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 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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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode Ninety-Six: Preventing Burnout through Breath (The Unedited Woman Series) 

Welcome to The Unedited Woman series! In today’s episode, Ash is sharing an episode with you around the importance of mindfulness and its role in avoiding burnout. She highlights the high levels of stress experienced by women and the need to prioritise self-care. Ash explains that mindfulness is a practice that can regulate emotions and the nervous system, leading to improved mental clarity and overall well-being. She shares three breath practices - diaphragmatic breath, box breath, and alternate nostril breath - that can be incorporated into a mindfulness practice. Ash emphasises that mindfulness is a powerful tool for navigating the chaos of everyday life and unleashing one's true potential.

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PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss PODCAST Ashleigh Butterss

Episode Ninety-Five: I'm Coming Home: The Podcast Relaunch

In this episode of Behind the Smile, Ash Butterss returns to share her journey of transformation and the importance of authentic conversations about mental health, trauma, and addiction. She reflects on her time away from the podcast, the lessons learned, and her commitment to creating a space for meaningful connections. Ash highlights the significance of trusting oneself, embracing the messiness of life, and the excitement of new beginnings as she prepares to relaunch the podcast with fresh content and guests.

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