S2 Ep11: When Adversity Nearly Takes Everything With Vicky Nicholson
She’s lived through trauma, illness, and violence that might make anyone justify their addiction. Today we welcome Vicky Nicholson, an incredibly brave woman who walks us through how far addiction can take you down a dangerous path. From an exciting DJ career in her teens through a crumbling relationship with her family, and nearly taking her own life, Vicky’s life unravelled through secrecy, ...
47m Apr 24, 2025
47m
S2 Ep11: From Shame to Liberation with Sonia Gibney
Sonia Gibney shares her journey of growing up in East London with a non-English-speaking mother, an absent father, and struggling through school with severe dyslexia. Now 21 years into recovery, Sonia is a yoga instructor and coach with a thriving practice, whose calm presence contrasts sharply with her past. She’s dedicated to helping women and speaks powerfully about the freedom found in sel...
43m Apr 17, 2025
43m
S2 Ep10: The Dangerous Highs of the Limelight with Psychotherapist and Addiction Specialist Taner Hassan
He had a taste of life in the fast lane but found himself desperate to escape his life-threatening habits when paranoia and self loathing took him to some dangerous places. Now clean for 18 years, Psychotherapist and Addiction Specialist Taner Hassan explains how self-obsessive thinking led to his massive social anxiety and how using alcohol to silence that constant internal dialogue led to hi...
55m Apr 10, 2025
55m
S2 Ep9: Hurt To Healing: Paul Sculfor on Addiction, Recovery and Reinventing Himself
This week, we’ve got something really special for you. Instead of our usual episode, we’re bringing you an episode from Hurt to Healing, a brilliant podcast hosted by Pandora Morris. You might remember Pandora from Season 1 of This Is Powerful, when we shared her incredible story of learning to manage her OCD and recovering from an eating disorder that manifested for her through extreme restric...
47m Apr 03, 2025
47m
S2 Ep8: How Your Brain Can Be Hijacked by Addiction With Dr Rayyan Zafar
Today we have an incredible guest. Dr. Rayann Zafar is a neuropsychopharmacologist with a core focus on addiction. After a battle with anorexia nervosa as an adolescent, Dr Zafar was compelled to learn more about how the brain works and as a result dedicated his life and career to finding science-backed solutions that help others to tackle addiction and make sense of their own mental health. Ra...
59m Mar 27, 2025
59m
S2 Ep7: The Real Life Fairytale Starts Now With Jim
Our guest on today’s episode is one of the what we would call strongholds of the twelve-step community.  Jim (or Jimmie, as Paul affectionately refers to him) gets straight into the nitty gritty: why trusting his head over his gut did not serve him well, why sweeties as a very young child then smoking at seven was just the start of his dangerous and progressive addiction, the strict incarcerati...
56m Mar 20, 2025
56m
S2 Ep6: Why Addictions Are Often A Misguided Search for Spirituality With Alistair Richardson
Alistair Richardson is a powerhouse in the world of therapy, energy psychology, and healing, helping people break free from trauma, addiction, and codependency. With 23 years of long-term recovery from addiction and codependency himself, Alistair not only brings deep professional expertise to the table, but also invaluable personal insight and compassion. Alistair shares about the surprisingly...
51m Mar 13, 2025
51m
S2 Ep5: The Gift of Addiction with David Smallwood
In this episode of This Is Powerful, Paul welcomes renowned therapist and author David Smallwood to explore addiction, recovery, and the deep roots of trauma. With 37 years of sobriety, David shares his personal journey—from growing up in a challenging home environment to struggling with anxiety, alcohol, and benzodiazepine dependence. He discusses how early childhood trauma shapes addiction an...
49m Mar 06, 2025
49m
S2 Ep4: Millie Mackintosh On Fame, Family and Her Book, Bad Drunk
For this episode we welcome Millie Mackintosh - Made in Chelsea alum, style icon, entrepreneur and mother of two. Millie has spent the past three years redefining her relationship with alcohol and shares how her struggles with self-worth, bullying, and binge drinking began in her teenage years and followed her into adulthood. We get some honest banter about the realities of fame, the pressure a...
55m Feb 27, 2025
55m
S1 Ep28: Finding Strength in Storytelling with Laura Hearn
This week, Paul sits down with Laura Hearn—renowned BBC journalist, host of the Flip It podcast, and fierce advocate for mental health. Laura shares her journey through childhood isolation, an eating disorder that took hold in her late teens, and the life-changing experience of seeking treatment in the U.S. She reflects on the challenges of returning to work after recovery, the moment she chose...
58m Feb 20, 2025
58m
27: Kevin Bishop: Celebrated British Actor, Writer and Award-Winning Comedian
Kevin Bishop is a British actor, writer and award-winning comedian known for his roles in Grange Hill, Muppet Treasure Island, The Kevin Bishop Show, and Porridge. With a career spanning three decades, he has always stood out with his sharp wit and fearless performances. This episode has its fair share of laugh aloud moments as Kevin shares his journey with sincerity and wry self-reflection. A...
57m Feb 13, 2025
57m
26: Calum Best on Healing Children of Addiction and Breaking Generational Cycles
Welcome back to the podcast! Kicking off the second season is this deeply personal episode featuring entrepreneur, model, and NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) patron Calum Best. Known to many as the son of football legend George Best, Calum opens up about his own struggles, healing and daily choice of purpose over destruction. Calum recounts the moments that shaped him, ...
47m Feb 06, 2025
47m
S1: End of Season One Special Announcement
We have come to the end of season one, after 25 powerful episodes. Here's a special announcement from Paul to you. 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 Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul ...
2m Jan 09, 2025
2m
S1 Ep25: Jack Curran
It is the first episode of the New Year and we are featuring our youngest guest so far. Jack Curran speaks to us candidly about his ketamine addiction and by way of his account of the catastrophic mental and physical damage it caused him personally, gives a rather ominous warning to anyone even considering the drug. Jack has been featured on The Guardian and on other media outlets, speaking ou...
55m Jan 02, 2025
55m
S1 Ep24: Paul’s Festive Toolkit
As we are approaching the season of parties, cheer, family, friends, temptation and a whole minefield of disturbances to our serenity, we are sharing some of the ways in which Paul has handled the festive season over the years. We cover the gifts of Christmas present, the pain of Christmas past, the tips for Christmases future and unrealistic New Year’s resolutions. Just a taste of what’s to ...
36m Dec 23, 2024
36m
S1 Ep23: Victoria Vanstone
This week, we’re joined by Victoria Vanstone, self-confessed ‘drunk mother gone sober’. Victoria is the host of award-winning podcast Sober Awkward and author of the heartfelt and hilarious memoir,  A Thousand Wasted Sundays. Known for her raw honesty and relatable humor, she offers a fresh take on sobriety which appeals to drinkers of all classifications! We caught up with Victoria in Thailan...
54m Dec 19, 2024
54m
S1 Ep22: Mark White
Our guest this week is Mark White, who at over 22 years sober, has established himself as a community builder and true visionary. Mark has successfully launched workshops that are designed for ‘the next regeneration of mindful movers’ around the world and was recently voted as one of the UK’s top social entrepreneurs because of his work in the wellness space. One of the most driven people out ...
49m Dec 12, 2024
49m
S1 Ep21: George
In this episode, we follow George’s journey through the depths of addiction and his incredible transformation. For years, George was trapped in a destructive cycle of alcohol and drug abuse, leading to repeated hospitalisations for physical emergencies and psychiatric ward admissions for mental health emergencies. His addiction was fuelled by a desperate need to escape overwhelming emotions lik...
58m Dec 05, 2024
58m
S1 Ep20: Vinny
This is one of those remarkable interviews that will surprise you, pull on your heart strings and reveal the depth of the human spirit. Growing up in a conservative, deeply religious London family, our guest Vinny reveals how he strayed into a life of crime, addiction, and self-destruction. His rock bottom moment came after months of heavy substance abuse, a heart attack, and a near-tragic inci...
58m Nov 28, 2024
58m
S1 Ep19: David McLaughlan
Today we welcome Dr David McLaughlan to the show. David always had his sights set on a medical career, but did a bit of modelling in his earlier days. Working with a variety of people reinforced his values of being a kind and compassionate person, (so-called ‘soft skills’) and helps him engage with patients today.  Now one of the UK's leading addiction psychiatrists, David has contributed to in...
59m Nov 21, 2024
59m
S1 Ep18: Pandora Morris
This week we hosted the incredible host of the Hurt to Healing podcast, Pandora Morris. A former lawyer turned mental health activist, Pandora’s journey began in childhood, facing OCD and an eating disorder that manifested through restrictive eating and chronic over-exercising. Much like obsessive behaviour often linked to addiction, Pandora would regularly run at least twenty miles a day, tak...
51m Nov 14, 2024
51m
S1 Ep17: Andy Ramage
This week, we welcome former professional footballer turned successful entrepreneur Andy Ramage. After a career-ending injury, Andy pivoted to create two financial brokerages and soon discovered that his life changed dramatically when he decided to go alcohol-free. This decision not only transformed his health and mindset but also became his unique selling point, helping him stand out in a comp...
1hr 2m Nov 07, 2024
1hr 2m
S1 Ep16: Ollie Ollerton
This week we are super excited to welcome Ollie Ollerton onto the show. You might know Ollie from the British television programme SAS: Who Dares Wins? Ollie is not only a former Marine, SAS soldier, and Special Forces Combat Frogman, he's also an author of five books and the CEO of Breakpoint and Battle Ready Academy, two powerful physical and mental training academies. Ollie’s personal break...
59m Oct 31, 2024
59m
S1 Ep15: Elliott Wald
In this episode, Paul sits down with addiction expert Elliott Wald. Elliott is a trainer of NLP and is recognized as one of the world’s leading hypnosis experts. Speaking about the gradual and often unnoticed slide into cocaine addiction, Paul shares his personal experience of how his casual use turned into a debilitating habit, mirroring the stories of many who struggle with addiction. With ov...
1hr 1m Oct 24, 2024
1hr 1m
S1 Ep14: Carol
This week, we have the privilege of hearing Carol’s incredible journey, which began with unspeakable abuse and neglect she faced from a very young age. In an attempt to escape trauma and hardship, Carol turned to drugs and alcohol but eventually found sobriety at the age of 51. In her conversation with Paul, Carol opens up about everything from drinking in parks and getting into fights to the ...
48m Oct 17, 2024
48m
13: Penny Mallory
Today is World Mental Health Day, and we are incredibly fortunate to welcome Penny Mallory to the show. Penny is a Mental Toughness expert, former Rally Champion, motivational and TedX speaker, and currently training to row across the Atlantic Ocean. She’s no stranger to pushing boundaries—she even stepped into the boxing ring for the first time at the age of 42. While you may be captivated by ...
1hr 10m Oct 10, 2024
1hr 10m
S1 Ep12: Henry Lunn
A little something for our younger listeners this week! Today’s guest Henry Lunn found sobriety when he was just 25 years old. This may seem early, but just wait until you hear all he accomplished by the time he was twenty. After experiencing challenges in school and with his home life, Henry started his professional career as a teenager and started earning a lot of money very quickly and at a ...
1hr 1m Oct 03, 2024
1hr 1m
S1 Ep11: Michael Cannan
We would like to advise you that there are suicide references right from the start of this episode that some might find troubling. Please take care when listening. This week, Paul welcomes his close personal friend Michael Cannan. Michael is the author of Hunting Concrete Lines, which was the finalist for the Best Book Award for The Independent. Formerly a celebrity fitness trainer in Hollywoo...
1hr 1m Sep 26, 2024
1hr 1m
S1 Ep10: David Nutt
This week special guest Professor David John Nutt helps us to examine the impact alcohol has on our brains, behaviour and longer term health. We have an eye-opening conversation about how monitored doses of LSD may cure alcoholism, how many subsidised private bars are actually part of the UK Houses of Parliament and the alternative ‘functional beverages’ which might just replace alcohol altoget...
47m Sep 19, 2024
47m
S1 Ep9: Johnny Graaff
This week, we welcome Johnny Graaff, co-founder of Lions Campus, which is a teen rehabilitation centre in London. Johnny approaches recovery in a unique way, creating a community around each individual, using psychiatrists, doctors, mentors, and coaches. He’s had some incredible success helping young people overcome addiction,  eating disorders and bullying. A firm believer in surrounding patie...
43m Sep 12, 2024
43m
S1 Ep8: Andrea Taylor
This week, Paul engages in a deeply personal conversation with therapist Andrea Taylor. A former manager and director of the Priory Group Hospitals, Andrea has over 25 years of experience and is currently running a successful private practice specialising in trauma, addiction, and couples therapy. Andrea's own journey has taken her far and wide, but wherever she travelled, drug and alcohol depe...
54m Sep 05, 2024
54m
S1 Ep7: Yasmin
Join Paul as he discusses the tough road to recovery with his friend Yasmin. From a childhood in Northeast London to a reckless young adult life in and around Southern California, Yasmin has a long history of trauma, addiction and dangerous behaviour. She has not only overcome bulimia and alcoholism but has also addressed her reliance on prescription medications. Yasmin eloquently reveals the t...
45m Aug 29, 2024
45m
6: Anita Chellamah
This episode is a real eye-opener, packed full of valuable insight into a bit of the psychology around addiction.  Joining Paul today is addiction and trauma therapist Anita Chellamah. With a contagious laugh and a general ease around her, it is clear why Anita is the trusted therapist she is, having helped thousands to understand themselves and their behaviours better. After a successful stage...
56m Aug 22, 2024
56m
S1 Ep5: Michelle Heaton
You might know her from the award-winning band Liberty X, part of the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning cast of The Real Full Monty, as a TV presenter or as a menopause advocate and author but what you might not know about Michelle Heaton is that she is recovering from a difficult battle with alcohol and drugs. Addressing behaviour that quickly escalated from social partying to regularly drinking vo...
48m Aug 15, 2024
48m
S1 Ep4: Michael Emmett
Genuine charmer, spinner of yarns and ex-gangster Michael Emmett talks about his autobiography Sins of Fathers, the ‘hole in the soul’ and his spiritual awakening whilst sharing a prison cell with his father. Ex-criminal Michael also shares shocking anecdotes about drug trafficking, car chases, death and love addiction. The stories are intense but Michael’s gentle soul is an inspiration. This e...
1hr 2m Aug 08, 2024
1hr 2m
S1 Ep3: Jo Langley
In this episode, we are excited to host Paul’s close personal friend Jo Langley on the podcast. Paul talks to Jo about idolising an alcoholic, maintaining sobriety and the first time she tried ecstasy. Now a mother of two teenage children and an ambassador for the Stride Foundation, Jo spends a lot of time speaking to young people about the realities and dangers of drug and alcohol use. Jo ente...
46m Aug 08, 2024
46m
S1 Ep2: DJ Fat Tony
The podcast’s first guest interview is world-renowned DJ and award-winning author Fat Tony who has been sober for 17.5 years...but the road to sobriety wasn't easy. Growing up, alcoholism had a huge impact on Tony's family life and it continued to affect him throughout his adult life. Having always been surrounded by drinking and drugs, Tony's reliance on them was exacerbated during his career ...
49m Aug 01, 2024
49m
S1 Ep1: An introduction to Paul's story
Season 1 of This Is Powerful kicks off with an intimate solo episode in which Paul shares an overview of his own story. Expect behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his life, which reveal details Paul has kept private up until now. Coming clean to his producer about his struggles with addiction and the less glamorous aspects of his career as a top model in the 90s, Paul opens up about fame, addictio...
35m Aug 01, 2024
35m
S1: This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor Trailer Season One
Anyone can be affected by addiction…it does not discriminate. “This is Powerful” is a brand new podcast hosted by distinguished British model and mindset coach, Paul Sculfor. In this series, Paul comes clean about his own sobriety and the journey it took him to get here. Over the first eight episodes, Paul sits down with a variety of professionals in the field of addiction as well as special ...
2m Jul 10, 2024
2m