This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor

Anyone can be affected by addiction…it does not discriminate.

In this series, distinguished British model and mindset coach, Paul Sculfor comes clean about his own sobriety and the journey it took him to get here. Each week, Paul speaks to some incredible people about mindset, mental health, addiction and recovery.

Whether you're on your own path of self discovery, recovery or transformation, inspired by human stories of mental resilience or supporting someone who is struggling with addiction, make sure you follow and subscribe to This Is Powerful.

Subscribe now so that you don’t miss an episode…and search for This Is Powerful with Paul Sculfor on YouTube to see all of the episodes in video form. This podcast is brought to you by the Stride Foundation.

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20 episodes
Updated Thursday
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 1 hr 1 min
S6 Ep6: Chris The Tiler
We have had a wonderful season so far as we explored addiction and mental health challenges on UK building sites. For our final episode, we hosted a powerful guest whose honesty and humility is inspiring. A 38-year-old tiler by trade, our guest Chris now focuses his time on podcasting and radio broadcasting. A dedicated family man and committed gym-goer, he brings energy, authenticity, and real-life perspective to his work. Having been sober for over five and a half years, Chris is passionate about personal growth, resilience, and living life with purpose. Through his broadcasting and podcasting, he connects with people through honest conversations, humour, and his down-to-earth approach. In this conversation, we talk about the staggering realisation that addiction is stronger than love, using drugs on the worksite and about and how being vulnerable around another man is actually the manliest thing you can do. When we spoke, Chris was literally about to tie the knot with his missus so by now he must be a married man so we wish him all of our congratulations! 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
July 23 · 58 min
S6 Ep5: John the Plasterer
For nearly 17 years, John the Plasterer has been living clean and sober but his journey hasn't exactly been straightforward. It wasn’t until he admitted that he was powerless over gambling that he fully embraced the life of recovery he leads today. In this chat, John recounts a gory accident he suffered while intoxicated at work…he also reflects on the chaos of obsession and the richness of a life outside of addiction. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
July 16 · 56 min
S6 Ep4: Mike The Roofer
Settle in for an amazing conversation that grabs you from the off and doesn’t let go. At 49 years old, Mike the Roofer is 14 years sober whose self-confessed ‘primaries’ were alcohol and cocaine. After having worked in the roofing industry since he was 18, Mike now owns his own commercial roofing company and is married with two children. After a series of ominous warnings in his early life, a misguided stint at rehab and several years of three-day benders, Mike finally devoted his life to a 12-Step programme. Mike’s vulnerability, honesty and conviction will no doubt prove to be an inspiration to anyone who has ever struggled with addiction or to anyone close to someone struggling with addiction. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
July 9 · 53 min
S6 Ep3: Gary the Pipefitter
Today we’re joined by Gary the Pipefitter. 45-years old and now nine years sober, Gary was born and raised just outside of London in Harold Hill. Gary grew up convinced he'd never try drugs. Yet once alcohol entered the picture and lowered his inhibitions, he'd ‘try anything’. In this conversation, we talk about quieting then changing the inner narrative, becoming a person who embraces waking up each morning and the realisation that contrary to what he had been believing all his life, Gary's problems were actually 99% all down to him. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
July 2 · 56 min
S6 Ep2: Neil the Brickie
After five years of dipping in and out of a recovery programme, Neil the Brickie finally got sober when he found himself homeless, drunk and a nuisance to everyone around him while living in Spain 20 years ago. The youngest of three children all with different dads, Neil is now a brilliant and engaged father of two. Neil’s simple programme that he follows very regularly keeps him in a healthy, successful, sober lifestyle. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!
June 25 · 57 min
S6 Ep1: Paul the Painter
Welcome back to the show. This episode kicks off season 6, and for the next six episodes we are focusing on mental fitness in Britain’s construction industry. Historically, these working environments are not conducive to men being able to speak openly about mental health or wellbeing and as stats currently stand, construction workers are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. Our first guest in our tradesmen series is Paul the Painter, a salt of the Earth man with more than a few strings to his bow. Sober now for nearly 19 years, Paul speaks openly and articulately about living with anxiety and the journey he’s been on since accepting and understanding his OCD diagnosis. Paul speaks with generous honesty about his many careers: first as a panel beater, later working as a train ticket collector, moving from photography with his own exhibit in London, then a cabbie, and now a painter /decorator. This is an important listen particularly for those who know someone who works in construction either on a building site or as a sole trader. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
June 18 · 1 min
S6: Season 6 Trailer
We are about to kick off the sixth season of award-nominated podcast This Is Powerful with Paul Sculfor. If you have been with us before, welcome back! If you are new here, you are very welcome and you have found us at the start of season six, so there are already eighty episodes for you to check out. For season six, we have something very constructive in store for you. We are focusing on the mental fitness around Britain’s building sites because quite frankly, these haven’t been the types of environments that are particularly welcoming for vulnerability or personal growth historically. But - the guests we are welcoming into the studio this summer have been brave enough to break this cycle. By facing their challenges head on, working through them, and mentoring others, these tradesmen have learned to express and even rescue themselves. The first episode of the new season will be out on the 25th of June. 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 Listen to all of our episodes on your favourite podcast platform: https://podfollow.com/1756874279 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
May 28 · 39 min
S5 Ep8: This is Powerful All-Time Top Ten Countdown
Over the past year and a half on This is Powerful, we’ve had some brutally honest conversations about addiction, recovery, resilience and about all that comes in between. These kinds of conversations aren’t usually had or heard, but they probably should be. This is a collection of the most powerful clips from our top ten episodes: voices you’ll recognise, stories you can’t forget, and reflections that land just as hard as they did the first time you heard them. You’ll hear from inspiring spirits who’ve faced life’s challenges head-on, and have come out on the other side. If you’ve been with us from the start, think of this as a chance to revisit the moments that mattered. And if you’re new here, you are about to get a crash course in what This is Powerful is all about. This is the final episode in Season five. We will take a short break then will be back with you in a few weeks with a great new season, focusing on guests who work in the building and contractor trade. 80 episodes in, our mission remains the same: to help people better understand addiction, including what they can and can’t control, through honest conversations with real people who have experienced it firsthand. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
May 14 · 51 min
S5 Ep7: Breaking Down Stigmas and Supporting Families of Those with Dependency Issues With Vivienne Evans
Behind the scenes of many addiction treatment support organisations are devoted souls who give their lives and careers in aid of helping families who are struggling with the addiction of a loved one. Today’s guest talks about overcoming shame, setting firm boundaries and the rehab myth within a family setting. Vivienne Evans is the Chief Executive of Adfam, the national organisation for children and families affected by someone else’s substance misuse. Adfam advocates for support for these family members, trains practitioners to work with them, and provides support services. Vivienne has a long history of leadership roles within the public and charity sectors, has a background in drug and alcohol education and prevention within young people and families, and specialises in substance misuse policy and practice. Adfam mission statement: Adfam is the leading families and addiction charity in England. We are here for all the millions of people affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use. These people are children, parents, friends, partners, siblings and grandparents. Coping with someone you love experiencing these problems can cause physical, mental, emotional, social and financial distress. Substance use or gambling are often just one part of the story – so many also suffer mental ill health, domestic abuse and financial problems. They may be afraid to speak out so they are hidden in plain sight. Adfam gives them a voice. More than five million people are affected in this country and we know how tough it can be, so we want to make their lives better. Our vision at Adfam is that family members affected by substance use or gambling are heard, valued and have access to support 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Adfam: https://adfam.org.uk Adfam support services: https://adfam.org.uk/find-support/ Adfam guidance around dealing with a family member or loved one’s substance use in video: https://adfam.org.uk/video-support/, and written form: https://adfam.org.uk/for-families/. Adfam social media pages: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adfam https://www.facebook.com/AdfamUK https://www.instagram.com/adfamuk
May 7 · 53 min
S5 Ep6: When Distorted Thinking leads to the Unthinkable with Jack
He knew that what he was doing was wrong but he couldn’t stop until a life-changing incident set his life on a new course. 22-year-old Jack from Dagenham in Essex joins us today. Working in the building maintenance industry, he has over a year's recovery under his belt. Starting with ketamine use from age 16, then moving through other drugs and alcohol, Jack’s story could have ended in tragedy. Thankfully Jack is still with us today, talking about what led him down a very dark path. In the hopes of helping other young people, Jack speaks courageously, honestly and with great clarity about the grip his addictions had on him and how he managed to free himself. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
April 30 · 1 hr 4 min
S5 Ep5: Why Young People are More Resilient Than They Get Credit for with Alex Blatch
Many many young people who have struggled with mental health, disordered eating or addiction have benefited from a guiding hand from our guest today. Alex Blatch initially trained as a Registered Mental Health Nurse and later as a Bereavement Counsellor working in CAMHS, Eating Disorders, Adult Acute and Addiction Services. Over the past 35 years, Alex has worked in and managed a variety of private mental health settings, including inpatient, daycare and outpatient services. Often using humour to connect with young people, Alex talks to us about the difficult topic of shame, shares her thoughts regarding the pressures on young men right now, and we find out exactly how disordered eating is defined and how to treat it. Alex offers up advice not only for young people who are struggling but she is also a wealth of knowledge for parents when it comes to identifying and seeking help for their children when they are facing challenges. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Top Charities & Support Services suggested by Alex: YoungMinds: Offers, information, and guides for young people, as well as a helpline for parents concerned about their child. Place2Be: Provides counseling and mental health services directly within schools, focusing on early intervention. Stem4: Focuses on teenage mental health, providing clinically-validated digital apps (e.g., Calm Harm, Clear Fear) to manage anxiety, depression, and self-harm. The Mix: Offers confidential support, including counseling, for young people under 25 on various issues. Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention: Operates HOPELINEUK, providing practical advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts or those worried about them. Anna Freud Centre: Focuses on research, clinical care, and developing tailored mental health support in schools and communities. YoungMinds +4 Digital & Specialized Services Kooth: Free, anonymous, online counseling and mental wellbeing platform for young people. Shout 85258: A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope. Selfharm UK: A dedicated project aimed at supporting young people impacted by self-harm. Students Against Depression: Provides resources and guidance specifically for students struggling with low mood and depression. Brent Centre for Young People: Provides specialized psychotherapy for adolescents, particularly in London, addressing anxiety and self-harm.
April 23 · 59 min
S5 Ep4: Facing the Past Without Regret, Living Amends with Isa
We have an extraordinary young guest today, a real highlight for our youth and addiction series. Isa got sober as a teenager and is now an inspiring example of how you can turn your life around if you really work a recovery programme. Isa can trace the beginnings of her pattern of addictive behaviour back to unhealthy eating when she was just seven years old. Unhealthy eating led to full-blown addiction to drugs and alcohol, bringing Isa into rehab by the time she was 18 years old. This episode is especially powerful for young people struggling with addiction and a real source of hope for their parents too. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
April 16 · 44 min
S5 Ep3: Growing Up as a Child of an Alcoholic Parent With Melanie
Today we welcome Melanie, a young woman working through the stages of recovery after growing up a child of an alcoholic. Melanie always felt different at school and struggled to make friends. After learning as much as she could about alcohol and having had a spiritual awakening, she is now able to speak about her experiences and share her strength and hope for other young people who are living in households where alcoholism is present. Melanie speaks openly about how living with alcoholism shaped her early years and has some enlightening insight into how other young people can identify whether someone close to them might have a problem with alcohol. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Nacoa online https://nacoa.org.uk/ Find NACOA on Instagram @nacoauk
April 9 · 59 min
S5 Ep2: Reaching Unreachable Young Men With Tom Paget
How do you manage to cut through the silence of a disengaged young man, engaging with those who seem the most disenchanted with the people around them? Today we are pleased to welcome an incredible guy who is doing life-saving work with vulnerable young people, getting them reengaged with school and with the world at large. Tom Paget is the operations lead for Reach Group Community Projects based in Essex, delivering bespoke projects and mentoring pathways to engage the most vulnerable young people in the county. Reach Group uses a blend of proven methodologies and physical activity to help those that have been pushed to the wayside for various reasons. Tom uses his life experience to successfully support the next generation through his guidance as a boxing coach and life-changing mentor. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
April 2 · 1 hr 6 min
S5 Ep1: Young Amelie is Lobbying the Government to Help Families of Alcoholics
What power does a ten-year-old have in the face of a disease as insidious as alcoholism? We are so privileged to welcome the extraordinary Amelie and her mother, Lucy. Amelie sadly lost her father after a devastating battle with alcoholism when she was just ten years old. After losing her father, Amelie would write letters to him at night before she went to bed. As a result of writing these letters, Amelie felt compelled to write to the government and ask for change in how alcohol is sold and advertised and to ask for support for families of alcoholics. Lucy, Amelie’s mother tells us the story of Dan’s alcoholism but we also get a strong sense of an amazing father who loved his children very much and was taken away at the young age of 41 as a result of alcoholism. Lucy, Amelie and I hope that this conversation will help to raise awareness for other families of alcoholics and to let them know that they are not alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Nacoa online https://nacoa.org.uk/ Find NACOA on Instagram @nacoauk Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
March 26 · 1 min
S5: Trailer: Season 5 Special Youth Series
We have done something a bit different this time around and we are bringing you a really impactful new set of episodes. Our new season focuses on all of the different ways that addiction can affect young people. Joining us on the show will be some admirable guests who work with young people to support them through trauma, mental health challenges and addictive behaviours. We also feature brave guests who have struggled with addictive behaviours in their youth and young people coping with the challenges that come in life with an alcoholic parent. I can't wait to share these conversations with you. The first episode of the new season will be out on the second of April. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
March 26 · 1 hr
S4 Ep13: Ken Rideout On Why Being Tough Does Not Mean Being Fearless
Today’s guest welcomes the tough times as an opportunity to grow. The tougher, in fact, the better. Ken Rideout is the fastest marathoner in the world over fifty and a former prison guard, Wall Street trader, and opioid addict. His life story has been chronicled in such publications as The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Outside. Since getting sober more than a decade ago, he has won some of the world's toughest races, including, at age fifty-two, the Gobi March—a 155-mile, self-supported race across the sweltering Gobi Desert in Mongolia—and a few months later, the Masters (50+) Marathon World Championships. Even though Ken places high value on health and physical fitness, he cuts through the wellness clichés. He’s blunt, practical, often provocative – and his philosophy is backed by lived experience rather than platitudes. Ken lives in Nashville with his wife and their four children. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Stride Foundation provides educational talks about addiction to schools and we do this free of charge so if you could donate to help with this, please do: https://stridefoundation.com/donate/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Amazon link to Ken’s book here: https://amzn.eu/d/0chE06q5 Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
January 8 · 1 min
S4: Special Announcement
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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
January 1 · 27 min
S4: Best Bits Roundup
Happy New Year! Bring on 2026. This is a special episode of This Is Powerful. We haven't done a greatest hits episode in a while, and based on what you're telling us, we know a lot of you really enjoy these special episodes. So, as we look forward to another year, we thought it would be good fun to put together a bunch of our favorite nuggets of information and gems of experience that our guests have shared over the past two seasons. So sit back, relax, and take in some great advice, poignant moments and brilliant laughs. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor
Dec 26, 2025 · 38 min
S4 Ep12: Brandon Block is Playing Your Tune
Brandon Block is a name synonymous with dance floors worldwide. A true pioneer of the club scene, he has been an idol of Paul’s for quite some time! Brandon became the first resident DJ on Ibiza’s legendary Space terrace and has been getting parties going worldwide ever since. With residencies spanning Dubai, Marbella, Hong Kong, and beyond, his energy behind the decks is as infectious as ever but his hedonistic reputation is now just the stuff of legends. Brandon’s current story is one of growth and transformation, after difficulty in finding help in 1996. In this episode, Brandon talks about the highs and lows of fame, the joy of connection through music, and his journey into recovery and mental health work. 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 Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us @this_ispowerful on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor