Back 2 Life

Milly Chowles
  • 4.9 (31)
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DJ and broadcaster Milly Chowles speaks with people from the world of electronic music who are recovering from addiction, mental illness and trauma as she sets out to understand how they came back from the darkest of places and the role that music, art and creativity played in their recovery as well as it's place in their lives now. These are real and raw conversations that explore how inspriring, brave and funny people have turn their past pain into unstoppable passion and purpose. Follow us on insta @Back2LifePod or @Milly_on_Air_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1. Addiction, ageing and re-defining success with Princess Superstar

    EPISODE 1

    Addiction, ageing and re-defining success with Princess Superstar

    Welcome back to season 3 and we're kicking off with a bang as we welcome international icon, trailblazer and recovery warrior Princess Superstar to the pod! If you're here for the first time, this is a podcast for people in the electronic music community who are interested in healing, sobriety, mental health recovery and the power of creativity and art. Now you may not know that Princess Superstar aka Concetta Kirschner has been completely sober and in recovery from addiction for over 2 decades…she’s an iconic, convention defying powerhouse of an artist who’s recently enjoyed a phoenix like rise to the top of the charts after a decade out in the artistic wilderness ( but as she reveals in the podcast actually enjoying much more success as human being). Since 1996 she’s released 8 albums and 24 singles and has had massive hits in the Uk in 2002 with Bad Babysitter. She’s also worked with The prodigy, Grandmaster Flash, Armand Van Helden, Moby and many many more. Late last year her 2006 single Perfect ( exceeder) produced by Mason was featured in the film Saltburn and has since re-entered the global charts, had over a 100 million streams, became the crossover club hit of the year and won a gold disc. It's success has seen Concetta, aged 53 go from working a day job to touring the world… for a record she released 17 years ago. If you follow her on instagram you will know what an absolute legend she is, she’s hilarious, wise, eye wateringly candid, and serves some of the most fiecely iconic looks ever, and she is someone who absolutely makes recovery, and working on your shit look very very cool. In this podcast we cover topics such as: -Early recovery, how she got sober at the height of her fame first time around. -Addiction to external validation and feeling truly valuable inside -The pain of not being seen or recognised as an artist and how she overcame that. -Relationships and loneliness -Authenticity and performing in sobriety -Redefining success- why fame, money and busyness are not her defionition of true success -Ageing, fillers, toxic beauty standards- why she is celebrating ageing rather than trying to hide it. -The fear of losing your creativity in early recovery, how she found even more power on the other side of that fear. and so much more! Back 2 Life is an independent DIY podcast hosted and produced by Milly on Air, a DJ, broadcaster and person in long term recovery. Follow us: @back2lifepod @Milly_on_Air Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  2. Movement is Medicine, finding your rhythm and why house music heals with Emma Marshall

    EPISODE 2

    Movement is Medicine, finding your rhythm and why house music heals with Emma Marshall

    Emma Marshall aka Emma The Alchemist is the founder and creator of a methodoldgy rooted in rave culture called Movement is Medicine, newly relaunched as Mim HQ an organisation that focusses on the health benefits, emotional and physical , of dancing to percussion driven club music. Movement is Medicine bridges the gap between science, fitness, movement, music and rhthym to enhance wellbeing, nervous sysyem regulation and process stress or trauma through workshops, dance classes and education- also as she says in this epiosde, it's a vibe it's a fun and a joyful way to look after yourself. Whilst experiencing a severe burnout and multiple mystery illnesses in her mid 20s  Emma went on a quest to to heal herself, she travelled the world, tried many different modalities and researched the hell out of it, becoming an expert in stress, neuroscience, somatics and combined all that she learned with passion for rave culture and Movement is medicine was born. Back 2 Life is a podcast is all about healing, mental health and recovery in its many forms, particularly within the world of electronic music. Milly ( Milly on Air) created the idea for this podcast came out of her own experience of starting DJing when I was in recovery from addiction and multiple other mental health challenges. In this episode we cover: That we are rhthmic beings and how finding your rhytm is essential to wellbeing.How music and drums have been used in many cultures around the world for healing.Why house music is so good for our nervous systems.The benefits of movement in processing emotions.Emma's experience of extreme burn out, preceeded by trauma, and the lengths she went to to find help.Why people working in the music industry is particularly vulnerable to burn out.Somatic therapy, what it is and how we can learn about body wisdom from the animal kingdom.How excercise can help us complete stress cycles.How she built her business onlineThe innaccessibility of the wellness industry The challenge of creating a brand from such a personal place. And so much more! I found this episode incredibly inspiring and helpful and really appreciate Emma's no nonsense approach and unstoppable energy. Find out more: Emma:Instagram @emma.the.alchemist @mimhq.co.uk Back 2 Life @back2lifepod Milly @milly_on_air_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  3. Stevie Cox- Healing from trauma and narcississtic abuse

    EPISODE 3

    Stevie Cox- Healing from trauma and narcississtic abuse

    Back 2 Life a podcast that explores the intersection of healing, creativity and electronic music. It's hosted by Milly on Air a Bristol based DJ and promoter who wanted to connect with and learn from other people who, like herself are navigating being on a healing path, whilst being actively involved with the traditionally hedonistic world of dance music. In this podcast you will hear candid, honest accounts of recovering from mental illness, trauma, addiction, burn out and more and how their own creativity and musical careers have changed along the way. In this episode Milly speaks to the wonderful incredibly talented, wise, warm and funny Dj, producer and promoter Stevie Cox, originally from Manchester Stevie is now firmly embedded in the legendary Glasgow scene, where she’s a resident ant the mythical Sub Club, she’s also released on optimo music and runs her own queer club night called Love Cycle alongside dance atmos. In this conversation we cover a lot from her unplanned  journey into DJing to what lead to her embarking on a healing journey, which has seen her harness multiple modalities from Reiki, pschedilics, shiatsu massage, and talk therapy. We also touch on: -Adhd -Abuse in the music industry -PTD and CPTSD -Somatic thearpies -Aruvedic philsophy -Spirituality -Plant medicine and psilocybin Tigger Warning: We also touch on some subjects that may be triggering for you, namely narcissistic abuse and also childhood abuse so if you’re feeling that may be a bit raw for you please go carefully of try another episode instead, there’s lots to choose from. Guest @steviecox_ Host & creator @Milly_on_air_ Podcast @back2lifepod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  4. Logic1000-Psychosis, trauma and hope!

    EPISODE 4

    Logic1000-Psychosis, trauma and hope!

    Welcome to 2025! At what can be a really tricky time of year I’m very happy to share an extremely beautiful, profound and life affirming podcast with you today. My guest today is Samantha Poulter better known as Logic1000. It really is a deeply moving one, we cover some fairly heavy stuff, such her experiences of psychosis, trauma and recovery but she has such a pure heart and warmth about her it actually never felt heavy to hear. This one’s a special one, it's not everyday you hear someone talking candidly about their experience and so crucially their recovery from psychotic illness. Same describes how she was so anxious she couldn't even take a train to work on her own when she was catapulted into the spotlight with her first major release " Dj Logic, please forgive me" Sam had been diagnosed with Schizophrenia at age 25 and after a lot of hard work and support, she’s now in her late 30s, is living a fulfilled and love filled life, she’s mother to her young daughter Genie and an internationally acclaimed producer and DJ who’s just come from tour with Peggy Gou, last year she remixed Dua Lipa, Shygirl and released her post partum inspired album” Mother” she makes incredible music, and she also has the most incredible life story that I can’t wait for you hear. In this episode we cover: Sam's introduction to electronic musicDeveloping self trust and overcoming paranoiaHaving an allergy to mood altering substancesHer experience of psychosis and how that presented for herReceiving a diagnosis for SchizophreniaThe effects of trauma on body and mindThe profound effect of Somatic therapy on her relationship with her partner and herself And much more! Back 2 Life is on instagram @Back2lifepod it's created, produced and hosted by Milly on Air @Milly_on_air_ and you can follow Sam @Logic1000____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  5. Tristan Hunt- Managing ADHD in the music industry

    EPISODE 5

    Tristan Hunt- Managing ADHD in the music industry

    Back 2 Life is a podcast all about wellbeing, recovery and mental health in the world of electronic music. Hosted by DJ and coach Milly on Air who is in recovery from mental health challenges and 9 years sober from substance addiction.  Today Milly welcomes Music industry ADHD coach Tristan Hunt to the podcast for a deep dive into ADHD. Tristan works with people from all corners of the music industry, from Glastonbury headline artists to behind the scenes crew, and helps them to understand and manage their symptoms. Tristan’s own background was in the music industry in various roles throughout his life, most recently he worked for the AFEM in the area of mental health, but it was  his own late diagnosis of ADHD at age 40 that inspired him to help others like himself who were struggling to manage the impact ADHD on their lives and careers. Since launching his coaching service a couple of years ago he’s been fully booked and spoken all around the world at conventions such as IMS and ADE  which speaks not only to his incredible expertise but to the huge need there is for this amongst the music community. In this episode we cover : Tristan’s own journey to diagnosis at 40What makes the music industry so appealing for neurodivergent peopleThe mental health implications of  ADHDThe potential benefits that people with ADHD bring to society The nature / nurture debate - to which Tristan would like to recommend reading some new research and insights pointing to more evidence of the role environment plays https://www.additudemag.com/what-causes-adhd-symptoms/Why ADHDers tend to ruminate and get stuck in thought loopsAnxiety and why people with ADHD are so prone to itThe role of dopamine in ADHDPractical tips for managing your ADHD To find out more about Tristan you can contact him via his website  https://www.tristanhunt.co.uk/ Or follow him on instagram @tristanhuntuk You can follow the podcast on instagram @back2lifepod and Milly @milly_on_air_ If you enjoyed this epiosde please leave a review or rating and share with your friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  6. Ceri: The Power of Self Trust in Music and Health

    EPISODE 6

    Ceri: The Power of Self Trust in Music and Health

    After a little break, Back 2 Life returns with a powerful conversation with B2L host, DJ and music industry coach Milly on Air and Ceri - the acclaimed DJ, producer and label owner behind Find Your Own Records and Find Your Own Sound. Ceri has played at some of the world’s most revered clubs and festivals from Panorama Bar, Fabric, and Amnesia to Drumsheds and Junction 2 but behind the success lies a story of deep healing, resilience, and transformation. In this episode, Ceri opens up about her journey through chronic illness, how meditation and functional medicine helped her recover, and why connecting to yourself is the key to creativity, both in music and in life. We talk about: How Ceri found her creative voice and launched Find Your Own RecordsThe connection between meditation, focus, and creativityHer experience with chronic fatigue, functional medicine, and holistic healingChoosing sobriety and how it changed her life and DJ careerLearning radical self-trust and finding strength through vulnerabilityAfter this episode, Milly will be re-releasing some of her favourite Back 2 Life conversations from the past three series- dropping every two weeks. Links: CERI: Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/cerimusic/?hl=en Find Your Own Sound Community https://findyourownsound.com/ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/CeriMusic MILLY: Back 2 Life: https://www.instagram.com/back2lifepod/ DJ: https://www.instagram.com/milly_on_air_/ Coaching: https://www.musicindustrycoachmilly.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
See All Season 3 (6)

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4.9
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

DJ and broadcaster Milly Chowles speaks with people from the world of electronic music who are recovering from addiction, mental illness and trauma as she sets out to understand how they came back from the darkest of places and the role that music, art and creativity played in their recovery as well as it's place in their lives now. These are real and raw conversations that explore how inspriring, brave and funny people have turn their past pain into unstoppable passion and purpose. Follow us on insta @Back2LifePod or @Milly_on_Air_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Milly Chowles
  • Episodes
    21
  • Seasons
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Milly Chowles
  • Show Website
    Back 2 Life

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