Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss Ashleigh Butterss

In this final episode of Behind the Smile with Ash Butterss, I find myself caught between waves of emotion, from sadness to gratitude to a deep sense of excitement. They say all good things must come to an end, but within that ending lies the seeds of new beginnings.

Throughout this journey I’ve always emphasised the importance of practicing what I preach, being guided by my intuition and leading with vulnerability. Now I’m taking my own advice, as I step into this next chapter.

Behind the Smile has been so much more than a series of episodes; it’s been a life-changing experience. I’ve had the privilege of shining a light on taboo conversations that for so long were kept in the dark. Yet with each conversation, I believe we moved one step close to removing the stigma around mental health, trauma and addiction.

To you, the listeners, who tuned in week after week, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your dedication and passion for the show fuelled this journey for me and made it all the more meaningful. I’m truly humbled by the messages you’ve sent and the stories you’ve shared with me.

As I say farewell to you all, I want to remind you to continue stepping out from behind the smile and sharing your truth. Because when we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence.

In this episode I talk about:


A Journey of Connection – 1:24
The Mission – 2:20
Embracing Change – 7:20
The Highlights – 9:30
Trusting Your Intuition – 14:39
How To Start a Podcast – 18:18
Listener Love – 21:32
Where to Next – 24:36



If you’re not on my weekly newsletter list, be sure to sign up at www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources to stay connected and up to date on exciting announcements to come!

You can follow Ash on IG here: @ashbutterss

This week I sat down with Lissie Turner, also known as Mel Bampton from Triple J’s ‘Mel in the Morning’ and creator of ‘Like a Version’. Now an author, speaker, founder of The Prana Project and internationally accredited senior yoga teacher and therapist, Lissie shares her profound journey from a life of prominence and partying to one of sobriety, dedicated to compassionate living, mental health, and yoga therapy.



Lissie offers an unflinchingly honest look at her personal trials, including redefining her identity post-fame, navigating the complex responsibility of motherhood and dealing with what life throws at you.



Lissie also shares an intimate crossroads moment and how meditation, yoga, and love allowed her to heal her relationship with her children.



Some of the highlights from this conversation include:


Spiritual Fitness - 3:21
A Wild Ride - 9:58
Coloring Outside the Lines - 28:09
The Path to Radio - 34:58
Refinement with Age - 41:47
Creation of ‘Like a Version’ - 44:29
Sobriety and Loss of Identity - 52:24
The Yoga Framework - 58:54
Healing Relationships - 1:04:38
“There Is Nothing Absolute, and Everything Is Relevant” - 1:13:56




You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: ⁠⁠⁠@ashbutterss⁠



You can find Lissie Turner using the links below:

Instagram: @_the_prana_project and @lissieturner

Website: https://www.thepranaproject.com/

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Dr. David Wiss, a registered dietitian nutritionist who specialises in treating eating disorders and substance abuse.

David shares his journey from hustling in the streets of West LA in the 90’s, his experience during the opioid epidemic, drug abuse and incarceration to becoming a thought leader in the intersection of nutrition and mental health. He provides insight into his work, exploring topics such as the impact of adverse childhood experiences on eating habits, the controversial concept of food addiction, and the relationship between diet culture, body positivity, and overall health. 

David also shares his inspiration to launch Wise Mind Nutrition, an app that provides evidence-based nutrition education that tracks lifestyle patterns and co-creates a customised plan to help improve overall health.

In this conversation we talk about:


Counterculture - 6:22
The Real David - 9:41
Childhood Influences - 11:20
The Hustle Begins - 14:05
Navigating the Opioid Epidemic - 15:40
From Supermax to Second Chances - 18:35
Nutrition In Recovery - 26:21
Food Addiction - 33:29
Cross Addiction - 41:19
Practical Advice for Nurturing Recovery Through Nutrition - 44:30
Personal Reflections - 50:36




You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: ⁠⁠@ashbutterss


You can find Dr. David Wiss using the links below:

Wise Mind Nutrition

Tiktok: @wise_mind_nutrition

Website: https://wisemindnutrition.com/

Instagram: @wisemindnutrition



Dr. David Wiss

Instagram: @drdavidwiss

Website: https://www.nutritioninrecovery.com/

Tiktok: @drdavidwiss


If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠⁠

In this studio episode, I’m joined by Empowerment Specialist Laura Corcoran who is known for assisting women in boosting their energy, confidence, and magnetism. With a background in psychology, Laura merges conventional therapeutic methods with holistic healing modalities.

Deeply rooted from her own experiences, Laura talks us through the essential practice of embracing stillness, establishing personal boundaries, articulating personal truths, and the critical role of mentorship in the journey of healing.

She also generously shares her narrative of metamorphosis, turning life's hurdles into stepping stones for development, and underscores the importance of self-investment.

In this conversation we cover a range of topics including:


Having a Daily Routine: 7:15
Manifestations: 11:34
Unpacking Core Beliefs - 15:58
People Pleasing and Attachment - 27:32
“Psychologists become Psychologists to Heal Themselves” - 37:21
Vulnerability is a Strength - 47:33
Finding the Balance - 50:30
The Role of Mentorship in Personal Growth and Healing - 59:02
Self-care Practices - 1:02:00


You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: ⁠@ashbutterss



You can find Laura Corcoran using the link below:

Instagram: @hersuccessfulmind

Website: https://www.lauracorcoran.com.au/



If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠⁠

In this studio episode, I sit down with David Titeu - a mindset coach, mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the mental health support app, Linkmate.
David takes us through his personal journey, from struggling with the weight of parental expectations and trying to fit in, to his battles with substance abuse as a coping mechanism. 
Throughout our conversation, David and I talk about the significance of initiating open and candid dialogues surrounding mental health, the importance of self-care, and the profound impact of cultivating a positive self-image.
David also talks about the differences in mental health between men and women, the challenges men face in expressing their feelings, the persistent stigma surrounding seeking help, and the transformative influence of fostering connections and receiving peer support.


Parental Expectations and Career Struggles - 9:37
Coping Mechanisms - 14:37
Memories That Shape Our Adulthood - 16:11
Seeking Help - 23:44
Linkmate - 28:16
Addressing the Stigma in the Corporate World - 32:10
Mental Health: Men vs. Women - 41:45
Personal Check-Ins - 47:35
Showing Love, Conscious Control, and Healthy Habits - 55:42


You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: ⁠@ashbutterss

You can find David Titeu using the links below:
Website: https://www.thedmtexperience.com.au/intro-to-coaching
Instagram: @davidtiteu
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:
• A healthcare professional
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)
• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠⁠

In this week’s episode, I sat down with recovery and social justice warrior, Nicole Obrigavitch. 

Nicole went from being a practicing lawyer, wife and mother, to dealing drugs and having a price on her head. A police operation led to her eventual arrest and conviction which saw her spend three years in prison. 

Since getting clean and sober in 2018, Nicole has fought to rebuild her life and give back. 

Today, as the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatoon, Nicole works tirelessly to support women and gender diverse people that have come into conflict with the justice system

Nicole is living proof of the power in recovery and emphasises the importance of transparency, accountability, and resilience in her journey to redemption.



In this conversation we covered a range of topics including:


Childhood and Early Exposure to Alcohol - 04:34


Relapse and the Impact on Her Life - 08:44


Progression from Alcohol Abuse to Drug Trafficking - 15:11


Incarceration and Rehabilitation - 37:05


The Struggle with Intimate Partner Violence - 43:10


The Fight Against Systemic Racism - 45:51


Second Chances - 52:54


Non-Negotiables - 59:11




You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: ⁠⁠⁠@ashbutterss⁠

You can find Nicole Obrigavitch using the links below:
Instagram: @not_anonymous_nic



If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)



If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠⁠