Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

In the latest episode of BTS, Ash speaks with Mel Watkins, a Psychotherapist specialising in addiction and mental health. Mel shares her personal journey of overcoming substance abuse, navigating relationships, and finding her purpose in helping others. The conversation delves into the complexities of addiction, the importance of self-care, and the impact of family dynamics on mental health. Mel's...

In this week’s episode, Ash welcomes back Patrick Kennedy to hear how he’s been managing life’s ups and downs in sobriety since recording their last episode together 18 months ago. They explore the challenges faced after the initial phase of sobriety, the importance of emotional health, and the significance of building connections within the recovery community. Patrick shares his experiences with...

In this episode of Behind the Smiles, Ash engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jacintha Field, a family and child counselor, about her transformative journey through personal challenges, including divorce and parenting. Jacintha shares her experiences with mental health, the importance of self-love, and the tools she has developed to support children in emotional distress.  The discussion emph...

To kick off season four of Behind The Smile, Ash welcomes Hayley Lloyd, a business and authority building mentor. Hayley shares her journey from a corporate hustler who struggled with substance abuse, to a successful seven-figure coach who is five years clean and sober. The conversation delves into Hayley's daily practices, the significance of visioning days for entrepreneurs, and her personal str...

To kick off the New Year, I’m sitting down with Trauma and Addiction Specialist Diane Young to discuss all things New Year’s Resolutions! In this conversation we explore the concept of setting intentions instead of New Year's resolutions and the benefits of taking small steps towards change. The conversation delves into the differences between heavy drinkers and grey area drinkers and the continuu...

It’s my birthday this week and I’m turning 37, so to celebrate I wanted to give you all a gift! In this week’s solo episode, I’m sharing with you all my 37 game changing lessons that have made a huge impact on my life! These lessons span across all facets of the human experience including relationships, mindset, career and health. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Behind the Smile episode without discus...

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In this episode, Ash has a deep conversation with Emotional Regulation Coach Amy Mason. They explore the journey of self-discovery, the importance of emotional regulation, and the impact of relationships on personal well-being. Amy shares her transformative journey from a reactive lifestyle to one of conscious response, detailing her struggles with a long-term...

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In this episode, Ash shares her transformative experience attending a breathwork facilitator training in the Snowy Mountains. She discusses her initial scepticism towards breathwork, her journey of discovery, and the profound impact it has had on her life. Ash delves into the science behind breathwork, explaining how it can heal emotional trauma, improve overa...

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In this episode, Ash welcomes Danni Carr for a heartfelt conversation about nervous system regulation, personal growth, and their upcoming workshops and retreats. They discuss the importance of understanding one's nervous system, the benefits of practices like yoga nidra, and how these tools can enhance relationships and overall well-being. Danni shares her jo...

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In today’s episode, Ash is having her Human Design chart read live on the podcast. Ash is joined by Human Design expert Aviva Joffe to explore the transformative power of human design. They discuss the origins of human design, Aviva's personal journey into this field, and the significance of understanding one's energy type. The conversation delves deeper as Av...

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In today’s episode, Ash is sharing her recent engagement story. She discusses the story of how she met her fiancé and the beautiful moment of their engagement. Ash also delves into the importance of self-worth and how to reframe negative self-talk through mindfulness, affirmation practices, and gratitude. She highlights the power of neuroplasticity and the abi...

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series ! In today’s episode, Ash is sharing an episode with you around the importance of mindfulness and its role in avoiding burnout. She highlights the high levels of stress experienced by women and the need to prioritise self-care. Ash explains that mindfulness is a practice that can regulate emotions and the nervous system, leading to improved mental clarity and o...

In this episode of Behind the Smile , Ash Butterss returns to share her journey of transformation and the importance of authentic conversations about mental health, trauma, and addiction. She reflects on her time away from the podcast, the lessons learned, and her commitment to creating a space for meaningful connections. Ash highlights the significance of trusting oneself, embracing the messiness...

In this final episode of Behind the Smile with Ash Butterss, I find myself caught between waves of emotion, from sadness to gratitude to a deep sense of excitement. They say all good things must come to an end, but within that ending lies the seeds of new beginnings. Throughout this journey I’ve always emphasised the importance of practicing what I preach, being guided by my intuition and leading...

This week I sat down with Lissie Turner, also known as Mel Bampton from Triple J’s ‘Mel in the Morning’ and creator of ‘Like a Version’. Now an author, speaker, founder of The Prana Project and internationally accredited senior yoga teacher and therapist, Lissie shares her profound journey from a life of prominence and partying to one of sobriety, dedicated to compassionate living, mental health,...

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Dr. David Wiss, a registered dietitian nutritionist who specialises in treating eating disorders and substance abuse. David shares his journey from hustling in the streets of West LA in the 90’s, his experience during the opioid epidemic, drug abuse and incarceration to becoming a thought leader in the intersection of nutrition and mental health. He provides...

In this studio episode, I’m joined by Empowerment Specialist Laura Corcoran who is known for assisting women in boosting their energy, confidence, and magnetism. With a background in psychology, Laura merges conventional therapeutic methods with holistic healing modalities. Deeply rooted from her own experiences, Laura talks us through the essential practice of embracing stillness, establishing pe...

In this studio episode, I sit down with David Titeu - a mindset coach, mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the mental health support app, Linkmate. David takes us through his personal journey, from struggling with the weight of parental expectations and trying to fit in, to his battles with substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Throughout our conversation, David and I talk abo...

In this week’s episode, I sat down with recovery and social justice warrior, Nicole Obrigavitch.  Nicole went from being a practicing lawyer, wife and mother, to dealing drugs and having a price on her head. A police operation led to her eventual arrest and conviction which saw her spend three years in prison.  Since getting clean and sober in 2018, Nicole has fought to rebuild her life and give b...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dom McKenna – a husband, father, business owner, and fitness advocate from Melbourne.  Dom candidly shares his struggles with substance abuse, shedding light on the pivotal moments that led him towards recovery. With raw honesty, he reflects on the ongoing challenges he faces in combating his 'isms' and how they continue to shape his life. But that's not...

In this week’s solo episode, I’m celebrating four years of continuous sobriety and in the spirit of stepping out from behind the smile, I wanted to reveal the reality of what this journey has looked like. Let’s call it, the not so sexy side to sobriety. I’ve divided the years into eras, with each era being a rollercoaster of challenges and growth. From those early days in rehab, to navigating reco...

In this studio episode, I sit down with Jess Jackson, a meditation teacher and founder of the Bondi born skincare brand 'Good Living Only'. Jess talks openly about her initial hesitation towards sobriety and the challenges she faced in accepting her new lifestyle. She also reflects on the experiences that led her to make this transformative decision and how making the decision to truly own...

In this episode, I sat down with Sabrina Zohar, a wildly successful entrepreneur, podcast host, and dating coach. In this candid conversation we spoke about mental health, relationships, and the not so sexy reality behind success. Sabrina is one of the most authentic humans I’ve ever met and was so open sharing her journey from battling depression post-breakup, finding solace in her work, and rede...

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Joe Fishburn, a psychiatric mental health nurse with extensive experience working in hospital systems, community response teams, ED and primary health care settings. Joe talks about the undercurrent of stigma faced by those experiencing mental health challenges and the impact developmental trauma has on the development of complex personality disorders. Joe s...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Christina Galbato, a dynamic entrepreneur and the brains behind 'Create Her Empire.' She opens up about her journey from a secret alcohol addiction to embracing life in sobriety.  Christina shares how her addiction resulted in both mental and physical health problems, affected her relationships, and damaged her self-esteem. Despite achie...