In this special episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we present a unique collaboration with Apple Music and the Radio Academy Award-winning podcast Classical Connections, hosted by world-renowned pianist and composer Alexis Ffrench.

Originally broadcast as part of the celebrated 60-Second Sonata segment, Alexis invited host Matthew Butler to share a deeply personal reflection on trauma, addiction, stigma, and the origins of the Believe in People podcast. In response, Alexis composed an original piano piece titled “Believe” - a bespoke composition that captures the emotional gravity, hope, and humanity within Butler’s story.

The conversation explores how speaking with hundreds of people in recovery transformed Butler’s understanding of addiction, what leads individuals to substance use, the deeply personal nature of “rock bottom,” and why non-judgemental listening remains one of the most powerful tools in harm reduction and recovery.

In an extraordinary gesture of support for the recovery community, Apple Music has donated both the composition “Believe” and the full interview audio for wider public use, helping bring conversations about stigma, compassion, and addiction recovery to new audiences.

In this episode:

• Trauma, hope and the origins of Believe in People
• How hundreds of lived experience stories shaped Butler’s understanding of addiction
• The emotional and musical process behind Alexis Ffrench's composition “Believe”
• Stigma, rock bottoms and the human side of substance use
• The importance of listening without judgement
• Apple Music’s support for recovery conversations and community outreach

Search terms: addiction recovery podcast UK, trauma and recovery, Alexis Ffrench, Apple Music collaboration, lived experience stories, stigma and addiction, mental health, recovery community.

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

If you want to change your direction, grow as a person, and live life to its full potential, Change Grow Live is here to help you. We’re here for you if you need help with challenges including drugs or alcohol, trouble with housing, domestic abuse, or your mental and physical wellbeing. Change Grow Live services are free and confidential. Click the link below to refer yourself to your local service.

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📩 Podcast Contact: [email protected]
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

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Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people/id1617239923

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