Shows
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 162. Love Addiction, Codependency, and the Patterns We Inherit, with Rod ButterssIn this episode, Ash is joined again by her dad, Rod, for a candid conversation about the real complexities of love and relationships. They unpack topics many people experience but rarely talk about openly, including love addiction, love avoidance, codependency, and what healthy communication actually looks like in practice.Drawing on both personal experience and honest reflection, they explore how family dynamics shape the way we love, the patterns we repeat without realising, and what it takes to change them. Ash also opens up about a deeply personal crossroads, her uncertainty around motherhood, and the inner questions...
2026-02-151h 16
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 153. How Your Energy Shapes Your Life and Protecting Your Peace, with Rod ButterssBack by popular demand, this father daughter episode brings the conversation close to home, as Ash sits down with her dad, Rod, to explore what it truly means to grow, heal, and live with intention. Together, they reflect on how energy, consciousness, and the way we choose to see the world can shape the course of a life far more than circumstance ever could.Together, Ash and Rod dive into the practices that have supported their own journeys, including gratitude and meditation, and how these tools have helped them navigate relationships, soften old patterns...
2025-12-141h 07
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 150. The Real Reason You Don’t Feel Enough: How Facing Your Inner Critic Is the Key to Self Acceptance, with Ash ButterssIn this milestone 150th episode of Behind The Smile, Ash dives into a deeply personal conversation about healing, self perception, and the ever evolving journey of coming home to yourself. She unpacks the relationship between the inner critic, body image, and the way we move through the world, both physically and emotionally.Through honest reflection and lived experience, Ash explores the quiet conditions we place on our own worth and the tender work of learning to accept ourselves as we are, not as we think we should be. This episode is an invitation to look beneath the...
2025-11-2352 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 141. I’ve Been in a Dark Place: A Raw Reflection with Ash ButterssIn this raw and unfiltered solo episode, Ash opens up about what really happened after returning from a powerful retreat in Bali. She shares the unexpected crash that followed, the darkness she found herself sitting in, and how she’s been navigating waves of depression with honesty and self-compassion.Ash talks about the messy reality of healing, the role of the nervous system in moments of struggle, and the surprising strength that comes from leaning on community. She doesn’t sugarcoat the hard parts, but instead shows how vulnerability, connection, and small acts of self...
2025-09-2142 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 125. The Power of EMDR: Rewiring Trauma and Reclaiming Your Truth, with Boaz GilboaIn this episode, Ash Butterss sits down with Boaz Gilboa, founder of MindCalmr, osteopath, and trauma-informed coach, to explore what it really takes to reclaim emotional freedom after trauma. Boaz opens up about his journey through divorce, addiction, and family dysfunction, and how programs like NA, ACOA, CODA, and Debtors Anonymous each played a unique role in his growth. He shares how his experience with EMDR inspired him to create MindCalmr, a platform making high-quality trauma processing tools free and accessible.Ash and Boaz discuss the connection between nervous s...
2025-06-0159 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 123. From The Moulin Rouge to Meditation: Kristian Crowe’s Spiritual ReturnIn this episode, Ash Butterss sits down with yoga and meditation teacher Kristian Crowe, whose story is one of reinvention, dharma, and finding peace after years of striving. From a decade-long career in musical theatre to life in a Melbourne ashram, Kristian shares what it means to walk away from the roles we’ve outgrown and come home to ourselves.Kristian reflects on his early identity as a performer, living for applause, feeling disconnected, and secretly unraveling behind a perfect smile. He recounts the turning point when, after touring internationally and landing a dream ro...
2025-05-181h 10
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 117. Learning to Grow Through What You Go Through, with Rod ButterssIn this deeply personal episode, Ash sits down with her dad, Rod Butterss, a seasoned entrepreneur, former AFL club president, and long-time member of the recovery community.Together, they reflect on life in recovery, the reality of relapse, cultivating self-awareness, and what it means to truly reinvent yourself at any stage of life.Rod opens up about his recent relapse after more than a decade of sobriety and the humility and courage it took to come back and start again. With honesty and warmth, he shares stories from his...
2025-04-0658 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 111. Solo Episode: How I Made It To 5 Years Sober!In this special solo episode of Behind the Smile, Ash Butterss marks a huge milestone—five years of sobriety. Reflecting on her journey from rock bottom to a life beyond her wildest dreams, Ash shares the raw truth about what it really takes to break free from addiction and step into a life of clarity, peace, and purpose.From walking into rehab convinced she’d learn to “drink like a lady” to realising she needed to create an entirely new life, Ash opens up about the lessons, struggles, and profound shifts that have shaped her over...
2025-02-2339 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp. 105 Parenting with Compassion: Jacintha Field on Self-Regulation and Emotional Healing
In this episode of Behind the Smiles, Ash engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jacintha Field, a family and child counselor, about her transformative journey through personal challenges, including divorce and parenting. Jacintha shares her experiences with mental health, the importance of self-love, and the tools she has developed to support children in emotional distress.
The discussion emphasizes the significance of boundaries, vulnerability, and the healing power of compassion, both for oneself and others. In this conversation, Ash Butterss discusses the complexities of parenting, particularly focusing on emotional regulation in children, the importance of self-worth, a...
2025-01-1252 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp. 95 I'm Coming Home: The Podcast RelaunchIn this episode of Behind the Smile, Ash Butterss returns to share her journey of transformation and the importance of authentic conversations about mental health, trauma, and addiction. She reflects on her time away from the podcast, the lessons learned, and her commitment to creating a space for meaningful connections. Ash highlights the significance of trusting oneself, embracing the messiness of life, and the excitement of new beginnings as she prepares to relaunch the podcast with fresh content and guests.
Over the next few weeks’ Ash will be sharing some of her favourite episodes fr...
2024-12-0122 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 94. The Farewell Episode, with Ash ButterssIn this final episode of Behind the Smile with Ash Butterss, I find myself caught between waves of emotion, from sadness to gratitude to a deep sense of excitement. They say all good things must come to an end, but within that ending lies the seeds of new beginnings.
Throughout this journey I’ve always emphasised the importance of practicing what I preach, being guided by my intuition and leading with vulnerability. Now I’m taking my own advice, as I step into this next chapter.
Behind the Smile has been so much more than a se...
2024-04-1429 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 87. Solo Episode: 4 Years of Sober! The Highs, Lows and Everything in BetweenIn this week’s solo episode, I’m celebrating four years of continuous sobriety and in the spirit of stepping out from behind the smile, I wanted to reveal the reality of what this journey has looked like. Let’s call it, the not so sexy side to sobriety.
I’ve divided the years into eras, with each era being a rollercoaster of challenges and growth. From those early days in rehab, to navigating recovery in a global pandemic, losing a baby, a divorce, a toxic situationship, to discovering my true self, falling in love and undergoing a complete transformation of mind...
2024-02-2753 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 86. Owning Your Sobriety, with Jess JacksonIn this studio episode, I sit down with Jess Jackson, a meditation teacher and founder of the Bondi born skincare brand 'Good Living Only'.
Jess talks openly about her initial hesitation towards sobriety and the challenges she faced in accepting her new lifestyle. She also reflects on the experiences that led her to make this transformative decision and how making the decision to truly own her sobriety has freed her from the shame she once felt.
We also explore her move to Sydney, her Singapore setback, and the role...
2024-02-1858 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 85. Unpacking Attachment Styles with Dating Coach, Sabrina ZoharIn this episode, I sat down with Sabrina Zohar, a wildly successful entrepreneur, podcast host, and dating coach. In this candid conversation we spoke about mental health, relationships, and the not so sexy reality behind success.
Sabrina is one of the most authentic humans I’ve ever met and was so open sharing her journey from battling depression post-breakup, finding solace in her work, and redefining interpersonal relationships.
Emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional resilience, Sabrina also spoke about how she managed to detach from behaviors that no lo...
2024-02-1142 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 84. The Other Side of Mental Health and Addiction, with Joe FishburnIn this week’s episode, I sat down with Joe Fishburn, a psychiatric mental health nurse with extensive experience working in hospital systems, community response teams, ED and primary health care settings.
Joe talks about the undercurrent of stigma faced by those experiencing mental health challenges and the impact developmental trauma has on the development of complex personality disorders. Joe shared his thoughts on how we can support children in their early years to prevent complex mental health disorders arising and why divorce doesn’t need to have a negative impact on families.
We also discussed the increase in ADHD diag...
2024-02-041h 01
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 83. Building an Empire while in the Grips of Addiction, with Christina GalbatoIn this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Christina Galbato, a dynamic entrepreneur and the brains behind 'Create Her Empire.' She opens up about her journey from a secret alcohol addiction to embracing life in sobriety.
Christina shares how her addiction resulted in both mental and physical health problems, affected her relationships, and damaged her self-esteem. Despite achieving huge success in her career, she was fighting a secret battle, all the while hiding behind a smile.
Today, at almost three years sober, Christina is priortising her personal development and is committed to he...
2024-01-2856 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 82. Unmasking Bipolar, with Sara SchleyIn this episode, I talk to Sara Schley, an organizational consultant, spiritual leader, author, entrepreneur and bipolar human, about her journey with Bipolar II. Sara speaks about her experiences with cognitive dysfunction, her late diagnosis (25 years later), and the importance of the correct medications in the successful management of bipolar disorder. Sara also shares how medical misdiagnoses can lead to further complications. Drawing on personal experience and research, the conversation delves into some prominent triggers for bipolar disorder and the importance of overall health management. Sara also shares some key takeaways including her Emergency Mental Health Team (EMHT) system...
2024-01-2157 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 81. Addressing the Stigma of Porn Addiction, with Jeremy LipkowitzIn this episode, I'm joined by Jeremy Lipkowitz, a meditation teacher, coach, and porn addiction recovery expert. Jeremy shares his personal recovery story and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and self-compassion in overcoming addiction.
He talks about the harmful effects porn can have on mental health, relationships, and self-esteem, as well as the broader implications of the porn industry.
Jeremy discusses his approach to recovery, which involves understanding the neurological aspects of addiction, cultivating healthy habits, and creating supportive communities. He stresses the importance of treating oneself as a friend in the healing journey and...
2024-01-1458 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 80. How Nutrition Can Heal Your Relationship with Alcohol, with Dr. Brooke SchellerIn this week’s episode I sat down with Doctor of Nutrition and Author, Dr. Brooke Scheller. Dr. Scheller is on a mission to help people heal their relationship with alcohol through nutrition, and her new book How to Eat to Change How You Drink is full of helpful tips and information to support anyone looking to change their drinking habits.
In this conversation, Dr. Scheller discusses the role of nutrition in mental health and how nutrients can impact mood and the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin. She explains how alcohol depletes key nutrients and can contribute to...
2024-01-071h 03
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 79. Why NY Resolutions Rarely Stick and What to Try Instead with Psychotherapist Diane YoungTo kick off the New Year, I’m sitting down with Trauma and Addiction Specialist Diane Young to discuss all things New Year’s Resolutions!
In this conversation we explore the concept of setting intentions instead of New Year's resolutions and the benefits of taking small steps towards change. The conversation delves into the differences between heavy drinkers and grey area drinkers and the continuum of drinking behaviour. It also addresses the connection between childhood trauma and eating disorders, as well as the role of boundaries in relationships.
Some of the ideas we cover include:
...
2023-12-3153 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 78. SOLO EP: 36 Life Lessons that have made a huge impact on my world!It’s my birthday this week and I’m turning 36, so to celebrate I wanted to give you all a gift! In this week’s solo episode, I’m sharing with you all my 36 game changing lessons that have made a huge impact on my life!
These lessons span across all facets of the human experience including relationships, mindset, career and health. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Behind the Smile episode without discussing recovery, but these lessons are really applicable to anyone wanting to expand their mind and step into the very best version of themselves...
2023-12-271h 14
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 77. Losing your identity and ignoring red flags, with Isabella FergusonIn this week’s episode I sat down with registered counsellor, alcohol coach and podcast host Isabella Ferguson.
Bella identifies as having been a “grey-area” drinker throughout her 20-year drinking career, which came to an abrupt halt in February 2020 after entering a rehab facility.
Today, Bella’s life couldn’t look more different. She’s left her former industry of law and is now a corporate wellness speaker as well as heading up a busy counselling practice focusing on helping people address their relationship with alcohol and regain balance in their lives.
In this convers...
2023-12-1758 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 76. Overcoming anxiety and social phobia with Meg WebbIn this week’s episode I sat down with Sober Coach, Teacher’s Aide and mum of three, Megan Webb.
From early childhood, Meg experienced crippling anxiety and by the age of 17, she’d developed a social phobia. Made worse by alcohol, Meg fell into a terrible cycle of self-medication which only fuelled her crippling mental health condition.
After years of unsuccessfully trying to manage her drinking, Meg knew she needed to make a change. She felt unfulfilled and knew deep down that there was so much more to life. This is what led to Meg ma...
2023-12-1149 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 75. From Soccer Mum to Jailhouse Shot Caller: The Many Lives of Lara Love HardinIn this week’s episode I sat down with New York Times Best Selling Author, Prison Reform Advocate and mother of four, Lara Love Hardin.
Lara’s recently released memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love, recounts her slide from soccer mum, to opioid addict, to jailhouse shot caller and her unlikely comeback to becoming a highly successful ghost writer and published author.
Lara’s journey from shame to redemption is now inspiring others as she works to help previously incarcerated women rebuild their lives.
We spoke on a range of topics including:
S...
2023-12-0351 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 74. Giving up one thing and gaining everything else, with Ali BurkeIn this week’s episode I sat down with Aussie Ranger and single mum, Ali Burke.
After spending decades immersed in a celebrated drinking culture, Ali reached a point in her life where she knew something had to change.
Ali got sober curious which then led her down the path of hypnotherapy and a commitment to take one year off the booze. Six months in, the numerous benefits she experienced were enough for her to want to ditch the drink forever.
Ali radiates a glass half full attitude and chooses to look at so...
2023-11-271h 05
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 73. From dope dealer to Hope Dealer, with Fausto CastellanosIn this week’s episode I sat down with Spiritual Advisor, Clinical Counsellor and Motivational Speaker, Fausto Castellanos. Known as “the hope dealer,” Fausto has found a way to turn his pain into his purpose by helping others along their own paths of recovery and healing.
Fausto is an amazing speaker with incredible insights but what struck me most about this conversation was his openness and vulnerability around topics people tend to shy away from. This conversation is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.
Please note, Fausto shares openly about his traumatic childhood, which some listeners may fi...
2023-11-191h 09
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 72. The healthy way to get high, with Mary TilsonIn this week’s episode I sat down with Recovery Coach, Yoga Teacher and host of the Sun and Moon Sober Living podcast, Mary Tilson.
Mary has been sober for over a decade and is passionate about helping others find freedom from addiction so they can live fulfilling lives substance-free.
Combining holistic principles such as meditation, breath work and yoga, Mary has discovered the healthy way to be naturally high and happy.
Mary and I connected on a range of topics including:
Our secrets make us sick – 7:40
How honesty heals – 12:15
The high achiev...
2023-11-1258 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 71. Luke Bayliss on self-medicating co-existing mental health conditions including ADHD, Bipolar and Rejection Sensitivity DysphoriaIn this week’s episode I sat down with musician, running enthusiast and sobriety advocate, Luke Bayliss.
From a young age, Luke experienced bullying at school which triggered debilitating anxiety and an eating disorder. Always feeling uncomfortable in his own skin, when Luke discovered alcohol, he found his insecurities melted away.
Luke had a troubled relationship with booze from the outset which would later lead him to a near fatal car accident and multiple admissions into psych wards.
It wasn’t until Luke went into treatment again in 2022 that he was correctly diagnosed with...
2023-11-0558 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 70. Finding connection and embracing change with Michelle McDonaldIn this week’s episode I sat down with life and sobriety coach Michelle McDonald. Since getting sober in 2021, Michelle has been on a mission to support other people in recovery through the creation of connection and community.
Michelle believes connection is everything and she credits her sobriety for not only developing a deeper connection with her loved ones, but even more so, a deeper and more meaningful connection with herself.
In this conversation we spoke about topics including:
The importance of connection – 5:30
The absence of a rock bottom – 10:00
Modelling healthy habits – 21:22
The benefits of takin...
2023-10-2957 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 69. Mastering your mindset with Aussie Blues legend, Ash GrunwaldIn this week’s episode I sat down with Australia’s foremost Blues Musician, Ash Grunwald.
On the 1st of January 2018, Ash, (persuaded by his wife Danni Carr), decided to ditch the booze for 12 months. What happened in the year that followed would change the trajectory of Ash’s life forever.
In sobriety, Ash tapped into his superpower and developed a mindset that enabled him to go from striving to thriving in all facets of his life. It’s now been over five years since he took his 12-month sobriety pledge and he’s never looked bac...
2023-10-221h 01
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 68. Sobriety isn’t a death sentence, with Courtney AndersonIn this week’s episode I’m joined by Courtney Anderson, a Sober Coach, Podcast Host and the author of Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in your first three months without alcohol.
Courtney is the founder of National Sober Day and the founder of Sober Vibes, an online community for the sober and sober curious. She believes in empowered sobriety and breaking stigmas of addiction and recovery.
We spoke about a range of topics including:
How to prioritise sobriety as a busy parent – 5:00
Seeing life in colour – 13:20
Childhood trauma and growing up quickly – 18:00
The progre...
2023-10-1559 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 67. The real reason why almost everyone is addicted to something, with Drew WildIn this week’s episode I’m joined by Addiction, Trauma and Codependency Coach Drew Wild.
Drew is on a mission to change the conversation around addiction, challenging people to approach the understanding of these compulsions through the lens of trauma. He believes trauma underpins most dependencies and is prevalent for those who are unable to process their emotions.
With his own lived experience in drug and alcohol addiction, Drew speaks from a place of understanding and embodiment while living a recovered life in his own unique way.
We spoke about a range of j...
2023-10-081h 15
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 66. Why you’re never too young to choose an alcohol-free life, with Madeline ForrestIn this week’s episode I’m chatting with sobriety hype girl and host of the Happiest Sober podcast, Madeline Forrest.
Having made the decision to get sober at 27 years old, Maddy is now on a mission to inspire others to create an awesome alcohol-free life. Maddy is so full of energy and epitomizes the positive changes you can expect when you choose to live life sober. When she’s not running her online community, you’ll find her hosting sober retreats all around the world.
This conversation was just like having a cuppa with your sob...
2023-10-0156 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 65. How to not be ruled by your thoughts and emotions with Brendon WattIn this week’s episode I sat down with worldwide speaker, best-selling author, and facilitator for Access Consciousness, Brendon Watt.
Brendon specialises in helping others to overcome addiction, as he too walks the path of recovery and sobriety.
We touched on a range of interesting topics including:
Happiness being an inside job – 2:30
Accessing consciousness – 10:00
Showing up authentically – 21:00
Not being ruled by your thoughts and emotions – 28:28
Being blindsided by relapse – 39:11
Sitting in discomfort – 42:45
Making it stick – 51:40
To see Brendon’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.
You can follow Ash a...
2023-09-2459 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 64. Finding purpose in the pain, with Karina McKenna [VIDEO]In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with Coach, Mentor and mum of two Karina McKenna.
Karina was just 23 years old when she gave up drinking and has spent the past 13 years navigating how to do life sober.
In this conversation Karina shares how she’s managed to face adversity without anything to blunt the edges and the lessons she’s learnt in the messiness of life.
We dove into a range of topics including:
Running away from reality – 6:14
Generational Trauma – 14:30
Surviving a car accident – 23:30
Internal Family Systems Therapy – 29:00
Continuing to show up – 35...
2023-09-171h 07
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 63. The diary of a high functioning wine connoisseur, with Matt Jerr [VIDEO]In this week’s episode I sat down with host and creator of the Sober Friend’s podcast Matt Jerr. Despite being exposed to heavy drinking and the negative impacts of addiction from a young age, Matt struggled to admit he had a problem with alcohol because he wasn’t a daily drinker.
As someone who was high-functioning and good at hiding their drinking, Matt disguised his habit behind the label of “wine connoisseur,” until his mental health started to decline and there was nowhere left to hide.
Through the support of 12-Step, Matt has been sober...
2023-09-1059 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 62. Returning from relapse and finding faith with Brandy Ledford [VIDEO]In this week’s episode I’m joined by multi-talented actress and former model Brandy Ledford. There’s a high chance you’ve seen Brandy on your screens as she’s appeared in critically acclaimed movies and TV series including Baywatch, Modern Family and Rat Race.
Yet Brandy’s focus today goes beyond her successful acting career. With over 11 years of sobriety, Brandy’s ultimate goal is to spread positivity and use her experiences to make a difference within the recovery community.
This is a spiritual conversation and I encourage you to tune in with an open mind...
2023-09-0356 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 61. Impulsivity, genetics and the science behind the disease of addiction, with Aaron Thomas [VIDEO]In this week’s episode I’m sitting down with PhD student and fellow sober human, Aaron Thomas. Aaron Is currently working in the field of Clinical Psychology – specifically, looking at behavioural neuroscience, or put simply, why people make decisions.
Some of Aaron’s most fascinating research is around the hereditary nature of addiction which he explains can be highlighted through the study of genetic mutations. Aaron shares why addiction is in fact scientifically proven to be a disease and how scientists are researching impulsivity as a marker for predisposition.
Just as interesting as his work, is...
2023-08-271h 27
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 60. It’s not your fault but it is your responsibility, with Health and Wellness Coach Deb MasnerIn this week’s episode I’m sitting down Health and Wellness Coach Deb Masner. Deb is a mum of two, a registered nurse, podcaster and a self-proclaimed alcohol free badass. She’s also the founder of Alcohol Tipping Point – a place where you can find free resources to support your sober journey.
As a registered nurse Deb has a deep understanding of the negative impact alcohol has on the body and she’s sharing these insights here with us on the podcast.
After years of trying to moderate, Deb made the decision to quit drinking o...
2023-08-2054 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 59. Why you don’t need to quit drinking forever to experience the benefits of sobriety, with Matt PinkIn this week’s episode I’m chatting with Matt Pink, an alcohol-free coach and entrepreneur. Matt quit drinking in April 2020 and since that time has taken the sober world by storm. He’s not only published a best-selling book but is also the co-founder of Dryy – an online and offline community that welcomes anyone wanting to try an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Matt’s life today couldn’t be more different than the one he was living 10 years ago. After experiencing a life-changing tragedy in 2013, Matt found himself self-medicating with drugs and alcohol for many years. A chance encounter wi...
2023-08-1349 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 58. One year of Behind the Smile, with special guest Rod ButterssIt’s an extra special episode this week as we celebrate one whole year of Behind The Smile, and to mark the occasion I’ve invited back to the show, my dad Rod.
Dad was the first ever guest to join me on Behind The Smile and his episode (Ep 2. From Manic to Mindful) is still one of the most popular episodes to date!!
This time, we decided to hand the power over to you and have answered some of the brilliant questions you, the listeners sent in.
Here are the questions we cove...
2023-08-0655 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 57. From surviving to thriving with Justine WhitchurchIn this week’s episode I’m sitting down with sobriety speaker, author and fitness coach Justine Whitchurch.
Justine made the decision to quit drinking after developing an unhealthy relationship with alcohol while trying to self-medicate her mental health.
Making the decision to get sober changed the course of Justine’s life and she’s spent the best part of the last decade finding her purpose in fitness and helping others.
Today, Justine is a passionate sobriety advocate, promoting a booze free lifestyle and working to create a world where being sober is just as...
2023-07-301h 04
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 56. The search for a spiritual solution, with Ian BurchallIn this week’s episode I’m chatting with AOD support worker and sober human Ian Burchall.
Ian made the decision to get clean and sober on the 15th of December 2016 after his dependence on substances took him to his darkest hour. In recovery, Ian found what he’d been searching for all along, a spiritual solution and a deeper connection to self.
From living a life driven by fear to finding himself on a continual path of growth, Ian’s story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
We covered a number of topics includin...
2023-07-231h 14
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 55. BONUS EPISODE: Grief and Hard Conversations with Kathryn ElliottIn today’s bonus episode I’m joined by a returning guest and friend of the show, Alcohol and Binge Drinking Coach Kathryn Elliott, to discuss some heavier topics relating to sobriety. Neither Kath nor I had any idea when we booked this interview that the topics would be so relevant to the place Kath would be in at the time of recording.
Navigating grief and hard conversations is a whole new experience in sobriety and Kath was so gracious to join me for this episode, to share with you all her experience relating to this in real...
2023-07-2047 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 54. The progressive nature of alcohol addiction, with Deb PascoeIn this week’s episode I’m chatting with mother of two and business director Deb Pascoe.
Deb describes how she drank for the best part of 35 years however her relationship with alcohol started to unravel when she moved to Singapore in her late 40s. Deb was self-medicating her declining mental health with booze, but struggled to see her drinking as problematic as she was holding down a job and her relationship.
It wasn’t until concerned family members intervened that Deb took an honest look at her life and made the decision to go to reh...
2023-07-161h 01
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 53. Porn addiction, embracing intimacy and dismantling the masculine archetype with Tyran MowbrayIn this week’s episode I’m chatting with Australia’s leading masculinity mentor Tyran Mowbray.
Tyran started his recovery journey nine years ago when he gave up porn. Six years after that he stopped using drugs and as of 2021 he reframed his relationship with alcohol.
Tyran is doing powerful work in supporting men to break down their walls and barriers of self-criticism and eliminate shame around their natural healthy masculine expression.
Tyran’s personal journey has taken him from the mountains in India to a sex-cult in New Zealand and we talk about it...
2023-07-091h 06
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 52. BONUS SOLO EP: Season 3 and My Morning RoutineIn today’s bonus episode we’re kicking off Season 3 of Behind The Smile Podcast! And to say a big thank you I’ve decided to share with you all the secret sauce that makes up my morning routine.
Over the past few years, I’ve had countless people ask me “what’s your secret?” The truth is, there’s a number of ingredients I put into the recipe I call life, but one of the key elements is my morning routine.
If there’s a question or topic you’d like me to cover in future episodes...
2023-07-0626 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 51. Breaking the generational cycle and becoming a sassy sober Mum, with Teri MacGilbertIn this week’s episode I’m sitting down with mum of three, podcast host and sober coach Teri MacGilbert, aka @SassySoberMum.
Teri grew up in an environment where daily drinking was the norm. As an adult she came to find herself being drawn to alcohol as a way to comfort and manage stress. After a few short sober stints, Teri ditched the drink for the last time in April 2019 and hasn’t looked back.
In choosing the sober path, Teri has broken a generational drinking cycle and is now an example to her daughters that s...
2023-07-0256 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 50. The difference between getting sober and actually living life in recovery, with Benn VeenkerIn this week’s episode I sat down with drug and alcohol counsellor Benn Veenker. Benn made the decision to get clean and sober on the 31st of August 2012 and has made it his life’s work to help other people rehabilitate from addiction.
Benn shares openly about his journey to rehab and the steps he took to turn his life around. His story is a heart-warming testimony of the healing that can occur when you choose to show up every single day in your recovery. How even loved ones lost can re-emerge and how life can blos...
2023-06-241h 04
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 49. BONUS EPISODE: Unpacking Secular AA with Robert PIn today’s bonus episode, I’m joined by AA member Robert P, to discuss the evolution of a movement known as Secular AA.
I knew very little about this topic before speaking to Robert and jumped at the opportunity to learn more about an alternate approach to sobriety.
As a passionate member of AA with over thirty years sobriety, Robert offers great insights into this lesser-known branch of a worldwide organisation.
If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some...
2023-06-2235 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 48. The anxiety that comes with being a socially acceptable binge drinker, with Victoria VanstoneIn this week’s episode I’m chatting with author, podcaster and mum of three Victoria Vanstone.
Vic grew up in the UK, in an environment where drinking and socialising went hand-in-hand. As a result, Vic developed an identity as “the party-girl,” and was forever surrounded by people who drank the same way she did.
Vic continued drinking and partying into her thirties however the impact on her mental health was starting to take its toll. Crippled with anxiety and a looming sense of guilt and shame, she knew she needed to take a break from boo...
2023-06-181h 01
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 47. Leaving the world a better place than how you found it, with Ed LatimoreIn this week’s episode I’m sitting down with best-selling author, former professional heavyweight boxer and Ted X speaker, Ed Latimore.
Growing up in the projects, Ed was exposed to numerous adverse childhood experiences, and turned to alcohol in his teenage years as a way to be socially accepted.
Ed knew he had a problem with drinking when he found himself turning to the bottle in an attempt to change the way he felt. Unable to hide behind a smile any longer, he made the decision to get sober in December 2013.
Ed like...
2023-06-111h 03
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 46. BONUS EPISODE: What really goes on inside a rehab, with Mitch & GabIn today’s bonus episode, I’m joined by my friends Mitch and Gab to share with you all what really goes on inside the walls of a rehab.
Having all had our own unique experiences in rehab, we chat about everything from what an average day looks like, to the things you least expect and also our biggest lessons.
If you love Behind The Smile and want to support the show you can do this easily by hitting FOLLOW in your podcast app and leaving a review!
Yo...
2023-06-1042 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 45. You can be high or you can be happy, with Cole ChanceIn this week’s episode I’m sitting down with Cole Chance, an American yoga teacher who now calls Australia home. Cole has been a seeker all her life. This journey has taken her to the depths of addiction, all around the world and now onto the path of yoga and recovery.
As a trauma-informed yoga teacher with over nine years sobriety, Cole shares a wealth of experience and wisdom.
In this conversation we talk about:
Wearing a crown and a smile to rehab – 7:00
Life as a seeker – 15:00
Discovering the golden ticket –...
2023-06-041h 05
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 44. War of the mind: one soldier’s story of PTSD, self-medication and recovery, with Jon WynnIn this week’s episode I’m speaking with ex-military, fitness and sobriety coach Jon Wynn.
Jon grew up in regional Australia and was exposed to drinking at a young age however he didn’t start abusing alcohol and other drugs until he joined the military.
After receiving a gunshot wound on tour in Afghanistan, he returned home with a sense of invincibility coupled with an insatiable urge to drown out the noise in his head. Struggling with PTSD, Jon felt as though he couldn’t ask for help for fear of stigma and potentially losing h...
2023-05-281h 01
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 43. The dark side behind the bright lights of fame, with Dena AmyIn this week’s episode, I sat down with actress, singer, dancer and international DJ, Dena Amy. Best known for her role as Abigail in the Netflix series Dance Academy and playing to thousands of people at Coachella, Dena’s life on the outside looked like a dream. But the truth was, Dena was self-medicating with prescription pills to ease the pressure of life as a global performer.
After realising she’d developed an addiction to Xanax, Dena set about her long and often painful journey to recovery which has spanned the last six years. Today, Dena is ove...
2023-05-2156 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 42. Healing your trauma and living a fulfilled life that’s in alignment with your values, with Lewis HuckstepIn this week’s episode I’m joined by Mindset and Leadership Coach Lewis Huckstep.
As a young boy Lewis was diagnosed with asperges and struggled with anxiety, resulting in him feeling uncomfortable in his own skin. In an attempt to seek approval from his dad, he chased the dream of becoming a professional athlete and was contracted to a pro club by the time he was 15 years old. By age 18, he knew his calling was in business and so he turned his attention to entrepreneurship.
Lewis achieved great success at a young age, but foun...
2023-05-1451 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 41. Own your morning, own your day and showing up no matter what, with Sober Coach Jen HirstIn this week’s episode I sat down with Sober Coach and mum of two Jen Hirst, who recently celebrated ten years of sobriety! Jen shares how she went from being an anxious perfectionist and workaholic who used alcohol daily to manage stress and social anxiety, to a sobriety coach, speaker and founder of Lighthouse Sobriety.
I absolutely loved this conversation with Jen and we covered a lot including:
Perfectionism – 5:00
Hiding Behind The Smile – 17:08
Self-medicating with Adderall – 28:30
The gift of desperation – 31:13
Her experience in rehab – 36:46
Learning how to fill your time in sobriety – 39:58
Identification and shame reduction – 42...
2023-05-071h 10
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssBONUS EPISODE - Ep 40. How I manifested speaking on stage with Gabby BernsteinLife has been super busy lately with lots of exciting things happening so I’m sliding in with a cheeky bonus episode to keep you all up to date with my world.
For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that last week I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Gabby Bernstein on stage at her Melbourne show. This was a total “pinch me” moment and I took away so much from the wisdom she shared (which I’m of course passing onto you!)
I also recently attended the Australia...
2023-05-0520 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 39. Making the choice to be better than yesterday, with Luc ZorattoIn this week’s episode I sat down with Luc Zoratto, an alcohol-free life coach and marathon runner from Toronto, Canada.
Luc and I talk about the challenge of giving up alcohol when you’ve created an identity and a life revolved around drinking.
Luc shares how he spent years trying to moderate and control his drinking, while constantly disappointing people, having to apologise for his actions and hiding the amount he was drinking (even from his therapist).
On New Year’s Eve of 2016, Luc finally had the realisation that his life wasn’t going...
2023-04-3058 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 38. Creating a life you no longer want to escape from, with Kath ElliottIn this week’s episode I sat down with Kath Elliott, the Alcohol Mindset Coach.
Kath’s world was completely rocked when just six weeks after making the decision to take an extended break from alcohol, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
This shocking discovery led Kath down a vigorous path of research as she sought to understand more about the link between alcohol and breast cancer. What she uncovered confirmed her worst fears. Hundreds of studies highlighted a direct link between low to moderate alcohol consumption and breast cancer.
Thi...
2023-04-231h 00
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 37. Designing your habits around the person you want to become, with RJ SinghIn this week’s episode, I sat down with ultra-endurance athlete and father of two, RJ Singh.
RJ shares how he went from being a promising Olympian, to bouncing in and out of juvenile detention once he was introduced to drugs and alcohol.
After fleeing the US to avoid further criminal charges, RJ landed in Australia, which would later become the epicentre of his recovery.
In this conversation, we discuss the profound personality change that occurs when an addict takes a drink or a drug and how the idea of going back isn’t ev...
2023-04-161h 18
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 36. Finding the key to freedom, with Laura Cathcart RobbinsMy guest this week is the extremely talented Laura Cathcart Robbins. Laura is the host of the brilliant podcast, The Only One in The Room, and has recently added author to her bio, with the release of her memoir Stash – My Life in Hiding.
Laura made the decision to get clean and sober in August 2008 after battling an addiction to Ambien, a prescribed sleep-aid. At almost 15 years sober, Laura continues to work a daily program of recovery and credits this as the reason she lives an incredible life today.
La...
2023-04-0950 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 35. Facing your fears with Josh (Anon.)In this week’s episode I sat down with Josh, a lawyer and father of three who made the decision to quit drinking on the 23rd of July, 2015.
Josh was terrified at the idea of having to give up alcohol, but he knew if he didn’t, he could face losing everything and everyone he loved.
In choosing sobriety, Josh embarked on a journey that would require him to honestly face his "self-centred fears" and reframe him entire outlook on life.
In this conversation, Josh shares how his most painful lessons have gifted him...
2023-04-0252 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 34. Don't wait until you want to stop, with Sober Coach, Casey McGuire DavidsonIn this week’s episode, I sat down with sober coach and fellow podcaster Casey McGuire Davidson. Casey recently celebrated 7 years of sobriety and joined me to share her personal experience and expertise through helping hundreds of women get sober.
In this conversation we cover:
Drinking Highlights and Lowlights (24min)
Mommy Wine Culture (31min)
Our different opinions on using the label “alcoholic” (36min)
What to expect when working with a Sober Coach (43min)
The biggest mistake people make when they’re trying to quit drinking (53min)
To see Casey’s Behind The Smile pho...
2023-03-261h 05
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 33. Knocking on death's door with Mike FariaMike Faria is lucky to be alive. In January 2020, he was taken to hospital in the back of an ambulance and placed in an induced coma to prevent his vital organs from shutting down. He had been drinking himself to death and he hadn’t even realised how serious his condition had become.
After making a miraculous recovery, Mike was brought out of his coma and sent home to regain his strength however doctors weren’t sure if he’d make it to the end of the year due to the extensive damage to his liver.
In t...
2023-03-191h 07
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 32. Embracing your true authentic sober self and leaning into uncomfortability with Maz ComptonIn this week’s episode I sat down with breakfast radio and podcast host, Maz Compton.
From landing her dream job as an MTV VJ to becoming the host of Sydney’s top breakfast radio show, Maz was living a fast-paced life fuelled by parties, celebrities and booze. Maz has interviewed everyone from Alicia Keys to Dave Grohl, all the while playing a role to suit her environment. Working in entertainment media, Maz was often required to put on a smile and get the job done, which over the years, created a deep divide between the person she...
2023-03-1258 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 31. The insanity of alcohol addiction with Will HitchinsIn this week’s episode I sat down with fellow sober podcaster Will Hitchins to chat about his road to recovery. Will is one half of the awesome duo that makes up Last Drinks, a sobriety podcast he created with his mate Mitch Ford.
Will quit drinking on the 1st of February 2020, however this isn’t his first stint at sobriety. In this conversation, he explains how an overwhelming sense of disconnection led him to relapse after being sober for two years.
We talk about the change in personality that alcoholics experience when they drink alco...
2023-03-051h 08
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 30. Ask Me Anything! A reflection on three years of sobrietyIn this week’s episode, to celebrate my three-year sobriety milestone, I’ve put myself back in the interview seat and invited my BFF Georgia back onto the show to ask all the questions.
My life has once again changed significantly over the past twelve months and I’m here to share with you how I’ve navigated these situations sober.
We talk about how I handle triggers when they arise, letting go of perfectionism and remaining open to growth. We also discuss dating in recovery, my relationships and recent journey with egg freezing.
I love...
2023-02-2647 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 29. When the solution (alcohol) stops working with Simon AIn this week’s episode I sit down with recovered alcoholic Simon who shares his story of addiction and sobriety. Simon has a way of describing vividly the way alcoholism manifests in the mind and how alcohol became the “solution” to his alcoholic thinking.
Simon and I talk about the turning point most alcoholics reach when you realise you can’t live with alcohol and you can’t live without it and the mental torment of trying to give up booze without a support network.
We also discuss alcoholism as being the “disease of wanting more” and ho...
2023-02-191h 02
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 28. Love Addiction with trauma and addiction specialist, Diane YoungWhen we think of addiction, most of us go straight to thoughts of alcohol or drugs, but what if I told you that you could be addicted to love?
And that Love Addiction can be just as harmful to a person’s life as drinking or drugs?
In this week’s episode, I sat down with trauma and addiction specialist Diane Young, to discuss the topic of Love Addiction. Diane outlines clearly the definition of love addiction, where it comes from and the different characteristics that define a love addict’s behaviour.
This is a fa...
2023-02-1245 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 27. Becoming someone you can be proud of with Sober Motivation's Brad McleodIn this week’s episode I’m sitting down with Brad Mcleod, the genius behind one of Instagram’s most popular recovery pages, Sober Motivation.
Brad made the decision to get clean on the 11th of January 2010, after years of battling with addiction. It was a stint in jail and a lifetime ban from the US that gave Brad the motivation he needed to turn his life around.
In this conversation Brad shares the profound impact sobriety has made on the person he is today. We talk about the process of rebuilding self-esteem and rediscovering your i...
2023-02-051h 09
Last Drinks Podcast#35 - Ashleigh Butterss - "Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Taken"In this episode we are joined by Ashleigh Butterss, a yoga teacher and host of the recovery/sobriety podcast Behind The Smile.
Ashleigh shares her upbringing and growing up in an alcoholic home environment and how a sense of unease with that experience came full circle when she stumbled upon temporary relief from her unfortunate circumstances, at the bottom of the bottle at 12 years old.
She shares her experience with trauma bonding and entering an codependent addiction enabling relationship with her ex-husband, ultimately leading to a troubled end, and how seeing the emotional effect her...
2023-01-2951 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 26. Getting comfortable in being uncomfortable, with Danni CarrDanni Carr is a trauma-informed sobriety coach and podcast host who celebrated 5 years of sobriety on the 1st of January, 2023.
Danni met her husband, musician Ash Grunwald, in her early 20s and they spent the next decade travelling the world living the “Rockstar” lifestyle. But eventually, the partying caught up with Danni and alcohol started to erode what was most important in her life including her relationships and her health.
In this conversation, Danni shares the turn of events that led her to finally make the decision to quit alcohol and how since that day, she’...
2023-01-2958 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 25. One man's relentless pursuit of recovery with Carlo La MarchesinaCarlo La Marchesina is lucky to be alive. During his 18 years of heavy drinking and IV drug use, Carlo made over 40 attempts to get clean. Today, he is closing in on 15 years of continuous sobriety.
In this conversation, Carlo talks about the resilience required to never give up on his recovery and the many lessons he’s learned along the way.
Now working as a clinician dedicated to helping other addicts get clean and sober, Carlo shares his insights into why some people make it in recovery and why sadly, others don’t.
We a...
2023-01-221h 33
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 24. Trauma-informed recovery with Mandy MannersIn this week’s episode I’m speaking with Mandy Manners, a trauma-informed wellbeing and sobriety coach from France.
Mandy has been in recovery for over five years and in that time has become an activist and advocate for sobriety and mental health.
In this conversation, Mandy opens up about the traumatic experience that led her down a path of self-medication with alcohol and drugs. Yet, through extensive trauma recovery work, Mandy has been able to properly process these events and in turn, heal her life.
Mandy’s story is raw and powerful with a...
2023-01-151h 10
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 23. The importance of getting honest with yourself, with Sober DaveIn this week’s episode, I sit down with Dave Wilson, aka Sober Dave to discuss his journey into recovery.
Dave got sober on the 7th of January 2019 and since then has become a certified grey-area drinking coach and leading voice within the online sober community.
Dave shares the epiphany he experienced that led to him finally giving up alcohol after years of struggling with addiction and the incredible way in which his life has changed.
In this conversation, Dave and I discuss the importance of getting truly honest with yourself when it co...
2023-01-0856 min
One For The RoadAshleigh Butterss.Happy New Year and thank you for joining me for another great episode of One For The Road; be sure to stay tuned in to the end of the show for some Dry January tips and advice.On this week's show i am joined by Ashleigh Butterss. Ashleigh is the creator, host and executive producer of Behind The Smile – a recovery podcast designed to expose and remove the stigma around mental health, trauma and addiction. After making the decision to get sober in 2020, Ash set out on a mission, quitting her corporate job and diving deeply into the...
2023-01-0457 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 22. Kicking off Season Two with Ask Me Anything!To kick off season two, I’m answering all of your burning questions.
A big thank you to everyone that sent in questions over Instagram last week!
In this week’s episode I’ll be talking about the catalyst that drove me to rehab, how to protect your sobriety throughout Summer, why I choose to work an abstinence-based program, how to respond to people when they question why you’re not drinking, why it’s important not to make any big decisions in the first 12 months of sobriety and finally, what to do if you’re experienc...
2023-01-0136 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 21. Season Finale: Magic Moments of 2022To close out what has been an incredible debut season, I’m sharing with you all a few of my favourite magic moments from some of the most popular episodes of 2022.
I wanted to say a huge thank you to the loyal BTS community and everyone who has listened, shared or reviewed the podcast.
Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss was created out of a deep desire to change the conversation around mental health, addiction and trauma.
I truly believe the most effective way to challenge the current archaic stigma is to keep ta...
2022-12-251h 00
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 20. Navigating family dynamics, travelling sober and New Years resolutions with Ash ButterssFor my final solo episode of the year, I wanted to share with you all some key strategies to help navigate what can be a challenging time of year for many of us.
In this episode, I’ll be touching on a few key topics including:
How to navigate family dynamics: watching out for triggers and how you can self-regulate once you’ve been activated.
Travelling sober: helpful strategies you can implement to help protect your recovery.
New Years resolutions: creating a solid plan to set you up for success.
To check out Ash’s latest...
2022-12-1834 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 19. How to develop Emotional Sobriety with Gill TietzIn this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with the host of the Sober Powered Podcast, Gill Tietz, to discuss all things “Emotional Sobriety”.
Gill started her podcast shortly after getting sober in 2019 with the idea of looking at sobriety through the lens of science. With a background in biomedicine, Gill has extensively researched the impact of alcohol on the brain and on our human behaviours.
In our conversation, Gill shares her own journey into sobriety before we dive deep into the meaning of “Emotional Sobriety”. We discuss the impact of alcohol on the development...
2022-12-1152 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 18. Demystifying "Grey-Area" Drinking with Sarah RusbatchIn this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Sobriety and Grey-Area Drinking Coach, Sarah Rusbatch.
Sarah made the decision to give up alcohol in April 2019 after reaching a point where she could no longer control her drinking. Disturbed sleep, anxiety and waking up hungover each day was finally enough for Sarah to realise she wanted a better life for herself.
Fast-forward to today and Sarah runs her own Sobriety Coaching business and has helped women all across the globe to ditch the booze and step into a life full of passion, purpose and alig...
2022-12-041h 00
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 17. How getting sober prepared one woman for the greatest battle of her lifeTo kick off this week's episode I'm sharing my Top 5 Tips to help you prepare for the Silly Season!
We then dive into another powerful guest episode as I sit down with 46yr old, mother of three boys, Lucy Chapman.
Lucy gave up drinking on the 1st of March, 2021 after almost losing everything. For years she had thought her substance use was “under control” until she found herself drinking around the clock and unable to leave her son’s bedroom.
At one year sober, Lucy was diagnosed with cancer and the second battle for her...
2022-11-2749 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 16. How to change your relationship with alcohol, with Sobriety Coach Lucy QuickIn this week’s episode, I’m speaking with Lucy Quick, the founder and CEO of Thrivalist, a company dedicated to helping women change their relationship with alcohol and heal their lives.
Lucy began her sobriety journey on the 1st of January 2019 after deciding she’d had enough of the chaos and carnage that proceeded her drinking. Since then, she has dedicated her life to building Thrivalist and creating a range of programs to help thousands of women navigate their sober journeys.
In this conversation we discuss a broad range of topics including:
How to nav...
2022-11-201h 02
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 15. Harm Reduction VS Abstinence: Exploring the risks and benefits with Robbie ShawIn this week’s episode I sit down with Robbie Shaw, host of Champagne Problems, a podcast that examines sobriety through the lens of health and wellness.
After growing up in an alcoholic home, Robbie decided to quit drinking on May 5th, 2006, however this wasn’t the last time he experimented with other mind-altering substances.
Over the past 16 years, Robbie has navigated through his sobriety journey, dipping in and out of being “California Sober”. However, 9 months ago Robbie decided to abstain from all drugs, including marijuana and hasn’t looked back since.
Along with his p...
2022-11-1359 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 14. Reclaiming your personal power with Nat CommonsIn this week’s episode, I sit down with Yoga Teacher and mentor Nat Commons as she shares her own personal story of recovery. From an early age, Nat experienced trauma that resulted in the development of a range of harmful coping mechanisms.
After years of self-afflicted punishment, Nat came to a life changing decision that led her down a path of self-compassion and healing. The moment she stopped running and made the decision to face her fears was the moment she became free.
Nat’s story is a demonstration of the powerful message that your...
2022-11-061h 36
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 13. The impact of addiction on families and how rehab can provide the gateway to recovery with Toby LawrenceIn this week’s episode I sit down with Toby Lawrence, the CEO of Arrow Health, one of Australia’s leading treatment centres for drug and alcohol addiction.
Toby shares a firsthand account of the damaging impact addiction has, not just on the addicted person, but on the family system as a whole. In this conversation, we discuss how to support a loved one in active addiction, where to go to seek out help and why our mental healthcare system is broken.
Toby talks openly about how his perspective of addiction has drastically changed and why...
2022-10-3057 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 12. Discovering what it means to truly find yourself with Patrick KennedyIn this week’s episode, I sit down with Patrick, a 29-year-old recovering alcoholic who began his sobriety journey on the 27thMay, 2021.
Pat shares openly about the moment he was “pushed into a corner with nowhere else to go” and how that moment led him to acknowledge his struggles with alcohol addiction.
Since hitting rock bottom, Pat has realised it’s ok to experience struggle and that there’s no shame in asking for help. Throughout his recovery journey, he has learnt to look for the similarities instead of differences and is now challenging himself to let go...
2022-10-231h 11
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 11. Understanding Codependency: How the scars of childhood trauma can show up in adulthood with Diane YoungThis week, I’m sitting down with Psychotherapist and Trauma/Addictions Specialist Diane Young, to discuss the impact of childhood trauma and how this often leads to the development of codependent traits in adulthood.
Codependency is very similar to other process addictions such as gambling or eating disorders, and often develops as a result of experiencing trauma throughout childhood. In this week’s episode, Diane explains the characteristics of a codependent along with outlining Pia Mellody’s Developmental Model of Immaturity, which details the basic needs of a child and what happens when these needs are not met.
2022-10-161h 04
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 10. Alcoholism: The Disease of Denial with Chantal HortonIn this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Psychologist and mum of two Chantal, who got sober while living in Dubai back in May 2017.
Chantal shares how she lived in denial for many years as a high-functioning alcoholic and hid behind her successes as a way of denying she had a problem.
In this conversation we talk about how alcohol is glorified in our society and how binge drinking can still allow you to qualify as an alcoholic.
Chantal now has over 5 years of sobriety and shares with us the tools she i...
2022-10-091h 10
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 9. Top 5 tips to improve your quality of life with Zoe KleinIn this week’s episode, I sit down with Psychotherapist and Yoga Teacher Zoe Klein to talk about how we can implement simple tools to positively impact our overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re in recovery or not, life can at times be challenging. In this conversation, Zoe shares her key tips that will help to improve your quality of life.
Zoe’s Top Tips include:
Live a life aligned to your values
The importance of practice
Invest in your relationships
Use the breath as an antidote to stress and burn out
Treat life like an exp...
2022-10-0251 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 8. Learning to acknowledge the part you play with Gabs IrelandIn this week’s episode, I’m talking to Gabs, a 39-year-old recovering alcoholic, who started his sobriety journey on the 19th October 2019.
We discuss the dark days that led to Gabs entering recovery and how he believes he was “born an alcoholic.”
Gabs shares what he’s learnt about himself in sobriety and tells us his three non-negotiables for living a life of freedom in recovery.
To see Gabs’ Behind The Smile photo head to: ashbutterss.com
You can also find me here: @ashbutterss
2022-09-251h 07
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 7. Ask Me Anything! Q&A with my BFF GeorgiaIn this week's episode, I'm putting myself in the interview seat and have invited my best friend of 25+ years, Georgia, onto the show to ask the questions.
Georgia lives in Europe and at the time of recording we hadn't seen each other in over two years (thanks to Covid19). The last time we'd been together I was still drinking and my life was a mess. Watching my journey into recovery from afar, Georgia naturally had a lot of questions and we agreed that nothing was off limits in this conversation!
Georgia and I discuss everything t...
2022-09-1854 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 6. How putting down the booze led to rediscovering the self with Monique SverdvikIn this week's episode, I sit down with Monique, a Nurse and mum of four who gave up alcohol on the 28th December, 2019. We discuss Mon’s journey into sobriety and what she’s discovered about herself since choosing to live life sober.
Mon talks openly about the pressure she felt to be “perfect” from a young age and how she used alcohol to self-medicate until she wasn’t able to control it anymore.
Today, Mon is proudly sober and credits giving up alcohol as the reason she's able to show up as a wife and mother...
2022-09-1158 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 5. Am I An Alcoholic? 7 Signs You Might Have A Drinking ProblemIn this week’s episode, I talk about the stigma that surrounds the disease of alcoholism and why this is preventing people from reaching out for help.
Before coming into recovery, my perception of an alcoholic was someone living rough, drinking around the clock and consuming spirits out of a brown paper bag. And because I didn’t identify with this stereotype, I didn’t think I qualified as an alcoholic.
In sobriety I’ve learned that addiction does not discriminate. And while the common stereotype can certainly become a reality for alcoholics who continue to drink...
2022-09-0425 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 4. Breakups, busts and new beginnings with Max Crawford-SmithIn this episode, I’ve invited my ex-husband and dear friend Max on to share his story of recovery.
Max talks candidly about his personal struggles with addiction and what it took for him to finally reach out for help. There’s no holding back in this episode as we speak openly about a range of personal topics, including the breakdown of our marriage.
It’s my hope that by drawing back the curtain on this personal conversation, other people who have shared a similar experience might find comfort in knowing they’re not alone.
Th...
2022-08-281h 23
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 3. The danger of Perfectionism: how trying to live up to unrealistic expectations led me to self-destructIn this episode, I talk about my life long struggle with perfectionism and how this developed as a result of certain conditioning throughout childhood. I discuss the reason why I view perfectionism as being a vice as dangerous as addiction and why I needed to treat this core issue before tackling my underlying substance abuse.
This episode contains topics that could be triggering. If your mental health is triggered and you are based in Australia, please reach out to a support group such as Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
For other countries, you can visit CheckPoint...
2022-08-2117 min
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 2. From Manic to Mindful with Rod ButterssFor this debut guest episode, I’ve invited my dad Rod to share his story of recovery and hope. Rod started his recovery journey in 2010, however this is not his current sobriety date. For the first time, Rod speaks publicly about his recent relapse and how he made the journey from his darkest days, to now experiencing joy beyond his wildest dreams.
Find Rod: www.linkedin.com/in/rodbutterss
Find Ash: www.ashbutterss.com / @ashbutterss
If you or someone you know if struggling with addiction, please reach out for support. So...
2022-08-141h 05
Behind The Smile with Ash ButterssEp 1. My Story of RecoveryIn this debut episode of Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss, host Ash shares her own experience and journey into recovery.
From an early age, Ash learnt to hide her true emotions behind a big smile. She used this mask as a way of keeping herself protected and continued doing so all throughout her twenties. On the outside, Ash looked as though she was living a "normal" life but by the age of 30, addiction had taken hold and she was slowly dying on the inside.
Since checking into rehab on the 24th February 2020, Ash has re...
2022-08-0734 min