A Colourful Past Podcast

In this powerful episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Caleb (known in the music world as Belac BTD), a rap artist who has survived a life of unimaginable tragedy. From losing his father in a freak accident at age six to the heartbreaking loss of all three of his brothers to murder, suicide, and cancer, Caleb’s story is a testament to the sheer will to survive.

Caleb opens up about his battle with addiction, starting from his first "cone" at just eight years old, his time in foster care, and the harrowing experience of having his best friend die in his arms. Now five years sober from ice and working to better himself for his four children, Caleb shares how he uses his music as a vital outlet for his pain and PTSD. This is an raw, unfiltered look at grief, resilience, and the journey toward healing from the heaviest of pasts.

  * Overcoming Trauma

  * Grief and Loss Recovery

  * A Colourful Past Podcast

  * Belac BTD Interview

  * Sobriety Success Story

  * Ice Addiction Recovery

  * Foster Care Experience

  * PTSD and Healing

  * Australian Rap Artist

  * Resilience and Survival

✅ Important Links: 

👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/

👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/

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👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acolourfulpastpodcast

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📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

#AColourfulPast #TraumaRecovery #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #BellacBTD #GriefAndLoss #OvercomingAdversity #HealingJourney #RecoveryIsPossible #truestories 

In this powerful episode of A Colourful Past, host Danny Shannon sits down with Lee Stewart, the founder of the "Let’s Get Grounded" Facebook community. Leigh’s story is a masterclass in radical accountability and turning a negative situation into a positive empire.

Leigh opens up about his recent "wake-up call"—a drink-driving charge that landed him on four and a half months of home detention with an ankle monitor. Instead of letting the restriction break him, he used the time to launch three businesses, begin a diploma in mental health counseling, and commit to a life of total sobriety.

We dive deep into Leigh’s "colourful past," exploring:

• Early Roots: His introduction to substance abuse at age nine and the impact of the foster care system.
• The Height of Addiction: Surviving an $1,800-a-day meth habit, heavy gambling, and the dark reality of drug-induced psychosis.
• The Turning Point: A near-fatal rock bottom that led to rehab and a spiritual encounter that saved his life.
• Business as Therapy: How Lee applies a "solution-focused" mindset to both entrepreneurship and personal healing.
• The "Better Better" Philosophy: Why creating new, positive memories is the only way to kill the bad ones from the past.

Lee is now dedicated to mentoring others through "Let’s Get Grounded," aiming to become an NDIS-registered recovery coach to help people navigate their own paths out of the "hood" and into greatness.

Key Quote:

"Don’t hold on to what’s behind, as that will not lead you into the future. Create new memories to kill the bad ones that hold you backwards." — Lee Stewart.

About Our Guest:

Leigh Stewart is an entrepreneur, qualified chef, and mental health advocate. Through his Facebook page, "Let’s Get Grounded," he provides a space for connection, guidance, and raw honesty for those struggling with addiction and mental health.

Connect with the Show:

• Host: Danny Shannon
• Sponsor: Rewire and Realign
• Theme: Your past does not define your future.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. You don't have to do it alone.

In this episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Prince to explore his powerful transformation from a high-profile criminal case to becoming a successful entrepreneur and mentor.

Prince discusses surviving over a year in solitary confinement, the moment he realised his potential, and how he used his eight-year prison sentence to shift his focus from building an empire to creating a lasting legacy.

Now the founder of Purple Prince, a thriving acai business, and a qualified NLP coach, Prince shares his insights on personal branding, authenticity, and the importance of turning pain into purpose.A Colourful Past Podcast, Danny Shannon, Purple Prince, Criminal Rehabilitation, Prison Transformation, Personal Branding, Legacy Building, Mentorship, High Risk Offender, Solitary Confinement, Acai Business, NLP Coaching, Authenticity.#acolourfulpast #prisonreform #personalbranding #legacy #transformation #purposethroughpain #purpleprince #podcast

From being raised in the brutal world of the Melbourne Painters and Dockers to becoming a multi-millionaire property developer while leading a double life, Ron Isherwood has seen it all. In this gripping episode of A Colourful Past, Ron joins host Danny Shannon to share the raw, unfiltered truth about his journey through the Australian criminal landscape.

Ron details his incredible 1977 escape from Milson Island prison where he swam seven miles against the tide, his time locked up with infamous figures like Chopper Read, and the moment he realized the brotherhood of crime was nothing but a lie. Now 40 years clean, Ron discusses his complete transformation from a schizophrenic psychopath diagnosis at 17 to a published author and dedicated recovery mentor.

This is a story of extreme violence, addiction, and ultimate redemption. Learn how Ron turned his life around to help thousands of others find their way out of the darkness and why he believes your past does not have to define your future.

Timeline of Episode Scenes:

• 00:00 - 01:26: Introduction: Losing a $5 million fortune and a family to a drug conspiracy.
• 01:27 - 02:54: Growing up in Victoria: The violent motto of the Painters and Dockers.
• 02:55 - 05:25: Principles of the underworld and finding a new high in helping others.
• 05:26 - 07:44: 40 years of sobriety and the cycle of prison detoxing.
• 07:45 - 10:24: First major shooting at age 16 and a father's brutal reaction.
• 10:25 - 13:48: Life inside Pentridge Prison with Chopper Read and surviving at age 17.
• 13:49 - 15:43: Moving to Sydney and falling into heroin addiction.
• 15:44 - 17:22: The 7-mile swim: Escape from Milson Island prison.
• 17:23 - 21:00: Becoming a street junkie and the first 12-step intervention.
• 21:01 - 25:10: Relapses, the "Pied Piper" of recovery, and leading a double life.
• 25:11 - 28:27: The 2002 arrest and the true cost of arrogant criminal choices.
• 28:28 - 34:33: Starting an autonomous rehab unit (C12) inside the prison system.
• 34:34 - 37:35: Release in 2012 and the realization that crime does not pay spiritually.
• 37:36 - 42:55: Ron today: Running recovery companies and building a legacy of gratitude.
• 42:56 - 45:54: The ultimate self-contract story: When life meant nothing.
• 45:55 - 47:35: Closing remarks and honoring those lost to addiction.

Keywords:

True Crime Australia, Prison Escape, Recovery Story, Underworld History, Addiction Redemption, Melbourne Gang Wars, Chopper Read, 12 Step Program, Transformation, Motivational Story

#TrueCrime #PrisonEscape #Recovery #AustraliaUnderworld #Transformation #AColourfulPast #Inspiration #Redemption #AddictionRecovery #MelbourneCrime

In this powerful episode, Kimmie Jeans shares her incredible journey from a childhood of severe physical abuse to celebrating over 21 years of sobriety. Kimmie discusses the traumatic "discipline" she faced growing up and how she began using drugs at age 13 to mask her pain. She details the harrowing experience of losing her best friend to a drug-induced heart attack at age 16 and her subsequent time in prison.

The ultimate turning point came at nine weeks pregnant, when Kimmie made a vow to go cold turkey to ensure a better life for her daughter. Now a proud mother and advocate, Kimmie has earned a Bachelor of Business and dedicated herself to volunteer work, including literacy programs for children. Her story is a testament to the fact that the only person who can stop you from being the best version of yourself is you.

Sobriety, Recovery Journey, Overcoming Addiction, Childhood Trauma, Domestic Abuse Survivor, 21 Years Sober, Cold Turkey, Parenting in Recovery, Volunteerism, Mental Health Awareness.

 Listen to the inspiring story of Kimmie Jeans, who broke the cycle of abuse and addiction to build a successful life for her daughters. Discover how a life-changing realisation during pregnancy led to over two decades of sobriety and a passion for community advocacy.

✅ Subscribe To The Channel For More Videos: 

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✅ Important Links: 

👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/

👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/

✅  Stay Connected With Me: 

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acolourfulpastpodcast

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2rFHNtDa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

👉 Facebook (Danny Shannon): https://www.facebook.com/share/14N3vG76yA3/

👉 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colourfulpastpodcast

📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

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#AColourfulPastPodcast #RecoveryStories #Sobriety #OvercomingTrauma #Inspiration #AddictionRecovery #CleanAndSober #Parenting #MentalHealthMatters #SuccessStories

In this moving episode, Lucas Forbes shares his powerful transition from a high-functioning addict in the entertainment industry to the founder of a community-focused recovery movement. Lucas opens up about his darkest moments, including a near-suicidal night in a high-rise apartment where a desperate call to a helpline saved his life. He details the boozy lunch culture of Sydney's media world, where cocaine and alcohol were normalised in the workplace, leading to a decade of frequent rehab miles and eventual homelessness.

Now nearly seven years sober, Lucas discusses how he finally cracked the nut through an intensive three-month program in Thailand—funded by accessing his superannuation—and the unwavering support of his wife, Stephanie. Today, Lucas is dedicated to helping others find connection without the war stories of traditional fellowships through his organisation, Reconnect Movement.

Key Topics and Highlights

  - The High-Functioning Trap: How Lucas managed a successful media career for decades while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.

  - A Life-Saving Call: The critical role of emergency services and helplines like Beyond Blue during a mental health crisis.

  - The Cycle of Rehab: A candid look at completing over 14 rehab stints and why traditional methods did not initially stick.

  - Financial Resources for Recovery: Discovering the option to use superannuation to fund life-saving treatment.

  - Building Community: Introducing the Reconnect Movement, a family-focused initiative designed to foster social connection through simple fun like backyard cricket and picnics.

✅ Important Links: 

👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/

👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/

✅  Stay Connected With Me: 

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acolourfulpastpodcast

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2rFHNtDa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

👉 Facebook (Danny Shannon): https://www.facebook.com/share/14N3vG76yA3/

👉 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colourfulpastpodcast

📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

#RecoveryJourney #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #LucasForbes #Sobriety #ReconnectMovement #BeyondBlue #HighFunctioningAddict #EntertainmentIndustry #SuccessInSobriety

Join host Danny Shannon as he interviews Saleha from Ability Alliance Care on *A Colourful Past Podcast*. Saleha  shares the challenging experiences that shaped her life, from battling ADHD and experiencing homelessness at age four after her parents' divorce, to living in the high-poverty, drug-affected area of Miller, Sydney (around 2010).

She recounts the desperate struggle with food insecurity and the haunting prediction from teachers at Punchbowl Public School that she would "end up in jail". At a pivotal age (around 16), Slaya faced a crossroads: accepting a lucrative but dangerous offer to deliver drugs ("packages"), or choosing the path to "break the cycle".

Saleha explains how learning to heal through Timeline Therapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) helped her confront anger and trauma. This profound personal change led her to establish Ability Alliance Care, a company committed to providing meaningful NDIS support that focuses on inclusion, capacity building, and promoting independent living for people with disabilities.

This is a powerful story proving that your past does not define your future.

Timestamp Breakdown:

  - 0:00: Childhood, ADHD, and the "End up in Jail" prediction.

  - 1:15: First experience with homelessness at age four.

  - 2:03: Second time homeless, moving to Housing Commission in Miller.

  - 3:08: Desperate measures and struggles with food insecurity.

  - 5:12: Dodging needles and high drug use in the Miller flats.

  - 6:44: Getting support from non-profits (Salvation Army) and mother's sacrifice.

  - 9:02: Vivid memory of leaving for the refuge at age four.

  - 11:09: Missing her father and calling from payphones.

  - 12:25: Discussion: Is childhood trauma responsible for adult outcomes?.

  - 17:27: Unsettling encounter with a predator/pedophile neighbor.

  - 24:41: The choice: $1,500 a day to deliver drugs ("packages").

  - 27:32: The turning point: Breaking the cycle and rejecting negative expectations.

  - 30:06: Not being "academically smart" and fighting back in Miller.

  - 31:50: The lasting effect of past hunger (struggling with 2-minute noodles).

  - 36:26: Healing through Timeline Therapy and NLP.

  - 39:33: Entering the disability field, inspired by her cousin with Down syndrome.

  - 42:25: Slaya's vision for NDIS, inclusion, and modified workplaces.

  - 46:50: Challenges of informal supports and caregiver burnout.

  - 52:55: Introducing Ability Alliance Care and capacity building services.

  - 58:19: Final message: You are in charge of your future.

Homeless to CEO, Ability Alliance Care, Saleha , A Colourful Past Podcast, Childhood Trauma, NDIS Disability Support, Breaking the Cycle, Timeline Therapy, NLP Healing, Miller Sydney, Darag Eora Nation, Independent Living, Capacity Building.

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✅ Important Links: 

👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/

👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/

✅  Stay Connected With Me: 

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acolourfulpastpodcast

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👉 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colourfulpastpodcast

📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

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#HomelessToCEO

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#DisabilitySupport

#AbilityAllianceCare

#NDIS

#NDISSupport

#ChildhoodTrauma

#MentalHealthHealing

#NLP

#TimelineTherapy

#SydneyPodcast

#Inspiration

#ADHD

Australian Rapper 360 (Matt Colwell) joins A Colourful Past to share his powerful journey from opiate addiction and chasing "fake" fame to finding enduring sobriety and purpose through faith in God. He details his struggle with OxyContin, methadone, and Suboxone, and the game-changing role of the injectable drug Sublocade in his withdrawal-free recovery. Matt reflects on being isolated, people-pleasing tendencies, the pressure to succeed in basketball and music, and the importance of selflessness and community in his new life. Don't miss this powerful conversation about moving from a life of black and white to one full of colour and gratitude.

✅ Subscribe To The Channel For More Videos: 

https://www.youtube.com/@AColourfulPastPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1

✅ Important Links: 

👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/

👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/

✅  Stay Connected With Me: 

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acolourfulpastpodcast

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2rFHNtDa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

👉 Facebook (Danny Shannon): https://www.facebook.com/share/14N3vG76yA3/

👉 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colourfulpastpodcast

📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]

==============================

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=============================

#360 #MattColwell #Rapper360 #Pez #AustralianHipHop #HipHop #AddictionRecovery #OpiateAddiction #Sublocade #Methadone #Suboxone #RecoveryJourney #SpiritualAwakening #Christianity #ACPP #AColorfulPastPodcast #DannyShannon #Sobriety #God #OxyContin

 Rapper 360’s Raw Story, Fame, Addiction, Faith | A Colourful Past Podcast

Welcome back to A Colourful Past Podcast! I'm your host Danny Shannon, and in this cracker of an episode, we sit down with the incredible Andrew Hamilton: comedian, host of The OG Crew YouTube channel (with over 1.5 million subscribers), and a man who has truly transformed his life.

Andrew shares his incredible journey from being arrested by the Raptor Squad and spending time in maximum security prison for drug dealing, to becoming one of Australia's fastest-rising comedians and content creators.

In this episode, Andrew reveals:

  00:00 - Returning to prison to perform comedy.

  01:19 - Introducing Andrew Hamilton (The OG Crew).

  02:41 - How Andrew blew up on YouTube doing "Dad Jokes".

  04:36 - Living at home with parents despite fame and success.

  07:14 - Growing up in Hornsby Heights and a middle-class upbringing.

  07:47 - How a gambling addiction led him to start selling ecstasy at university in Bathurst.

  09:00 - Trying magic mushrooms in Thailand and a "drugged up spiritual experience".

  09:59 - Starting a business selling magic mushroom caps because the taste was so bad.

  10:42 - Mushrooms were a Class A drug when he was arrested.

  11:15 - Discussing medicinal use of psychedelics.

  13:17 - Losing over $2 million on gambling, and the prevalence of "pokies" in New South Wales.

  17:49 - His addiction trouble with cocaine, and how he could afford it while dealing.

  19:04 - Dealing mushrooms, acid, MDMA, ketamine, and cocaine.

  19:47 - His most profitable moment: Mardi Gras week selling in bulk to the gay community.

  20:58 - How his ex-fiancée's cocaine psychosis led to his arrest by the Raptor Squad

  21:28 - Getting the door smashed in while flushing drugs down the toilet.

  21:45 - Refused bail and his first day in prison (Parklea/Long Bay).

  24:37 - Starting stand-up comedy while on house arrest and taking his mum to open mic nights.

  26:07 - How the judge appreciated the "novelty" of his comedy and gave him an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO).

  27:39 - Returning to Silverwater Maximum Security prison to perform stand-up for inmates.

  29:39 - Laughing in prison saved him and inspired his comedy.

  32:17 - How he achieved 1.5 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views.

  33:18 - The "dad jokes" challenge: do a shot of vodka if you laugh.

  34:06 - Being an "extra" on a viral channel making the owner millions.

  34:36 - Getting fired twice and launching The OG Crew.

  36:30 - Gaining a million subscribers in 5 months on The OG Crew.

  41:54 - Being **ripped off** and losing $35,000 from a stand-up tour after his manager went insolvent.

  43:10 - Andrew's life as a full-time Standup Comedian and YouTuber.

  46:48 - The "voice" in Long Bay prison telling him to start comedy.

  50:10 - Mention of his book, The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison.

Andrew's story proves that your past does not define your future. Watch now to hear how he turned a 'colourful past' into a successful and inspiring career.

Connect with Andrew Hamilton:

  YouTube: The OG Crew

  Book: The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison

  #AndrewHamilton

  #TheOGCrew

  #Comedian

  #StandUpComedy

  #YouTubeCreator

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I Earned This F&#King Chair: The 18-Year-Old Rule That Forced Me to Stop Blaming My Parents for Addiction.

Did a peer in her 12-step fellowship really accuse her of driving her partner to his death? Rebecca Savage shares her raw journey from a childhood riddled with sexual trauma and physical violence to radical accountability mindset. This is an uncensored look at navigating toxic recovery communities and the devastating consequences of complex grief and guilt.

Rebecca, who is 11 years clean, opens up about the moment a simple piece of advice "Anything that happened to you before you're 18 you can blame that on your parents. Anything that you've done though after 18 that's on you" forced her to pivot from a victim mentality to responsibility.

We discuss the immense pain of losing custody of children to addiction and the decade of supervised visits. Rebecca tackles the shame of body shaming in 12 step meetings and facing extreme weight stigma while at 163 kilos. She explains the deep personal reasoning behind the 12-step relationship suggestion, sharing the heartbreak of her partner's relapse and overdose death.

This interview is essential for anyone doing trauma-informed recovery or seeking to stop the generational trauma cycle.

00:00 - Viral Hook: I Earned This Chair

04:35 - The Consequences of Ignoring the 12-Step Relationship Suggestion

10:41 - Why Waiting Two Years Is Essential for Foundation and Survival

13:58 - "You Killed Him": Surviving Toxic Recovery Room Gossip

15:09 - Refusing to Be Shamed Out of Recovery: I Earned This Chair

25:21 - Dealing with Extreme Stigma: Facing False Accusations and Body Shaming

30:57 - Trauma Timeline: Born Dead and Childhood of Violence

38:51 - The Pain of Losing Custody of Children to Addiction

46:17 - The 18-Year-Old Rule: Victim Mentality to Accountability Shift

48:16 - How Drugs "Saved My Life" by Numbing Sexual Trauma

56:37 - The Work That Healed Me: Addictive Healing and Complex PTSD

#TraumaInformedRecovery

#AccountabilityMindset

#IEarnedThisChair

#18YearOldRule

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#AddictionToResponsibility

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#12StepRelationshipRule