We Recover Loudly – Personal Recovery and Mental Health Stories

In the final episode of Season 3, Shell is joined by Dawn Comolly, better known as Sober Fish: writer, recovery advocate, and founder of one of the UK’s most vibrant online sobriety communities. Since giving up alcohol in 2016, Dawn has built a space that helps thousands of people swap hangovers and self-doubt for clarity, connection, and confidence always with her trademark honesty and humour. Da...

In this vibrant and vulnerable episode of We Recover Loudly , Shell is joined by Caroline Kelp — aka DJ Flourish : writer, speaker, and creator of the legendary Self-Love Rave . Known for helping women navigate midlife with more joy, connection, and empowerment, Caroline brings her trademark honesty and disco-ball energy to the mic.  Together, they explore:  Growing up with pain and rejection, and...

In this candid and energising episode of We Recover Loudly , Shell is joined by Rosie Turner — accredited ADHD coach, yoga and pilates instructor, podcaster, and founder of ADHD Untangled. Rosie is on a mission to help the neurodivergent community transform what can feel like destabilising struggles into genuine strengths.  Rosie shares her journey from chaotic school days and extreme highs and lo...

In this special episode, Shell is joined by Ruth Tansey , team member at the Essex Recovery Foundation, one of the services she credits with her amazing recovery. Ruth shares her extraordinary journey from a childhood marked by identity struggles and domestic violence, to years lost in addiction, abusive relationships, and life on the streets of London. Now over three years sober, she reflects on...

In this special episode, Shell is joined by Steve Lawson , community researcher at the Essex Recovery Foundation , ahead of the weekend’s Essex Recovery Festival - a celebration of connection, visibility, and healing through community.  Steve shares his powerful personal journey from military life and working fatherhood, to depression, addiction, and the moment he knew something had to change. Now...

In this raw, riotous, and deeply moving episode of We Recover Loudly, Shell is joined by writer, comedian, and former homeless addict Iain Anderson, creator of the critically acclaimed one-man show Traumedy: A Guide to Being a Fabulous Homeless Addict. Together, they explore what it means to survive addiction, homelessness, identity loss, shame and manage to turn it all into a sell-out comedy show...

In this honest, sharp, and emotionally rich episode of We Recover Loudly, host Shell is joined by Lauren McQuistin - author, vocal coach, retired opera singer and the voice behind the brilliant and brutally relatable @brutalrecovery. They explore what recovery really looks like when you don’t hit rock bottom and how trauma, voice, and identity are woven into the healing process. In this episode, t...

In this passionate and deeply honest episode of We Recover Loudly, host Shell sits down with Glen Rowe: 32 years in the music industry and counting, legendary tour manager, mental health advocate, and founder of KYOTO Music and the charity KATO Trust.  Together they explore what it means to recover, reconnect, and reimagine an industry you’ve spent your life inside. Glen shares his journey from ob...

In this open-hearted and empowering episode of We Recover Loudly , host Shell sits down with Camille Vidal, a globally renowned bartender, wellness educator, and founder of La Maison Wellness.  Together they explore what it means to live, lead, and drink more mindfully. Camille shares her journey from growing up in a vibrant, creative home in the South of France to becoming a global spirits ambass...

In this honest and powerful episode of We Recover Loudly, host Shell sits down with Kieron Bailey : a hospitality industry veteran, leadership coach, and creative disruptor!  They explore his raw and relatable journey through recovery from grief, and professional collapse. Kieron shares openly about growing up in a chaotic, and busy council estate home surrounded by siblings.  He talks about his e...

In this honest and engaging episode of We Recover Loudly, host Shell is joined by Chloe Belle Porter who began drinking at just 11 years old and spent much of her teens and twenties caught in a cycle of chaos, people-pleasing, and emotional burnout. Together, they explore the impact of early trauma, people-pleasing, and the emotional toll of growing up in survival mode. Chloe shares her unfiltered...

In this powerful new episode of We Recover Loudly , host Shell is joined by Neil Hudson Basing.  Neil is a mental health advocate, Pause and Rewind podcast host, and co-founder of House of Happiness , a regular sober event redefining alcohol-free joy. Together, they explore what sober living without addiction looks like, diving into the impact of neurodivergence , burnout , and people-pleasing on...

In this new episode of We Recover Loudly , host Shell is joined by Merly Kammerling - a therapeutic coach and integrative therapist with over a decade of experience supporting professionals in the hospitality industry . Together, they explore the far-reaching impact of burnout , both from Merly’s clinical work and her personal journey through mental health recovery . This conversation dives deep i...

In this unflinchingly honest episode of the new season of We Recover Loudly, Shell is joined by the phenomenal Reed Amber Thomas-Litman—sex worker, content creator, podcast host (Come Curious), and fierce mental health advocate. Together, they explore the messy, meaningful, and often misunderstood paths to healing. Reed opens up about navigating habitual drug use, her journey through addiction and...

In this new episode of We Recover Loudly, Shell is joined by Aussie entrepuneor Anthony Hammond, who is the brains behind Pub with NO booze.  Anthony, a second generation publican, had always been immersed in the world of hospitality since his childhood in country pubs.   In 2013 he first had glimmers that his drinking was causing problems, but it was not until 2021 that he went to rehab and has s...

In this new episode, Shell is joined by chef Al Roberto who shares his remarkable journey from rock star on global stages and to smashing success in the kitchen back in his home town of Yorkshire, and beyond.  The episode takes a deep dive into Al's early influences, from the rituals of post-shift beers with his father to the adrenaline-fueled culture of the 90s dining scene. Al reflects on h...

In this new episode, Shell is joined by Tony Kost, an amazing advocate for sobriety in the hospitality industry. He shares his inspiring journey from the dive bars of his youth to working alongside culinary legends like Iron Chef Michael Simon, a path that unfortunately took a downturn due to alcoholism. Tony is gearing up to celebrate 8 years of sobriety in the coming weeks, and he truly embodies...

In this new episode Shell speaks to the fabulous Ian Blessing, creator of a groundbreaking line of non-alcoholic cocktail bitters, 'All The Bitters'.  A former sommelier from the infamous French Laundry, he co-founded the company with his wife Carly, crafting the bitters from organic, wild-foraged ingredients, which offer flavour as well as functional health benefits.    The discussion e...

Wow, this episode is truly amazing! It was recorded late last year with the fantastic Chef Brother Luck, and we had a deep conversation about the power of vulnerability and sharing your story authentically to help others through their own struggles with pain, grief, or depression.  Chef Brother Luck openly rejects the toxic chef lifestyle and attitudes often found in kitchens. He is dedicated to b...

In the newest episode of "We Recover Loudly," host Shell chats with special guest, Boiling Point lead writer James Cummings about the fascinating world of the hospitality industry, and how it has been depicted in such a relatable and impactful way by the whole team behind the award winning films and tv series.   James shares his personal stories of working in the industry during his univ...

In this new episode of We Recover Loudly, Shell is joined by the wonderful Derek Brown. Derek is an author and NASM-certified wellness coach, and also the founder of Positive Damage, Inc. As one of the US’s top bartenders, he previously owned the Spirited Awards 2017 “Best American Cocktail Bar” Columbia Room in Washington, D.C. Derek published his first book in 2019, and followed that up in 2022...

In this new episode,  Shell welcomes the delightful Jason-Candid Knusel, who is the director of non profit Healthy Hospo. With 15 years of experience in the food and drinks industry, including working at renowned venues like The Savoy and the NoMad Hotel in London, Jason has seen the importance of investing in a healthier hospitality culture.  Alongside Tim Etherington-Judge, the founder of Health...

In this new episode, we get to know Joshua Gandee, a bartender and creative who has been working in and around the restaurant industry for over a decade. In 2017, Joshua made the decision to quit drinking and has since been promoting a non-alcoholic culture in his city of Ohio and beyond whether with his buddies Focus On Health, with Historic Revellery who specialise in creating one of a kind expe...

This week's guest is the iconic, and exceptionally talented, chef Gabriel Rucker.  Having started in kitchens at a young age, even though he dropped out of culinary school, Gabriel's incredible talent was there from the start.  At 25, Gabriel became the chef at Portland’s iconic Le Pigeon, where he redefined French cuisine with his signature adventurous twists and carefree energy. He con...

ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY PODCAST RELEASE !!! This week's episode marks one year since releasing episode one.  To mark this milestone, it was important to invite a guest along who has been instrumental in the genesis of this whole project, and indeed my sobriety.  My guest, Rupert Davison is one of the company directors of A Rule of Tum.  Rupert is a director at A Rule of Tum, which operates 6 restau...