Episodes

  • 11: Michael Cannan

    11: Michael Cannan
    Sep 26 2024
    We would like to advise you that there are suicide references right from the start of this episode that some might find troubling. Please take care when listening.

    This week, Paul welcomes his close personal friend Michael Cannan. Michael is the author of Hunting Concrete Lines, which was the finalist for the Best Book Award for The Independent. Formerly a celebrity fitness trainer in Hollywood, Michael is the founder of a behavioural health company in California. There are a lot of shared laughs between great friends but also intense moments of confession and vulnerability. Although now a shining example of health and vitality (check out the episode on YouTube!) Michael recalls vividly how he was once on the verge of cardiac arrest, he shares how he created a completely fabricated life, getting himself stuck into a mountain of lies and describes the profound moment of clarity that marked the beginning of his true recovery journey.

    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 Michael on Instagram @michaelcannan

    Find Hunting Concrete Lions on Instagram @huntingconcretelions

    Buy Hunting Concrete Lions on Amazon:
    https://amzn.eu/d/gunpCVG
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 10: David Nutt

    10: David Nutt
    Sep 19 2024
    This week special guest Professor David John Nutt helps us to examine the impact alcohol has on our brains, behaviour and longer term health. We have an eye-opening conversation about how monitored doses of LSD may cure alcoholism, how many subsidised private bars are actually part of the UK Houses of Parliament and the alternative ‘functional beverages’ which might just replace alcohol altogether.

    Professor Nutt is an English neuropsychopharmacologist who’s controversial removal from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was a direct result of a study he published, which showed how alcohol is more harmful than heroin. Specialising in the research of drugs and alcohol and their relation to addiction, anxiety, and sleep, Professor Nutt is also the chairman of Drug Science, a non-profit which he founded in 2010 to provide independent, evidence-based information on drugs.

    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 more about Drug Science on the website
    https://www.drugscience.org.uk/

    And on the Drug Science Podcast
    https://www.drugscience.org.uk/podcast

    Links to David’s books
    Drink - https://www.waterstones.com/book/drink/professor-david-nutt/9781529393231
    Cannabis - https://www.waterstones.com/book/cannabis-seeing-through-the-smoke/professor-david-nutt/9781529360493
    Psychedelics - https://www.waterstones.com/book/psychedelics/professor-david-nutt/9781529360530
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    48 mins
  • 9: Johnny Graaff

    9: Johnny Graaff
    Sep 12 2024
    This week, we welcome Johnny Graaff, co-founder of Lions Campus, which is a teen rehabilitation centre in London. Johnny approaches recovery in a unique way, creating a community around each individual, using psychiatrists, doctors, mentors, and coaches. He’s had some incredible success helping young people overcome addiction, eating disorders and bullying. A firm believer in surrounding patients with inspirational role models, Johnny has six years of sobriety behind him and endless gratitude for the twelve-step programme that continues to aid in his success.

    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 Johnny on Instagram @lionscampus

    Learn more about Lions Campus: https://www.lions-campus.co.uk
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    43 mins
  • 8: Andrea Taylor

    8: Andrea Taylor
    Sep 5 2024
    This week, Paul engages in a deeply personal conversation with therapist Andrea Taylor. A former manager and director of the Priory Group Hospitals, Andrea has over 25 years of experience and is currently running a successful private practice specialising in trauma, addiction, and couples therapy. Andrea's own journey has taken her far and wide, but wherever she travelled, drug and alcohol dependency followed. From a tumultuous childhood in Hong Kong to desperately trying to control her addiction whilst living in Sydney with her brother, Andrea eventually faced homelessness and multiple stints in rehabilitation centres in California before finally committing to her sobriety in the UK. Andrea now leads a happy, healthy life after years of study and subsequent success, helping others face their own significant life challenges. Andrea’s resilience and strength is inspiring.

    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

    Email Andrea on ATayloredTherapy@outlook.com

    Andrea’s profile on BAcp https://www.bacp.co.uk/profile/6818f652-5090-e711-80e8-3863bb351d40

    Andrea is Clinical Outreach for Camino Recovery: https://www.caminorecovery.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB
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    54 mins
  • 7: Yasmin

    7: Yasmin
    Aug 29 2024
    Join Paul as he discusses the tough road to recovery with his friend Yasmin. From a childhood in Northeast London to a reckless young adult life in and around Southern California, Yasmin has a long history of trauma, addiction and dangerous behaviour. She has not only overcome bulimia and alcoholism but has also addressed her reliance on prescription medications. Yasmin eloquently reveals the terror she felt when facing giving up drinking alcohol, which she thought was the only way to bring colour to her otherwise black and white existence. Amongst other heartfelt confessions, Yasmin shares details of her shame following blackouts, and how she has learned to stop identifying as a victim and become the strong and sober woman she is today. This is a conversation not to be missed.

    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


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    45 mins
  • 6: Anita Chellamah

    6: Anita Chellamah
    Aug 22 2024
    This episode is a real eye-opener, packed full of valuable insight into a bit of the psychology around addiction. Joining Paul today is addiction and trauma therapist Anita Chellamah. With a contagious laugh and a general ease around her, it is clear why Anita is the trusted therapist she is, having helped thousands to understand themselves and their behaviours better. After a successful stage, TV and film career and with a slew of hit singles under her belt, there’s not much out there that Anita hasn’t seen. Join Paul as they speak openly about harsh comedowns, childhood traumas and how Anita has achieved 36 years of sobriety herself.

    If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/

    Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

    Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

    Reach out to Anita on email achellamahnurse@hotmail.co.uk

    Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor
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    56 mins
  • 5: Michelle Heaton

    5: Michelle Heaton
    Aug 15 2024
    You might know her from the award-winning band Liberty X, part of the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning cast of The Real Full Monty, as a TV presenter or as a menopause advocate and author but what you might not know about Michelle Heaton is that she is recovering from a difficult battle with alcohol and drugs. Addressing behaviour that quickly escalated from social partying to regularly drinking vodka in the mornings, Michelle committed to a 12-step recovery programme. In this mutually intimate conversation with Paul, Michelle bravely shares her incredible journey, with deeply heartfelt moments and lots of personal anecdotes including one massive public apology.

    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 Michelle on Instagram @wonderwomanshel
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    48 mins
  • 4: Michael Emmett

    4: Michael Emmett
    Aug 8 2024
    Genuine charmer, spinner of yarns and ex-gangster Michael Emmett talks about his autobiography Sins of Fathers, the ‘hole in the soul’ and his spiritual awakening whilst sharing a prison cell with his father. Ex-criminal Michael also shares shocking anecdotes about drug trafficking, car chases, death and love addiction. The stories are intense but Michael’s gentle soul is an inspiration. This episode contains references to sexual abuse so please take care when listening.

    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 Michael's book, Sins of Fathers: A Spectacular Break from a Dark Criminal Past here:
    https://amzn.eu/d/9ROQ5ml

    Find Michael on Instagram @michaelemmettofficial
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    1 hr and 3 mins