"Life - The Long and Short of it" offers an insight into the world of addiction, the journey to recovery and the ongoing personal growth through our own experiences and others. We will talk to a range of people who have been personally impacted by addiction, experts and therapists.
We will discuss topics ranging from addiction, therapy, family, and relationships. Ultimately, we want to offer people some hope that there is a way out of addiction and a beautiful life can emerge from it.
In Part Two, Alice talks about what recovery has given her — and what life looks like when she is no longer missing out. From learning to enjoy ordinary moments and feel comfortable in her own skin, to rebuilding her relationship with herself and understanding the difference between sobriety and recovery, Alice reflects on the changes that have come with recovery.
We also talk about navigating social situations, rewriting old stories, therapy, and learning to live differently without losing the parts of life that matter.
Content warning: addiction, alcohol and drug use, mental health and recovery.
7 Sept 2026
Alice: I Kept Moving the Bar | Part One | S2 E4
Alice joins us to talk openly about her journey through addiction, from feeling out of place as a child and discovering alcohol and drugs at a young age, through years of chaos, relationships, work and increasingly dangerous substance use.
She talks about trauma, the ways addiction shaped her behaviour and relationships, and the denial that kept her believing she could control it. Despite repeatedly trying to set rules around drinking and using, she kept moving the bar — until eventually those rules stopped working.
This is an honest and sometimes difficult conversation about addiction, survival and what happens when you can no longer convince yourself that everything is under control.
Content warning: This episode discusses addiction, sexual abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and drug use. Please take care while listening and stop if you need to.
24 Aug 2026
James: Finding Myself in Recovery | Part Two | S2 E3
In Part Two of our conversation with James, we pick up after his first attempt at rehab — when he knew he was going to drink again — and hear what finally changed.
James talks openly about relapse, finding recovery, and the moment he finally became willing to listen. He shares the power of meeting people who understood what he was going through, and how recovery gradually helped him rebuild his self-respect, relationships, work and family life.
We also talk about identity, sexuality, trauma, living sober, and discovering who you are when addiction is no longer defining your life.
James reflects on his role as a trustee of the Nelson Trust, the ripple effect of recovery, and what it means to become a source of hope for other people.
After nearly losing everything, James describes recovery as giving him something he never thought he'd get back: a life he actually wants to live.
10 Aug 2026
James: I Knew I Was Going to Drink Again | Part One | S2 E2
In Part One of our conversation with James, he talks about growing up feeling different, hiding parts of himself, and using alcohol and drugs to change the way he felt.
From childhood and sexuality to a successful career in wine, James shares how addiction gradually took hold despite the appearance that everything was under control. We talk about denial, shame, trauma and the first time he went to rehab.
But as James left, he already knew one thing:
He was going to drink again.
13 Jul 2026
Four Years On | S2 E1
Four years into recovery, Dan and Martin reflect on how their lives have changed since getting sober.
They talk openly about relationships, parenting, co-parenting, financial insecurity, anxiety, OCD, therapy, antidepressants and the difference between recovery and mental health.
Recovery didn't solve everything—but it's given them the foundations to keep rebuilding.
16 Oct 2025
S1 E10 - Daud's Story
This conversation delves into the personal journey of addiction, exploring Daud's experiences from childhood through adulthood. It highlights the early signs of addiction, the transition into crime, and the role of drugs as a coping mechanism. The discussion also touches on the impact of institutionalisation and the complexities of relationships formed during this tumultuous period. Ultimately, it emphasises the importance of understanding one's past in the journey towards recovery and personal growth, and the impact of relationships on one's life. Daud shares his struggles with substance use, the turning points that led to recovery, and the ongoing challenges faced in maintaining sobriety. Through candid reflections, we explore the complexities of addiction, the importance of support systems, and the transformative power of self-discovery and spirituality.
16 Aug 2025
S1 E9 - Confronting Fears
In this conversation, we delve into the profound impact of fear on addiction and recovery. We explore personal experiences with various fears, including fear of abandonment, failure, and responsibility, and how these fears often lead to self-sabotage. The discussion highlights the role of trauma in addiction, the challenges of navigating relationships, and the process of coping with loss and grief. We emphasise the importance of living in the present, letting go of fears, and recognising that thoughts do not define one's reality. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a testament to the growth that can emerge from painful experiences in recovery.
9 Aug 2025
S1 E8 - James' Story
This conversation explores the journey of addiction and recovery through the personal story of James, who shares his experiences with substance abuse, the impact of early life events, and the path to recovery. The discussion delves into the complexities of addiction, the role of trauma, and the importance of forgiveness in healing. James reflects on his struggles, the moments that led him to seek help, and the ongoing journey of recovery, emphasizing the significance of community and support in overcoming addiction.
3 Jul 2025
S1 E7 - Emily's Story & EFT Tapping
In this episode we are joined by Emily Andrew, who shares her story of recovering from a near fatal eating disorder, introduces us to Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Tapping as she is a Certified Advanced EFT practitioner, and discusses her decision to live a sober life.
EFT can help with a variety of issues including trauma & PTSD, food issues, anxiety, stress and even travel sickness as Emily explains in this episode.
Emily offers a range of therapies both online and in person.
You can follow Emily on Instagram @wearemindbody https://www.instagram.com/wearemindbody
And you can find out more about the other therapies Emily offers at https://www.wearemindbody.co.uk/
30 Mar 2025
S1 E6 - Sam's Story & Conscious Connected Breathing
Martin and Dan are joined by their first guest, Sam who shares her experience around alcoholism and how this led to her interest and practicing of conscious connected breathing. Sam has a great story to tell of her alcoholism and recovery, while providing an insight into a therapy that is an alternative to talking therapies.
You can book a session with Sam here
https://www.isbourne.org/events/conscious-connected-breathwork
You can read about the other techniques Sam uses to help people optimise their energy, refine their nervous system and improve their overall wellbeing here
https://sam-merron.com
You can listen to Sam & Al's recovery podcast, “Recovery People Everywhere” here
https://open.spotify.com/show/3zbm5ABrdjjJcRwzPH5LDy?si=kfP8s2nBQk69LHgXyKGuGw
16 Mar 2025
S1 E5 - Early Recovery - Part Two
We continue to discuss our experience of early recovery
9 Sept 2024
S1 E4 - Early Recovery - Part One
We talk about the challenges we faced in early recovery, getting on with life without drink and drugs, and how our relationships have changed.
23 Aug 2024
S1 E3 - Recovery
In this episode we discuss what recovery is to us, some of the things we have learnt during our time in recovery. We talk about why we initially asked for help, what we wanted from recovery and what it's been like. We also reflect on how our thinking and experience of life has changed since finding recovery, and touch on connecting with spirituality
11 Aug 2024
S1 E2 - Addiction
In this episode we discuss what an addict is, the different forms addiction can take - gambling, shopping, exercise, food, drugs and alcohol.
We tell more of our stories and share some of the things we did in our addiction, the insanity of our thinking, the obsession around our chosen substance and harm we caused to others
5 Aug 2024
S1 E1 - Dan & Martin's Story
Dan and Martin tell the stories of their journey through addiction and how they got into recovery.
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