New Episodes Released Each Monday

New Episodes Released Each Monday ✨


“I truly believe that when we recover loudly, no one need suffer in silence.”

- Ash Butterss

Join Ash each week as she brings you powerful stories of adversity, hope and transformation. 

Whether it’s an epic interview or one of Ash’s in demand solo episodes, each recording delivers you tools and insights to unlock your full potential and create a life that excites you. 

If you’re hungry to learn and expand your mind then you’re in the right place.

This podcast is your one-stop shop for powerful strategies, raw vulnerability and the shared wisdom of those who’ve walked the path themselves.

About Behind The Smile

About Behind The Smile ✨

I created Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss because I’m on a mission to remove the stigma around mental health, trauma and addiction. 

From 2018 – 2020, I was drinking every day, stuck in a cycle of addiction yet from the outside looking in my life looked “normal.” I now know, I fell into the category of being a “high-functioning alcoholic” however, at the time, I thought I just needed to learn how to control my drinking. 

I was also experiencing poor mental health and debilitating panic attacks, which I was later medicated for, but I didn’t stop drinking and so the anxiety raged on. 

During this time, I didn’t know where to turn to. I knew there were programs such as AA, but I didn’t think I qualified because I didn’t think I was an alcoholic. I didn’t look like the “typical” alcoholic, and I hadn’t lost my job or my marriage, so I was at a loss. Nowhere could I find another person who looked and sounded like me, who was going through a similar experience and talking about it. 

When I got sober in 2020, I knew I needed to change this. I had a deep calling to start a conversation around mental health and addiction so that people could find identification in hearing people’s stories. 

We live in a society that demands perfectionism and often people are afraid to speak honestly and openly about their struggles. Yet the only way this stigma can be removed is by having the conversation! 

I hope these stories offer education and comfort for anyone experiencing difficulties today. Know that you’re not alone. 

Ash xo

Episode Show Notes

Take a trip through the latest episode show notes below
PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode 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, Nikki 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 Niki’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.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode 115. It’s Never Too Late to Start Over, with Mid-Life Alcohol Coach Belinda Stark

In this episode, Ash sits down with Alcohol and Midlife Coach, Belinda Stark, who shows that it’s never too late to transform your life after making her own significant changes in her mid-50s. After running a successful fashion business for over a decade, Belinda made the bold decision to change careers, inspired by her own journey of overcoming depression, breast cancer, divorce, and a complex relationship with alcohol.

Belinda shares her personal struggles, including postnatal depression and hospitalisation after the birth of her second son, the moment she realised alcohol was no longer serving her, and how she finally found the courage to step into sobriety. She reflects on the tools that helped her along the way, the challenges of reprogramming deep-seated beliefs, and the incredible shifts she has experienced in her relationships, self-esteem, and overall happiness.

Ash and Belinda also discuss the importance of self-compassion, navigating midlife reinvention, and why it’s never too late to make a change.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode 114. The True Cost of Success, with Ryan Trainor

In this latest episode, Ash has a deep and powerful conversation with Ryan Trainor, exploring his transformative journey from a successful entrepreneur to a more authentic and balanced human. They discuss the importance of curiosity, connection, and the need to let go of control in life. Ryan shares his experiences with mental health, the pressures of success, and the impact of childhood on his quest for relevance. The conversation also touches on the use of psychedelics for personal growth and the empowerment that comes from taking responsibility for your relationships and experiences.

Ash and Ryan explore the constructs of reality, the importance of community and connection, and the journey of personal growth through challenges. They discuss the need for open conversations, the impact of facing rock bottom, and the transformative power of meditation and mindfulness.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode 113. Navigating Divorce in Sobriety, with Kath Elliott

In this episode, Ash welcomes back a friend of the show, Kath Elliott, an alcohol mindset coach now entering her sixth year of sobriety. Kath returns to share openly about her recent experience of navigating divorce in sobriety. 

Kath discusses the fears that held her back, and how she ultimately made the decision to choose herself. Ash and Kath go on to discuss the emotional rollercoaster of grief, self-discovery, and learning to sit with discomfort, and how Kath found clarity through sobriety. 

The ladies also explore dating sober, redefining wealth beyond finances, and the power of stepping into life’s unknowns with courage. If you’ve ever questioned whether staying is harder than leaving, or if you’re afraid of what’s on the other side of a massive life transition—this episode is for you.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode 111. Solo Episode: How I Made It To 5 Years Sober!

In this special solo episode of Behind the Smile, Ash Butterss marks a huge milestone—five years of sobriety. Reflecting on her journey from rock bottom to a life beyond her wildest dreams, Ash shares the raw truth about what it really takes to break free from addiction and step into a life of clarity, peace, and purpose.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode 110:  The Truth About Healing at 20+ Years Sober, with Dean Beattie

In the latest episode of Behind the Smile, host Ash speaks with Dean Beattie, a longevity coach who’s overcome his own struggles with addiction. Having been sober for over 20+ years now, Dean shares candidly about the challenges he’s faced in recovery including healing his relationship with his family, overcoming financial fears and forming healthy intimate relationships. 


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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred Nine:  100 Days To Change Your Life, with Sober Flourish Founder Jodi Clark

In this week’s episode, Ash sits down with Jodi Clark, a business mentor and alcohol-free coach, to discuss her journey towards sobriety and self-discovery. 

Jodi shares how it was actually a 100-day weight-loss challenge that motivated her to go alcohol free, yet after seeing the positive impact it had on her mental health and relationships, she decided to stay sober for good. In this conversation, Jodi shares her transformative journey towards sobriety, discussing the profound impact it has had on her self-esteem, relationships, and overall quality of life. 

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred Eight:  From Poverty to Purpose with Alex Crouch 

In this latest episode, Ash has a deep conversation with psychotherapist Alex Crouch, who shares his journey of overcoming alcoholism and the impact it had on his life. Alex discusses his childhood experiences growing up in the USSR before moving to Australia, his struggles to fit in, and how alcohol became a coping mechanism. He reflects on the consequences of his addiction, the lessons learned and the impact he now wants to make in the world. 

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred Seven: Infidelity and Alcohol Addiction with Psychotherapist, Mel Watkins 

In this week’s episode, Ash welcomes back Patrick Kennedy to hear how he’s been managing life’s ups and downs in sobriety since recording their last episode together 18 months ago. 

They explore the challenges faced after the initial phase of sobriety, the importance of emotional health, and the significance of building connections within the recovery community. Patrick shares his experiences with daily routines, the impact of physical fitness, and his dabbling into breathwork.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred Six: Staying Sober Through Life’s Challenges, with Patrick Kennedy

In this week’s episode, Ash welcomes back Patrick Kennedy to hear how he’s been managing life’s ups and downs in sobriety since recording their last episode together 18 months ago. 


They explore the challenges faced after the initial phase of sobriety, the importance of emotional health, and the significance of building connections within the recovery community. Patrick shares his experiences with daily routines, the impact of physical fitness, and his dabbling into breathwork.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred Five: Parenting with Compassion: Jacintha Field on Self-Regulation and Emotional Healing

In this episode, Ash shares in a heartfelt conversation with Jacintha Field, a family and child counselor, about her transformative journey through personal challenges, including divorce and parenting. Jacintha shares her experiences with alcohol and mental health, the importance of self-love, and the tools she has developed to support children in emotional distress. 

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred Four: Manifesting A Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, with Hayley Lloyd

To kick off season four of Behind The Smile, Ash welcomes Hayley Lloyd, a business and authority building mentor. Hayley shares her journey from a corporate hustler who struggled with substance abuse, to a successful seven-figure coach who is five years clean and sober. The conversation delves into Hayley's daily practices, the significance of visioning days for entrepreneurs, and her personal struggles with trauma and the facade of strength. Hayley reflects on her chaotic childhood and how it shaped her resilience and approach to life and business. 


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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred Three: Why New Years Resolutions Rarely Stick and What To Try Instead with Psychotherapist Diane Young

To kick off the New Year, I’m sitting down with Trauma and Addiction Specialist Diane Young to discuss all things New Year’s Resolutions!

In this conversation we explore the concept of setting intentions instead of New Year's resolutions and the benefits of taking small steps towards change. The conversation delves into the differences between heavy drinkers and grey area drinkers and the continuum of drinking behaviour. It also addresses the connection between childhood trauma and eating disorders, as well as the role of boundaries in relationships.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred One: Finding Inner Peace: The Journey of Emotional Regulation, with Amy Mason (The Unedited Woman Series)

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In this episode, Ash has a deep conversation with Emotional Regulation Coach Amy Mason. They explore the journey of self-discovery, the importance of emotional regulation, and the impact of relationships on personal well-being. Amy shares her transformative journey from a reactive lifestyle to one of conscious response, detailing her struggles with a long-term relationship and the physical manifestations of stress. 

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode One-Hundred: How Breathwork Helped Me Breakthrough (The Unedited Woman Series)

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In this episode, Ash shares her transformative experience attending a breathwork facilitator training in the Snowy Mountains. She discusses her initial scepticism towards breathwork, her journey of discovery, and the profound impact it has had on her life. Ash delves into the science behind breathwork, explaining how it can heal emotional trauma, improve overall wellness, and enhance focus. She emphasises the importance of breathwork in personal transformation and invites listeners to explore this powerful practice for themselves.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode Ninety-Nine: ow to Embody and Befriend Your Nervous System, with Danni Carr (The Unedited Woman Series)

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In this episode, Ash welcomes Danni Carr for a heartfelt conversation about nervous system regulation, personal growth, and their upcoming workshops and retreats. They discuss the importance of understanding one's nervous system, the benefits of practices like yoga nidra, and how these tools can enhance relationships and overall well-being. Danni shares her journey of sobriety and the insights gained from her experiences, emphasising the significance of self-awareness and emotional regulation. The episode concludes with an exciting announcement about their upcoming retreat in Bali and the release of Danni’s new book, 'How I Quit Alcohol.'

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode Ninety-Eight: Discovering Your Purpose Through Human Design, with Aviva Joffe (The Unedited Woman Series)

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In today’s episode, Ash is sharing her recent engagement story. 


She discusses the story of how she met her fiancé and the beautiful moment of their engagement. Ash also delves into the importance of self-worth and how to reframe negative self-talk through mindfulness, affirmation practices, and gratitude. She highlights the power of neuroplasticity and the ability to rewire our thinking. The Radiant Woman event focused on physical transformation, skincare, makeup, and empowering women to rebuild their self-worth. Ash emphasises the importance of self-love and treating oneself with kindness and respect.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode Ninety-Seven: Sharing my Engagement Story (The Unedited Woman Series) 

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In today’s episode, Ash is sharing her recent engagement story. 


She discusses the story of how she met her fiancé and the beautiful moment of their engagement. Ash also delves into the importance of self-worth and how to reframe negative self-talk through mindfulness, affirmation practices, and gratitude. She highlights the power of neuroplasticity and the ability to rewire our thinking. The Radiant Woman event focused on physical transformation, skincare, makeup, and empowering women to rebuild their self-worth. Ash emphasises the importance of self-love and treating oneself with kindness and respect.

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