Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

This week, Ash sits down with author Blake D. Bauer, whose book You Were Not Born to Suffer has helped thousands rethink the way they relate to themselves, their pain, and their past. Blake opens up about his own journey through addiction, mental health struggles, and the pressure to keep it all hidden behind a smile, tracing how childhood experiences and emotional confusion shaped the way he moved through the world.

He shares how meditation and Eastern philosophies became lifelines and a pathway into healing. Ash and Blake dive into the power of morning meditation, the quiet joy of everyday moments, and what it really means to take radical responsibility for your inner life instead of waiting for someone else to fix it.

Throughout their conversation, Blake offers grounded, practical steps for cultivating self-love and rebuilding self-trust: listening to your own needs, telling yourself the truth, and learning to treat yourself with the same honesty and kindness you’d offer someone you care about.

If you’re looking for simple ways that will significantly improve your life, this episode is for you!

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Blake Bauer's Journey
02:59 The Importance of Morning Meditation
06:01 Finding Joy in Everyday Life
09:01 The Impact of Travel on Personal Growth
12:04 Hiding Behind a Smile: A Personal Story
15:04 Childhood Influences and Emotional Struggles
17:51 The Role of Sports in Blake's Life
20:50 Consequences of Substance Abuse
23:48 Awakening to a Spiritual Journey
27:06 The Healing Power of Eastern Philosophies
32:57 The Journey to Self-Discovery
34:10 The Importance of Self-Love
38:38 Practical Steps to Cultivate Self-Love
50:23 Rebuilding Self-Trust and Confidence
58:44 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

You can connect with Blake using the links below:
Free Meditation: https://vimeo.com/768757355
Website: https://elevatewellness.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakedbauer/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouWereNotBornToSuffer.by.BlakeDBauer
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/blake-d-bauer

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

Upcoming Workshops:
The Reconnection Ritual | June 21st | Melbourne - Buy Tickets 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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ash sits down with powerhouse performer Naomi Eyers, whose four-decade career has taken her from session singer to London’s West End, global tours with The Fabulous Singlettes, and sharing stages with icons like Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones. Behind the spotlight, Naomi has quietly built over 31 years of sobriety, reshaping not just her life in music, but the way she shows up for herself and others.

Naomi opens up about her early experiences with alcohol and drugs, the pull of ambition, and the quiet moments that revealed her relationship with drinking was no longer sustainable. She shares candidly about the ups and downs of her recovery journey including her recent heart attack that became a brutal wake-up call, going to rehab with almost three decades of sobriety, and the spiritual and emotional work that followed.

Together, they trace Naomi’s journey through addiction, sobriety, and the long road of staying sober through life’s inevitable turmoil including grief, changing relationships, and the ongoing demands of a life in the arts. Naomi reflects on the role of community, the impact of the relationships that held a mirror up when she needed it most, and the way music, fun, and creativity still sit at the heart of her life today, only now grounded in peace rather than chaos.

Naomi shares how today she values spiritual connection, honest self-reflection, service, and simple daily routines that keep her anchored in gratitude and presence.

Episode chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Retreats and Podcast
01:19 Naomi Eyers: A Life in Music
03:12 Daily Routine and Morning Practices
11:32 Spiritual Connection and Personal Growth
15:03 Finding Fun and Connection in Recovery
18:11 The Search for Inner Peace
22:42 Early Experiences with Alcohol
28:27 Life as a Young Performer
31:47 The Restless Pursuit of Ambition
34:00 Navigating the Music Scene in Sydney
36:47 Living in a Narcissistic Bubble
39:19 The Illusion of Success
42:42 The Catalyst for Change
44:31 Rock Bottom and Relationships
46:30 The Denial of Alcoholism
50:53 The Struggle for Control
55:30 The Moment of Surrender
01:00:12 Awakening to the Truth
01:04:11 Finding a New Path in Recovery
01:08:13 The Struggle of Sobriety
01:09:42 The Journey of Recovery and Relapse
01:11:37 Relationships and Higher Powers
01:13:33 The Impact of Lockdown on Relationships
01:16:39 The Heart Attack: A Wake-Up Call
01:18:28 Seeking Help: The Path to Recovery
01:22:17 Experiences at South Pacific Private
01:25:09 The Importance of Vulnerability in Recovery
01:30:24 The Power of Community and Connection
01:36:56 Letting Go and Embracing Change
01:40:41 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

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

Upcoming Workshops:

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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is four years in the making, as Ash sits down with her brother, Campbell Butterss, for a conversation that is both deeply personal and authentically honest.
Cam reflects on their shared upbringing, growing up in an environment that was at times unpredictable. The subtle dynamics and unspoken patterns that shaped them both, and how sport became an outlet and a way to navigate emotions he didn’t yet have the words for.
At sixteen years sober, Cam opens up about his journey into sobriety at 26, the moments that led him to take a more honest look at his relationship with alcohol, and the support systems that helped him find a new way forward. Ash and Cam explore the evolving nature of family and friendships in recovery, what shifts, what stays the same, and what it takes to step out of old roles and into something more aligned.
They also touch on the realities of Campbell’s career in real estate, and the tools he’s developed to move through uncertainty and pressure without falling back into old patterns. Woven throughout the conversation are themes of growth, perspective, and the grounding influence of fatherhood, as Campbell shares how becoming a dad has shaped the way he lives, leads, and shows up today.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Retreats
01:19 Meet Campbell Butters: A Personal Journey
02:33 The Importance of Family and Relationships
04:37 Navigating Life's Challenges: A Personal Reflection
06:51 Finding Purpose in Real Estate
09:02 The Roller Coaster of Real Estate
12:16 Tools for Resilience in a Volatile Industry
14:58 Hiding Behind a Smile: The Struggles of 2009
19:00 Childhood Memories and Family Dynamics
21:38 The Role of Sport in Escaping Reality
26:11 The Impact of Alcohol on Life Choices
29:28 Lessons Learned from Family Success
31:10 Teenage Rebellion and Authority Issues
33:05 The Journey Begins: A Geographical Escape
34:34 The Struggles of Alcoholism: A Year of Excess
37:48 The Turning Point: Realizations and Recovery
41:08 Finding Support: The Early Days of Sobriety
43:12 Facing Second Rock Bottom: Dealing with Trauma
47:18 Spiritual Awakening: The Role of Spirituality in Recovery
51:26 Family Dynamics: Navigating Relationships in Recovery
54:10 Friendship Changes: The Pain of Growing Apart
01:00:43 Fatherhood: The Greatest Gift and Responsibility
01:03:16 Non-Negotiables: Keys to a Fulfilling Life

You can connect withCampbell using the links below:
Instagram: Campbell Butterss
Website: Marshall White Real Estate

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

Upcoming Workshops:

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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ash sits down with principal consultant and founder of the Energy Collective Co, Jade Donegan, to explore what it really means to care for your inner world while navigating the demands of work, family, and grief. Jade shares how her spirituality helped her to navigate the profound rupture of losing her dad, a loss that reshaped how she sees life, love, and success.

She opens up about her journey through grief and forgiveness, the unexpected signs she still receives from her father, and the emotional toll of trying to keep going when your heart is somewhere else. Ash and Jade dive into the importance of emotional health at work, the need for accountability in professional spaces, and how understanding our own energy can change the way we lead, collaborate, and show up for the people around us.

Throughout their conversation, Jade reflects on the transformative power of practices like Reiki, and how they’ve helped her build self-awareness, soften self-judgment, and create workplaces where wellbeing is taken seriously. Together, they talk about moving through emotions rather than getting stuck in them, and the courage it takes to let yourself feel everything without shutting down.

At its heart, this episode is an invitation to meet yourself with empathy whether you’re sitting in grief, in transition, or in growth. You’ll walk away with insights on how to build a life and career that honour both your humanity and your healing.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Retreats and Personal Growth
01:51 Meet Jade Donegan: A Journey of Transformation
04:04 Daily Life and Finding Joy in Learning
08:10 The Move to New Zealand: A Family Adventure
11:32 Hiding Behind a Smile: The Impact of Grief
19:06 Navigating Grief: A Personal Story of Loss
23:44 Navigating Numbness and Helplessness
24:26 The Journey of Forgiveness
25:55 A Life-Changing Accident
28:20 Empathy and Forgiveness in Grief
29:36 Signs from Beyond
36:50 The Power of Reiki
43:03 Workplace Wellbeing and Accountability

You can connect with Jade using the links below:
http://www.energycollectiveco.com.au/

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

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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ash sits down with sobriety advocate, author, and entrepreneur, Ian Fee, for a conversation that challenges everything you think you know about recovery.
After 34 years of heavy drinking, Ian reached a point where he was willing to try anything to get sober. What followed was one of the most confronting decisions of his life, undergoing 10 days of radical aversion therapy designed to make alcohol physically repulsive.

Ian shares what it was really like inside that experience, including daily alcohol-induced vomiting, sedatives and intense therapy. This was the doorway that led him to sobriety and the opportunity to rebuild his life. From losing almost everything to slowly repairing, Ian opens up about healing relationships, restoring self-respect, and learning how to live day by day without escaping himself.

Along with losing 85 pounds, Ian has formed a whole new identity and now lives a life that is full of gratitude, purpose and meaning.

Episode chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Ian Fee's Journey
06:11 The Impact of Sobriety on Daily Life
12:53 Reflections on Family and Presence
18:57 The Evolution of Drinking Habits
21:00 Turning Point: Aversion Therapy Experience
23:37 Exploring Aversion Therapy for Sobriety
26:00 The Turning Point: Realizing the Need for Change
28:31 The Shift in Relationships and Support Systems
32:02 Finding Purpose Through Storytelling
33:04 Building a Foundation for Recovery
38:12 Healing Relationships with Children
40:47 Non-Negotiables for a Happy Life

You can connect with Ian using the links below:
Website: makeitgreat.me
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-fee-6391b112/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Make-It-Great/100034784122106/
Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Ride-Sobriety-Transformation-Oblivion/dp/B0DHYR1YST/

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

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

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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.