The Appauling Podcast

The Appauling Podcast

By Sunny PaulComedySociety & CultureComedy Interviews
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The Appauling Podcast episodes

  • Gambling Nearly Killed Me | Harj Gahley Ep #26
    ⚠️ WARNING: This episode contains discussions of gambling addiction, suicide, mental health struggles and the devastating impact addiction can have on families.
    How does gambling go from entertainment to an addiction that destroys your life?
    In this powerful episode of The Appauling Podcast, Harj Gahley tells the brutally honest story of how he became addicted to gambling, how the addiction took control of his life, and the devastating impact it had on both him and his family.
    Harj holds nothing back.
    He explains how his gambling addiction developed, the warning signs he missed, the lies and behaviours that came with addiction, and how things eventually became so dark that he attempted to take his own life.
    But Harj’s story doesn’t end there.
    After reaching his lowest point, he managed to turn his life around. Today, he uses his experience to help others recognise the dangers of problem gambling before they reach the same place he did.
    Harj has also founded Soch Care, a charity focused on supporting people within South Asian communities, where gambling addiction, mental health and financial problems can often be hidden because of shame, stigma and fear of judgement.
    In this episode we discuss:
    • How Harj first started gambling
    • How recreational gambling became an addiction
    • The warning signs and red flags of problem gambling
    • Hiding gambling from family and loved ones
    • The emotional and financial consequences of addiction
    • Harj’s suicide attempt and darkest moments
    • The effect his gambling had on his family
    • Why gambling addiction can be so difficult to recognise
    • Gambling within South Asian and Punjabi communities
    • Breaking the stigma around asking for help
    • How Harj finally escaped the cycle
    • Turning his experience into something positive
    • Why he created Soch Care
    • What families should look out for if they suspect someone is gambling
    This isn’t an episode about judging people who gamble.
    It’s an honest look at what gambling addiction can actually become when it takes control of someone’s life.
    If Harj’s story helps even one person recognise the warning signs in themselves, a friend or a family member, then this is a conversation worth sharing.
    If you know somebody who needs to hear this, send them this episode.
    Subscribe to The Appauling Podcast for more real, unfiltered conversations.
    #GamblingAddiction #ProblemGambling #GamblingAwareness #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #StopGambling #SouthAsianMentalHealth #TheAppaulingPodcast
    58 min
  • My Father Was A Real Peaky Blinder | Carl Chinn
    In this powerful episode of The Appauling Podcast, I sit down with Carl Chinn — historian, author, and real-life descendant of the original Peaky Blinders. This isn’t TV drama… this is the raw truth behind one of Britain’s most infamous gangs.
    Carl reveals the real story of the Peaky Blinders, separating fact from fiction and sharing eye-opening insights that completely changed how I see Birmingham’s history.
    We dive deep into:
    The true lives of the Peaky Blinders (not what Netflix shows you)
    Carl’s personal connection to the gang through his grandfather
    Why he feels no pride in the gang legacy
    The untold stories of the women — the real backbone of that era
    The harsh realities of poverty, survival, and street life in Birmingham
    This episode is packed with powerful stories, emotional moments, and historical truths that will leave you shocked.
    If you’re a fan of Peaky Blinders, history, or real untold stories — this is a must-watch.
    Get a copy of Carl Chinn's new book "Peaky Blinders The Real Gangs And Gangsters"
    🎙 About The Appauling Podcast
    Hosted by Sunny, this podcast brings you real, unfiltered conversations with fascinating people — from historians and entrepreneurs to creatives and survivors.
    🔥 Viral clips reaching 2.8 MILLION+ views
    📺 Episodes hitting 20K+ views on YouTube
    👇 COMMENT BELOW:
    Did the real Peaky Blinders surprise you?
    👍 Like, Subscribe & Share for more powerful conversations
    #peakyblinders #birmingham #history #truestory #britishhistory
    48 min
  • Everything You Know About Samurai Is A Lie | Antony Cummins
    In this episode of The Appauling Podcast, I sit down with Antony Cummins, one of the world’s leading researchers on Samurai and Ninja history.
    From the very beginning of our conversation, Antony shocked me by saying that almost everything we think we know about Samurai and Ninjas is wrong.
    Antony Cummins explains how his research, historical translations, and time spent training in Japan studying Ninjutsu led him to uncover major myths surrounding Samurai culture, Ninja warfare, Bushido, and the famous Samurai sword.
    He claims that much of the information spread around the world about Ninjas and Samurai was built on misunderstandings, exaggerations, and stories that evolved into global myths.
    In this fascinating conversation we explore:
    • The real history of Samurai warriors
    • The truth about Ninjas and Ninjutsu
    • Myths vs facts about Samurai swords and combat
    • The culture and philosophy behind Bushido
    • What Antony Cummins discovered while training in Japan
    • How misinformation about Samurai and Ninjas spread worldwide
    If you are interested in Japanese history, Samurai warriors, Ninja culture, martial arts, or historical myths, this episode will completely change how you see these legendary figures.
    Antony Cummins has written over 20 books on Samurai and Ninja history, including his latest work exploring the deeper truths behind Japan’s most famous warriors.
    This conversation explores history, culture, martial arts and the truth behind one of the most misunderstood warrior traditions in the world.
    Subscribe for more conversations with fascinating guests from history, culture, business and extraordinary life experiences.
    🎙 The Appauling Podcast
    #Samurai #Japanesewarrior #Thebookoffiverings
    51 min
  • Jaz Singh Reveals The Truth About The Traitors | Episode #24
    In this episode of The Appauling Podcast, I sit down with Jaz Singh, one of the standout contestants from the hit BBC show The Traitors.
    We talk about what it is really like to be inside a game built on trust, deception, pressure and psychology. Jaz opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of the show, how it felt watching it back, and what the audience does not see behind the cameras. This is not just about reality TV. It is about mindset, resilience, reading people, and handling intense situations when the whole world is watching.
    We also dive into Jaz’s personal journey, life before The Traitors, how the show has changed things for him, and what comes next.
    Expect honest conversation, insight into the psychology of the game, plenty of laughs, and the kind of real talk The Appauling Podcast is known for.
    The Appauling Podcast is filmed in our professional multi camera studio and features conversations with people who are striving to succeed, challenge themselves, and share powerful stories. Our content has reached millions online including a viral clip with over 2.8 million views and recent episodes surpassing 20 thousand views on YouTube.
    If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you subscribe, like, and share to help us continue bringing incredible guests and real conversations to the platform.
    1 hr
  • Being a movie producer is not for the faint hearted | Ep# 23 Arun Kapur
    In this powerful episode of The Appauling Podcast, we sit down with Arun Kapur, a Wolverhampton-based film producer, poet, and actor, to talk honestly about the realities of working in the film industry.
    Arun breaks down what it means to pursue filmmaking in the real world, from handling constant rejection, navigating uncertainty, and balancing creative vision with the harsh realities of business and finance. This is not a glamourised view of filmmaking. It is raw, practical, and deeply honest.
    We also explore Arun’s passion for poetry, and how writing has become a form of therapy for him. He opens up about mental wellbeing, self-reflection, and the importance of giving men space to talk openly about their struggles. Long before conversations around men’s mental health became mainstream, Arun was already trying to raise awareness, sharing his own experiences and challenges with mental health.
    This episode dives into:
    • What it really takes to be a movie producer
    • How to deal with rejection and setbacks
    • Creativity vs business in the film industry
    • Mental wellbeing and mental health in men
    • Poetry as therapy and emotional expression
    • Navigating purpose, passion, and pressure
    If you are interested in filmmaking, creative careers, mental health, poetry, or personal growth, this episode will resonate deeply.
    🎙️ The Appauling Podcast brings honest conversations with people striving to succeed in life... creatives, entrepreneurs, and individuals with powerful stories to tell.
    📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes
    📌 Like & comment if this conversation resonates
    📌 Share this with someone who needs to hear it
    1 hr 17 min
  • Episode #22 Dr Jagjit Singh Khera | How JUDO will change your life
    In this episode, I sit down with Dr Jagjit Singh Khera, a Judo instructor whose life has been profoundly shaped by the discipline of Judo.
    We talk about how Judo is far more than a sport or a form of self-defence. For Jagjit, it’s a philosophy and a way of living that guides his mindset, decision-making, and values in everyday life. From discipline and respect to resilience and humility, the morals taught through Judo have influenced every aspect of who he is today.
    We also have an honest and emotional conversation about mental health, including the devastating loss of one of Jagjit’s closest friends, Craig Fallon who was widely regarded as one of the greatest UK Judokas of all time. Craig’s passing left a huge impact on the Judo community, and we speak openly about grief, pressure, and the importance of speaking up and supporting one another.
    The conversation expands into the origins of martial arts, their real-world relevance, and why learning self-defence is more important now than ever in increasingly uncertain times.
    One of the most powerful moments of the episode was learning about Jagjit’s incredible summer initiative for the elderly called “Finding Your Feet.” This project uses basic Judo safety principles to teach older people how to fall correctly, a simple but potentially life-saving skill. As we discuss in the episode, falls are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death among the elderly, making this work not only innovative, but essential.
    This episode is about strength. Physical, mental, and emotional and how the teachings of an ancient discipline can still save lives today.
    ❤️ Mental Health Support (UK)
    If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you are not alone and help is available:
    Samaritans – Call 116 123 (24/7, free)
    Mind – Visit mind.org.uk for support, advice, and local services
    In an emergency, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services
    Reaching out is not weakness — it’s strength.
    1 hr 11 min
  • Episode #21 Gurinder Singh Mann | How Sikhs Rebuilt Power After Being Almost Wiped Out
    Sikh history is often told in fragments, but this conversation brings forward what is usually ignored. From near annihilation in the 18th century to the rapid rise of Sikh power, this episode explains how Sikhs rebuilt themselves through mindset, education, strategy, and leadership.
    The discussion covers Guru Gobind Singh’s vision, why education mattered more than numbers, and how Sikh warriors used planning, guerrilla warfare, and diplomacy to survive against overwhelming forces. You’ll hear about forgotten Sikh generals, the conquest of Delhi, taxation systems, and how Sikh leaders negotiated with empires while fighting on multiple fronts.
    The episode also explores why Sikh history became diluted, how key figures were removed from mainstream narratives, and what today’s generation can learn from Sikh resilience, chardi kala, and collective strength. This is not just a story of war - it is a story of recovery, leadership, and survival against impossible odds.
    59 min
  • Episode #20 2NV
    DJ 2NV: The REAL Truth About Being a DJ | Punjabi Music, Abuse at Shows & Dream Albums
    Behind the lights, the crowds, and the hype… there’s a side of DJ life no one talks about.
    In this episode of The Appauling Podcast, DJ 2NV breaks down the real truth of what it takes to survive as a DJ, from the relentless grind and unseen pressure, to the verbal abuse and disrespect DJs can face at live shows.
    We dive deep into:
    The reality of being a DJ beyond social media
    The Punjabi music scene and culture... The good, the bad, and the misunderstood
    What it actually takes to build a name in the industry
    Creating a dream album and working towards collaborations with major celebrities
    This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about passion, resilience, and culture and why success in music is rarely as glamorous as it looks.
    👇 If you’re a DJ, artist, or someone chasing a creative dream, this episode is a must-watch.
    1 hr 24 min
  • Episode #19 Rich Lenio
    On this week’s episode of The Appauling Podcast, I sit down with Rich Lenio... personal trainer, Wolverhampton icon, and the man behind countless transformations in our city… including Aaron Thiara (Ravi from EastEnders).
    But here’s what shocked me most:
    Rich hasn’t just trained the Asian community… he’s truly understood it.
    From learning Punjabi terminology ✊🏽
    To understanding our cultural habits, our food, our struggles, and our relationship with health…
    Rich has found a way to help people thrive without losing their culture.
    In this episode we dive into:
    💪🏽 What makes his approach so effective
    🍛 How he guides clients through high-calorie cultural diets
    🗣️ Why understanding people matters more than any workout plan
    💉 His balanced, educated take on fat-loss injections ... no fear-mongering, no judgement, just real conversation
    This episode is funny, honest, and eye-opening.
    If you’re from Wolverhampton, from the Asian community, or just someone trying to improve your health, this one’s for you.
    🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube now.
    1 hr 11 min
  • Episode #18 Ravita Pannu
    In this episode of The Appauling Podcast, I sit down with the unstoppable Ravita Pannu a household name in the world of makeup artistry and a fearless voice on social media who refuses to stay silent.
    Ravita opens up about one of the most painful chapters of her life: losing her beloved father. We talk grief, strength, and how that loss reshaped her purpose.
    But this episode goes deeper.
    We explore South Asian culture the beauty of it, the pressure, the unspoken struggles and how Ravita has built a career by challenging the very norms she grew up around. From being too loud to being unapologetically real.
    We also get into her powerful new role as an ambassador for Sikh Women’s Aid, where she’s using her platform to support and uplift women who feel unheard.
    This isn’t just an interview.
    It’s grief.
    It’s culture.
    It’s courage.
    It’s Ravita Pannu, unfiltered.
    🎙️ Out now on The Appauling Podcast.
    1 hr 36 min

About The Appauling Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to The Appauling Podcast, where real talk meets real laughs. Hosted by stand-up comedian and curious conversationalist Sunny Paul, this podcast dives into the minds and lives of fascinating guests—from entrepreneurs and creatives to everyday people with not-so-everyday stories. We unpack passions, hustle, skills, and life lessons—while poking fun at the quirks, superstitions, and cultural curveballs we all deal with. It’s smart, it’s funny, it’s unfiltered—and it might just challenge how you see the world.