Best Stigma Reduction Podcasts (2025)

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Joe Sealey: Cocaine Addiction, Alcohol and Recovery Behind the Real Housewives Of Cheshire 1:01:46

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23h ago1:01:46

1:01:46

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Joe Sealey joins us to discuss cocaine addiction, alcohol misuse, grief, and recovery. Known to millions as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Cheshire, Joe shares the story that existed long before the cameras - the career-ending injury that ended his football dream, the sudd…

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In conversation with Nathan Joseph 49:06

11d ago49:06

49:06

Send us a text In this episode I speak to Nathan Joseph, an online fitness coach and author of The LCA method recipe book. Nathan discusses his own personal journey through battling mental health issues, and how alcohol has played both positive and negative roles in his life. In Nathan's experience, alcohol use has been a big part of his social lif…

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Struggling to Stop Drinking? What Michelle Heaton Learned About Recovery 9:15

13d ago9:15

9:15

In the first episode of Believe in People Extra, our new spin off miniseries, Michelle Heaton speaks openly about what it feels like to want to stop drinking and not be able to. She explains the medical dangers she didn’t understand, the shame that kept her stuck, and why addiction isn’t about a lack of willpower. Michelle shares the moment that ch…

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Professional Wills: The What-If Scenarios No One Warned You About, Ep. 259 1:02:12

17d ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Robyn Miller, PhD, outlines the real-life emotional, legal, and logistical burdens that fall on clients, loved ones, and colleagues when clinicians lack a clear professional will, and she offers practical steps for creating a thoughtful plan that protects everyone involved. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT.Earn CE credit for listening to this e…

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Alcohol, Relapse, Women’s Recovery Spaces & Breaking Generational Patterns 1:12:58

20d ago1:12:58

1:12:58

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Patti reflects on a lifetime shaped by silence, trauma, and survival. Growing up in a dysfunctional home in 1970s San Francisco - marked by alcoholism, emotional neglect, and parents who barely spoke - she began using alcohol and drugs at just 13 to escape overwhelming pain. By 16 …

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Trauma, False Accusation, Alcohol Recovery and Rebuilding Life After Collapse 1:23:05

1M ago1:23:05

1:23:05

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we conclude our two-part conversation with Andy Woodward, who reflects on the long-term psychological effects of childhood trauma and how those experiences shaped his later struggles with alcohol use, anxiety and identity. Andy shares how a false rape accusation in 2015 became a de…

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Childhood Trauma, Football Abuse and the Silence That Hid a Predator 1:19:21

1M ago1:19:21

1:19:21

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we begin the first of a powerful two-part conversation with Andy Woodward, the former professional footballer whose bravery exposed one of the biggest safeguarding scandals in British sporting history. Andy was the first to go public with his experience of childhood sexual abuse at…

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Radical Acceptance and My Daughter's Addiction 35:31

1M ago35:31

35:31

In this episode, I talk about the moment I finally let go of trying to control my daughter's addiction and what radical acceptance looked like in real life. I share how fear was running my parenting, how close I came to losing myself completely, and how surrendering shifted our entire relationship. I also share a story from yesterday that still fee…

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Before and After A Psychedelic Experience: Integration and Harm Reduction in Clinical Practice, Ep. 258 1:00:45

1M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Dr. Peter Addy, LPC, LMHC, integrates foundational set and setting concepts with core therapeutic competencies to support clinicians working with clients who use psychedelics while outlining ethical responses, harm reduction strategies, and ways to incorporate these experiences into ongoing treatment. Interview with Elizabeth Irias.Earn CE credit f…

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Racism, Culture, Trauma and Addiction Recovery as a British-Pakistani Muslim 1:10:32

1M ago1:10:32

1:10:32

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, we are privileged to sit down with Taz, whose life story spans racism, identity conflict, culture, trauma, addiction, and the long path to redemption. Born in Britain to Pakistani parents, Taz grew up between cultures – navigating violence, racism, and confusion around faith, mascu…

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Empowering Change Through Advocacy 44:21

2M ago44:21

44:21

Keywords recovery, addiction, advocacy, community, personal growth, storytelling, resilience, Kensington, self-care, support Summary In this episode, Brandi Mac shares personal updates about her family, including her daughter's recovery journey and her own struggles with work-life balance. She discusses her advocacy efforts, including a recent even…

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Katie Price & Kerry Katona: Cocaine Addiction, Recovery, Motherhood and Surviving Fame 40:48

2M ago40:48

40:48

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Katie Price and Kerry Katona sit down for a raw, unfiltered conversation about cocaine addiction, recovery, motherhood, mental health, and the double standards women continue to face in the public eye. Recorded live behind the scenes at Hull City Hall during their UK tour, Katie an…

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Autism Through an IFS Lens: Reducing Uncertainty and Building Self-Compassion, Ep. 257 1:01:28

2M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Sarah Bergenfield, MA, IFS educator, explains how Internal Family Systems can help autistic clients reduce overwhelm, understand their parts, and build confidence through self-compassion and predictability. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT.Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE c…

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Rachel Shuster on Lived Experience, Addictions Nursing, and Changing the Narrative 1:00:18

2M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

Rachel Shuster is a registered nurse and a person in recovery from opioid use disorder. As a high-achieving high schooler and college student, she never imagined that she would fall victim to having a substance use disorder. Recognizing that secrets die in the light, she is passionate about sharing her story, but is also interested in advocacy, evi…

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From Stigma to Support: Expanding Access to Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment 41:44

2M ago41:44

41:44

In this episode of Recovery Stories Have Power, we’re joined by Dr. Melissa Weimer, Associate Professor at Yale School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Yale Addiction Medicine Consult Service, and John O’Neil, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Addiction Counselor. Together, they share powerful insights from their work in the field of addic…

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Detecting Dropout Danger: Data-Driven Ways to Keep Clients Engaged and Reaching Goals, Ep. 256 1:04:26

2M ago1:04:26

1:04:26

Dr. Keith Klostermann, LMFT, MHC, shares practical, evidence-based ways to use early feedback data to spot dropout risk, repair ruptures before clients vanish, and foster lasting engagement and progress. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Quick Note: You may notice a little clicking in Beth’s audio during this episode — turns out her microphone …

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Drink spiking, methanol poisoning & young people's drinking with Dr Gabriel Caluzzi 32:03

2M ago32:03

32:03

Send us a text In this episode I talk to Dr Gabriel Caluzzi about drink spiking, methanol poisoning & young people's drinking. Dr Caluzzi is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University. His interests include youth and gendered drinking practices, and he recently co-authored the book “Young People, Alcohol, and…

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Kirsten - AKA Sobriety Bestie - on Deconstructing AA 1:04:02

3M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

Kirsten - AKA Sobriety Bestie - last had an alcoholic drink in 2009, then spent over a decade in AA. She left AA in 2020 and began doing the work of unlearning and deconstructing AA dogma, told that she was powerless, "diseased" or forever broken. Now she is dedicated to telling the truth about recovery and about how to rebuild after leaving AA. Sh…

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Ethical Kink-Affirming Practice: Power, Culture, Consent, and Pleasure, Ep. 255 1:02:13

3M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

Dr. Elyssa Helfer, CST, LMFT, explores the ethical and cultural dimensions of kink-affirming therapy, helping clinicians distinguish between abuse and healthy erotic expression to enhance ethical competence and cultural humility. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership fo…

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Empowering Neurodivergence: Honoring Neurological Differences from Giftedness to ADHD, Ep. 254 1:01:24

3M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

Dr. Matt Zakreski, PsyD, reframes “deficits” as different operating systems, highlighting neurodiversity across giftedness, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and OCD (the "big five"), and explores how clinicians can adapt care with supports that build on clients’ strengths and maximize skills. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listenin…

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Alcohol Misuse, Cocaine, Identity, Boxing and Building a Recovery Toolbox 1:07:52

3M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Mel shares a powerful and deeply honest account of her journey through alcohol misuse, escalating substance use, mental health struggles, and the non-linear path toward recovery. Growing up as a triplet in a family where drinking was normalised, Mel describes early identity struggl…

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Leadership Transitions in RCOs with USARA 1:15:15

3M ago1:15:15

1:15:15

On today's episode, Nick DeMott visits with Mary Jo McMillen, Becca Brown and Evan Done, who are on the leadership team at Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness, or USARA. USARA is preparing to undergo a leadership transition in the near future, with Mary Jo stepping away and Becca and Evan taking her place. During this interview, they disc…

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Codependency Reconsidered: History, Stigma, and Clinical Alternatives, Ep. 253 1:05:20

3M ago1:05:20

1:05:20

Lara Okoloko, LICSW, traces codependency’s roots in addiction culture, exposing the cultural and clinical gaps created when vague definitions pathologize normal caregiving. She then introduces evidence-based strategies that promote autonomy and reduce harm. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joinin…

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The stigma of alcohol dependence with Prof. Georg Schomerus 53:00

4M ago53:00

53:00

Send us a text In this episode I talk to Prof. Georg Schomerus, Professor and Chair at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig. Prof Schomerus is a leading academic in the field of stigma towards alcohol and mental health problems. We discuss the nature of stigma towards alcohol problems, what drives stigma, how it rel…

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When Teens Threaten Self-Harm: Guidance for Clinicians and Parents, Ep. 252 1:00:00

4M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Dr. Jaimee Arnoff reviews evidence-based strategies to help caregivers support adolescents facing suicidal ideation or self-harm, including guidance on boundary setting, safety planning, and recognizing when to escalate to emergency services. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT.Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost m…

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Emma Hardy MP: Ketamine Harm, Mental Health, Flood Risk and Community Recovery in Hull 55:02

4M ago55:02

55:02

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Emma Hardy MP returns to the podcast to discuss some of the most urgent challenges facing Hull and the wider UK – including rising ketamine harm, worsening mental health pressures, and the city’s ongoing triple flood threat. Recorded during a period of national uncertainty, Emma re…

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When Parents Split Late: Supporting Adult Children of Divorce, Ep. 251 1:01:53

4M ago1:01:53

1:01:53

Linda Hershman, LMFT, examines how later-in-life parental divorce disrupts rituals, relationships, finances, and caregiving for Adult Children of Divorce (ACODs), highlighting ways to validate their grief and foster resilience across family systems. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT.Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low…

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Rebuilding Lives: The Journey of Recovery 26:18

4M ago26:18

26:18

In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses the complexities of addiction and recovery, emphasizing the broken treatment system, the importance of sober homes, and the need for medicated assisted treatment. She shares personal experiences related to her daughter's recovery from addiction and highlights the significance of hope, compassion, and community …

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Mary Beth O'Connor on finding alternative recovery to becoming a Judge 57:21

4M ago57:21

57:21

Mary Beth O'Connor is the author of the book "From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction." She began her recovery from methamphetamine use disorder, abuse, trauma, and anxiety in 1994. She never found traditional recovery spaces such as step-based recovery programs helpful to her, and found alternative recovery spaces early…

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When Boundaries Feel Impossible: What Families Deserve to Hear 45:38

4M ago45:38

45:38

Summary In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses the complexities of loving someone struggling with addiction, focusing on the importance of setting and adjusting boundaries. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to navigate toxic relationships, the evolution of boundaries over time, and the significance of self-reflection and communicat…

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Elective Forgiveness in Trauma Therapy: Distinguishing Forgiveness from Reconciliation, Ep. 250 1:00:20

4M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, offers a critical look at forgiveness in trauma therapy, clarifying its elective role and its distinction from reconciliation, as well as providing practical tools to help therapists integrate these concepts responsibly into treatment. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by jo…

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Patrick Doyle, LCSW on Family Addiction Coaching and the evolution of SUD treatment 1:01:47

5M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Join us for a conversation with Patrick Doyle, LCSW on a conversation breaking down his own evolution in SUD treatment and his approach in coaching people who use drugs and their families to help improve their lives and address the problems that can be caused by substance use. As a licensed clinical social worker and Family Addiction Coach, Patrick…

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When I Let Go of "Tough Love"...I Found Peace 32:22

5M ago32:22

32:22

In this raw and personal episode, Brandi Mac shares what happened when she stopped following the "tough love" narrative and started doing what she could actually live with. From the heartbreak of watching her daughter struggle with addiction to the moment she shaved her head as an act of surrender, Brandi reflects on how peace came not from control…

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When Clients Disengage: An IFS-Informed Approach to Repairing Ruptures and Improving Outcomes, Ep. 249 1:01:52

5M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Dr. Beth Mullen-Houser explores how Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help therapists recognize and repair ruptures caused by disconnection. This episode examines the ethical responsibility of staying present and attuned, even when our own internal systems get activated. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this epi…

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In conversation with Aunee Bhogaita 52:48

5M ago52:48

52:48

Send us a text In this episode, Aunee Bhogaita, shares her lived experience of alcohol problems and recovery. Aunee is a South Asian woman who has empowered herself through her experiences of sexual abuse, domestic abuse and alcohol addiction in order to challenge stigma and taboo surrounding these issues and help others. We discuss her early exper…

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Harm Reduction, Hepatitis C Elimination and 30 Years of Public Health Experience 51:22

5M ago51:22

51:22

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Elly returns for her third appearance to share more than 30 years of insight from frontline harm reduction and public health work, with a particular focus on eliminating Hepatitis C across the UK. Elly explains how treatment has transformed from long, punishing year-long interferon…

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Lori Brotto: Let's talk about sex! 34:47

5M ago34:47

34:47

Dr. Lori Brotto is internationally recognized as a leader in sexual health research. She has evaluated psychological interventions for sexual dysfunction and genital pain, which collectively impact 1/3 of women. Her work influences practice internationally, with mindfulness now implemented in sexual medicine centres and recommended as front line ca…

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From Forced Repression to Safe Expression: Making Room for Anger, Ep. 248 1:00:47

5M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Bronwyn Schweigerdt, LMFT explores how early attachment disruptions and alexithymia can impair a client’s ability to recognize and articulate anger. This interview offers structured strategies to support emotional identification and expression in session. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining …