This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor

• S2 Ep7: The Real Life Fairytale Starts Now With Jim

  Our guest on today’s episode is one of the what we would call strongholds of the twelve-step community.  Jim (or Jimmie, as Paul affectionately refers to him) gets straight into the nitty gritty: why trusting his head over his gut did not serve him well, why sweeties as a very young child then smoking at seven was just the start of his dangerous and progressive addiction, the strict incarceration he endured from age 16, getting sober in prison and the Peter Pan syndrome. Jim grew up in a poor, rural Scottish community and being the youngest of seven siblings and to whom he was always compared, he battled with suicidal thoughts at a prepubescent age. Now with over 45 years of continued sobriety,  Jim talks about the gift of time and why surrender is not losing but how letting go is the key to success. He tells us how recovery is available to everyone for free…once you are ready to see, hear and experience it. We hope this conversation shows you how to boldly go where you may have never gone before and why accepting love into your life over fear can be so much more exciting than living in the fantastical world of the make believe. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with Paul on Instagram as he’d love to hear from you! Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

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• S2 Ep6: Why Addictions Are Often A Misguided Search for Spirituality With Alistair Richardson

  Alistair Richardson is a powerhouse in the world of therapy, energy psychology, and healing, helping people break free from trauma, addiction, and codependency. With 23 years of long-term recovery from addiction and codependency himself, Alistair not only brings deep professional expertise to the table, but also invaluable personal insight and compassion. Alistair shares about the surprisingly various spectrums of love addictions, he introduces us to the mind-blowing concept of healing the matrix, and we dive into the pure and central self and how you can heal yourself at any age and at any stage of your life. Dedicated to deep healing and personal growth, Alistair’s mission is to help others break free from trauma, addiction, and codependency and to reclaim their lives with confidence and clarity. We hope this conversation opens your mind and leaves you feeling full of love, light and joy like it did for us. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Alistair on Instagram  @lifeforcetraumahealing Find Alistair on Facebook lifeforcetraumahealingltd Find Alistair online  https://lifeforcetraumahealing.com/

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• S2 Ep5: The Gift of Addiction with David Smallwood

  In this episode of This Is Powerful, Paul welcomes renowned therapist and author David Smallwood to explore addiction, recovery, and the deep roots of trauma. With 37 years of sobriety, David shares his personal journey—from growing up in a challenging home environment to struggling with anxiety, alcohol, and benzodiazepine dependence. He discusses how early childhood trauma shapes addiction and why addressing core emotional wounds is crucial for long-term recovery. David and Paul dive into the concept of cross-addiction (why so many in recovery swap alcohol for tobacco, sweets, exercise, etc), the impact of fear on mental health, and the importance of connection in the healing process. He describes the impact of sensitivity in response to trauma and how his transformative experience in relapse prevention training reshaped his approach to treatment. Along the way, Paul and David swap personal stories of recovery, touching on moments of joy, fear, and the surprising gifts that come with addiction, if approached with the right mindset. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find David online  davidsmallwoodtherapy.co.uk Find David’s book on Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/64QLZkQ

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• S2 Ep4: Millie Mackintosh On Fame, Family and Her Book, Bad Drunk

  For this episode we welcome Millie Mackintosh - Made in Chelsea alum, style icon, entrepreneur and mother of two. Millie has spent the past three years redefining her relationship with alcohol and shares how her struggles with self-worth, bullying, and binge drinking began in her teenage years and followed her into adulthood. We get some honest banter about the realities of fame, the pressure and problems with seeking perfection and the wake-up call that left her reaching out for sobriety. In Millie’s new book, Bad Drunk, she lays bare the highs and lows of her drinking years and offers insight into what helped her break free from the cycle. The driving force behind writing the book is for Millie to help others feel less alone and to provide practical advice for anyone curious about a life with less alcohol. Connecting over the power of vulnerability and the importance of having sober friends, Paul and Mille also cover the surprising role that an intimacy coach can provide and the simple joys in life that begin with waking up each morning without regret. Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Millie on Instagram @milliemackintosh Bad Drunk by Millie Mackintosh is out now in Hardback, eBook and Audio, https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/millie-mackintosh/bad-drunk/9780349443812/

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• S1 Ep28: Finding Strength in Storytelling with Laura Hearn

  This week, Paul sits down with Laura Hearn—renowned BBC journalist, host of the Flip It podcast, and fierce advocate for mental health. Laura shares her journey through childhood isolation, an eating disorder that took hold in her late teens, and the life-changing experience of seeking treatment in the U.S. She reflects on the challenges of returning to work after recovery, the moment she chose to leave the BBC, and how storytelling became her most powerful tool for healing. Paul illustrates how the most impactful help can come from those who have shared experiences to us by sharing the colourful Addict in a Hole anecdote. With a mix of vulnerability and humor, Laura and Paul discuss trauma, grief, and the small moments of human kindness that can change everything.  Please let us know your thoughts on our listener feedback form: https://forms.gle/AFptgi3mMJKTZdYg8 If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Laura on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laura_lhearn/ Laura’s Flip It podcast: https://podfollow.com/1727182763 Flip It website: https://www.flipitglobal.com/

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