On The Mend is a podcast hosted by Matt Willis that explores recovery, resilience, and mental strength through honest conversations. Each episode features guests sharing powerful stories of personal transformation, expert insights, or solo reflections on addiction, identity, and healing. The show is a companion for anyone navigating life's challenges, offering hope and practical tools.
Episodes
105yo WWII Pilot on Loss, Never Losing Hope & The World Today
At 23, Colin Bell was flying into enemy fire, knowing there was a one-in-four chance he wouldn't make it home. Now, at 105, he's outlived every one of the men he flew alongside, lost the love of his life, and still refuses to lose hope.Colin shares what it was like to face death in the skies, the love he shared with his wife Kath for 73 years, and learning to carry on after losing her.Afte
Rick Shiels: I Promised My Wife I Wouldn’t Drink… Then Woke Up Not Knowing How We Got Home
Golf YouTuber Rick Shiels built a career in front of the camera, but behind the scenes, he was struggling to switch off, whether it was alcohol, his phone, or the weight of what strangers thought of him.Rick shares how changing his relationship with alcohol and social media helped him become a healthier, more present dad, and how he learned to stop letting online hate define him.From learning to s
Tom Grennan: The Text From an Old Friend That Saved My Life
Singer-songwriter Tom Grennan spent years believing alcohol and drugs were part of what made him who he was. Walking away from them meant facing a bigger question: who was he without them?Tom shares the moment he knew he had to change, the work it took to forgive himself, and how becoming a dad gave him a new perspective on the life he wanted to build. Rather than losing his personality, he found
Jeff Brazier: Foster Care, Losing Jade & Fighting for His Son
TV presenter and grief advocate Jeff Brazier knows that grief doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.After losing Jade Goody, Jeff became a solo parent to two grieving boys while putting his own pain to one side to keep his family going. He shares what he learned about grief, parenting and the limits of trying to fix something that can’t be fixed.Years later, Jeff has found a different way to
TOP RATED | “I’m One Beer Away from Losing Everything” | The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue
The Script's Danny O'Donoghue gets brutally honest about grief, PTSD, and what it really took to get sober. Following the devastating loss of his bandmate and best friend Mark Sheehan, Danny opens up about hitting rock bottom over a dark Christmas in Dublin and the brutal reality of quitting it all cold turkey.This discussion tracks the rollercoaster of Danny's career, from a failed €15 million re
TOP RATED | Simon Thomas: Sudden Loss, Grief and Alcohol Addiction
Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas delivers one of the most raw and honest accounts of grief and addiction ever shared in the public eye. Following the sudden death of his wife, Gemma, Simon faced a years-long battle with secret drinking while navigating the pressures of public life and parenthood.In this episode, he exposes the "release valve" of alcohol that promised an escape but led to a darker
TOP RATED | How a Phone Call on Air Changed Iain Lee’s Life Forever
After decades in the spotlight as a broadcaster, comedian, and writer, Iain Lee found himself in a moment that would change and possibly save, more than one life.In this powerful episode, Iain recounts the night a caller to his late-night radio show shared that he had taken an overdose. What followed was a raw, real-time crisis that showed the power of being present and how connection, even throug
Nikki Lilly: 97 Operations, Online Trolls & Years of Self-Hatred
Nikki Lilly has spent much of her life navigating chronic illness, hospital stays and a body that has often felt unfamiliar to her.She shares how creativity, therapy, family and connection have helped her rebuild her confidence and learn to accept herself exactly as she is.This is a conversation about self-love, resilience and finding your way back to yourself.This episode explores Chronic Illness
My Book That Got Pulled Last-Minute | Matt Willis
For Matt Willis, addiction was never the real problem. It was the solution to a pain he didn't know how to deal with.In this solo episode, Matt talks about Mending, his new memoir tracing his lifelong relationship with addiction, recovery, and the work of understanding what sits underneath it.He shares why he wrote the book, how he's learned to let go of resentment towards his past, and wh
Professor David Nutt: Psychedelics, Depression & The War On Drugs
Matt Willis sits down with Professor David Nutt, one of the world's leading experts on drugs and the brain, to answer a question so many people carry in silence: why can't I just stop?David explains how addiction changes the brain, why willpower isn't always enough, and why understanding the biology can help replace shame with compassion.He also explores the emerging science of psychedelics and th
The Moment Window Kid Broke Down Over Losing Himself To Alcohol
Musician and internet personality Window Kid, aka Greg, built a career around being the life of the party, until drinking nearly cost him his life.After being hospitalised with severe pancreatitis, Greg was faced with a reality he couldn't ignore: if he carried on drinking, he could die. But getting sober also meant confronting a bigger fear, who was Window Kid without alcohol?Greg shares how he r
“I Know I’m Going to Die of Dementia” | Jordan Adams
Mental health and dementia advocate Jordan Adams grew up watching Frontotemporal Dementia slowly take his mum away. Years later, a genetic test revealed that he carries the same mutation.Jordan shares the unique grief of losing someone while they're still here, and what it means to live knowing he may develop the same disease that took his mum.But rather than allowing that uncertainty to define hi
"I Hated Myself for What I'd Done" | Ben West, on Losing His Brother
Mental health campaigner Ben West was 17 when his younger brother Sam took his own life. In a single night, everything changed.Ben shares the guilt he carried afterwards, the conversations he wishes he'd known how to have, and how he eventually began to understand that he wasn't responsible for what happened.He also explores how grief became purpose, from campaigning for better mental health educa
The Race Across The World That Helped Alfie Watts Process His Grief
Race Across the World star Alfie Watts knows how much can change in a day.At 16, during the lowest point of his life, he made a decision to stay for “one more day”, then another. Years later, Alfie looks back at that version of himself as someone he barely recognises.From losing his mum and finding family outside of blood, to becoming the role model he once needed, Alfie shares the mindset that ha
The Constant Chaos That Made Me Keep Drinking: Preston from Ordinary Boys
Musician and songwriter Preston sits down with Matt to explore fame, addiction, and the long road back to himself.Preston shares how a four-storey fall from a hotel balcony in Denmark led to months in a wheelchair, an OxyContin prescription, and a private battle with addiction. He also reflects on the pressures of sudden fame after Celebrity Big Brother, being prescribed Prozac at 14, and trying t
How James Haskell Survived Injury, Divorce and Grief & Came Out Stronger
Former England rugby star James Haskell explores life with unmedicated ADHD, the pressure of rugby's “tough guy” culture, and finding a sense of identity beyond the sport.James shares what it was like to navigate elite rugby without ADHD medication, the self-doubt behind his confident public persona, and why he believes real strength comes from being willing to talk.After retiring at 35, James had
The Moment Michelle Heaton Became Dependent On Alcohol
Singer and TV presenter Michelle Heaton's story is about more than addiction. It's about identity, loss, and finding your way back to yourself.In this episode, Michelle shares how a BRCA2 diagnosis, surgical menopause, and addiction became deeply intertwined, and how recovery helped her reconnect with the person she thought she'd lost.Together, we explore shame, healing, and why recovery is never
15 Questions About Addiction I’m Finally Answering | Matt Willis
In this solo episode, Matt Willis answers some of the internet’s most searched questions about addiction, relapse, and recovery, sharing the lessons he’s learned from his own journey.Matt explores why substances can feel like a solution before becoming something we need help escaping, why addiction isn’t a choice or a moral failing, and why relapse doesn’t mean starting again from zero.He also sha
Drunk, Selling Drugs & Becoming My Father’s Son | Josh Connolly
One of the UK's leading mental health advocates, Josh Connolly, joins us for a deeply honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, and what it really takes to break generational cycles.Josh reflects on growing up with a father battling severe alcoholism, witnessing his death at just nine years old, and the lasting impact those experiences had on his own life. He shares how he found himse
Sam Thompson: Blame, Masking and Never Feeling Enough
TV presenter Sam Thompson opens up about his late-stage ADHD diagnosis and the profound relief of finally finding a reason, not an excuse, for a lifetime of struggling. Sam shares the emotional reckoning of his diagnosis, recalling the moment he wept uncontrollably as the weight of self-blame, school struggles, and feeling "not enough" finally lifted.He shares the practical, everyday tools that ke
Divorce, Breakdown & The Crash That Nearly Killed Me | Michail Antonio
Premier League footballer Michail Antonio gets honest about the hidden cost of elite success, identity, and what it really means to rebuild. In this episode, Michail reflects on the reality of winning a historic trophy with West Ham, only to spend months struggling with depression and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure that followed. He also opens up about starting therapy at 34 to unpack ch
Alcohol Addiction, Blackouts and Hangover Anxiety | Sobriety Movement Campaigner Millie Gooch
Sober Girl Society founder Millie Gooch challenges everything we think we know about dependency in a conversation that dismantles the “rock bottom” myth. Despite a successful career and social life, alcohol was quietly affecting her mental health and relationships, leading her to realise she couldn’t keep going as she was.This discussion explores the cycle of “hangxiety” and how drinking is often
The Moment Dr. Tara Knew Her Marriage Was Over
Sexologist and TV expert Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn (Celebs Go Dating, 90 Day Fiancé) joins us to break the heavy silence and shame surrounding sex, intimacy, and recovery.In a particularly raw moment, Matt admits he’s never spoken openly about sex with another man, highlighting the exact stigma that causes so many men to suffer in silence.Dr. Tara, who has built an audience of over 2 million fol
The Moment Will Young Stopped Recognising His Own Face
Singer-songwriter and actor Will Young speaks with disarming honesty about surviving decades of trauma, hypervigilance, and the long shadow of shame. Following a breakdown during Cabaret, Will opens up about spending over ten years in a state of severe dissociation, describing it as living behind frosted glass, unable to recognize faces or feel joy.He also shares his profound path to healing throu
The Secret Addiction That Controlled Ore Oduba’s Life
TV presenter and broadcaster Ore Oduba joins us for an incredibly raw and unflinchingly honest conversation on pornography addiction, toxic masculinity, and grief.Ore opens up about being introduced to explicit material at just nine years old and the devastating "duality" of spending 30 years hiding his addiction while living a highly successful public life.This discussion dives deep into how repe
The Night John Robins Knew He Had to Quit Drinking
Award-winning comedian and broadcaster John Robins tackles the fundamental question: are alcoholics born or made?In this episode, John opens up about his 20-year struggle with chronic alcohol use, the childhood signs that hid in plain sight, and why every "moderation spreadsheet" failed until he accepted that one drink was the real problem.The conversation moves past the "why" of addiction to focu
Author Matt Haig Confesses His Darkest Moments
Matt Willis sits down with the celebrated, bestselling author Matt Haig for a deeply personal conversation on the cost of living without a map. From a life-altering breakdown at 24 to navigating a late-in-life diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, Matt explores how a lack of understanding of his own brain led to decades of exhaustion, masking, and misdirected pain.The discussion dives into the realities o
The Moment I Knew My Mind Was Working Against Me | Matt Willis & Marisa Peer
Matt sits down with world-renowned therapist Marisa Peer to dismantle the self-sabotaging loops that keep us stuck. If you’ve ever felt like your brain is working against your recovery, this conversation provides the ultimate manual for reclaiming control.We explore the "Ladder of Looping Thoughts" and the powerful truth that you weren’t born broken, you learned it. Marisa explains the link betwee
When Was Your Hardest Time? Honest Q&A On Mental Health, Therapy, Grief & Recovery
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, this special compilation episode curates life-changing insights from people who have faced addiction, grief, anxiety, and personal struggle firsthand. Featuring conversations with Tony Adams, Roy Stride, John Robins, Matt Haig, Marisa Peer, Simon Thomas, and other leading voices, this episode explores what it really means to recover, rebuild confiden
Things Men Don't Say Out Loud | Matt Willis, Spencer Matthews & Jake Humphrey
This special roundtable episode explores the vital role of mental fitness in reaching and sustaining peak performance. In this special roundtable episode, in partnership with BetterHelp, hosts Jake Humphrey, Spencer Matthews, and Matt Willis reframe therapy as an essential "performance tool." By comparing mental maintenance to physical training, the trio highlights how proactive support is ke
“I Could Have Died So Many Times” Scouting For Girls' Roy Stride On his Alcohol Addiction
Scouting for Girls frontman Roy Stride achieved global fame and number-one albums, but behind the scenes, he was wearing a mask. For 25 years, he used alcohol to bridge the gap between his public persona and a deep-seated feeling of never being "enough," eventually spiraling into a high-functioning nightmare of secret drinking and pre-show panic attacks.In this episode, Roy pulls back the curtain
The Moment Lulu Finally Acknowledged She Had A Drinking Problem
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Winning Titles with Arsenal While Fighting Addiction | Tony Adams Story
Arsenal legend and former England captain Tony Adams joins us to reflect on 30 years of sobriety, and the moment he realised that despite having everything, he didn’t know who he was.He opens up about the reality behind the legendary football career, the blackouts, the hidden struggles, and the breaking point where he no longer wanted to be alive. Tony also shares the specific, raw moment of surre
The Breaking Point That Made Me Face The Truth | Vicky Pattison
TV personality, author and radio presenter, Vicky Pattison, discusses her journey through self-care, addiction, and healing from the trauma of being a child of an alcoholic.She opens up about how her mantra “you can’t pour from an empty cup” became crucial for managing anxiety, and the pain of realising she’d been an enabler to her father. Vicky also talks about using her second chance on I’m a Ce
I Swapped My Addiction from Alcohol to Golf | Tubes Shares Recovery Story Going Sober
A special golfing and sobriety chat this week brings us into the life of Peter “Tubes” Dale, who turned to golf as a way to keep up socialisation with his friends after making the brave decision to give up alcohol and stop drinking. In this episode, he opens up about the moment when he decided to switch out alcohol for finding a hobby, how he landed on golf, and how having an addict's mentality is
I Knew Drinking Would Ruin Me… I Did It Anyway
TV personality and endurance athlete Spencer Matthews joins Matt Willis to talk openly about how alcohol quietly took over his life, from waking up drunk and lying to the people closest to him, to feeling isolated, ashamed, and completely disconnected from the person he wanted to be.He shares how drinking stopped being social and became something he was doing alone, and the moment that forced him
Why Narcissists Can’t Handle Criticism | Narcissism Expert Explains
This week’s guest is Kathleen Saxton, who dives deep into the complexities of narcissism, family dynamics, and the painful journey of healing from childhood wounds.Kathleen breaks down the three types of narcissists, ‘grandiose’, ‘covert’, and ‘malignant’, offering an eye-opening framework, particularly highlighting covert narcissists who use pity and victimhood for supply. She explores how childr
How One Devastating Moment Changed Professor Green’s Life Forever
This week’s guest is Professor Green, who opens up about his journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth, and the ongoing process of learning from past mistakes.Professor Green shares his struggles with shame and addiction, discussing how he broke free from the cycle of destructive behavior by rejecting the people who kept him stuck. He talks about his late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, which h
Matt Willis Q&A: Addiction, Getting Sober And Facing Your Emotions
Have you ever realised that the biggest obstacle to your growth might be you?In this solo episode, Matt Willis answers your questions and shares powerful moments from his personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the ongoing work of self-awareness. Matt talks about the emotional realisation he had when he understood he was the common denominator in all his drinking situations, and how bein
How Addiction Destroyed My Family | Arron Crascall
This week’s guest is Arron Crascall, who shares his raw journey from struggling with addiction and low self-esteem to finding hope and transformation through surrender and honesty.Arron talks about how he never felt comfortable in his own skin, always changing to fit in, and how his first drink at 17 gave him the feeling of being “alive” for the first time. He opens up about the long battle with a
Strictly's Amy Dowden: Recovering from Cancer, Sepsis and a Double Mastectomy
This week’s guest is Amy Dowden, who shares her powerful journey through breast cancer, fertility struggles, and mental health challenges, a story of resilience that’s messy, ongoing, and real.Amy talks about returning to Strictly Come Dancing just months after chemotherapy, only to realise she was burying her trauma. When health complications forced her off the show, she hit rock bottom, lower th
Davinia Taylor: Recovering from Addiction, Loss & Self-Doubt
This week’s guest is Davinia Taylor, who challenges the traditional narrative of addiction and opens up about her journey from shame and self-doubt to embracing recovery on her own terms.In this episode, Davinia talks candidly about her realisation that addiction isn’t always tied to trauma, and how understanding the biochemical and genetic basis of her struggle, low dopamine, ADHD, and even Vikin
Sam Ryder: Recovering from Addiction, Hustle Culture and Self-Doubt
This week’s guest is Sam Ryder, someone who knows the struggle of chasing a dream for years, only to face the crushing reality of near-misses and setbacks. For over 15 years, Sam toured the world in tiny vans, scraping by with borrowed hope, never knowing if success would come. But when the door finally cracked open, it did so with an unexpected, life-changing shift.In this episode, Sam talks cand
Matt Willis: I Got Married Three Days After Rehab
Recovery isn’t a straight line, and Matt Willis reflects openly on what that reality has meant for him.In this solo episode, Matt speaks candidly about addiction, recovery, and the long process of learning to live differently. He explores the moments that forced him to confront himself, the challenges of trying to change alone, and the ongoing work required to stay well.Rather than offering simple
I FINALLY QUIT NICOTINE… Can I Keep It Up?
This isn’t just a conversation, it’s a live experiment.TJ Power challenges Matt Willis in real time to face the invisible addictions quietly draining his energy and to decide, on camera, what he’s willing to let go of to feel fully alive again.From nicotine and endless scrolling to constant stimulation, Matt confronts habits he no longer enjoys but feels unable to escape. TJ also explains how thes
From Royal Marine to Rock Bottom: The Battle No One Sees | Jason Fox
When the structure that’s held your life together disappears, what are you left with?In this episode, Jason Fox talks about the moment everything collapsed after leaving the military, not gradually, but instantly. Twenty years of purpose, belonging, and identity ended overnight, and the relief he expected never came. Instead, he felt more broken than ever, realising too late that the thing he thou
What Actually BREAKS Addiction: TJ Power Explains the Science
This week’s guest is Tj Power, lead neuroscientist and founder of the DOSE Lab, who helps us understand what’s really happening in our brains when we feel overwhelmed, burnt out, glued to our phones, or stuck in patterns we can’t quite explain.In this episode, TJ breaks down mental health in a way that feels human, not clinical. He talks about why so many of us feel constantly on edge, how modern
It Took Me 60 Years to Admit This | Lulu
This week’s guest is Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, a woman who has spent a lifetime living between two selves, and learning what it costs to keep parts of yourself hidden. Known to the world as Lulu, she grew up as “Marie”, a child shaped by chaos at home, silence, and shame, long before she was told she needed to become someone brighter, cleaner, and easier for the public to love.In this episode, Lul
How Alcohol Took Over My Life | Tubes
This week’s guest is Peter “Tubes” Dale, someone who knows how quickly things can unravel when drinking, shame, and identity start feeding off each other. Known publicly as the funny one, the lad who could always carry it, Tubes was privately stuck in a cycle of blackouts, panic, and self-loathing, watching the distance grow between who he was and the person he became when alcohol took over.In thi
The Truth About Ruby Wax’s Mental Health Crash
Ruby Wax has spent decades making people laugh, but this conversation is about what happens when the jokes stop working.In this episode, Ruby speaks with rare honesty about living with depression, relapse, and the exhausting work of trying to hold yourself together when your mind won’t cooperate. She talks about coming off antidepressants to explore psilocybin therapy and ending up in a mental hea
I Looked High-Functioning - I Was Falling Apart | Jordan Stephens
This week on On The Mend, I’m sitting down with Jordan Stephens, someone who knows exactly how quickly life can unravel when addiction, shame, identity, and survival all get mixed together. From the outside, things looked great. Behind the scenes, Jordan was stuck in cycles that were blowing up his relationships and pulling him further away from the person he actually wanted to be. In this ch
The Trigger Behind Roxie Nafousi’s Manifestation Journey
Roxie Nafousi joins Matt for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about addiction, healing, and the long journey toward self-worth. She speaks candidly about how her search for confidence and belonging led her into a cycle of shame, isolation, and rock-bottom moments, and how she came to believe there was no way out.What makes Roxie’s story resonate is her understanding that struggle is uni
The Night Scott Thomas Knew He Had to Change
This week’s guest is Scott Thomas, whose journey to sobriety has become a powerful example of how one person’s change can transform the lives of many. By being open about his struggles and creating a safe space for honest conversations, Scott has inspired friends, family, and even strangers, to confront their own challenges and pursue a different path.In this episode, Scott talks about the battle
How One Night at Home Changed Russell Kane's Life Forever
This week’s guest is Russell Kane, the award-winning comedian and writer whose life and work span far beyond the stereotypes people often place on him. Despite growing up with expectations about who he should be and what his background meant for his future, Russell carved his own path, challenging labels, breaking cycles, and proving that your starting point doesn’t have to define your destination
Photos of Me I DON’T Remember: Matt Willis Goes Down Memory Lane
In this solo episode, Matt Willis opens up about his past and the years spent in active addiction. He talks candidly about the contrast between public success and private struggle, the exhausting effort of keeping up appearances while quietly falling apart behind the scenes.Matt revisits memories that are often blurred or painful to recall, reflecting on how addiction affected his relationships, h
Rosie Jones: Being Disabled, Ridiculed and Attacked
Comedian, writer and actress, Rosie Jones, brings her trademark honesty, humour, and heart to a conversation about difference, self-acceptance, and finding strength in vulnerability. She talks openly about what it means to feel out of place, the pressure to meet others’ expectations, and how she’s learned to stop comparing herself to anyone else’s version of success.Rosie doesn’t shy away from the
Backstage with Busted vs McFly: Harry, Dougie & Matt Get Deep on Tour
Recorded literally backstage, Matt Willis sits down with Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter for a candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about life on the road, friendship, and everything in between.Between playful banter and a spontaneous “backstage set list” game, the trio open up about the chaos of touring, the lessons fame taught them, and how they’ve each learned to stay grounded t
Calum Scott on Coming Out, Depression & Finding Peace
Calum Scott joins Matt for a moving and honest conversation about the battles that often stay hidden behind success. From depression and body dysmorphia to self-acceptance and sexuality, Calum opens up about the moments that brought him to the edge, and the strength it took to rebuild.He also talks about the power of speaking openly, seeking support, and taking small steps toward healing, remindin
Matt Willis: Taking Life In Recovery 1 Day at a Time
In this solo episode, Matt Willis explores what it really means to control your own narrative. He opens up about moments in his life when others tried to define him, through fame, addiction, or public perception, and how losing control of his story left him feeling misunderstood and disconnected from who he truly was.Matt also shares personal experiences, including how winning I’m a Celebrity… Get
Richard Madeley: How I SURVIVED the Headlines, Grief & a Career in TV
This week’s guest is Richard Madeley, the broadcaster and writer whose career has spanned decades of conversations with people from all walks of life. Behind the fame and public recognition, Richard has faced his own personal challenges, including addiction, grief, family complexities, and the pressures of life in the spotlight.In this episode, Richard discusses the importance of authenticity and
How to Make Social Media Work for You
Matt Willis goes beyond the surface of social media in this solo episode. He shares his honest experiences with the pressures, comparisons, and negativity that online life can bring, and how these challenges have affected his mental health and recovery.Rather than an anti-social media rant, Matt offers practical ways to stay mindful and intentional, setting boundaries, curating feeds, taking break
How to Train your Mind to Achieve Anything | Maya Raichoora Reveals the Mental Science
Author and mindset coach Maya Raichoora joins Matt to unpack the power of self-image, mindset, and transformation. She reveals why success often crumbles without inner change, and how becoming the person who deserves your goals is the key to making them stick.Maya also shares practical tools for growth, from tailoring goals to your unique wiring to her mantra of “train it till you trust it.” By co
What’s Really Going On With the Busted vs McFly Tour | Matt Willis
In this solo episode, Matt Willis takes listeners behind the scenes of life on tour in “Backstage Battle.” Beyond the excitement of performing, he opens up about the real challenges he faces, managing his mental health, maintaining recovery, and sticking to routines that keep him grounded amid the pressures of life on the road.Matt also shares how he navigates the adrenaline of nightly performance
The Side of Larry Lamb You’ve Never Seen: Life Beyond Gavin & Stacey
This week’s guest is Larry Lamb, the beloved actor and storyteller who brings a lifetime of wisdom to the table. Known for his warmth and humor, Larry reflects on aging, resilience, and the simple yet powerful ways to live well as the years go by.In this episode, Larry opens up about the realities of growing older, the aches, the slower pace, and the temptation to dwell on worries, while showing w
"I Needed To Recover First To Become A Good Dad" | Matt Willis on Parenting & the Shame of Addiction
In this solo episode, Matt Willis reflects on parenting through the lens of recovery in “The Parent I’m Trying To Be.” With honesty and vulnerability, he shares how fatherhood has shaped his growth, from owning up to mistakes to breaking cycles from his own upbringing.This isn’t a guide to perfect parenting, but a candid reflection on presence over perfection, the value of everyday “junk time,” an
Sum 41's Deryck Whibley: Talking Sobriety After My Near Death Experience | EXCLUSIVE
Deryck Whibley joins Matt for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about addiction, recovery, and the lessons hidden in life’s hardest moments.The singer-songwriter opens up about why he chose to write his book entirely in his own words, valuing authenticity over polish, and reflects on the role of memory, mistakes, and vulnerability in personal growth. He also shares openly about his struggles
Matt Willis: Fearing Failure, Self-Sabotage and Relapse
What if failure was the key to success?In this solo episode, Matt Willis opens up about his own fear of failure, from the nerves of launching a new season to the deeper anxieties that have shaped his life. Drawing on Simon Sinek’s ideas and his own lived experience, Matt explores why fear of failure is universal, how it can hold us back, and how it can also drive us forward.With raw honesty, he sh
What Happens When Success Becomes Your Addiction? Gary Stevenson’s Story
This week's guest is Gary Stevenson, a former top trader who knows firsthand what happens when success becomes an addiction. At the height of his career, he was winning big, but behind the scenes, his health, happiness, and humanity were breaking down.Gary pulls back the curtain on the trading world, revealing why “money = happiness” is a dangerous lie, how high-stakes trading mirrors gambling, an
What Love Is Blind Taught Matt Willis About Connection and the Truth About Busted
In this raw solo episode, Matt Willis shares the untold side of his journey, from Busted fame to hitting rock bottom, and why real recovery only began when he stopped trying to do it alone.Matt opens up about the power of vulnerability, the fear of rejection, and the moment he had to admit relapse to his wife. He explores why connection is the one thing that saved him, and why healing isn’t possib
Why I Had to Stop Everything: Matt Willis on Burnout & Growth
We’re back! In this brand new season of On The Mend, Matt Willis opens up about what he’s been up to recently, alongside his struggles with overwhelm and the ongoing work of recovery. He shares what’s been helping, from hobbies to gratitude and sets the tone for a season full of raw, real conversations with guests, experts, and you. Expect new segments, deeper honesty, and powerful stories ab
Jordan Stephens on ADHD, Sobriety and Relearning Healthy Relationships
This week’s guest is the musician, actor, writer, and podcaster Jordan Stephens.Jordan’s probably best known for Rizzle Kicks, the chart-topping duo he formed with his friend Harley Alexander-Sule, back in 2008.He's since released music as a solo artist, starred in various TV and film projects, published a children’s book, and now he’s written a memoir: Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs.In thi
Why I Took a Break From Social Media (Live Q&A)
Matt is back with another social media special episode! Since so many of you resonated with Part 1 (episode: My Honest Thoughts On Social Media) we're bringing you a Part 2, where Matt is diving deeper into his relationship with his mobile phone.Matt spills some details on why he feels the need to take a break from social media, how he's doing it, and why others should consider it too.Plus, since
Building a Mental Health Movement with Dan Murray-Serter
This week’s guest is the entrepreneur and mental health advocate Dan Murray-Serter.Dan has ten years’ experience of building up businesses but, also, of winding them down. He’s spoken publicly about his failures, as well as his personal experience with anxiety, insomnia, depression, burnout, body dysmorphia and bulimia. And the steps Dan took towards improving his own mental and physical health, l
My Honest Thoughts on Social Media & Recovery
The secret is out… Matt Willis and his wife, Emma, are currently on a 3-week long social media break. They’re doing this alongside a group of year 8 students, whose experiment will be the star of an upcoming Channel 4 documentary.But what does Matt really think of all of this? Before the experiment, we caught up with Matt to ask his honest opinion on social media. Is it a good thing? Bad thing? Wh
Gabby Logan on Grief, Competitiveness, and Finding Peace in Middle Age
Gabby was the first female football anchor on terrestrial television and she’s perfected the art of asking great questions, while covering a wide range of international sporting events. In this episode, Matt turns the tables on Gabby, and she speaks with great honesty, sharing moments and insights from her life and career.Sporty and very driven from an early age, Gabby competed at the Commonwealth
3 Books That Changed My Recovery
This week Matt is sharing the top 3 books that have shaped his life and his journey as a recovered addict. He’ll be breaking down exactly why they mean so much to him – and why you should consider checking them out too!Matt has sprinkled some bonus honourable mentions, plus some feedback from all of you lovely listeners! We recently asked Matt’s Instagram followers to recommend their life-changing
What We Get Wrong About Addiction and the War on Drugs with Johann Hari
This week’s guest is Johann Hari, whose books and TED Talks on depression, anxiety, and addiction have reached millions of people. His 2015 talk Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong had a huge impact on Matt, changing how he thought about his own recovery. Matt then devoured Johann’s first book Chasing The Scream which looked at the war on drugs, through the story of Billie Holid
On Love: What Recovery Taught Me
This week, Matt is opening up about a topic that makes many of us uncomfortable… love!Matt and his wife, broadcaster Emma Willis, have been going strong for 20 years. They’ve been through high, lows and all sorts of addiction-related battles. If anything, they’ve come out of the other side stronger. Since Matt and Emma began hosting the UK Series of Love Is Blind, the pair have been asked the same
Dr David Spiegel on Hypnosis, Healing, and Regaining Control
Matt dives into the world of hypnosis with the psychiatrist Dr David Spiegel.In this episode, Matt finds out just how susceptible he is to hypnosis, with results that truly blow him away, and he gets some practical tips on how to reduce anxiety.Dr Spiegel is the Director of the Center on Stress and Health at Stanford University School of Medicine and a leading authority on hypnosis. He has 50 year
Relapse, Busted and Recovery Real Talk - Your Questions Answered
Matt is back in the hot seat for our second Q and A episode!We loved our first Q and A episode so much that we're back with a new round of questions from some of our listeners. Get ready to hear about a range of topics, as Matt opens up about being in a band as a recovering addict, how to best support an addict in your life, removing guilt from relapsing, and so much more.Missed the previous Q
