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What does growing up in the care system really feel like?

In this episode of The Central Club, Sam Gardiner from Lessons From Care joins us to share his remarkable personal journey through the UK care system.

Sam opens up about his childhood, the experiences that shaped him and the realities of growing up in care.

We explore identity, belonging, resilience and the challenges that care-experienced children and young people can face.

It's an important conversation about the people behind the statistics, the voices that often go unheard and why lived experience matters.

A powerful, thought-provoking episode for anyone interested in the UK care system, children's services, social care and real-life stories.

Guest: Sam Gardiner – Lessons From Care

Host: Cullan Mais – The Central Club

#LessonsFromCare #GrowingUpInCare #SamGardiner #TheCentralClub

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CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse, grooming, drugs and trauma.

This is one of the most powerful conversations we've ever recorded on The Central Club Podcast.

Harriet Richards sits down with us to tell the full story of the childhood sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of someone she should have been able to trust — her own older sister.
Harriet was just 13 when the abuse began. Her older half-sister, Jassey Snooks, was later convicted of inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity. Harriet waived her legal right to anonymity and made the incredibly difficult decision to speak publicly about what happened to her. Wiltshire 999s
But headlines can only tell part of a story.

In this long-form Central Club conversation, Harriet has the opportunity to talk in depth about her childhood, grooming, abuse, trauma, the complicated relationship with her sister, coming to understand what had happened to her, finally speaking out and the fight to rebuild her life.
Harriet has said that she hopes speaking publicly can encourage other survivors to come forward and understand that support is available. Wiltshire 999s

This isn't about sensationalising what happened.
It's about giving a survivor the time and space to tell her story in her own words.

🎙️ THE CENTRAL CLUB PODCAST

Real people. Real stories. Conversations that need to be heard.
Please keep the comments respectful.

Subscribe to The Central Club for more long-form interviews, documentaries and real-life stories.

#HarrietRichards #TheCentralClub #CentralClubPodcast #SurvivorStory #SiblingAbuse #SiblingSexualAbuse #ChildhoodSexualAbuse #AbuseSurvivor

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After a break from the podcast, we're finally back — and for the first episode of the return, I'm joined by boxer and Traveller Willy Gilheany, from the Gilheany family in Swansea.
This is a proper, open conversation covering boxing, fighting, family, Traveller life, growing up, values, respect and the way the world is changing around us.

Willy speaks openly about his experiences inside and outside of boxing, life within the Traveller community, the importance of family, and his perspective on where society is heading today.
No polished answers. No carefully rehearsed PR. Just two people sitting down and having a genuine conversation about boxing, life, culture and the world we live in.

This episode also marks a new chapter for The Central Club Podcast. We're bringing the long-form conversations back, sitting down with people from completely different walks of life and hearing stories and opinions you don't always get through mainstream media.

👇 GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMENTS
What did you think of Willy's story and views?
What part of the conversation stood out to you?
And most importantly — who should I get on the podcast next?

If you enjoy the episode, please LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. It genuinely helps us get these conversations in front of more people.

🎙️ Guest: Willy Gilheany
📍 Swansea, Wales
🎧 The Central Club Podcast

The Central Club — real people, real stories, real conversations.

#WillyGilheany #TheCentralClub #CentralClubPodcast #Traveller #TravellerLife #TravellerCommunity #Boxing #Boxer

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This episode is brought to you by absolute vans.

Sam Warburton joins The Central Club Podcast for one of the most in-depth conversations of his career.
The former Wales captain and British & Irish Lions captain sits down to tell his life story, discussing the highs, lows, sacrifices and lessons that shaped him into one of rugby's most respected leaders.
In this exclusive interview, Sam opens up about resilience, dealing with pressure, injuries, mental toughness, leadership, retirement from professional rugby, captaining Wales, leading the British & Irish Lions, and what success really means beyond sport.
This is more than a rugby podcast. It's a conversation about discipline, mindset, overcoming setbacks, and finding purpose after reaching the very top.
Topics discussed:
• Sam Warburton's childhood and rugby journey
• Becoming Wales captain
• Leading the British & Irish Lions
• The reality of professional rugby
• Mental resilience and handling pressure
• Injury struggles and setbacks
• Leadership lessons from elite sport
• Life after retirement
• Building character through adversity
• Advice for young athletes and future leaders
If you enjoy rugby, leadership, self-development, high performance, sport psychology and inspiring life stories, this episode is for you.
Subscribe to The Central Club Podcast for more exclusive conversations with world-class athletes, leaders and inspiring personalities.
#SamWarburton #RugbyPodcast #WalesRugby #BritishAndIrishLions #TheCentralClubPodcast

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Podcast

#SamWarburton #WalesRugby #BritishAndIrishLions
#RugbyPodcast #RugbyUnion #WelshRugby #Leadership #Resilience

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REHAB SAVED ME.
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Giles, the founder of White River Recovery, to hear his incredible journey from addiction and alcoholism to owning one of the most respected rehabilitation centres in the world.
Giles entered rehab as a client, got his life back, worked within the recovery field, and eventually built White River Recovery in South Africa — helping others do the same.
We talk about:

✅ Addiction & alcoholism
✅ Recovery and relapse
✅ Why environment matters
✅ Why 28 days often isn't enough
✅ Long-term recovery
✅ Trauma, healing & personal growth
✅ Building a new life after addiction

White River Recovery offers:
• 6 Weeks from £4,950
• 12 Weeks from £7,900

Located in beautiful South Africa, close to Kruger National Park, White River combines clinical treatment, therapy, nature, community and long-term recovery support.
If you're struggling with addiction, alcoholism, drugs, mental health, or know someone who is, please don't suffer in silence.
Reach out to me directly or contact White River Recovery:
https://whiteriverrecovery.com
Recovery is possible. I've lived it. Giles has lived it. There is hope.

#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholRecovery #DrugRecovery #RehabSavedMe #WhiteRiverRecovery #Sober #Sobriety #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealth #AddictionHelp

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Rehab in the UK is out of reach for most people.
Short stays. High costs. Not enough time to actually recover.
So what’s the alternative?

In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Morphetis, psychotherapist at White River in South Africa, to talk about the truth about addiction—and why the current system isn’t working for so many people in the UK.
We explore:

– Why short-term rehab often isn’t enough
– The real role of environment in recovery
– Why people relapse after returning home
– What actually gives someone a real chance at long-term change
White River offers a different approach:

✔️ 3-month programmes (not just a few weeks)
✔️ A peaceful, natural environment in South Africa
✔️ Experienced, hands-on professionals
✔️ A cost that’s often far lower than UK options

For many, it’s not just an alternative—it’s the first real opportunity to recover properly.
If you or someone you know is struggling, there are other options.
🌍 Learn more about White River:
https://whiteriverrecovery.com
Or reach out privately if you want to talk through it.

🎙️ Hosted by Cullan Mais
Guest Michelle Morphitis
📍 In partnership with White River

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Ellie grew up in Iran under a strict regime where women are forced to follow strict laws around dress and behaviour.

At just 18 years old, she was forced to flee the country after being targeted for not wearing her headscarf properly.

In this powerful interview, Ellie shares what life is really like for women in Iran, why she had to escape, and why she now speaks out against the regime.

With tensions and conflict involving Iran dominating global headlines, Ellie offers a rare personal perspective on the reality inside the country.

🎙 Hosted by The Central Club – A Voice Through Adversity

If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, comment and subscribe.

#iran #womensrights #iranprotests #iranianwomen #iranregime #humanrights
#podcast #iranisreal

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Leanne Rees opens up about her shocking childhood and battle with addiction.

She started smoking at just 5 years old, began taking drugs at 7, and was addicted to heroin by the age of 13. Her life spiralled into crime, chaos, and time in prison.

Now, after years of struggle, Leanne is 2 years clean, studying at university, and sharing her story on TikTok to help others avoid the path she went down.

This is one of the most powerful recovery stories we’ve ever heard.

🎙 Hosted by The Central Club

If this story helped you, please like, comment and subscribe.

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#addictionrecovery #drugaddiction #recoverystory #heroinaddiction #lifechange #podcast #recoveryjourney #leaneerees

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In Part 2 with Dapper Laughs, we go deeper.
This conversation isn’t just about fame or controversy — it’s about what happens after everything falls apart.

We talk about:
Battling addiction
Losing direction
Rebuilding relationships
Finding purpose again
His movie Sessions
And launching his second comedy tour & Charity Football Match at Swindon FC
This is about growth, accountability, and proving to yourself that you can come back stronger.
No headlines. No drama. Just real conversation.
If you’ve ever had to rebuild your life, fight personal battles, or start again — this one will hit.
💬 Drop your thoughts below
👍 Subscribe for more honest conversations
🎟️ Check out Dapper’s tour

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Podcast

#DapperLaughs #Redemption #AddictionRecovery #ComebackStory #UKComedy #MentalHealth #PodcastInterview #Growth #SecondChance #BritishComedian

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This is one of the most intense survival stories you will ever hear.
In this podcast episode, we sit down with a man  'William Newbury' who saved a mother and her baby from danger, only to be locked inside a house with three aggressive dogs. What followed was a 15–20 minute fight for survival that nearly cost him his life.
With no weapon, no escape, and nowhere to run, he had to rely on pure instinct, strength, and willpower to survive. This is a real-life hero story, told in full detail — raw, emotional, and unforgettable.
⚠️ Viewer discretion advised.

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