In this gripping return to Believe in People, Young Lee opens up about what happens after the chaos of addiction — when the drugs are gone, the dust has settled, and the real work begins. Once a rising star in the music scene, Young shares how losing everything forced him to rebuild from scratch — not just a life, but a self. Through daily spiritual practice, honest service, and the quiet discipline of presence, he’s found a deeper kind of freedom — one rooted not in status or success, but in being truly useful.

This isn’t just a story of surviving addiction — it’s a raw, unflinching look at the spiritual journey of being recovered. Young speaks with moving clarity about earning back trust from his children, breaking the illusion of control, and staying grounded in a world that pulls us in every direction. If you’ve ever wondered what recovery really looks like years down the line — this episode is your answer. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up, telling the truth, and choosing peace, one day at a time.

If you liked this episode then you'll also love Young's first appearance in episode 41 👇

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6UtKzvrzzqVJWLQxZSehJ8

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-young-heroin-house-music-healing-smuggling-acid/id1617239923?i=1000650255345

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a review — it helps others find us.

🔗 Then share this episode with someone you know who could benefit from it.

Browse the full archive at 👉 www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

This is a toolkit for recovery & resilience. Whether you’re in recovery or seeking to understand addiction, there’s something here for everyone.

📩 Contact: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

🔗 Listen & Subscribe
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4Cr4wzZ6bxku1cRcoYKbGK
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people/id1617239923

🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
🏢 Network: ReNew

Ross joins the podcast to share his powerful journey from personal tragedy to public advocacy, following the suicide of his father - a traumatic event that profoundly shaped his mental health. We explore how Ross turned to alcohol and cocaine to suppress overwhelming grief, endured multiple suicide attempts, and reached a pivotal moment of clarity during hospitalisation. His recovery story is rooted in the transformative impact of sobriety and the critical role of peer support. Through his involvement with Andy’s Man Club, Ross found a renewed sense of purpose in creating space for men to speak openly, confront trauma, and support one another without judgment.

This conversation delves into themes of emotional resilience, the social conditioning of masculinity, and the healing potential of community-led recovery. We also discuss the moment Ross met the paramedic who saved his life, and how full-circle experiences like these reinforce the value of second chances. Ross’s story is a compelling reminder that silence is not strength—and that choosing to speak out can be the first step toward real, lasting change.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, addiction, or overwhelming emotions, please contact Samaritans at 116 123, or visit Andy’s Man Club to find a local group.

🗣️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide, addiction, and mental health crises. Listener discretion is advised.

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a review — it helps others find us.

🔗 Then share this episode with someone you know who could benefit from it.

Browse the full archive at 👉 www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

This is a toolkit for recovery & resilience. Whether you’re in recovery or seeking to understand addiction, there’s something here for everyone.

📩 Contact: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

🔗 Listen & Subscribe
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4Cr4wzZ6bxku1cRcoYKbGK
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people/id1617239923

🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
🏢 Network: ReNew

Matt speaks with Woody, the National Connecting Communities Lead at Change Grow Live, who shares a candid account of his journey through addiction, recovery, and professional development. Woody reflects on the early signs of substance use in his teens and the emotional undercurrents that led him to rely on substances as a coping mechanism. He discusses his progression through various drugs, including butane gas, cannabis, hallucinogens, and ultimately alcohol, which became his most destructive dependency.

Woody describes the personal impact of addiction on his life, including strained family relationships, disconnection from his children, and the loss of his physical and emotional wellbeing. He talks about hitting rock bottom, including a significant turning point involving arrest and hospitalisation, which prompted him to seek detox and begin a new phase of recovery. Woody speaks with honesty about the shame, isolation, and denial that often accompany substance misuse.

A significant part of Woody’s recovery has been grounded in spirituality, nature, and meaningful connection with others. He shares how his introduction to a spiritual philosophy helped replace his dependency on substances with a sense of purpose and guidance. He also emphasises the vital role of the recovery community and the importance of peer support in sustaining long-term wellbeing.

Now in a leadership position, Woody explores the challenges and opportunities of being open about lived experience within professional settings. He reflects on stigma, disclosure, and the need to shift organisational cultures to recognise the value of lived experience as an asset. This episode offers insight into personal growth, systemic change, and the power of recovery to transform lives.

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

Believe in People explores addiction, recovery and stigma.

For our full back catalogue you can visit our website ⬇️

www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

If you or someone you know is struggling then this series can help.

You can see selected clips from the series on social media: @CGLHull ⬇️

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Christopher Tait of the band Belle Ghoul & Electric Six for allowing us to use the track Jonathan Tortoise. Thank you, Chris, for being a part of this journey with us.

In this episode, Matt speaks with Chris De Banks, the founder of Not Saints, the UK’s only not-for-profit record label dedicated to supporting musicians in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Chris shares his personal journey through addiction, from growing up in the music-fuelled 90s drug culture to battling alcohol dependency and substance use in the music industry. He discusses the myths surrounding creativity and addiction, the glamorisation of substance use in media and pop culture, and how these influences shape young people’s choices.

The conversation also explores the realities of addiction, the turning point that led Chris into recovery, and his mission to create a sober music community through Not Saints. Chris details the work of the label, including providing creative opportunities for musicians in recovery, delivering workshops, and organising sober music events across the UK.

With insights into stigma, recovery advocacy, and the intersection of music and healing, this episode offers an in-depth look at how creative expression can support long-term recovery and change the narrative around addiction.

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

For our full back catalogue you can visit our website ⬇️

www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

If you or someone you know is struggling then this series can help.

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Christopher Tait of the band Belle Ghoul & Electric Six for allowing us to use the track Jonathan Tortoise.

In this raw and controversial episode, Matt sits down with TalkToBigDan - aka Daniel Ramson - to explore his unapologetic, tough-love approach to recovery. Rejecting conventional services, Dan shares how he went from partying with rock stars and being sectioned to becoming one of Europe’s most in-demand addiction coaches. Drawing from lived experience, he challenges the disease model of addiction, advocating instead for radical accountability, discipline, and structure. From drug-induced psychosis to family fallout, Dan pulls no punches in a conversation that will provoke, divide, and spark vital debate on what recovery really means.

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a review — it helps others find us.

🔗 Then share this episode with someone you know who could benefit from it.

Browse the full archive at 👉 www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

This is a toolkit for recovery & resilience. Whether you’re in recovery or seeking to understand addiction, there’s something here for everyone.

📩 Contact: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

🔗 Listen & Subscribe
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4Cr4wzZ6bxku1cRcoYKbGK
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people/id1617239923

🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
🏢 Network: ReNew

John’s story is one of quiet transformation - trading binge drinking and chaotic nights for clarity, creativity, and connection. After a 5am moment of reckoning, he chose sobriety not because he identified as an alcoholic, but because alcohol no longer served the life he wanted to build. In its place, he discovered a passion for photography and launched Hull and Yorkshire Daily, a widely followed platform capturing the beauty and grit of his surroundings. Through candid reflection, personal growth, and even physical transformation, John has reshaped his life from the inside out - challenging drinking culture, redefining authenticity, and proving that change begins when we align our actions with our values.

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a review — it helps others find us.

🔗 Then share this episode with someone you know who could benefit from it.

Browse the full archive at 👉 www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

This is a toolkit for recovery & resilience. Whether you’re in recovery or seeking to understand addiction, there’s something here for everyone.

📩 Contact: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

🔗 Listen & Subscribe
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4Cr4wzZ6bxku1cRcoYKbGK
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people/id1617239923

🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
🏢 Network: ReNew

Paul Haley’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and purpose. Once caught in the grips of heroin and crack cocaine addiction, Paul reached a devastating rock bottom - an injecting injury that nearly cost him his arm. Faced with the harsh reality of where his addiction had taken him, he made the life-altering decision to turn things around.

With sheer determination, Paul rebuilt his life, channelling the same relentless drive that once fuelled his addiction into something positive. He pursued education, found purpose in helping others, and ultimately carved out a career in the very system that once supported his recovery. Now, with nearly two decades of sobriety, Paul serves as Change Grow Live’s National Service User Involvement Lead, using his lived experience to challenge stigma, empower service users, and advocate for meaningful change in drug and alcohol treatment services.

Paul’s story is not just about overcoming addiction - it’s about proving that recovery is more than just abstinence. It’s about rediscovering identity, reshaping perceptions, and demonstrating that those with lived experience are not defined by their past but by the strength they show in rebuilding their future.

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

🔊 Like what you heard?
Tap Follow to get new episodes as soon as they drop.

🌍 For the full archive, bonus content, and show notes:
www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

💡 This show isn’t just stories — it’s a toolkit for recovery, resilience, and radical compassion. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone, or simply seeking to understand addiction and mental health, there’s something here for you.

💬 Have a question, suggestion, or want to be featured?
Email: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com

🎵 Featuring “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait of Belle Ghoul & Electric Six – used with heartfelt thanks. Thank you Chris

⭐ If this helped you — help someone else.
Rate the show, write a short review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

🎙️ Believe in People: A Special Collaboration Episode 🌟

In this special transatlantic collaboration, Amy Goldberg, host of Believe in People America, welcomes Matt Butler, host of the UK’s Believe in People podcast, into the guest seat for a heartfelt discussion on recovery, resilience, and belief in change.

Joining them as today’s special guest host is Caitlin Morrison, a dedicated advocate and sister of the late Matthew Perry, who shares powerful insights into the ongoing mission of the Matthew Perry Foundation honouring her brother’s legacy by sharing how his story continues to inspire and drive change.

The episode explores the power of personal narratives in breaking stigma and promoting understanding. Matt reflects on his journey from administrative roles in substance misuse services to becoming a passionate advocate for recovery.

Learn more about the hosts and their work:

• Believe in People America by Amy Goldberg: Push Back Productions | Instagram
• Caitlin Morrison and the Matthew Perry Foundation: Foundation Website | LinkedIn
• Believe in People: Spotify | YouTube
  
  
  

Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!

Believe in People explores addiction, recovery and stigma.

For our full back catalogue you can visit our website ⬇️

www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com

If you or someone you know is struggling then this series can help.

You can see selected clips from the series on social media: @CGLHull ⬇️

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Christopher Tait of the band Belle Ghoul & Electric Six for allowing us to use the track Jonathan Tortoise. Thank you, Chris, for being a part of this journey with us.