The Recovery Toolkit Podcast

In this episode, Richie and David get real about what recovery actually looks like. They discuss about the daily grind, structure, relationships, and why life can feel harder when you’re doing it without escaping. We dive into: Why structure matters (but needs to be flexible!) What happens after treatment Lived experience vs professional roles Recovery capital and rebuilding life Learning to handl...

In this unmissable episode, Ben returns, this time with his partner, Anthony, for a raw and deeply honest conversation about love, recovery, and resilience. Together, they open up about navigating the criminal justice system, the uncertainty of a looming prison sentence, and the unique challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to gambling harm and recovery. Anthony shares the reality of...

In this episode of the Recovery Toolkit Podcast, we’re joined by Ben Howard for the first of two conversations about his recovery journey. Ben shares how his turning point came when he met others who had been through similar struggles and were now smiling, laughing and living life again. It gave him hope that there could be a way through.   With support from his family, Ben began to take small but...

In this week’s Recovery Toolkit podcast, Richie is joined by Andy Greenwell to talk about goals, resilience, and what it really takes to build a life you can thrive in.   Andy shares the highs and lows of his fitness journey, from hitting the wall during his first marathon, to taking on nine huge challenges across the world. He talks honestly about discipline, setbacks, and the lessons he’s learne...

In this powerful episode of the Recovery Toolkit Podcast, Richie is joined by Nicola Jaques, who shares her honest and emotional story of being affected by a loved one’s gambling addiction. Nicola opens up about the moment she discovered the addiction, the shock that followed, and the long road to finding support, not just for her partner, but for herself and her children too. We talk about the ch...

This week on the Recovery Toolkit Podcast, Richie is joined by Cheryl, a trauma-informed practitioner who works closely with people affected by gambling harm. With years of experience supporting others through recovery, Cheryl shares how trauma, unmet needs and early life experiences can often lie at the heart of addiction. In this thought-provoking conversation, Richie and Cheryl explore the powe...

This week on the Recovery Toolkit Podcast, Richie is joined by Charlie, who shares his powerful story of survival, hope and lasting change.   After a difficult childhood, drink and drugs became Charlie’s escape. What followed was 30 years of chaos, where dying young felt like the only outcome. But Charlie reached a turning point. With the support of others and the help of AA, he slowly found his p...

In this powerful and moving episode of The Recovery Toolkit Podcast, Richie Paxton sits down with Malcolm, who shares his long and complex journey through recovery after alcohol misuse and gambling harm. With nearly 20 years of lived experience, Malcolm speaks honestly about relapse, avoidance, and the challenges of facing deep-rooted trauma. He reflects on how external success never fixed the int...

This week, we bring you a slightly different and very important episode. We're joined once again by Jo from Recover Together, who bravely opens up about an experience that’s rarely talked about: lapse and relapse in recovery. Jo shares her personal journey of having a lapse, and the fear that came with it – fear of losing her job, her identity, and everything she had built. But rather than hiding...

In this powerful and honest episode of The Recovery Toolkit Podcast, Richie Paxton sits down with Craig Tampin, the newest member of the Recovery Coaching team at Recover Together.   Craig opens up about his journey through gambling addiction and how it took more than one go to truly find his path in recovery. Now four years in, Craig reflects on the difference between simply stopping and actually...

In this powerful and moving episode, we sit down with Poppy, a woman whose journey through addiction, chaos, and healing offers hope and inspiration, especially for young women. Growing up surrounded by addiction and dysfunction in Middlesbrough, Poppy was drawn to the chaos she knew so well. Abuse and domestic violence became a normal part of her life, and alcohol and drugs were her way to cope....

In this inspiring episode of the Recovery Toolkit Podcast, we’re joined by Professor David Best – the world’s first Professor of Addiction Recovery. David shares his groundbreaking work in building recovery capital around the globe and reflects on setting up the Recovery Academy back in 2010.   We explore the powerful CHIME model – Connection, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment – and how thes...

In this heartfelt episode of the Recovery Toolkit Podcast, host Richie sits down with Chris Sylvester, a passionate advocate for addiction recovery and personal empowerment. Chris shares his journey of helping individuals overcome addiction, focusing on identifying and addressing their unmet needs and barriers. By connecting people with the right resources and partners, Chris ensures that progress...

In this deeply personal episode of The Recovery Toolkit Podcast, Richie sits down with Susan Mosley to explore the profound impact addiction can have on loved ones. As an "affected other," Susan shares her experiences of being in a relationship with someone struggling with addiction, the challenges she faced, and the strength it took to rebuild her life.   Susan’s story is one of resilience, heali...

In this episode, we’re joined by Graeme, who shares his inspiring journey of achieving two years of abstinence from alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Graeme reflects on his multiple attempts at recovery, explaining how he found lasting change only when he addressed all three challenges together.   He opens up about how addiction stripped away his confidence, self-worth, and mental and spiritual health...

In this episode, Richie is joined by David McCormack, whose powerful story of resilience and recovery will inspire listeners facing their own struggles. With raw honesty and vulnerability, David shares his journey from a childhood in the care system to battling addiction, as he navigated a chaotic and difficult environment. In 2011, David reached a breaking point and found the courage to seek help...

In this episode, Richie sits down with Karen Slater, who shares her journey through addiction, recovery, and self-discovery. From an early age, Karen turned to substances as an escape, hoping they would fill the hole she felt in her soul. Her path led her through various attempts to find fulfilment until she discovered that abstinence was the only sustainable solution for her. Karen felt a sense o...

This week, we are honoured to welcome Peter Da Silver, who bravely shares his powerful story of resilience and transformation. Peter opens up about his challenging early years in Middlesbrough, marked by a turbulent childhood, devastating loss, and struggles with substance use. This path led to years of crime and repeated spells in prison, trapping him in a cycle that seemed impossible to break.  ...

This week, we’re joined by Sam Starsmore as he shares his journey to recovery, revealing how unresolved trauma from his teenage years impacted his life. Sam reflects on how children and adults often experience the same events in profoundly different ways, and he emphasises the importance of creating safe spaces for young people to process difficult experiences. Sam’s story challenges common percep...

In this week's episode, we're joined by Ali Barfield, founder of Deflect and Protect CIC, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness about the unique risks the online world poses to the autistic community.   We dive deep into the challenges neurodiverse individuals face when it comes to online gaming and gambling, and why they may be more vulnerable to developing addictions, particularly gambl...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Tony Barrett, who shares a powerful and candid story of his battle with alcoholism and how a turbulent childhood shaped his drive for success and purpose. Tony opens up about his early struggles, the pressures that led him to alcoholism, and the ongoing challenge of finding his path to recovery.   We delve into Tony’s transformative journey, from his initial...

In this week's episode, we're joined by Lewis Vines, host of the popular The Everyman Podcast. Lewis opens up about the struggles that led him into a gambling addiction, sharing his journey of highs and lows. From moments of achievement to times when everything felt like it was falling apart, Lewis experienced the kind of rollercoaster many people can relate to.   We dive into the power of experie...

IIn today's episode Philip Price joins Richie. Philip talks about how his 20-year battle with food, bulimia, and anorexia manifested into a gambling addiction which lasted a further seven years. Philip talks about his time in Gordon Moody and how it helped him deal with grief and trauma. After leaving Gordon Moody, Philip joined EPIC Restart and worked with his recovery coach to set some goals for...

This week, we're joined by the incredible Jenny Bryson, a shining light in the recovery space in the North East and the Deputy CEO of Recovery Connections. 🌟 Jenny shares her remarkable journey, which has been anything but straightforward, yet it offers hope to anyone in active addiction or recovery. We dive into discussions on parenthood, helping others, and finding purpose through lived experie...

This week, host Richie Paxton is joined by Nathan Pollard, an active member of AA who has been sober for over six years. In this inspiring conversation, Nathan shares how he's created a life far beyond his wildest dreams and is soon to be married to the love of his life. His story is one of commitment and a deep willingness to change. Nathan also reflects on how he manages his recovery and life no...