Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

• Ep 150. The Real Reason You Don’t Feel Enough: How Facing Your Inner Critic Is the Key to Self Acceptance, with Ash Butterss

  In this milestone 150th episode of Behind The Smile, Ash dives into a deeply personal conversation about healing, self perception, and the ever evolving journey of coming home to yourself. She unpacks the relationship between the inner critic, body image, and the way we move through the world, both physically and emotionally.Through honest reflection and lived experience, Ash explores the quiet conditions we place on our own worth and the tender work of learning to accept ourselves as we are, not as we think we should be. This episode is an invitation to look beneath the surface, to recognise how far you have already come, and to remember that growth is not a finish line, it is a lifelong practice.If you have ever battled your inner critic, questioned your worth, or felt the pull to redefine your relationship with yourself, this one will meet you right where you are.Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterssWebsite⁠ www.ashbutterss.comThe Letting Go Ritual: Breathwork, Yin, and Intention Setting for 2026Tuesday 30th December, 2025 Tickets available here. A Return To You | One Day Retreat Sunday 22nd February, 2026Tickets available here. The Embodied Woman Retreat - Gold Coast Hinterland May 14th - 17th, 2026 (3 nights, 4 days)All the details here. Join Ash on retreat in Bali in 2026! Rest & Renew Holistic Bali RetreatAugust 17th - 21st, 2026 (4 nights, 5 days)Click here for all the details!Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

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• Ep 149. The Shame That Nearly Broke Her Became Her Purpose, with Sober Coach Shannon Leigh Mccabe

  For Shannon McCabe, hitting rock bottom became the beginning of everything. Once living a life that looked “fine” on the outside yet was quietly ruled by addiction, Shannon, a sober coach and transformation mentor, opens up about the raw truth of her journey through alcohol dependency and the deep healing that followed.In this powerful conversation, Ash and Shannon explore the emotional unraveling that precedes real change, the spiritual awakening that came through surrender, and the daily rituals that now anchor her sobriety. Shannon speaks honestly about motherhood and the challenges that come with caring for a child with special needs. The shame she battled on a daily basis through her addiction. Rediscovering self-worth, and showing how setting boundaries and embracing community became her path to peace.This episode is a reminder that recovery isn’t about who you were, it’s about who you’re becoming.Episode chapters:00:00 Introduction to Shannon's Journey02:05 A Day in the Life of a Sober Mom04:48 The Importance of Morning Routines06:50 Devotional Practices and Spirituality13:46 Behind the Smile: A Photo Reflection21:40 The Progression of Alcohol Use31:41 Moments of Clarity and Rock Bottoms37:43 The All-or-Nothing Mindset44:45 Non-Negotiables for a Sober Life53:19 Navigating Relapses and Setbacks58:42 Living Authentically and FreeYou can connect with Shannon using the links below:Website: www.shannonleighmccabe.comIG @shannonleighmccabeFollow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterssWebsite⁠ www.ashbutterss.comThe Letting Go Ritual: Breathwork, Yin, and Intention Setting for 2026Tickets available here. Join Ash on retreat in Bali in  2026! All the details can be found at https://www.ashbutterss.com/bali-retreat-2026. Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

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• Ep 148. Beyond Codependency: The Truth About Self-Worth and Healing with Psychotherapist Jackson Goding

  What happens when self-worth becomes the missing piece in healing? In this episode, Ash sits down with Trauma Specialist and Psychotherapist, Jackson Goding, for a raw and thought-provoking conversation about what it really takes to recover, grow, and build authentic connection.Jackson opens up about his own journey through codependency, the reality of doing deep trauma work, and why self-worth sits at the heart of true healing. Together, they explore the often messy path of relationships, meditation, and emotional regulation, unravelling why personal growth is rarely linear and almost never easy.This episode goes far beyond the surface of “self-care.” It’s about courage, consistency, and the daily non-negotiables that help us return to ourselves again and again. Expect honesty, humour, and plenty of takeaways to help you nurture your own sense of worth and connection.Episode chapters:00:00 Introduction to Jackson Goding and His Work02:45 Living in Sydney and Future Plans05:33 Daily Life and Mindfulness Practices08:31 The Challenge of Powerlessness and Surrender11:14 Meditation: The Struggle and Its Importance14:04 Hiding Behind a Smile: Personal Struggles17:00 Relationships as Mirrors for Personal Growth19:40 The Complexity of Relationships and Recovery22:21 The Journey to Becoming a Therapist24:59 Core Beliefs and Their Impact on Identity31:02 Navigating Shame and Self-Worth31:46 Understanding Triggers and Responses33:07 Effective Communication in Relationships35:06 The Impact of Past Experiences36:53 Identifying and Expressing Needs39:59 The Importance of Boundaries41:36 Self-Accountability and Inner Child Work44:24 Defining Codependency48:10 The Challenges of Recovery from Codependency52:57 Staying Accountable in Relationships56:12 Establishing Non-Negotiables for Self-Care01:02:26 Finding Balance in RelationshipsYou can connect with Jackson via the below channels:It Ends With Us Retreat:  https://findreasontherapy.com.au/it-ends-with-us/ IG @findreasontherapy  https://www.instagram.com/findreasontherapy/ Before you do more work:  https://app.heartbeat.chat/findreason/courses/c/e7acf2c4-df05-4546-8b6c-092d8363fa2aFollow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterssWebsite⁠ www.ashbutterss.comThe Letting Go Ritual: Breathwork, Yin, and Intention Setting for 2026Tickets available here. Join Ash on retreat in Bali in  2026! All the details can be found at https://www.ashbutterss.com/bali-retreat-2026Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

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• Ep 147. Paralyzed at 21: Rhiannon Tracey on Hope and Defying the Impossible

  One moment changed everything for Rhiannon Tracey, but it didn’t define her spirit. In this heartfelt conversation, the motivational speaker, TEDx presenter, and wellness advocate opens up about the accident that left her with a spinal cord injury and the extraordinary journey that followed.Rhiannon shares how she transformed tragedy into purpose, from the early days of relearning life’s simplest tasks to founding a not-for-profit dedicated to helping others do the same. Along the way, she discovered the healing power of community, self-love, and joy in the smallest moments.With honesty and warmth, she reflects on the boundaries she’s learned to set, the intuition she’s learned to trust, and the unconditional love of her pets that carried her through. Her story is a moving reminder that freedom doesn’t come from circumstance, it comes from choosing to live with hope, gratitude, and authenticity.The episode highlights are:00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Transformation01:55 Daily Life and Joys of Rhiannon05:11 Hiding Behind a Smile: A Photo Reflection22:53 The Day That Changed Everything: Rhiannon's Accident26:43 Resilience Through Adversity29:52 Finding Hope in Trauma37:30 The Role of Hope in Recovery47:33 Creating a Community for Healing50:12 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling LifeYou can connect with Rhiannon using the links below:Website: www.rhiannontracey.com.auThe Next Step Recovery & Wellness Centre: www.thenextstepsci.org.auInstagram: @rhiannontraceymywheellife | @our_little_urban_homestead | @thenextstepscirecoveryEmail: [email protected] and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterssWebsite⁠ www.ashbutterss.comJoin Ash on retreat in Bali in  2026! All the details can be found at https://www.ashbutterss.com/bali-retreat-2026.  Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

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• Ep 146. Haunted by the Badge: Jay Prothero’s Battle with PTSD and Redemption

  After decades on the front line, retired police officer Jay Prothero found himself fighting a different kind of battle—the one inside his own mind. In this raw and powerful conversation, Jay opens up about the toll that years of trauma, high pressure, and suppressed emotion took on his mental health.He shares how anxiety, depression, and PTSD slowly crept in, and how alcohol became his escape from the pain he didn’t know how to face. But Jay’s story goes far deeper than his time in uniform. It’s also about the heartbreak of watching his own child spiral into ice addiction, and the painful, messy road toward family healing.Together, Ash and Jay unpack what it truly means to break the silence, to face yourself with honesty, and to rebuild a life grounded in authenticity, courage, and hope.Episode chapters:00:00 Introduction to Jay Prothero's Journey04:14 The Power of Ice Baths and Breathwork08:49 Hiding Behind a Smile: Jay's Struggles with Mental Health17:35 The Impact of a Police Career on Mental Health26:22 The Journey to Recovery: Jay's Path to Healing35:13 Parenting Through Addiction: Jay's Experience with His Son43:30 Living Authentically: Jay's Non-Negotiables for HappinessYou can connect with Jay through:Instagram @freezeyourself_au @breathe_with_jay Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterssWebsite⁠ www.ashbutterss.comJoin Ash on retreat in Bali in  2026! All the details can be found at https://www.ashbutterss.com/bali-retreat-2026. Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

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