Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

• Ep 120. One Decision to Change Your Entire Life, with Kate Goold

  In this episode, Ash sits down with Kate Goold, a working mum of two who recently celebrated her first year alcohol-free. Kate’s journey began with chronic physical pain and three hip replacements in four years—an ordeal that left her on crutches, in and out of hospitals, and barely able to care for her children. But what began as a decision to help her body heal physically sparked something much deeper: a complete emotional and spiritual transformation.Kate shares her experience with chronic pain, debilitating depression, and self-medicating, all while trying to maintain the appearance of having it together. She opens up about the turning point that led her to quit drinking, the unexpected grief and growth that came with that choice, and the clarity she’s found in sobriety.Now 18 months into her alcohol-free journey, Kate is showing up for herself and her family in a way she never thought possible. She reflects on identity, boundaries, motherhood, and what it means to truly come home to yourself. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible and even one small decision can lead to a million changes.The episode highlights are:00:00 Introduction to Authenticity and Sobriety03:03 Kate's Journey to Sobriety06:09 Daily Life and New Routines09:07 Transformative Fitness and Mental Health12:08 The Role of Forgiveness and Discipline14:49 Hiding Behind a Smile: The Struggles of Depression18:02 Self-Medicating and the Impact of Pain20:57 Turning Point: The Decision to Quit Drinking23:58 Preparation for Sobriety26:55 Reflections on Alcohol and Confidence34:10 Navigating Sugar Cravings and Caffeine Choices35:36 The Journey of Alcohol Abstinence36:35 Building a New Life Without Alcohol37:48 The Importance of Community Support38:53 Facing Social Situations Sober40:31 Realizing the Lifelong Commitment to Sobriety41:31 Embracing New Experiences and Overcoming FOMO43:08 Learning from Mistakes and Staying Vigilant44:32 The Evolution of Friendships46:29 Finding Deeper Connections47:59 The Impact of Sobriety on Parenting49:27 Personal Growth and Self-Discovery51:25 The Role of Mental Health in Sobriety53:00 Cherishing Everyday Moments54:33 Advice for Those Considering Sobriety56:06 The Journey of Self-Respect and BoundariesYou can connect with Kate Goold on Instagram here.To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website: ⁠https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources⁠Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok ⁠⁠Facebook Website⁠ 

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• Ep 119. From Million-Dollar Listings to a Midlife Reawakening, with Andrew Campbell

  In this week’s episode, Ash sits down with Andrew Campbell, founder of Hush Property and a respected figure in Melbourne’s high-end real estate market. Known for selling luxury homes with discretion and heart, Andrew shares a side of himself few ever see—the man behind the polished exterior, and the deeply personal journey that shaped him.Andrew opens up about losing his father at age 22, growing up with a mother living with bipolar disorder, and how work became both a coping mechanism and an addiction. From battling insecurities and being bullied at school to navigating grief, divorce, financial setbacks, and public criticism, Andrew reflects on the moments that brought him to his knees and the mindset shifts that helped him stand back up.Now 50, and entering what he calls his “second act,” Andrew shares how cold immersion, gut health, affirmations, inner child work, and spiritual practices have helped him redefine what success truly means. This is a powerful story of vulnerability, fatherhood, and the quiet transformation that happens when someone decides to stop performing and start living.The episode highlights are:04:31 Daily Life and Holistic Wellbeing07:12 Hiding Behind a Smile: Andrew's Struggles13:00 Childhood Reflections: The Fat Boy Struggle15:14 Family Dynamics: Growing Up with Mental Illness18:03 The Impact of Grief: Losing a Father at 2222:07 Navigating Young Adulthood: Partying and Loss25:23 Coping with Mental Illness in the Family27:24 Career Transition: From Personal Trainer to Real Estate27:43 From Business Setbacks to Real Estate Success30:05 The Drive for Success and Competitive Spirit31:14 Overcoming Financial Struggles and Criticism34:49 Navigating Criticism and Embracing Change36:30 The Power of Self-Talk and Mindset38:11 Health Practices: Cold Water, Sauna, and Gut Health41:34 The Importance of Following Your Intuition44:41 Reality TV: A New Challenge and Branding Opportunity49:24 Personal Growth and Comfort in One's Skin52:50 Looking Ahead: Family and Presence Over Material Success55:03 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling LifeYou can connect with Andrew Campbell on his Instagram or through the Hush website. To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website ⁠https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources⁠Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok ⁠⁠Facebook Website⁠ 

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• Ep 118. Rewiring The Subconscious and Healing Your Trauma, with Katharine McLean

  In this powerful episode, Ash sits down with Katharine McLean, a holistic counselor, trauma-informed mentor, and founder of The Light Becomes Her. With over 23 years of experience guiding others through healing, Katharine shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and inner transformation.After decades of high-functioning alcohol use and hidden drug addiction, Katharine hit rock bottom while leading mental health teams by day and battling inner chaos by night. In this conversation, Ash and Katharine dive into the root causes of addiction, childhood trauma, and the disconnection from self that fuels destructive behaviors. Katharine opens up about how she used inner child work, subconscious reprogramming, and spiritual practices to rebuild her identity from the inside out.This is an intimate and enlightening conversation about healing the nervous system, rewiring belief systems, and stepping into a life of authenticity, service, and grace. If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond addiction, this episode will leave you inspired.The episode highlights are:00:00 Introduction to Katharine McLean03:05 Katharine's Daily Life and Practices05:54 Overcoming Barriers to Ecstatic Dance08:59 Hiding Behind a Smile: Katharine's Photo Story14:55 The Reality of Addiction: Functioning Alcoholism20:00 Childhood Experiences and Their Impact28:02 Seeking Approval and Relationship Patterns31:00 The Role of Inner Child Work in Healing38:16 The Illusion of Quick Fixes41:46 Meditation as a Tool for Transformation45:46 The Breaking Point: A Journey to Sobriety52:30 From Recovery to Empowerment: Building a Business56:29 Emotional Regulation: The Mind-Body Connection01:01:35 Navigating Business and Personal Growth01:06:36 The Power of Choice in RecoveryYou can connect with Katharine McLean on her Instagram or through her website. To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website ⁠https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources⁠Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok ⁠⁠Facebook Website⁠ 

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• Ep 117. Learning to Grow Through What You Go Through, with Rod Butterss

  In this deeply personal episode, Ash sits down with her dad, Rod Butterss, a seasoned entrepreneur, former AFL club president, and long-time member of the recovery community.Together, they reflect on life in recovery, the reality of relapse, cultivating self-awareness, and what it means to truly reinvent yourself at any stage of life.Rod opens up about his recent relapse after more than a decade of sobriety and the humility and courage it took to come back and start again. With honesty and warmth, he shares stories from his life, including his busy childhood in a household of 12, navigating trauma, addiction, enormous success, financial loss, and rebuilding with purpose.Ash and Rod explore the emotional landscape of identity, love, intimacy, and grief, and how Rod is using this chapter of his life to reflect, heal, and deepen his spiritual practices. They also discuss his ambitious new venture in biotechnology and why he's more committed than ever to living in alignment and being of service.This is a story about second chances, self-reflection, and the power of choosing to grow through what you go through.The episode highlights are:00:00 Introduction to Transformation and Recovery02:59 The Importance of Family Bonds05:49 Navigating Recovery and Self-Education08:56 Public Perception vs. Personal Struggles11:59 The Role of Vulnerability in Recovery15:01 Understanding Relapse and Its Impact18:06 Exploring Childhood Trauma and Relationships20:54 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance23:56 The Power of Intuition and Energy26:50 Grief, Masculinity, and Emotional Expression31:07 Navigating Grief and Coping Strategies34:30 Resilience and Life's Unexpected Turns39:20 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Generosity45:32 Taking Steps Towards Change and Recovery49:03 Understanding Choices and Personal Growth55:51 Facing Addiction and Seeking HelpYou can connect with Rod Butterss on his Linkedin.To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources⁠⁠⁠Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠ ⁠

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• Ep 116. Finding Freedom in Fitness, with Niki Kiskiras

  In this latest episode, Ash sits down with beauty corporate executive and fitness instructor Niki Kiskiras. Beyond her career achievements, Niki shares her deeply personal journey of self-discovery, overcoming societal expectations, and reclaiming her independence after ending her marriage in her late 20s.Coming from a traditional Greek-Australian background, Niki opens up about the immense shame and fear she faced when making the decision to leave her marriage, a life path she had followed because it was what was “expected.” She reflects on the pressure to present a perfect life while internally feeling lost, the guilt of disappointing her family, and the reality of choosing herself despite cultural norms and external judgment.Ash and Niki explore how fitness became a powerful tool for self-liberation, how her relationships evolved post-divorce, and why she ultimately stepped into a life of authenticity, personal growth, and fearless reinvention. They also discuss Nikki’s decision to freeze her eggs as an act of self-empowerment, navigating grief in unexpected moments, and what it means to truly invest in oneself.The episode highlights are:00:00 Introduction to Transformation and Authenticity02:52 Niki's Journey: From Corporate to Fitness Instructor06:05 The Impact of Family and Cultural Background08:57 Navigating Life's Challenges and Personal Growth12:08 Hiding Behind a Smile: The Wedding Photo Story14:57 The Decision to Separate: Fear and Shame17:54 Finding Authenticity and Purpose21:02 The Role of Fitness in Personal Transformation23:45 Living Consciously: The Relationship with Alcohol31:05 Navigating Personal Growth and Friendships36:01 The Journey of Egg Freezing42:30 Understanding Relationship Needs52:24 The Reality Behind Social Media57:31 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling LifeYou can connect with Niki Kiskiras on her fitness page Instagram.To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources⁠⁠Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠Website⁠ ⁠

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