Binge Eating, Shame & Self-Hate | Why We Use Food to Numb with actor Danny Kirrane.

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Emotional eating. Body shame. The guilt spiral. If you’ve ever binged on food, hated yourself after, and promised to “be good tomorrow,” this conversation will hit hard. We talk honestly about binge eating as a coping mechanism — how food becomes a way to numb, escape overthinking and silence pain.

In this next quick thought, I revisit a conversation with Danny Kirrane and we jump into the link between food and self-worth, masculinity, body image and why men rarely talk about it. If you feel stuck in the eat–shame–repeat cycle, you are not alone — and there is a way through.

About the “THOUGHT” series -

Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons.

About Danny -

Danny Kirrane is a leading actor in the period drama The Serpent Queen for Starz/Lionsgate co-starring with Samantha Morton and Charles Dance and he has just finished filming the Netflix comedy drama Baby Reindeer. Other lead roles in shows include The Sandman, Wasted, Don’t Forget the Driver & Critical. Other shows include Peterloo, Skins, The Inbetweeners & The Pirates of The Caribbean. Danny has extensive theatre credits including Mark Rylance's West End production of Jerusalem. Danny completed a Physics with Astrophysics Degree at Leeds University before becoming an actor after training with the National Youth Theatre.

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

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#babyreindeer

#bingeeating

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What happens when you’re raised in chaos, start drinking heavily at 13 whilst navigating autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD & PTSD, plus wanting to get sober before you’re legally allowed to drink then stopping at 18?!

I sit down with actress, dancer and reiki healer Scarlett Alice, who opens up about growing up with two parents addicted to alcohol and drugs, the trauma that shaped her and the moment she chose sobriety at just 18. Then comes the flip - her parents enter recovery and give her the inspiration to join them on the path to joy and serenity! 12 years later she's still sober and strong. Her story is brave, emotional, and proof that it’s possible to rewrite the script — no matter how it starts.

Scarlett shares what it felt like growing up in a household that looked perfect on the outside but was riddled with dysfunction behind closed doors. We talk about being a kid who could sense addiction before she even understood it, and how that shaped her early need for escape and intensity. She shares her earliest drinking memories — from getting drunk on trampolines at 13 to blacking out in nightclubs by 17 — and what finally pushed her to make a decision most people wouldn’t at any age - let alone as a teenager. Scarlett doesn’t glorify addiction — she talks about the coldness, the shame, the emptiness, and why it’s never just about the substance. It’s about the feeling underneath that needs soothing and how hard it is to let go of something that once made you feel safe — even when it’s killing you.

We get into how getting sober isn’t the end of fun — it’s actually the beginning. Scarlett shares how she handles awkward questions at parties, how she deals with FOMO and what sober dating really looks like when everyone else is still romanticising chaos. She gives practical advice on coping without numbing, how to spot when a ‘treat’ is actually a trap and why not all recovery paths look the same. Whether it’s the sober-curious movement, microdosing mushrooms or complete abstinence, Scarlett believes recovery should be flexible, honest and rooted in self-awareness. Her advice for young people is honest, unpatronising and grounded in lived experience. Scarlett is warm, funny, unapologetically honest and says the quiet parts out loud. I'm so grateful she made the trip from Brighton to share her story with us!

Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -

www.gavinsisters.co.uk

and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1

Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal

Topics -

0:00 Intro

2:40 Scarlett's rock bottom

4:10 When did drinking start?

10:00 Excuses & last straw moment

11:40 Why did you stop drinking at 18

13445 How my parents helped me get sober

17:30 Peer pressure at 18 from friends?

20:25 Sober? The fun has just begun!

21:55 Dealing with awkward questions at a party

24:10 Did you feel like you were missing out?

25:10 What do you make of being sober curious?

27:30 Unhealthy coping mechanisms

28:45 Microdosing mushrooms?

31:05 Sponsor

32:05 Navigating sober dating

35:00 There are many routes to recovery!

37:30 Navigating neurodiversity, PTSD and addiction

44:40 Advice for young people struggling with addiction

Follow Scarlett

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#SoberCurious

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#MentalHealthAwareness

“I want to fill my soul up, not my void up!”

Former Love Island star, speaker, author and all-round amazing human Malin Andersson opens up about the darkest corners of her life — from losing a parent, surviving an abusive relationship, and losing her daughter — to discovering an inner strength that can’t be explained but is undeniably real.

We talk about what happens when the distractions & addictions are stripped away, when you're left with the void you've been so desperately trying to fill with addiction and when the only way out is through finding purpose and inner healing.

We explore what it means to confront your shadow, to stop running, and to sit still long enough to hear what the pain has to say. There’s something here for anyone who's ever felt broken, stuck, or lost — and wondered if they had what it takes to keep going. Whether you're in recovery, soul-searching, or simply need a reminder that you’re not alone — this is for you. If you're ready to stop filling the void up and start filling your soul up — stay with us!

About the “THOUGHT” series -

Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons.

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

Follow Malin

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Watch the FULL episode here

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#loveisland #bingedrinking #recovery

[TW: sexual violence & child sexual abuse – discussed from the start] I sit down with a survivor of sexual violence Madeleine Black, who shares her extraordinary journey — from the silence she held for years, to the shame that followed her through school and the deep impact it had on her sense of identity. She speaks openly about the PTSD she didn’t know she had, the physical toll it took on her body, and how trauma can remain locked in our cells long after the event.

We explore how she began to heal — through therapy and confronting the memories she had once buried. She shares how her body would shake, cry, and throw up during sessions — and how, despite all of it, she found her way through. What’s remarkable is how forgiveness entered her life, not as a decision, but as something she describes as “accidental.” She didn’t seek revenge. Instead, she chose to heal — not for anyone else, but for herself.

We also look into the cultural side of this story — the rise in misogyny and violence towards women, the danger of men like Andrew Tate and why we need to talk about how to educate young men. Shows like Netflix’s Adolescence are doing important work in this space, and we unpack how early conversations about consent, boundaries, and empathy can change everything.

This episode is a powerful, intelligent and moving looking at what it really takes to heal, why shame is so powerful — and how survival is never simple, but always possible.

Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -

www.gavinsisters.co.uk

and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1

Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal

Topics -

0:00 Intro

3:30 Madeleine's rock bottom

6:15 Why didn't Madeleine tell anyone?

7:30 Reputation at school

9:00 Do you blame alcohol?

11:30 Are rape survivors more likely to be raped again?

12:30 No one asked me if I was OK

14:00 What caused Madeleine to stop eating and drinking?

16:10 100% of rapes are caused by rapist's

17:20 Revenge?

19:30 I'm an accidental forgiver

21:30 Forgiving & healing yourself

23:40 I'm from a family of survivors

26:25 Trauma was locked into my cells

29:00 Healing PTSD

30:30 Strength in private moments

35:30 Letting go of shame

36:30 Lessons from Netflix's Adolescence & Andrew Tate

40:20 Sponsor

41:20 How do we educate young people?

42:30 Why young men become incels

Follow

46:30 Going in to get out!

51:40 What do you want written on your gravestone?

Follow Madeleine

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#PTSDRecovery

#SexualAssaultSurvivor

#ToxicMasculinity

In this deeply personal thought, I revisit my conversation with Filmmaker Maddie Kitchen as we explore the reality of relapse in recovery — not as a failure, but as something many people experience on the path to long-term sobriety. My personal view is that relapse is part of addiction - not recovery, as it nearly killed me on many occasions. Relapse is not without severe risk and many people die so it's far from a recommendation. However, it was a huge part of my journey and this conversation highlights this perfectly. If it doesn't kill you - it can serve as a great teacher and there is no failure if you keep trying until recovery sticks.

Our guest shares their powerful story of being sober for 12 years, following two relapses during the early years of recovery. The first came after a bout of clinical depression; the second lasted two weeks. These moments could have derailed everything. Instead, they became turning points. We talk openly about what relapse means, the fear and shame that often surround it and the stigma people face.

We also reflect on the extraordinary strength it takes to stay sober through bereavement, illness and loss — including breast cancer, family illness, and grief. This episode is a reminder that life doesn’t stop being difficult once we get sober — but with the right support, therapy, and community, it becomes possible to face even the hardest challenges without returning to old patterns. We also discuss how early childhood trauma and mental health issues can shape addiction, with insights into the impact of postpartum psychosis and disrupted early bonds.

This is an honest conversation that strips away myths around alcoholism and shows the human story behind long-term recovery. Whether you’re sober, struggling, or supporting someone who is, this is a must-listen.

About the “THOUGHT” series -

Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons.

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

Follow Maddie & Sobriety Films

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Watch the FULL episode here

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#RecoveryStory

#SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthRecovery

Singer and spoken word artist Jessica Wilde opens up about her journey through addiction, heartbreak and early sobriety — and how connection, creativity and community helped her rebuild from the ground up.

From a brief but intense relationship that shattered her sense of self, to finding clarity in nature, yoga studios, and unexpected friendships - Jessica shares her truth of what recovery really looks like — beyond just putting down the drink. Jessica shares the paradox of sobriety and insecurity — and why it’s often just the start of real inner work, how yoga, music and spoken word connected her to a sober community, why every painful relationship reveals a deeper lesson about self-worth and how reconnecting with creativity can rewire your identity in sobriety.

This conversation is honest, unfiltered, and full of hard-earned insight. If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or alone in your recovery — or if you’re supporting someone who is — this one’s for you. More on Jessica -

Jessica Wilde is a South London artist known for raw, soul-searing vocals and sharp-witted spoken word, blending honesty and empowerment in every lyric. Her debut project felt like a diary—covering addiction, toxic relationships, and wild nights—culminating in a powerful journey to self-love and sobriety.

Now back with her new album Teach Me How To Love, Jessica explores transformation and connection, earning airplay across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, and 6Music, and press in CLASH, Complex, and more. She’s collaborated with Rudimental, Emeli Sandé, and Todd Terry, and hit major stages like Glastonbury and Soultown Festival.

She’s also the founder of PxSSY PWR—spotlighting rising underground women—with a Hootananny residency, fashion collab with Fame Magazine, and festival takeovers to her name.

Topics

0:00 Intro

3:50 Jessica's rock bottom

8:25 Using drinking as a way to mask what you don't like about yourself

10:00 Are people sent to you to teach you something?

12:00 Jessica starts drinking at 13

15:05 Drinking escalates

16:45 The power of community

18:40 Intimacy and being sober

19:40 Psychedelics as part of recovery?

25:35 Connection is the opposite of addiction

31:15 Sponsor

32:17 Rat park experiment

34:00 Is Jessica...WILD?!

36:00 Partying sober!

39:40 Staying sober

41:55 PUSSY POWER

Follow Jessica

NEW ALBUM 'TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE'

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#AddictionRecovery

#SoberLiving

#MentalHealthAwareness

In this next quick thought, I return to a powerful conversation with Carl Scott as we document the real turning point from heroin addiction to a purpose-driven life.

We go through all the tools that helped Carl get clean. From methadone clinics, therapy, SMART, Intuitive Recovery to running recovery programmes, to finding identity in service – this is a story of action over talk, grit over glamour.

Whether you’re struggling, supporting someone who is, or just need reminding of the power of community and purpose - this episode will resonate.

About the “THOUGHT” series -

Every other Monday at 6PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons.

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

Follow Oliver

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Listen or watch THE FULL EPISODE here (School of Rock Bottom Ep 23)

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#AddictionRecovery

#MentalHealthAwareness

#PurposeDrivenLife

Self-Pity, Fear & Anger! Addiction loves these themes to convince us that it's lies are real.

Addiction doesn’t just lie—it uses your own voice to do it. And the worst part? It makes you believe it's all your fault and the only way out is a drink or a drug.

In this solo episode, I go deeper than the obvious narratives. We break down the three hidden vehicles addiction uses to keep us stuck: self-pity, fear and anger. You’ll learn how to dismantle the belief that you don’t deserve self-forgiveness and recovery, that life has no meaning, that others are better than you, smash the fear of losing what you have or not getting what you want, and reframe anger as a tool—not a trap. It's time to move forward and break free.

This is essential listening for anyone in early recovery or you’ve got years under your belt. These aren’t just thoughts—they’re weapons if we don't know how to react to them. It’s time to take them apart.

Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -

www.gavinsisters.co.uk

and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!

Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!

https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1

Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypal

Topics -

0:00 Intro

4:00 Self Pity

6:15 You are scum and don't deserve recovery!

17:30 Life is shit - what's the point?!

26:40 Others are better than you!

34:05 Sponsor

35:08 Fear - FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL

36:40 You will lose what you have and not get what you want!

48:20 Anger & resentment

49:05 People, places and things aren't doing what they should be doing!

Follow Oliver

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#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryIsPossible