Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

In this episode, Ash sits down with husband, father, and business owner James Date to explore what life looks like after addiction—and how recovery has reshaped the way he moves through the world.

James shares how community, service, and genuine connection became the anchors of his sobriety, transforming what once felt like isolation into a life rich with meaning and purpose. He speaks openly about the power of vulnerability, the role of daily routines and prayer in keeping him grounded, and how embracing honesty has deepened his relationships at home and beyond.

Together, Ash and James confront the lingering stigma around addiction and discuss the strength it takes to ask for help. Through moments of reflection and gratitude, James reveals the quiet joy found in showing up authentically each day—a reminder that recovery isn’t just about living without substances, but about rediscovering who you are underneath it all.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to James Date and His Journey
02:54 The Importance of Connection and Community in Recovery
05:52 Daily Routines and Spiritual Practices
08:58 The Role of Surrender in Recovery
11:58 Compassion and Kindness in Daily Life
15:01 Finding Joy in Service and Helping Others
17:57 The Impact of Sponsorship in Recovery
21:03 The Struggles of Identifying as an Addict
24:03 Behind the Smile: A Photo Reflection
26:53 The Journey to Acknowledging Addiction
30:08 Understanding the Roots of Addiction
32:54 The Ongoing Journey of Recovery
36:18 Understanding Alcoholism and Addiction
38:30 Rock Bottom Moments
42:14 Finding the Right Rehab
49:34 The Journey of Outpatient Recovery
51:23 The Importance of Vulnerability
56:54 Reconnecting with Self and Family
01:02:25 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

Connect with James below:
Instagram: @slayingsober
Podcast: Slaying Sober - listen on Spotify 

Follow and connect with Ash on: 
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

In this solo episode, Ash challenges the myth that hustle creates happiness and asks a better question: what if the dream life is built through alignment and embodiment instead of force?
Through her own transformation from corporate burnout and addiction to sobriety, surrender and spacious success, she explores why achievement without fulfilment leaves us empty and how co-creating with life can deliver breakthroughs hustle never could.
She unpacks the Law of Least Effort, the power of nervous system safety, and the practical habits she’s using to set up 2026, including her word of the year and a new manifesto that prioritises alignment, presence, ease and self trust. If you’re tired of pushing, proving or performing, this episode shows you how to create more by doing less and build a life that feels good on the inside.

Follow and connect with Ash on:
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here.

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

After years of living with a debilitating condition, Rick Watson has learned what it truly means to face fear and find freedom on the other side. In this episode, the holistic coach and gestalt therapist in training opens up about the profound transformation that followed his diagnosis, the trauma of constant uncertainty, and the life-altering decision to undergo brain surgery.  

Rick shares how recovery from both the physical and emotional toll of his condition sparked a deeper journey toward authenticity and self-understanding. As he describes his transition into therapy, he unpacks the core principles of gestalt work: presence, honesty, and the courage to be seen as you are. The conversation explores how health challenges can reshape identity, relationships, and purpose and how taking full responsibility for our emotions becomes the key to freedom.  

Together, Ash and Rick reflect on themes of vulnerability, generational patterns, and the importance of truly listening to ourselves and others. They discuss burnout in helping professions, the meaning found in midlife transitions, and the art of mapping one’s inner world to reveal clarity and connection. 

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Rick Watson and His Journey
02:58 Living with Epilepsy: The Hidden Struggles
05:55 The Impact of Brain Surgery and Recovery
08:57 Life After Epilepsy: Embracing Freedom
11:54 Transitioning to Therapy: A New Path
15:02 Gestalt Therapy: Understanding the Modality
18:05 The Importance of Being Present
20:48 Personal Growth Through Therapy Retreats
23:58 Authenticity: The Journey to Being Yourself
32:01 The Power of Vulnerability in Men's Circles
35:56 Unpacking Core Wounds and Generational Patterns
39:48 Navigating Burnout and Protecting Energy
44:04 The Importance of Listening and Emotional Responsibility
49:00 Finding Meaning in Midlife Transitions
55:53 Mapping the Inner Self for Clarity
01:00:59 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

You can connect with Rick through:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/
Website: https://www.rickwatson.com.au/
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3r8QaWJYgB73pOF9b0Hi0t?si=76e4b44b93864ba0

To kick off the new year, Ash sits down with holistic psychologist Laura Corcoran for a soulful and grounded conversation about how to truly create a powerful year ahead.

Together, they explore the practice of letting go, not as something you think your way through, but as something you feel, embody, and live. They speak candidly about surrender, emotional release, and the subtle moments where growth asks you to slow down, soften, and trust yourself more deeply. Woven throughout is the importance of authenticity and the role of community in supporting real, lasting change.

As they reflect on the year that’s been and turn their attention toward what’s possible next, Ash and Laura invite you to reconsider what it means to thrive. Less hustle, more presence. Less force, more space. A year shaped by rest, reflection, and joy, rather than pressure or perfection.

The episode closes with an exciting announcement about The Embodied Woman, their upcoming retreat created for women who are ready to reconnect with their bodies, reclaim their worth, and step into the next chapter feeling grounded, supported, and deeply embodied.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 New Beginnings: Embracing 2026
01:38 Letting Go: The Journey of Self-Discovery
04:29 The Power of Surrender: Trusting the Process
09:54 Finding Strength Within: The Role of Emotional Release
14:30 The Simplicity of Self-Connection: Embracing Stillness
18:57 Redefining Success: From External Validation to Inner Peace
23:22 The Importance of Community: Navigating Transformation Together
26:26 Embracing Self-Worth and Authenticity
27:20 Breaking Free from Co-dependency
29:56 The Power of Presence and Self-Expression
31:21 Navigating Loneliness and Connection
35:30 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Embodiment
37:27 Setting Intentions for 2026
43:11 The Embodied Woman Retreat
49:39 Taking Action Towards Change

You can connect with Laura on her IG @hersuccessfulmind 

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

In part two of this conversation, Gabby opens up about what happened after her first attempt at recovery, when alcohol crept back in and the old patterns she thought she’d left behind began to resurface in new, painful ways.

She speaks honestly about the experience of being a “dry drunk,” white-knuckling her way through sobriety without true emotional healing, and how that disconnection eventually led her back to party drugs and an inevitable rock bottom. Through raw reflection, Gabby unpacks the misconceptions she once held about addiction and sobriety, the fear that kept her stuck, and the moment she finally became willing to seek deeper help.

She explores the ongoing nature of recovery: the reality of relapse, the weight of unaddressed trauma, and the mental health struggles that don’t magically disappear when the substances do. Ash and Gabby talk about the power of community, the safety of honest relationships, and the courage it takes to let others in when shame is loud. At the heart of this episode is a message of hope, about the transformative role of gratitude, self-awareness, and self-care in building a life that is not just sober, but genuinely connected and worth staying for.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warning
01:00 First Round of Recovery: A Journey Begins
05:51 The Struggle with Alcohol and Denial
09:59 The Dry Drunk Experience
14:01 Revisiting Old Habits: The Return of Party Drugs
19:53 Rock Bottom: A Descent into Darkness
28:16 Facing Fear and Seeking Help
31:42 The Journey to Rehab
32:39 Discovering Community in Recovery
35:40 Relapse and Realizations
38:17 Understanding Rock Bottom
41:54 Navigating Mental Health in Recovery
45:49 Exploring CPTSD and Healing
51:53 Finding Balance in Recovery
57:24 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

Connect with Gabby: 
IG: @bellylaughsbrutalhonesty and @gabriellesiobhan 
Podcast: Belly Laughs and Brutal Honesty 
Follow and connect with Ash on: 
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 
Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

Support Services
If this conversation has brought anything up for you, please know you don’t have to go through it alone. Support is always available. You can reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for mental health support and guidance, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 for free counselling.