Advocacy Episodes
#57 - Sarah Hicks (Part 1): Emotional Manipulation, Coercion, Self-Worth, Societal Stigma, Domestic Violence, Addiction, Trauma, Abuse, Codependency, Gaslighting, Generational Influences, Parenthood, Abandonment and Overcoming Adversity
In this comprehensive two-part episode, Matt sits down with Sarah Hicks to explore her life story, touching on a wide range of themes that include addiction, trauma, abusive relationships, grief, and recovery. Sarah reflects ...
#58 - Sarah Hicks (Part 2): Surviving Sexual Assault, Systemic Failures, Victim-Blaming Culture, Advocacy for Change, Violence Against Women and Girls & Societal Transformation
In the second part of this two-part episode, Matt continues his conversation with Sarah Hicks as she reflects on her journey through trauma, recovery, and advocacy. Sarah shares the harrowing experience of surviving sexual as...
#55 - Chris Tait: Electric Six, Alcoholism, Passenger Recovery, Detroit Music Scene, Sobriety Transformation & Metropolis Records: A Call To Action
What happens when the highs of the music industry intersect with the lows of addiction? Join Matt as he speaks to Chris Tait , keyboard player for Electric Six and founder of Passenger Recovery , about his journey through add...
#47 - Ambrose - Hepatitis C, Prison, Heroin, Stigma, Peer Support, Recovery Advocacy & Micro-Elimination
Matt sits down with Ambrose, a prominent figure in the recovery community, to explore his remarkable journey from severe substance misuse to recovery and advocacy. Ambrose shares his harrowing experience with various substanc...
#34 - Andy Pea: Imposter Syndrome, Community Murals, Co-Production, Representing Hidden Voices & 10 Million People A Year Seeing His Artwork
Matt engages in a dynamic discussion with Hull's esteemed community artist, Andy Pea. Together, they embark on a journey through Andy's remarkable artistic evolution, peeling back the layers of his murals that have transforme...
#31 - Matt Downie MBE: Crisis, Ending Homelessness, Rough Sleeping, Sex Work, Hostels, Affordable Housing, Rogue Landlords & The 1824 Vagrancy Act
Matt engages in a profound conversation with Matt Downie MBE, Chief Executive of Crisis, the national charity for homeless people. Together, they delve into Matt's role as a dedicated advocate for change, exploring how his di...
#29 - Mariana: Menopause, Perimenopause, Drug & Alcohol Training, Argentina, Methadone, Injecting Lemons & Pouring Milk On Her Cat Food
Matt engages in conversation with Mariana, a respected figure in Drug and Alcohol Awareness Community Training. Mariana brings forth a wealth of insights, blending personal anecdotes, cultural perspectives, and crucial topics...
#28 - Elly: Harm Reduction, Crack Use, Snowballing, Safer Injecting, Cannabis, Ketamine & Drug Myth Busting
Matt and Elly embark on an exploration into the realm of harm reduction. With nearly three decades of invaluable experience in the Drug & Alcohol sector, Elly provides insightful perspectives that shed light on the complexiti...
#27 - Maizie Williams, Ongina, Tinchy Stryder & Ash Palmisciano: Mental Wellbeing, Challenging HIV Related Stigma, Pride in Hull, Boney M, Emmerdale, Black Mirror & Transgender Awareness
Matt is backstage at Pride in Hull 2023. With over 50 years in the industry and an original member of Boney M, Maizie shares insights into her career with Matt as well as maintaining her mental well-being, and discusses Boney...
#26 - Andy Train: Embracing Body Image, Catfishing, FOMO, Addiction, The Living Statue World Championships, InterPride & Pride in Hull
Matt talks to Andy Train , Creative Director & Vice Chair of Pride in Hull, an InterPride Global Advisory Council Member for the British Isles, Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and the current The Living Statue World ...
#18: Emma Hardy MP: Stigma, Addiction, Education, Parliament, Endometriosis & Poverty Premium
Matt is joined by Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle . Emma candidly discusses her background in teaching to becoming politically active in 2011 and using her profile and influence to tackle stigma....
#15 - Dr Helen Hawes GP: Opiates, Addiction, Religion, Abortion, Primary Care, Pain Management & Being a GP in Hull
Matt talks to Dr Helen Hawes GP about her route into the profession, managing pain for a person with an opiate addiction, life choices, religion, abortion, diversifying the workforce and a holistic approach to patient care. H...
#14 - Darren: The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, Opiate Addiction & Championing Recovery
Matt talks to Darren about his journey from taking his first substance aged nine - right through to present day and his time with Narcotics Anonymous (NA). NA offers recovery from the effects of addiction through working a tw...
#16 - Mark Moody: Addiction, Recovery, Stigma, Scotland, The Heroin Epidemic & Being CEO of the UK's largest Drug & Alcohol Charity
Matt is joined by Mark Moody, CEO of the UK's largest Drug & Alcohol Charity, Change Grow Live . Mark candidly discusses his rise from an entry level position with only 40 people in the organisation all the way to being respo...
#10 - Elly: Harm Reduction, Commercial Sex Work & The History of Hull's Needle Exchange
Elly has nearly three decades of experience in the Drug & Alcohol sector and Matt talks to her about addiction & recovery in the 80s and 90s, commercial sex work, the history of Hull's needle exchange & the importance of effe...