipkowitz.comListen to Jeremy’s podcast Unhooked https://open.spotify.com/show/7rdPRXvg3tY93PVE7tleSA

He never imagined he could continue his DJ career if he left behind drugs and alcohol.Internationally known DJ and nightclub promoter Ross Mac is now nearly 11 years sober but when he began his sober journey, Ross didn’t know anyone else who had found sobriety. In this intimate discussion that touches on challenges in finding sobriety in the music industry and the rise of sober events, Ross expresses the great importance of community support in recovery. Ross’ story is highlighted by honest anecdotes about relapses, the influence of his wife in seeking help, and how he eventually found great strength through recovery meetings. Ross is a trustee for the Men And Their Emotions (MATE) and the Phoenix Addiction Treatment Solutions Charity. Check them out in the links below.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Ross on Instagram @_rmwelness_  and @djrossmac Find MATE onlinehttps://www.menandtheiremotions.org.uk/Find Phoenix Addiction Treatment Solutions Charity onlinehttps://phoenixcharity.co.uk/

Thanks to the kindness and support offered to him by a stranger in a railway station, he escaped a life of homelessness and illiteracy.Since 2005, Andy has been delivering drug and alcohol intervention programs, drawing on his own experiences in order to connect with young people. In this episode, Andy shares how a life of chaos gave way to purpose. From an early life lived on the streets and in prisons, Andy now enjoys a happy family life.  Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

She was thrown a curveball that made her question the way she was living in the now and planning for the future. As well as being a motivational speaker, Emma Levy is the host of the award nominated podcast ‘When Life Gives You Lemons’, where she interviews high performing individuals, from across the sporting, cultural and corporate worlds and beyond, who have been through adversity but who have then come back stronger and gone on to achieve amazing things. Emma Levy’s unique perspective on post traumatic growth developed after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Emma is a physiotherapist with Team GB, recently working at the Paris Olympic Games 2024. She has always been committed to the power of movement and exercise as well as the link between the mind and the body and the effect a positive mindset can have during and after trauma. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Emma on Instagram @lifelemonspodcastThe When Life Gives You Lemons podcast https://podfollow.com/1668697394

Overcoming anxiety:  regardless of what's happening around her, she now knows how to be quiet and content in her own skin. Carly Church is a youth advocate and outreach lead at Stride Foundation UK. Born in East London and raised in Newham by her mum and her mum’s partner, alongside her brother, she spent over 15 years in the financial industry before moving into community work. She has since supported teachers in primary and secondary schools, particularly in pastoral care, helping to create safer, more supportive environments for young people. In recovery since 2005, Carly uses her lived experience to promote resilience, connection, and honest conversation.Join us in a conversation about the power of self-acceptance as Carly shares her insight on being calm amidst life's chaos.  Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Paul’s wife delivers some hard truths today, that might just save your life. Dr. Federica Amati is Head Nutritionist at  ZOE, the science and nutrition company, Nutrition Topic Lead at Imperial College School of Medicine, and head of nutrition science at medical concierge company Wellfounded Health. Federica is the author of Recipes for a Better Menopause and Sunday Times Bestseller Every Body Should Know This. Her approach focuses on improving overall dietary quality throughout the life course, using food as the best tool to transform health. This week is Cancer Prevention Week and in aid of this, Federica is joining us to speak about the links between alcohol and cancer, so that everyone can make more informed choices about alcohol and their health. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Listen to all of our episodes on your favourite podcast platform:https://podfollow.com/1756874279Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Federica online https://linktr.ee/DrFedeAmatiSign the petition here:https://www.change.org/p/act-now-demand-a-national-alcohol-strategy-to-prevent-cancer?recruiter=1371927751&recruited_by_id=9d0e9fc0-1f88-11f0-9d20-c5cb8a607171&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_490541062_en-GB:10 Look here for more data: https://www.wcrf.org/preventing-cancer/topics/alcohol-and-cancer/https://www.iarc.who.int/faq/latest-global-data-on-cancer-burden-and-alcohol-consumption/https://gco.iarc.fr/causes/alcohol/tools-map?mode=1&sex=0&population=1&continent=0&cancer=40&key=paf&age_group=3

How does a bench-pressing VIP bouncer end up in a kibbutz in Israel?Our guest today is Jamie Skipper, an ex-doorman who left his colorful life in the past after realising he wasn’t looking to the future or living in the present. Jamie now helps kids of all ages to embrace resilience through his holistic approach. By utilizing his master NLP training and his physical skills as a personal trainer, he speaks honestly and openly about his past experiences, training hard as a bodybuilder and using a cocktail of drugs at the same time, which ended in a bad way with Jamie losing trust in himself and living with shame and guilt that he's now left behind.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Jamie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-skipper-778650359/

You may not know about her struggles with alcohol but she is finally breaking the silence and embracing her vulnerability. Suzanne Shaw is a singer, actress, and performance coach who first gainedfame with the pop band Hear’Say on Popstars. She later starred in musicaltheatre and TV, winning Dancing on Ice in 2008. In 2020, Suzanne shiftedher focus to health and well-being, becoming a life coach and advocate formental wellness. Known for completing ultramarathons supporting mentalhealth charities, she now inspires others through motivational speaking, andcoaching in confidence, public speaking and wellness programs.Paul and Suzanne had a brilliant conversation, really open and honest…about the film they starred in together 10 years ago, about the integral three c’s of sobriety and the hardest part of Suzanne’s sobriety journey, which might surprise you. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Suzanne on Instagram @suzi_shawFind Suzanne online https://www.suzanneshawofficial.co.uk/

Welcome back to This is Powerful! We will be back next week with our regularly scheduled interviews but in the meantime, here are some highlights of what is to come.If you haven’t caught the roundup of Paul’s favorite bits so far, take a look. In the meantime, we look forward to sharing another season of This Is Powerful with you…take care.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

What do you get when you combine the vulnerability of male bravado, the genetics of addiction and cloud visualisation techniques?This is a special episode of This is Powerful. We thought it'd be good fun to put together a bunch of our favorite nuggets of information and gems of experience that our guests have shared along the way. Here's some great advice and there will be highlights of some of Paul’s favorite moments from the podcast so far.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

We have completed season two, which is pretty incredible. Thank you, to everyone who tuned in for an episode or a few. We have now put out 37 episodes in total and we've had some incredible guests over the last nine months.If you haven't heard all 37 of our episodes, now is a great time to catch up either here or on YouTube. Whilst we are taking a break, Paul will still be active on Instagram, so if you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch!  We are back with you with more amazing guests in June but watch this space for more This Is Powerful content before then.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

She’s lived through trauma, illness, and violence that might make anyone justify their addiction.Today we welcome Vicky Nicholson, an incredibly brave woman who walks us through how far addiction can take you down a dangerous path. From an exciting DJ career in her teens through a crumbling relationship with her family, and nearly taking her own life, Vicky’s life unravelled through secrecy, shame, and a daily fight to survive. The woman who emerged now cherishes her close relationship with her family, is a supportive wife and loving mother and an inspiration to anyone who hears her story. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Vicky on Instagram @vickynicholson82

Sonia Gibney shares her journey of growing up in East London with a non-English-speaking mother, an absent father, and struggling through school with severe dyslexia. Now 21 years into recovery, Sonia is a yoga instructor and coach with a thriving practice, whose calm presence contrasts sharply with her past. She’s dedicated to helping women and speaks powerfully about the freedom found in self-reliance, believing that when you go within, you will never have to go without. For Sonia, that means no longer feeling the need to be saved...she’s become her own knight in shining armor.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Sonia on Instagram @soniagibney.lifecoach

He had a taste of life in the fast lane but found himself desperate to escape his life-threatening habits when paranoia and self loathing took him to some dangerous places. Now clean for 18 years, Psychotherapist and Addiction Specialist Taner Hassan explains how self-obsessive thinking led to his massive social anxiety and how using alcohol to silence that constant internal dialogue led to his early struggles with addiction. Paul and Taner talk about his drug of choice (MORE) and Paul’s drug of choice (PRESTIGE).Taner has extensive experience, having worked within the field of addiction for over 16 years, serving the community in various settings for mental health including charities, the NHS and private rehabilitation. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Taner on social media @tanertherapy Find details about the retreat mentioned in the episode @thetherapeuticretreat Find out more about Rehubs @rehubsofficial Find Taner online https://www.taner-hassan.com

This week, we’ve got something really special for you. Instead of our usual episode, we’re bringing you an episode from Hurt to Healing, a brilliant podcast hosted by Pandora Morris. You might remember Pandora from Season 1 of This Is Powerful, when we shared her incredible story of learning to manage her OCD and recovering from an eating disorder that manifested for her through extreme restrictive eating and chronic over-exercising. Pandora has travelled the world, working with OCD experts and has made it her mission to support others on their path to mental health recovery. This time, the tables were turned—I was a guest on Hurt to Healing, and we had such a meaningful conversation that I wanted to share it with you here. We talked about my formative years, navigating societal pressures, life's adversities and the spiral of substance abuse. But we also explored the turning points—what ultimately led me toward recovery, purpose, and a new way of seeing the world.It’s an open, honest conversation, and I’m really grateful to Pandora for creating such a thoughtful space. I hope you find something in it that resonates.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Pandora @hurttohealingpod and subscribe to Hurt to Healing for more wonderful episodes! 

Today we have an incredible guest. Dr. Rayann Zafar is a neuropsychopharmacologist with a core focus on addiction. After a battle with anorexia nervosa as an adolescent, Dr Zafar was compelled to learn more about how the brain works and as a result dedicated his life and career to finding science-backed solutions that help others to tackle addiction and make sense of their own mental health. Rayyan talks about the reward pathways being hijacked by addiction, whether there is a genetic predisposition to addiction and the spiritual elements of addiction. Dr. Zafar is in the midst of some very exciting trials involving psilocybin, and how effective that can be in treating alcoholism, addiction, and depression.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Rayyan on Instagram @rayyanzaf Find out more about gambling trials with the NHS https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/250473/psychedelic-therapy-help-break-chains-gambling/ Find out more about psychedelics research https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/

Our guest on today’s episode is one of the what we would call strongholds of the twelve-step community.  Jim (or Jimmie, as Paul affectionately refers to him) gets straight into the nitty gritty: why trusting his head over his gut did not serve him well, why sweeties as a very young child then smoking at seven was just the start of his dangerous and progressive addiction, the strict incarceration he endured from age 16, getting sober in prison and the Peter Pan syndrome.Jim grew up in a poor, rural Scottish community and being the youngest of seven siblings and to whom he was always compared, he battled with suicidal thoughts at a prepubescent age.Now with over 45 years of continued sobriety,  Jim talks about the gift of time and why surrender is not losing but how letting go is the key to success. He tells us how recovery is available to everyone for free…once you are ready to see, hear and experience it.We hope this conversation shows you how to boldly go where you may have never gone before and why accepting love into your life over fear can be so much more exciting than living in the fantastical world of the make believe.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you!Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Alistair Richardson is a powerhouse in the world of therapy, energy psychology, and healing, helping people break free from trauma, addiction, and codependency. With 23 years of long-term recovery from addiction and codependency himself, Alistair not only brings deep professional expertise to the table, but also invaluable personal insight and compassion.Alistair shares about the surprisingly various spectrums of love addictions, he introduces us to the mind-blowing concept of healing the matrix, and we dive into the pure and central self and how you can heal yourself at any age and at any stage of your life.Dedicated to deep healing and personal growth, Alistair’s mission is to help others break free from trauma, addiction, and codependency and to reclaim their lives with confidence and clarity. We hope this conversation opens your mind and leaves you feeling full of love, light and joy like it did for us.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Alistair on Instagram  @lifeforcetraumahealing Find Alistair on Facebook lifeforcetraumahealingltd Find Alistair online  https://lifeforcetraumahealing.com/

In this episode of This Is Powerful, Paul welcomes renowned therapist and author David Smallwood to explore addiction, recovery, and the deep roots of trauma. With 37 years of sobriety, David shares his personal journey—from growing up in a challenging home environment to struggling with anxiety, alcohol, and benzodiazepine dependence. He discusses how early childhood trauma shapes addiction and why addressing core emotional wounds is crucial for long-term recovery.David and Paul dive into the concept of cross-addiction (why so many in recovery swap alcohol for tobacco, sweets, exercise, etc), the impact of fear on mental health, and the importance of connection in the healing process. He describes the impact of sensitivity in response to trauma and how his transformative experience in relapse prevention training reshaped his approach to treatment. Along the way, Paul and David swap personal stories of recovery, touching on moments of joy, fear, and the surprising gifts that come with addiction, if approached with the right mindset. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find David online  davidsmallwoodtherapy.co.uk Find David’s book on Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/64QLZkQ

For this episode we welcome Millie Mackintosh - Made in Chelsea alum, style icon, entrepreneur and mother of two. Millie has spent the past three years redefining her relationship with alcohol and shares how her struggles with self-worth, bullying, and binge drinking began in her teenage years and followed her into adulthood. We get some honest banter about the realities of fame, the pressure and problems with seeking perfection and the wake-up call that left her reaching out for sobriety.In Millie’s new book, Bad Drunk, she lays bare the highs and lows of her drinking years and offers insight into what helped her break free from the cycle. The driving force behind writing the book is for Millie to help others feel less alone and to provide practical advice for anyone curious about a life with less alcohol.Connecting over the power of vulnerability and the importance of having sober friends, Paul and Mille also cover the surprising role that an intimacy coach can provide and the simple joys in life that begin with waking up each morning without regret.Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Millie on Instagram @milliemackintoshBad Drunk by Millie Mackintosh is out now in Hardback, eBook and Audio, https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/millie-mackintosh/bad-drunk/9780349443812/

This week, Paul sits down with Laura Hearn—renowned BBC journalist, host of the Flip It podcast, and fierce advocate for mental health. Laura shares her journey through childhood isolation, an eating disorder that took hold in her late teens, and the life-changing experience of seeking treatment in the U.S. She reflects on the challenges of returning to work after recovery, the moment she chose to leave the BBC, and how storytelling became her most powerful tool for healing. Paul illustrates how the most impactful help can come from those who have shared experiences to us by sharing the colourful Addict in a Hole anecdote. With a mix of vulnerability and humor, Laura and Paul discuss trauma, grief, and the small moments of human kindness that can change everything. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form:https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerfulFind Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Laura on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laura_lhearn/Laura’s Flip It podcast: https://podfollow.com/1727182763Flip It website: https://www.flipitglobal.com/