Lewis sits down with grief counsellor Lucy Thould from The Grief Studio for one of the rawest and most honest conversations the podcast has had so far.

Following the recent death of his grandfather, Lewis opens up about grief, fear of death, psychedelic therapy, spirituality, childhood trauma, emotional suppression, masculinity and what it actually means to move forward after loss.

This isn’t a clinical conversation about grief.
It’s a human one.

The episode explores:

• Why British culture struggles to talk about death
• The difference between “getting through” grief and living with it
• How childhood shapes the way we process loss
• Psychedelic therapy and Lewis’ experience overcoming existential fear
• Why men try to “fix” emotions instead of feeling them
• Community, loneliness and modern society
• AI, therapy and human connection
• Why grief can arrive years after the loss itself

Whether you’re grieving somebody, afraid of death, supporting somebody through loss, or just trying to understand yourself better — this episode will stay with you.

In this episode, I sit down with animal rights activist and speaker Gary Yourofsky for a raw and unfiltered conversation about veganism, morality, and the way humans treat animals.

We dive into Gary’s journey from meat-eater to one of the most outspoken voices in animal rights, including the moment that changed everything for him.

This isn’t a debate — it’s a real conversation.

We talk about:

• The ethics of eating animals
• Why the truth about the meat industry is hidden
• Human ego and our place in the world
• The idea that “humans are the problem”
• Lab-grown meat and the future of food
• Whether real change is even possible

We don’t agree on everything — and that’s exactly the point.

If you’ve ever questioned where your food comes from or why we do what we do, this one will make you think.

This week I sit down with Maureen Little — author, apiarist and pollinator expert — to break down the world of bees, pollinators and why they matter more than most people realise.

We get into how Maureen first got involved in beekeeping, what drives her passion for pollinators, and the reality of what’s happening to bee populations today.

We talk about the impact of modern gardens, fake grass, urbanisation and what that means for pollinators, as well as the phenomenon of entire hives suddenly dying with no clear explanation.

This is one of those conversations that makes you look at the world around you differently.

If you’ve ever wondered how much we actually rely on bees — this one’s worth your time.

Lewis sits down with Julie Miller and Steve Knapp — co-hosts of the No Alcohol Needed podcast — for one of the most grounded, no-bullshit conversations about sobriety you'll hear. Julie's journey crept up on her slowly. Steve's slapped him in the face via a credit card statement and 18 trips to the liquor store in a month. Both quit, both rebuilt, and both ended up building a community around what they learned.

This episode covers the real reason people relapse (hint: it's never the trigger event), why moderating is often harder than quitting completely, the shame behind the "not that I had a problem" caveat, Steve's emotional backpack theory, and the growing cultural shift away from alcohol. Lewis also opens up about his own six-year journey through quitting alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the guests and host and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical advice. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependency or substance misuse, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional or contact a relevant support service in your area. Recovery looks different for everyone — what worked for our guests may not be right for you, and that's okay.

After working on high-level aerospace programs, Chris walked away from the conventional path to live a more sovereign, self-directed life. Since then, he’s travelled across the US, Latin America, Asia and Europe, rejecting the “default script” in favour of freedom, autonomy and global living.

In this conversation, we explore what it really means to leave the system — from corporate life and societal expectations to modern structures that shape how we live, think and work.

We discuss sovereign living, van life, global travel, personal freedom, and whether stepping outside the system is realistic or just an illusion.

This episode covers:

• Leaving a career in aerospace and NASA programs
• Sovereign living and rejecting the default life
• Van life, travel and living globally
• Systems, control and modern society
• Freedom, autonomy and personal responsibility

🎧 Full episode available now on Spotify, YouTube and all major platforms.
Search CTS – Cut The Sh*t Podcast to listen everywhere.

This conversation explores personal views and experiences around lifestyle, society and individual freedom. It is not intended as advice or endorsement, but to encourage open discussion and critical thinking.

Adam Brichto is known for producing sharp, viral political content that challenges media narratives, exposes political absurdities, and explores the realities behind modern political discourse.

In this conversation, Adam and Lewis dive into propaganda, populism, wealth inequality, and the influence of billionaires and powerful institutions on modern politics.

They discuss the authenticity of political leaders, the role of social media in shaping public opinion, and whether the current political system in the UK is capable of meaningful change.

This episode explores:

• Political propaganda and media narratives
• Populism in modern politics
• Wealth inequality and billionaire influence
• Social media and political messaging
• Political accountability in the UK
• Why honest political conversations are disappearing

If you're interested in politics, media influence, power structures, political satire, and the future of democratic systems, this episode offers a thought-provoking and honest discussion.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this conversation are those of the individuals involved and are intended to encourage open discussion and critical thinking.

Episode 26 features Clif Grant, animal rights activist and outspoken advocate for veganism.

We discuss animal rights, the ethics of eating meat, factory farming, modern food systems, and whether the meat industry can ever be morally justified.

This is not a shouting match. It’s an open conversation about veganism, personal responsibility, cultural tradition, environmental impact and the future of food.

Is eating meat inherently wrong?

Can ethical farming exist?

Are we disconnected from the reality of animal agriculture?

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, carnivore or somewhere in between — this episode challenges assumptions on both sides.

Listen now on Spotify, YouTube and everywhere else. Search CTS.

The views expressed are those of the individuals in the conversation and are intended for open discussion.

Mark O’Brien was living every young footballer’s dream — until his heart stopped him.

At just 16 years old, Mark underwent open-heart surgery. Most people would never return to elite sport after that.

He did.

He went on to play professional football, competing at a high level with the constant awareness that his career — and his life — could change at any moment.

Then at 27, it did.

Forced into early retirement after further heart complications, Mark faced something many athletes never prepare for: losing the one thing that defined him.

In this conversation, we go far beyond football.

We talk about:

• The psychological impact of open-heart surgery as a teenager
• What it really feels like to retire before you’re ready
• Identity crisis after professional sport
• Therapy, vulnerability and masculinity in elite environments
• The evolution of football and the impact of VAR
• Mentorship, structure and creativity in the modern game
• Rebuilding purpose after the dream ends

This isn’t just a football story.

It’s about resilience. Perspective. Reinvention.

It’s about what happens when the game you love breaks your heart — and how you decide who you are without it.

If you’ve ever lost something that defined you… this episode will hit home.

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If you enjoy real conversations with real people, follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

In this episode of Cut The Sh*t, Lewis Kross sits down with Mike McDonnell to explore what really happens when your mind breaks — and what you can learn from putting it back together.

Mike shares his experiences of psychosis, the misconceptions surrounding severe mental health episodes, and how humour, resilience, and community became powerful tools in his recovery. The conversation moves beyond labels and diagnoses, questioning the balance between medication and alternative healing, the pressures of modern life, and what psychedelics can reveal about consciousness and identity.

They also dive into addiction, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and the overlooked foundations of mental wellbeing. From processed food culture to therapy, parenting, and the illusion of control, this episode examines how small, consistent habits shape long-term recovery and meaning.

At its core, this is a conversation about freedom — from addiction, from rigid belief systems, and from the narratives we build around suffering. It’s about resilience, responsibility, and the courage to ask for help.

In this episode of Cut The Sh*t, Lewis Kross sits down with Affan Burki — former British Army Captain, consultant working with NATO, and Chairman of the Green Party in Burnley — for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about power, responsibility, and the systems shaping modern life.

What begins as a discussion about parenting, education, and curiosity in children quickly expands into a broader examination of literacy, identity, and how personal belief systems are formed. Affan and Lewis explore the role of teachers, the importance of reading in adulthood, and what happens when large sections of society are quietly left behind by systems that no longer serve them.

From there, the conversation moves into the uncomfortable realities of modern politics: accountability in leadership, the consequences of decisions like Brexit, wealth inequality, and the growing disconnect between those in positions of power and the people living with the outcomes of their choices. They unpack the relationship between poverty and crime, question whether democracy is functioning as intended, and examine the dangers of populism when anger is misdirected.

The episode also tackles free speech, cultural identity, and the impact of technology on public discourse — asking whether we are more connected than ever, yet less capable of genuine understanding. Drawing on Affan’s military background, political experience, and personal reflections, the discussion challenges simplistic narratives around crime, drugs, and punishment, advocating instead for humane approaches to decriminalisation, rehabilitation, and prison reform.

At its core, this is a conversation about responsibility — personal, political, and collective. It’s about recognising where systems are broken, questioning inherited assumptions, and deciding whether we’re willing to do the harder work of building something better.

This episode doesn’t offer easy answers — but it does ask better questions.