The Guiding Light

Driving to Recovery: Stevie Jay’s Journey from Gamblers Anonymous to a Fulfilling Life In the final episode of Season 1 of The Guiding Light Podcast, hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham are joined by Steven Johnson, affectionately known as Stevie Jay—the Non Gambling Golfer. Stevie shares his inspiring journey from the moment he first walked into a Gamblers Anonymous room to the vibrant life he now...

Reimagining Workplace Wellbeing: Sophie Browne and the JAAQ Revolution In this eleventh episode of The Guiding Light Podcast, hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham are joined by Sophie Browne from JAAQ—a cutting-edge mental health and wellbeing start-up on a mission to transform workplace wellbeing, one question at a time. Sophie explains how JAAQ’s unique platform, featuring expert insights from thou...

From Gambling Addiction to Global Advocacy: Matt Zarb-Cousin’s Battle for Change In episode ten of The Guiding Light Podcast, hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham sit down with Matt Zarb-Cousin, whose journey from teenage gambling addiction to pioneering activist and entrepreneur offers valuable insights into the complexities of addiction, recovery, and systemic reform. Matt’s story begins at age 16,...

Rock and Recovery: Laila K’s Journey Beyond Alcoholism   In episode nine of The Guiding Light Podcast, hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham are joined by the dynamic Laila Khan, lead singer of the incredible band Sonic Boom Six. Known for her electric stage presence and powerful voice, Laila opens up about a deeply personal battle that unfolded behind the scenes of her "rock and roll" life—her strugg...

In episode eight of The Guiding Light Podcast, hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham welcome the remarkable Ben Howard, a passionate advocate for change in the gambling harms sector and the criminal justice system. Ben’s story is one of profound transformation, resilience, and a relentless commitment to helping others. For 14 years, Ben dedicated his career to health and social care management, workin...

In episode seven of The Guiding Light Podcast, hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham are joined by the passionate and insightful Sofie Day, a leading voice in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Sofie brings a wealth of experience as an MSc in Addiction Psychology & Counselling, an FDAP-accredited professional, and a fierce advocate for mental health, neurodiversity, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Sofie’s jou...

In episode six of The Guiding Light Podcast, hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham welcome the remarkable Alice Hendy MBE, CEO and Founder of Ripple Suicide Prevention. Alice's personal journey and dedication have led to ground-breaking advancements in the fight against self-harm and suicide through innovative technology. In this deeply moving episode, Alice shares the heart-breaking story behind...

Welcome to episode five of The Guiding Light Podcast, where hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham sit down with the inspiring Perry Blake, a driving force behind The 21UP Movement. This youth intervention and empowerment program is dedicated to providing support, guidance, and opportunities for young people to realise their full potential. In this episode, Perry shares the incredible work of The 21UP...

Welcome back to The Guiding Light Podcast for our fourth episode, where we embark on a deeply personal and inspirational journey with co-host Chris Gilham. In this special episode, Chris bravely opens up to his fellow presenter Ben Holmes, sharing his multifaceted story of resilience, recovery, and self-discovery. Listeners are in for a riveting and enlightening experience as Chris delves into the...

Welcome back to The Guiding Light Podcast for our third episode, where hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham are honoured to be joined by the remarkable Emma Shaw. In this emotionally charged episode, Emma bravely shares her lived experience with anorexia nervosa, offering a candid and heartfelt account of her journey toward healing and recovery. Listeners are in for a deeply moving and enlightening c...

Welcome back to The Guiding Light Podcast for our second episode, where hosts Ben Holmes and Chris Gilham are joined by the courageous Julie Martin. In this emotionally charged episode, Julie opens up about her experience as an affected other, navigating the tumultuous waters of being the wife of someone with a gambling addiction. Listeners will be moved by Julie's raw and honest account of th...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Guiding Light Podcast, where host and podcast founder Ben Holmes opens up his heart and shares a powerful narrative of resilience and recovery. In this emotionally charged episode, Ben is joined by the insightful Chris Gilham as they embark on a conversation that transcends the boundaries of mental health and addiction. Listeners will be taken on a rollercoa...