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 for over nine years now and is dedicated to supporting others through their own recovery journey.

He is also the nicest person on the internet!

To see Matt’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

You can find Matt using the links below:

Website: Sober Friends Podcast

Instagram: @soberfriendspod

Listen to the Sober Friends Podcast here

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:

⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

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.

We spoke across a range of topics including:

To see Brandy’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

You can find Brandy using the links below:

Website: www.brandyledford.com

Instagram: @brandyledford

Philanthropy: Red Song Bird and Friendly House

The upcoming event for Friendly House will be running on October 28th - see link above for details.

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:

⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

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 Aaron’s own personal story of addiction and recovery, which he shares with us in this conversation.

Now this episode is a little longer than usual but there was just so much to gain from this conversation and I know you’ll benefit from having learned something too.

During this chat we cover a range of topics including:

To see Aaron’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST

In 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 on the 1st of January 2020 and has made it her mission to help other people find freedom in living alcohol-free.

In this conversation we chat about:

To see Deb’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

You can find Deb using the links below:

Website: www.alcoholtippingpoint.com

Instagram: @alcoholtippingpoint

Podcast: www.alcoholtippingpoint.com/podcast

Email: [email protected]

STEP OUT FROM BEHIND THE SMILE MASTERCLASS WITH ASH BUTTERSS

When: Tuesday 29th August

Time: 7pm - 8:30pm AEST

Get your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/step-out-from-behind-the-smile-how-to-stop-pretending-and-start-thriving-tickets-700554426147?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

In 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 with a complete stranger on the streets of London helped Matt to open his eyes and change the direction of his life.

From losing everything, to rebuilding a life where he’s the happiest he’s ever been, Matt’s story is one of hope and strength.

We chatted about a range of topics including:

To see Matt’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

You can find Matt using the links below:

Website: Better Life Guy

Website: Dryy

Instagram: @better_life_guy

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

It’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 covered in this chat:

This was a deep conversation that at times felt like a low-key family therapy session. What I love about my conversations with dad is that we speak openly and from the heart, leaving nothing unsaid.

To everyone that has supported Behind The Smile over the past 12 months, I can’t thank you enough. Each of you are in my heart and together we will continue to remove the stigma around mental health, trauma and addiction.

When we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence. xoxo

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

You can find Rod using the links below:

LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodbutterss/

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

In 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 normal as being a drinker.

We had an awesome conversation and covered a range of topics including:

To see Justine’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

You can find Justine using the links below:

Website: Justine Whitchurch

Instagram: @jusswhitchurch

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

In 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 including:

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics including suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners.

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

To see Ian’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

In 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 time.

If you know someone who would benefit from hearing this episode please share with love.

When we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence xx

You can find Kath using the links below:

Website: The Alcohol Mindset Coach

Instagram: @thealcoholmindsetcoach

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠

In 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 rehab. Now seven years sober, Deb is the most content she’s ever been as she’s finally found the peace she’d been searching for all along.

To see Deb’s Behind The Smile photo, head to Ash’s website.

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: @ashbutterss

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below: ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠