This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor

We have come to the end of our sixth season and we are taking a look back at some of the strongest, most intriguing and resonant clips from expert guests we have hosted on the show. We have been lucky enough to chat with neuropsychopharmacologists, doctors, scientists, therapists and professionals whose work digs into the deep-rooted sources of addiction, how it affects people and some proven paths to recovery. 
Most of these guests have their own personal stories but all have devoted their lives and work to understanding addiction and mental health and to helping those who are struggling to find freedom in recovery. 
This is the final episode in the season. We are taking a short break so that we can look after our own mental wellbeing, refill the tanks and come back into the studio fresh and to record an exciting new season featuring people in the fashion world. Please take this opportunity to check out our healthy back catalogue of episodes which can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Take good care!
Featured Clips:

Anita Chellamah explains how childhood trauma quietly shapes our relationships, self-belief and sense of responsibility long into adulthood.  (Season 1)

Andrea Taylor reframes "attention seeking" as a universal need for connection, and reveals why repair is the key to healthy relationships.(Season 1)

Dr David McLaughlan breaks down the science of cravings and shares practical techniques to ride out urges without relapsing.  (Season 1)

The Gift of Addiction with David Smallwood: David explains why unresolved trauma fuels addiction and why the timing of trauma therapy can make all the difference to recovery. (Season 2)

How Your Brain Can Be Hijacked by Addiction With Dr Rayyan Zafar: Dr Zafar challenges the traditional definition of addiction, revealing why behaviours like gambling, gaming and social media can be just as addictive as substances.  (Season 1)

Dr Federica Amati Helps You Reduce Your Risk of Cancer: Dr Amati exposes the hidden health risks of alcohol and argues why public awareness and policy need to catch up with the science.  (Season 3)

Why Addictions Are Often A Misguided Search for Spirituality With Alistair Richardson: Alistair shares a powerful perspective that beneath trauma and addiction lies an unbroken self capable of healing and connection.  (Season 2)

Knowing the Nervous System with Nahid-de-belgeonne: Nahid explains why lasting change begins in the nervous system, showing that healing is something we experience before we can think our way towards it.  (Season 4)

Secret Sex Lives With Dr Paula Hall: Dr Hall explores the often-overlooked links between pornography, sex addiction and recovery from alcohol and drugs.  (Season 4)

Ollie Ollerton turns the idea of sobriety on its head, arguing that freedom comes from recovery—not from the drink itself.  (Season 1)

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 insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!
Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

We have had a wonderful season so far as we explored addiction and mental health challenges on UK building sites.
For our final episode, we hosted a powerful guest whose honesty and humility is inspiring. A 38-year-old tiler by trade, our guest Chris now focuses his time on podcasting and radio broadcasting. A dedicated family man and committed gym-goer, he brings energy, authenticity, and real-life perspective to his work. Having been sober for over five and a half years, Chris is passionate about personal growth, resilience, and living life with purpose. Through his broadcasting and podcasting, he connects with people through honest conversations, humour, and his down-to-earth approach.
In this conversation, we talk about the staggering realisation that addiction is stronger than love, using drugs on the worksite and about and how being vulnerable around another man is actually the manliest thing you can do.
When we spoke, Chris was literally about to tie the knot with his missus so by now he must be a married man so we wish him all of our congratulations! 
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 insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!
Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

For nearly 17 years, John the Plasterer has been living clean and sober but his journey hasn't exactly been straightforward. It wasn’t until he admitted that he was powerless over gambling that he fully embraced the life of recovery he leads today.
In this chat, John recounts a gory accident he suffered while intoxicated at work…he also reflects on the chaos of obsession and the richness of a life outside of addiction. 
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 insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!
Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

Settle in for an amazing conversation that grabs you from the off and doesn’t let go. At 49 years old, Mike the Roofer is 14 years sober whose self-confessed ‘primaries’ were alcohol and cocaine. After having worked in the roofing industry since he was 18, Mike now owns his own commercial roofing company and is married with two children.
After a series of ominous warnings in his early life, a misguided stint at rehab and several years of three-day benders,  Mike finally devoted his life to a 12-Step programme. Mike’s vulnerability, honesty and conviction will no doubt prove to be an inspiration to anyone who has ever struggled with addiction or to anyone close to someone struggling with addiction.  
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 insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!
Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

Today we’re joined by Gary the Pipefitter. 45-years old and now nine years sober, Gary was born and raised just outside of London in Harold Hill. Gary grew up convinced he'd never try drugs. Yet once alcohol entered the picture and lowered his inhibitions, he'd ‘try anything’.
In this conversation, we talk about quieting then changing the inner narrative, becoming a person who embraces waking up each morning and the realisation that contrary to what he had been believing all his life, Gary's problems were actually 99% all down to him.
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 insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!
Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor